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Cadherins are Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion molecules that play an important role in tissue construction and morphogenesis in multicellular organisms. Because in recent years there have been reports of cadherin involvement in tumor metastasis, we conducted an immunostain for E-cadherin and N-cadherin monoclonal antibodies in paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of primary and recurrent lesions in 13 cases of glioblastoma and nine cases of anaplastic astrocytoma. No expression of E-cadherin was detected in the tumor cells. On the other hand, expression of N-cadherin was observed in malignant astrocytic tumor cells, but the N-cadherin positive rate tended to be less at the time of recurrence. Decreased expression of N-cadherin was detected at the time of recurrence in 11 of the 13 cases in the glioblastoma group. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF ) dissemination and extracranial metastasis were observed in nine (81.8%) of these 11 patients. Therefore, we tried to analyze the clinical backgrounds and the N-cadherin positive rates by statistics. We concluded that decreased expression of N-cadherin at the time of recurrence correlates with dissemination in malignant astrocytic tumors.

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A 46-year-old male presented with a rare primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system of T-cell lineage, localized primarily in the right parietal region. There was no evidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Biopsy of the tumor allowed immunohistochemical confirmation of the diagnosis. Irradiation and chemotherapy were given, and the patient has remained well for 24 months. The clinical manifestations, management, and outcome of T-cell lymphoma are very similar to those of B-cell lymphoma.

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Most of meningiomas belong to benign tumor. But inspite of Simpson grade I surgical resection, it had been reported that a part of these cases recurred after initial operation. In discussing tumor recurrence in meningioma, it is important to evaluate not only the extent of surgical resection and malignancy but also cell proliferative potential, which had been studied immunohistochemically by using BudR, PCNA and MIB-1. Recently, it is known that topoisomerase (Topo) II alpha expression becomes remarkable in tumorigenesis. The correlation with cell proliferative potential has been reported. In this paper we evaluated the relationship of cell proliferative potential and tumor recurrence immunohistochemically by using Topo II alpha and MIB-1 monoclonal antibody in the 21 recurrent cases of meningiomas and hemangiopericytomas. As a result, mean Topo II alpha staining index (SI) and MIB-1 SI initial surgical resection were 2.29% and 3.41%, respectively, at recurrence these SIs had risen at 4.3% and 6.25%, respectively. As to the interval from initial surgical resection to recurrence, in the cases which recurred under 3 years Topo II alpha SI and MIB-1 SI were 3.13% and 5.00%, on the other hand, in the cases which recurred later than 3 years were 1.16% and 1.30%, respectively. Topo II alpha SI and MIB-1 SI 1 of former cases were higher than latter cases. Furthermore good correlation between the Topo II alpha SI and MIB-1 SI was found. It is concluded that Topo II alpha expression was as well available for the marker of cell proliferative potential and for one of the predicting factors for tumor recurrence in meningioma and hemangiopericytoma as MIB-1 SI.

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BACKGROUND: There are various classification systems for pituitary adenomas based on whether mammosomatotroph cells, which simultaneously express both prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH), can be found. Until the present, the identification of such cells required special techniques and could not be performed in paraffin-embedded specimens. This hindered large-scale studies for detection of mammosomatotrophs in various pituitary adenomas and, as a result, such classification has remained controversial. To establish a methodology for the detection of mammosomatotrophs in paraffin-embedded specimens and to propose a more logical classification for pituitary adenomas, the authors conducted this retrospective study. METHODS: We performed double immunofluorescence staining of PRL and GH in paraffin-embedded specimens of various pituitary adenomas with subsequent observation with a confocal laser-scanning microscope. RESULTS: Mammosomatotrophs were found in four of the 10 GH-secreting adenomas and one of the 10 clinically nonfunctioning adenomas. However, mammosomatotrophs were not identified in all 10 cases of prolactinoma. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report in the literature that successfully demonstrates the presence of mammosomatotrophs in routine paraffin-embedded pituitary adenomas. The new methodology is important for future study of the function and role of these cells. A large-scale study for mammosomatotrophs in various pituitary adenomas with this method and a more logical classification of pituitary adenomas are proposed.

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Cadherins are Ca(2+)-dependent cell adhesion molecules that play an important role in tissue formation and morphogenesis in multicellular organisms. In recent years, there have been reports of cadherin involvement in tumor invasion and metastasis. Twenty-two surgical specimens and some cultured cells were studied by immunohistochemical staining. No significant difference was observed in the patients with anaplastic astrocytoma, whereas decreased expression of N-cadherin was detected at the time of recurrence in those with glioblastoma. In these groups, cerebrospinal fluid dissemination was found, and contralateral cerebral metastases and extracranial metastases were observed. We conclude that decreased N-cadherin expression at the immunohistochemically demonstrated time of recurrence correlates with tumor invasion and dissemination of cerebrospinal fluid.

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We retrospectively studied 21 cases of histologically proven acoustic shwannomas with an emphasis on the correlation of their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and histological features. All cases were of low signal intensity in the T1W MRI. In the T2W MRI, 9 of them were of homogeneous high signal intensity (Hom-HSI-T2) and 12 of them were of heterogeneous high signal intensity (Het-HSI-T2). The cases of Hom-HSI-T2 were generally associated with capsular enhancement, and were usually cystic tumors with high vascularities and mainly Antoni A tissues. On the contrary, the cases of Het-HSI-T2 were generally associated with homogeneous enhancement, and were usually solid tumors with low vascularities and various tissue components.

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Determination of the cell proliferation activity of neoplasm is useful in making a prognosis. Immunohistochemical detection using MIB-1 monoclonal antibody has recently allowed us to assess tumor cell proliferation easily, because it can be performed on paraffin-embedded specimens and the results have been demonstrated to be positively correlated with the results of PCNA staining. In this study, surgical specimens of 63 pituitary adenomas were examined by immunohistochemical staining with MIB-1 monoclonal antibody. Twenty-nine cases were non-functioning pituitary adenomas, 20 were prolactin (PRL)-producing pituitary adenomas, and 14 were growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas. The MIB-1 positive rates of the pituitary adenomas ranged from 0% to 6.46%. In the non-functioning pituitary adenomas, the MIB-1 positive rates ranged from 0% to 4.55% (mean : 0.76%), in the PRL-producing pituitary adenomas the MIB-1 positive rates ranged 0% to 6.46% (mean : 0.91%), and in the GH-producing pituitary adenomas the MIB-1 positive rates ranged 0% to 1.28% (mean: 0.58%). There were no significant differences between these values according to the results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Although the size of the non-functioning pituitary adenomas was not correlated with their MIB-1 positive rate, tumor size was closely correlated with the interval between the onset of the initial symptoms and the date of surgery. In the PRL-producing pituitary adenomas, the MIB-1 positive rate was not correlated with serum PRL levels as an index of secretory activity, but was correlated with the PRL staining positive rate. Preoperative bromocriptine therapy proved effective in reducing tumor size and serum PRL levels, but had no effect on the MIB-1 positive rate. In the GH-producing pituitary adenomas, the MIB-1 positive rate was not correlated with serum GH levels as an index of secretory activity, but was closely correlated with the GH staining positive rate. All three groups included both invasive and noninvasive tumor types, but there were no close statistical correlations between the three tumor types.

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We have reported 7 cases of giant cell glioblastoma. All cases died within 14 months despite aggressive treatment. By immunohistochemical staining, lymphocyte infiltration was found in 6 cases. GFAP and vimentin stained positive in all cases. The MIB-1 positive rate was 13.8-90% (average, 34.9%); small and mononucleated giant cells stained more than multinucleated and monstrous cells. It was concluded that this tumor can be highly malignant and its degree of malignancy is determined by the biological behavior of the mononucleated giant cells and small cells.

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The authors report a case of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). A 21-year-old woman, noted to have had a number of café au lait spots since birth, presented with the chief complaint of headache. Neuroradiological studies revealed a cystic tumor of the left parietal lobe. Surgical treatment was performed. The tumor was located on the surface of the parietal lobe with the formation of cysts. Light, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical examination showed the characteristics of typical PXA. This is the second reported case of NF-1 associated with PXA.

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It is not rare for a spinal Schwannoma to have cystic formations, but there are various opinions about the mechanism. Since the installation of MRI in our institution in 1989, we have experienced 4 cases of cystic spinal Schwannoma. The diagnosis of such lesions was based on identifying cystic formations histopathologically. Among these cases, tiny hemorrhages were noted microscopically in three of them along with hemosiderin depositions and phagocytes containing hemosiderin. Besides, there are also a lot of sinusoidal vessels with thin endothelium. Perhaps in these three cases, it is the tiny hemorrhages that resulted in degenerative changes which in turn caused the formation of microcysts. But in addition to the above findings, a lot of hyalinized vessels were also demonstrated in the angiomatous components of two cases. Therefore, it is also possible that the microcyst formation is secondary to the degenerative changes caused by ischemia within the tumors. On the other hand, in the only case without hemorrhage, neither phagocytes containing hemosiderin nor abnormal sinusoidal vessels could be found. In stead, a lot of clear foamy cells with positive lipid staining were seen. There may be some factors underlying the xanthomatous change of these tumors that cause their vacuolar formation from degenerated of the foamy cells. It is possible that all three factors mentioned above may act alone or in combination to contribute to the formation of cysts. At its late stage, a spinal Schwannoma may have various findings which can not be classified into either Antoni A or Antoni B type. In conclusion, a spinal Schwannoma can occasionally have cystic formations. Its mechanisms can be a hemorrhagic or an ischemic process occurring within the tumor.

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Six cases of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SGCA), five associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS), were reviewed by light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Histologically, all cases showed features typical of SGCA. GFAP and neurofilament expression were found in all cases. Synaptophysin and myelin basic protein were positive in single different cases. The MIB-1 positive rate was 0% in 4 cases, 3% in a case with recurrence after a partial resection, and 6.4% in another case with a rapid growing tumor. By electron microscope, glial filament was identified in the tumor cells of all cases, whereas none of them showed any ultrastructural evidence of a neuronal origin. We therefore suggest that SGCA is a glial origin tumor, arising from the astrocytic part of a subependymal nodule--the most common cerebral lesion of tuberous sclerosis caused by distorted migration of the germinal mantle-the neuronal part of which remains as entrapped remnants of dysgenetic, incompletely expressed neuronal cells.

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The intracapsular cholesterol, protein, and calcium contents of epidermoid and dermoid cysts from seven patients were compared with the signal intensities on T1-weighted spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images. All specimens had a paste-like consistency when resected. Epidermoid and dermoid cysts demonstrated a wide range of cholesterol and calcium contents, and epidermoid cysts were not always rich in cholesterol. Five patients had cysts with lower signal intensity than white matter, which contained more than 18.3 mg/g wet weight of protein. One of these patients had the highest cholesterol content of all seven patients (22.25 mg/g wet weight) and another had the highest calcium content (0.75 mg/g wet weight). Two patients had cysts with higher signal intensity than white matter, with protein contents of lower than 4.3 mg/g wet weight. High protein content (> 18.3 mg/g wet weight) may decrease signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images, while low protein content (< 4.3 mg/g wet weight) may increase signal intensity in epidermoid and dermoid cysts with high viscosity (paste-like consistency) contents.

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Many factors have been suggested as possible mechanisms for the development of peritumoural oedema in meningioma. Venous compression by the tumor is thought to be one factor, but reports presenting a direct relationship between venous compression and the formation of oedema are rare. We have recently observed 6 meningioma patients in whom venous stasis contributed to peritumoural oedema. The stasis was due to 1) compression of an adjacent cortical vein by the tumour with stasis at the site of compression and/or its distal portion, 2) compression of adjacent brain by the tumour with prolonged perfusion and delayed venous return (visualized as pial staining in the capillary and venous phases), and 3) presence of an early draining vein linked to a nearby cortical vein with stasis at its periphery. Venous compression and stasis seem to be related not only to the formation of peritumoral oedema but also to the occurrence of haemorrhagic infarction after the resection of meningiomas.

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This report describes the clinico-pathological features of a group of 36 patients with malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS) who were treated at one institution between 1970 and 1993. All cases were B cell type lymphomas. The authors summarize the most salient findings with respect to clinical course, pathology, treatment and disease outcome, and emphasize the value of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the management of patients with primary CNS lymphoma.

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We evaluated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 levels of intracranial dermoid and epidermoid cyst in serum and intratumoral tissue. The preoperative serum levels were mildly to moderately higher than their normal ranges in four of seven patients. In four patients with high serum CA 19-9 levels, they returned to normal ranges in three who had the cyst resected totally and remained slightly high in one with residual cyst. Immunohistochemical studies using anti-CA 19-9 antibody demonstrated positively stained capsule and keratinous tissue. Serum CA 19-9 levels of intracranial dermoid or epidermoid cysts with more teratomatous components may be elevated above normal levels.

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The purpose of this study is to present the histological characteristics of tumor origin and proliferative characteristics of craniopharyngioma. In 25 craniopharyngiomas, the immunoperoxidase technique revealed strong positive reactions for keratin and cytokeratin in cytoplasm of tumor cells. But, immunostaining of keratin and cytokeratin differ from each of layer of craniopharyngioma. The ciliated epithelium in the craniopharyngioma was not stained by keratin, but ciliated epithelium of Rathke's cleft cyst was stained by cytokeratin.

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Metastatic spreading of carcinoma into a pre-existing cerebral glioma is extremely rare and only a few well-documented cases have been reported in the literature. Here we report a 53-year-old man who at the age 49 was first operated on for a frontal astrocytoma (WHO-grade II). This tumour was completely resected and no post-operative radio- or chemotherapy was applied. About five years later the patient presented again with a large partially cystic space-occupying lesion at the same site, which pre-operatively appeared as a recurrence of the astrocytoma. Histologically, however, this tumour proved to be a metastatic adenocarcinoma into a recurrent astrocytoma. Further clinical examinations revealed a bronchial carcinoma as the primary lesion responsible for this unusual metastatis. The clinical and neuropathological findings of this interesting case including immunohistochemistry are presented and discussed.

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The authors report a rare case of collision tumor composed of intrasellar gangliocytoma and pituitary adenoma. The patient was a 56-year-old woman, who had a mild acromegalic feature and slightly elevated plasma GH level. But she had no abnormal neurological findings. Transsphenoidal microsurgery was performed and an intrasellar tumor was totally removed. After the operation, plasma GH level decreased to within normal level. She was discharged with no neurological deficit. Histological examination showed two components. One of them was gangliocytoma composed of many large, and often binucleated cells with Nissl substance. The other had the appearance of chromophobe adenoma. In this part, some of the cells showed positive stain for GH. The clinical and histological features of this lesion are discussed and compared with 31 other cases of intrasellar ganglioglioma or gangliocytoma.

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Medulloblastoma is the most common primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) with the potential to differentiate along glial or neuronal lines. Thirty cases of medulloblastoma were tested by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method with anti-GFAP serum (DAKO) and by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method with 68kd subunit of anti-NF antibody. All the cases were classified into three subtypes based on these immunohistochemical findings and were analyzed in relation to clinico-pathological features. Fifteen of thirty medulloblastomas contained GFAP positive cells, seventeen showed cells reacting to NF. The reactions for both proteins were present in eight medulloblastomas (PNET-BD, bipotential differentiation). Seventeen medulloblastomas reacted to only one protein (PNET-MD, monopotential differentiation). No reaction for either was found in five cases (PNET-NOS, not otherwise specified). The two year survival rate was 12.5% for PNET-BD compared to 49.2% for PNET-MD and 53.3% for PNET-NOS. Nine variables, i.e. age, tumor stage, metastatic stage, operation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, histology, GFAP and NF, were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. This revealed that the significant factors were tumor stage (p = 0.0002), GFAP (p = 0.0008) and operation (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, GFAP is the most important histological factor for prognosis and medulloblastoma without glial differentiation has a much better prognosis than one with glial differentiation.

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