The role of accessibility policies and other determinants of health care provision in the initial prognosis of malignant melanoma: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic benefit of health care service provision and delivery policies for patients with malignant melanoma (MM) is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of health care provision determinants in the initial prognosis of MM. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at 14 public hospitals and recruited 3550 patients with MM between 2000 and 2009. The study variables were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models to identify their role in the variations observed. RESULTS: In a 10-year period, the number of patients with MM increased by 78.54%, with primary in situ MM (Tis) or MMs with a Breslow thickness <1 mm (T1) representing 51.72% of the total number of MMs in 2000, increasing to 62.23% by the end of the study period (P = .005). Among the variables that explained the variation in MM frequency the year of diagnosis after 2004 (univariate odds ratio [OR], 1.43 [P < .001]; multivariate OR, 1.36 [P = .005]) and diagnosis in centers with specific fast-track referral systems (univariate OR, 1.24 [P = .01]; multivariate OR, 1.59 [P = .025]) were shown to explain the increasing frequency of Tis-T1 MM. LIMITATIONS: The primary potential limitation of this study is its retrospective nature. CONCLUSION: Health care provision policies and interventions aimed at improving accessibility to specialized care appear to explain the increasing frequency of Tis-T1 MM.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): role of CD 117 and PDGFRA Golgi-like staining pattern in the recognition of mutational status.

AIMS: to determine whether potential correlations between CD117 and PDGFRA might serve as an indication for targeted therapies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: immunohistochemical expression of CD117 and PDGFRA was evaluated in 99 paraffin-embedded GISTs in conjunction with KIT and PDGFRA mutational status. RESULTS: CD117-positive staining was noted in 93 out of 99 cases. The predominant staining pattern was cytoplasmic, either with or without membrane accentuation; in 44.5% of cases, a clear Golgi-like pattern was evident. Correlations were found between KIT mutation and both CD117 expression (p = 0.006) and Golgi-like pattern (p = 0.026). Cytoplasmic PDGFRA-positive staining was detected in 87% of cases, both with and without membrane accentuation; in 8% cases an evident Golgi-like staining pattern was observed. A significant correlation was noted between PDGFRA mutations and Golgi-like staining pattern (p = 0.001). Moreover, 95% of PDGFRA-positive GISTs were also CD117-positive, suggesting that expression of the two markers is not mutually exclusive; most of these had mutations in KIT exon 11. PDGFRA-positive/CD117-negative tumors had mutations in PDGFRA, mainly in exon 18. PDGFRA-negative/CD117-negative staining was observed in 15% of cases, all of which displayed mutations in KIT exon 11. CD117-positive/PDGFRA-negative cases were characterized by mutations in KIT, mainly in exon 11. CONCLUSIONS: CD117 and PDGFRA staining are not exclusive, and the presence of a Golgi-like staining pattern for either, whilst not pathognomonic, is highly suggestive of KIT and PDGFRA mutated GISTs, respectively, and may be used with some reservations as an alternative indication for prescribing targeted therapies.

Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GISTs): patrón de tinción tipo Golgi de CD 117 Y PDGFRA en el reconocimiento del estado mutacional / Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): role of CD 117 and PDGFRA Golgi-like staining pattern in the recognition of mutational status

Objetivo: determinar si las posibles correlaciones entre CD117 y PDGFRA podrían servir como una indicación de terapias dirigidas. Material y métodos: la expresión inmunohistoquímica de CD117 y PDGFRA se evaluó en 99 GIST incluidos en parafina en conjunción con el estado mutacional de KIT y PDGFRA Resultados: se observó tinción CD117-positivo en 93 de los 99 casos. El patrón de tinción predominante fue citoplasmático o de membrana; en el 44,5% de los casos, se evidencio patrón de tipo Golgi. Se encontraron correlaciones entre la mutación KIT tanto con la expresión de CD117 (p = 0,006) y con el patrón tipo Golgi (p = 0,026). Se detectó tinción citoplasmática PDGFRA-positiva en el 87% de los casos, con y sin acentuación de membrana, en el 8% se observó patrón de tinción tipo Golgi. Se observó una correlación significativa entre las mutaciones PDGFRA y el patrón de tinción tipo Golgi (p = 0,001). Por otra parte, el 95% de los GIST PDGFRA positivos también fueron CD117-positivo, lo que sugiere que la expresión de los dos marcadores no se excluyen mutuamente, la mayoría de ellos tenían mutaciones en el exón 11 de KIT. Los tumores PDGFRA-positivo/CD117-negativo tenían mutaciones en PDGFRA, principalmente en el exón 18. Se observó tinción PDGFRA-negativo/CD117-negativo en el 15% de los casos, todos los cuales revelaban mutaciones en el exón 11 de KIT. Los casos CD117-positivo/PDGFRA-negativo casos se caracteriza por mutaciones en KIT, principalmente en el exón 11. Conclusiones: las tinciones CD117 y PDGFRA no son excluyentes, y la presencia de un patrón de tinción de Golgi, aunque no es patognomónica, es altamente sugestiva de GIST mutado en KIT y PDGFRA, respectivamente, y se puede utilizar con algunas reservas, como una indicación alternativa para la prescripción de terapias dirigidas(AU)

Aims: determine whether potential correlations between CD117 to and PDGFRA might serve as an indication for targeted therapies. Material and methods: immunohistochemical expression of CD117 and PDGFRA was evaluated in 99 paraffin-embedded GISTs in conjunction with KIT and PDGFRA mutational status. Results: CD117-positive staining was noted in 93 out of 99 cases. The predominant staining pattern was cytoplasmic, either with or without membrane accentuation; in 44.5% of cases, a clear Golgi-like pattern was evident. Correlations were found be - tween KIT mutation and both CD117 expression (p = 0.006) and Golgi-like pattern (p = 0.026). Cytoplasmic PDGFRA-positive staining was detected in 87% of cases, both with and without membrane accentuation; in 8% cases an evident Golgi-like staining pattern was observed. A significant correlation was noted between PDGFRA mutations and Golgi-like staining pattern (p = 0.001). Moreover, 95% of PDGFRA-positive GISTs were also CD117- positive, suggesting that expression of the two markers is not mutually exclusive; most of these had mutations in KIT exon 11. PDGFRA-positive/CD117-negative tumors had mutations in PDGFRA, mainly in exon 18. PDGFRA-negative/CD117-negative staining was observed in 15% of cases, all of which displayed mutations in KIT exon 11. CD117-positive/PDGFRA-negative cases were characterized by mutations in KIT, mainly in exon 11. Conclusions: CD117 and PDGFRA staining are not exclusive, and the presence of a Golgi-like staining pattern for either, whilst not pathognomonic, is highly suggestive of KIT and PDGFRA mutated GISTs, respectively, and may be used with some reservations as an alternative indication for prescribing targeted therapies(AU)

Leiomyo-adenomatoid tumor of the uterus: a distinct morphological entity?

INTRODUCTION: The morphologic and immunohistochemical findings of a well-circumscribed leiomyoadenomatoid tumor located in the posterior uterine wall are reported. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 55-year-old white woman who complained of peri/postmenopausal and irregular bleeding during the past 4 months. The adenomatoid component was intermingled with bland smooth muscle fascicles and was composed of vacuolated cells, tubules, and slit-like structures crossed by epithelial bridges. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity to epithelial and mesothelial markers in the adenomatoid component and strong immunoreaction for smooth muscle markers in the leiomyomatous one. CONCLUSIONS: The well-defined circumscription and the presence of mesothelial component intermingled with the leiomyomatous proliferation favors the hypothesis that a leiomyo-adenomatoid tumor should be considered as a subtype of adenomatoid tumor with distinctive morphological features. Only four previous cases of this rare neoplasm have been reported to date, one in the epydidimis and the other three cases in the uterine wall, one of them affecting also to the right ovary.

[Testicular epidermoid cyst]. / Quiste epidermoide testicular.

OBJECTIVE: Testicular epidermoid cysts are rare and can be clinically misleading with other testicular neoplasms. We describe a case of epidermal cyst of the testis, with the aim to contribute to the clinicopathological knowledge of this entity. METHODS: A 24-year-old caucasian man presented with a self-detected right testicular mass. Ultrasound features were consistent with solid tumor. He underwent an inguinal radical orchyectomy. RESULTS: An intraparenchymal cyst measuring 1,4 cm was observed, covered by epidermal epithelium with no other skin components. Adnexal testicular pulp was normal. CONCLUSIONS: When a preoperative diagnosis is made, a conservative treatment is recommendable, including frozen sections analysis of the cyst and adjacent testicular parenchyma to rule out a coexistent intratubular germ cell neoplasia.

Quiste epidermoide testicular / Testicular epidermoid cyst

Objetivos: Los quistes epidermoides testiculares son muy infrecuentes y su diagnóstico preoperatorio suele plantear dificultades. Describimos un caso de quiste epidérmico testicular con el ánimo de contribuir al conocimiento clinicopatológico de esta entidad. Métodos: El caso clínico corresponde a un hombre de 24 años que consultó por una masa en testículo derecho, detectada por autopalpación, que por ecografía se etiquetó de tumor sólido. El paciente fue sometido a una orquiectomía radical. Resultados: Macroscópicamente se identificó una lesión quística intratesticular de 1,4 cm, que histológicamente estaba tapizada por una epidermis sin anejos, con abundantes láminas de queratina intraluminales; la pulpa testicular adyacente carecía de alteraciones. Conclusiones: Si los datos preoperatorios apoyan el diagnóstico de quiste epidérmico es razonable realizar un tratamiento conservador, que debe comprender estudio anatomopatológico intraoperatorio, incluyendo examen microscópico del quiste y del parénquima anexo para descartar la coexistencia de una neoplasia germinal intratubular (AU)

Objective: Testicular epidermoid cysts are rare and can be clinically misleading with other testicular neoplasms. We describe a case of epidermal cyst of the testis, with the aim to contribute to the clinicopathological knowledge of this entity. Methods: A 24-year-old caucasian man presented with a self-detected right testicular mass. Ultrasound features were consistent with solid tumor. He underwent an inguinal radical orchyectomy. Results: An intraparenchymal cyst measuring 1,4 cm was observed, covered by epidermal epithelium with no other skin components. Adnexal testicular pulp was normal. Conclusions: When a preoperative diagnosis is made, a conservative treatment is recommendable, including frozen sections analysis of the cyst and adjacent testicular parenchyma to rule out a coexistent intratubular germ cell neoplasia (AU)