Clinicopathological study of epithelioid and spindle cell rhabdomysarcoma with EWSR1/FUS-TFCP2 fusion / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and genetic features of epithelioid and spindle cell rhabdomysarcoma with EWSR1-TFCP2 or FUS-TFCP2 fusion. Methods: The clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features of 14 cases of epithelioid and spindle cell rhabdomysarcoma with EWSR1-TFCP2 or FUS-TFCP2 fusion diagnosed from January 2019 to December 2022 in the Department of Pathology, Foshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Foshan, China were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were all subject to FISH or next generation sequencing for analysis of molecular genetic features. The literature was reviewed. Results: There were 5 males and 9 females, with the age at presentation ranging from 6 to 36 years (mean, 22 years). Tumors occurred in the head and neck (9 cases), pelvic region (2 cases), bladder (one case), right humerus (one case), and the abdominal wall, humerus and pubic at the same time (one case). Presenting symptoms varied by location but often included pain or discomfort. Most of the patients showed aggressive radiographic features with soft tissue extension. The tumors had a median size of 6.6 cm (range, 2-23 cm). The tumors were poorly defined and irregularly shaped. Microscopic examination showed diffuse proliferation of spindle or epithelioid cells. While morphologically high-grade tumors displayed obvious cytological atypia, a high mitotic count and tumor necrosis, low-grade tumors grew in sheets and fascicles composed of spindle, epithelioid cells with moderate or abundant amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm, without pronounced cytological atypia. The tumor cells expressed Desmin, MyoD1, and Myogenin, as well as ALK, EMA, and CKpan. EWSR1/FUS-TFCP2 gene fusion was detected in 14 cases with next generation sequencing and confirmed by FISH. Six cases had EWSR1-TFCP2 fusions and 8 cases showed FUS-TFCP2 fusions. Follow-up information was available in 13 patients, ranged from 5 to 37 months. At the end of follow-up period, 7 patients died of the disease. Six patients were alive:two cases had local recurrences and metastases, two cases of recurrences, one case of metastasis and one case without recurrences and metastasis. Conclusions: Epithelioid and spindle cell rhabdomysarcomas with EWSR1-TFCP2 or FUS-TFCP2 fusion show a very aggressive clinical course, and more commonly occur in the head and neck. Their genetic hallmark is the presence of EWSR1/FUS-TFCP2 fusions. Familiarity with its clinicopathological characteristics is helpful in avoiding misdiagnoses.

Progress of research on the association between air pollution and prevalence of major cancers / 中华流行病学杂志

Being an undisputed risk factor of cancer, air pollution is posing a huge threat to the health on human beings. In this article, we introduced the composition of air pollution, and the standards on air quality which was set by both World Health Organization and the Chinese government. We also summarized the most recent research findings on the association between air pollution and the risk of lung, breast, bladder and other major cancers.

The Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort Study / 中华流行病学杂志

The prevalence of child and adolescent growth and mental-behavior related diseases are increasing, and the pathogenesis are complex. Twins are excellent natural resources for complex chronic diseases research as they share the maternal intrauterine environment, born at the same time and share the same family environment in early years, which could benefit the adjust ment of confounding factors, such as age, genetic factors and early family environmental factors. Birth cohort with twin families involved could be more effective in exploring the genetic and environmental factors for complex chronic diseases at the very beginning of life. This paper summarizes the objective, content, progress, strengths and potential problems of Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort, with emphasis on the overall design and progress of the study.