BACKGROUND : Clinical and histological criteria for ependymoma prognosis are well recognized. Recently few studies have been done based on Immunohistochemistry for prognostication of these tumours. In this study we have correlated the histlogical spectrum with immmunoexpression of p53 and Ki67 in these tumors. AIMS : To know the incidence of ependymomas; study their morphological spectrum and to evaluate expression of P53 and Ki 67 in diffferent morphological subtypes. MATERIAL AND METHOD : A retrospective sudy was preformed on 70 ependymomas received in a period between 1994 and 2001. Entire tissue received was processed for routine paraffin embedded H&E stained sections. Immunocytochemistry was performed using antibodies to GFAP, EMA, Pancytokeratin and synaptophysin, to differentiate papillary ependymoma from choroid plexus papilloma; clear cell ependymoma from oligodendroglioma and central neurocytoma; ependymoblastoma from other embryonal tumours. p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was performed to correlate their expression with various tumour grades and subtypes. RESULTS : There were 3 cases (4.2%) of Grade I ependymoma (2 cases of myxopapillary ependymoma and 1 case of subependymoma); 57 cases (81.5%) of ependymoma grade II (43 of these were of classical variety, 11 of clear cell ependymoma, 2 of papillary and 1 case of cellular ependymoma). There were 9 cases (12.8%) of anaplastic ependymoma (one of these was a clear cell ependymoma and 1 case (1.5%) of ependymoblastoma CONCLUSION : p53 and Ki67 indices can be used in routine diagnostic laboratories to supplement the tumor grade on histology and more studies with follow up should be performed toanalyse the prognsis of different subtypes. The expression of Ki 67 and p53 was significantly higher in anaplastic ependymomas. 4 out of 11 cases of clear cell ependymomas showed higher Ki 67 indices as compared to classical grade II ependymomas, thus further highlighting the importance of differentiating the various subtypes.

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Parathyroid carcinoma constitutes less than 1% of primary hyperparathyroidism. The exact etiology is not known. Prior radiation to neck, chronic renal failure and genetic factors are thought to play a role. The male to female ratio is one. Parathyroid carcinomas are slow growing, have a tendency to recur locally and metastasize late. 95% of parathyroid carcinomas are functioning. The major distinguishing features of malignant hyperparathyroidism are presence of a palpable mass in the neck and features of severe hypercalcemia. By far the most important test to diagnose primary hyperparathyroidism is serum level of Immunoreactive PTH. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is essentially clinical and biochemical. Biopsy is not necessary before definitive surgery. CT scan appears to be the best investigation for detecting the primary tumor, its local extent and metastases. Most of the symptoms are attributable to hypercalcemia, which needs to be treated aggressively. Early surgery with 'en bloc' resection of the tumor is the only potentially curative treatment. Parathyroid carcinoma is traditionally said to be resistant to radiotherapy. Various chemotherapeutic agents have been used with partial anecdotal responses. The 5-year survival is about 50% and 10-year survival varies from 13-49%.

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A case of an isolated submandibular gland metastasis from a clinically occult papillary thyroid carcinoma is described in a 46-year old lady. Initial surgery was done based on the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) report of adenocarcinoma of the submandibular gland. Histopathologic examination of the specimen suggested a metastatic papillary carcinoma. Occult papillary carcinoma in the thyroid was found by multiple blind FNACs. Subsequently to near-total thyroidectomy, no other site of metastasis was found on radio-iodine scanning.

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BACKGROUND : A relatively new development in the arena of prostatic histopathological study is the premalignant proliferative changes in the glandular epithelium, possibly relating to carcinoma. Two major categories have come up, namely prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH). AIMS : The aims of present study were to identify foci of the two putative premalignant conditions viz. PIN and AAH in ducto-acinar lining epithelia of 200 prostatectomy specimens and their association with nodular hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma prostate. MATERIAL AND METHODS : Micro sections from 200 prostatectomy specimens, received in the Department of Pathology, PGIMS, Rohtak, were extensively studied for the presence and association of premalignant conditions. Significant values were obtained by employing Chi-square (x2) test, with P value <0.05 as significant. RESULTS : Out of 177 cases of nodular hyperplasia, 53 (29.9%) showed PIN and 38 (20.3%) showed presence of AAH. All 6 cases (100%) of pure carcinoma revealed foci of PIN. Out of the remaining 23 cases of carcinoma with nodular hyperplasia, foci of PIN were observed in 16 cases (94.1%) and AAH in 2 cases (11.7%). High-grade PIN was observed in 20 cases (86.9%) of the total 23 cases of carcinoma, with/without nodular hyperplasia and 20 cases (11.2%) of nodular hyperplasia. Low-grade PIN was observed in 33 cases (18.6%) of nodular hyperplasia and in only 1 case (5.8%) of carcinoma prostate with nodular hyperplasia. CONCLUSION : PIN, especially high-grade type was the most commonly observed premalignant lesion, in cases of adenocarcinoma, thereby suggesting it to be the likely precursor of carcinoma prostate. AAH showed a weaker association with carcinoma.

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Glassy cell carcinoma is a poorly differentiated variant of adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix associated with an aggressive course and a poor prognosis. We present three cases of glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix. Patients presented with a cervical growth which was biopsied. Histology the tumours showed nests of cells with a granular or clear cytoplasm, displaying marked pleomorphism and mitoses. Stroma showed an eosinophilic infiltrate. Two tumours showed a pure glassy cell pattern and one showed glandular differentiation with intracellular and extracellular mucin. Patients were treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy but showed a poor response. Two patients died of the disease of pelvic or distant metastases within two years of diagnosis and one was lost to follow up. Although glassy cell carcinoma runs an aggressive clinical course, an early diagnosis may help in a more effective management and offer a better prognosis.

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BACKGROUND : DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies has been suggested as one major cause of cancer. Therefore studies involving vitamin supplementaion , particularly with those with anti-oxidant activity, in combating cancer have routinely been carried out in both in vivo and in vitro systems, but relatively much less in mice. AIMS : The present study examines if L-Ascorbic acid (AA; vitamin C) administration has any protective abilities in combating p-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice at cytogenetical, biochemical, histological and ultra-structural levels. SETTINGS AND DESIGN : To test if AA had a protective action against genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and tissue damage in liver during p-dimethylaminoazobenezene (p-DAB) induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice, a group of mice were chronically fed 0.06% p-DAB and 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) for a varying period of time (7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days). A sub-group of the p-DAB plus PB fed mice were also fed 1% L-ascorbic acid. Several assays were periodically conducted (at the six intervals of fixation) for determination of genotoxic (based on chromosomal, nuclear and sperm head anomalies), cytotoxic (based on the marker enzymes aspartate transaminase; AST, alanine aminotransferase; ALT; acid phosphatase; ACP; alkaline phosphatase; ALKP; lipid peroxidation; LPO); and tissue damaging (based on optical and electron microscopic studies of liver at day 60 only) effects in these different groups of mice as compared to normal healthy control. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Adult healthy mice of Swiss Albino strain, reared and maintained in the animal house of the Department of Zoology,. Kalyani University, under supervision of Animal Welfare Committee (which oversees ethical issues), served as materials for the present study. Widely practiced standard technique has been followed for each protocol. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The significance test between different series of data was conducted by student¢s t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : The results of all these studies indicated that AA had protective action against p-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice.

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Chondroradionecrosis of larynx is a well recognized complication of radiation therapy, which usually occur with in the 1st year. Review of literature shows very few accounts of late radiation induced clinical chondroradionecrosis of the larynx. This condition can mimic a local recurrence and severe and life threatening involvement will require aggressive surgical management as reported in the present case.

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Facial disfigurement after ablative surgery of a massive adeno-carcinoma of the lachrymal gland is described. A rehabilitation with a maxillofacial prosthesis was proposed to restore the aesthetic appearance of the patient without inserting craniofacial implants. Retention of a maxillofacial prosthesis, that is not anchored to implants, depends on the use of adhesives or on mechanical devices like glasses. This clinic report describes a residual anatomic defect which allowed for the double choice of wearing the facial prosthesis both with or without glasses. A retentive backside of the prosthesis was developed to engage the facial defect undercuts, which enhanced retention when the patient used the skin glue without glasses. A unique foam silicone was utilized to reduce the weight of the prosthesis and to permit its retention only by skin adhesive.

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