OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of amphiregulin protein, an epidermal growth factor receptor ligand, in cartilaginous tumors. METHODS: Amphiregulin expression was examined in 31 enchondromas and 67 chondrosarcomas using immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 15 enchondromas (48.40%) and 24 chondrosarcomas (35.82%) were positive for amphiregulin. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve test, no difference in amphiregulin expression was observed between enchondromas and low-grade chondrosarcomas (p=0.0880). Additionally, 39 lesions Enchondromas or chondrosarcomas? Please clarify. This […]

OBJECTIVE: Unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas is common because benign soft tissue lesions are very frequent. This study evaluated the impact of unplanned resections on overall survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis in patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. METHODS: In total, 52 patients who were diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas between May 2001 and March 2011 were analyzed in a retrospective study. Of these patients, 29 (55.8%) had not undergone previous treatment and the remaining 23 […]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate bone repair after the implantation of vancomycin-loaded poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres compared with vancomycin-unloaded poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres. METHODS: Poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres were implanted in rat tibiae and evaluated for periods of 2, 4, 8, and 12 days and 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks. The groups implanted with vancomycin-loaded and vancomycin-unloaded microspheres were compared. Histopathologic (semi-quantitative) and histomorphometric analyses were performed to evaluate the bone formation process. RESULTS: During […]

OBJECTIVES: To study the role of angiogenesis and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in cartilaginous tumors and correlate these factors with prognosis. INTRODUCTION: For chondrosarcoma, the histological grade is the current standard for predicting tumor outcome. However, a low-grade chondrosarcoma can follow an aggressive course-as monitored by sequential imaging techniques-even when it is histologically indistinguishable from an enchondroma. Therefore, additional tools are needed to help identify the biological potential of these tumors. The degree of angiogenesis that is induced by the tumor could […]

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare soft-tissue tumor with a deceptively benign histologic appearance affecting predominantly young adults during the fourth decade of life. Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma has a predilection for involving deep soft tissues of the thigh, inguinal region, or chest wall, affecting less frequently the shoulder or axilla. Local postsurgical recurrence and metastases to lungs and bone are frequently seen. The surgical management, histopathologic findings, and biological behavior of LGFMS have been outlined in the literature. There […]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the oncological outcome of patients with grade I chondrosarcomas according to the type of surgical treatment performed, since there is still controversy regarding the need for aggressive resections to reach a successful outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 23 patients with grade I chondrosarcomas were reviewed. The mean age was 38.4 years, ranging from 11 to 70 years; 52% were men and 48% were women. The femur was the site of 13 tumors. The tumors were […]