The relationship between insect sting allergy treatment and patient anxiety and depression.

Quality of life is affected by history of bee sting allergy. In addition, worry about being stung and also the need to use self-injection of medicine can create or increase anxiety, which can further compromise a patient's ability to enjoy the outdoors and participate in activities. We sought to determine the depression and anxiety in three groups of individuals. We assessed patients with bee sting allergy without epinephrine, bee sting allergy with epinephrine, and bee sting allergy receiving immunotherapy (venom immunotherapy [VIT]). We use two standardized surveys after having Intuitional Review Board approval to determine depression and anxiety in the three cohorts noted previously. We compared the three groups using Wilcoxon rank sum test and statistical significance was considered present for a value of p = 0.05. Overall, the epinephrine group had higher mean anxiety and depression scores compared with the other treatment groups. The VIT group had the lowest mean and median scores for both anxiety and depression. It appears that VIT not only decreases the risk of anaphylaxis and death, but also improves quality of life by reduction of anxiety and depression, especially in female subjects. We found that VIT patients, when compared with nontreated and treated only with epinephrine, had lower anxiety and depression scores.

Paneth cell differentiation associated with neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Paneth cells and Paneth cell metaplasia are well-known in pathology as foundational components in the gastrointestinal system. When within malignant cells (Paneth cell differentiation [PCD]), however, the function and significance of these cells is less well understood. Here, we present findings from the first study focused on PCD in postneoadjuvant esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) resection specimens. METHODS: Patients with EAC treated with neoadjuvant chemoradioation and followed by esophagectomy between 2012 and 2018 in our institution were retrospectively evaluated. A tissue microarray was constructed, and special and immunohistochemical stains were performed. RESULTS: A total of 64 cases were collected, of which 8 had PCD, as highlighted by periodic acid-Schiff with diastase staining. Adenocarcinomas with PCD were more commonly seen in patients 60 to 70 years of age and typically had a poorly differentiated morphology, observationally fewer stromal mucinous changes, and less lymph node metastasis. ß-catenin activation induced by neoadjuvant therapy was more frequent in the PCD-positive cases. Patients with PCD-positive disease had low programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 levels, no positive or equivocal ERBB2 (HER2) expression, and low CD8-positive T-cell infiltration; they were also mismatch repair proficient. Patients with PCD-positive disease showed a survival pattern inferior to that of patients with PCD-negative disease. CONCLUSIONS: When induced by neoadjuvant therapy in EAC, PCD is associated with high ß-catenin activation, less expression of targetable biomarkers, and a potentially worse clinical prognosis.

Clinicopathological Analysis of Uterine Allografts Including Proposed Scoring of Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and T-cell-mediated Rejection-Dallas UtErus Transplant Study: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Uterus transplantation (UTx) enables pregnancy in infertile women. This study describes the histopathological changes of ischemia reperfusion injury and mostly acute T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) in UTx and proposes modification toward a working formulation grading system with associated treatments. METHODS: Protocol and indication biopsies from 11 living and 2 deceased donor UTx recipients were analyzed. Serving as a control were 49 age-matched nontransplanted uteri. All posttransplant histopathological specimens were evaluated in a blinded fashion by 3 pathologists. Response to treatment was assessed by follow-up biopsies. Serial serum donor-specific antibody (DSA) responses were also recorded. RESULTS: Changes attributed to ischemia reperfusion resolved within 2 wk of UTx in most of the patients. For TCMR grading, perivascular inflammation, focal capillary disruption, and interstitial hemorrhage were added to interface inflammation, intercellular edema, stromal inflammation, and epithelial apoptotic bodies. Of the 173 protocol biopsies, 98 were classified as negative for TCMR; 34 as indeterminate-borderline; 35 as mild; 3 as moderate; and 3 as severe, 1 of which occurred in a DSA-positive recipient and also showed microvascular injury. Corticosteroids successfully treated all moderate-to-severe TCMR episodes. Mild TCMR was treated by increasing existing baseline immunosuppression. Indeterminate-borderline episodes were not treated. Neither ischemia-reperfusion injury nor TCMR with DSA adversely affected embryo transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Relying on a modified histopathological grading system, we developed a treatment strategy resulting in resolution of TCMR and successful pregnancies.

Primary rectal monophasic synovial sarcoma.

Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal neoplasm that often occurs in the extremities. Less than 70 cases of primary synovial sarcoma occurring in the digestive system have been reported. We present a case of a 48-year-old woman with a spindle cell tumor in the rectum that stained positive for AE1/3 (focal), vimentin, CD99, BCL2, EMA (focal), and MiB-1 (15%). Ultimately, the lesion was diagnosed as a primary rectal monophasic synovial sarcoma and confirmed by molecular testing for SYT/SSX1 gene fusion. Analysis of previous publications indicated that patients of advanced age or a large tumor size (≥5 cm) have a higher risk of progressing rapidly to death after diagnosis of synovial sarcoma in the digestive system.

Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor in a woman with HIV.

Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor (MSP) is a rare benign entity characterized by tumor-like proliferations of spindle-shaped histiocytes containing acid-fast positive mycobacteria. MSPs tend to occur predominantly in immunocompromised individuals and are concerning for a malignant neoplasm. We report a case of MSP occurring in a woman with human immunodeficiency virus and a tumor-like mass in the abdomen. A subsequent biopsy revealed MSP, which was successfully treated with antimycobacterial therapy.

Cutaneous signet-ring cell squamous cell carcinoma.

Cutaneous signet-ring cell squamous cell carcinoma (SRCSCC) is a rare variant, most commonly occurring in the head and neck. We report a case of a 66-year-old transgender woman with an ulcerated growing facial mass measuring 5.6 × 4.0 × 2.0 cm. Histological analysis showed features consistent with SRCSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive staining for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin, estrogen receptor (1-2+ in 10%), E-cadherin (mostly positive with partial loss), and p40 and negative staining for Ber EP-4, cytokeratin 7, low-molecular-weight cytokeratin, mucicarmine, Alcian blue PAS, HER2, and MUC4. The tumor had invaded the perineurium, lymphovascular spaces, and subcutaneum. Additionally, microsatellite instability testing was negative. This case adds to the limited knowledge of this poorly characterized entity.

Cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma and its association with familial adenomatous polyposis.

The cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CMV-PTC) is an uncommon variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. CMV-PTC can be associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an autosomal-dominant polyposis syndrome caused by a mutation in the APC gene that leads to a disruption of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Understanding the relation between CMV-PTC and FAP is a diagnostic tool for both pathologists and clinicians, because FAP has several implications for patients and their families.

Myxoma versus myxoid liposarcoma involving the kidneys.

Myxoid lesions of the kidney are rare. We present a case of a 74-year-old man who presented with an 8.5 × 8.0 × 6.0 cm left kidney mass that was grossly confined to the kidney and had a gelatinous cut surface. Histology of the tumor showed bland spindle cells in a myxoid stroma with interspersed thin-walled vessels. The tumor was negative for smooth muscle actin, desmin, CD34 (highlighted vessels), S100, and HMB-45 by immunohistochemistry. There was focal, nonspecific staining of MDM2 and CDK4. The lesion appeared more vascular than would be expected for a classic myxoma and, therefore, fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed for the 12q13 (DDIT3 or CHOP) rearrangement to rule out myxoid liposarcoma and the result was negative for a rearrangement. This case highlights the difficulty of delineating a primary myxoma of the kidney from a well-differentiated myxoid liposarcoma.

An unusual presentation of an uncommon lymphoma, hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma.

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma, primarily characterized by extranodal distribution of the malignant cells with intrasinusoidal infiltration of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, which is associated with a poor outcome. We describe a unique case of a 47-year-old woman with a clinical presentation of headaches, fevers, elevated liver function tests, and hepatosplenomegaly. A liver biopsy revealed a striking hepatic intrasinusoidal infiltrate of lymphocytes. These were confirmed to be T cells by immunohistochemical stains (CD8+, CD4-, CD3+, CD20-). Molecular studies demonstrated a T-cell gamma receptor gene rearrangement. Clinically, the patient appeared to improve without therapeutic intervention; however, because of the pathologic diagnosis, the patient was initiated on chemotherapy and ultimately underwent a bone marrow transplant.

Mixed phenotypic acute leukemia.

Mixed phenotypic acute leukemias (MPALs) are a heterogeneous group of rare leukemias constituting about 1% to 5% of all leukemias. MPAL is defined as an acute leukemia that demonstrates expression of a combination of antigens of different lineages so that it is not possible to assign a single lineage to that leukemia. These leukemias have been characterized by relative therapeutic resistance. We present a case of a woman with an acute MPAL diagnosed as a B/myeloid leukemia.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), caused by a germline mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene on chromosome 5q21, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hundreds to thousands of adenomas throughout the gastrointestinal tract. A variety of extraintestinal manifestations, including thyroid, soft tissue, and brain tumors, may also be present. These patients inevitably develop colorectal carcinoma by the fourth decade of life. In this review, the pathology, epidemiology, and genetic features of FAP are discussed.

Von Hippel-Lindau Disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is an autosomal dominant syndrome which occurs secondary to germline mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene, located on chromosome 3. Clinically von Hippel-Lindau disease is characterized by an increased risk of developing simple visceral cysts, most commonly in the pancreas and kidneys, in addition to an increased risk of developing neoplasms, often with clear cell features, in a multitude of organ systems. The most common neoplasms are cerebellar and retinal hemangioblastomas, adrenal pheochromocytomas, clear cell renal cell carcinomas, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatic serous cystadenomas, and endolymphatic sac tumors. These lesions most commonly present during adulthood; however, screening and surveillance for the development of these lesions should begin in the pediatric years for patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. In this review article, the genetics and most common neoplasms of von Hippel-Lindau disease are reviewed, with an eye towards implications for the pediatric patient.