The association between integrin ß4 overexpression and lymphovascular invasion in papillary thyroid cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphovascular invasion is an independent prognostic marker in papillary thyroid carcinomas. In addition, integrin ß4 is associated with advanced progression and metastasis in many malignancies. We aimed to investigate the relationship between integrin ß4 and lymphovascular invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 73 patients with papillary thyroid cancer (48 patients with lymphovascular invasion and 25 patients without) were included in our study. The immunohistochemical staining score for integrin b4 was evaluated according to the percentage and intensity of staining. The staining intensity was scored as 0 (no staining), 1 (weak staining - light yellow), 2 (medium staining - yellow-brown), and 3 (strong staining - brown). The staining was scored by multiplying the percentage and intensity of staining. RESULTS: The mean percentage of integrin b4 staining was 63.54 ± 22.26% in the group with lymphovascular invasion and 10.2 ± 22.48% in the group without lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001). When evaluated in terms of staining score, it was found to be 107.08 ± 45.29 in the group with lymphovascular invasion and 16.2 ± 40.03 in the group without lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001). There was a linear relationship between the percentage of integrin ß4 and the staining scores (r² = 0.881; p < 0.001). In the by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the cut-off value of the percentage of integrin b4 staining, the area under the curve was found to be 0.916. The cut-off value for the percentage of integrin b4 was found to be 35 (sensitivity 91.7% and specificity 88%) (odds 80.66%). CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship was found between integrin b4 expression and lymphovascular invasion in papillary thyroid carcinomas. Integrin b4 expression level can be used as a marker to predict the presence of lymphovascular invasion in papillary thyroid carcinomas, especially in large tumours where it may not be possible to sample the entire tumour.

Multiple Clinical Manifestations of Lichenoid Spectrum: A Patient with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, Lichen Planus Pigmentosus, and Nail Lichen Planus.

Introduction: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is characterized by irreversible, symmetrical band-like hair loss in the frontotemporal region. Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a variant of lichen planus (LP) that presents with hyperpigmented macules and patches predominantly in sun-exposed areas. Nail LP is a subtype of LP that can be present alone or with other forms of LP. Case Report: We report a rare case of a 59-year-old woman presenting with symmetrical, gray-brown, hyperpigmented lesions on her neck and face, band-like alopecia in the frontotemporal region, severe onycholysis in two fingernails, and prominent longitudinal ridging in all fingernails. Clinical, dermoscopic, and histological findings established a diagnosis of FFA associated with LPP and nail LP was established. Discussion/Conclusion: In recent years, it has been established that FFA can be associated with LPP and it is thought to be a variant of lichen planopilaris. Nail involvement is rarely reported in FFA or LPP. To our knowledge, the presence of the three conditions in the same patient has not been previously reported. Although rare we would like to emphasize the importance of a careful examination of the nails in patients with FFA and/or LPP to prevent irreversible nail changes.

Exceptional Variant with Distant Cutaneous Metastasis as the First Clinical Sign in Gastric Signet-Ring Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Skin metastases from gastric cancer are rare and usually occur very late in the course of the disease. The most common metastatic sites liver, the peritoneal surfaces, and the non regional or distant lymph nodes. CASE REPORT: In this case we report the short-term survival of a 67-year-old man complined of multiple nodular lesions in various part of his skin. Histology showed a metastatic signet ring cell adenocarsinoma. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and a crater- like ulcer, about 3 cm in diameter, was observed on the anterior part of the stomach corpus distal. A biopsy specimen was obtained, and histopathological findings were consistent with gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma. XELOX chemotherapy regimen was initiated for the patient. CONCLUSION: Skin metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma is a rare condition with a poor prognosis. It may be the first manifestation of a clinically silent visceral cancer or may represent a recurrence of an internal malignancy.