One hundred and thirty-five cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were investigated, focusing upon factors determining a postoperative prognosis. Out of the 135, nine tumors on the face recurred. All of these nine tumors were insufficiently extirpated at the initial operation, and showed micronodular or infiltrative patterns with stromal fibrosis. Dividing the degree of dermal invasion into four levels, all tumors with recurrence reached levels 3 and 4, the two deeper groups. The immunohistochemical study using anti-laminin and anti-type IV collagen antibodies showed various changes of staining pattern around tumor cell nests, such as attenuation, disruption, and thickening of basement membrane, in contrast with the normal thinly continuous staining around nontumorous control epidermis. The disruption of basement membranes was remarkable around the tumor cells showing a micronodular growth pattern, although the discontinuity of basement membrane was observed in all types of BCCs to a greater or lesser degree. Ultrastructural thickening, multiplication, or discontinuity of basement membranes were found in all 19 cases examined with a greater or lesser degree, although they were most frequently observed around the cell nests showing micronodular growth patterns. It was concluded that deep dermal and marginal invasions were the most ominous signs of recurrence of BCCs. Although the disruption of basement membranes might participate in the local aggressiveness of BCCs, especially in the tumor cells showing micronodular infiltrative growth, other factors may concern the recurrence of BCCs.

We report a peculiar nevus which occurred on the left side of the chin of an 18-year-old male. It had been present for four years and had grown rapidly during the last year. Histologically, many hair follicles, smooth muscles, and striated muscles were found within the reticular dermis. The hair follicles were accompanied by mature sebaceous glands; numerous eccrine glands were seen in the middle and deep dermis. Immunohistochemical stain and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin stain supported the fact that the muscles seen between the follicles were both smooth and striated. This nevus was considered to be a hair follicle nevus accompanied by hyperplasia of smooth muscles and striated muscles.

In order to study the safety of 1,3,3,5,5-pentaziridino-1-thia-2,4,6-triaza-3,5-diphospho rine-1-oxide (SOAz), a new antitumor agent, acute toxicity studies by intravenous administration were performed in ddY mice, Wistar rats and beagle dogs. The LD50 values in rodents were 325 mg kg-1 for male mice, 450 mg kg-1 for female mice, 100 mg kg-1 for male rats and 82 mg kg-1 for female rats. In dogs, the LD50 values were 12 mg kg-1 for males and 18 mg/kg-1 for females. The dosed animals showed diarrhoea and decreased movement in the three species, and emaciation and loss of body weight in mice and rats. Dogs also showed signs of pneumonia. Histopathological examination revealed bone marrow suppression, atrophy of lymphoid organs and testes, and damage to the digestive tract mucosa in the three species. The main causes of death from single-dose administration were bone marrow aplasia and atrophy of lymphoid tissue in all species, together with gastro-intestinal ulceration in rats and dogs, and infection in mice and dogs.

We report a case of congenital extension contracture of the fifth metacarpophalangeal joints in a 15-year-old boy who had no associated anomalies and was successfully treated by surgery. Congenital extension contracture of bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints has not been reported previously, and the entity can be considered to be a new subgroup of distal arthrogryposis with congenital distal limb contracture.

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