Histopathology and immunohistochemistry as prognostic factors for poorly differentiated thyroid cancer in a series of Polish patients.

BACKGROUND: Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) is a rare but aggressive type of thyroid cancer (TC) and the main cause of death from non-anaplastic follicular cell-derived TC. Although the Turin criteria are well defined, the pathological features that could serve as diagnostic and prognostic factors remain controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive PDTC cases were identified in a single cancer center between 2000 and 2018. We analyzed the impact of routine histopathological and immunohistochemical features and several parameters that are not routinely included in pathology reports such as the presence of atypical mitoses, the amount of necrosis, or insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 3 immunostaining on the survival of patients with PDTC. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Of the 49 PDTC 34 (69.4%) showed the insular pattern of growth. The median of poorly differentiated area was 95% (range, 1-100), and 30 (61.2%) patients had a predominant (>50%) insular area. The 5-year OS and DSS rates at a median follow-up of 57 months were 60.6% and 64.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size >4 cm, presence of atypical mitoses, Ki-67 >5%, and thyroglobulin (Tg)-negative immunostaining were associated with a higher risk of PDTC-related death. Atypical mitoses and Tg negativity were independent factors of worse DSS in multivariate analysis. Patients with insular and predominant insular areas showed a 3- and 6-fold higher risk of PDTC death when they displayed atypical mitoses. CONCLUSIONS: In PDTC, the presence of atypical mitoses may be helpful in identifying patients with poorer outcome and worth including in pathology reports, particularly in tumors with a dominant insular pattern of growth. Additionally, the inclusion of Tg immunostaining may be considered in a prognostic context, and not only as a diagnostic feature.

Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer in the context of the revised 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines and the Updated American Joint Committee on Cancer/Tumor-Node-Metastasis Staging System (eighth edition).

OBJECTIVE: Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) is a rare, but aggressive thyroid cancer (TC) and a main cause of death from non-anaplastic follicular cell-derived TC. Assessing the risk of PDTC-related death and the risk of recurrence is important for clinicians. The recent American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 guidelines and the updated 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Tumor-Node-Metastasis (AJCC/TNM) staging system should support clinicians in the management approach to PDTC patients. PATIENTS: Forty-six consecutive PDTC patients treated in a single oncologic centre, 2000-2017. MEASUREMENTS: Retrospective analysis of TNM stage, initial risk, response-to-therapy categories, follow-up and final disease status incorporating the ATA 2015 criteria and the 8th AJCC/TNM staging system. Disease-specific survival (DSS) using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Of the 46 PDTC 21 (45.6%) were ATA high risk (HR), 22 (47.8%), 17 (37%) and seven (15.2%) were TNM stages I, II, and III-IV, respectively. During a median follow-up of 55.5 months, two (4.3%) patients were recurrent, 18 (39.1%) died of PDTC. The 5-/10-year DSS were 65/57%, respectively. According to the AJCC/TNM, the 5-/10-year DSS of I, II, and III-IV stage were 83/83%; 77/55%, and 0/0%, respectively. According to the 2015 ATA initial risk, the 5-/10-year DSS were 91/72% for ATA intermediate risk and 38/38% for ATA HR patients. CONCLUSIONS: In PDTC patients, the updated AJCC/TNM staging system accurately predicts a high risk of death in stage III-IV, whereas it seems to be inadequate for predicting a very low or low risk of death expected for differentiated TC in stage I-II. The ATA initial HR may be also used to predict a high risk of PDTC-related death.

Selected morphologic features influencing the prognosis of conventional renal cell carcinomas co-expressing P53 and MDM2.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most deadly of common urologic malignancies. The classical prognostic factors, including tumor type, grade and stage, as well as performance status of the patient, offer important information, but there is a need for new biomarkers which could improve the quality of prognostication. It has been proposed that tumors co-expressing P53 and MDM2 could represent a specific, more aggressive subgroup. The aim of the study was to explore this hypothesis using tissue microarrays, using two different anti-P53 antibodies. The material analyzed consisted of 470 cases of renal clear cell carcinoma. Reaction for P53 was positive in 15.1 or 13.2% of cases, depending on the antibody used. Reaction for MDM2 was positive in 37.9% of cases; 6.5 or 5.3% of cases coexpressed P53 and MDM2. Both P53-positive and double P53/MDM2-positive cases were higher grade and more likely to contain a sarcomatoid component, but their stage was similar to negative cases. PAb1081 P53-positive MDM2-positive cases were larger than the rest of the tumors (7.6 cm vs. 6.1 cm, p < 0.001). Our data support the hypothesis of prognostic significance of P53, and double P53/MDM2 positivity, yet further studies are needed to clarify the issue.

Intraneural pseudocyst (so-called ganglion) in an unusual retroperitoneal periadnexal location?

A case of an unusual unilocular cystic lesion of diameter 7 cm located retroperitoneally in the pelvis in close connection to the right adnexa of a 61 year-old woman is presented. Macroscopically, the lesion had a smooth outer and inner surface and was filled with translucent fluid. Histological examination revealed a fibrous and hyalinized wall which lacked a specific lining. Numerous nerve bundles in the cyst wall constituted the most conspicuous element of its histology possibly with some contribution of perineurial and/or mesothelial components. The morphology and immunohistochemistry speak for an intraneural pseudocyst sometimes called intraneural ganglion cyst which is rare in this location. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1357862917132314.

Hobnail hemangioma: a immunohistochemical study and literature review.

Hobnail hemangioma is a rare vascular lesion with unusual morphology, including bland cells with hobnail appearance, a biphasic grow pattern with superficial dilated vessels and slit-like vessels in a deeper portion of the lesion and the infiltrative pattern of later growth, which may cause misdiagnosis. The differential diagnosis with hemangioendothelioma variants, low grade angiosarcomas and Kaposi sarcoma is of particular concern. The lack of recognition of this uncommon entity may result in excessive and unnecessary treatment. Immunohistochemistry stains play an important role in hobnail hemangioma differential diagnosis. Here, we present the results of our researches and also review of the literature as well as discussion about usage of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of HH.

Hobnail hemangioma.

We present a case of a 73-year-old woman who developed a small lesion on her tongue. The nodule was resected and hobnail hemangioma was diagnosed. Hobnail hemangioma is a rare vascular lesion with unusual morphology, including bland cells with hobnail appearance, biphasic grow pattern with superficial dilated vessels and slit-like vessels in the deeper portion of the lesion. The infiltrative pattern of grow may cause misdiagnosis. The differential diagnosis with hemangioendothelioma variants, low grade angiosarcomas and Kaposi sarcoma is of particular concern. The lack of recognition of this uncommon entity may result in excessive and unnecessary treatment.