BACKGROUND: Metallothioneins(MTs) are ubiquitous low molecular weight cytosolic proteins with high contents of cystein that xhibit a selective binding affinity for zinc, copper and other group II heavy metal ions. In additi~on to the sequestration function and detoxification action, MTs probably participate in the cellirlar protection against. ionizing radiation and alkylating agent cytotoxicity and in cellular pn:liferation. OBJECT: The objective of this study was to evaIuate the expression of MTs and to clarify t.heir role in carcinogenesis and/or biological behaviour in the neoplasms of ectoderrnal origin. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical studies on the surgical specimens of rnalignant rnelanoma and squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The results were compared with the normal skin and mu osa and hair t,issues and raf't-on culture tissues of skin and mucosal keratinocytes. RESULTS: 1) MTs were strongly expressed in epidermal basal cells of the normal skin and raft-on cultured artificial skin They were also rnore weakly expressed in epithelial basal cells of the normal mucosa and raft on cultured artificial mucosa and in matrix cells of the normal hair. 2) In rnalignant melanoma, MTs were meaningfully expressed, i.e., a strong expression was seen in the lesions showing a rapid vertical growth phase with fatal out,comes, but a weak expression in the cases whose precursor lesions were thought as dysplastic nevi, compared to the negative finding of norrnal melanocyt,es. The strong expression in a case of congenit.al rnelanocyt.ic nevus is considered as the activation of nevoid melanocytes. 3) MTs were weakly expressed in squarnous cell carcinoma with a diffuse aattern within the tumor mass. St,rong expression of MTs was particularly apparent in the poorl. differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and at the growing border of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. 4) In basal cell carcinoma, MTs were rather weakly expressed in solid cireumscribed types with a diffuse pattern and in cystic type with a patchy pattern. However they were not expressed in the solid infiltrative type. CONCLUSION: From these resuilts, we concluded that MTs were ubiquitously present in possible stem cells of various epithelial tissues except melanocytes irrespective of normal or artificial skin and/or mucosa including norrnal hair tissues. In the neoplasms of ectodermal origin, MTs might be involved in the invasive growth of tumor cells in the malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It was implied that the role of MTs in basal cell carcinoma might be related to early events of hasal cell carcinogeresis and its down regulating tendency could be possible in its infil trative stage.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Copper ; Cytosol ; Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome ; Ectoderm* ; Hair ; Ions ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Metallothionein* ; Molecular Weight ; Mucous Membrane ; Nevus ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Skin ; Skin, Artificial ; Stem Cells ; Zinc

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach

No abstract available.
Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach

PURPOSE: To evaluate US, CT and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) findings of intraductal mucin-hypersecreting neoplasm (IMHN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized an IMHN as belonging to a group of disease that can be clinically detected by the pooling of mucus produced by tumors inside the main duct or branch ducts of the pancreas, thus causing dilatation of these ducts. We retrospectively reviewed the US, CT and ERP findings of five patients (hyperplasia, 4; adenocarcinoma, 1). RESULTS: On US and/or CT, diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated in five patients. In two cystic lesions corresponding to cystic dilatation of branch ducts were noted at the pancreatic head (n=1) and neck (n=1). In one patient, multiple cystic lesions were seen on CT along the entire pancreas, but these were not detected on US. In all patients, dilatation of the main duct and/or its branch ducts was seen on ERP. Filling defects resulting from mucin in the main duct or branch ducts were noted in all cases. Lymphadenopathy was not seen on US or CT, but carcinoma peritonei was found in the adenocarcinoma patient at the time of operation. CONCLUSION: IMHN usually shows smooth, diffuse dilatation of the main duct, and on US or CT, dilated branch ducts are occasionally noted. ERP findings are the most characteristic and conclusive; dilatation of the main duct and/or branch ducts is noted, with a filling defect corresponding to mucin. If overlooked during diagnosis, an IMHN might be interpreted simply as chronic pancreatitis, and so the recognition of this neoplasm is important.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies