Animal-Type Melanoma - a Mini-Review Concern-ing One of the Rarest Variants of Human Melanoma.

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, pro-ducts, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manu-script met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 17. 6. 2017 Accepted: 1. 11. 2018.

AJCC 8th Edition (2017) versus AJCC 7th Edition (2010) in thin melanoma staging.

In comparison with the 7th Edition, the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system no longer considers the mitotic count in the a or b T1 categorization for melanoma, but it adopts a sub-stratification based on the Breslow's depth. Today, the death burden of thin melanoma is still severe, despite of attempts for early screening. We believe that a bio-histological implementation may explain this evidence. It is generally accepted that melanoma progression includes two subsequent phases: the radial growth phases (RGP) and the vertical growth phase (VGP). If left untreated, RGP is able to move towards VGP. In this second phase, melanoma grows as a malignant, mitotically active, tumor with invasive and metastatic capacities. By our experience, thin melanoma includes three bio-histological subtypes: the non-tumorigenic micro-invasive RGP without significant regression, the micro-invasive RGP with regression of uncertain tumorigenic potential at diagnosis, due to the extensive presence (> 75%) of regression which could contain a VGP clone, and the micro-invasive tumorigenic VGP. Therefore, we are prone to support that the prognosis of thin melanoma is correlated with the type of growth phase inside it.

Exploring the mesenteric lymphatic apparatus: A morphological and immunohistochemical investigation with clinical correlations.

Modern immunohistochemical techniques allow a detailed study of the lymphatic system in many organs and areas of the body. We performed an in-depth study on lymphatic vessels of the ileal and colonic mesenteries, together with the greater omentum where they appear particularly numerous and mainly represented by capillaries interconnected among themselves and with lymph nodes. The capillary wall consists of a fine single sheath of endothelial cells wrapped around by a subtle collagen membrane and deprived of valves. The progression of lymph flow is promoted by external forces acting on the capillary walls. Only at the mesenteric roots can pre- and post-lymph nodal collector vessels be observed. Our observations help to explain different patho-physiological correlations and the possible presence of skip lymph node metastases.

SAMPUS, MELTUMP and THIMUMP - Diagnostic Categories Characterized by Uncertain Biological Behavior.

In the dermatopathological practice, there is a group of atypical melanocytic lesions with borderline histological features between benign simulants and malignant melanoma (MM), due to conflicting diagnostic criteria and inter-observer disagreement. In these cases, the dermatopathologist is authorized to seek consult with an established expert in the field, but even the most experienced specialist may not be sure about the correct diagnosis and the subsequent biological behavior. There is general consensus among qualified dermatopathologists that can be helpful to insert these ambiguous cases into two diagnostic categories: SAMPUS (Superficial Atypical Melanocytic Proliferations of Unknown Significance) and MELTUMP (MELanocytic Tumors of Uncertain Malignant Potential). According to the conception of MM progression through two phases, the radial growth phase and the vertical growth phase, it is possible to identify a novel subtype of thin melanoma (THIM) with uncertain metastatic potential, due to the presence of extensive regression ( 75% of the lesion volume), which we here define with the acronym THIMUMP (THIn Melanoma of Uncertain Metastatic Potential) for the first time in literature.Key words: malignant melanoma - thin melanoma - histology.

Theory and practical application of superficial atypical melanocytic proliferations of uncertain significance (SAMPUS) and melanocytic tumours of uncertain malignant potential (MELTUMP) terminology: experience with second opinion consultation.

INTRODUCTION: The term superficial atypical melanocytic proliferations of uncertain significance (SAMPUS) is used to resolve discordance in diagnosis of "thin" melanocytic lesions. Melanocytic tumours of uncertain malignant potential (MELTUMP) is the descriptive term for an ill-defined group of dermal melanocytic tumours that exhibit features indicative of possible malignancy. We report our experience of collaboration with two leading international consultant pathologists in the diagnosis of melanoma in order to facilitate the practical application of the term SAMPUS and MELTUMP. METHODS: Twenty-seven cases of melanocytic lesions with interpretative problems were sent for consultation to Expert #1 (15 cases) and Expert #2 (12 cases). RESULTS: Two cases of MELTUMP and two cases of SAMPUS were diagnosed by Expert #1; three cases of MELTUMP and two cases of SAMPUS were diagnosed by Expert #2. Diagnosis was performed with H&E and molecular studies were not performed. DISCUSSION: Both experts included MELTUMP or SAMPUS atypical, ambiguous melanocytic lesions and melanomas. The diagnosis of SAMPUS and MELTUMP by consultant pathologists reflects the difficulty of classification with accuracy lesions that showed histological features of various atypical tumours or malignant melanoma. In these cases, biological potential may be established with molecular studies.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in epidermal and human papillomavirus associated cysts: report of three cases.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical-pathological features of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in cutaneous cysts has been studied. METHODS: We report two cases of SCC arising in epidermal cyst (EC) and one case in human papilloma virus associated cyst (HPAC). RESULTS: In the first EC case, a 88-year-old man presented a cystic right zigomatic mass. Histopathology revealed a cyst lined by stratified squamous epithelium in continuity with invasive keratinizing SCC. In the second EC case, a 96-year-old man presented with a 1.5 x 1 cm nodular lesion localized at the helix of the right ear. Histopathology showed the typical cystic wall of an EC with transition to invasive keratinizing SCC. Finally, a 86 year-old woman presented with a perineal cystic nodule 1.5 cm in diameter. The wall showed varying degrees of papillomatosis, hypergranulosis, parakeratosis with dysplastic and koilocytic changes. Areas of in situ and invasive SCC were found. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 was detected. CONCLUSIONS: SCC arising in an EC may be diagnosed only with the support of an accurate histopathological documentation in order to exclude mimics. Regarding HPAC, the site, the malignant transformation and the finding of HPV 16 type, may be considered features of an extraordinary rare case.

Simultaneous occurrence of metastasizing carcinoid tumour of the gallbladder and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in a young man.

Carcinoid tumour is an endocrine neoplasia described for the first time in 1888 and rarely observed in the extrahepatic bile ducts. Gallbladder carcinoid tumour was first reported by Joel in 1929. An endoluminal gallbladder lesion, with a bizarre echogenicity, and a mass in the upper pole of the left kidney were found in a 27 year-old man. The patient underwent a cholecystectomy with partial hepatectomy and a polar renal resection. Histological examination revealed a typical gallbladder carcinoid tumour with regional lymph nodal metastasis and a renal cell carcinoma, with morphological and histochemical features of the chromophobe type. This is a distinctive, rare variant, often described in the literature in association with other neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gallbladder carcinoid tumour with an unexpected aggressive behaviour in a very young patient, with concurrent renal cell carcinoma, chromophobe variant.

[Ovarian oxyphilic Sertoli cell tumor: case report and review of the literature]. / Tumore a cellule di Sertoli ossifile dell'ovaio: caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Ovarian oxyphilic Sertoli cell tumor is a rare neoplasm (only three cases were reported in literature). Sometimes the rarity itself of a lesion raises some problem in the diagnostics, especially if the case is send to several consultants. An unusual case of ovarian neoplasm came to our attention, and we sent some slides of the case to two well known referees of different Departments of Pathology. Pathologist 1 made a diagnosis of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, while Pathologist 2 made the diagnosis of oxyphilic Sertoli cell tumor. He sends the same slides to Pathologist 1, who confirmed his diagnosis. The two different diagnosis set different managements of the lesion for the clinician, but overall they set the pathologist who requested the consultation in a difficult position. In fact, when a pathologist sends to two experienced consultants a case, he really thinks to solve definitely the case itself. Unfortunately, sometimes it does not happen.

MELAS: clinical phenotype and morphological brain abnormalities.

We describe the clinical and neuropathological findings of three unrelated autopsy cases of MELAS harboring the A3243G transition in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Using immunohistochemical techniques, we studied the expression of several subunits of the respiratory chain in various brain regions from the same cases. In all three cases there was a reduced immunocytochemical staining for mtDNA-encoded subunits of the respiratory chain, confirming the presence of a defective mitochondrial protein synthesis in this disease. Mitochondrial abnormalities were mostly confined to multiple areas of different size and shape, in agreement with the focal character of the brain pathology in MELAS, and were most prominent in the cerebral cortex, providing a morphological contribution to the explanation of the cognitive regression of the patients. Immunoreactivity for mtDNA-encoded subunits was reduced in the walls of many pial and intracerebral arterioles of different brain regions but there was no clear correlation between territories of affected vessels and distribution of the histological and immunohistochemical lesions. Cerebral focal lesions in MELAS might have a metabolic nature and several pathogenetic mechanisms might be involved in the genesis of stroke-like episodes when there is a local increased ATP demand.

Prevalence of intestinal metaplasia in the distal oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction and gastric cardia in symptomatic patients in north-east Italy: a prospective, descriptive survey. The Italian Ulcer Study Group "GISU".

BACKGROUND: Incidence of adenocarcinoma of distal oesophagus and gastric cardia, probably arising from areas of intestinal metaplasia, has been increasing rapidly. AIMS: To define prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of distal oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction and gastric cardia and to evaluate potential associated factors, by means of a prospective multicentre study including University and teaching hospitals, and primary and tertiary care centres. PATIENTS: Each of 24 institutions involved in study enrolled 10 consecutive patients undergoing first-time routine endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms. METHODS: Patients answered symptom questionnaires and underwent gastroscopy Three biopsies were taken from distal oesophagus, oesophago-gastric junction and gastric cardia, and were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Specimens were also evaluated for Helicobacter pylori infection. RESULTS: A total of 240 patients (124 male, 116 female; median age 56 years, range 20-90) were enrolled in study. Intestinal metaplasia affected distal oesophagus in 5, oesophago-gastric junction in 19 and gastric cardia in 10 patients. Low-grade dysplasia was found at distal oesophagus and/or oesophago-gastric junction of 3/24 patients with intestinal metaplasia vs 2/216 without intestinal metaplasia (p<0.05). A significant association was found between symptoms and presence of intestinal metaplasia, regardless of location, and between Helicobacter pylori infection and intestinal metaplasia at oesophago-gastric junction. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal metaplasia of distal oesophagus, oesophagogastric-junction and gastric cardia is found in a significant proportion of symptomatic patients undergoing gastroscopy and is associated with dysplasia in many cases. Although prevalence of dysplasia seems to decrease when specialized columnar epithelium is found in short segment, or even focally in oesophago-gastric junction, these small foci of intestinal metaplastic cells may represent source of most adenocarcinomas of cardia.

[Role of direct transcutaneous puncture cytology in the diagnosis of adrenal metastases of urological cancers]. / Le rôle de la cytologie par ponction directe transcutanée dans le diagnostic des métastases surrénaliennes des cancers urologiques.

The authors present their technique for the demonstration of adrenal metastases of urological cancers by direct percutaneous aspiration biopsy of the adrenal glands under ultrasound or CT control. Aspiration cytology appears to be a safe and reliable technique. The authors were surprised by the frequency of these metastases as, out of the 11 adrenal aspirations, cytology confirmed the diagnosis of metastasis in 9 cases.

[Gleason's system and pelvic lymphadenectomy in the pretherapeutic evaluation of cancer of the prostate. Apropos of 85 cases]. / Système de Gleason et lymphadénectomie pelvienne dans le bilan pré-thérapeutique du cancer de la prostate. A propos de 85 cas.

Accuracy of staging of prostatic cancer is related to invasive procedures since imaging methods do not allow a reliable knowledge of the nodal status. Unfortunately lymphadenectomy is adversely affected by morbidity and mortality, therefore alternative methods should be elaborated. Post-lymphographic aspiration cytology seems to be worthwhile, having proved to be a reliable, accurate, safe procedure which can provide useful information in the management of patients with prostatic cancer. Nevertheless uncertainty exists upon the clinical significance of negative cytologic findings. In this connection correlation between grading and aspiration cytology can constitute a further improvement. In our experience the Gleason grading system has shown to be the most reliable and reproducible. 85 patients classified according to the Gleason's system, underwent staging lymphadenectomy and no nodal metastases were present when the Gleason score was lower than 5. In 50 cases even aspiration cytology was accomplished before surgery. No false positive cytologic findings were seen on histologic verification. Two false negative results were obtained in patients with Gleason score higher than 5. In conclusion we believe that when prostatic cancer shows a Gleason score lower than 5 and the lymph node aspiration cytology is negative no staging lymphadenectomy should be performed. On the contrary in cases with Gleason sum from 5 to 10 negative nodal cytologic findings are inconclusive, nevertheless this rate of patients is low and the necessity of surgical staging can be really reduced.