Expression of TLE-1 in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour and Its Relationship to Clinicopathological Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance of the TLE-1 expression in GISTs, and evaluate the predictive value of TLE-1 expression in patient survival. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: The archives Department of Pathology, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey, between 2010 and 2021. METHODOLOGY: Fifty patients diagnosed with GIST were included in the study. The diagnosis of GIST was confirmed in all tumours with an immunohistochemistry panel comprising CD117, DOG1, CD34, SMA, S100, and Ki67. The expression of TLE-1 in all tumours was evaluated. Positive and negative predictive values between pathological parameters findings were evaluated and differences between methods were evaluated using 2019 Medcalc. The correlations between the immunoscore value and prognostic parameters were analysed using correlation chi-square test. RESULTS: Among 50 patients, 31(62%) were males, and 19 (38%) were females. The mean age was 59±13.5 (24-78) years. The tumour grade showed a significant positive correlation with the number of mitoses, tumour size, presence of metastases, and the Ki67 proliferation index. A significant positive correlation was observed between CD117 and DOG-1 immunostaining (r= 0.64, p<0.001). Ki67 index was found to be directly proportional to number of mitoses, tumour size, and DOG-1 expression. Although TLE-1 showed a significant relationship with tumour type (p=0.034), it did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with mitosis, tumour grade, or survival. Compared to the spindle cell type, mixed and epithelioid type tumours were immunostained with TLE-1 more frequently and intensely. CONCLUSION: While GISTs showed a close relationship with classical prognostic factors, TLE-1 tumour expression was not associated with any prognostic parameter other than the tumour type. Moreover, using an immunostaining panel that includes other sarcomas in the differential diagnosis, especially in tumours with mixed or epithelioid patterns. Molecular genetic confirmation will help the patient in terms of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment in difficult cases. KEY WORDS: Gastrointestinal stromal tumour, TLE-1, Prognosis, Survival.

Malignant congenital orbital teratoma: Glioblastoma multiforme with primitive neuronal pattern and choroid plexus papilloma: A rare diagnosis at an unusual age.

Childhood orbital teratomas are usually congenital lesions that are most often present at birth with progressive, massive unilateral proptosis. During the routine controls of 27-year-old woman between 26-27th weeks of pregnancy her fetal ultrasonography (USG) revealed a mass in the eye of the fetus, and termination was recommended. The family refused the termination option and in the 37th week of pregnancy, vaginal delivery is performed in an external medical center. The mass in the baby's eye was surgically removed. Microscopic examination revealed disorganized ocular tissues, adipose tissue, microcalcification, nerve plexuses as well as areas of neuronal nodules including hypercellular areas, palisatic necrosis, and microvascular proliferation. The immunprofile--patchy GFAP staining in the areas of cellular epithelioid and spindled cells that also show an focal and sparse expression p53 staining and a high proliferation rate in Ki67 staining--confirmed the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) impression of a teratoma with a component of glioblastoma (GBM). In this unique presentation of a malignant orbital teratoma with a GBM, we have identified three tumor components: (1) GBM component, (2) nodules of neuroglial tissue with mature neurons and BRAF mutation, and (3) papillary proliferation possibly representing a choroid plexus papilloma.

Medulloblastoma: Clinicopathological Correlates of SHH, WNT, and Non-WNT/SHH Molecular Subgroups Analysis and Prognostic Significance: Mono-Institutional Series.

AIM: To reevaluate the medulloblastoma cases according to histomorphological and molecular features, and to investigate the relationship between the prognostic factors of the new WHO classification by applying Beta-catenin, YAP1, GAP1, p53, and INI1 antibodies immunohistochemically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study includes 41 patients who have been diagnosed with medulloblastoma between 2007-2019 in pathology department. Immunohistochemically, p53, beta-catenin, YAP1, GAP1, and INI1 immune markers were applied, and the relationship between the results and the prognostic parameters was evaluated statistically. RESULTS: When 41 patients were classified into WHO medulloblastoma histological subtype groups according to histomorphological features, 22 (53.7%) patients were classified as classical type, 11 (26.8%) patients as desmoplastic nodular type, and 8 (19.5%) patients as large cell/anaplastic type medulloblastoma. According to their molecular characteristics, 14 (34.1%) patients were in the Non-WNT/SHH group, 5 (12.2%) patients were SHH mutant, 17 (41.5%) patients were SHH wild, and 5 (12.2%) patients were in the WNT active group. There was no statistically significant correlation between age, gender, tumor size, recurrence, Ki67 proliferation index with molecular types and histopathological types. CONCLUSION: In our study, metastasis at the time of diagnosis, histological large cell anaplastic type, immunohistochemical p53 positivity, molecular SHH mutant type were the statistically significant indicators of worse prognosis and shorter survival time.

Intra-abdominal Actinomycosis Imitating Sigmoid Colon Cancer: A Case Report.

Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial disease characterized by chronic or subacute suppurative inflammation. Abdominal actinomycosis is rarer and accounts for approximately 20% of all actinomycosis cases. In the literature, patients who underwent surgery for actinomycosis mimicking malignant tumors have been reported. Most of these patients had mucosal trauma and inflammation signs. It is often difficult to diagnose abdominal actinomycosis preoperatively and often impossible to distinguish it from a malignant tumor. We present a case that preoperatively was diagnosed as a malignant tumor but pathological evaluation reported to be diverticulitis and actinomycosis. This case can increase the awareness about this disease, which is possible to be treated non-surgically.

The relationship between fibrosis and nodule structure and esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the histopathological findings of cirrhosis together with clinical and laboratory parameters, and to investigate their relationship with esophageal varices that are portal hypertension findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 (42 male and 25 female) patients who were diagnosed with cirrhosis were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 51.6±19.0 (1-81) years. The biopsy specimens of the patients were graded in terms of fibrosis, nodularity, loss of portal area, central venous loss, inflammation, and steatosis. The spleen sizes were graded ultrasonographically, and the esophageal varices were graded endoscopically. RESULTS: In the multivariate regression analysis, there was a correlation between the advanced disease stage (Child-Pugh score odds ratio (OR): 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.018-2.121, p=0.040), presence of micronodularity (OR: 0.318, 95% CI: 0.120-0.842, p=0.021), grade of central venous loss (OR: 5.231, 95% CI: 1.132-24.176, p=0.034), and presence of esophageal varicose veins. CONCLUSION: Although thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly may predict the presence of large esophageal varices, cirrhosis histopathology is the main factor in the presence of varices.

Multiple Extraneural Metastases of Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma.

Oligodendrogliomas (ODGs) is a diffuse glial tumor that constitutes 4.2% of all brain tumors. Extraneural metastases, sometimes seen in glioblastoma multiforme, are extremely rare in ODG. In this report, we present a 63-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with Grade 3 ODG and had an intracranial mass resected in our clinic 4 years ago. The subject now presented with low back pain and was found to have widespread metastases. The prolongation of patient survival by current treatment regimens has revealed a growing number of ODG patients with metastases. We believe that back pain complaints in patients with ODG should be viewed as an indicator of metastasis.

Brain Metastasis Of Penile Angiosarcoma.

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy originating from vascular endothelial cells. Brain metastasis of aniosarcomas are uncommon up to the literature. Penile angiosarcomas are also seldom among all anjiosarcomas. A case with penile angiosarcoma with confirmed brain metastasis is aimed to be reported and contribute to the literature for similar cases.

An Unusual Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Presentain: Breast, Liver and Lymph Node Metastasis.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) are the common mesenchymal tumors of gastrointestinal tract. They can display benign and malignant clinical behavior. The most common metastasis sites of malignant stromal tumor are liver, peritoneum, lung and bones. Metastasis to breast is extremely rare. Here, we present a case of GIST with liver, bone, lymph node and breast metastasis by reviewing the literature.

Stubborn hiccups as a sign of massive apoplexy in a naive acromegaly patient with pituitary macroadenoma.

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) may very rarely present with hiccups. A 32-year-old man with classical acromegaloid features was admitted with headache, nausea, vomiting and stubborn hiccups. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated apoplexy of a macroadenoma with suprasellar extension abutting the optic chiasm. Plasma growth hormone (GH) levels exhibited suppression (below <1 ng/mL) at all time points during GH suppression test with 75 g oral glucose. After treatment with corticosteroid agents, he underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery and hiccups disappeared postoperatively. The GH secretion potential of the tumor was clearly demonstrated immunohistochemically. We conclude that stubborn hiccups in a patient with a pituitary macroadenoma may be a sign of massive apoplexy that may result in hormonal remission. LEARNING POINTS: Patients with pituitary apoplexy may rarely present with hiccups.Stubborn hiccupping may be a sign of generalized infarction of a large tumor irritating the midbrain.Infarction can be so massive that it may cause cessation of hormonal overproduction and result in remission.

Massive Calcified Cerebellar Pilocytic Astrocytoma with Rapid Recurrence : A Rare Case.

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are World Heath Organization Grade I tumors and are most common in children. PA calcification is not a common finding and has been reported more frequently in the optic nerve, hypothalamic/thalamus and superficially located cerebral tumors. We present a cerebellar PA in a 3-year-old male patient with cystic components and massive calcification areas. The residual tumor grew rapidly after the first operation, and the patient was operated on again. A histopathological examination revealed polar spongioblastoma-like cells. Massive calcification is not a common feature in PAs and can lead to difficulties in radiological and pathological differential diagnoses.

A Rare Case of Concomitant Intramedullary Gangliocytoma at the Cervicomedullary Junction in Patient with Neuroendocrine Tumor of Lung.

Ganglion cell tumors (GCT) are divided into two subtypes : gangliocytoma and ganglioglioma. Intramedullary gangliocytomas are extremely rare. A 20-year-old male patient with pain of neck, who also had a previously known neuroendocrine tumor of lung, was operated for mass found in the cervicomedullary junction with a presumptive diagnosis of metastases. Only partial resection could be performed. Pathological diagnosis had been reported as gangliocytoma. Only ten cases of intramedullary gangliocytoma have been reported in the literature. Although association with scoliosis and Von Recklinghausen's disease were previously reported in the literature, no gangliocytoma case concomitant with endocrine tumor of lung have been published. Pathological study is the most important diagnostic method for gangliocytomas. Surgical excision is the primary treatment, but difficulty in total surgical tumor resection is the most important problem.

Does bee pollen cause to eosinophilic gastroenteropathy?

Bee pollen is given to children by mothers in order to strengthen their immune systems. There are no studies related with the side effects of bee polen in the literature. In this article, the literature was reviewed by presenting a case of allergic eosinophilic gastropathy related with bee polen. A 5-year old child was admitted due to abdominal pain. Edema was detected on the eyelids and pretibial region. In laboratory investigations, pathology was not detected in terms of hepatic and renal causes that would explain the protein loss of the patient diagnosed with hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Urticaria was detected during the follow-up visit. When the history of the patient was deepened, it was learned that bee pollen was given to the patient every day. The total eosinophil count was found to be 1 800/mm(3). Allergic gastroenteropathy was considered because of hypereosinophilia and severe abdominal pain and endoscopy was performed. Biopsy revealed abundant eosinophils in the whole gastric mucosa. A diagnosis of allergic eosinophilic gastropathy was made. Bee polen was discontinued. Abdominal pain and edema disappeared in five days. Four weeks later, the levels of serum albumin and total eosinophil returned to normal.

Isolated jejunal metastasis in a patient with cervical cancer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: In approximately 8% of cervical carcinoma patients, gastrointestinal tract is involved, most commonly the rectosigmoid portion, because of local extension. Isolated metastases to small bowel are exceedingly rare. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with cervical cancer who developed isolated jejunal metastasis 8 months after postoperative chemoradiotherapy. The patient was alive with no evidence of disease 6 months after resection of metastasis. Very few cases have been reported concerning squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with documented metastases to the small bowel. There is only one published case report of cervical cancer with multiple metastases to the small intestine and jejunum. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cervical cancer with isolated jejunal metastasis, which was initially demonstrated with positron emission tomography and confirmed histopathologically. CONCLUSION: Although the exact mechanism underlying the isolated metastasis is unknown, hematogenous spread or tumor seeding during surgery may play a role.

Outcomes of surgical treatment of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum: 22 cases reviewed with literature.

Colorectal primary signet ring cell carcinoma (PSRCCR) is a rare entity with a dismal prognosis, mainly because of delayed diagnosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors for PSRCCR. This is a retrospective study including the data of 22 patients with PSRCCR who underwent surgery. Patients were categorized by age, sex, tumor site, and stage. Fifteen patients were male. Median age was 40 years. Sites for metastases were lymph nodes (86.4%), peritoneum (40.9%), and liver (9.1%). Most of the patients (91%) had stage III or IV tumors. The rates of curative and palliative resections performed were equal. Mean overall survival and mean progression-free survival times were found to be 33.3 ± 7.1 months (95% confidence interval, 19.4-47.2 months) and 11.8 ± 3.5 months (95% confidence interval, 4.9-18.7 months), respectively. It was concluded that site of the tumor, presence of bowel obstruction, peritoneum and lung metastases, adjacent organ infiltration, TNM stage, and efficiency of surgery have significant effects on survival. All in all, these aggressive tumors are generally diagnosed at advanced stages. Depending on the situation, survival is shorter. A high degree of vigilance is required for these patients to avoid the negative impact of late diagnosis on survival.

Unusual findings in appendectomy specimens of adults: retrospective analyses of 1466 patients and a review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Diseases and tumors of the appendix vermiformis are very rare, except acute appendicitis. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study was conducted to document the unusual findings in appendectomy specimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 1466 adult patients were gathered retrospectively. Appendectomy was performed in 1169 and in 297 patients following a diagnosis of acute appendicitis and during other abdominal operations, respectively. The data of 57 (3.88 %) patients who were pathologically reported to have unusual appendix findings were retrospectively collected. The records were analyzed according to patients' age, gender, clinical presentations, operative reports, pathological reports and follow up. RESULTS: Unusual pathologic examination findings were detected in the appendectomy specimens of 57 patients with a mean age of 48.34 ± 19. Twenty-nine patients (50.8 %) were male and 28 (49.2 %) were female. Normal appendix tissues were observed in specimens of 26 (45.6 %) patients and inflamed appendix in 31 (54.3 %). The most common unusual finding was parasitic diseases of the intestine. Pathological diagnosis of malignancy and benign features were reported in specimens of 14 and 43 patients, respectively. Macroscopic evaluation of appendectomy specimens during surgery might result in negligence of the presence of unusual pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Even if the macroscopic appearance of the specimen is normal or acute appendicitis, we suggest routine histopathological examination.

Lack of prognostic significance of C-erbB-2 expression in low- and high- grade astrocytomas.

BACKGROUND: Astrocytic tumors, the most common primary glial tumors of the central nervous system, are classified from low to high grade according to the degree of anaplasia and presence of necrosis. Despite advances in therapeutic management of high grade astrocytic tumors, prognosis remains poor. In the present study, the frequency and prognostic significance of c-erb-B2 in astrocytic tumors was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 72 patients with low- and high-grade astrocytic tumors were evaluated. The expression of C-erbB-2 was determined immunohistochemically and intensity was recorded as 0 to 3+. Tumors with weak staining (1+) or no staining (0) were considered Her-2 negative, while tumors with moderate (2+) and strong (3+) staining were considered Her-2 positive. RESULTS: Of the 72 patients, 41 (56.9%) had glioblastoma (GBM), 10 (13.9%) had diffuse astrocytoma, 15 (20.8%) had anaplastic astrocytoma, 6 (8.3%) had pilocytic astrocytoma. C-erbB-2 overexpression was detected in the tumor specimens of 17 patients (23.6%). Six (8.3%) tumors, all GBMs, exhibited strong staining, 2 (2.7%) specimens, both GBMs, exhibited moderate staining, and 9 specimens, 5 of them GBMs (12.5%), exhibited weak staining. No staining was observed in diffuse astrocytoma and pilocytic astrocytoma specimens. Median overall survival of patients with C-erbB-2 negative and C-erbB-2 positive tumors were 30 months (95%CI: 22.5-37.4 months) and 16.9 months (95%CI: 4.3-29.5 months), respectively (p=0.244). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no difference in survival, C-erbB-2 overexpression was observed only in the GBM subtype.

Parasitic infections of the appendix as a cause of appendectomy in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of frequency and clinical findings of parasitic infections for etiology of acute appendicitis. METHODS: Data of 1452 patients who were carried out appendectomy between January 1999 and December 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Appendectomy was performed in 1159 of the patients with a pre diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Demographics, physical findings, radiologic and laboratory studies, operative findings, pathological results, presence and type of parasitosis were investigated. RESULTS: Among the 1159 patients done appendectomy with a pre diagnosis of acute appendicitis, 719 (62%) were males and 440 (38%) were females. Parasitic infection was demonstrated in 17 (1.4%) of them. Mean average age of these patients was 36.6 ± 20.1 years. Enterobius vermicularis was present in 15 (88.2%) and Entamoeba histolytica in 2 (11.8%) of the patients. Of the pathology specimens of appendix consisting Enterobius vermicularis, 12 (80%) were normal appendix tissues, 1 (6.6%) was acute uncomplicated appendicitis and 2 (13.3%) were perforated appendicitis. One (50%) of the two specimens consisting Entamoeba histolytica was normal appendix and the other (50%) was acute appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of parasitic infections in etiology of acute appendicitis should be made properly. It must be remembered that this attention can save patients from a negative laparotomy and morbidity and mortality of it.

Is availability of anti-EGFR therapy for the colorectal adenocarcinomas showing fascin expression limited?

Colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) is a major cause of death. Fascin expression in CRCs was proved to be related with higher metastatic rates and poor prognosis, while metastatic patients with only wild type K-RAS gene are the candidates of recent molecularly targeted anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies. This study is designed to investigate the correlation between the fascin expression status and the K-RAS mutational status of CRCs in order to assess the availability rate of anti-EGFR therapies for patients with fascin-expressing CRCs. Immunohistochemical expression of fascin and mutational status of K-RAS were investigated in the archival materials of randomly selected 50 metastatic colorectal carcinoma patients. Strength of fascin expression and tumor percentage stained with fascin were scored semi quantitatively. c.34 > C (p.G12R), c.35 g > C (p.G12C), c.34G > A (p.G12S), c.35G > A (p.G12D), c.35G > T (p.G12V), c.35G > C (p.G12A), and c.38G > A (p.G13.D) mutations in K-RAS gene were studied by using RT-PCR. In immunohistochemical evaluation, 32 of the 50 cases stained positive with fascin, while 21 were positive for K-RAS mutations in codon 12 (10 patients) or in codon 13 (3 patients). The correlation between the positivity of fascin and the presence of K-RAS mutations, the strength of fascin staining and the presence of K-RAS mutations, and the tumor cell percentage stained with fascin and the presence of K-RAS mutations were found statistically significant. The results of this study suggest that patients with fascin-expressing CRCs have a greater tendency to carry an activating K-RAS mutation which will prevent them from taking targeted anti-EGFR therapies. Larger series are needed to confirm these results.