Comparative Study of Imprint Cytology and Histopathology of Soft Tissue Tumors.

BACKGROUND: The components of soft tissue are fibroblasts, collagen, vascular structures, fatty tissue, skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, and neural tissue. The real incidence of soft tissue tumors (STTs) is difficult to estimate because most of them are benign (Benign: Malignant-100:1). AIMS: The aim of the present study was undertaken to note the patterns of presentation of patients with STTs and to evaluate the findings of imprint cytology (IC) and histopathological examination (HPE) of STTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was undertaken for 1 year. A total of 41 patients with clinically and radiologically diagnosed STTs were included in the study. Following surgery, imprint smear was taken for each tumor, before delivering the tissue to 10% formalin. HPE was subsequently performed. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 4 months to 80 years with a mean of 35.6 ± 17.5 years. The ratio of males to females was 1.05:1. HPE revealed that 21 (51.2%) tumors were benign and 20 (48.8%) malignant. Imprint smears revealed 16 (39%) tumors to be benign and 20 (48.8%) malignant. IC was inconclusive in 5 (12.2%) cases. The sensitivity of IC was found to be 89.5% and specificity 82.35%. The positive predictive value of IC was 85%. The accuracy of IC for diagnosis of both benign and malignant tumors was found to be 75%. CONCLUSION: IC of STTs is a rapid and simple method of intraoperative diagnosis, and it can serve as a viable alternative to frozen section biopsy, particularly in rural settings.

A clinicopathological study of mediastinal masses operated in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India in 3 years with special reference to thymoma.

INTRODUCTION: The mediastinum is the central portion of the thoracic cavity, limited by pleural cavities laterally, thoracic inlet superiorly, and the diaphragm inferiorly. Housing numerous organs, it is a veritable Pandora's box, within which various lesions may develop. This study was conducted to assess the epidemiologic profile, clinicoradiological features, cytological, and histopathological findings in patients presenting with mediastinal masses in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of cases presenting with mediastinal masses attending the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of Medical College, Kolkata between May 2011 and April 2014. Detailed history, physical, and radiological findings were noted. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed when feasible. Following surgery, histopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations of the specimens were undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 22 cases included in our study, ten were anterior, seven middle, and five posterior mediastinal masses. Fifteen cases were male and seven were female. Thymic pathology was detected in seven cases, lymphoma in five, extragonadal germ cell tumor (GCT) in three, schwannoma and pericardial cyst in two cases each and neurofibroma, ganglioneuroma, and retrosternal thyroid in one case each. The age group of the patients for each diagnostic category was found to be of significance. FNAC was done in 15 cases. IHC was required for classification of lymphoma cases (CD45, CD15, CD30, CD20, CD3, Tdt, CD34, and Ki-67). CONCLUSION: This study reflects the incidence of different mediastinal masses in West Bengal with their clinicopathologic correlation.

Carcinosarcoma of ovary with its various immunohistochemical expression: Report of a rare case.

Ovarian carcinosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor with an incidence of <2%. A report of such a rare case in a 40-year-old multiparous woman is being presented here. The patient complained of abdominal pain and distension. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a variegated mass in the right adnexal region. The CA-125 level was 1635 U/ml. The patient underwent laparotomy and the tumor was removed. Microscopic examination of the tumor showed presence of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the carcinomatous component was positive for cytokeratin and estrogen receptor and negative for progesterone receptor. The sarcomatous component was positive for vimentin. Ki-67 was positive in 60% cells. A final diagnosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma was rendered. This case is significant owing to extreme rarity of the tumor. Records of similar cases must be maintained for future reference with regard to impact of treatment protocol followed on prognosis.

A study to correlate histopathology, biochemical marker and immunohistochemical expression of sex-steroid receptors in prostatic growth.

Prostate gland is a fibromusculoglandular structure situated at the neck of urinary bladder. So, enlargement or growth of prostate due to nodular hyperplasia (NHP) or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or adenocarcinoma may give rise to bladder outlet obstruction. Malignant growth i.e., PIN or adenocarcinoma cases are associated with increased blood level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and increased expression of different sex-steroid receptors because the growth is dependent on the interactions of androgen, progesterone and estrogen. The aim of our study is to correlate the histopathology, PSA levels and expression of different sex-steroid receptors by immunohistochemistry in different prostatic growth lesions. Among the total 50 cases received, inclusive of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy and radical prostatectomy, 34 cases were diagnosed as NHP, 4 cases as PIN and 12 cases as adenocarcinoma histopathologically. Serum PSA values above 10 ng/ml were seen in 2 cases of PIN and 11 cases of adenocarcinoma and none of NHP. Estrogen receptor (ER) () expressions were negative in all cases. Progesterone receptor (PR) expressions were strongly positive in 35% cases of both NHP and adenocarcinoma, whereas androgen receptor (AR) expressions were strong among all cases of adenocarcinoma and only in four cases of NHP. By observing these findings it can be suggested that antiandrogen and antiprogesterone therapy simultaneously will do better than antiandrogen alone in treating prostatic growth lesions.

A comparative study of Hasford score and Sokal index in prognostication of the novo chronic myeloid leukemia patients and a search for new prognostic markers.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a common myeloproliferative disorder. Based on clinical and hematological parameters, two prognostic scoring systems, i.e., Hasford and Sokal index scoring systems are available to predict survival duration of CML patients on imatinib therapy. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Our study's objective is to compare Hasford score with Sokal index for the prognostication of de novo CML patients on therapy and find out new prognostic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study. The study population comprised 66 patients who were followed up for 60 months. For each patient, at presentation, scoring was performed as per Hasford and Sokal index and Philadelphia chromosome analysis was carried out by conventional cytogenetics. Thereafter, hematological parameters were assessed 3 monthly and conventional cytogenetics was done yearly. RESULTS: Out of these 66 patients, the number of patients belonging to low, intermediate and high risk categories are 21, 33 and 12 respectively by Hasford score and 12, 32 and 22 respectively by Sokal index. Eight patients, who had been categorized into high risk group by Sokal index but intermediate risk group by Hasford score, have shown better survival possibility as monitored by hematological and cytogenetic parameters. Ten cases, categorized into intermediate risk group by Sokal index but low risk group by Hasford score, is doing well till date. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Hasford score predicts survival of the patients better than Sokal index. However, multicentric study over a large population is needed to give the final verdict.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma with mucormycosis in a diabetic foot ulcer.

The diabetic foot ulcer is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus leading to prolonged hospital stay. Non-healing foot ulcers in diabetes may be due to peripheral neuropathy and/or vasculopathy. Non-healing occurs following a trivial trauma due to loss of local immunity and increased infection by bacteria and fungus. Candida and mucormycosis are common fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer. Squamous cell carcinoma in any non-healing ulcer is a common occurrence. But squamous cell carcinoma in non-healing diabetic foot ulcer is rarely reported. Here, mucormycosis in a diabetic foot ulcer which turned into squamous cell carcinoma is reported in a 62-year-old male with poor glycaemic control for last 21 years who presented with a non-healing ulcer of 8 months' duration over dorsum of left forefoot. Microbiological examination revealed presence of mucormycosis infection and histopathology of ulcer showed infiltrating well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The clinicians and pathologists should be aware of these combinations because only eradication of mucormycosis may not cure the ulcer, rather presence of squamous cell carcinoma may be ignored that may be an immediate threat to the patient's life.

PNET of kidney: Report of four cases.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of kidney is a rare tumor of kidney with only a few published reports. We report here four cases of PNET of kidney in the age group between 30 and 50 years who had complaints of vague pain and lump in loin. Hematuria was present in one case. Imaging of all cases revealed renal mass. The pathologic findings were consistent with PNET in all cases-confirmed by immunohistochemistry with diffuse membrane positivity of tumor cells of CD99. We could not do fluorescent in situ hybridization to demonstrate EWS-FLI-1 gene fusion. Each case was in the advanced stage. However, after giving postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy patients are still alive. Reporting of these cases are important as we got them in a short span of 3 years. In view of its poor prognosis, aggressive nature and different therapeutic approach- renal PNET should be differentiated from other small blue round cell tumors like neuroblastoma, rhabdoid tumor of kidney, nephroblastoma, small cell carcinoma, synovial sarcoma (monophasic, poorly differentiated) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) by immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic, and molecular genetics study to see the different gene rearrangements in NHL and 3p deletion in small cell carcinoma.

Tumours of minor salivary glands--a clinicopathologic study.

The salivary gland system comprises 3 pairs of major glands ie, parotid, submandibular and sublingual and also thousands of lobules of minor salivary glands dispersed in oral cavity, nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses and upper airways. Most of the studies on salivary gland tumours included both major and minor salivary glands. Objectives of this study were to see the age, sex and site distribution of minor salivary gland tumours as well as cytohistologic correlation during their diagnosis. The study is a retrospective one and done in the pathology department of Medical College, Kolkata taking the cases referred from ENT and Surgery departments in the period from April 2008 to March 2011. There were 123 cases of salivary gland tumours including both major and minor salivary glands in this study. Out of these, 21 cases of minor salivary gland tumours were selected and further analysed. There were 9 cases of benign and 12 cases of malignant tumours. Most benign cases were pleomorphic adenoma and most of malignant were adenoid cystic carcinoma affecting maximally males above 40 years of age. For malignant cases the cytohistologic correlation was 100% whereas in benign it was 70%. We had no need of using immunohistochemistry as histologic diagnosis were clear-cut. Pathologic staging were done in most of malignant cases thus helping the clinicians to adopt better treatment protocol.

Carcinoid tumour of gall bladder--a case report.

Gall bladder carcinoid tumours are rare, constituting less than 1% of all carcinoid tumours arising from different parts of the body. They usually lack specific symptoms as they typically are unassociated with the carcinoid syndrome, despite frequent hepatic spread and mostly detected after cholecystectomy. A case of gall bladder carcinoid is reported in a 35-year-old woman who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for clinical features of cholelithiasis. Several comparative evaluation was attempted mainly between the carcinoid and variant groups (endocrinomas) and occasionally between the typical and atypical carcinoid series to solve the existing serious problem in categorisation of this group of tumours. While the usual criteria for judging malignancy, such as anaplasia and mitotic figures, are unreliable in these sites of carcinoid tumour, malignancy is well determined from evidence of tumour invasion into adjacent structures. This rarity and the ambiguity around it stresses for its documentation and warrants for international agreements and standards on basic criteria for such classification of these endocrine carcinomas.

Guided fine needle aspiration cytology of retroperitoneal masses - Our experience.

BACKGROUND: Early pathological classification of retroperitoneal masses is important for pin-point diagnosis and timely management. AIMS: This study was done to evaluate the usefulness and drawbacks of guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of retroperitoneal masses covering a period of two years with an intention to distinguish between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions and to correlate with histologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FNAC was done under radiological guidance in all cases using long needle fitted with disposable syringe. Appropriate staining was done and cytology was correlated with histology which was taken as the gold standard for comparison. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients who presented with retroperitoneal masses were studied. Forty-four lesions were malignant cytologically and 7 were inflammatory (tuberculous). According to radiological and cytologic findings, we classified our cases into four groups: renal tumors, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, germ cell tumors, soft tissue tumors. Except for cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and metastatic lesions, we had sensitivity and specificity of 100%. In NHL the sensitivity and specificity were both 50%. In cases of metastatic adenocarcinoma, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.6% and 81.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ignoring the pitfalls, guided FNAC is still an inexpensive and reliable method of early diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions.

Ovarian tumors in pediatric age group - A clinicopathologic study of 10 years' cases in West Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Objective in this retrospective study is to find out the incidence of different ovarian tumors of girls up to 20 years of age observed in last ten years in North Bengal Medical College and to correlate clinical and gross findings with histopathologic findings and to compare the incidence with other studies and follow-up of patients with malignant ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings were retrieved from records of different pathological reports and clinical reports. RESULTS: Total 151 cases of ovarian tumors were received in pathology department in which 34 cases were malignant (22.6%). Amongst malignant cases, 66% are of germ-cell origin-dysgerminoma being the commonest. Strikingly we got 9 cases of malignant surface epithelial tumor. As per follow-up records most of the dysgerminoma came in stage IA and recovered fully following chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Amongst other malignant tumors, few lost the follow-up management and others expired due to metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients from hilly areas of North Bengal and low socio-economic status led to lower detection rate of ovarian tumors in early stage which are absolutely necessary for proper guidelines of management to reduce mortality.

Infantile hemangioendothelioma of liver: report of two cases.

Infantile hemangioendothelioma, the commonest mesenchymal tumour of liver in infancy, though benign in nature, may behave aggressively. Here reports of two such cases are presented. Both were girls and less than 1-year old. Grossly, they presented with nodular hepatic masses with features of heart failure. Histopathology of both liver masses showed intercommunicating bloodvessels, lined by single layer of plump endothelial cells showing CD-34 positivity by immunohistochemistry. Entrapped biliary channels within tumour mass showed cytokeratin positivity.