[Thymoma and squamous thymic carcinoma diagnosis; experience from the RYTHMIC network]. / Diagnostic des thymomes et carcinomes thymiques malpighiens ; expérience du réseau RYTHMIC.

The RYTHMIC network, supported by the French National Cancer Institute is dedicated to the management of patients with thymic epithelial tumors through regional and national multidisciplinary tumor boards. Tumor board decisions are based on the initial pathology diagnoses. However, following clinical inclusion in the network, a central pathology review is organized, implicating a panel of pathologists, for histotype and stage classification, which is different from a classical second opinion from pathologist to pathologist for a difficult case. Thanks to the participation of all French pathologists, more than 1000 cases have been reviewed by the panel. The aim of this review is to share with the French pathology community, the experience of the group. It underlines the importance of macroscopy and surgeon-pathologist involvement to allow a good central review, the main histopathological and immunophenotypical patterns of the most frequent thymomas and thymic carcinoma types, the differential diagnoses, as well as the difficulties for the panel to reproducibly assess on slides, stage, for some cases.

Recurrent chromosomal rearrangements of ROS1, FRK and IL6 activating JAK/STAT pathway in inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas (IHCAs) are benign liver tumours characterised by an activation of the janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway caused by oncogenic activating mutations. However, a subset of IHCA lacks of identified mutation explaining the inflammatory phenotype. METHODS: 657 hepatocellular adenomas developed in 504 patients were analysed for gene expression of 17 genes and for mutations in seven genes by sequencing. 22 non-mutated IHCAs were analysed by whole-exome and/or RNA sequencing. RESULTS: We identified 296 IHCA (45%), 81% of them were mutated in either IL6ST (61%), FRK (8%), STAT3 (5%), GNAS (3%) or JAK1 (2%). Among non-mutated IHCA, RNA sequencing identified recurrent chromosome rearrangement involving ROS1, FRK or IL6 genes. ROS1 fusions were identified in 8 IHCA, involving C-terminal part of genes highly expressed in the liver (PLG, RBP4, APOB) fused with exon 33-35 to 43 of ROS1 including the tyrosine kinase domain. In two cases a truncated ROS1 transcript from exon 36 to 43 was identified. ROS1 rearrangements were validated by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and led to ROS1 overexpression. Among the 5 IHCA with FRK rearrangements, 5 different partners were identified (MIA3, MIA2, LMO7, PLEKHA5, SEC16B) fused to a common region in FRK that included exon 3-8. No overexpression of FRK transcript was detected but the predicted chimeric proteins lacked the auto-inhibitory SH2-SH3 domains. In two IHCA, we identified truncated 3'UTR of IL6 associated with overexpression of the transcript. CONCLUSION: Recurrent chromosomal alterations involving ROS1, FRK or IL6 genes lead to activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in IHCAs.

Successful Terbinafine Treatment for Cutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Trematosphaeria grisea in a Heart Transplanted Man: Case Report and Literature Review.

Phaeohyphomycosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by dematiaceous fungi. It is characterized by the presence of pigmented septate mycelia within tissues. In the case of superficial infection, the lesion(s) chronically evolve(s) toward painless pseudo-tumor(s) of the soft parts. We report herein the original case of a heart transplanted man who exhibited phaeohyphomycosis of the left hand, with no mention of travels in endemic areas. Trematosphaeria grisea was identified as the causative agent, which is quite innovative since this species has been rather described in mycetoma. The antifungal treatment initially based on isavuconazole alone was not sufficient to cure the patient. In contrast, its association with local terbinafine ointment allowed total clinical improvement. This finding is unusual as diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis caused by T. grisea is uncommon in nontropical countries, and as the outcome appeared successful by the means of add-on therapeutic strategy with terbinafine.

Natural history of liver adenomatosis: A long-term observational study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver adenomatosis (LA) is characterized by the presence of at least 10 hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs), but the natural history of this rare liver disorder remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to reappraise the natural history and the risk of complications in a cohort of patients with at least 10 HCAs. METHODS: We analyzed the natural history of 40 patients with LA, excluding glycogen storage disorders, in a monocentric cohort. Pathological examination was performed, with immunostaining and molecular biology carried out on surgical specimens or liver biopsies. RESULTS: Forty patients (36 female) were included with a median follow-up of 10.6 (1.9-26.1) years. Six (15%) patients had familial LA, all with germline HNF1A mutations. Median age at diagnosis was 39 (9-55) years. Thirty-three (94%) women had a history of oral contraception, and 29 (81%) women had a pregnancy before LA diagnosis. Overall, thirty-seven (93%) patients underwent surgery at diagnosis. Classification of HCAs showed 46% of patients with HNF1A-mutated HCA, 31% with inflammatory HCA, 3% with sonic hedgehog HCA, 8% with unclassified HCA. Only 15% of the patients demonstrated a "mixed LA" with different HCA subtypes. Hepatic complications were identified in 7 patients: 1 patient (3%) died from recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation; 6 (15%) had hemorrhages, of which 5 occurred at diagnosis, with 1 fatal case during pregnancy, and 2 occurred in male patients with familial LA. Four patients (10%) had repeated liver resections. Finally, 4 (10%) patients developed extrahepatic malignancies during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity in HCA subtypes, as well as the occurrence of bleeding and malignant transformation during long-term follow-up, underline the heterogeneous nature of LA, justifying close and specific management. In patients with germline HNF1A mutation, familial LA occurred equally frequently in males and females, with a higher rate of bleeding in male patients. LAY SUMMARY: Liver adenomatosis is a rare disease characterized by the presence of 10 or more hepatocellular adenomas that may rarely be of genetic origin. Patients with liver adenomatosis have multiple adenomas of different subtypes, with a risk of bleeding and malignant transformation that justify a specific management and follow-up.

Primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas: relevance of the 2017 World Health Organization classification: clinicopathological and molecular analyses of 64 cases.

AIMS: We applied the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification criteria to categorise a series of 64 primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas (PCLBCLs), containing a majority (≥80%) of large cells and a proliferative rate of ≥40%, raising the problem of the differential diagnosis between PCLBCL, leg type (PCLBCL-LT) and primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphoma, large cell (PCFCL-LC). The aims were to determine the reproducibility and prognostic relevance of the 2017 WHO criteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Morphology and phenotype identified 32 PCLBCLs-LT and 25 PCFCLs-LC; seven cases (11%) remained unclassified. Morphology was less reproducible than immunophenotype. Pertinent markers for the differential diagnosis were MUM1, FOXP1, CD10, and IgM. bcl-2 and bcl-6 were expressed by both PCFCLs-LC and PCLBCLs-LT at substantial levels. Neither Ki67 expression nor p63 expression was of diagnostic value. MYD88 was found to be mutated only in PCLBCLs-LT (n = 22, 69%). According to Hans/Hans modified algorithms, 23 of 25 PCFCLs-LC had germinal centre (GC) status, and the 32 PCLBCLs-LT had non-GC status. Overall survival was poorer for PCLBCLs-LT than PCFCLs-LC (P = 0.0002). Non-GC cases had poorer overall survival than GC cases (P = 0.0007). In PCLBCLs-LT, MYC expression was associated with cutaneous relapses (P = 0.014). When GC/non-GC status was applied to unclassified cases, only a single case remained discordant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the 2017 WHO classification criteria for PCLBCL diagnosis. The Hans modified algorithm using CD10 and MUM1 distinguished PCFCLs-LC from PCLBCLs-LT with optimal diagnostic value without requiring bcl-6 immunolabelling (poorly reproducible). Rare unclassified cases may constitute a provisionally heterogeneous subgroup for which GC/non-GC status (relevant for prognosis) may guide therapeutic decisions.

Molecular Classification of Hepatocellular Adenoma Associates With Risk Factors, Bleeding, and Malignant Transformation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver tumors that can be assigned to molecular subtypes based on inactivating mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A, activating mutations in ß-catenin, or activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. We aimed to update the classification system for HCA and associate the subtypes with disease risk factors and complications. METHODS: We analyzed expression levels of 20 genes and sequenced exon regions of 8 genes (HNF1A, IL6ST, CTNNB1, FRK, STAT3, GNAS, JAK1, and TERT) in 607 samples of 533 HCAs from 411 patients, collected from 28 centers mainly in France from 2000 and 2014. We performed gene expression profile, RNA sequence, whole-exome and genome sequence, and immunohistochemical analyses of select samples. Molecular data were associated with risk factors, histopathology, bleeding, and malignant transformation. RESULTS: Symptomatic bleeding occurred in 14% of the patients (85% of cases were female, median age, 38 years); 7% of the nodules were borderline between HCA and hepatocellular carcinoma, and 3% of patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma from HCA. Based on molecular features, we classified HCA into 8 subgroups. One new subgroup, composed of previously unclassified HCA, represented 4% of HCAs overall and was associated with obesity and bleeding. These tumors were characterized by activation of sonic hedgehog signaling, due to focal deletions that fuse the promoter of INHBE with GLI1. Analysis of genetic heterogeneity among multiple HCAs, from different patients, revealed a molecular subtype field effect; multiple tumors had different mutations that deregulated similar pathways. Specific molecular subtypes of HCA associated with various HCA risk factors, including imbalances in estrogen or androgen hormones. Specific molecular subgroup of HCA with ß-catenin and sonic hedgehog activation associated with malignant transformation and bleeding, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using sequencing and gene expression analyses, we identified a subgroup of HCA characterized by fusion of the INHBE and GLI1 genes and activation of sonic hedgehog pathway. Molecular subtypes of HCAs associated with different patients' risk factors for HCA, disease progression, and pathology features of tumors. This classification system might be used to select treatment strategies for patients with HCA.

Interest of variations in microRNA-152 and -122 in a series of hepatocellular carcinomas related to hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common outcome of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and constitutes the main burden of this disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of HCC are multiple and might involve certain microRNA (miR). As discordant results have been reported concerning the detection of expression of miR-152 and miR-122 in HCC, our aim was to measure the levels of both miRs in serum and liver samples. METHODS: We analyzed miR-152 and miR-122 expression by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a serum cohort from 14 HCV-infected patients who developed HCC, 20 HCV+ patients without HCC, and 19 control patients. We also studied miR-152 and miR-122 in an independent tissue cohort from 11 normal livers, and from paired HCC and non-tumor adjacent livers of 11 HCV-infected patients and 12 non-infected patients. RESULTS: In serum samples, higher levels of miR-122 were found in non-HCC HCV+ compared to HCC HCV+ and control groups, whereas miR-152 was detectable in a lower range in HCC HCV+ compared to non-HCC HCV+ and control groups. We found higher signals for miR-122 and miR-152 in non-tumor liver and HCC tissues compared to control tissues. Hepatocellular carcinoma etiology had no detectable influence on miR-122 expression, whereas miR-152 was increased in HCV+ tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of low values of circulating miR-152 is a potentially interesting marker of hepatocarcinogenesis in HCV+ patients, in contrast to miR-122, which varies according to hepatocyte damage.

Chromosome 12 long arm rearrangement covering MDM2 and RASAL1 is associated with aggressive craniofacial juvenile ossifying fibroma and extracranial psammomatoid fibro-osseous lesions.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of MDM2 status in craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions, we investigated MDM2 expression by immunohistochemistry and analyzed MDM2 amplification by qPCR in 30 cases of ossifying fibroma (including 13 cases of the juvenile variant) and 17 cases of fibrous dysplasia. Two cases of uncommon extragnathic psammomatoid fibrous dysplasia and a mixed control group of 15 cases of low-grade osteosarcoma and 15 cases of well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma were included. MDM2 amplification was found in 33% of ossifying fibromas (peak of 69% for the juvenile variant) and in 12% of fibrous dysplasia, in none of which was MDM2 overexpressed. All control cases exhibited MDM2 amplification and overexpression. To investigate possible polysomy of chromosome 12, we studied RASAL1 amplification, a gene telomeric to MDM2 on the long arm of chromosome 12. RASAL1 amplification was reported in all benign fibro-osseous lesions exhibiting MDM2 amplification but not in controls. Simultaneous amplification of these two genes was significantly higher in juvenile ossifying fibromas compared with fibrous dysplasia (P=0.004), non-juvenile ossifying fibromas (P=0.001), and all other benign craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions combined (P=0.0001). Of the nine cases of juvenile ossifying fibroma exhibiting amplification, three were locally invasive and four were recurrent, suggesting aggressive disease. The two cases of extragnathic psammomatoid fibrous dysplasia also showed MDM2 and RASAL1 amplification with no MDM2 overexpression. This large chromosome 12 rearrangement, spanning MDM2 and RASAL1, is the first recurrent molecular abnormality to be reported in juvenile ossifying fibroma. It may represent both a molecular diagnostic marker and a characteristic of more aggressive forms with a higher risk of recurrence. Finally, the presence of this rearrangement in extragnathic psammomatoid fibro-osseous lesions mimicking ossifying fibromas might reflect a common molecular pathway in their pathogenesis and calls into question the classification of such lesions within fibrous dysplasia.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a risk factor for severity of organizing pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The link between organizing pneumonia (OP) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not well known. There is little evidence in the literature to establish a causal link between GERD and OP. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the hypothesis that OP is more severe when it is associated with GERD and that it leads to more frequent relapses. METHODS: In a retrospective study on 44 patients suffering from OP, we compared the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of 2 groups, 1 composed of patients with GERD (n = 20) and the other of patients without GERD (n = 24). RESULTS: The GERD group was distinguished by a higher number of patients with migratory alveolar opacities on chest radiography and thoracic computerized tomography (14/20 vs. 9/24; p = 0.03 and 18/20 vs. 13/24; p = 0.01), greater hypoxemia [60 (42-80) vs. 70 (51-112) mm Hg; p = 0.03], greater bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity [0.255 (0.1-1.8) vs. 0.150 (0.05-0.4) g/l; p = 0.035] and more frequent relapses (14/20 vs. 9/24; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: OP associated with GERD is more severe and results in more frequent relapses. Microinhalation of gastric secretions might induce lung inflammation leading to OP and relapse. We suggest that typical symptoms of GERD such as pyrosis should be investigated in OP.

[Cutaneous lymphoproliferations: proposal for the use of diagnostic algorithms based on 2760 cases of cutaneous lymphoproliferations taken from the INCa networks (LYMPHOPATH and GFELC) over a two-year period]. / Lymphoproliférations cutanées : proposition d'algorithmes diagnostiques à partir de l'expérience sur 2ans des réseaux INCa (LYMPHOPATH et GFELC) sur 2760 lymphoproliférations cutanées.

INTRODUCTION: Taking as a base our retrospective study of 2760 cases of cutaneous lymphoproliferations from the LYMPHOPATH and GFELC networks, we analyzed the doubtful and discordant cases between non-expert and expert pathologists, and the interest of clinicopathological confrontation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We defined the main diagnostic difficulties presented by cutaneous lymphoproliferations. We then designed and tested the algorithms on 20 random cases with 20 pathologists, in order to be used by any pathologist (not necessarily specialised in dermatopathology). RESULTS: The problematic differential diagnoses most frequently encountered are the following: MF or reactive dermatose; lymphoma without any other precision or reactive infiltrate; small B cell lymphoproliferation: lymphoma or reactive infiltrate; phenotyping of large B cell lymphoproliferation. We also analyzed less common problematic differential diagnoses, on the grounds that they are over- or under- diagnosed. Our test had a 72% success rate among the 20 randomly tested cases. The use of several algorithms for the same case is possible. DISCUSSION: Our study shows that an expert second-opinion is of interest in the area of cutaneous lymphoproliferations. A second opinion is useful for distinguishing a small B cell lymphoma from a HLR, and for defining a final diagnosis when the first pathologist doubts between lymphoma and reactive infiltrate. However, we demonstrate that for the problem MF or reactive dermatose, an initial clinicopathological confrontation produces more results than a second-opinion pathology review. CONCLUSION: This is the first study of cutaneous lymphoproliferations that, without excluding reactionary infiltrates, concentrates on doubtful and discordant diagnoses between non expert and expert pathologists, and which has produced tested diagnostic algorithms.

[Rythmic-pathology: the French national pathology network for thymic epithelial tumours]. / Rythmic-Pathologie : le groupe français de relecture des tumeurs épithéliales thymiques du réseau clinique Rythmic.

Epithelial thymic tumours are rare and sometimes difficult to classify. Since 2010, the French National Cancer Institute supports a French national network, called Rythmic, devoted to the treatment of these tumours through regional and national multidisciplinary conferences using the web. All the tumours are secondarily reviewed by a French pathology national network for classification and staging. This review focuses on the presentation of the Rythmic network, and mainly to the Pathology review process.

Micronodular thymic epithelial tumors with lymphoid hyperplasia and mimicking lesions.

Micronodular arrangement of epithelial cells and lymphoid B-cell hyperplasia with follicles are both peculiar histological features in thymic tissue. Such features may especially occur in thymic epithelial tumors. The most common form is called micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma. We have recently described some characteristics of thymic micronodular carcinoma with lymphoid hyperplasia, highlighting how this carcinomatous counterpart should not be misdiagnosed as a thymoma. In this review, we discuss these two entities but also other mimics, which may occur in the anterior mediastinum. These mimics include various types of cellular micronodules and lymphoid backgrounds encompassing a wide range of mediastinal lesions. Non-neoplastic lesions, such as thymic nodular epithelial hyperplasia, thymic lymphoid hyperplasia, or sarcoidosis, as well as tumors of very varying aggressiveness, such as micronodular thymic epithelial tumors, low-grade lymphoma, seminoma, or lymphoepithelial carcinoma, are discussed. We show how these lesions may be misleading and we describe how a correct diagnostic may be obtained in current practice.

Diagnostic value of investigating GNAS mutations in fibro-osseous lesions: a retrospective study of 91 cases of fibrous dysplasia and 40 other fibro-osseous lesions.

GNAS (guanine nucleotide-binding protein/α-subunit) mutations that induce the activation of G-protein α-subunit participate in the pathogenesis of fibrous dysplasia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of GNAS mutations in fibrous dysplasia and other fibro-osseous lesions, to assess the value of investigating this mutation in the diagnosis of fibro-osseous lesions. We studied 91 cases of fibrous dysplasia. The quality and/or quantity of genomic DNA were suitable for molecular analysis for 51 cases of fibrous dysplasia. GNAS mutations were investigated by three techniques: high-resolution melting (exon 8), allele-specific PCR (exons 8 and 9) and/or direct DNA sequencing (exons 8 and 9). Fibrous dysplasia samples were classified blind to the GNAS mutation status into six histological subtypes as conventional, fibro-involutive, osteosclerosing, cementifying, osteocartilaginous and with prominent aneurysmal cystic changes. We also studied 14 cases of low-grade osteosarcoma, 21 cases of ossifying fibroma, 3 cases of osteofibrous dysplasia, 1 case of osseous dysplasia of the jawbone and 1 post-traumatic lesion of the ribs. Twenty-three cases of fibrous dysplasia (45%) showed mutations of codon 201 (exon 8, p.R201H or p.R201C). No mutation was found on codon 227 (exon 9). GNAS mutations in conventional fibrous dysplasia were detected in the same proportion (47%) as in the other histological subtypes (47%, P=0.96), regardless of sex (P=0.44), age (P=0.90) and location (P=1). GNAS mutations were not detected in any other fibro-osseous lesions. The GNAS mutation was thus specific to fibrous dysplasia in the context of fibro-osseous lesions. The particular mosaicism of mutant and non-mutant cells within the lesion or the existence of other mutations not already described could explain the lack of GNAS mutation in cases of fibrous dysplasia. Investigating this mutation may constitute a valuable complementary diagnostic tool, despite its low sensitivity, particularly in unconventional morphologically different subtypes of fibrous dysplasia.

GNAS-activating mutations define a rare subgroup of inflammatory liver tumors characterized by STAT3 activation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mosaic G-protein alpha-subunit (GNAS)-activating mutations are responsible for the McCune-Albright (MCA) syndrome. This oncogene that activates the adenylate cyclase is also mutated in various tumor types leading to the accumulation of cyclic-AMP. Identification of a hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) in two MCA patients led us to search for GNAS activation in benign and malignant hepatocellular carcinogenesis. METHODS: GNAS mutations were screened by sequencing 164 HCA, 245 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 17 fibrolamellar carcinomas. Tumors were characterized by quantitative RT-PCR, gene mutation screening and pathological reviewing. The consequences of wild type and mutant GNAS expression were analyzed in hepatocellular cell lines. RESULTS: A somatic GNAS-activating mutation was identified in 5 benign tumors and in 2 HCC. In benign tumors, GNAS mutations were exclusive from HNF1A, CTNNB1, and IL6ST mutations whereas one HCC demonstrated both CTNNB1 and GNAS mutations. Quantitative RT-PCR showed an activation of the IL-6 and interferon pathways in GNAS-mutated tumor tissues. Accordingly, pathological reviewing identified in GNAS-mutated tumors an inflammatory phenotype characterized by fibrosis and STAT3 activation. We further demonstrated in HCC cell lines that GNAS mutant expression induced inflammatory response and STAT3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: We identified for the first time the association between two rare diseases, MCA syndrome and HCA occurrence, but also that somatic GNAS-activating mutations in sporadic benign and malignant liver tumors are characterized by an inflammatory phenotype. These results showed a cross-talk between cyclic-AMP and JAK/STAT pathways in liver tumors and they reinforce the role of STAT3 activation in liver tumorigenesis.

Epidermotropic secondary cutaneous involvement by relapsed angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma mimicking mycosis fungoides: a case report.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is frequently associated with skin lesions, but epidermotropic cutaneous involvement has never been described. A 37-year-old man presented with erythematous and pruriginous plaques, clinically suggestive of mycosis fungoides, distributed all over the body, 3 weeks after the last line of a polychemotherapy, given for an AITL diagnosed 1 year earlier on a lymph node biopsy. Skin biopsy showed an epidermotropic CD4(+) T-cell lymphoma, so that a diagnosis of mycosis fungoides was first proposed. Further investigations showed that atypical lymphocytes strongly expressed CD10 and markers of follicular helper T cells (T(FH) ) including PD1, BCL-6 and CXCL13. The diagnosis of an unusual epidermotropic cutaneous localization of the AITL was finally made, supported by the presence of the same T-cell clone in the initial lymph node biopsy and the skin. We therefore recommend performing markers of T(FH) cells in patients with unusual epidermotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, particularly if they have any clinical features suggestive of AITL.

[Place of the pathologist in the management of primary bone tumors (osteosarcoma and Ewing's family tumors after neoadjuvant treatment)]. / Rôle du pathologiste dans la prise en charge des tumeurs osseuses primitives malignes : ostéosarcomes et tumeurs de la famille Ewing après traitement néoadjuvant.

The survival of osteosarcoma and Ewing family tumours has been improved by the introduction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The response to preoperative chemotherapy is evaluated on the microscopic analysis of the surgical resection, by the percentage of tumour necrosis according to the Huvos and Rosen's grading. It remains the only reliable prognostic factor for patients and is used to guide the choice of post-operative chemotherapy. The macroscopic and microscopic management of the surgical resection (cf. supra) is essential and is the subject of a specific protocol. Several studies have been conducted to identify news factors able to predict the response to chemotherapy, the tumour aggressiveness and its ability to develop metastases. Inhibitors of mTOR and/or regulators of the balance RANKL/OPG are promising therapeutics. The study's expression of these new factors could be performed on the biopsy and will offer new therapeutic strategy.

Impact of expert pathologic review of thymic epithelial tumours on diagnosis and management in a real-life setting: A RYTHMIC study.

BACKGROUND: Classification of thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) is known to be challenging; however, the level of discordances at a nationwide level between initial and expert diagnosis and their clinical consequences are currently unknown. RYTHMIC is a national network dedicated to the management of TET based on initial histological diagnosis, followed by an additional expert review of all cases. Our aim was to evaluate the discordances between initial and expert diagnoses and whether they would have led to different clinical management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the cohort of patients discussed at RYTHMIC tumour board from January 2012 to December 2016. Assessment of disagreement was made for histological typing and for staging. The discordances were classified as major or minor based on whether they would have changed or not the proposed therapeutic strategy, respectively. Follow-up of the patients with major discordances was conducted until December 2018. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-seven patients were reviewed, and 183 (39%) discordances were identified either related to histological subtype (132) and/or stage (72). Major discordances were identified in 27 patients (6%). They included 16 patients with TET for whom treatment recommendation based on the central review would have been post-operative radiotherapy, whereas it had not been the case. However, follow-up did not show any progression among the 15 patients with high-grade histology and/or stage resected thymomas. On the other hand, among the remaining 11 patients including 7 with a diagnosis other than TET, the overall management or follow-up would have been completely different with the expert diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our real-life cohort reveals a high level of discordances considering TET diagnosis and supports expert review for optimal clinical management.

Micronodular thymic carcinoma with lymphoid hyperplasia: relevance of immunohistochemistry with a small panel of antibodies for diagnosis-a RYTHMIC study.

Micronodular thymic carcinoma with lymphoid hyperplasia (MNTCLH) is a rare form of thymic carcinoma. We present the experience of RYTHMIC, the French national network devoted to the treatment of thymic epithelial tumors through multidisciplinary tumor boards with a review of all tumors by pathologists for classification and staging. Six cases of MNTCLH were diagnosed during a review of 1007 thymic epithelial tumors. Histologically, epithelial cells with atypia and mitoses formed micronodules that were surrounded by an abundant lymphoid background with follicles. There was neither obvious fibro-inflammatory stroma nor necrosis. Spindle cells areas were common. Initial diagnosis was micronodular thymoma in two cases, cellular atypia being overlooked, eclipsed by the micronodular pattern. Immunohistochemistry with a panel of five antibodies showed that cytokeratins (AE1-AE3) and p63-positive epithelial cells also expressed CD5 and that there was no TdT-positive cells within the tumors. CD20 highlighted the lymphoid hyperplasia. Additionally epithelial cells also expressed CD117 and diffusely Glut 1. Twenty-seven micronodular thymomas with lymphoid stroma diagnosed during the same period did not show the CD5 and CD117 positivities seen in MNTCLH and contained TdT-positive lymphocytes. Three of the 6 patients with MNTCLH had adjuvant radiotherapy. Three patients with follow-up information were alive without recurrence at 38, 51, and 95 months. Our study shows that immunohistochemistry, such as that used in the RYTHMIC network with a small panel of antibodies, may easily help to confirm the correct diagnosis of MNTCLH, a rare and low-aggressive form of thymic carcinoma, and avoid the misdiagnosis of micronodular thymoma.