Bone metastatic carcinoma coexisting with plasma cell myeloma: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple myeloma is a clonal plasma cell proliferation often causing bone lytic lesions. It is sometimes challenging to differentiate these lytic lesions associated with multiple myeloma from bone destruction due to a metastasis. Although coexistence of solid tumors and plasma cell myeloma in one patient has been described, synchronous skeletal metastases from both neoplasms occurring in the same bone lesion is exceptional. Indeed, only one case has been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report a case involving a 68-year-old Caucasian male patient admitted to our department for coronavirus disease 2019 infection with incidental finding of multiple lytic bone lesions during hospitalization. Laboratory tests revealed an increased immunoglobulin G kappa M protein and high levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Bone marrow aspiration showed increased atypical plasma cells consistent with multiple myeloma. Percutaneous image-guided biopsy of one of the osteolytic lesions was performed. Pathological examination identified both plasma cell neoplasm and poorly differentiated metastatic carcinoma within the same bone lytic lesions. CONCLUSION: The present case raises awareness among clinicians and pathologists that clinical and radiologic suspicion of multiple myeloma may be within the spectrum of second primary malignancies.

Primary retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma: An exceptional disease in adulthood.

Primary retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma is an extremely rare disease in clinical practice. It is classified as a vascular tumor. Only three cases have been reported in the literature. The diagnosis is uncommon due to the lack of specific radiological features. It becomes symptomatic as a consequence of its enormous size or complications like rupture or compression. We herein report a unique case of primary retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma treated with conventional surgery in a 35-year-old male patient admitted to our department for chronic abdominal pain. Retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma is an extremely rare vascular tumor in adulthood. Confirmation is made by histopathological examination after total surgical resection.

Retroperitoneal schwannoma: Uncommon location of a benign tumor.

Schwannoma is a type of nerve tumor of the nerve sheath. They are preferentially localized on the head, neck, and flexor surfaces of the extremities. Retroperitoneal schwannoma is extremely rare. The diagnosis is uncommon and based on the anatomopathological and immunochemistry examination of the surgical specimen. We herein report an uncommon location of schwannoma treated with conventional surgery in a 53-year-old female patient admitted to our department for chronic abdominal pain. Retroperitoneal schwannoma is a rare disease that occurs in adult females. The histopathological examination is the only reliable examination for the diagnosis after total surgical resection.

Xeroderma pigmentosum and renal leiomyosarcoma: A very rare case report association.

INTRODUCTION: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare genetic disorder causing extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is transmitted by an autosomal recessive mode. This disease is classically characterized by a high risk of skin cancer. The occurrence of extra-dermatological cancers in patients followed for XP has been rarely reported in the literature. We present the case of a 14-year-old adolescent with an exceptional association of XP and renal leiomyosarcoma. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 14-year-old adolescent was presented with an abdominal mass revealed by hematuria and abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed an enhancing, heterogeneous right renal mass, consistent with the features of renal tumor. After non conclusive biopsy, a total nephrectomy of the right kidney was performed. Based on gross specimen observation and immunochemical analysis, the patient was diagnosed with high-grade renal leiomyosarcoma. An adjuvant chemotherapy was indicated and the patient was referred to medical oncology. At 12 months follow-up, the patient is in total remission; The CT scan did not show any locoregional or distant recurrence CONCLUSION: The risk of renal tumor is increased in patients followed for XP. Attending physicians should ask for renal imaging at the slightest sign of clinical call.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induced Sweet syndrome : a case report.

Sweet syndrome (SS), also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by specific clinical, biological and microscopic findings. Although the exact cause of SS is still unknown, it may be triggered by infections, malignancies and drugs but also occurring after vaccinations such as bacille calmette guerin vaccination and influenza vaccine. While the recently discovered SARS COV2 vaccines are almost safe, many cutaneous and extracutaneous minor adverse effects are reported. We herein describe the fourth case of Sweet Syndrome induced by SARS-COV2 vaccine.

A remarkable concept of learning in times of educational confinement Social media and pathologist.

Social media are inevitably becoming part of our lives. The increasing popularity of these platforms revolutionized communication among healthcare workers and has irrevocably changed the terms of classic learning models. Pathologists all over the world are very active on social media making it a new pedagogical paradigm in pathology education. A virtual community of pathologists is constantly present especially on Twitter and Facebook for sharing and discussing interesting cases, reporting original scientific researcher's results, or simply energizing our field. Tunisian pathologists are not taking advantage of these platforms, some do not master the use of social media, others are reluctant about their use in the health field. However, it is of crucial importance for us Tunisian pathologists, especially in these times of social distancing due to SARS-COV2 pandemic, to join this virtual community and implement new ways of learning. This article aimed primary to assess the popularity of these platforms as a pedagogic tool among Tunisian pathologist. Secondly, we introduced the basic use and rules of social media, benefits and potential risks, and to provided tips for effective social media use in pathology.

Prognostic value of CD44s expression in urothelial bladder tumors.

Urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC) includes a large group of malignancies with a variable clinical behavior. Despite remarkable developments in recognition of bladder carcinogenesis and prognostic factors, the recurrence rate is still high. Thus, identification of novel biomarkers involved in tumor cell invasion and metastatic dissemination is a constant challenge. AIM: To assess the prognostic impact of CD44 standard (CD44s) expression in UBT. METHODS: We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of CD44 in 38 samples of endoscopically resected UBT. Only membranous staining was considered positive. We analyzed topographic distribution of CD44s staining. Correlation of CD44s expression, clinicopathological features and disease progression was analyzed by Chi2 and Fisher tests. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to investigate CD44s prognostic value. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61,24 years with male to female ratio of 18/1. CD44s expression was positive in 33 cases (87%). There was no significant correlation between CD44 expression and the parameters:  age, gender, tumor size, focality, tumor site, stage, recurrence and tumor progression. CD44s loss of expression is, nevertheless, correlated with a high tumor grade. Topographic distribution of CD44s staining was associated with focality, grade and stage. Basal/parabasal staining expanded to the tumor layers in homogeneous "laminate" pattern used to be of better prognosis, compared to the heterogeneous "islets" or "dispersed" pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlighted the prognostic value of CD44 expression in UBT. Focusing especially on staining pattern offers a better understanding of bladder carcinogenesis mechanisms.

Mixed tumor of the kidney.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumour (MEST) of the kidney, is a recently recognized and rare entity .We herein reported the case of a 56 years old post-menopausal woman who presented with right abdominal pain. Her physical examination was unremarkable. Ultrasonography revealed the presence of a right cystic renal mass in the interpolar region extending into the pelvis. The tumor was considered Bosniak 4 category and a right nephro-ureterectomy was performed. The histological examination of the tumor revealed a mixed tumor with both epithelial and stromal pattern.

Autoimmune gastritis: assessment of OLGA and OLGIM staging systems.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune gastritis present a risk of cancer related to atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Two recent classifications OLGA (Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment) and OLGIM (Operative Link on Gastritic Intestinal Metaplasia assessment) have been proposed to reveal the high progressive risk forms (stages III and IV). AIM: To evaluate the OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in chronic autoimmune gastritis. METHODS: A descriptive single institution study of 30 cases of autoimmune gastritis. was performed over a 4-year period. The revaluation of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, of gastric antrum and corpus, allowed to identify respectively the stages of OLGA and OLGIM systems. RESULTS: Our autoimmune gastritis were at high-risk stages in 26,5% of cases  according to two classifications. 95% of low-risk gastritis acoording to OLGA staging presented moderete to severe corpus atrophy. A significant association was present between high-risk gastritis according to OLGA staging and neuroendocrine hyperplasia. Both OLGA and OLGIM systems showed a highly significant positive correlation between them with a mismatch at 2%. CONCLUSIONS: The OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in autoimmune gastritis, allow probably selection of high risk forms of chronic gastritis requiring convenable care.

[Helicobacter pylori gastritis: assessment of OLGA and OLGIM staging systems]. / Gastrites chroniques à hélicobacter pylori: évaluation des systèmes OLGA et OLGIM.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) gastritis presents a risk of cancer related to atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Two recent classifications OLGA (Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment) and OLGIM (Operative Link on Gastritic Intestinal Metaplasia assessment) have been proposed to identify high-risk forms (stages III and IV). The aim of this study is to evaluate the OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in H pylori gastritis. A descriptive study of 100 cases of chronic H pylori gastritis was performed. The revaluation of Sydney System parameters of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, of gastric antrum and corpus, allowed identifying respectively the stages of OLGA and OLGIM systems. The progressive risk of our H pylori gastritis was 6% according to OLGA staging and 7% according to OLGIM staging. Significant correlation was revealed between age and OLGA staging. High-risk gastritis according to OLGIM staging was significantly associated with moderate to severe atrophy. High-risk forms according to OLGA staging were associated in 80% of the cases to intestinal metaplasia. OLGA and OLGIM systems showed a highly significant positive correlation between them with a mismatch at 5% for H pylori gastritis. The OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in addition to Sydney System, allow selection of high risk forms of chronic gastritis requiring accurate observation.

Vulvar lactating adenoma associated to a fibroadenoma: common neoplasms in an uncommon site.

Ectopic breast tissue is defined as glands located outside of the breast. Ectopic breast tissue should be excised because it may develop benign (fibroadenoma) or malignant pathologic processes. Less than forty cases of fibroadenomas have been reported in the literature. Although lactation changes can occur, lactating adenoma in the vulva are extremely rare. Only four cases have been reported. We report a case of a young woman who presented with vulvar mass during her lactation. The mass was excised, and histology confirmed vulvar lactating adenoma associated with fibroadenoma. This is the first case of vulvar heterotopic breast lesion associating lactating adenoma and fibroadenoma.