Identifying malignant mesothelioma by a pathological survey using the São Paulo state hospital cancer registry, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To review the pathological diagnosis of possible cases and/or hidden cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) between 2000 and 2012 using the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry database in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Possible cases were retrieved by assessing the database. Inclusion criteria were being older than 30 years of age and having ICD-O-3 topography and morphology codes related to MM. A board of expert pathologists reviewed the pathology reports and requested paraffin blocks in cases that demanded revision. After staining with calretinin, D2-40, WT-1 (as positive MM markers) and Ber-EP4 and MOC31 (as negative MM markers), cases were divided and studied independently by a pair of pathologists to confirm or discard the diagnosis of MM. Results: Our sample comprised 482 cases from 25 hospitals, and 130 needed further histological revision. We received 73 paraffin blocks with adequate material. After board analysis, there were 9 cases with a definitive diagnosis of MM, improving the diagnostic rate in 12%. Two cases of previously diagnosed MM were discarded by review. Conclusions: Our results confirm that part of MM underdiagnosis and underreporting in Brazil is due to incomplete or mistaken pathological diagnosis.

Oncologic outcomes of microscopic tumor cut-through in locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: The gold standard treatment of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is surgical resection; however, standardization of the margins and the role of frozen section are still debatable. Microscopic tumor cut-thought (MTCT) occurs when the surgeon has an initial positive frozen section margin that is cleared with further resection to negative. Objective: This study aims to determine the impact of MTCT on local recurrence and disease-specific survival in patients with locally advanced T3-T4 OCSCC and compare it with other clinicopathological variables. Methods: A retrospective database analysis of patients diagnosed with locally advanced T3-T4 OCSCC surgically treated and submitted to intraoperative frozen section guiding the margin status. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator followed by the Cox model for multivariate analysis. Results: We analyzed 475 patients who met inclusion criteria: MTCT occurred in 29 patients (6.11%) and local recurrence was observed in 131 patients (27.6%). MTCT had an impact on univariate (HR 2.205; 95% CI 1.243 ­ 3.914; p=0.007) and multivariate (HR 1.851; 95% CI 1.285 ­ 2.666; p=0.001) analyses. Similar results were found for disease-specific survival: univariate (HZ 1.669; 95% CI 1.056 ­ 2.635; p=0.028) and multivariate (HZ 1.307; 95% CI 0.816 ­ 2.092; p=0.265) analyses. A total of 231 patients (48.6%) had died of cancer by the end of follow-up. The best predictor for compromised frozen sections was tumor depth of invasion. Conclusion: Even after negative final margins, MTCT is an important factor associated with poorer outcome, and treatment intensification should be considered in these patients.

Intraoperative assessment of surgical margins using ‟en face" frozen sections in the management of cutaneous carcinomas

Abstract Background: Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC and SCC) are the most common types of cancer worldwide. Intraoperative assessment of surgical margins by frozen section has been widely used to ensure disease-free margins. The intraoperative ‟en face" freezing technique evaluates all peripheral and deep margins. Objective: To report the results of the ‟en face" freezing technique in relation to tumor recurrence and agreement with paraffin-embedded tissue examination. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgical excision of BCC and SCC at the A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, Brazil. Results: This study included 542 skin carcinomas, which were excised from 397 patients. A total of 201 male patients (50.6%), and 196 female patients (49.4%) were assessed, whose mean age was 64 years. The tumors were mostly located on the head and neck region (87.8%). BCC corresponded to 79.7% of the cases. The mean follow-up was 38 months. Tumor relapse occurred in 0.86% of the primary tumors and 3.7% of recurrent tumors. The result of the intraoperative ‟en face" frozen section evaluation was in agreement with the final result of the anatomopathological examination (paraffin test) in 98% of the lesions. Study limitations: Not having a minimum follow-up time of 5 years for all patients. Conclusion: The ‟en face" freezing technique shows low tumor relapse, being reliable and safe to guarantee negative surgical margins of the tumor.

Characterization of BRAF mutation in patients older than 45 years with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma / Caracterização da mutação em BRAF em pacientes acima de 45 anos com carcinoma bem diferenciado de tireoide

Abstract Introduction: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most frequent endocrine neoplasia and its incidence has tripled over the past 35years. Although papillary thyroid carcinoma carries a good prognosis, 10%-30% of patients still develop recurrence and metastasis. Some clinical and genetic features are associated with worse prognosis. The most frequent mutation is the BRAF p.V600E, which has been associated with many clinical features of poor prognosis. However, many studies have produced controversial results without any association between BRAF mutation and clinicopathological features of poor prognosis. Objective: Since the prognostic value of BRAF mutations remains controversial, this study aims to investigate the importance of this mutation in therapeutic decisions for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Therefore, we evaluated whether the presence of BRAF mutation is associated with features of poor prognosis in 85 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma older than 45years treated at A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, from 1980 to 2007. BRAF mutation was evaluated by pyrosequencing. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The mean age of patients was 54 years (range: 45 - 77 years), 73 were women (85.8%) and 12 were men (14.2%). Among them, 39 cases (45.9%) presented extrathyroidal extension and 11 cases had recurrent disease. BRAF mutation was detected in 57 (67%) patients. No significant association was observed between BRAF mutation and gender (p =0.743), age (p = 0.236), N-stage (p =0.423), vascular and perineural infiltration (p =0.085 or multifocality (p = 1.0). Although not statistically significant, the majority of patients with recurrent disease were BRAF positive (9 out of 11) (p =0.325). Patients affected by BRAF mutation are associated with tumors larger than 1 cm (p =0.034) and with extrathyroidal extension (p =0.033). Conclusion: Although BRAF testing is widely available, there are no consistent data to support improvement in outcomes from incorporating it into therapeutic decision for thyroid cancer.

Resumo Introdução: O carcinoma papilífero de tireoide é a neoplasia endócrina mais frequente e sua incidência triplicou nos últimos 35 anos. Embora o carcinoma papilífero de tireoide tenha um bom prognóstico, 1% a 30% dos pacientes desenvolvem recorrência e metástase. Algumas características clínicas e genéticas estão associadas a um pior prognóstico. A mutação mais frequente é a BRAF p.V600E, a qual tem sido associada a muitas características clínicas de pior prognóstico. No entanto, muitos estudos apresentam resultados controversos, sem qualquer associação entre a mutação em BRAF e características clinicopatológicas de pior prognóstico. Objetivo: Uma vez que o valor prognóstico das mutações em BRAF permanece controverso, investigar a importância dessa mutação em decisões terapêuticas para o carcinoma papilífero de tireoide. Método: Foi avaliada a associação da mutação em BRAF com características de pior prognóstico em 85 pacientes com carcinoma papilífero de tireoide acima de 45 anos tratados no A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, de 1980 a 2007. A mutação em BRAF foi avaliada por pirossequenciamento. A análise estatística foi feita com o software SPSS. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 54 anos (variação de 45 - 77), 73 eram mulheres (85,8%) e 12 eram homens (14,2%). Entre eles, 39 casos (45,9%) apresentaram extensão extratireoidiana e 11, doença recorrente. A mutação em BRAF foi detectada em 57 (67%) pacientes. Não foi observada associação significante entre mutação em BRAF e sexo (p = 0,743), idade (p = 0,236), estágio N (p = 0,423), infiltração vascular e perineural (p = 0,085) ou multi-focalidade (p = 1,0). Apesar de não apresentar associação estatística, a maioria dos pacientes com doença recorrente foi positiva para BRAF (9 em 11) (p = 0,325). Os pacientes afetados pela mutação em BRAF estão associados a tumores maiores do que 1 cm (p = 0,034) e com extensão extratireoidiana (p = 0,033). Conclusão: Embora a mutação em BRAF seja amplamente avaliada, não há dados consistentes que demonstrem uma melhor sobrevida ou benefício clínico ao incorporá-la à decisão terapêutica para o câncer de tireoide.

How does the mitotic index impact patients with T1 melanoma? Comparison between the 7th and 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer melanoma staging system

Abstract Background: The mitotic index is no longer used to classify T1 melanoma patients into T1a and T1b, so it should not be used to indicate sentinel node biopsy in these patients. Objectives: To evaluate patients with T1 melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and to compare those who were classified as T1a with those classified T1b, according to the 7th and 8th Edition of the melanoma staging system, regarding a positive biopsy result. The authors also aimed to assess whether there is any difference in the results in both staging systems. Material and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 1213 patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma, from 2000 to 2015, in a single institution. Results: Of 399 patients with thin melanomas, 27 (6.7%) presented positive sentinel lymph nodes; there was no difference in positivity for sentinel node biopsy when comparing T1a vs. T1b in both staging systems. Furthermore, the clinical results were also similar between the two groups. However, in the complete cohort analysis, the mitotic index was associated with positivity for sentinel lymph node biopsy (p < 0.0001), positivity for non-sentinel lymph node (p < 0.0001), recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001), and specific melanoma survival (p = 0.023). Study limitation: Unicentric study. Conclusion: The mitotic index was shown to be a very important prognostic factor in the present study, but it was not observed in patients classified as T1. The mitotic index should no longer be used as the only reason to refer sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with thin melanoma.

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst with clinical, radiological, macroscopic, and microscopic correlation

Abstract: Proliferating trichilemmal cyst is an uncommon neoplasm arising from the follicular isthmus, whose histopathological hallmark is the presence of trichilemmal keratinization. We describe a case of proliferating trichilemmal cyst in a 57-year-old woman with a broad clinical, radiological, macroscopic and microscopic correlation.

Bronchial carcinoid tumors: second primary neoplasms and outcomes of surgical treatment / Tumores carcinoides brônquicos: segunda neoplasia primária e desfechos do tratamento cirúrgico

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze determinants of prognosis in patients with bronchial carcinoid tumors treated surgically and the potential concomitance of such tumors with second primary neoplasms. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 51 bronchial carcinoid tumors treated surgically between 2007 and 2016. Disease-free survival (DFS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and determinants of prognosis were evaluated. Primary neoplasms that were concomitant with the bronchial carcinoid tumors were identified by reviewing patient charts. Results: The median age was 51.2 years, 58.8% of the patients were female, and 52.9% were asymptomatic. The most common histology was typical carcinoid (in 80.4%). Five-year DFS was 89.8%. Ki-67 expression was determined in 27 patients, and five-year DFS was better among the patients in whom Ki-67 expression was ≤ 5% than among those in whom it was > 5% (100% vs. 47.6%; p = 0.01). Concomitant primary neoplasms were observed in 14 (27.4%) of the 51 cases. Among the concomitant primary neoplasms that were malignant, the most common was lung adenocarcinoma, which was observed in 3 cases. Concomitant primary neoplasms were more common in patients who were asymptomatic and in those with small tumors. Conclusions: Surgical resection is the mainstay treatment of bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors and confers a good prognosis. Bronchial carcinoid tumors are likely to be accompanied by second primary neoplasms.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os determinantes do prognóstico em pacientes com tumores carcinoides brônquicos tratados cirurgicamente e possível segunda neoplasia primária concomitante. Métodos: Trata-se de uma análise retrospectiva de 51 tumores carcinoides brônquicos tratados cirurgicamente entre 2007 e 2016. A sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) foi calculada pelo método de Kaplan-Meier, e os determinantes do prognóstico foram avaliados. As neoplasias primárias concomitantes aos tumores carcinoides brônquicos foram identificadas por meio da análise dos prontuários dos pacientes. Resultados: A mediana de idade foi de 51,2 anos, 58,8% dos pacientes eram do sexo feminino e 52,9% eram assintomáticos. A classificação histológica mais comum foi carcinoide típico (em 80,4%). A SLD em cinco anos foi de 89,8%. A expressão de Ki-67 foi determinada em 27 pacientes, e a SLD em cinco anos foi melhor nos pacientes nos quais a expressão de Ki-67 foi ≤ 5% do que naqueles nos quais a expressão de Ki-67 foi > 5% (100% vs. 47,6%; p = 0,01). Neoplasias primárias concomitantes foram observadas em 14 (27,4%) dos 51 casos. Entre as neoplasias primárias malignas concomitantes, a mais comum foi o adenocarcinoma pulmonar, observado em 3 casos. Neoplasias primárias concomitantes foram mais comuns em pacientes assintomáticos e naqueles com tumores pequenos. Conclusões: A resseção cirúrgica é o principal tratamento de tumores carcinoides broncopulmonares e propicia um bom prognóstico. É provável que tumores carcinoides brônquicos se relacionem com segunda neoplasia primária.

Ameloblastoma with distinctive granular cell pattern: an 8 case study

Ameloblastoma with granular cell pattern (AGC) is classified as an unusual histological subtype of solid/multicystic ameloblastoma, characterized by granular changes in stellate-like cells located within the inner portion of the epithelial follicles. Studies have revealed that lysosomal overload causes cytoplasmic granularity; however, the mechanism involved remains poorly understood. Here we report on eight cases of granular cell ameloblastoma, in the posterior region of the mandible. The age of the patients included in this case series ranged from 35 -64 years old and 87.5% of cases occurred in non-Caucasians, with a slight gender predilection for men (62.5%). There was no evidence of recurrence, and the majority of the cases were treated with surgical resection (87.5%). All tumors displayed histopathological features consistent with the diagnosis of ameloblastoma with granular cell pattern.

Diphencyprone as a therapeutic option in cutaneous metastasis of melanoma. A single-institution experience

Abstract: Diphencyprone has been reported as a local immunotherapy for cutaneous melanoma metastases. We aim to report cases of melanoma patients treated with diphencyprone in a single Brazilian institution and highlight their outcomes. Since 2012, we have treated 16 melanoma patients with cutaneous metastases with topical diphencyprone. To date, we have had 37.5% of complete response, 25% of partial responses, and 31.25% patients without any response. Treatment was well tolerated and local toxicity was easily controlled. We believe topical diphencyprone is a feasible treatment that can be another option for treating melanoma patients, especially in cases of in-transit or extensive disease.

Panniculitis associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis

Abstract: Panniculitis is a rare clinical finding in dermatomyositis, with less than 30 cases reported and there is only one case associated with the amyopathic subtype described in the literature. The present report describes a 49-year-old female patient that one year after being diagnosed with amyopathic dermatomyositis, presented indurated, painful, erythematous to violaceous nodules located on the upper limbs, thighs and gluteal region. Skin biopsy revealed lobular panniculitis with a lymphocytic infiltrate. The patient was treated with prednisone and methotrexate, but remained unresponsive to treatment.

A utilidade da microscopia confocal nas lesões de lentigo maligno / The utility of confocal microscopy in lentigo maligna lesions

O diagnóstico das lesões pigmentadas da face é considerado desafiador uma vez que lesões benignas e malignas podem compartilhar características clínicas e dermatoscópicas semelhantes, principalmente em lesões iniciais, sendo muitas vezes difícil de identificar as lesões de lentigo maligno da face. Assim, a microscopia confocal de reflectância pode se tornar uma ferramenta útil no diagnóstico dos lentigos malignos bem como para o seu planejamento cirúrgico.

The diagnosis of pigmented facial lesions is considered challenging since benign and malignant lesions might have similar clinical and dermoscopic features ­ especially in the early stages of the lesion ­ entailing that it is often difficult to identify lentigo maligna lesions in the face. In this way, confocal reflectance microscopy has the potential to become a useful tool both in the diagnosis and surgical planning of lentigo maligna.

Análise histomorfométrica da artéria aorta de ratas submetidas à administração repetida da associação de etinilestradiol e gestodeno / Histomorphometric analysis of the aorta of rats submitted to repeated administration of association of ethinylestradiol and gestodene

Introdução: Os anticoncepcionais orais vêm sofrendo alterações em suas concentrações de estrogênio e progestogênio, baseando-se no fato de que doses mais baixas estão associadas a menor incidência de alterações metabólicas e de efeitos adversos, como o comprometimento da morfologia e função da artéria aorta. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a influência dos anticoncepcionais nas propriedades morfofuncionais da artéria aorta, através do método histoquímico, demonstrando sua utilidade nas análises histopatológicas. Métodos: Para tanto, foram utilizadas 15 ratas divididas em 3 grupos; Grupo controle (GC), cujos animais não receberam tratamento hormonal; Grupo 2 (G2), onde os animais receberam tratamento diário de 15 µg de etinilestradiol + 60 µg de gestodeno; e Grupo 3 (G3), que recebeu 30 µg de etinilestradiol + 75 µg de gestodeno. Após o tratamento, os animais foram eutanasiados e as artérias retiradas para análise histológica. Resultados: Os valores encontrados com a técnica de coloração histológica de hematoxilina e eosina (HE), bem como na coloração específica em histoquímica com Alcian Blue, demonstram que no G3, tratados com uma dosagem superior de hormônio, 8% das ratas tem aumento relevante da espessura de suas artérias, ou seja, superior ao G2, que recebeu dosagem menor de hormônio, e GC, o qual não recebeu nenhum tipo de tratamento. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstra que existem relações entre o espessamento das artérias, de ratas submetidas a dosagens de etinilestradiol e gestodeno, com a grande quantidade de mucopolissacarídeos depositados entre as túnicas das artérias. (AU)

Introduction: Pharmacological development of hormonal contraceptives has been undergoing changes in estrogen and progesterone doses, based on the fact that lower doses are associated with a lower incidence of metabolic changes and adverse effects, such as impairment of morphology and function of the aortic artery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of contraceptives on the morphofunctional properties of the aortic artery, using the histochemical method, demonstrating its usefulness in histopathological analyzes. Methods: For this purpose, 15 rats were divided into 3 groups; Control group (GC), whose animals did not receive hormonal treatment; Group 2 (G2), where the animals received a daily treatment of 15 µg of ethinylestradiol + 60 µg of gestodene; and Group 3 (G3), whose animals received 30 µg of ethinylestradiol + 75 µg of gestodene. After treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the arteries removed for histologic analysis. Results: The values found, with HE measurements and Alcian Blue histochemical staining, showed that in G3, treated with a higher hormone dosage, there are 8% of the rats with a relevant increase in the thickness of their arteries, that is, higher than that of G2, which received lower dosage of hormone and that of GC, which received no treatment. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there are relations between the thickening of the arteries of rats submitted to dosages of ethinylestradiol and gestodene with the great amount of mucopolysaccharides deposited between the tunics of the arteries. (AU)

Pemphigus foliaceus as a differential diagnosis in vesicobullous lesions / Pênfigo foliáceo como diagnóstico diferencial em lesões vesicobolhosas

ABSTRACT Given the challenge of clinical diagnosis of bullous skin lesions, this report aimed to discuss the histological changes, the presentation and clinical reasoning for diagnosis of these lesions. At the same time, the importance of the pathology was reviewed to identify these clinical scenarios. In this case report, we highlighted the clinical progression of a case of pemphigus foliaceus.

RESUMO Considerando o desafio do diagnóstico clínico de lesões cutâneas de apresentação bolhosa, o presente trabalho procurou discutir as alterações histológicas, a apresentação e o raciocínio clínico para o diagnóstico de tais lesões. Paralelamente, a importância da patologia foi revisada na identificação destes quadros. Neste relato de caso, destaca-se a evolução clínica de um quadro de pênfigo foliáceo.

Cytokeratin immunoprofile of primary and metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands: a report of two cases

Distant metastases from salivary gland tumors are considered infrequent: the incidence of distant metastases ranges from 24% to 61% according to different histotypes and to the site of the primary mass. The most common site of distant metastases due to salivary gland malignancies is the lung. From the pathology point of view, cytokeratins (CK) are important differentiation markers in salivary gland tumors, which are often used for the diagnostic process. Their employment also may be useful to identify and confirm the diagnosis of their distant metastases. We report the expression of CK in two cases of primary and metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and their CK profiles of the primary and metastatic masses. Both patients-one male and one female-were diagnosed with an ACC cribriform and tubular, respectively, with lung metastases. In case 1, the metastatic mass presented the same histotype and CK profile of the primary tumor. For case 2, the metastatic lung mass was distinct from the primary mass (a solid ACC) and presented a different CK profile. Although salivary gland metastatic disease presents a poor prognosis, both patients reported herein are alive despite the presence of the disease in long-term follow-up. Therefore, the modifications seen in the CK profiles do not appear to be predictive of tumor behavior and outcome. The use of a CK profile seems to be useful to identify the nature of a distant mass and its possible correlations with a primary salivary gland tumor.

Scleromyxedema: clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings

Abstract Scleromyxedema is a rare chronic cutaneous mucinosis of unknown etiology. It is characterized by papular eruption and scleroderma with microscopic evidence of mucin deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and fibrosis. Most patients with scleromyxedema have monoclonal gammopathy and systemic manifestations resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Several types of treatment have been reported with partial or inconsistent responses. Despite showing unpredictable evolution, systemic consequences of scleromyxedema and treatment side effects may result in death. We describe a rare case of a patient with scleromyxedema without paraproteinemia with systemic involvement that evolved to death despite treatment with cyclophosphamide.

The collagen, fibrinogen and thrombin biological adhesive is effective in treating experimental liver injuries / O adesivo biológico de colágeno, fibrinogênio e trombina é eficaz no tratamento de lesões hepáticas experimentais

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of an collagen-based adhesive associated with fibrinogen and thrombin in experimental liver injuries in rats. Methods: we randomly divided 30 Wistar rats into three groups: A, B and C. All underwent a standard liver traumatic injury. In group A, the lesion was treated with the adhesive; in group B, with conventional, absorbable suture; group C received no treatment. We analyzed the time of hemostasis, mortality, occurrence of adhesions and any histological changes. Results: there was no statistical difference in relation to mortality (p=0.5820). The adhesive treated group showed the lowest hemostasis times (p=0.0573, odds ratio 13.5) and lower incidence of adhesions (p=0.0119). The histological alterations of the Groups A and B were similar, with foreign body granuloma formation separating the adhesive material and the hepatic stroma suture. Conclusion: the collagen adhesive associated with fibrinogen and thrombin was effective in treating experimental hepatic injury, providing a lower incidence of adhesions between the liver and surrounding structures.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a eficácia de um adesivo a base de colágeno associado ao fibrinogênio e trombina, no trauma hepático experimental em ratos. Métodos: toram incluídos no estudo 30 ratos Wistar, igualmente divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos: A, B e C. Todos foram submetidos à lesão traumática hepática padronizada. No grupo A, a lesão foi tratada com o adesivo, no grupo B, com sutura convencional com fio absorvível, e no grupo C, não houve tratamento da lesão. Foram analisados o tempo de hemostasia, mortalidade, ocorrência de aderências e eventuais alterações histológicas. Resultados: os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença estatística em relação à mortalidade (p=0,5820). O grupo tratado com adesivo apresentou os menores tempos de hemostasia (p=0,0573 e odds ratio 13,5) e menor ocorrência de aderências (p=0,0119). Microscopicamente as alterações histológicas dos grupos A e B foram semelhantes, com a formação de granuloma de corpo estranho separando o material do adesivo e do fio de sutura do estroma hepático. Conclusão: o adesivo de colágeno associado ao fibrinogênio e trombina foi eficaz no tratamento do trauma hepático experimental, proporcionado menor ocorrência de aderências entre o fígado e as estruturas vizinhas.

Comparative study of collagen deposition in the colon wall of patients operated for sigmoid diverticular disease

PURPOSE: To investigate the deposition of collagen in the colon wall of patients with sigmoid diverticulitis.METHODS: Samples of sigmoid tissue from 15 patients (disease group), seven men and eight women aged 37-77 years who underwent surgery for the treatment of diverticulitis, were selected. For the control group, specimens from five patients, three men and two women aged 19-58 years undergoing emergency surgery for sigmoid trauma were selected. These subjects had no associated diseases. The histological study of the surgical specimens was performed by staining with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius and using a histochemical method for collagen quantification.RESULTS: Collagen deposition in the colon wall in terms of area (F), glandular epithelium (E) and total area was significantly higher in the disease group compared to control (p=0.003, p=0.026 and p=0.010, respectively). The collagen volume fraction (F fraction) and muscle tissue (M fraction) were also significantly higher compared to control (p=0.044 and p=0.026, respectively). The muscle (M area) and volume fraction of glandular epithelium (E fraction) did not differ significantly between the two groups, (p=0.074 and p=1.000, respectively).CONCLUSION: In this study, collagen deposition in the colon wall of the patients operated for sigmoid diverticulitis was higher compared to patients without the disease.

Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma simulating basal-cell carcinoma on the nasal ala

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCLs) constitute 25% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas. They present in the skin with no evidence of systemic or extracutaneous disease at the time of diagnosis, after adequate staging. Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas differ significantly from their nodal counterparts in relation to both clinical behavior and prognosis. The distinction between primary and secondary B-cell lymphomas is essential for defining prognosis/course of action. Such distinction is also very difficult to make, since primary and secondary B-cell lymphomas are clinically and histologically indistinguishable. We report the case of a patient with primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma who underwent surgical excision.

Vemurafenib and cutaneous adverse events - report of five cases

Vemurafenib is a selective inhibitor of V600E-mutant BRAF protein used to treat metastatic and unresectable melanoma. Clinical trials have shown increased overall survival and progression-free survival in patients treated with Vemurafenib. However, cutaneous adverse events are common during treatment. We report fi ve cases of metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E positivity, treated with Vemurafenib and its cutaneous adverse events. Dermatologists and oncologists need to be aware of possible skin changes caused by this medication, which is increasingly employed in melanoma treatment. Monitoring of patients during therapy is important for early treatment of adverse cutaneous cutaneous adverse events, improvement in quality of life and adherence to treatment.