RESUMEN
Karthik DhandapanCystic hypersecretory carcinoma (CHC) is a rare subset of in-situ breast carcinoma with or without associated invasive carcinoma. It is part of a spectrum of cystic hypersecretory lesions that includes cystic hypersecretory hyperplasia (CHH), CHH with atypia, CHC in situ, and CHC with invasion. Only 20 cases of CHC with invasion have been reported so far. A 60-year-old female presented with a palpable right breast mass. A core needle biopsy was carried out, which was reported as invasive breast carcinoma with areas of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Modified radical mastectomy was done post-neo-adjuvant chemotherapy; On microscopy, dilated cystic spaces filled with eosinophilic secretions (thyroid colloid-like), lining neoplastic cells with variable degrees of proliferation and atypia were seen. There were multiple foci of invasion; both skin invasion and axillary lymph node metastasis were present. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was done with relevant markers; correlating all these findings, a diagnosis of CHC with invasion was made. CHC is a distinct form of DCIS with or without associated invasion. Awareness of this entity is required to rule out other differential diagnoses and to avoid misinterpretation. Little is known about the IHC profile, biological behavior, prognosis, and molecular profile of CHC due to its rarity.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Supratentorial ependymomas (STEs) are an aggressive group of ependymomas, topographically distinct from their posterior fossa and spinal counterparts. Zinc finger translocation associated (ZFTA) fusion-positive cases have been reported to account for the majority of STEs, although data on its association with poorer outcomes are inconsistent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the prevalence of the ZFTA fusion by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization in a cohort of 61 patients (68 samples) with STE. Our primary outcome was to determine the role of the ZFTA fusion on progression-free and overall survival of patients with STE. Our secondary objectives were to assess the impact of ZFTA fusion on nuclear factor (NF)-kB pathway signaling via surrogate markers of this pathway, namely COX-2, CCND1, and L1 cell adhesion molecule. RESULTS: ZFTA fusion was noted in 21.3% of STEs in our cohort. The presence of this rearrangement did not significantly impact the progression-free or overall survival of patients with STEs and was not associated with upregulation of markers of the NF-kB pathway. Only gross total resection was significantly associated with better progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: In contradiction to previous reports from across the world, the ZFTA fusion is far less prevalent among our population. It does not appear to drive NF-kB signaling or significantly affect outcomes. Gross total resection must be attempted in all cases of STE and adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy employed when gross total resection is not achieved.
