Clinical and pathological features of Merkel cell carcinoma: A 4-year follow-up observational retrospective study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant skin cancer with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Knowledge of MCC has increased in recent years mostly due to improved diagnosis techniques. In Spain there is lack of information regarding the incidence and tumour characteristics, and the treatment approaches are not standardised. The objective of this study was to provide information of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of MCC patients in Spain. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study involving 192 patients from 25 Spanish hospitals. Evaluated variables included overall survival and incidence rate of Merkel cell polyomavirus, in patients diagnosed from 2012 to 2016. RESULTS: The Spanish incidence rate was estimated 0.32/100,000 inhabitants/year, with variations according to geographical regions, being slightly higher in areas with greater sunlight exposure. In total, 61.5% of tumours showed expansive growth (progressive growth of the tumour), 78.6% showed localisation in UV-exposed skin. 97.4% of patients were diagnosed by excisional biopsy. Surgery was the first line treatment in 96.6% of patients, radiotherapy in 24.6%, and chemotherapy in 6.3%. These treatments were not mutually exclusive. Median overall survival was 38.3 months (78.4% at 12 months and 60% at 24 months). MCPyV was present in 33.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of MCC in Spain is one of the highest in Europe, with a slight predominance in men. The sample has shown that a biopsy is available for diagnosis in most cases. Moreover, the treatment is surgical when the tumour is localized and is associated with lymphadenectomy, and/or it is radiotherapy if widespread.

Pancreatic panniculitis.

Pancreatic panniculitis (PP) is an infrequent manifestation of pancreatic pathology (2%). This condition has mainly been described in association with acute and chronic pancreatitis, in males aged 40-60 years with chronic alcoholism, as was the case of this patient. However, it might also be the outset manifestation of a pancreatic neoplasm.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a rare complication after both solid organ (SOT) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In this single center retrospective study, we compared clinical, biological, and histological features, and outcomes of PTLD after both types of transplant. We identified 82 PTLD (61 after SOT and 21 after allo-HSCT). The presence of B symptoms, Waldeyer ring, spleen, central nervous system, and liver involvement, and advanced Ann-Arbor stage were more frequent in allo-HSCT recipients. PTLD had an earlier onset in allo-HSCT than in SOT cohort (4 vs. 64 months, p < .0001). PTLD was EBV-positive in 100% of allo-HSCT, in contrast to 47% of SOT (p = .0002). Four years after PTLD diagnosis, median overall survival was 32% (95% CI, 22-48) and 10% (95% CI, 2-49) in SOT and allo-HSCT recipients, respectively (p = .002). In conclusion, the clinical presentation and the outcome of PTLD varies greatly depending on the type of transplant.

Correlación cito-histológica del tumor papilar de la glándula pineal. Presentación de un caso / Papillary pineal tumor: cyto-histological correlation. Case report

En la última revisión de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en relación a los tumores del sistema nervioso central (SNC), se describieron nuevas entidades, como el Tumor Papilar de la Glándula Pineal. Esta lesión de rara aparición, se ha identificado en adultos jóvenes. El diagnóstico de estos tumores es complejo ya que depende de su ubicación, edad de aparición y el aspecto histológico; éste último tiene similitudes con otras lesiones como el ependimoma papilar o el papiloma/carcinoma de plexos coroides. Citológicamente presentan características claras que pueden ayudar al diagnóstico a través de la impronta en el estudio intraoperatorio; reconocer ciertos criterios con éste importante y sencillo método diagnóstico ha sido la motivación principal para el estudio de entidades poco frecuentes del SNC, además de corroborar el necesario trabajo de un equipo multidisciplinar.

In the latest revision of the central nervous system tumors (CNS) of the World Health Organization (WHO), new entities has been described, as papillary tumor of the pineal region. This rare lesion has been identified in young adults. The diagnosis of these tumors is complex, depends on the location, age of onset and histological appearance. Histological characteristics have similarities with other lesions such as papillary ependymoma, papiloma / choroid plexus carcinoma. Cytologically have clear characteristics that can aid in the diagnosis through the smears on the intraoperative study. Certain criteria for recognize this important and simple diagnostic method has been the main motivation for the study of CNS rare entities, as our case, in addition to corroborating the necessary work of a multidisciplinary team.