Aberrant expression of epithelial and neuroendocrine markers is rare in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and can lead to erroneous diagnosis with inappropriate treatment. This case report ...describes a case of DLBCL with a co‐expression of cytokeratins and CD56 that was misdiagnosed as metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Uterine adenosarcoma (AS) is a rare biphasic neoplasm composed of a malignant, usually low-grade stromal component and benign epithelial component, usually endometrioid. Pathogenesis is unknown; some ...cases are undoubtably associated with tamoxifen use. Endometrial clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer, accounting for less than 10% of all uterine carcinomas. The etiology is unknown but can rarely be associated with Lynch syndrome and tamoxifen administration. The development of a composite neoplasm consisting of adenocarcinoma in AS is extremely rare. Endometrioid carcinoma typically represents the epithelial component of the composite tumor. Here we present the very first case of composite tumor, namely, AS with CCC in which next-generation sequencing was performed. Patient was an 85-year-old woman treated with tamoxifen for 5 years. To better understand the pathobiology of two tumors, a targeted genomic analysis of both components was performed. We found seven identical somatic variants in the samples of both tumors, indicating that the tumors have a high probability of having the same origin. Dual amplification of CDK4 and MDM2 was the most likely primary cause of tumor formation, but also one driver variant in the DHX15 gene that was present in both tumor components, suggesting that DHX15 may play an important role in the initiation and development of sarcoma and carcinoma. The patient is followed by regular clinical controls and is alive without signs of disease recurrence 18 months after surgery.
Tumor spheroids in the ascites of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) are poorly described. Our objective was to describe their morphological features, cellular composition, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression, ...and survival correlation of these parameters. The density and size of spheroids were assessed in Giemsa-stained smears; the cell composition of spheroids, including tumor cells, immune cells, capillaries, and myofibroblasts, as well as PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on tumor and immune cells was assessed in immunocytochemically stained cell block sections. Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and malignant ascites were included. A cut-off value for a spheroid density of 10% was established, which significantly predicted overall survival. However, spheroid size did not correlate with survival outcomes. Spheroids were primarily composed of tumor cells, but the presence of lymphocytes and macrophages was also confirmed. Moreover, capillaries were present in the spheroids of three patients, but the presence of myofibroblasts was not confirmed. PD-1 was expressed on lymphocytes but not on tumor cells. PD-L1 expression was seen on both tumor and immune cells, assessed by 22C3 and SP263 antibody clones but not by the SP142 clone. Our results highlight the potential of routine cytopathological techniques to analyze spheroids in HGSC ascites as a valuable tool to investigate their potential as prognostic markers.
Management of the radial scar (RS)/complex sclerosing lesion (CSL) diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB) in breast cancer screening population (BCSP) is controversial due to its intrinsic malignant ...potential. We aimed to determine (i) the rate of upgrade of the RS/CSL to malignant lesions and (ii) radiological characteristics and CNB histopathological findings of the lesions related to the upgrade of the RS/CSL to malignant lesions after surgical excision in our BCSP.
Database of Slovenian National Breast Cancer Screening Program was checked for terms RS/CSL in all patients who underwent CNB in the period 2008–2018. The ratios of upgrade from CNB RS/SCL to malignant lesions after surgical excision were calculated with specific interest to the radiological characteristics and the CNB patohistologically findings of the lesions.
Of 162 patients with diagnosis of RS/CSL on the CNB, 121/156 (78%) cases underwent surgical excision. 6 of 121 (5%) cases were upgraded to a malignant diagnosis in surgical specimen, 3 cases of invasive carcinoma and 3 cases of DCIS, respectively. Five of the upgraded cases (5/6, 83.3%) showed atypical epithelial proliferative lesions (AEPL) on CNB. In one upgraded case without AEPL the lesion presented as 33 mm architectural distortion with microcalcifications on the mammogram.
In BCSP setting RS/CSL without AEPL/papilloma and those measuring less than 2 cm in the largest diameter can be followed radiologically. Increasing the number of cores and adequate sampling of the periphery and the centre of the RS/CSL improves the pick-up rate of associated atypia/malignancy.
•Indications for radial scar/complex sclerosing lesions surgical excisions reduced.•Data from Slovenian national breast cancer screening program reviewed.•Radial scars/complex sclerosing lesions diagnosed by vacuum assisted core biopsy measuring less than 2 cm and without atypical epithelial proliferative lesions or papilloma can be followed radiologically.•Radial scars/complex sclerosing lesions larger than 2 cm, not adequately sampled in core needle biopsy and/or showing atypical epithelial proliferative lesions or papilloma should be excised.•Increasing the number of cores and adequate sampling of the periphery as well as the centre of the radial scars/complex sclerosing lesions improves the pick-up rate of associated atypia/malignancy.
•Electroporation and electrochemotherapy with bleomycin caused endotheliitis.•They also caused vascular smooth muscle cell destruction in portal vein anastomosis.•Regeneration of endothelium and ...organization of fibrosis was seen after 28 days.•Histology of the treated veins were consistent with normal healing process.•Electrochemotherapy of portal vein anastomosis is safe and feasible.
Electrochemotherapy (ECT11Electrochemotherapy.) is used for treatment of unresectable abdominal malignancies. This study aims to show that ECT of porcine portal vein anastomosis is safe and feasible in order to extend the indications for margin attenuation after resection of locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma. No marked differences were found between the control group and ECT treated groups. Electroporation thus caused irreversible damage to the vascular smooth muscle cells in tunica media that could bedue to the narrow irreversible electroporation zone that may occur near the electrodes, or due to vasa vasorum thrombosis in the tunica externa. Based on the absence of vascular complications, and similar histological changes in lienal veinanastomosis, we can conclude that ECT of portal vein anastomosis is safe and feasible.
Different immunohistochemical algorithms for the classification of the activated B-cell (ABC) and germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are applied in ...different laboratories. In the present study, 127 patients with DLCBL were investigated, all treated with rituximab and cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone (CHOP) or CHOP-like regimens between April 2004 and December 2010. Multi-tumor tissue microarrays were prepared and were tested according to 4 algorithms: Hans; modified Hans; Choi; and modified Choi. For 39 patients, the flow cytometric quantification of CD19 and CD20 antigen expression was performed and the level of expression presented as molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome units. The Choi algorithm was demonstrated to be prognostic for OS and classified patients into the GCB subgroup with an HR of 0.91. No difference in the expression of the CD19 antigen between the ABC and GCB groups was observed, but the ABC subtype exhibited a decreased expression of the CD20 antigen compared with the GCB subtype.
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) are being investigated for treatment of hepatic tumours. The liver is a highly heterogeneous organ, permeated with a network of macro- ...and microvasculature, biliary tracts and connective tissue. The success of ECT and IRE depends on sufficient electric field established in whole target tissue; therefore, tissue heterogeneity may affect the treatment outcome. In this study, we investigate electroporation in the liver using a numerical mesoscale tissue model. We numerically reconstructed four ECT experiments in healthy porcine liver and computed the electric field distribution using our treatment planning framework. We compared the computed results with histopathological changes identified on microscopic images after treatment. The mean electric field threshold that best fitted the zone of coagulation necrosis was 1225 V/cm, while the mean threshold that best fitted the zone of partially damaged liver parenchyma attributed to IRE was 805 V/cm. We evaluated how the liver macro- and microstructures affect the electric field distribution. Our results show that the liver microstructure does not significantly affect the electric field distribution on the level needed for treatment planning. However, major hepatic vessels and portal spaces significantly affect the electric field distribution, and should be considered when planning treatments.
Background: Imaging methods and the most appropriate criteria to be used for detecting and evaluating response to oncological treatments depend on the pathology and anatomical site to be treated and ...on the treatment to be performed. This document provides a general overview of the main imaging and histopathological findings of electroporation-based treatments (Electrochemotherapy—ECT and Irreversible electroporation—IRE) compared to thermal approach, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), in deep-seated cancers with a particular attention to pancreatic and liver cancer. Methods: Numerous electronic datasets were examined: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The research covered the years from January 1990 to April 2021. All titles and abstracts were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were the following: studies that report imaging or histopathological findings after ablative thermal and not thermal loco-regional treatments (ECT, IRE, RFA) in deep-seated cancers including pancreatic and liver cancer and articles published in the English language. Exclusion criteria were unavailability of full text and congress abstracts or posters and different topic respect to inclusion criteria. Results: 558 potentially relevant references through electronic searches were identified. A total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria: 20 studies report imaging findings after RFA or ECT or IRE in pancreatic and liver cancer; 17 studies report histopathological findings after RFA or ECT or IRE; 1 study reports both imaging and histopathological findings after RFA or ECT or IRE. Conclusions: Imaging features are related to the type of therapy administrated, to the timing of re-assessment post therapy and to the imaging technique being used to observe the effects. Histological findings after both ECT and IRE show that the treated area becomes necrotic and encapsulated in fibrous tissue, suggesting that the size of the treated lesion cannot be measured as an endpoint to detect response. Moreover, histology frequently reported signs of apoptosis and reduced vital tissue, implying that imaging criteria, which take into account the viability and not the size of the lesion, are more appropriate to evaluate response to treatment.
Background: NUT carcinoma is a highly aggressive and rare subset of squamous cell carcinoma with grim prognosis. It is under-recognized by both pathologists and oncologists. Recognition is ...challenging due to its rareness and the fact that its clinical and laboratory features as well as morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics may mimic other malignancies. Case presentation: An interesting case of NUT carcinoma in a 47-year-old male with a large tumor mass in the inferior part of the mediastinum and left lung and increased levels of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is described. Immunohistochemical analysis of both the primary tumor in a bronchoscopy specimen and an excisional biopsy of a subcutaneous metastasis showed positivity for AFP and leukocyte common antigen (LCA) that were misleading and resulted in diagnostic pitfalls of mediastinal germ cell tumor (clinically) and hematolymphoid neoplasm (pathologic report). Immunohistochemical demonstration of NUT protein expression revealed the proper diagnosis, which was further confirmed by RNA sequencing revealing a BRD4-NUTM1 gene fusion.Conclusions: Since NUT carcinoma can show a wide spectrum of histological and immunophenotypic features and can clinically mimic other tumors, use of RNA sequencing with identification of specific NUTM1 fusion partner could be crucial when there are discrepant clinical and histopathological findings. As well, since the category of so-called NUTM1-rearranged neoplasms is rapidly expanding, identification of NUTM1 fusion partner may be essential for the appropriate clinical management.
PDF
