Paget's disease of the male breast: case report and a point of view from actual literature.

INTRODUCTION: Paget disease of the nipple in man is a very rare breast cancer, and there are not standard procedures or guidelines. In any cases, a Paget's disease could hide an invasive ductal breast cancer. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 77-years old man affected by Alzheimer's disease, who presented to our attention because of an ulcerated palpable mass in the right nipple. A biopsy of the lesion showed "intra-epidermic proliferation of epitelioid cells, associated with linfo-plasmacellular infiltration of superficial dermis, compatible with Paget's disease (pTis)". We discussed the case in the multidisciplinary meeting and decided to subject the patient to surgery, so a right mastectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) were performed. Histo-pathological examination revealed "invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, associated with a small component of in situ ductal carcinoma and Paget's disease of the nipple with superficial ulceration". Resection margins were free. Sentinel lymph node was negative. Biological features were as follows: ER 95%, PR 60%, Her-2/neu 1+, Ki-67 35%. The patient was discharged in the third post-operative day in good conditions. In the following weeks the patient's healing process was good and free of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical recognition of Paget's disease is very important also in man, because it can be the alarm bell for an underlying invasive ductal breast cancer, often more aggressive than in woman.

Immunohistochemical markers of the hypoxic response can identify malignancy in phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas and optimize the detection of tumours with VHL germline mutations.

BACKGROUND: There are no reliable markers of malignancy in phaeochromocytomas (PCC) and paragangliomas (PGL). We investigated the relevance of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/AKT and hypoxic pathways as novel immunohistochemical markers of malignancy. METHODS: Tissue microarray blocks were constructed with a total of 100 tumours (10 metastatic) and 20 normal adrenomedullary samples. Sections were immunostained for hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), mTOR, carbonic anhydrase IX (CaIX) and AKT. The predictive performance of these markers was studied using univariate, multivariate and receiver operating characteristic analyses. RESULTS: In all, 100 consecutive patients, 64% PCC, 29% familial with a median tumour size of 4.7 cm (range 1-14) were included. Univariate analyses showed Hif-1α overexpression, tumour necrosis, size >5 cm, capsular and vascular invasion to be predictors of metastasis. In multivariate analysis, Hif-1α, necrosis and vascular invasion remained as independent predictors of metastasis. Hif-1α was the most discriminatory biomarker for the presence of metastatic diffusion. Strong membranous CaIX expression was seen in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) PCC as opposed to other subtypes. CONCLUSION: Lack of vascular invasion, tumour necrosis and low Hif-1α expression identify tumours with lower risk of malignancy. We propose membranous CaIX expression as a potential marker for VHL disease in patients presenting with PCC.

Hamartoma of the breast in a young woman. Case report.

Hamartoma is a benign tumor-like malformation characterized by a focal mixture of mature cells and tissues normally present in affected area. The hamartoma of the breast is rare. We report a case in an asymptomatic young woman coming to our attention for a left breast lesion detected by ultrasound screening.

Breast-conserving surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cancer. Preliminary results.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in locally advanced breast tumors may allow an adequate control of the disease impossible with surgery alone. Moreover, NACT increases the chance of breast-conserving surgery. Between 2008 and 2012, we treated with NACT 83 patients with locally advanced breast cancer. We report the preliminary results evaluating the impact of NACT on the type of surgery.

Duodenal tumors: four case reports.

We report 4 cases of neuroendocrine tumors of the duodenum. Signs and symptoms were non-specific. The choice of surgery depended on the site and stage of the tumor and any concomitant diseases.

[Diagnostic and surgical problems of ectopic breast cancer]. / Problemi diagnostici e chirurgici del carcinoma nella mammella in sede atipica.

Cancer of supernumerary breast or ectopic breast tissue has haigher incidence than the cancer on ortotopic breast. This finding puts some problems about the diagnosis and therapy of ectopic breast cancer. The Authors describe their personal experience in three patients surgically treated and discuss about problems and solutions of this pathology.

[Advantages and limits of tumescent anesthesia in outpatient surgery]. / Vantaggi e limiti dell'anestesia per tumescenza in chirurgia ambulatoriale.

The Authors report the results of the tumescent anesthesia in 187 patients submitted to various outpatient surgical procedures comparing with those in patients submitted to local anesthesia by direct infiltration.

Nasal flap or cutaneous grafting in basal cell cancer of the nose. Comparison of two reconstructive possibilities.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell cancer is a malignant tumor of the skin most common in Caucasians and more common in the areas of the head and neck. At the moment there are many suggested treatment methods, however the surgical approach remains the technique most often applied. It includes excision of the oncological safety margins and the subsequent reconstructive phase can utilize local flaps or cutaneous grafts. This study aims to select the best technique for the reconstructive phase after removal of basal cell cancer from the region of the nasal pyramid, evaluation was made in terms of functional performance and aesthetics. We have evaluated 30 patients, of whom 15 treated with cutaneous grafting and 15 with flaps.

[Seroma in residual fibrous capsule after breast implant explantation: a case report]. / Su un caso di sieroma della capsula fibrosa residua dopo rimozione di impianto protesico mammario.

The Authors present a singular case of seroma which developed in residual fibrous capsule after explantation of breast prostheses without replacement. Mammographic and sonographic findings of the seroma make difficult the diagnosis: mammograms revealed a radiopaque, well-circumscribed mass anterior to the pectoralis major muscle in the region of the prior sub-glandular implant, that was initially misinterpreted as breast implant radiographic feature. It is particularly important review and carefully correlate mammographic and sonographic findings with patient's surgical history for a correct diagnosis.

[Cutaneous B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: clinical aspects, diagnostic and surgical approach]. / Linfoma cutaneo non Hodgkin a immunofenotipo B: clinica, orientamento diagnostico e chirurgico.

By clinical observation and surgical treatment of a patient with cutaneous B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the Authors describe the nosological approach, the correct diagnosis and the surgical treatment in this disease.

[Multiple repetitive mammary fibroadenomas. Case report]. / I fibroadenomi multipli recidivi della mammella. Case report.

Multiple and ripetitive mammary fibroadenomas represent a rare disease. The etiology is uncertain. The diagnostic radiology is able to allow a correct diagnosis. The authors report a case of a woman 22 years old undergone a surgical treatment many times to remove multiple and ripetitive mammary fibroadenomas. The proposed management provides for periodic radiological exams; the surgical treatment is proposed only for the lesions with a rapid growth.

[Breast lymphoma: diagnostic and surgical approach]. / Il linfoma della mammella: orientamento diagnostico e chirurgico.

By clinical observation and surgical treatment of a patient with a primitive lymphoma of the breast, the authors describe the nosological approach, the correct diagnosis and the relative surgical treatment in that disease.

[Pseudosarcomatous lesions: report of two cases]. / In tema di lesioni "pseudosarcomatose".

Of unknown etiology, mainly located on the upper limbs, the nodular fasciitis nowadays is considered as a reactive inflammatory lesion more than a neoplastic one. With very few symptoms, it can be diagnosed through histology and the extent of the excision is related to the report of the pathological examination.

Gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with cutaneous metastases in a dog: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

A 12-year-old, intact, male mixed-breed dog was presented with anorexia, vomiting and multiple cutaneous nodules on its neck, trunk and hindlimbs. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the nodules was characterised by a pleomorphic population of cells arranged singly or in small cohesive clusters, embedded in an amorphous mucinous material stained positive by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Acinar structures were occasionally found. Cells appeared either small with scant basophilic cytoplasm or large with a histiocytic appearance. Large cells had cytoplasm filled with a PAS-positive granular material. A presumptive diagnosis of cutaneous metastases of a mucinous adenocarcinoma was made. A primary, gastric, signet-ring mucinous adenocarcinoma was confirmed at postmortem examination and by histopathology. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with cutaneous disseminated metastases in a dog.

[Direct post-mastectomy reconstruction with skin expansion. Technical notes]. / Ricostruzione diretta post-mastectomia con espansore cutaneo. Note di tecnica.

The demolition-reconstruction sequence in patients suffering from breast cancer may, in selected cases, be reduced to two surgical steps alone without compromising the radical nature of the surgery or the aesthetic result. The technical details of a protocol realisable in a short time that proposes on the one hand classical radical mastectomy (according to Patey or Madden) and on the other reconstruction by tissue expansion are described.

[Correlation between post-cholecystectomy syndrome and biliary reflux gastritis. Endoscopic study]. / Correlazione tra "sindrome post-colecistectomia" e la gastrite da reflusso biliare. Studio endoscopico.

Experimental reports have proved that bile acids damage the gastric mucosa. Moreover it is now accepted that duodenogastric reflux occurs in 20-30% of cholecystectomized persons. The Authors, with the purpose of defining a correlation between gastric mucosa damage by duodeno-gastric reflux and postcholecystectomy syndrome have taken into consideration two groups of 14 patients each. To the first group belonged cholecystectomized patients, who had episodic, often postprandial pain, constant heart burn, with associated vomiting and Hypochromic anemia. To the second group belonged asymptomatic patients with previous cholecystectomy. All these patients were endoscoped (EGDS), and their endoscopic biopsy specimens were surveyed. 99Tc HIDA cholescintigraphy was performed in all the groups of patients, after endoscopy. In 85% of symptomatic patients we found, during endoscopy, reflux of bile into the stomach with associated reddish and inflammatory change of antral mucosa vs. 7.14% of the control group. Atrophic chronic gastritis was found in 71.43% of endoscopic biopsy specimens of Symptomatic vs. 14.28% of asymptomatic patients. Superficial chronic gastritis was found in 28.57% of symptomatic vs. 50% of asymptomatic patients. At last we found active atrophic or superficial antral gastritis (Whitehead) in 90% of symptomatic patients vs. 0% of asymptomatic people. The Authors conclude that there is a positive correlation between duodenogastric reflux and postcholecystectomy syndrome when biliary reflux is correlated with an histological finding of antral active chronic gastritis.

[Bednar's syndrome: a case report]. / Il tumore di Bednar: osservazioni su un caso.

The case of a tumor of Bednar, which is a rather rare form (less than 5% of cases) of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans presenting similar biologic behavior, is reported. Therefore, the same curative procedures including a radical surgical approach and the application of the Limberg flap were adopted.

[Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction by tissue expanders: technical note]. / Ricostruzione mammaria con espansore tissutale post-mastectomia: note di tecnica.

The aim of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction by tissue expanders is the mammary symmetry. The Authors report a personal experience in immediate (55 pts) and delayed (12 pts) breast reconstruction with implants. The technique is simple and safe with good aesthetical and functional results.

[A case of myofibroblastoma]. / Su un caso di miofibroblastoma.

The Authors report a case of myofibroblastoma, a rare primitive mesenchymal tumor of the lymph node. Differential diagnosis with Kaposi sarcoma, neurilemmoma and metastatic neoplasm is discussed.

[Pilomatrixoma or Malherbe's calcifying epithelioma. A case report and review of the literature]. / Il pilomatrixoma o epitelioma calcifico di Malherbe. Descrizione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

The case of a upper extremity calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe in a 16-year-old boy is reported. Clinical and pathological features of this extremely rare tumour, arisen from hair cortex cells, are reviewed. Pilomatrixoma has been reported not only as a benign lesion, or as a low-grade malignant lesion with a tendency to recur locally, but also as a highly malignant tumour. Factors influencing clinical differential diagnosis and prognosis are discussed as well.