Endometriosis with colonic mucosal colonisation: a diagnostic confounder.

AIMS: Secondary mucosal colonisation by a carcinoma originating from a distant site is a pattern of metastasis to the intestines and hepatobiliary tract and a mimic of primary neoplasia. Although endometriosis is considered benign, its ability to spread widely underscores its quasi-neoplastic nature. After noting that endometriotic glands can colonise the colonic mucosa along the basement membrane, mimicking metastatic disease, we conducted an intradepartmental review of intestinal specimens showing endometriosis obtained from 2016 to 2023 to characterise and quantify the incidence of this phenomenon. METHODS: Material from 38 lower gastrointestinal specimens with a primary or ancillary diagnosis of endometriosis was identified from our surgical pathology database. Slides were reviewed, documenting the extent and micro-anatomic location affected by endometriosis, with a focus on identifying examples showing mucosal colonisation. RESULTS: The most common site of involvement was the distal colon (23 cases; 11 of rectum, 9 of sigmoid colon and 3 of rectosigmoid) followed by the appendix (N=10), cecum (N=2), small intestine (N=2) and 'colon not otherwise specified' (N=1). Mucosal involvement was identified in eight cases (21%), half of which demonstrated seamless colonisation of the epithelium by endometriotic glands. In two of these, the procedure was prompted by the presence of a rectal mass or stricture with concern for malignancy. CONCLUSION: Endometriosis occasionally (4/38; 10.5%) colonises colonic epithelium, potentially mimicking a metastasis or intraepithelial neoplasia/dysplasia. Although unusual, this phenomenon was observed in half of specimens from patients with mucosal involvement in whom a mass or stricture suggested malignancy, a potentially misleading pattern of endometriosis.

Evaluation and reporting of biopsies from the columnar-lined esophagus and gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ).

This review is part of a collaboration between the American Registry of Pathology (the publisher of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Fascicles) and Annals of Diagnostic Pathology. It is in a series of expert recommendations on topics encountered in daily practice. The authors, two pathologists and a gastroenterologist, met on 19 January 2019 tasked with developing expert recommendations on reporting biopsies from the columnar lined esophagus and gastroesophageal junction. Our opinions for reporting revolve around noting the presence and absence of goblet cells and clues for confirming whether a sample is from the tubular esophagus. We also illustrate congeners of goblet cell. We present the information in the form of questions and answers.

Some observations on pyloric gland adenoma: an uncommon and long ignored entity!

Pyloric gland adenomas (PGAs) are uncommon to rare and are found mostly in the stomach but in a number of other anatomical sites as well. They were recognized years ago by European and Japanese colleagues whereas North American pathologists learned to diagnose them more recently. They are associated with conditions that result in pyloric metaplasia, the prototype of which is autoimmune gastritis. Since the latter is more common in women and men, gastric PGA has a striking female predominance. There appear to be differences in the distribution of PGA in various populations. Herein we review PGA and note similarities and differences in their distribution in our institutions in Germany and the U.S.A. and review their morphological appearance, immunolabelling profile, and preliminary genetic data on these unusual lesions.

Cronkhite­Canada syndrome six decades on: the many faces of an enigmatic disease.

Cronkhite­Canada syndrome is a rare gastro-enterocolopathy of uncertain aetiology first described almost 60 years ago. It is characterised by diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis sparing only the oesophagus, ectodermal abnormalities and an unpredictable but often fatal clinical course. The disease may demonstrate extremely diverse clinical and endoscopic features, which often leads to a delay in diagnosis. A high index of suspicion and recognition of the characteristic histological findings frequently facilitate a correct diagnosis, but the distribution of the gastrointestinal pathology and its microscopic features may be atypical. The pathologist thus requires a thorough knowledge of both the typical and many atypical faces of this disease, for which various documented therapies often still prove ineffective. Close correlation with clinical findings, including any pertinent ectodermal abnormalities, and careful examination of biopsies derived from polypoid and endoscopically spared mucosa will ensure a timely and correct diagnosis in patients with this enigmatic syndrome.