Potential role of the Eph/ephrin system in colorectal cancer: emerging druggable molecular targets.

The Eph/ephrin system regulates many developmental processes and adult tissue homeostasis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), it is involved in different processes including tumorigenesis, tumor angiogenesis, metastasis development, and cancer stem cell regeneration. However, conflicting data regarding Eph receptors in CRC, especially in its putative role as an oncogene or a suppressor gene, make the precise role of Eph-ephrin interaction confusing in CRC development. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature and highlight evidence that collaborates with these ambiguous roles of the Eph/ephrin system in CRC, as well as the molecular findings that represent promising therapeutic targets.

Exploring diagnosis and therapeutic complexities of an aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive and rare cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that predominantly affects the sun-damaged skin of the head and neck region, extremities, and trunk of older white individuals. Microscopically, MCC is characterized by nests or sheets of uniform small round blue cells with scant cytoplasm, granular nuclei with a salt-and-pepper chromatin pattern, high proliferative activity, and occasional necrosis. They are usually positive for epithelial and neuroendocrine markers, particularly for cytokeratin 20 and AE1/AE3 in a paranuclear dot-like staining. We herein contribute by reporting a case of MCC affecting the auricular pavilion of a 66-year-old female patient from Campinas, Brazil. Additionally, a review of the current literature is also included to analyze all the cases that have been reported in the English-language literature, totalizing 27 cases of MCC on the external ear. The 5-year overall survival rate for individuals with localized MCC is 50% and the most common treatment choice is the combination of surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy and sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Clinicopathological profile of sclerosing polycystic adenoma/adenosis: A systematic review.

In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological profile of sclerosing polycystic adenoma (SPA). PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Lilacs, Web of Science, and gray literature were searched to access cases of SPA in salivary glands. One hundred and thirty cases of SPA were found across 61 selected articles. SPA affected mainly the parotid gland of adults with a mean age of 44.6 years old, with a slight preference for females. The lesion was usually presented as a painless firm mass with a long period of evolution. Histologically, they are well-delimitated lesions composed of acinar and ductal elements with a variety of cytomorphologic features surrounded by a densely collagenized stroma. PI3K was the most common gene mutation related to SPA. SPA is a benign condition that mainly affects the parotid gland of female patients and it is usually treated by surgical resection with a good prognosis.

Hybrid Verrucous Carcinoma: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Case Report and Integrative Review of 280 Cases

ABSTRACT: Hybrid verrucous carcinoma (HVC) is defined as a rare neoplasm in which there is histopathological evidence of verrucous carcinoma and microscopic foci of squamous cell carcinoma, synchronously in the same site, affecting behavior and prognosis. This study aimed to present a new case of HVC in the mouth, and critically and comparatively analyze the cases reported in literature, to better understand the biological behavior and contribute to diagnostic precision. A review was performed using six databases, and the gray literature. Twenty-two articles were selected, with a total of 280 cases. The most frequent clinical appearance was verrucous carcinoma which included benign lesions. This implies that the potential for aggressive behavior can be detected microscopically, in the form of a ruptured basement membrane, which visualization can be facilitated by the use of some immunohistochemical markers discussed here. This is important for the diagnosis of HVC and adequate treatment. Hybrid verrucous carcinoma is what can be thought of as "a wolf in sheep's clothing." When analyzing cases with clinical suspicion of verrucous carcinoma microscopically, great attention is recommended, since they may be HVC and can recur, metastasize, and lead to death.

RESUMEN: El carcinoma verrugoso híbrido (CVH) se define como una neoplasia poco frecuente en la que existe evidencia histopatológica de carcinoma verrugoso y focos microscópicos de carcinoma de células escamosas, sincrónicamente en el mismo sitio, que afectan el comportamiento y el pronóstico. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo presentar un nuevo caso de CVH en la cavidad oral, y analizar crítica y comparativamente los casos reportados en la literatura, para comprender mejor el comportamiento biológico y contribuir a la precisión diagnóstica. Se realizó una revisión utilizando seis bases de datos y la literatura gris. Se seleccionaron veintidós artículos, con un total de 280 casos. La aparición clínica más frecuente fue el carcinoma verrugoso que incluyó lesiones benignas. Esto implica que el potencial de comportamiento agresivo puede detectarse microscópicamente, en forma de una membrana basal rota, cuya visualización puede ser facilitada por el uso de algunos marcadores inmunohistoquímicos discutidos aquí. Esto es importante para el diagnóstico de CVH y el tratamiento adecuado. El CVH es lo que se puede considerar como "un lobo con piel de oveja". Al analizar microscópicamente casos con sospecha clínica de carcinoma verrugoso, se recomienda una atención inmediata debido a que pueden ser CVH y pueden recurrir, metastatizar y conducir a la muerte.

Oral metastasis as the first indication of undiscovered malignancy at a distant site: A systematic review of 413 cases.

This systematic review is the first to provide evidence regarding demographic, clinical, and imaging characteristics, as well as information related to survival, of patients with oral and maxillofacial metastases of occult primary tumors. Case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies were included. Ten databases were searched. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. Overall, 353 articles (413 patients) were included. Statistically significant associations between survival and multiplicity of metastatic foci, and between each of the main primary sites and some features of the oral lesions were observed. Some clinical and imaging characteristics can help dentists in raising diagnostic suspicions and also in relating to plausible primary sites. Early diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial metastases can positively affect the survival rate when they are the only focus of dissemination, conferring an important role on the dentist.