Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells by Cell Block Technique in Malignant Tumors.

Introduction: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and is a major cause of morbidity. To deal with this magnitude of cancers and their diagnostic and prognostics, a multitude of prognostic biomarkers for various cancers have been explored over the decades, with detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood being one of them. This study was undertaken to explore the routine procedure of cell block in the cytopathology lab to isolate and detect CTCs. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 112 peripheral blood samples sent for routine blood investigations of various cancer patients were utilized for the preparation of cell block. The sections from the cell block were stained routinely and evaluated for the presence of CTCs. The statistical analysis was done using Mac Statplus software version 8.0. Results: The malignancies were tabulated as per the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition (ICD-O-3). The maximum number of cases were from C 50 (breast) - 41/112 (36.6%), followed by C15-C26 (Digestive organs) - 19/112 (16.9%), and C00-C14 (lip, oral cavity, and pharynx) - 18/112 (16.07%) cases. CTC was detected in six (5.35%) out of 112 cases, out of which three were from the breast and one each from category C6.9 (mouth), C32.0 (glottis), and C53.8 (cervix uteri). Conclusion: Among various advanced and molecular techniques available for the detection of CTCs, the cell block technique proves to be one of the effective methods, especially in resource-limited settings as these can further be utilized for additional diagnostic techniques similar to the ones employed for routine paraffin blocks.

Correlative Evaluation of Seven Cytological 3-Tier Grading Systems of Breast Carcinoma with the Standard Histological Grading: A 4 and ½ Year Study.

INTRODUCTION: The early diagnosis of breast carcinoma is of paramount importance in its management. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has the potential to play a pivotal role in providing the relevant information on the aggressiveness of this tumor. But there is no gold standard when it comes to cytological grading of breast carcinoma as there is no consensus between the pathologists and also the clinicians as to which grading is as par with the gold standard Elston-Ellis modification of Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) histological grading. This study was undertaken to study seven cytological 3-tier grading systems, namely, Robinson's, Fisher's, Mouriquand's, Dabbs', Khan's, Taniguchi's, and Howells's and to correlate them with the Elston-Ellis modification of SBR histological grading system so as to determine the finest cytological grading system which could be reliably used in our routine practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 117 breast carcinoma cases diagnosed on FNAC were graded using seven 3-tier cytological grading systems and were correlated with Elston-Ellis modification of SBR histological grading system. Concordance, kappa measurement, and various correlation studies were done using SPSS software version 2021. RESULTS: Robinson's method showed a better concordance (84.61%), a better correlation (Spearman = 0.750, τ = 0.731, p < 0.001), and a substantial kappa value of agreement (κ = 0.701) with SBR grading system compared to other system closely followed by Fisher's system. CONCLUSIONS: Even though all the seven 3-tier cytological grading systems positively correlated with the SBR histologic grading of breast carcinoma, Robinson's method showed better concordance and correlation with a substantial kappa value of agreement in comparison to other 3-tier cytology grading systems. Hence, Robinson's grading which is simpler and also feasible should be incorporated in the routine cytology reporting of breast carcinoma.

Cytomorphological Study of Medullary Carcinoma of Breast in Comparison to Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Medullary breast carcinoma (MBC) is one of the rare variants of breast carcinoma, accounting for less than 5% of invasive breast carcinoma. MBCs relatively appear a decade earlier when compared to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC NOS), which is more prevalent in the elderly age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Pathology from 2009 to 2016. Fine needle aspiration cytology slides of MBCs and IDCs were retrieved, studied microscopically, and reviewed to compare the cytological features. RESULTS: During the study period, MBC cases were 12 and IDC were 319. Random 12 cases of IDC NOS were taken up for comparative cytological evaluation. Various cytological features are assessed and compared using chi square test and independent t test ratio. On comparison of IDC NOS and MBC cases in relation to the parameters like: syncytial clusters and nature of inflammatory infiltrate; the number of positive category was higher in MBC group (83.3%). In contrast, parameters like three-dimensional clusters, acinar pattern, and necrosis; the number of positive category was higher in IDC NOS group with a percentage of 91.7%, 100%, and 67%, respectively. Ratio of lymphoplasmacytic cells to tumor cells between the two showed that the ratio was higher in MBC group. This comparison was statistically significant with a P value of <0.001. CONCLUSION: Though few variants of breast carcinoma contain lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, the intensity and pattern of distribution of these lymphocytes and plasma cells in relation to tumor cells helps in distinguishing MBC from other breast carcinomas commonly IDC NOS on cytology. Also MBCs have a better prognosis when compared to IDC NOS.

Axillary lymph node tuberculosis masquerading as inflammatory breast carcinoma in an immune-compromised patient.

While tuberculosis is still the leading opportunistic infection among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is more common than pulmonary tuberculosis, with lymph nodes being a common site. Axillary lymph node pathology such as tuberculosis and lymphoma rarely mimics inflammatory breast carcinoma by producing lymphatic obstruction. We report a case of axillary lymph node tuberculosis in a 40-year-old immune-compromised woman, clinically presenting as inflammatory breast carcinoma.

Unusual cases of carcinoma of palatine tonsil.

We present two unusual cases of carcinoma of palatine tonsil in elderly patients. Both the cases were initially diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, second case, in addition, showed lung metastasis. On subsequent follow-up, the first case developed cutaneous metastasis in the right frontoparietal region while second case showed granulocytosis as paraneoplastic manifestation. The association of cutaneous metastasis and paraneoplastic granulocytosis with carcinoma of tonsil is rare. Cutaneous metastasis has been described only once in the literature while paraneoplastic granulocytosis is being reported for the first time. Both the conditions need long-term follow-up as they manifest at the extreme edges of the neoplastic process.

Carcinoid tumour of appendix in a child: a rare case at an uncommon site.

Carcinoid tumours of the appendix are uncommon incidentally detected tumours during histopathological examination following appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. Even though considered rare in children, they are the most frequently encountered tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. To our knowledge, carcinoid tumour of appendix in childhood has not yet been reported from Indian Subcontinent. The clinical presentation is similar to acute appendicitis and the signs and symptoms of carcinoid syndrome have not been reported in children. The prognosis of carcinoid tumour of appendix is excellent in children as the tumour is generally small in size and less aggressive with no metastasis. Simple appendicectomy is curative in most of the patients and long term follow up is debatable. We present here a case of carcinoid tumour of the body of appendix, which is an uncommon location in a 6-year-old child.

Multinucleate Giant Cells in FNAC of Benign Breast Lesions: Its Significance.

BACKGROUND: Multinucleate giant cells are described in breast aspirates. However, due to its rarity very few cases have been described cytologically. Hence recognition and correct interpretation of their presence is difficult, yet crucial for accurate diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study of FNAC (fine needle aspirate cytology) of breast lumps was conducted for a period of six months. Direct smears were prepared from the material aspirated. In case of fluid aspirates, centrifuge done and cell sediment was used for making smears. Smears were alcohol fixed and stained with PAP/H&E or air dried smears were stained with Leishman stain. Further smears were subjected to immunocytochemistry using vimentin and CD34 markers to know the origin of multinucleate giant cells. RESULTS: We have reported 11 cases of breast lesions, which showed multinucleate giant cells on FNAC. Out of the 11 cases, Cytologically six cases showed granuloma debris with relative proportion of epithelioid histiocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils and multinucleate giant cells. Two cases were diagnosed as acute suppurative granulomatous mastitis. Two cases of fibroadenoma and one case of fat necrosis showed multinucleate giant cells. Immunocytochemistry showed vimentin positivity in both stromal and histiocytic type of multinucleate giant cells and in isolated histiocytes. CD34 was focally positive in histiocytic type of giant cells. CONCLUSION: An effort is made to distinguish between the stromal and histiocytic type giant cells in non-neoplastic breast lesions. Further molecular studies have to be done to know the exact histogenesis and role of these multinucleate giant cells in benign lesions.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses: a case report.

Non Hodgkin's Lymphomas of the sinonasal tract are uncommon neoplasms that can be morphologically difficult to distinguish from destructive non-neoplastic process or other malignant neoplasm in this site. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas of the sinonasal tract are heterogeneous diseases that can be clinically aggressive. Immunophenotypic pattern of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas shows marked variations. We are reporting a case of B-Cell type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus with complete clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study as it is rare in Indian literature and review of the literature is done.