Utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT scan in detecting bone marrow involvement in lymphoma.

Background & objectives: Evaluation of bone marrow infiltration in lymphoma is usually done by bone marrow biopsy (BMB). This study analyzed the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) to detect bone marrow involvement (BMI) compared to BMB. Methods: Treatment-naïve lymphoma patients underwent both 18F-FDG PET/CT scan and BMB before treatment initiation. BMI detected on PET/CT was compared with BMB. Results: The study population consisted of 80 patients and comprised 37 Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients, 30 aggressive non-HL (NHL) and 13 indolent NHL patients. The majority of the aggressive NHLs were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (20/30) and major indolent lymphoma was follicular lymphoma (5/13). When compared to BMB, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of focal (±diffuse) marrow FDG uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT were 100, 61.3, 33.3 and 100 per cent, respectively, for HL; 100, 65.4, 30.8 and 100 per cent, respectively, for aggressive NHL and 75, 80, 85.7 and 66.7 per cent, respectively, for indolent NHL. When comparing marrow involvement on 18F-FDG PET/CT to baseline BMB and/or resolution of bone marrow FDG uptake at interim/end-of-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 100 per cent each for HL and aggressive NHL and 77.3, 100, 100 and 66.7 per cent, respectively, for indolent NHL. Interpretation & conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT has a good sensitivity and NPV for detecting BMI in HL and aggressive lymphoma. The low specificity and PPV improved if marrow uptake pattern on interim or end-of-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was analyzed. In patients with HL who are staged with18F-FDG PET/CT at baseline and followed up with an interim/end-of-treatment PET/CT, baseline BMB may be avoided. For all other lymphoma subtypes, BMB may be essential if there is no marrow FDG uptake on PET/CT scan performed at baseline.

Malignant Melanoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Rare Entity.

INTRODUCTION: Although malignant melanomas (MM) are common in the head and neck region; primary malignant melanoma of the external auditory canal (EAC) is rare. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 50-year-old symptomatic man with a malignant melanoma of the external auditory canal, which clinically masqueraded as a haemangioma. The patient subsequently developed extensive loco-regional metastasis, requiring extensive surgery. We describe the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, both clinical and pathological in terms of other pigmented lesions in the external auditory canal, detailed histopathology, and literature review. CONCLUSION: We want to emphasize the importance of immediate and adequate biopsy of any pigmented lesion in the head and neck region to rule out MM. Also, we emphasize the importance of deep biopsy for proper histopathological assessment in addition to distinguishing it from benign melanocytic nevi, in order to initiate treatment.

Brush Cytology and AgNOR in the Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the role of brush cytology in the screening of oral lesions with malignant suspicion and compare it with histopathology in north-eastern India. STUDY DESIGN: Brush cytology samples taken from 48 patients were processed for conventional cytology (CC) and liquid-based cytology (LBC), and biopsy samples were also obtained. LBC samples were also stained to assess the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR). The cytology was compared with histopathology, both individually and in combination with AgNOR. The smear quality was compared with histopathology for evaluating their diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The sensitivity of diagnosing oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma by LBC and CC alone was 75 and 85%, respectively, which improved on combining with the AgNOR count, with a cutoff of 6.5. The presence of round cells on cytology was significantly associated with high-grade lesions. LBC provided clearer cytomorphology but compromised the background information in high-grade lesions. CONCLUSION: Brush cytology is a minimally invasive tool for screening oral lesions with malignant suspicion. LBC and CC are complementary techniques for cytological screening and combining them with AgNOR can increase the diagnostic yield. With objective criteria for assessment, cytology can be an indispensable tool for screening oral lesions in a resource-limited set-up, especially in high-incidence regions.

Analysis of Epstein Barr Virus Encoded RNA Expression in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in North-Eastern India: A Chromogenic in Situ Hybridization Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer in the North-East region of India. Though the role of environmental contributors of NPC in the North-Eastern part of India is firmly established, EBV as an etiological agent in the region remains unexplored. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients, who presented at the department of ENT, NEIGRIHMS and were confirmed as NPC upon histopathological examination, were included in the study. Chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH) was used for the evaluation of EBER (Epstein Barr Virus Encoded RNA). Presence of nuclear signals was taken as positive for EBER expression. EBER status was correlated with various clinicopathological parameters like age, sex, dietary habits, histological types of NPC, and ethnicity of the patients. RESULTS: The age range of the study group was 25 to 70 years with a mean age of 44.64 years and a male:female ratio of 3:2. Non-keratinizing undifferentiated type of NPC was the most common histological type. EBV was positive in 59% (30/51) of our cases. It showed a statistically significant correlation with the Naga community (P=0.01), with consumption of smoked food (P=0.02), and cigarette smoking (P=0.02). There was no correlation of EBV with age, sex, lymph node metastasis, stage, and histology. CONCLUSION: Our result indicates that EBV may be an additional risk factor in the pathogenesis of NPC in this region of India. So apart from lifestyle modification, a future study for a screening test for EBV viral load even in asymptomatic patients may be considered, for determination of disease susceptibility, early diagnosis, and proper management.

Natural Killer Cell Lymphoma: A Case with Classification Dilemma.

Non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the Natural Killer (NK) cell type is rare. World Health Organisation recognises 3 NK-cell phenotypic entities; extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENK/TL); aggressive NK cell leukaemia (ANKL); and chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells (CLPD-NK) which is classified as a provisional entity. Though specific clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic criteria have been laid down to diagnose these conditions there may however, be considerable variations in the clinical presentation making diagnosis difficult. We present a case with contrasting clinical and haematopathological findings posing difficulty in its diagnosis and classification, and despite the aggressive presentation showing favourable response to treatment.

Primary urinary bladder mucosa associated lymphoid tissue type lymphoma presenting as a close mimic for genitourinary tuberculosis: Case report and review of literature.

Primary lymphoma of the urinary bladder is a rare entity. It has a distinctively different presentation than the urothelial carcinoma, which is the most common form of bladder cancer, but might mimic inflammatory lesions such as tubercular cystitis, clinically as well as radiologically. We present a case of primary extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the bladder, which was a close mimicker of tuberculosis, leading to delay in diagnosis. We highlight the role of biopsy in prompt diagnosis of these cases. We emphasize on the high index of suspicion required to identify such cases at an early stage, which has pronounced prognostic implications.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the urinary bladder: A rare case report.

Bladder cancers are the second most common urogenital malignancy, its most common type being urothelial carcinoma. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) which is commonly described in the nasopharynx is a very rare presentation in the bladder. Diagnosis of this entity poses a histopathological challenge. Nonetheless, the correct diagnosis is important as it implies a different therapeutic approach with the potential bladder salvage treatment protocol. We here present a case of an 87-year-old man, who was diagnosed as LELC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of LELC reported from India in English literature.

Analysis of Human Papilloma Virus 16/18 DNA and its Correlation with p16 Expression in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma in North-Eastern India: A Chromogenic in-situ Hybridization Based Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is quite high in North Eastern India. Apart from the traditional risk factors like tobacco and alcohol consumption, human papilloma virus (HPV) is now considered an established causative agent. These HPV related tumour have a clinico-pathological profile that is quite divergent from conventional non-HPV related tumours. Association of HPV in oral cancers has not been explored in north-east India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) on treatment from October 2010 to January 2013 were included in the study. Patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. HPV 16/18 DNA was evaluated using Chromogenic in-situ Hybridization (CISH). Presence of nuclear signals was taken as positive HPV expression. p16 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and was considered positive if ≥ 80% of the tumour cells showed strong and diffuse nuclear/cytoplasmic immunostaining. The results were analysed using Fisher exact test and confidence interval was calculated where required. RESULTS: The study group age ranged from 30 to 80 years (median age- 54.2 years). The most common site was gum, with well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma being the most common histology. HPV 16/18 DNA was positive in 29% (95% CI: 13.03% - 44.97%) cases and had a clear tendency towards statistical significance with non-smoker cases (p=0.05), lymph node metastasis (p=0.05) and a significant correlation with p16 overexpression (p=0.04). There was no significant correlation with other clinico-pathological parameters. CONCLUSION: HPV 16/18 is associated with OSCC, commonly seen among non-smokers and may be related to nodal metastasis. So, HPV may be used as a prognostic factor in OSCC and p16 may be considered as a surrogate marker for HPV.