A "What Matters Most" approach to investigating intersectional stigma toward HIV and cancer in Hanoi, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Vietnam is experiencing a growing burden of cancer, including among people living with HIV. Stigma acts as a sociocultural barrier to the prevention and treatment of both conditions. This study investigates how cultural notions of "respected personhood" (or "what matters most") influence manifestations of HIV-related stigma and cancer stigma in Hanoi, Vietnam. METHODS: Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with people living with HIV in Hanoi, Vietnam. Transcripts were thematically coded via a directed content analysis using the What Matters Most conceptual framework. Coding was done individually and discussed in pairs, and any discrepancies were reconciled in full-team meetings. RESULTS: Analyses elucidated that having chu tín-a value reflecting social involvement, conscientiousness, and trustworthiness-and being successful (eg, in career, academics, or one's personal life) are characteristics of respected people in this local cultural context. Living with HIV and having cancer were seen as stigmatized and interfering with these values and capabilities. Intersectional stigma toward having both conditions was seen to interplay with these values in some ways that had distinctions compared with stigma toward either condition alone. Participants also articulated how cultural values like chu tín are broadly protective against stigmatization and how getting treatment and maintaining employment can help individuals resist stigmatization's most acute impacts. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-related and cancer stigma each interfere with important cultural values and capabilities in Vietnam. Understanding these cultural manifestations of these stigmas separately and intersectionally can allow for greater ability to measure and respond to these stigmas through culturally tailored intervention.

Increased Incidence of Villitis in Placentas Exposed to Chemotherapy During Pregnancy: Is There a Correlation?

We have identified 9 pregnant patients who were diagnosed with malignancy and initiated chemotherapy during their second trimester (cervical cancer [n = 3], leukemia [n = 3], breast cancer [n = 2], and Hodgkin's lymphoma [n = 1]). Five of the patients' placentas were small for gestational age (SGA). Pathologic examination revealed inflammatory changes in 4 of the placentas: 2 from the SGA placentas and 2 from non-SGA placentas. Examination revealed 3 placentas with villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) and 1 with intervillositis; all were negative for bacterial and viral cultures and by immunohistochemical (IHC) stains. In the VUE cases, IHC stains showed positivity of CD25+/FOXP3+ with focal positivity and CD3 and CD4 IHC were focally to strongly positive. Literature suggests that the use of chemotherapy during pregnancy can be detrimental to both the mother and the fetus; however, there has been limited focus on the effects of chemotherapy on the placenta. We suggest that the inflammatory process noted in the placentas is due to chemotherapy-induced toxic effects.

Four new cases of pediatric thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) with review of the molecular genetic basis, utilizing the newly published consensus nomenclature.

The majority of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) in the pediatric population are due to post repair etiology (iatrogenic). Although rare, underlying inheritable disease and congenital cardiac anomalies represent the most common non-iatrogenic cause of TAA among patients in this age group (1-21 years of age). Herein, we present a case series of 9aortic aneurysms with varying underlying etiology. We discuss the molecular genetic basis of these syndromes in conjunction with the radiological findings and histological description utilizing the newly published consensus criteria article.

The Vanishing Twin Syndrome: Two Cases of Extreme Malformations Associated With Vanished Twins.

Two cases of devastating fetal malformations associated with vanished monochorionic twins were identified upon review of pathology files. A 35-year-old G1P0 woman and 36-year-old G3P1 woman were both diagnosed with an intrauterine twin gestation via transvaginal ultrasound at 10 weeks. The spectrum of fetal anomalies ranged from omphalocele, bilateral upper extremity, and unilateral lower extremity hypoplasia, to craniofacial malformation with diaphragmatic hernia. On histopathologic examination, the placentas demonstrated vascular anastomoses between the surviving co-twin and the "vanished" fetal sac. We propose anastomotic placental vasculature as a contributing factor to the observed fetal malformations. Additionally, genetic or teratogenic factors may have been attributed to the demise of the first twin and the anomalies seen in the other twin. While such instances are rare, they are important to consider when counseling patients regarding outcomes associated with a monochorionic vanished twin.

Primary Pediatric Breast Lesions: Comparing the Prevalence of Malignancies in the Middle East with North America; Review of 1031 Cases.

Benign breast masses are uncommon but are becoming more recognized among the pediatric population. Malignant breast lesions are very rare. The aim of our study was to review and compare the demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of breast lesions, including primary malignancies, and to discuss theories that may explain why there is an increased rate of breast cancers diagnosed at a younger age in the Egyptian population. A total of 1031 cases were reviewed. Comparisons were made between the Egyptian (n = 846) and US (n = 185) cohorts. There were 30 (3.5%) malignant tumors in the Egyptian group with 17 (2%) deaths versus 3 (1.6%) malignant tumors in the US group with 2 (1%) deaths (p = 0.247). The relative risk of breast cancer in the Egyptian group was 2.16 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-7.01) compared with the US group. The trend for increased risk of breast cancer in Egypt may be due to delayed diagnosis because of decreased awareness.

Impact of lymph node evaluation in adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy settings on survival outcomes in Wilms tumour: a review of 185 cases from a single institution.

It is unclear if lymph node sampling in Wilms tumour, though critical for staging purposes, affects survival outcomes. The value of lymph node sampling in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is even more uncertain. We reviewed our institutional data to determine the impact of lymph node sampling on survival, as well as its role in the context of NAC. A total of 185 patients with Wilms tumour treated at our institution were included in this analysis. The number of nodes sampled (≤7, or >7), lymph node status (unknown, negative, or positive), pathological stage, and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were analysed for survival outcomes. Covariates were evaluated with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test where appropriate. All analyses were performed using SAS 9.3 and R package version 2.15.2 with a significant level of 0.05. Median follow-up for all patients was 7.1 years. The number of lymph nodes sampled was significantly related to lymph node status (p<0.001). Lymph node involvement portended worse overall survival after controlling for stage and histology. Patients treated with NAC had higher rates of 'unknown' lymph node status (p<0.001) and worse overall survival than their counterparts (p=0.002); within this group, patients with 'unknown' lymph node status had significantly worse survival than those with negative or positive lymph node. Our data support the available evidence that sampling of more than seven lymph nodes is necessary for adequate staging of Wilms tumour. This is especially critical in patients treated with NAC, who had worse overall survival, likely due to understaging and undertreatment. These findings should be confirmed prospectively to provide proper guidelines to physicians caring for patients with Wilms tumour.

Calcifying nested stromal-epithelial tumor (CNSET) of the liver in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Calcifying nested stromal-epithelial tumor (CNSET) is a rare neoplasm. In the 31 reported cases, CNSET is predominantly found in young girls and women. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) (OMIM #130650) is an overgrowth syndrome with an increased risk to develop cancer. Associations have been seen between BWS and embryonal tumors, especially Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, and adrenocortical carcinoma. Here we report on a female patient with BWS who presented with CNSET. Two other cases with the same association have been reported, with our case representing the third such reported in the literature. Although we recognize a potential reporting bias we speculate that CNSET may represent an unrecognized addition to the spectrum of BWS tumorigenesis.

Paracrine Effects of Leydig Cell Nodular Hyperplasia, Two Case Reports: A Neglected Phenomenon.

Leydig cell nodular hyperplasia (LCNH) is a lesion that is less characterized than the familiar Leydig cell tumors. The paracrine effects of these lesions on adjacent gonadal stroma have not been widely documented. We present two cases of precocious puberty in pre-pubertal boys found to have a single LCNH with adjacent focal maturation of the seminiferous tubules. Blood tests showed elevated serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS). Ultrasound revealed unilateral testicular enlargement with irregular echogenicity. Radical orchiectomy was performed. Histologically Leydig cell nodular proliferation without destruction of surrounding tubules was seen. Mature seminiferous tubules undergoing spermatogenesis were noted adjacent to the lesion, while away from the lesion seminiferous tubules were as expected in pre-pubescent boys. These cases emphasize the potential presence of both paracrine and endocrine effects in Leydig cell nodular hyperplasia. However, instances of the endocrine effects of hyperplastic Leydig cell lesions are more widely reported than the paracrine effects.

Congenital Cyst of the Pancreas: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

This is a case of a newborn female with congenital pancreatic cysts discovered incidentally. The 5-week-old infant had multiple abdominal cysts originating from the pancreas. When the radiologist catheter placement failed to alleviate the symptoms, the infant underwent laparoscopic excision. The lesion, however, recurred 11 months after the first excision, leading to a second surgical procedure including excision and marsupialization. A review of the literature revealed that this is a rare condition. Herein, we discuss the characteristics of the case, including medical imaging, drainage catheter placement, surgical treatment, pathological findings, and follow-up. Differential diagnoses, clinical presentations, treatment options, and patient outcomes are also discussed. Although rare, congenital pancreatic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an infant with cystic lesion of the pancreas.

Pediatric Meckel's Diverticulum: Report of 208 Cases and Review of the Literature.

We report a review of 208 cases of Meckel's diverticulum among pediatric patients from one single institution. One of the aims of this report is to highlight the different diagnostic modalities of Meckel's diverticulum since a majority of cases is undiagnosed prior to surgery. Our review shows 58 cases containing gastric and/or pancreatic heterotopic tissue, including two unique cases. The first case reported is a desmoid tumor arising at the tip of diverticulum, a case that, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported. The second case involves a female patient appearing with an acute abdomen thought to be appendicitis, instead surgery revealed a diverticulum arising from the ileum. The cause of acute abdomen was due to gonococcal infection. In conclusion, we hope that this large series of Meckel's cases will enrich our readers on the differential diagnosis and preoperative diagnostic techniques of Meckels' diverticulum.

Suppurative Granulomatous Cholecystitis in a Pediatric Chronic Carrier with Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Bacterial infection of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi is rare in the United States but endemic in many developing countries. Approximately 3-5% of patients become chronic asymptomatic carriers. We describe an atypical presentation of S. enterica serotype Typhi infection in a 10-year-old male, whose cholecystechtomy and bile culture revealed chronic carrier status despite negative stool tests and the absence of gallstones. The gallbladder showed marked thickening of the wall with an intense suppurative granulomatous reaction.

Two Case Reports of Nodular Fasciitis: A Newly Recognized Placental Lesion.

We describe two occurrences of nontrophoblastic mesenchymal tumors of the placenta. The first placental tumor was found along the placental margin, and the second was identified close to the insertion of the fetal membranes along the placental disc. Microscopically both lesions demonstrated bland fibroblastic cells with intricate vasculature and inflammatory cells. Both lesions were negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), beta-HCG, PLAP, CD34, desmin, h-caldesmin, and smooth muscle actin by immunohistochemistry. Some cells were weakly positive for CD10, a nonspecific finding. The morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of these lesions were most consistent with nodular fasciitis, a tumor most commonly found in the soft tissues. FISH positive for USP6 gene rearrangement in our two patients confirmed the molecular similarity of these lesions to nodular fasciitis of soft tissue. Such lesions can be easily dismissed on gross placental examination as infarcts or thrombi, thus these rare entities are likely underreported.