Nebil Bal

The prognostic value of HER2 expression in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer remains controversial. The relationship between HER2 expression, and platinum resistance and patient survival, was investigated.

OBJECTIVES: To document the hydatid cyst cases in the endemic Cukurova region of Turkey, by their involvement sites in the body, and discuss the clinical and morphological features of the cases with rare localization. METHODS: Archival materials of 153 hydatid cyst cases that were diagnosed in 2 different medical centers in Adana, Turkey Cukurova region between the years 2000-2006 were included in the study. Cases with rare localizations were reevaluated in terms of clinical and laboratory findings, and histopathological features. Involvement sites of the cases were documented, and cases with rare localizations are discussed. RESULTS: The liver was the most common localization with 63 cases followed by lungs with 54 cases. Uncommon locations were spleen n=4, bone n=3, intraarterial n=1, ovary n=1, adrenal n=1, heart n=1, mesenteric n=2, retroperitoneal n=2, subcutaneous tissue n=4, breast n=3, intramuscular tissue n=4. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of hydatic cyst should be considered in patients with a cystic mass, who live or have lived in a geographic region that has a high risk for Echinococcus granulosus, or visited an endemic area.

Syringoma is a benign tumors of eccrine sweat gland. They appear as multiple, tiny, firm, skin-colored papules. Vulvar involvement of syringoma is rare. Only 24 cases with vulvar syringoma have been previously reported in the literature. The majority of patients with vulvar syringomas are asymptomatic. A case of syringoma of the vulva exacerbated during pregnancy is presented. The case appears remarkable for the experienced aggravated pruritic symptoms of the patient during her pregnancy.