ABSTRACT
Indeterminate melanocytic proliferations of the conjunctiva have both benign and malignant features that previously made these lesions nearly impossible to categorize in existing classification schemes. With the evolution of immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics, however, subclassifications have emerged that allow for a more tailored diagnosis and management. These conjunctival melanocytic proliferations include deep penetrating nevus, granular cell nevus, and nevoid melanoma. There remains a small subset of conjunctival melanocytic proliferations that defy precise characterization as nevi, primary acquired melanosis, or melanomas despite currently available ancillary diagnostic modalities and remain indeterminate. We highlight these unusual types of nevi and melanomas, with an update on their morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic characteristics.
Subject(s)
Conjunctival Neoplasms , Melanoma , Nevus , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Melanoma/diagnosis , Conjunctival Neoplasms/diagnosis , Conjunctival Neoplasms/pathology , Nevus/diagnosis , Nevus/metabolism , Nevus/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Conjunctiva/metabolism , Conjunctiva/pathologyABSTRACT
Several nomenclature and grading systems have been proposed for conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions (C-MIL). The fourth "WHO Classification of Eye Tumors" (WHO-EYE04) proposed a C-MIL classification, capturing the progression of noninvasive neoplastic melanocytes from low- to high-grade lesions, onto melanoma in situ (MIS), and then to invasive melanoma. This proposal was revised to the WHO-EYE05 C-MIL system, which simplified the high-grade C-MIL, whereby MIS was subsumed into high-grade C-MIL. Our aim was to validate the WHO-EYE05 C-MIL system using digitized images of C-MIL, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry. However, C-MIL cases were retrieved from 3 supraregional ocular pathology centers. Adequate conjunctival biopsies were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Melan-A, SOX10, and PReferentially expressed Antigen in Melanoma. Digitized slides were uploaded on the SmartZoom platform and independently scored by 4 ocular pathologists to obtain a consensus score, before circulating to 14 expert eye pathologists for independent scoring. In total, 105 cases from 97 patients were evaluated. The initial consensus diagnoses using the WHO-EYE04 C-MIL system were as follows: 28 benign conjunctival melanoses, 13 low-grade C-MIL, 37 high-grade C-MIL, and 27 conjunctival MIS. Using this system resulted in 93% of the pathologists showing only fair-to-moderate agreement (kappa statistic) with the consensus score. The WHO-EYE05 C-MIL system (with high-grade C-MIL and MIS combined) improved consistency between pathologists, with the greatest level of agreement being seen with benign melanosis (74.5%) and high-grade C-MIL (85.4%). Lowest agreements remained between pathologists for low-grade C-MIL (38.7%). Regarding WHO-EYE05 C-MIL scoring and clinical outcomes, local recurrences of noninvasive lesions developed in 8% and 34% of the low- and high-grade cases. Invasive melanoma only occurred in 47% of the cases that were assessed as high-grade C-MIL. This extensive international collaborative study is the first to undertake a comprehensive review of the WHO-EYE05 C-MIL scoring system, which showed good interobserver agreement and reproducibility.
Subject(s)
Melanoma , Melanosis , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Melanoma/diagnosis , Melanoma/pathology , Prognosis , Reproducibility of Results , Eosine Yellowish-(YS) , Hematoxylin , Melanocytes , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Melanosis/pathology , World Health Organization , Multicenter Studies as TopicABSTRACT
This study examined PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma) expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in 202 histologically unequivocal conjunctival melanocytic lesions: 76 nevi, 29 benign melanoses, 25 low-grade conjunctival intraepithelial melanocytic lesions (LGCMIL), 26 high-grade conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions/in-situ melanoma (HGCMIL), and 46 invasive melanomas. PRAME score 0 was seen in 96% of nevi (73/76), 96% of benign melanoses (28/29), and 88% of LGCMIL (22/25). PRAME score 4 was seen in 50% HGCMIL (13/26) and 76% invasive melanomas (35/46). PRAME score 4 had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 100% in differentiating between HGCMIL and benign melanosis/LGCMIL. PRAME score 4 had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 100% in differentiating between melanoma and nevi. Relative quantification of PRAME mRNA expression by RT-qPCR was performed on 49 cases (24%): 17 nevi, 3 benign melanoses, 5 LGCMIL, 9 HGCMIL, and 15 invasive melanomas. The analysis generated two distinct groupings with 'high' relative PRAME expression for the HGCMIL and invasive melanoma and 'low/zero' expression for nevi, benign melanosis, and LGCMIL. Thirty-three challenging conjunctival melanocytic lesions that had previous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis were studied: 18 nevi, 12 melanomas in a nevus, 2 nevoid melanomas, and 1 in-situ melanoma. All nevi (100%) showed concordance between negative FISH and PRAME (scores 0-3). Four of 13 melanomas (31%; in-situ, invasive, isolated, and in association with nevus) showed concordance between positive FISH and PRAME score 4. In conclusion, PRAME score 4 has 100% specificity for the diagnosis of HGCMIL and melanoma. PRAME is limited in its sensitivity in the evaluation of challenging melanocytic lesions.
Subject(s)
Melanoma , Melanosis , Nevus, Pigmented , Nevus , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Reverse Transcription , Melanoma/diagnosis , Melanoma/genetics , Melanoma/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Nevus, Pigmented/diagnosis , Nevus, Pigmented/genetics , Nevus, Pigmented/pathology , Melanosis/diagnosis , Melanosis/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Transcription Factors/genetics , Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics , Antigens, Neoplasm/analysis , Melanoma, Cutaneous MalignantABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypoplasia, Diaphragmatic anomalies, Anophthalmia/microphthalmia and Cardiac defects delineate the PDAC syndrome. We aim to identify the cause of PDAC syndrome in patients who do not carry pathogenic variants in RARB and STRA6, which have been previously associated with this disorder. METHODS: We sequenced the exome of patients with unexplained PDAC syndrome and performed functional validation of candidate variants. RESULTS: We identified bi-allelic variants in WNT7B in fetuses with PDAC syndrome from two unrelated families. In one family, the fetus was homozygous for the c.292C>T (p.(Arg98*)) variant whereas the fetuses from the other family were compound heterozygous for the variants c.225C>G (p.(Tyr75*)) and c.562G>A (p.(Gly188Ser)). Finally, a molecular autopsy by proxy in a consanguineous couple that lost two babies due to lung hypoplasia revealed that both parents carry the p.(Arg98*) variant. Using a WNT signalling canonical luciferase assay, we demonstrated that the identified variants are deleterious. In addition, we found that wnt7bb mutant zebrafish display a defect of the swimbladder, an air-filled organ that is a structural homolog of the mammalian lung, suggesting that the function of WNT7B has been conserved during evolution for the development of these structures. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that defective WNT7B function underlies a form of lung hypoplasia that is associated with the PDAC syndrome, and provide evidence for involvement of the WNT-ß-catenin pathway in human lung, tracheal, ocular, cardiac, and renal development.
Subject(s)
Lung , Zebrafish , Animals , Humans , Lung/pathology , Base Sequence , Wnt Signaling Pathway , Exome , Mammals/metabolism , Wnt Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) affects cell growth in neural tissues, resulting in neurofibromas of the internal organs, peripheral nerves and/or autonomic nerves. We describe a highly unusual case of plexiform neurofibroma presenting with lacrimal gland enlargement in an 18 year old male, which led to a diagnosis of NF1.
Subject(s)
Lacrimal Apparatus , Neurofibroma, Plexiform , Neurofibroma , Neurofibromatosis 1 , Male , Humans , Adolescent , Neurofibroma, Plexiform/diagnostic imaging , Neurofibroma, Plexiform/surgery , Lacrimal Apparatus/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral NervesABSTRACT
A 47-year-old female developed a reddish swelling of the right medial canthus over 3 months. On examination, a red, firm mass, involving the right medial canthal and extending into the inferior fornix was present and the globe was displaced upwards and inwards. A staging MRI scan confirmed a lacrimal sac lesion with anterior orbit extension. After an equivocal biopsy, the patient underwent debulking surgery. Histology showed a lacrimal sac invasive adenosquamous carcinoma, comprising poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma areas arranged in a tubulo-glandular pattern. The adenocarcinoma harboured numerous cilia. p16 showed block positivity of both components and micro-dissected tissue from both areas showed the presence of HPV16 DNA by PCR. This is the first description of ciliated adenosquamous carcinoma of the lacrimal sac and this finding is placed into the context of what is known about ciliated head and neck adenosquamous carcinomas and the role of high-risk HPV.
ABSTRACT
Conjunctival epithelial cells, which express viral-entry receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine type 2 (TMPRSS2), constitute the largest exposed epithelium of the ocular surface tissue and may represent a relevant viral-entry route. To address this question, we generated an organotypic air-liquid-interface model of conjunctival epithelium, composed of basal, suprabasal, and superficial epithelial cells, and fibroblasts, which could be maintained successfully up to day 75 of differentiation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), with complementary imaging and virological assays, we observed that while all conjunctival cell types were permissive to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome expression, a productive infection did not ensue. The early innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in conjunctival cells was characterised by a robust autocrine and paracrine NF-κB activity, without activation of antiviral interferon signalling. Collectively, these data enrich our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the human ocular surface, with potential implications for the design of preventive strategies and conjunctival transplantation.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Humans , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/genetics , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism , Receptors, Virus/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Introduction: Despite advances in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma, relatively little is known about the genetic changes that occur in the progression of conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions to invasive conjunctival melanoma. Methods: We exposed 4 exenteration specimens that each contained varying grades of intraepithelial conjunctival melanocytic neoplasia and invasive neoplasia to a combination of various techniques, including array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry. Results: Three out of 4 of the invasive melanomas showed gains in 11q13 (CCND1 locus) by aCGH. FISH demonstrated CCND1 gain in invasive melanoma and in conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions (CMILs) of all grades (low-grade CMILs and in situ melanoma), and this was paralleled by increased expression of Cyclin D1 protein within the atypical melanocytes by immunohistochemistry, using a double-staining method with a red end point for Melan A cytoplasmic staining and a brown end point for nuclear Cyclin D1 expression. Higher grades of melanocytic intraepithelial lesions showed more cells expressing Cyclin D1 than lower grade melanocytic intraepithelial lesions. The Cyclin D1 protein expression was in the same location as the amplified CCND1 signal by FISH. One out of 3 of these cases also showed the amplification of the 12q13-15 locus corresponding to MDM2 and FISH confirmed gains in the conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive melanoma. The remaining fourth case showed a homozygous deletion of 9p21 (CDKN2A) by aCGH only, with immunohistochemistry showing clonal loss of p16 protein expression in the invasive and conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesion. Two out of 4 of the invasive melanomas harboured classical driver mutations in NRAS and NF-1, respectively. None of the cases showed mutations in BRAF, KIT, and TERT mutations. RNA-seq data showed secondary mutations in ARAF, PLCB4, MET, EZH2, MAP2K2, CTNNB1, CIITA, NF2, TP53, and MEN1, some of which are implicated in the MAPK pathway. Conclusion: CMILs harbour amplifications of CCND1 (3 cases), MDM2 (1 case), and loss of CDKN2A (1 case), which are also present when the lesion progresses to invasive melanoma, implicating these amplifications in the early pathogenesis of CMILs. This study represents the first attempt to capture the mutational landscape of all stages of conjunctival melanoma in a single tissue excision.
ABSTRACT
A 34-year-old man presented with an 8-day history of swelling and ptosis affecting the right upper eyelid. An MRI scan showed right superior rectus enlargement. Histology of an incisional biopsy of the muscle demonstrated metastatic choriocarcinoma to the orbit, positive for pan-cytokeratins, beta-HCG and GATA3. Possible primary sites included testis. An ultrasound of the testes identified bilateral testicular masses, highly suspicious for primary testicular malignancy. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis identified disseminated metastatic disease conferring a poor prognostic germ cell tumour. The overall interpretation was of disseminated testicular choriocarcinoma and the patient is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy.
Subject(s)
Choriocarcinoma , Neoplasms, Second Primary , Testicular Neoplasms , Adult , Choriocarcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Choriocarcinoma/drug therapy , Eyelids/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal , Pregnancy , Testicular Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Testicular Neoplasms/drug therapy , Testicular Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
We present a very rare case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) ex pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland. Our patient presented with a 12 month history of painful proptosis of his left eye associated with severe headache. Imaging showed a left lacrimal gland lesion with extensive orbital disease extending into lateral and superior rectus muscles, cavernous sinus and the greater wing of the sphenoid. A lacrimal gland biopsy showed a combination of small bland glandular structures and sclerotic, elastin-containing stroma showing that the SCC had arisen on a background of a probable pleomorphic adenoma. Treatment with cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil proved efficacious with a significant reduction of orbital and post-orbital disease on interval scanning.
Subject(s)
Adenoma, Pleomorphic , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Exophthalmos , Eye Neoplasms , Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases , Lacrimal Apparatus , Adenoma, Pleomorphic/diagnostic imaging , Adenoma, Pleomorphic/surgery , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Exophthalmos/diagnosis , Exophthalmos/pathology , Eye Neoplasms/complications , Eye Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Eye Neoplasms/drug therapy , Humans , Lacrimal Apparatus/diagnostic imaging , Lacrimal Apparatus/pathology , Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: MIRAgel® (MIRA, Waltham, MA, USA) is a hydrogel scleral buckle introduced in 1979 to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Its use was discontinued because late complications that require surgical removal were reported. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: We report a case of left eye MIRAgel® buckle surgery 28 years ago presenting with a tender palpable erythematous swelling at the lower lid, with marked conjunctival chemosis and progressive ophthalmoplegia. Imaging revealed a large, well-defined, horseshoe-shaped lesion in the extraconal space of the left orbit with globe distortion, with histological confirmation of an expanded hydrogel buckle. He recovered well following removal of the explant but developed chronic macular oedema a year later, which persisted despite sub-Tenon's triamcinolone injections. Repeat imaging demonstrated remaining hydrogel explant. Macular oedema settled well upon successful surgical removal with no recurrence to date. CONCLUSION: Our case is the first to describe macular oedema as a late MIRAgel-related complication, with complete removal of the explant being the definitive treatment. Macular oedema indicates postoperative inflammation secondary to the remaining explant fragments. Given the friability of hydrolysed MIRAgel®, we recommend ophthalmologists to warn patients regarding the possibility of further inflammation in the globe or the orbit in case of incomplete removal.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe our experience in performing biopsy of post-septal orbital masses with core needle under computerized tomography guidance (CT-CNB). METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent this procedure were reviewed. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia on a day case basis under a peribulbar block. A planning non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) scan of the orbits was performed to localise the mass. A 6-cm 18-G Temno Evolution® semi-automated biopsy needle was inserted through the skin into the orbit. Prior to further advancement of the needle, a low-dose CT limited to the previously determined plane was performed to confirm its position. The needle was then advanced, and the cutting needle was deployed to obtain the biopsy. RESULTS: Five patients who underwent CT-CNB were identified. The CNB was successful in 4 patients and revealed a metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a metastatic neuroendocrine tumour, and orbital inflammatory disease. The biopsy failed in the fifth patient when the needle failed to penetrate the tumour despite good localisation on CT. He was eventually diagnosed with fibrous meningioma of the greater wing of sphenoid on open biopsy. None of the patients had any complications other than peri-ocular bruising which was present in all of them. CONCLUSION: CT-CNB of mass lesions located in the lateral aspect of the orbit can be an alternative to open biopsy in selected cases. It avoids major surgery and allows the use of radiotherapy, if required, without any delay.
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BACKGROUND: To report sampling of the trabecular meshwork using the TrabEx+ (MicroSurgical Technology, Redmond, Washington, USA) device in ab interno trabeculectomy. Specifically, this series focusses upon preservation of the trabecular meshwork architecture for assessment of glaucomatous features using common histopathological techniques. PATIENTS: This series features six glaucomatous eyes undergoing TrabEx+ with or without cataract surgery. Three patients had primary open angle glaucoma and the remaining had pigment dispersion glaucoma, ocular hypertension or uveitic glaucoma. Four eyes had simultaneous cataract surgery. METHODS: Trabecular meshwork was excised using the TrabEx+ device and retrieved using vitreoretinal forceps. The samples were then processed into formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded 4 micron tissue segments and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and elastin Van Gieson. Collagen IV was labelled using immunohistochemistry for the purpose of identifying the basement membrane of trabecular beams. RESULTS: Presence of trabecular meshwork was confirmed in five of the six samples taken. One of six samples consisted of blood only, but this was expected following early termination of the procedure due to patient restlessness. In the five positive cases trabecular beams with associated trabecular meshwork cells were identified on hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. The beams retained their lamellar structure. The basement membrane underlying the trabecular cells was evident in three specimens, whilst two specimens were of insufficient size for collagen IV labelling. CONCLUSIONS: This case series illustrates that TrabEx+ can be utilised to successfully retrieve trabecular meshwork samples with sufficient architectural perseveration of the tissue to enable histopathological and laboratory analysis.
Subject(s)
Glaucoma, Open-Angle , Glaucoma , Trabeculectomy , Glaucoma/surgery , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/surgery , Humans , Sclera , Trabecular MeshworkABSTRACT
Two patients, with non-small cell lung carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab, developed bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP) with interesting histopathological features. The first patient developed a right ciliary body mass concurrently with BDUMP. The globe was enucleated. The ciliary body mass was a mitotically active epithelioid uveal melanoma, invading the trabecular meshwork and peripheral corneal stroma, with over 90% of the cells expressing Cyclin D1 protein. The melanoma showed no chromosome 3 or 8 changes. The background uvea showed diffuse, bland spindle cell melanocytic proliferation with much lower Cyclin D1 expression (around 10%). In the choroid, this population was punctuated by islands of pigmented epithelioid cells, some of which were necrotic. All these islands expressed a high level of Cyclin D1, and some islands expressed nuclear preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME). The ciliary body mass, epithelioid cell islands, and the BDUMP all expressed c-Met (the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor [HGF]). The features were those of ciliary body melanoma and choroidal melanoma "tumorlets," developing on a background of BDUMP. The second patient developed bilateral periocular skin pigmentation following a diagnosis of BDUMP, which when biopsied, showed dermal islands of paraneoplastic perivascular melanocytic cell proliferation. These cells also expressed c-Met protein. These observations implicate the HGF/c-Met axis in the pathogenesis of BDUMP, the uveal melanomas in the ciliary body and choroid in the first patient and the paraneoplastic dermal melanocytic proliferation in the second patient.
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Purpose: To evaluate PAX8 expression by immunohistochemistry in the normal pediatric and adult crystalline lens and to assess the usefulness of PAX8 immunohistochemical stain in the diagnosis of morphologically challenging lesions of lenticular origin. Design: Retrospective, observational case series. Participants: Fourteen congenital and acquired lens-derived lesions and 10 control crystalline lenses. Methods: Hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains and an immunohistochemical panel of PAX8, vimentin, S100, smooth muscle actin, AE1/AE3, cytokeratin 7, and cytokeratin 5/6 antibodies were performed on all tissues. Main Outcome Measures: Distribution of PAX8 expression in normal crystalline lens and in lens-derived lesions. Results: Records search identified 10 normal pediatric and adult crystalline lenses, 1 phakomatous choristoma, 1 Peters anomaly with adherent leukoma, 1 lens capsule with congenital pyramidal cataract formation, 2 lenses with anterior and posterior subcapsular cataract formation, 3 postsurgical cataractous lenses (Soemmerring ring cataract and capsular fibrosis), and 6 retrocorneal membranes that incorporated various components of metaplastic corneal endothelium, metaplastic lens epithelium, corneal stroma, and epithelial downgrowth. Strong nuclear PAX8 expression was observed in the lens epithelium and in the equatorial lens bow of normal pediatric and adult lenses. Nuclear PAX8 expression also was observed in the lesions that retained some of the epithelial morphologic features, such as phakomatous choristoma, adherent leukoma, congenital pyramidal cataract, and components of intraocular membranes with lens epithelial differentiation. PAX8 expression was lost in lens epithelial lesions that had undergone mesenchymal transition, such as anterior subcapsular cataract and capsular fibrosis. Conclusions: PAX8 antibody may be a useful adjunct to the immunohistochemical panels in morphologically challenging lens epithelial-derived lesions that retain epithelial morphologic features. PAX8 is not useful in the diagnosis of lens-derived lesions that feature epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
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PURPOSE: We sought to compare the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and interobserver agreement of the two most commonly used classification systems for conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions with the new World Health Organization (WHO) classification. DESIGN: Retrospective case series and evaluation of classification systems. METHODS: We reviewed the pathology and medical records of all patients who underwent a primary biopsy procedure for conjunctival primary acquired melanosis (PAM) at Wills Eye Hospital between 1974 and 2002 who had ≥36 months of follow-up. Data collected included age, sex, clinical findings, recurrence, and progression to melanoma. Twelve ophthalmic pathologists analyzed scanned hematoxylin and eosin-stained virtual microscopic slides using 3 classification systems: PAM, conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial neoplasia, and the WHO 4th edition classification of conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions. Observer agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of each classification system were assessed. RESULTS: There were 64 patients who underwent 83 primary excisions with cryotherapy for conjunctival PAM who had adequate tissue for histopathologic evaluation. The interobserver agreement in distinction between the low- and high-grade lesions was 76% for PAM, 67% for conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial neoplasia, and 81% for WHO classification system. Low-grade lesions provided the greatest interpretative challenge with all 3 classification systems. The 3 classification systems had comparable accuracy of 81%-83% in their ability to identify lesions with potential for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the comparable strengths and limitations of the 3 classification systems for conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions and suggests that the simplified WHO classification scheme is appropriate for evaluation of these lesions.
Subject(s)
Conjunctival Neoplasms/classification , Nevus, Pigmented/classification , World Health Organization , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Conjunctival Neoplasms/pathology , Conjunctival Neoplasms/surgery , Cryotherapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Nevus, Pigmented/pathology , Nevus, Pigmented/surgery , Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures , Retrospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the distribution of the PAX8 transcription factor protein in ocular tissues and to investigate if immunohistochemical stains for this biomarker are useful in the diagnosis of intraocular tumors. DESIGN: Observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Excision and cytologic analysis specimens of 6 ciliary body epithelial neoplasms, 2 iris epithelial neoplasms, 3 retinal pigment epithelial neoplasms, 3 intraocular medulloepitheliomas, 15 uveal melanomas, and 5 uveal melanocytomas. METHODS: Hematoxylin-eosin and PAX8 immunohistochemical stains were performed on all specimens. In appropriate cases, bleached preparations and other immunohistochemical stains, including AE1/AE3 cytokeratin, Lin28A, and CD45, were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution of PAX8 expression in normal and neoplastic tissue. RESULTS: Strong nuclear PAX8 expression was observed in the normal corneal epithelium, iris sphincter pupillae muscle, iris pigment epithelium and dilator muscle complex, nonpigmented and pigmented epithelia of the ciliary body, lens epithelium, and a subset of retinal neurons. The normal retinal pigment epithelium and uveal melanocytes did not stain for PAX8. The ciliary body epithelial and neuroepithelial tumors (adenoma, adenocarcinoma, and medulloepithelioma) showed uniform strong nuclear PAX8 immunoreactivity. All melanocytic tumors (iris melanoma, ciliary-choroidal melanoma, and melanocytoma) and retinal pigment epithelial neoplasms showed negative results for PAX8. A subset of tumor-associated lymphocytes, most prominent in uveal melanoma, showed positive results for PAX8. The uniformity of the PAX8 staining was superior to the variable cytokeratin staining in the ciliary epithelial neoplasms and the variable Lin28A staining in malignant medulloepithelioma. The veracity of PAX8 staining was equally as robust on cytologic analysis and open-flap biopsy specimens of ciliary epithelial and iris epithelial neoplasms, melanocytoma, and melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: PAX8 has proven to be a very useful diagnostic marker in a select group of adult intraocular tumors, and we highly recommend its inclusion in diagnostic antibody panels of morphologically challenging intraocular neoplasms.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Eye Neoplasms/diagnosis , Eye Neoplasms/metabolism , PAX8 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ciliary Body/metabolism , Ciliary Body/pathology , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Iris Neoplasms/diagnosis , Iris Neoplasms/metabolism , Keratins/metabolism , Leukocyte Common Antigens/metabolism , Male , Melanoma/diagnosis , Melanoma/metabolism , Middle Aged , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/diagnosis , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Retinal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Retinal Neoplasms/metabolism , Retinal Pigment Epithelium/metabolism , Retinal Pigment Epithelium/pathology , Uveal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uveal Neoplasms/metabolismABSTRACT
An elderly white man with a history of left oculodermal melanocytosis presented with new onset brown pigmentation of the left bulbar and inferior tarsal conjunctiva. The bulbar conjunctival pigmentation was at the level of the conjunctival epithelium and was overlying areas of typical slate-grey scleral pigmentation characteristic of oculodermal melanocytosis. Both areas of new pigmentation were biopsied. The bulbar conjunctiva revealed primary acquired melanosis (PAM) without atypia with increased melanin production and the tarsal conjunctival biopsy showed PAM without atypia sine pigmentio overlying areas of substantia propria spindle-shaped heavily pigmented melanocytes of oculodermal melanocytosis. The case report examines the relationship between the epithelial and substantia propria melanocytes and correlates the findings with what is known about this association from the dermatopathology literature.