MMP-11 expression in early luminal breast cancer: associations with clinical, MRI, pathological characteristics, and disease-free survival.

BACKGROUND: Early hormone-positive breast cancers typically have favorable outcomes, yet long-term surveillance is crucial due to the risk of late recurrences. While many studies associate MMP-11 expression with poor prognosis in breast cancer, few focus on early-stage cases. This study explores MMP-11 as an early prognostic marker in hormone-positive breast cancers. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 228 women with early hormone-positive invasive ductal carcinoma, treated surgically between 2011 and 2016, were included. MMP-11 expression was measured by immunohistochemistry, and its association with clinical and MRI data was analyzed. RESULTS: Among the patients (aged 31-89, median 60, with average tumor size of 15.7 mm), MMP-11 staining was observed in half of the cases. This positivity correlated with higher uPA levels and tumor grade but not with nodal status or size. Furthermore, MMP-11 positivity showed specific associations with MRI features. Over a follow-up period of 6.5 years, only 12 oncological events occurred. Disease-free survival was linked to Ki67 and MMP-11. CONCLUSION: MMP-11, primarily present in tumor-surrounding stromal cells, correlates with tumor grade and uPA levels. MMP-11 immunohistochemical score demonstrates a suggestive trend in association with disease-free survival, independent of Ki67 and other traditional prognostic factors. This highlights the potential of MMP-11 as a valuable marker in managing early hormone-positive breast cancer.

Bilateral Ovarian Metastases of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosed with 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in a Patient with Endometriosis.

A 47-year-old woman with history of hepatocellular carcinoma was referred for 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT evaluation due to elevated alpha-fetoprotein. The examination showed several peritoneal uptakes and two nodular pelvic foci. Coelioscopic exploration allowed confirmation and resection of multiple peritoneal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma while pelvic biopsies revealed endometriosis and endosalpingiosis. However, alpha-fetoprotein kept rising: subsequent 18F-fluorodesoxyglucose PET/CT exploration found no pelvic uptake, while 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT revealed intense tracer accumulation in the two pelvic masses corresponding to bilateral ovarian metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma. We highlight the importance of 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT in hepatocellular carcinoma especially in patients with confounding comorbidities such as endometriosis.

Be careful with lentils! About a forensic observation.

The discovery of exogenous particles in the broncho-pulmonary tree is frequently described in forensic literature, especially in lung samples, in the context of aspirated gastric content during the death agony period or during resuscitation. We report an original observation of a multi-visceral dispersion of exogenous particles detected, in an 8-year-old boy, who allegedly fell from a 2-m high brick-wall. The autopsy found major liver fracture and diaphragm rupture with massive internal hemorrhage without gastric wall rupture. The histological analyses have identified round to oval bodies in the lung bronchi, alveoli, and, rarely, in vascular sections, and also on the surface of several samples. These particles stained strongly pink by the periodic acid Schiff method, evoking dried vegetables. Two hypotheses were invoked: aspirated vegetable particles into the bronchial tree or parasitic infection, like pinworm larva. In order to characterize the nature of these particles, different legumes were cooked, embedded in paraffin wax, and examined under light microscope. Simultaneously, morphological comparison between the gastric content and pinworm larva and lentils was made and a PCR analysis was performed on gastric fluid sample. The DNA sequencing showed a Fabaceae plant family, Lens culinaris. The possibility of a hematogenous dissemination of the starch grains during a perimortem aspiration of gastric content seems unlikely, and a contamination from the gastric content of the organs samples during the autopsy or the pathologic macroscopic and microscopic processes seems to be the principal hypothesis. The formal identification of such particles is important to avoid the misdiagnosis of a potential parasitic infection. The risk of confusion can be detrimental in some circumstances.

The Importance of Autopsy in a Case of Digestive Perforation Undetected by Postmortem Computed Tomography.

ABSTRACT: Cases of foreign body ingestion in the forensic literature are mainly described in children or psychiatric patients. Postmortem imaging can detect most foreign bodies, but its sensitivity depends, among other things, on the type of item and its location. In some cases, the ingestion of foreign bodies can remain unnoticed and have serious consequences for the patient. We describe the case of a patient who died in a psychiatric seclusion room with no obvious cause and for whom a forensic autopsy was requested. Further investigations showed the existence of a subdural hematoma associated with a midline shift, secondary to a skull fracture that was considered to be the cause of death. Toxicological analyses identified in blood several drugs, including diazepam (24 ng/mL) and its major metabolite nordazepam (24 ng/mL), propranolol (57 ng/mL), paliperidone (9 ng/mL), and loxapine (620 ng/mL). The forensic autopsy revealed the existence of a gastrointestinal perforation after the ingestion of a plastic teaspoon, which the postmortem CT scan had failed to detect. Although technological advances continue to assist the forensic pathologist in his diagnosis, autopsy still has a leading role in forensic investigations and does not yet seem to be replaceable by imaging techniques alone.

Paraplegia as a presentation of primary hyperoxaluria.

30% of the patients suffering from hyperoxaluria type 1 are diagnosed only when they already had reached end-stage renal disease. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with history of chronic kidney failure presenting with paraplegia due to spinal cord compression by thoracic mass-like lesions. Bone biopsy specimen obtained by decompressive laminectomy revealed calcium oxalate deposits. Once diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria was confirmed, she underwent haemodialysis with incomplete improvement of her neurological disorders and was registered on the waiting list for transplantation.

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma: A clinicopathological study of 19 cases.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinomas (ADPA) are malignant tumors of sweat glands having recurrence/metastatic potential. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the clinical/histopathological characteristics of a series of ADPA. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of 19 ADPA. RESULTS: The tumors occurred in 17 men and 2 women (mean age: 47 years). They involved digits (15), big toe (3), and palm (1), and measured from 3 to 30 mm. They were mostly solid and cystic, with papillary projections and tubular structures. Atypia was mostly mild to moderate. Tumors tested positive for p63, keratin 7, keratin 77 (eccrine duct-specific), PHLDA1, and epithelial membrane antigen in most cases, and for carcinoembryonic antigen, smooth muscle actin, S100 protein, estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors in 50%. Mean Ki67 proliferation index was 15%. Local recurrence was observed in 4 cases. One patient had axillary lymph node metastasis. Histopathologic parameters were not predictive of evolution. Conservative surgical treatment, performed in 7 of 19 cases, did not result in more recurrences than amputation. LIMITATIONS: The study was retrospective and the number of cases is small. CONCLUSION: ADPA are histologically variable, but papillary projections are always present. Keratin 77 expression suggests an eccrine origin. P63 is helpful to exclude metastasis. Conservative surgery may be sufficient in some cases.