Characteristic of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma by Algorithm of Potential Biomarkers for Uterine Mesenchymal Tumor.

The benign tumor uterine leiomyoma (UL) develops from the smooth muscle tissue that constitutes the uterus, whereas malignant tumor uterine sarcoma develops from either the smooth muscle tissue or stroma and is different from UL and endometrial cancer. Uterine sarcoma is broadly classified into three types: uterine leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), and carcinosarcoma. Although uterine leiomyosarcoma and ESS are both classified as uterine sarcoma, they significantly differ in terms of their sites of occurrence, symptoms, and treatment methods. Uterine leiomyosarcoma develops from the muscle tissue constituting the wall of the uterus and accounts for approximately 70% of all uterine sarcoma cases. In contrast, ESS develops from the stromal tissue beneath the endometrium and accounts for approximately 25% of all uterine sarcoma cases. ESS is classified as either low grade (LG) or high grade (HG). This case report aimed to highlight the importance of histopathologic examinations based on surgical specimens. Herein, we reported the case of a 45-year-old woman suspected of having submucosal leiomyoma of the uterus based on imaging results. Transvaginal ultrasonography and endometrial biopsy or partial dilation and curettage were performed. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 32-mm mass projecting from the posterior wall of the uterus into the uterine cavity. T2-weighted imaging revealed a low signal within the mass; thus, submucosal UL was suspected. Histopathologic examination of surgical specimens obtained from a patient suspected of having submucosal UL after contrast-enhanced MRI indicated that the patient had ESS. Despite the remarkable advancements in medical imaging technology, the accuracy of contrast-enhanced MRI for detecting uterine mesenchymal tumors is limited. Therefore, histopathologic diagnosis based on surgical specimens should be performed when medical grounds for diagnosing a benign tumor on contrast-enhanced MRI are lacking.

Possibility of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Metastatic Microenvironment of Cancer.

According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the mortality and disease severity induced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are significantly higher in cancer patients than those of individuals with no known condition. Common and cancer-specific risk factors might be involved in the mortality and severity rates observed in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Similarly, various factors might contribute to the aggravation of COVID-19 in patients with cancer. However, the factors involved in the aggravation of COVID-19 in cancer patients have not been fully investigated so far. The formation of metastases in other organs is common in cancer patients. Therefore, the present study investigated the association between lung metastatic lesion formation and SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. In the pulmonary micrometastatic niche of patients with ovarian cancer, alveolar epithelial stem-like cells were found adjacent to ovarian cancer. Moreover, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a host-side receptor for SARS-CoV-2, was expressed in these alveolar epithelial stem-like cells. Furthermore, the spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 was bound to alveolar epithelial stem-like cells. Altogether, these data suggested that patients with cancer and pulmonary micrometastases are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. The prevention of de novo niche formation in metastatic diseases might constitute a new strategy for the clinical treatment of COVID-19 for patients with cancer.

Pathological Evidence for Residual SARS-CoV-2 in the Micrometastatic Niche of a Patient with Ovarian Cancer.

In previous clinical studies, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in cancer patients has a high risk of aggravation and mortality than in healthy infected individuals. Inoculation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. However, vaccination-induced anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody production is said to be lower in cancer patients than in healthy individuals. In addition, the rationale for why the condition of patients with cancer worsens with COVID-19 is not well understood. Therefore, we examined the infection status of SARS-CoV-2 in the primary tumor and micrometastasis tissues of the patient with cancer and COVID-19. In this study, the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was observed, and SARS-CoV-2 particles was detected in ovarian tissue cells in contact with the micrometastatic niche of the patient with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. We believe that the severity of COVID-19 in patients with cancer can be attributed to these pathological features. Therefore, the pathological findings of patients with advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2 may help decrease COVID-19 severity in patients with other cancer types.

2-Step PLT16-AST44 method: Simplified liver fibrosis detection system in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: Accurate detection of the hepatic fibrosis stage is essential to estimate the outcome of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Many formulas, biomarkers, and imaging tests are being developed to predict advanced liver fibrosis without performing a liver biopsy. However, these tests do not have high efficiency in detecting early-stage hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to detect the presence of hepatic fibrosis (≥F1) merely by using only standard clinical markers. METHODS: A total of 436 patients with NAFLD who underwent liver biopsy were retrospectively enrolled as the discovery cohort (316 patients) and the validation cohort (120 patients). Liver biopsy and laboratory data were matched to extract simple parameters for identifying ≥F1. RESULTS: We developed a novel simplified ≥F1 detecting system, designated as 2-Step PLT16-AST44 method, where (1) PLT of 16 × 104 /µl or less, or (2) PLT greater than 16 × 104 /µl and AST greater than 44 U/L is determined as having ≥F1 fibrosis. The 2-Step PLT16-AST44 method had a sensitivity of 68%, a specificity of 90%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 40%, and an accuracy of 72% to detect ≥F1 fibrosis in the discovery cohort. Validation studies further supported these results. Despite its simplicity, the 2-Step PLT16-AST44 method's power to detect ≥F1 fibrosis in total NAFLD patients was comparable to hyaluronic acid, type 4 collagen 7S, FIB-4, and APRI. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the 2-Step PLT16-AST44 method as a simple and beneficial early-stage hepatic fibrosis detection system.

An anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with periventricular extension: An autopsy case report and review of the literature.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) are rare low-grade astrocytic tumors that typically present as superficial nodular cystic tumors of the cerebrum attached to the leptomeninx. Histologically, they are pleomorphic, hypercellular glial neoplasms. Despite the presence of microscopic pleomorphism, patients' postoperative prognosis is generally good. Anaplastic PXAs (APXAs) have a high mitotic index and patients with APXAs have a worse prognosis than patients with PXAs. Here, we report an autopsy case of APXA initially diagnosed as PXA. After gross total resection, the tumor recurred and was diagnosed as an APXA; thereafter, the patient died. An autopsy revealed that the tumor had relapsed at the primary site and had spread to the leptomeningeal space while concurrently invading the cerebrum including the periventricular area forming multifocal lesions. The histological findings of the autopsy were similar to those for epithelioid glioblastoma (EGBM) and small cell glioblastoma (SCGBM). In particular, the periventricular area with multifocal lesions was composed of SCGBM-like cells. It has been shown that multifocal lesions are frequently identified in patients with SCGBM. This is the first histopathologically confirmed case of APXA-related tumor presenting with periventricular extension and multifocal lesion formation. The periventricular extension might be a feature of PXAs and APXAs. However, suspected periventricular spread on imaging in past cases of PXAs and APXAs might instead represent the malignant transformation of these tumors to glioblastoma-like high-grade tumors, which often show SCGBM-like histological patterns.

Ultrastructure of CIC-DUX4 sarcoma: the first pathological report.

CIC-DUX4 sarcoma (CDS) is a recently identified subtype of small round cell sarcoma. Morphologically, CDS partially resembles Ewing sarcoma (ES) and has been classified as "ES-like sarcoma"; however, detailed clinicopathologic and molecular genetic analyses have indicated that CDS is a new independent disease. Many studies have provided light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and genetic information about CDS. However, ultrastructural findings associated with this sarcoma are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of CDS tumors and to compare their features with those of ES. We examined two cytogenetically confirmed CDS cases. We found that, compared to typical ES, CDS presented heterogeneity: in cell density, from tightly packed to loosely unconnected areas; in cell shape, from polygonal to pleomorphic with small processes; and in nuclear shape including round, oval, polygonal, elongated, invaginated, or wrinkled formations. However, abundant glycogen in the cytoplasm and rare cell adhesion apparatus between cells are major similarities between CDS and typical ES. Neuroendocrine granules, which are seen in rare ES cases, could not be identified in these two CDS cases. Although cytogenetic differences can validate a definite diagnosis, ultrastructural features could also provide important information about the differences between CDS and ES.

DOCK8 mutation diagnosed using whole-exome sequencing of the dried blood spot-derived DNA: a case report of an Iraqi girl diagnosed in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency (MIM #243700) is a rare disease, leads to a combined primary immunodeficiency (PID), and accounts for the autosomal recessive-hyper immunoglobulin E syndrome (AR-HIES). DOCK8 deficiency status characterizes by recurrent infections, atopy, and risk of cancer. Lymphoproliferative disease complicating PID, is difficult to diagnose. Our aim is to present a rare case of PID, and to the best of our knowledge, she is the first case of DOCK8 deficiency from Iraq. The genetic diagnosis was carried out in Japan using dried blood spot-based DNA transfer and whole-exome sequencing. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old Iraqi girl, of double first-cousin-parents, had a history of severe eczema, food allergy, and repeated infections. She presented with a jaw mass, bilateral cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy, and immunoglobulin (Ig) assays of 20, 3.3 and 1.7-fold above maximum normal level for age of IgE, IgA and IgG, respectively, along with a low IgM, eosinophilia and lymphopenia. Based on the jaw mass biopsy, non-Hodgkin lymphoma was suggested in Iraq, whereas histopathological re-evaluation in Japan revealed the diagnosis of a polyclonal reactive proliferation spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders/plasmacytic hyperplasia, complicating PID. Whole-exome sequencing supported the diagnosis of PID by identifying a homozygous DOCK8 mutation with previously reported pathogenicity (NM_203447:c.3332delT, p.Phe1113Leufs*2), that may be attributed to consanguinity. CONCLUSIONS: International collaboration using an effective DNA transportation technique and next-generation sequencing was the key to pinpoint the diagnosis of DOCK8 deficiency. Our case asserted that careful pathogenetic evaluation, in an advanced setting, was crucial for ruling out the neoplastic process. Pediatricians in areas with a high prevalence of consanguinity marriage should have a high index of suspicion of DOCK8 deficiency in patients with recalcitrant eczema, and frequent respiratory and skin infectious episodes.

Delayed Bleeding Following Cold Snare Polypectomy for Small Colorectal Polyps in Patients Taking Antithrombotic Agents.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the incidence of delayed bleeding following 2 methods of cold snare polypectomy for colorectal polyps in patients taking antithrombotic agents. METHODS: Patients undergoing cold snare polypectomy for colorectal polyps ≤10 mm without discontinuation of antithrombotic agents were enrolled. This was a retrospective study of a prospectively collected cohort based on a historical comparison of 2 time periods. A traditional cold snare was used between January 2012 and December 2013 and a dedicated cold snare was used between January 2014 and December 2015. Patients' and polyps' characteristics, antithrombotic agents used, the snare used, the number of clips used, and adverse events were documented from a hospital online database. Delayed bleeding was defined as bleeding that required endoscopic treatment within 2 weeks after polypectomy. The submucosal layer of the resected polyps (6 to 10 mm) was histologically examined for the presence of injured arteries. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients having 370 eligible polyps were enrolled; traditional cold snare group, N=100 (212 polyps) and dedicated cold snare group, N=72 (158 polyps). The patients' and polyps' characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Hemostatic clips were used more often with the traditional than dedicated cold snares [33/100 (33%) vs. 13/72 (18%), P=0.044]. Delayed bleeding following cold snare polypectomy occurred in 1.2% (2/172); 0% (0/72) with dedicated snare versus 2% (2/100) with the traditional snare (P=0.63). The presence of histologically demonstrated injured submucosal arteries with the dedicated cold snare was significantly less than with the traditional cold snare [4.1% (4/98) vs. 16% (17/105), P=0.009]. CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal polyps ≤10 mm can be removed without an increase in delayed bleeding using dedicated cold snare polypectomy in patients taking antithrombotic agents.

Miglitol attenuates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in diabetic patients.

AIM: Postprandial hyperglycemia is frequently accompanied by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH). Although α-glucosidase inhibitors (αGIs) can slow glucose absorption from the intestine and suppress the surge of circulating glucose concentration after meals, it remains unclear whether αGIs are also beneficial for NASH. The aim of this prospective study was to examine the efficacy and safety of miglitol, a typical αGI, for NASH. METHODS: Seventeen patients with histologically confirmed NASH and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >6.5% were treated with miglitol (150 mg/day) for 12 months. The changes in clinical parameters and liver histology were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients completed the 12-month miglitol treatment course with no severe adverse events. The treatment significantly decreased body mass index, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, and HbA1c (all P < 0.001). Post-treatment liver biopsy of 11 patients revealed significant improvements in steatosis (from 2.2 ± 0.6 to 1.5 ± 0.7, P = 0.001), lobular inflammation (from 1.8 ± 0.8 to 1.3 ± 0.5, P = 0.014), portal inflammation scores (from 0.6 ± 0.5 to 0.1 ± 0.3, P = 0.025), and NAFLD activity score (from 5.5 ± 1.5 to 3.9 ± 1.4, P = 0.012). Fibrosis and hepatocyte ballooning scores were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Miglitol appears to safely ameliorate NASH activity by attenuation of steatosis and lobular/portal inflammation. Appropriately powered controlled trials are warranted to validate our results.

Clinicopathological characteristics of non-B non-C hepatocellular carcinoma without past hepatitis B virus infection.

AIM: Past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is considered a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis, but the clinicopathological characteristics of non-B non-C hepatocellular carcinoma (NBNC-HCC) excluding past HBV infection have not been investigated. This study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of strictly defined NBNC-HCC. METHODS: Among HCC patients who underwent surgical resection at our affiliated hospitals in Nagano prefecture, Japan, between 1996 and 2012, 77 were negative for serum anti-HBV core/surface antibodies in addition to HBV surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody without signs of autoimmune liver disease, Wilson disease, or hemochromatosis. These patients were divided into the alcohol intake-positive group (ethanol intake >20 g/day, n = 31), non-alcoholic fatty liver group (steatosis >5% and ethanol intake <20 g/day, n = 30), and cryptogenic group (no ethanol intake or steatosis, n = 16). Preoperative clinical parameters, tumor and background liver pathology, and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Advanced fibrosis and steatosis were detected in 64% and 60% of all patients, respectively. Approximately 85% of the alcohol intake-positive patients had advanced fibrosis. Non-alcoholic fatty liver HCC subjects had the highest body mass index and prevalence of diabetes, but 30-40% had none to mild fibrosis. The cryptogenic group of HCC patients had the lowest incidence of accompanying hepatic inflammation/fibrosis but the largest tumor size. Recurrence/survival rates were comparable among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Liver fibrosis and steatosis are risk factors of HCC regardless of past HBV infection and ethanol consumption. The present results also indicate the possibility of hepatocarcinogenesis independent of hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, ethanol intake, and past HBV infection.

Comparison between endoscopic mucosal resection and hot snare resection of large nonpedunculated colorectal polyps: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It is unclear whether endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or hot snare resection is better for resecting large nonpedunculated polyps. The aim of this study was to determine a cutoff size of nonpedunculated neoplastic colorectal polyps at which the risk of incomplete resection differed between EMR and hot snare resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with nonpedunculated neoplastic polyps (10 - 25 mm in diameter) were randomly assigned to undergo endoscopic resection using EMR (52 patients with 63 polyps) or hot snare resection (52 patients with 62 polyps). EMR included submucosal injection of saline before resection. The primary outcome measure was the proportion with complete polyp resection determined by histopathology. The secondary outcome was total procedure time. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were similar between groups. EMR achieved complete resection more frequently than hot snare resection (89 % vs. 73 %; P = 0.02), particularly for polyps ≥ 20 mm (75 % [9 /12] vs. 18 % [2 /11]; P = 0.006). A complete resection rate of > 90 % was achieved for polyps of size < 19 mm with EMR, and for polyps of size ≤ 14 mm with hot snare resection. In multivariate analysis, incomplete resection was associated with hot snare resection (odds ratio [OR] 2.8, 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) 1.0 - 8.3; P = 0.04) and polyp size ≥ 15 mm (OR 4.0, 95 %CI 1.3 - 14; P = 0.01). Total procedure time was shorter with hot snare resection than with EMR (mean 14.8 min vs. 17.2 min; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EMR and hot snare resection appear to achieve similar complete resection rates for polyps up to 14 mm; however, EMR may be superior for larger polyps, particularly for those ≥ 20 mm.Registered at Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 01950117.

A novel surfactant protein C L55F mutation associated with interstitial lung disease alters subcellular localization of proSP-C in A549 cells.

BACKGROUND: Heterozygous mutations of SFTPC, the gene-encoding surfactant protein C (SP-C), result in interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, characterization of mutations located in the mature domain of precursor SP-C (proSP-C) is limited. This study examined the molecular pathogenesis of such a mutation of ILD. METHODS: We employed sequencing of SFTPC and established A549 cells stably expressing several proSP-C mutants. Histopathology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of lung tissue from a pediatric patient with ILD were assessed. Effects of mutant proSP-C were evaluated by western blotting, immunofluorescence, and TEM. RESULTS: Sequencing of SFTPC revealed a novel heterozygous mutation, c.163C>T (L55F). In lung tissue, abnormal localization of proSP-C was observed by immunohistochemistry, and small and dense lamellar bodies (LBs) in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) were detected by TEM. TEM of A549 cells stably expressing proSP-C(L55F) displayed abnormal cytoplasmic organelles. ProSP-C(L55F) exhibited a band pattern similar to that of proSP-C(WT) for processed intermediates. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that proSP-C(L55F) partially colocalized in CD63-positive cytoplasmic vesicles of A549 cells, which was in contrast to proSP-C(WT). CONCLUSION: We detected a novel c.163C>T mutation located in the mature domain of SFTPC associated with ILD that altered the subcellular localization of proSP-C in A549 cells.

Preoperative Treatment With Pazopanib in a Case of Chemotherapy-Resistant Infantile Fibrosarcoma.

Clinical and radiological diagnosis of infantile fibrosarcoma (IFS) is challenging because of its similarity to vascular origin tumors. Treatment involves complete resection. Although chemotherapy may allow more conservative resection, treatment guidelines are not strictly defined. One IFS patient with an unresectable tumor had disease progression during chemotherapy. A primary tumor sample showed high VEGFR-1/2/3 and PDGFR-α/ß expression. After pazopanib therapy, most tumor showed necrosis within 29 days and could be removed completely, with no relapse in 8 months post-resection. When IFS features hypervascularity, VEGFR and PDGFR expression may be high, thus allowing consideration of VEGFR inhibitors such as pazopanib.

Temozolomide Treatment for Pediatric Refractory Anaplastic Ependymoma with Low MGMT Protein Expression.

The benefit of postoperative chemotherapy for anaplastic ependymoma remains unknown. We report two pediatric patients with refractory anaplastic ependymoma treated with temozolomide (TMZ). We did not detect O(6) -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in tumor samples; however, MGMT protein expression was low. With TMZ treatment, one patient had a 7-month complete remission; the other, stable disease for 15 months. Three other patients did not respond to TMZ; two had high and one low MGMT expression, and two showed no MGMT promoter methylation. These findings suggest that TMZ may be effective for pediatric refractory anaplastic ependymoma with low MGMT protein expression.

Controlled attenuation parameter is correlated with actual hepatic fat content in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with none-to-mild obesity and liver fibrosis.

AIM: Non-invasive steatosis-quantifying methods are required for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients in order to monitor disease severity and assess therapeutic efficacy. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) evaluated with vibration-controlled transient elastography can predict the presence of steatosis, but its application to absolute hepatic fat quantitation remains unclear. The aim of this st\udy was to examine whether CAP is correlated with real hepatic fat content in NAFLD patients. METHODS: Eighty-two NAFLD patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy were enrolled. CAP was measured using FibroScan(®) just before liver biopsy. The percentage of fat droplet area to hepatocyte area in biopsied specimen was determined morphometrically using computerized optical image analyzing system. The correlation between CAP and liver histology was examined. RESULTS: CAP showed an excellent correlation with actual liver fat percentage in the NAFLD patients with body mass index (BMI) of less than 28 kg/m(2) (r = 0.579, P < 0.0001), especially less than 25 kg/m(2) (r = 0.708, P < 0.01), but the meaningful correlation disappeared in the patients with BMI of 28 kg/m(2) or more. In the patients with BMI of less than 28 kg/m(2) , CAP quantitativeness was affected by the presence of stage 2-4 fibrosis, but not the presence of hepatocyte ballooning and severity of lobular inflammation. CONCLUSION: CAP may be a promising tool for quantifying hepatic fat content in NAFLD patients with none-to-mild obesity and liver fibrosis. Further improvement of CAP performance is needed for the NAFLD patients with BMI of more than 28 kg/m(2) or significant hepatic fibrosis.

Rapidly progressive Kaposi's Sarcoma in an Iraqi boy received Valproic acid: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), an endothelial neoplasm, is associated with human herpes virus (HHV) -8 infection. KS has four clinical sub-types: Mediterranean/classic, African/endemic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -associated/epidemic, and transplantation-related/iatrogenic. Immunosuppression is an important cofactor in KS process. Classic KS (CKS) is exceedingly rare in children and when occurs, it is much more disseminated than adults. The epidemic, HIV-associated and the iatrogenic forms of childhood KS are a result of a profound and acquired T-cell deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first paediatric KS case report from Iraq. Our patient was showing an unusual aggressive course of the disease while receiving Valproic acid (VPA) of the potential immune-suppressive effect. CASE PRESENTATION: A six-year-old Iraqi boy, who had cerebral palsy (CP) and epilepsy since the age of 9-months, had received VPA to control his seizures. He developed skin discoloration followed by nodules that disseminated proximally from the lower extremities to the groin, face, ears and oral cavity, and then he died from severe respiratory distress after 110 days from the disease evolution. KS diagnosis was proved by a skin biopsy. As the patient was of Arab-Asian ethnicity and was HIV-seronegative status, accordingly, his condition best fitted the classic form of KS. However, recent studies showed the link of VPA with the reactivation of HHV-8. Moreover, accumulated experimental and clinical data elucidated that VPA induces T-cell suppression. Given that there was a lack of facilities to perform the laboratory immunological diagnostic tests in Iraq, the VPA-induced effect on immunity in our case (iatrogenic KS) could not be evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Our report demonstrates a rare, rapidly progressing paediatric KS case and highlights the possible role of the 5-years' administration of VPA and its challenging effect on cellular immunity based on recent studies. Thus, VPA could have promoted the development of the KS in our patient. This report also recalls the need of paediatricians to consider KS especially when the skin lesion appears at the child's foot even in countries outside the geographical map of the disease.

Clinical outcome of dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the extremities: A retrospective case series of 7 patients.

BACKGROUND: Wide resection is the generally recommended surgical treatment for dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) in the extremities. However, it may be appropriate to distinguish the surgical margin of low-grade atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT)/well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) area from the high-grade dedifferentiated area, because the low- and high-grade areas can be clearly separated, both radiologically and histologically. This study re-evaluated the details of surgical margin of DDLPS in the extremities, and aimed to investigate the optimal surgical margin and the usefulness of adjuvant therapy for DDLPS in the extremities. METHODS: Seven patients diagnosed with DDLPS in the extremities and treated between 1995 and 2013 were analyzed. The use of adjuvant therapy before and after surgery was assessed, and the surgical margins for the ALT/WDLPS and dedifferentiated areas were re-evaluated by using the specimens resected at surgery. Subsequently, the recurrence rates, metastatic rates, and oncological outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Four and three patients had wide (adequate wide margin, n = 3; inadequate wide margin, n = 1) and marginal margins for the dedifferentiated area, respectively, while three and four patients had wide (adequate wide margin, n = 2; inadequate wide margin, n = 1) and marginal margins for the ALT/WDLPS area, respectively. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in three patients with an inadequate wide margin or a marginal margin for the dedifferentiated area. No patient had local recurrence. Distant metastases occurred in two patients. These patients died of their disease. The other five patients were disease-free. CONCLUSION: The ALT/WDLPS and dedifferentiated areas in the tumor margin may be better to be considered separately in determining the appropriate resection extent for DDLPS in the extremities. Postoperative radiotherapy may provide good local control for cases with a narrow surgical margin.

Prospective, randomized comparison of 2 methods of cold snare polypectomy for small colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Both cold-only snare and hot polypectomy snare are used for the removal of small colorectal polyps. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of cold snare polypectomy of small colorectal polyps with a snare exclusively designed as a cold snare versus cold snare polypectomy by using a traditional polypectomy snare. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Municipal hospital in Japan. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with colorectal polyps 10 mm or smaller in diameter were randomized to dedicated cold snare (dedicated cold snare group) or traditional cold snare (traditional cold snare group). The primary outcome measure was complete resection rates by cold snaring based on pathological examination. Secondary outcomes included bleeding within 2 weeks after polypectomy and identification of submucosal arteries and injured arteries in the resected specimens. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients having 210 eligible polyps were randomized: dedicated cold snare group, N = 37 (98 polyps) and traditional cold snare group, N = 39 (112 polyps). Patient demographic characteristics including the number, size, and shape of the polyps removed were similar in the 2 groups. The complete resection rate was significantly greater with the dedicated cold than with the traditional cold snare (91% [89/98] vs 79% [88/112], P = .015), with a marked difference with 8- to 10-mm polyps, both flat and pedunculated. Immediate bleeding and hematochezia rates were similar (19% vs 21%, P = .86; 5.4% vs 7.7%, P = .69). No delayed bleeding occurred. Histology demonstrated a similar prevalence of arteries and injured arteries in the submucosa (33% [32/96] vs 30% [31/104], P = .59; 3.1% [3/96] vs 6.7% [7/104], P = .24). LIMITATIONS: Small sample size, single-center study. CONCLUSION: Polypectomy by using a dedicated cold snare resulted in complete polyp removal more often than did cold snaring with a traditional snare, especially polyps 8 to 10 mm in diameter, whether flat or pedunculated. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02036047.)

A Case of Vulval Extramammary Paget Disease With Dermal Invasion Showing Mucinous Carcinoma.

We report a case of vulval extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) with dermal invasion showing mucinous carcinoma (MC). An 80-year-old woman presented with vulvar itching and pain. A physical examination showed a pigmented vulvar, perianal erythematous plague, and a subcutaneous nodule in the left major labia. No internal malignancy, such as colorectal or genitourinary carcinoma, was identified in any of the clinical examinations. A histological examination of the resected specimen revealed Pagetoid tumor cells that had spread widely through the epidermis and invaded the dermis forming a solid nest with mucous lake-like MC. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the tumor cells in the epidermis and dermis were positive for CK7, CEA, GCDFP-15, MUC5AC, and MUC2, but negative for CK20, MUC6, and CDX2. Only the invasive component showed overexpression of p53. A diagnosis of primary EMPD with dermal invasion showing MC of the vulva was made. This is an extremely rare diagnosis, and we suggest that immunohistochemical evaluations in addition to systemic work-ups are helpful in distinguishing between these cases and those involving vulvar or perianal skin invasion of underlying colorectal or genitourinary carcinomas, which are referred to as secondary EMPD.