Cytogenetic description of breast fibroadenomas: alterations related solely to proliferation?

Mirtazapine versus paroxetine in panic disorder: an open study

Introduction Open studies suggest that mirtazapine has efficacy in panic disorder treatment. We designed an open study that evaluates changes induced by mirtazapine compared with paroxetine in panic disorder. Methodology Patients 18-65 years old consecutively referred to a psychiatry liaison service with panic disorder (DSM-IV criteria) were offered either mirtazapine or paroxetine treatment. Results There were statistically significant reductions from baseline to week 3 and from week 3 to 8 for mirtazapine and paroxetine groups for: number of panic attacks, Beck Anxiety or Depression Inventory (BAI, BDI) Clinical Global Impresion (CGI) of panic disorder severity and CGI of panic disorder response (these variables were evaluated by the patient, the clinician or a blind evaluator). Responders at week 3 (BAI decrease of 50%) were 83% for the mirtazapine group and 84% for the paroxetine group. Responders at week 8 (number of panic attacks equal to 0) were 77% for the mirtazapine group and 73% for the paroxetine group Statistically significant differences between mirtazapine and paroxetine were found for number of panic attacks at weeks 3 and 8 and BAI at week 3, suggesting a faster response for mirtazapine. Responders at week 8 maintained a no recurrence figure of 95% at follow-up 6 months later. Panic disorder either with or without comorbid depression improved in both groups of treatment. Discussion Our study supports the hypothesis that mirtazapine has efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder either with or without comorbid depression.

Cytogenetic findings in phyllodes tumor and fibroadenomas of the breast

The cytogenetic data on fibroadenomas and cystosarcoma phyllodes tumor of the breast, which are both biphasic breast tumors composed of epithelial and stromal components, are quite limited. In this study, we report on clonal chromosomal alterations in three fibroadenomas and one cystosarcoma phyllodes analyzed by GTG banding. The fibroadenomas presented mostly numerical abnormalities involving chromosomes 16, 18, and 21. One case presented a deletion on 17p. The cystosarcoma phyllodes presented numerous numerical abnormalities, mostly chromosome gains, and several marker chromosomes.

Cytogenetic changes in nonmalignant breast tissue

Cytogenetic changes are common in breast cancer and have also been described in fibroadenomas and fibrocystic disease, but not in histologically normal breast tissue. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on nonmalignant breast tissue from benign breast lumps (n = 8), reduction mammoplasties (n = 31), and grossly nontumorous tissue from cancerous breasts (n = 84), using standard techniques and G-banding. All samples were reviewed histologically. Clonal chromosomal changes were found in three of eight benign breast tumors (38%). Of the reduction mammoplasties, 17 samples contained nonproliferative changes, and three of these (18%) showed a clonal deletion of 3p. No pathology was identified in the other 14 samples, of which one (7%) contained two clonal changes, apparently balanced translocations. Of nontumorous tissues from cancerous breasts, 15 (18%) showed clonal chromosomal abnormalities. Five of these samples were histologically normal. Two clones were identical to those found in the corresponding cancer. In 18 additional samples, single cells were detected with the same change as that seen in clones or single cells in the cancer. Only 4 of these 20 samples contained detectable cancer cells. Clonal abnormalities found in two or more samples included trisomies X, 7, and 20 and monosomies 19 and 18. Clonal changes were not significantly more frequent in proliferative than in nonproliferative lesions. The Icelandic BRCA2 founder mutation, 999del5, was detected in four samples, all histologically normal, two of which had clonal chromosomal abnormalities. In conclusion, clonal chromosomal changes are not infrequent in nonmalignant breast tissue and can be detected even in the absence of histological abnormalities.