Myeloid sarcoma and extramedullary hematopoiesis expand the spectrum of ERG-positive proliferations: an ancillary tool in the diagnosis.

ERG overexpression has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia/myeloid sarcoma (MS). The aim of our study was to identify the frequency of ERG immunohistochemical (IHC) expression in MS (n = 21), blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCNs; n = 8), extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH: n = 9), normal and pathological bone marrow trephine biopsies (BM-TBs, n = 18), and the marrow component of adrenal myelolipomas (n = 15). ERG-positive and ERG-negative immunostains were identified in 68.4% and 31.5% of patients with MS, respectively (2-3+, 20% to >90% of cells), while all BPDCNs were negative. ERG + MS cases were over-represented in those of myeloid differentiation when compared with those of pure monocytic/monoblastic differentiation, which were ERG-negative (P=<0.001). ERG was expressed in immature myeloid cells in 100% of cases of EMH, BM-TBs, and adrenal myelolipomas (n = 42), resulting in a sensitivity of 100% in this setting. Negative ERG immunostaining was also 100% sensitive in discriminating cells of erythroid lineage, mature lymphocytes, and reactive or neoplastic plasma cells. Variable IHC expression occurred in megakaryocytes and neutrophils. In summary, we confirmed a high frequency of ERG expression in MS and identified ubiquitous expression in non-neoplastic immature myeloid lineage cells. We believe that ERG can be of diagnostic utility to identify neoplastic and reactive myeloid infiltrates in peripheral tissues and possibly as an ancillary marker to exclude the diagnosis of BPDCNs when positive. However, ERG must be used in an antibody panel, as expression is not limited to myeloid cells.

Monotypic Plasma Cell Proliferation of Uncertain Clinical Significance Mimicking Interstitial Cystitis: An Early Lesion of MALT Lymphoma?

We prospectively studied our institutional experience of bladder extranodal marginal zone (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT]) lymphoma including bladder biopsies in which the possibility of MALT lymphoma was considered. We identified a subset of cases primary to the urinary bladder, presenting with prominent plasma cell infiltrates and symptoms mimicking bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis. These proliferations were designated for this study as "monotypic plasma cell proliferation of uncertain clinical significance" (MPCP-US), as the features were insufficient for diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. We identified 33 patients, consisting of 22 cases of MPCP-US (6 of which were associated with amyloid deposition) and 11 cases of MALT lymphoma. MPCP-US was more prevalent in men (73%), a mass lesion was not identified at cystoscopy, and only 1 case had an accompanying urinary tract infection (4.5%). Histologically, MPCP-US presented as monotypic plasma cells arranged in a superficial band-like distribution in the lamina propria, predominantly kappa restricted (68%) and IgA+ or IgM+ (64% and 23%, respectively) and without a histologic mass of atypical B cells or plasma cells, not diagnostic for established MALT lymphoma or plasmacytoma. Secondary involvement of the bladder by other lymphoproliferative disorders was excluded and there was no evidence of progressive disease. MALT lymphomas are presented for comparison and our analysis demonstrated that MPCP-US represent a different clinicopathologic entity compared with classic MALT lymphoma. We present the first series of cases of MPCP-US. The recognition of this entity is fundamental to the development of management protocols to relieve intractable symptoms mimicking bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis in these patients.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of neuroendocrine breast carcinoma metastatic to the thyroid. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Tumors showing neuroendocrine differentiation arise in a wide range of organs, and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors may be difficult to differentiate from primary tumors. This report describes an unusual case of metastatic breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation that presented as a solitary thyroid nodule. The diagnosis was made by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). CASE: A 52-year-old woman presented with a thyroid nodule and bilateral enlarged supraclavicular fossa lymph nodes. FNAB revealed a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Further questioning revealed that the patient had had a breast carcinoma resected eight years previously. The diagnosis of metastatic neuroendocrine breast carcinoma was established by immunocytochemistry. The patient received antiestrogen therapy but subsequently developed skeletal metastases. CONCLUSION: Neuroendocrine carcinomas from various sites show similar cytologic features. In this case, a diagnosis of breast carcinoma metastatic to the thyroid was suggested by the clinical history and confirmed by FNAB with immunocytochemistry.