[Urothelial carcinoma involving the renal calyce revealed due to brain metastasis]. / Carcinome urothélial sur un calice rénal exclus révélé par une métastase cérébrale.

Urothelial carcinoma is usually characterized by severe symptoms including macroscopic haematuria. We here report the case of a female patient without a history of smoking or urothelial carcinoma, making it, to our knowledge, a unique case and a first case of urothelial carcinoma revealed by brain metastasis.

Astroblastoma - a rare and challenging tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Astroblastoma is a controversial and an extremely rare central nervous system neoplasm. Although its histogenesis has been clarified recently, controversies exist regarding its cellular origin and validity as a distinct entity. Because of its extreme rarity and because its common features are shared with other glial neoplasms, this tumor is prone to misdiagnosis and remains challenging not only in terms of diagnosis and classification but also in the subsequent management. This case report describes a new case of astroblastoma. It discusses clinical, radiologic, pathological, and therapeutic features and differential diagnosis of this rare neoplasm, with a review of the recent literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 8-year-old Moroccan girl who presented with a 1-year history of epileptic seizure, headache, and decreased visual acuity. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right occipito-temporal mass. A tumor resection was performed and histological examination combined with immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of low-grade astroblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: Astroblastoma is a very rare primary brain tumor. Its diagnosis is often challenging because of the astroblastic aspects that can be found in astrocytic tumors, in ependymomas, and in non-neuroepithelial tumors. Considerable confusion surrounds its histogenesis and classification. The low incidence rate makes it difficult to conduct studies to examine tumor characteristics.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma: a case report of a rare tumor of the larynx.

BACKGROUND: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a tumor mostly diagnosed in the nasopharynx, but it has also been described in a variety of nonnasopharyngeal sites. It is extremely rare in the larynx and should be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, it must be known by clinicians, pathologists and oncologists. In this case report, we discuss its etiopathogeny, its epidemiological, clinical, pathological and therapeutic aspects, and its outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old Morrocan man, smoker for 40 years, presented with a 1 year history of dysphonia, dyspnea and dysphagia. Laryngoscopy showed a mass occupying supraglottic, glottic and subglottic levels of the larynx. Cervico-thoracic computed tomography scan showed a laryngeal wall thickening with cervical lymphadenopathy. Laryngeal biopsy was performed. Microscopic analysis and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of laryngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma. Immunostaining for LMP1 was negative. CONCLUSION: Laryngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma is an extremely rare and an aggressive tumor. It is rarely associated with the EBV. It must be regarded as a distinct entity. Radiotherapy is advisable as the unique therapy for local tumor. A correct diagnosis and a close collaboration between the pathologist and clinicians is mandatory for an optimal treatment strategy.

EGFR Amplification and IDH Mutations in Glioblastoma Patients of the Northeast of Morocco.

Glioblastomas are the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumors which are expressing various evolutions, aggressiveness, and prognosis. Thus, the 2007 World Health Organization classification based solely on the histological criteria is no longer sufficient. It should be complemented by molecular analysis for a true histomolecular classification. The new 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system uses molecular parameters in addition to histology to reclassify these tumors and reduce the interobserver variability. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IDH mutations and EGFR amplifications in the population of the northeast region of Morocco and then to compare the results with other studies. Methods. IDH1 codon 132 and IDH2 codon 172 were directly sequenced and the amplification of exon 20 of EGFR gene was investigated by qPCR in 65 glioblastoma tumors diagnosed at the University Hospital of Fez between 2010 and 2014. Results. The R132H IDH1 mutation was observed in 8 of 65 tumor samples (12.31%). No mutation of IDH2 was detected. EGFR amplification was identified in 17 cases (26.15%). Conclusion. A systematic search of both histological and molecular markers should be requisite for a good diagnosis and a better management of glioblastomas.

HPV and cofactors for invasive cervical cancer in Morocco: a multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Limited national information is available in Morocco on the prevalence and distribution of HPV-sub-types of cervical cancer and the role of other risk factors. The aim was to determine the frequency of HPV-sub-types of cervical cancer in Morocco and investigate risk factors for this disease. METHODS: Between November 2009 and April 2012 a multicentre case-control study was carried out. A total of 144 cases of cervical cancer and 288 age-matched controls were included. Odds-ratios and corresponding confidence-intervals were computed by conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: Current HPV infection was detected in 92.5% of cases and 13.9% of controls. HPV16 was the most common type for both cases and controls. Very strong associations between HPV-sub-types and cervical cancer were observed: total-HPV (OR = 39), HPV16 (OR = 49), HPV18 (OR = 31), and multiple infections (OR = 13). Education, high parity, sexual intercourse during menstruation, history of sexually transmitted infections, and husband's multiple sexual partners were also significantly associated with cervical cancer in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results could be used to establish a primary prevention program and to prioritize limited screening to women who have specific characteristics that may put them at an increased risk of cervical cancer.

An unusual site of metastasis: splenic metastastasis from a colon cancer.

Splenic metastasis from colorectal cancers is a very rare occurrence. Few cases have been reported in the literature. We report herein an additionnal case of metachronous splenic metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon, 3 years after the diagnosis of the primary tumor. A 62-year old woman presented for regular follow-up after colectomy for sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. A computed tomography-scan found two splenic metastatic nodules for which splenectomy had been performed. The histological analysis of the resected spleen showed a well-differentiated metastatic adenocarcinoma from colon. The patient recovered well after surgery, and 10 months after, she had no signs of the disease.

[Pleural epithelioid sarcoma: about a case and review of the literature]. / Sarcome épithélioide pleural, à propos d'un cas avec revue de la littérature.

Proximal epithelioid sarcoma (PES) originating from the pleura is a clinical entity rarely reported in the literature. We report the case of a young patient with immediately metastatic proximal epithelioid sarcoma (PES) treated at the Department of Medical Oncology, Fes. Treatment consisted of chemotherapy based on doxorubicin and ifosfamide. After the first cycle of chemotherapy, the disease led to a fatal outcome. Our case study highlights the potentially aggressive behaviour of PES which represents a clinical trap and can be life-threatening.

Granular cell tumor of the breast: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: A granular cell tumor involving the breast parenchyma was first described by Abrikossoff in 1931. Localization of this lesion to the breast is very rare, accounting for between 5% and 15% of all granular cell tumor cases. We present this case because of the rarity of this tumor. It is frequently confused with breast carcinoma on clinical and radiological examination, and its diagnosis can therefore be challenging for clinicians, radiologists and pathologists. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 32-year-old Moroccan woman who presented with a palpable mass in her right breast. Mammography and ultrasound examination revealed a heterogeneous, irregular and poorly limited mass, located at the union of the outer quadrants of her right breast. The mass was in contact with her latissimus dorsi and suspicious for malignancy. A histological examination combined with immunohistochemical study revealed it to be a granular cell tumor. CONCLUSION: Although a granular cell tumor of the breast is a rare breast neoplasm, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions. Pathologists should bear in mind a granular cell tumor when examining material containing cells with abundant granular cytoplasm to avoid misdiagnosing breast carcinoma, which could lead to unnecessary surgery.

Vulvar lipoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Vulvar lipoma is a rare tumor localization and only a few cases have been reported. The clinical characteristics of vulvar lipoma are well known. However, it is important to distinguish lipomas from liposarcomas. We report a case of vulvar lipoma and discuss its clinical features, including diagnostic aspects, with emphasis on histopathological evaluation of all excised lesions. We also report and discuss patient management and treatment outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 27-year-old Moroccan woman. Our patient presented with a painless and slow-growing right vulvar mass that had evolved over one year, which had suddenly become uncomfortable when walking. A physical examination revealed a single soft and pasty mass in her left labium majus, which could be mobilized under her skin towards her mons pubis. The largest dimension of the mass measured 6cm. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a homogenous hyperintense mass with a well-defined contour in her left labium majus; a fat-suppressed magnetic resonance image demonstrated a marked signal intensity decrease. The mass was completely removed surgically. A histological examination revealed a circumscribed benign tumor composed of mature adipocytes, confirming the diagnosis of vulvar lipoma. CONCLUSION: Vulvar lipomas must be differentiated from liposarcomas, which demonstrate very similar clinical and imaging profiles. The final diagnosis should be based on histopathological evaluation. A precise diagnosis should allow for appropriate surgical treatment.

Eccrine carcinoma : a rare cutaneous neoplasm.

Eccrine carcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy of the skin with few well documented cases reported in the literature. It is frequently found on the lower extremities, and it equally affects both sexes in the sixth and seventh decade.In our case, we present a 46- year-old female with a recurring exophytic tumor on the right lower extremity, without local extension.The initial tumor was biopsied, excised and diagnosed as an eccrine carcinoma. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/3568051328673318.

Ectopic molar pregnancy: a case report.

The incidence of hydatidiform moles is 1 per 1,000 pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancy occurs in 20 per 1,000 pregnancies. Thus, the incidence of the ectopic molar gestation is very rare. We report a case of tubal molar pregnancy diagnosed at the systematic histology exam of an ectopic pregnancy. We report the case of 32 years old nulliparus women who presented a vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain and 6 weeks amenorrhea corresponding to the last menstrual period. At the clinical examination, the arterial pressure was 100/60 mmHG. The gynecological examination was difficult because of lower abdominal pain. Serum gonadotropin activity was 3454 ui/l. Pelvic ultrasound revealed an irregular echogenic mass in the left adnexa. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a left-sided unruptured ampullary ectopic pregnancy. A left laparoscopic salpingectomy was performed. The systematic histologic test identified an ectopic partial molar pregnancy, which was confirmed by DNA ploidy image analysis. The patient was followed with weekly quantitative B-hCG titers until three successive B-hCG levels were negative. It is pertinent that clinicians take routine histological examination of tubal specimens in ectopic pregnancy very seriously in order to diagnose cases of ectopic molar gestations early and mount appropriate post treatment surveillance.