Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0027819 (neuroblastoma)
 27,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Flow cytometry allows a rapid and accurate analysis of the cells in serous fluids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of flow cytometric analysis in malignant pleural effusions. 26 patients (13 females, 13 males; mean age 52 +/- 19 years; range 16-82) were included in the study. 15 had malignant pleural effusions (7 adenocarcinoma, 2 lymphoma, 2 chronic myeloid leukemia, 1 ovarian carcinoma, 1 small cell lung carcinoma, 1 squamous cell lung carcinoma and empyema, and 1 malignant mesothelioma) with positive cytology. 2 had benign effusions associated with malignancy (1 squamous cell lung carcinoma and congestive heart failure, and 1 neuroblastoma and hypoproteinemia). 9 had benign effusions (3 tuberculosis, 1 congestive heart failure, 3 parapneumonic pleural effusion, 1 benign mesothelioma, and 1 pulmonary embolism). Flow cytometric analysis of pleural effusions revealed an increased DNA index in malignant effusions: 1.32 +/- 0.44 versus 0.88 +/- 0.23 in benign effusions (p < 0.04). The cell cycle distribution of cells such as G1/G0 and S in malignant effusions did not differ from that of benign pleural effusions; however G2+M increased significantly in malignant effusions (p < 0.03). Using analysis of mononuclear immunophenotyping, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells did not show any significant difference between the two groups. The lymphocyte activation marker CD38 was positive in 57.6 +/- 11.5% of malignant fluid cells and 38.5 +/- 6.2% of benign fluid cells (p < 0.04). The mean carcinoembryonic antigen levels in malignant and benign pleural effusions were 98.7 +/- 157.3 and 0.9 +/- 1.2 ng/ml, respectively (p < 0.03). In conclusion, the results of our study indicate that finding cells with an abnormal DNA content strongly supports the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions. Additionally, mononuclear cell phenotypes have to be taken into consideration for malignant pleural effusions, particularly activated T cells. We recommend that flow cytometry should be performed if the cytology is equivocal.
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PMID:Analysis of pleural effusions using flow cytometry. 883 88

Chylothorax is an uncommon complication in children. Although surgery and trauma are the most common causes encountered, hematological as well as solid malignancies can present with chylothorax. This study aimed to describe the presentation and management of malignant chylothorax in children. This is a case series from a pediatric hematology-oncology unit. Chylothorax was diagnosed by demonstrating high triglyceride content in the pleural fluid and a low cholesterol concentration in relation to the serum cholesterol. Cytology for malignant cells and investigations for tuberculosis were performed in all patients. Initial management included placement of an intercostal tube and administration of a fat-free diet with the addition of medium-chain triglycerides. Appropriate treatment of the underlying malignancy was initiated simultaneously. Three children with diagnoses of Stage IV neuroblastoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma developed chylothorax. Malignant cytology was positive in the patient with T-NHL. All patients were found to have associated hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. The chylothorax resolved with conservative measures in two patients. It remained intractable in the child with T-NHL, in whom the lymphoma was refractory to chemotherapy. Chylothorax is a rare but challenging complication that can accompany childhood malignancies. Surgical interventions, radiotherapy, and pleurodesis are alternatives if the chylothorax is refractory to medical management.
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PMID:Chylothorax in children with cancer: A milky predicament. 3008 60