Héctor Márquez-Monter

Gestational choriocarcinoma in the General Hospital of Mexico. Analysis of forty cases.

Epidemiologic data obtained in several series of trophoblastic tumors in different parts of the world have revealed that where undernourishment, high birth rate and overpopulation prevail, a high incidence of these tumors is observed.1,12,23 In contrast, in countries with‐high standards of living and low birth rate, a low incidence of chorionic tumors is found.8,13,19,25 In a previous paper the authors reported a high frequency of hydatidiform moles complicating pregnancies in their hospital.16 Since this chorionic growth is often complicated by choriocarcinoma, a high frequency of this malignant tumor was also expected to occur among the patients coming to the General Hospital. The present study examines epidemiologic, clinical and pathologic aspects in a group of 40 patients with the diagnosis of choriocarcinoma hospitalized in the General Hospital. The patients seen at the General Hospital of Mexico City represent a population segment of Mexico City and nearby population centers with poor environmental and socioeconomic conditions, high index of illiteracy and little if any hygienic education. For this reason the epidemiologic data obtained in this study may not be representative of the country at large, but may be taken as representative of similar groups elsewhere in Mexico.

Immunoglobulins and beta-1-C globulin in hydatidiform mole vesicles.

Qualitative and quantitative determinations of immunoglobulins (Igs) and beta-1-C globulin were carried out in fluid vesicles of hydatidiform moles and carrier mothers. The mean concentration of IgG was 9.9 per cent, IgA had 14.3 per cent, in relation to maternal values. No IgM concentrations were detected in molar fluid. Beta-1-C globulin showed 60.5 per cent concentration in relation to mothers serum. It is suggested that in trophoblast of molar vesicles a selective transudate migration of Igs by a mechanism of pinocytosis takes place to the vesicular fluid.

Abnormal trophoblast in tissue culture

Abstract Tissue culture studies were carried out by explants of trophoblast of 4 hydatidiform moles and 3 choriocarcinomas. Five explants of hydatidiform moles showed appropriate growth after 2 weeks and the choriocarcinomas had fair preservation only in the first week; the rest underwent lysis. The successful growths show cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells in good number, although normal differentiation of the former cells into the latter ones was not achieved because abnormal mitosis resulting in apparently polyploid and aneuploid nuclei seemed to impede the formation of normal multinucleated syncytial cells.

Iatrogenic vaginal membranous exfoliation

M.D. cavity and provides not only adequate elevation but also lateral movement of the fundus, which tends to bring the ovary and fimbriated end of the tube into view. In many patients it has been unnecessary to use a second lower quadrant puncture for the insertion of a probe to visualize these structures. The necessity for preliminary cervical dilatation in some patients is a drawback of this instrument. However, smaller cannulas can be made which would obviate any necessity for cervical dilatation and not detract from the inherent utility of this type of elevator. We have recently designed a 4 mm. elevator which has proved to be quite satisfactory in the nulliparous patient for uterine elevation and tubal perfusion without requiring preliminary cervical dilatation.

In vitro autoradiographic study of the endometrium from women treated with low-dose chlormadinone acetate for contraception.

Abstract An autoradiographic study of the in vitro DNA synthesis of endometrium of women on a continuous low dose of chlormadinone acetate and a control group was carried out in order to assess the degree of endogenous estrogen production of the women in contraceptive treatment. The index of labeled nuclei in both groups of endometria did not show a significant statistical difference, from which it is concluded that normal proliferative endometrium can result from endogenous estrogenic stimulation during the cycles studied. The integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian axis would therefore appear to be demonstrated.