Colorectal Cancer Detection during a Screening Awareness Campaign in a High-Risk Region in Oman.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in Oman.  This study report the result of a community based screening campaign to promote the early detection and explore the associated risk factors of CRC amongst Omani population. METHODS: We launched a colorectal cancer awareness campaign in Oman's South Ash Sharqiyah Governorate between January and March, 2023. We conducted a stratified random study including 688 adult Omani participants aged over 40 years old. Local Health Centers collected the questionnaire forms. Fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) were carried out at Local Health Centers; while medical professionals performed the colonoscopy examination in Sur University Hospital. RESULTS: Overall, the screening response rate was 68.8%. The data indicated that 8.1% of the total sample yielded positive FOBTs; of whom, 85.7% were aged 40-59 years old and 67.9% were obese or overweight. Abnormal colonoscopy was reported in 7 participants. One participant had a confirmed CRC of stage I. CONCLUSION: Screening and early detection campaign can have effect and increase the rate of early detection among population in Oman.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of DNA mismatch-repair protein expression in gastric adenocarcinoma

Although the significance of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression in colorectal cancer is well-established, it remains contentious in extra-colorectal cancers and mainly in gastric adenocarcinoma. Data from Africa and Arab world remain limited. This study explored the MMR expression in gastric adenocarcinoma and evaluated its clinicopathological and prognostic signification among Tunisian patients. A retrospective study of 72 gastric adenocarcinomas was carried out. Clinicopathological particularities and patient outcomes were recorded. MMR expression was determined by immunohistochemistry on whole sections of archived material. Survival analysis was realized utilizing the Kaplan-Meier estimates and Log-Rank test. Expression of MMR proteins was observed in 84.7% of gastric adenocarcinoma samples. The 11 remaining samples (15.3%) exhibited an altered pattern of MMR protein. A significant association was identified between deficient MMR expression and advanced age (p = 0.03), intestinal type (p = 0.04) and lymph node metastases (p = 0.04). No other significant relationship was observed with the remaining selected tumor features. Patient survival was significantly associated with lymph node invasion (p = 0.002), distant metastases (p = 0.02) and tumor differentiation (p = 0.03), but not with MMR status (p = 0.83). MMR deficiency was related to advanced-age, intestinal type and nodal metastasis, but not to survival of Tunisian patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Larger multicenter studies with additional molecular investigation are required to more explore these tumors.

Bien que l'importance de l'expression des protéines de réparation des mésappariements de l'ADN (MMR) dans le cancer colorectal soit bien établie, elle reste controversée dans les cancers extra-colorectaux et principalement dans l'adénocarcinome gastrique. Les données de l'Afrique et du monde arabe restent limitées. Cette étude a exploré l'expression des protéines MMR dans l'adénocarcinome gastrique et a évalué sa signification clinicopathologique et pronostique chez les patients tunisiens. Une étude rétrospective de 72 adénocarcinomes gastriques a été réalisée. Les particularités clinicopathologiques et pronostiques des patients ont été enregistrées. L'expression des protéines MMR a été déterminée par immunohistochimie. L'analyse de survie a été réalisée en utilisant la méthode de Kaplan-Meier et le test Log-Rank. L'expression des protéines MMR a été observée dans 84,7 % des échantillons d'adénocarcinome gastrique. Les 11 cas restants (15,3 %) présentaient un profil d'expression altérée des protéines MMR. Une association significative a été identifiée entre l'expression déficiente de MMR et l'âge avancé (p = 0,03), le type intestinal (p = 0,04) et les métastases ganglionnaires (p = 0,04). Aucune autre relation significative n'a été observée avec les autres caractéristiques tumorales sélectionnées. La survie des patients était significativement associée à l'envahissement des ganglions lymphatiques (Log Rank, p = 0,002), aux métastases à distance (Log Rank, p = 0,02) et à la différenciation tumorale (Log Rank, p = 0,03), mais pas à l'expression de MMR (Log Rank, p = 0,03). Rang, p = 0,83). Le déficit de l'expression des protéines MMR était lié à l'âge avancé, au type intestinal et aux métastases ganglionnaires, mais pas à la survie des patients tunisiens ayant un adénocarcinome gastrique. Des études multicentriques avec des investigations moléculaires supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour explorer davantage le cancer gastrique avec expression déficiente des protéines MMR.

The input of GATA-3 in the identification of parathyroid carcinoma diagnosis: Case report with review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: and Importance: Parathyroid carcinoma is an exceptional cancer, with significant morbidity and mortality, associated with parathyroid hormone (PTH) mediated hypercalcemia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of parathyroid carcinoma with a difficult histological diagnosis. This case illustrates the usefulness of the immunohistochemical marker "GATA-3" in parathyroid differentiation especially in tumours. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma is challenging without the knowledge of the clinical information, laboratory finding, and radiographic imaging studies. The immunohistochemistry is useful tool in these cases to identify the parathyroid origin of neoplasia. GATA-3 is a transcription factor that is involved in the embryonic development of the parathyroid glands and in adult parathyroid cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that GATA-3 is a very sensitive and relatively specific immunohistochemical marker for parathyroid differentiation that can assist in the differential diagnosis of parathyroid tumours.

Histopathological diagnosis of strongyloidiasis hyperinfection in Tunisian patient with hodgkin lymphoma: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Strongyloides stercoralis, an intestinal nematode, is commonly dispersed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions. Strongyloides stercoralis infection typically contributes to an asymptomatic chronic disease which can remain hidden for decades. However, in immunocompromised patients, the hyperinfection can take place, causing high mortality rates. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45 year-old Tunisian women, with heavy medical history, suffering of stage 3 classic Hodgkin lymphoma under treatment; presented with complaints of epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting. Gastroduodenoscopy showed duodenal and gastric erythematous and ulcerated mucosa. Histological assessment showed chronic infiltration with a large amount of eosinophils around numerous helminth forms identified as larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. CONCLUSION: Early detection of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in immunocompromised patients is life saving and avoids fatality caused by hyperinfection or systemic dissemination. Routine stool examination may be negative, so histopathological identification of the parasite in tissue sections provides the definite diagnosis.

The importance of using fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are common diseases, frequent in middle-aged women; only 5%-30% are malignant. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, rapid and non invasive diagnostic test, performed to predict malignancy and avoid unnecessary surgery.The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration in the management of thyroid lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was retrospective, including all cases of thyroid fine needle aspiration between January 2010 and December 2017, which were verified by microscopic examination, Data was obtained from the files of Pathology and ENT Department of Farhat Hached Hospital of Sousse and from nuclear medicine department of Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. RESULTS: A total of 58 cases were studied, the main age was 40 ± 15,57 years and the sex ratio was 0.03 with female predominance. Concordance between fine needle aspiration and histology was seen in 45 cases. The sensitivity was 60% and the specificity was 100%. The negative and positive predictive values were 100 and 92%, respectively. The concordance index Kappa was of 0.67. CONCLUSION: Thyroid fine needle aspiration in experienced hands is an easily performed diagnostic procedure with very little associated risk. It should be performed in suspect nodules for treatment stratification.

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung: A case report and literature review.

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lung is an unusual thoracic neoplasm with slow growing and low-grade malignancy. Usually, it is diagnosed at a higher clinical stage and is difficult to resect due to its central location. Herein, we report a 56-year-old man with hemoptysis associated with dyspnea and weight loss lasting for one month. Bronchial fibroscopy highlighted a budding nodular tumor in the left main bronchus. The patient underwent a left pneumonectomy with mediastinal lymphadenomectomy. Microscopic examination showed tumor cells infiltrating the bronchial wall and the cartilage and concluded to an ACC of the left bronchus. Ear, nose, and throat examination as well as cervico-facial magnetic resonance imaging were performed to search a primary salivary gland tumor and were returned without abnormalities. The tumor was classified as a primary ACC of the left bronchus without lymph node metastasis. To avoid their misdiagnosis, ACCs of the lung should be well known by the pathologist and surgeons. Their pathological features may be misleading and referring to a benign lesion, however, the presence of cribriform foci and infiltrative pattern are very suggestive. Although, indolent and slow growing tumor, long-term recurrences are quite frequent, especially in case of unclear surgical margin.

Inhabitual presentation of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary with xeroderma pigmentosum: Case report with review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) are rare sex-cord stromal tumors of the ovary. Heterologous components may be present, most commonly in the intermediate differentiated and poorly differentiated groups. Because of their scarcity, SLCTs with heterologous differentiation represent a challenge in both diagnosis and management, with limited available experience. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 27-year-old, Tunisian woman, followed in the Dermatology Department since the age of six months for xeroderma pigmentosum, with a history of basal cell carcinoma of the face operated on several times. The patient presented with abdominal pain and bloating associated with a medium abundance ascites on physical exam. Ultrasound showed a large left adnexal mass associated with an elevated cancer antigen 125 on serological exam. The patient underwent unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with resection of two omental nodules. Microscopic examination concluded to poorly differentiated Sertoli-Leydig tumor with rhabdomyomatous differentiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed and there was no clinical evidence of tumor recurrence during the three years of follow-up. DISCUSSION: SLCTs with rhabdomyomatous differentiation on the setting of xeroderma pigmentosum are exceptional, microscopic diagnosis and management is challenging, considering the tumor scarcity. CONCLUSION: Further case reports and retrospective studies are required to more understand the pathogenesis of SLCTs and to determine their optimal treatment regimen.

Significance of p53, p27, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and HER2 expression in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The study investigated the expression and the clinicopathological significance of p53, p27, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and HER2 in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) from Tunisian patients. We performed a retrospective study of 66 UTUC. Main clinicopathological features were reported. The expression of p53, p27, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and HER2 was investigated by immunohistochemistry on whole tissue section. RESULTS: Expression of p53, Ki-67, p27, E-cadherin, and HERE2 was reported in 36.4%, 69.7%, 90.9%, 100%, and 0% of cases, respectively. p53 expression was associated with stage (p = 0.001), positive surgical margin (p = 0.005), and shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS; Log Rank test, p = 0.026). Ki-67 and p27 expression was associated with stage (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and grade (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Using Kaplan-Meier test, the positive surgical margin was associated with shorter RFS compared to free surgical margin (Log Rank test, p = 0.031). Moreover, in univariate Cox regression analysis, surgical margin (p = 0.041; HR 0.325, 95% CI 0.110-0.956) and p53 expression (p = 0.035; HR 0.328, 95% CI 0.116-0.925) were the significant factors associated with RFS. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our findings suggest that positive surgical margin and p53 expression were potential prognostic factors of UTUC since both were associated with shorter RFS in Tunisian patients.

Investigation of Human Cytomegalovirus and Human Papillomavirus in Glioma.

The study investigated the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) in gliomas. A retrospective study was conducted on 112 samples. HCMV was investigated by PCR, in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry. HPV was tested by PCR and DNA ISH. HCMV was identified in 60 gliomas, including 55 GBM. However, RNA ISH and immunohistochemistry failed to detect HCMV positivity. HPV was identified in 44 GBM. No significant relationship was identified between HCMV and HPV and tumour characteristics (p > 0.05). Our findings support the HCMV and HPV presence in gliomas. Further assays are required to more explore the potential efficient antiviral management.

Investigation of simian virus 40 (SV40) and human JC, BK, MC, KI, and WU polyomaviruses in glioma.

The gliomagenesis remains not fully established and their etiological factors still remain obscure. Polyomaviruses were detected and involved in several human tumors. Their potential implication in gliomas has been not yet surveyed in Africa and Arab World. Herein, we investigated the prevalence of six polyomaviruses (SV40, JCPyV, BKPyV, MCPyV, KIPyV, and WUPyV) in 112 gliomas from Tunisian patients. The DNA sequences of polyomaviruses were examined by PCR assays. Viral infection was confirmed by DNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationships between polyomavirus infection and tumor features were evaluated. Specific SV40 Tag, viral regulatory, and VP1 regions were identified in 12 GBM (10.7%). DNA ISH targeting the whole SV40 genome and SV40 Tag IHC confirmed the PCR findings. Five gliomas yielded JCPyV positivity by PCR and DNA ISH (2.7%). However, no BKPyV, KIPyV, and WUPyV DNA sequences were identified in all samples. MCPyV DNA was identified in 30 gliomas (26.8%). For GBM samples, MCPyV was significantly related to patient age (p = 0.037), tumor recurrence (p = 0.024), and SV40 (p = 0.045) infection. No further significant association was identified with the remaining tumor features (p > 0.05) and patient survival (Log Rank, p > 0.05). Our study indicates the presence of SV40, JCPyV, and MCPyV DNA in Tunisian gliomas. Further investigations are required to more elucidate the potential involvement of polyomaviruses in these destructive malignancies.