Metastatic cardiac tumors: literature review and own observation of testicular tumor metastasis in the right ventricle of the heart

BACKGROUND

Tumors of the heart are uncommon and usually benign (in 93% cases myxomas are observed). More often secondary, metastatic tumors are detected in the heart, as a rule, at pronounced progression of the malignant neoplasm with multiple lesions of other internal organs (lung, pleura, liver, etc.). Literature review on cardiac metastases of different tumors is given.

CASE REPORT

Own observation of a young man with rare single metastasis of malignant testicular germ cell tumor with predominance of embryonic carcinoma in the right ventricle of the heart is presented; the primary tumor was detected after metastasis revealing. The diagnostic algorithm using routine histological study supplemented with immunohistochemistry, including detection of cytokeratin pan, cytokeratin 5/6, cytokeratin 7, CD30, OCT4, TTF-1, hCG, and AFP markers expression, is described.

[Metabolism of collagen in patients with Dupuitren's contracture]

Results of investigation of collagen metabolism in Dupuitren's contracture (DC) were summarized. The patients were operated for calculous cholecystitis and DC stages II - III. The changes revealed witnessed about more expressed degradation of collagen and affection of the elastin components of connective tissue. On background of the pathological process progress in palmar aponeurosis in patients, suffering DC, a content of oxyproline have enhanced trustworthy in urine and reduced in tissue of a changed palmar aponeurosis.

[Assessment of functional activity of phagocytic system in patients suffered from Dupuytren's contracture with hepatic fibrosis]

Dupuytren's contracture--a pathology that should not be seen as an isolated lesion tendon-aponeurotic structures of the palmar surface of the hand, but as a disease that requires careful research and a comprehensive, differentiated approach to treatment. The aim of the study was to investigate the functional activity of the phagocytic system of Dupuytren's contracture patients with chronic hepatitis and liver fibrosis in liquidators of the CHNPP accident consequences. The resulting study 188 patients aged 45-65 years showed the correlation of the data of the functional activity of phagocytic system with degree of liver fibrosis, thus objectively assess the patient's condition and make the appropriate correction in the diagnostic criteria as well as in medical and rehabilitative programs.

[Morphological changes in hepatic tissues in patients, suffering Dupuytren's contracture and chronic hepatitis]

The results of morphological investigation of hepatic tissues in 98 patients, suffering contracture of Dupuytren, chronic hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis stages I, II i III, were adduced. The patients were operated on for calculous cholecystitis. The attempt to organize the groups with certain morphological changes, depending on the hepatic pathological process persistence (up to 5 yrs, from 5 to 10 yrs, over 10 yrs) have appeared nonfair. The changes revealed are too different and characteristic not only for the examined patients.

[Morphological criteria of the operative tactics substantiation in Dupuytren's contracture in patients with chronic hepatitis]

The results of morphological investigations of the palms tissues in the patients, suffering Dupuytren's contracture (DC) and in whom chronic hepatitis was diagnosed, are adduced. The patients were divided on three groups, depending on the hepatic fibrosis grade present. Determination of morphological changes in various stages in patients, suffering hepatic fibrosis stage one and lasting up to 5 years, witnesses the possibility of the DC recurrence and its severity enhancement. The authors stress the necessity of morphological investigations conduction with the objective to determine the hepatic fibrosis grade while surgical intervention planning.

[The intraabdominal pressure rising as a risk factor of posttraumatic pancreatitis occurrence]

The results of experimental investigation, conducted on white Wistar rats, are adduced. The influence of intraabdominal pressure change on pancreatic parenchyma were studied in the animals. The data obtained witness the unfavourable influence of the raised intraabdominal pressure on pancreatic gland, manifesting by an acute pancreatitis occurrence.

[Hypophyseal-adreno-gonadal system function in myasthenia patients with tumorous and nontumorous pathology of the thymus]

Overall twenty-five patients (all women) who ranged from 16 to 56 years old were examined. They were divided into two groups: group I was formed of subjects with hyperplasia of the thymus gland, group II--thymoma. Blood serum levels of prolactin, progesterone, estriol, estradiol, testosterone hydrocortisone. All patients showed a significant increase in average blood plasma levels of estrogens, testosterone and prolactin. Average levels of progesterone and hydrocortisone in patients with thymus hypertrophy were lower than in controls, while in thymoma patients these were much higher. The data submitted are indicative of substantial differences in the endocrine status of myasthenia patients depending on tumor or nontumor lesion of the thymus gland, which fact may suggest different pathogenetic mechanisms of development of the condition.

[The surgical treatment of malignant stomach ulcers]

The authors analyse the specific features of the clinical picture, diagnosis, pathomorphological changes and surgical treatment in 52 patients with gastric ulcer which underwent malignant degeneration. It is noted that malignancy occurs most frequently in close vicinity to the ulcerative defect and rarely in the mucosa beyond the ulcer. The morphostructural reorganizations are determined to a certain degree by the peculiarities of extension of the tumor along the mucosa and the organ as a whole. The authors discuss the principles of the choice of the method for treatment according to the findings of pathomorphological examination of biopsy material and the results of emergency intraoperative examination. Even if the merest suspicion of malignancy of the ulcer arises, the operation should be conducted with observance of all oncological principles. Postoperative mortality was 3.8%, complications occurred in 7.7% of cases. Five-year survival was 84.6% in the absence of metastases and the presence of carcinoma cells within the limits of the mucosa and 12.5% among cases in which metastases were found during the operation. Attention is drawn to the principles of regular medical surveillance over patients receiving nonoperative treatment for gastric ulcer.

[Relation of atherogenesis and T-immunodeficiency]

Experiments on rabbits have shown that state of T-immunodeficiency induced by persisting virus infection promotes atherogenesis. Correction of age immunodeficiency by transplantation of the autologous bone marrow taken in young age considerably retards the atherosclerosis development. Inhibition of atherogenesis is also achieved by introduction (to animals) of natural thymic vilosene preparation which compensates a decrease in the functional activity of the thymus gland occurring under conditions of experimental hyperlipidemia.