Is routine appendectomy at the time of primary surgery for mucinous ovarian neoplasms beneficial?

UNLABELLED: The question whether the appendix should be removed at the time of surgery for apparent early-stage ovarian cancer is controversial. Removal of the appendix in the setting of mucinous histologic type is primarily driven by the existing challenge to distinguish between primary ovarian mucinous neoplasm and metastatic appendiceal carcinoma to the ovary. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of an appendectomy at the time of surgery for ovarian mucinous borderline tumors or carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective single institute-based study was conducted. We identified patients who were operated on by a gynecologic oncologist for an abnormal pelvic mass, which was diagnosed as mucinous adenocarcinoma or mucinous borderline tumor between January 2000 and December 2010. Cases were included in the study if an appendectomy was performed at the time of initial surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-seven cases meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The ovarian mass of 11 patients (14%) was diagnosed as metastatic appendiceal carcinoma involving the ovary. Evidence of metastatic disease, abnormal-looking appendix, or pseudomyxoma peritonei, were identified at the time of surgery for all of these cases. The condition of 30 patients (39%) and 36 patients (47%) were diagnosed as mucinous borderline ovarian tumor and invasive or microinvasive mucinous ovarian carcinoma, respectively. Evidence of metastasis from the ovary to the appendix was not identified in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that in cases of apparent early-stage mucinous ovarian borderline tumors and cancer, adding an appendectomy at the time of surgery is not warranted in the absence of a grossly abnormal appendix or evidence of metastatic disease.

P16INK4a expression in undifferentiated carcinoma of the uterus does not exclude its endometrial origin.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium is a rare neoplasm, which, when involving the cervix, raises a question about its origin. Diffuse p16 positivity of uterine cancers is usually interpreted as a surrogate marker for high-risk human papilloma virus and favors cervical origin. In this study, we investigated the expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7), monoclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (mCEA), estrogen receptor (ER), vimentin, and p16 in 28 cases of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma, 20 high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas, and 50 cervical adenocarcinomas. Staining was considered positive when it was cytoplasmic for CK7, mCEA, and vimentin, nuclear for ER, and both nuclear and cytoplasmic for p16. Percentages of cells staining were recorded as follows: negative (0%-5%), 1+ (6%-25%), 2+ (26%-50%), 3+ (51%-75%), and 4+ (>75%). P16 was considered positive if it stained more than 75% of the tumor cells. Diffuse/strongly positive staining for p16 was seen in 40/50 (80%) cases of cervical adenocarcinoma and 14/28 (50%) cases of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma. In high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma, staining was mainly patchy. CK7, mCEA, ER, progesterone receptor, and vimentin staining in undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma was as follows: 10/28 (36%), 4/28 (14%), 21/28 (75%), 23/28 (82%), and 26/28 (93%), respectively; for high-grade endometrioid carcinoma: 20/20 (100%), 1/20 (5%), 17/20 (85%), 18/20 (90%), and 19/20 (95%); for endocervical adenocarcinoma: 50/50 (100%), 45/50 (90%), 9/50 (18%), 8/50 (16%), and 6/50 (12%), respectively. Our data indicate that p16 may play a role in the tumorigenesis of a subset of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma. In the setting of p16 positivity, undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas are more likely to be ER, progesterone receptor, and vimentin positive and mCEA negative when compared with endocervical adenocarcinomas. Distinction between undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma, both of which can share diffuse p16 expression, should rely on detection of human papilloma virus in the latter.

Immunohistochemical characterization of primary and recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors.

Adult granulosa cell tumors are usually diagnosed at an early stage. However, most patients with advanced or recurrent disease will die of the disease due to limited treatment options. Data on the immunohistochemical characteristics of recurrent granulosa cell tumors are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical profile of primary and recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors. Special emphasis is given to epidermal growth factor receptor expression because it represents a potential marker for targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies.Inhouse granulosa cell tumor cases accessioned between 1999 and 2008 were retrieved and reviewed according to the WHO classification. Cases were studied by immunohistochemistry using a panel of 11 antibodies. Immunostaining was semiquantitatively recorded.We have studied 20 cases of primary and 20 cases of recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors from 31 patients. Immunohistochemistry showed that primary tumors were positive for inhibin in 100%, calretinin 100%, CD56 90%, CD99 40%, D2-40 35% and low molecular weight keratin 30%. Recurrences were positive for inhibin 90%, calretinin 85%, CD56 95%, CD99 65%, D2-40 55% and low molecular weight keratin 10%. Recurrences were positive for inhibin 90%, calretinin 85%, CD56 95%, CD99 65%, D2-40 55%, and low molecular weight keratin 10%. All primary and recurrent tumors were negative for melan-A, CD10, and epithelial membrane antigen. Epidermal growth factor receptor was positive in 65% of primary tumors and 85% of recurrences. Ki67 index was higher in recurrence specimens. The immunoprofile of primary and recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors is highly concordant. Similar to primary tumors, almost all recurrent cases exhibited evidence of sex cord lineage. The lack of specific markers emphasizes the need for evaluation using a panel of antibodies. Special attention should be paid when low molecular-weight keratin is used as part of a panel differentiating granulosa cell tumors from carcinomas, as a significant proportion of the former are positive. Although targeted therapies directed against epidermal growth factor receptor have not been tested yet in the setting of advanced or recurrent granulosa cell tumors, the high level of epidermal growth factor receptor expression is important as we step to an era of advanced biolabeled imaging techniques.

Ovarian adenosarcoma arising from benign cystadenoma and associated intraoperative consultation pitfalls.

An unusual case of ovarian adenosarcoma arising from a smooth-walled serous cystadenoma is described. The ovary was replaced by a multiloculated, fluid-filled cyst without any solid or papillary areas. The malignant component was underdiagnosed during frozen section examination as benign cystadenoma because of the deceptively benign gross appearance of the tumor. On the permanent sections, a phyllodes-like pattern of stromal proliferation and periglandular condensation of atypical stromal cells with a mitotic count of 3 per 10 high-power fields was more apparent and led to the diagnosis of adenosarcoma. The malignant component could not be distinguished from the benign component using immunohistochemical analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an adenosarcoma arising from a grossly benign cystadenoma and the third case in the literature of an adenosarcoma associated with a cystadeno(fibro)ma. This case also shows the challenges in differentiating adenosarcoma from a benign counterpart on both frozen and permanent sections.

Lymphatic vessel density as a prognostic marker in clinical stage I endocervical adenocarcinoma.

There are limited data evaluating the significance of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) as a prognostic marker in cervical adenocarcinoma. In this study, we investigated intratumoral and peritumoral LVD, using the lymphatic marker D2-40, as a prognostic marker in endocervical adenocarcinoma. Surgical specimens from 50 consecutive patients with endocervical adenocarcinoma treated with complete staging surgical procedures were reviewed. Selected tumor blocks were immunostained for D2-40 and CD31. Positively stained microvessels (MVs) were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at 400x field in each specimen (0.17 mm). Results were expressed as the highest MV count identified within any single field. Both intratumoral CD31 MV and peritumoral D2-40 LVD showed significant correlation with depth of invasion (r=0.39, 0.37, respectively), percentage of circumferential involvement (r=0.36, 0.48, respectively), and lymphovascular invasion detected by D2-40 (r=0.45, 0.51, respectively; P<0.01). Only peritumoral D2-40 LVD showed a significant correlation with lymph node metastases (r=0.40; P<0.01), disease-free and overall survivals. Using univariate analysis, peritumoral D2-40 LVD showed significant correlation with lymphovascular invasion detected by D20-40 and lymph node metastases (P<0.05), which was maintained on multivariate analysis. D2-40 detected lymphovascular invasion in 16 of 50 (32%) cases, and showed a significant correlation with depth of invasion, lymph node metastases, involvement of parametrium (r=0.41, 0.38, 0.32, respectively; P<0.01), and disease-free survival. Our study showed that both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play an important role in the progression of endocervical adenocarcinoma, and that peritumoral D2-40 LVD is an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis.

Significance of periductal lymphatic and blood vascular densities in intraductal carcinoma of the breast.

We investigated the significance of periductal lymphatic and blood vascular densities in intraductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast. Thirty five cases of pure IDC treated by partial or total mastectomy were reviewed. Seven cases with normal breast tissue and 48 cases of invasive breast carcinoma were included as controls. All cases were immunostained with D2-40 and CD31. Positively stained microvessels were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at 400x (=0.17 mm(2)) in the periductal areas. IDC without comedonecrosis showed a mean periductal D2-40 lymphatic microvessel density (LMD) of 5.8 +/- 5 (range 0-18), and a CD31 microvessel density (MD) of 14 +/- 8.9 (range 1-40). IDC with comedonecrosis showed periductal D2-40 LMD of 8.4 +/- 3.8 (range 4-18), and a CD31 MD of 24.3 +/- 7.6 (range 14-40). There was a significant difference between periductal D2-40 LMD and CD31 MD counts in IDC with and without comedonecrosis. There was a positive correlation of periductal D2-40 LMD and CD31 MD counts with high nuclear grade (r = 0.39 and 0.56) of IDC as well as with the presence of comedonecrosis (r = 0.49 and 0.59). Both D2-40 LMD and CD31 MD did not correlate significantly with tumor size, estrogen status, or progesterone status. As IDC with comedonecrosis and/or high nuclear grade has a worse prognosis than IDC without comedonecrosis and/or with low nuclear grade, it appears that lymphatic and blood vascular density evaluated by D2-40 and CD31, respectively, are independent prognostic indicators for patients with IDC of the breast and may be an indicator of early or unrecognized invasion or "regression."

Multiple neuroenteric cysts at cerebello-pontine angle and foramen magnum: a case report and review of the literature.

Neuroenteric cysts of the CNS are uncommon benign lesions usually involving the spinal cord or rarely the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). We report a rare example of multiple neuroenteric cysts arising from the CPA and foramen magnum in a 20-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with headaches and dizziness. An MRI showed three separate lesions, not communicating with each other. The first lesion, within the left posterior lateral aspect of the CPA, demonstrated isointensity to gray matter on the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence. The second lesion, within the left foramen of Luschka at the level of the CPA, demonstrated hyperintensity on the T(2)-weighted sequences, intermediate to slightly hyperintense on T(1)-weighted sequence and hyperintensity on FLAIR. The third lesion, within the anterior/inferior left cerebellum at the level of the foramen magnum, followed CSF signal intensity throughout. None of the lesions demonstrated significant enhancement or bone lesions. Due to compression effect, surgery was performed. Pathologic examination revealed cystic structures lined by a single layer of non-ciliated well-differentiated mucin-producing columnar epithelium with eosinophilic to amphophilic cytoplasm and round to oval nuclei with focal pseudostratification. Immunohistochemical studies showed focal positivity for cytokeratin 7, CK 5/6, synaptophysin, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), diffuse positive staining for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and BerEP4; and negative staining for cytokeratin 20, TTF-1, and GFAP. The MIB-1 proliferation index was < 1%. One-year follow-up has shown no recurrence. The differential diagnosis and a brief review of the literature are also presented.

Diagnostic and prognostic utility of molecular markers in synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma.

Histologic criteria have a limited role in determining whether the synchronous bilateral breast carcinomas represent two primaries or a metastasis to the contralateral breast. We studied the molecular analysis of synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma and whether they are originating from a single or different clone. We examined 17 patients with breast carcinoma, including 12 patients with synchronous bilateral carcinomas and control group of 5 infiltrating ductal carcinomas with regional lymph node metastases. Mutations were quantitatively determined to detect loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite size alterations for a broad panel of 15 markers, involving 10 chromosomes using polymerase chain reaction. The carcinomas were classified as de novo or metastasis based on three levels of concordance: (1) marker-affected tumors were considered concordant if 50% or more of the same markers were mutated, (2) same gene copy affected, and (3) temporal sequence of mutation acquisition. In synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma patients, molecular analysis showed discordant mutations in all cases, supporting the diagnosis of de novo bilateral primary breast carcinomas. In patients with lymph node metastases, the primary breast carcinoma and metastases shared the same mutations, revealing a metastatic lesion. In conclusion, the application of molecular technology may play an important role for the differential diagnosis of dual primary carcinomas vs a metastatic breast cancer to contralateral breast. In this study, synchronous bilateral breast cancers represent two independent primaries rather than metastatic events.

Immunophenotyping of serous carcinoma of the female genital tract.

To update the data on the expression of 'mesothelioma markers' by serous carcinomas of various sites we have studied cases from ovary (n=56), endometrium (n=37), fallopian tube (n=6), primary peritoneum (n=5) and cervix (n=3) using a panel of antibodies (WT1, P53, estrogen receptors, HER2/neu, D2-40, cytokeratin 5/6 and E-cadherin). Ovarian carcinomas demonstrated D2-40 and cytokeratin 5/6 immunoreactivity in 23.2 and 55.4% of cases, respectively. Endometrial carcinomas demonstrated D2-40 and cytokeratin 5/6 immunoreactivity in 43.2 and 37.8% of cases, respectively. D2-40 staining pattern was predominantly focal; however, strong reactivity was identified in 16.2% of endometrial and 10.7% of ovarian carcinomas. HER2/neu oncoprotein overexpression was demonstrated in 7 of 37 (18.9%) uterine serous carcinomas. In contrast, all the serous carcinomas of the other sites were HER2/neu negative. The proportion of positive cases was significantly different in ovarian vs endometrial carcinomas regarding WT1 (P=0.0458), estrogen receptors (P<0.001) reactivity and HER2/neu overexpression (P=0.0025). D2-40 and cytokeratin 5/6 are expressed in a considerable proportion of serous carcinomas and should be used cautiously in a 'mesothelioma panel' in situations where serous carcinoma is in the differential diagnosis. HER2/neu was exclusively overexpressed in serous carcinomas of endometrial origin.

Prognostic significance of intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic density and blood vessel density in invasive breast carcinomas.

We studied tumor lymphatic and vascular densities and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) as prognostic markers in 48 cases of invasive breast cancer treated with partial or total mastectomy and lymph node dissection. All cases were immunostained with D2-40 and CD31. Positively stained microvessels were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at x400. The mean+/-SD peritumoral lymphatic microvessel density (LMD) was significantly higher than intratumoral LMD (9+/-7 vs 4+/-6; P< .01). There was a positive correlation of D2-40 LMD (peritumoral and intratumoral) and CD31 microvessel density counts with lymph node metastasis (r=0.35, 0.5, and 0.38), nuclear grade (r=0.36, 0.28, and 0.3), and stage (r=0.42, 0.56, and 0.49), respectively. Peritumoral and intratumoral D2-40 LMD correlated significantly with the presence of angiolymphatic invasion (detected by D2-40; r=0.54 and 0.54, respectively). D2-40 detected more LVI than H&E- and CD31-detectable vascular invasion (18/48, 5/48, 11/48, respectively). Increased D2-40 detected LVI, and high CD31 microvessel counts showed significant adverse effect on survival status.

Pathologic variables predictive of breast events in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.

Central pathology review of ductal carcinoma in situ from 1,456 patients enrolled in National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) protocol B-24 was performed to determine predictors for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences and contralateral breast cancers. Findings after a median follow-up time of 10.5 years revealed ductal comedo necrosis, micropapillary histologic tumor type, and multifocality to be independent high risk factors for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. Risk increased for slight comedo necrosis vs absent and for moderate to marked comedo necrosis vs slight. The presence of a micropapillary tumor type and gross tumor size (> or = 1.0 cm) were independently found as risk factors for contralateral breast cancers. Although 47% of ipsilateral and 66% of contralateral events were invasive carcinomas, overall mortality was only 2.3%, a conundrum possibly related to the small size of the latter. The similar predictive role of comedo necrosis in this study and that reported previously from NSABP B-17 (total of 2,079 patients) strongly supports its role as a simple high-risk predictor for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences.

Endoglin (CD105) and vascular endothelial growth factor as prognostic markers in prostatic adenocarcinoma.

We studied endoglin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression as prognostic markers in prostatic adenocarcinoma in 50 radical prostatectomy specimens. Cases were further categorized by Gleason score as follows: 8 to 10, 9 cases; 7(4 + 3), 9 cases; 7 (3 + 4), 14 cases; 6, 13 cases; and 4 or 5, 5 cases. All cases were immunostained for endoglin, CD31, and VEGF. Positively stained microvessels were counted in densely vascular foci in a x 400 field. VEGF staining intensity was scored on a 2-tiered scale. Results were correlated with survival and other parameters. Endoglin demonstrated significantly more microvessels than did CD31 (mean +/- SD, 37 +/- 15 vs 22 +/- 17; P < .001). VEGF expression was low in 21 cases (42%) and high in 29 (58%). Endoglin correlated positively with Gleason score, lymph node metastases, tumor stage, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen level (P < .05) but not with CD31. VEGF correlated significantly with angiolymphatic invasion and Gleason score (P < .05). A high endoglin microvessel count and VEGF expression correlated with shorter survival. Endoglin is a more specific and sensitive marker for tumor angiogenesis than CD31 and may serve as a prognostic marker for prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Diagnostic value of CDX-2 and TTF-1 expressions in separating metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms of unknown origin.

Histomorphologic features and routine endocrine immunohistochemical (IHC) markers do not differentiate neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in relation to their location, making it difficult to establish the site of origin of a metastatic neoplasm. Site-specific markers would be useful, particularly when examining small biopsies. CDX-2 and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) are transcription factors that have been recently proposed as IHC markers of intestinal and pulmonary adenocarcinomas, respectively. However, their expression in NETs has not been widely studied. The objective of this study is to evaluate the expression of TTF-1 and CDX-2 in NETs and their potential usefulness in distinguishing gastrointestinal and pulmonary NETs from other sites. We performed an IHC study on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 155 primary NETs, including 60 pulmonary, 60 gastrointestinal, 30 pancreatic, and 5 NETs from other sites. In addition, we evaluated 13 metastatic NETs, including 11 cases of gastrointestinal and 2 of pulmonary origin. In this study, CDX-2 was expressed in 28/60 (47%) of gastrointestinal NETs with the following results: 11/11 (100%) appendiceal, 12/14 (86%) small intestinal, 3/4 (75%) colonic, 2/11 (18%) rectal, and 0/20 (0%) gastric. TTF-1 was expressed in pulmonary carcinoid tumors in 13/30 (43%) and in 27/30 (90%) pulmonary small cell carcinomas. NETs of other origins (pancreas, skin, ovary, and thymus) were negative for both TTF-1 and CDX-2. Metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms of intestinal origin were positive for CDX-2 and negative for TTF-1. In conclusion, CDX-2 expression is highly specific in identifying NETs of intestinal origin and TTF-1 expression is helpful in identifying NETs of pulmonary origin, which can be quite useful in the diagnosis of metastatic NETs of unknown origin.

Introduction of the Thin Prep Imaging System (TIS): experience in a high volume academic practice.

OBJECTIVE: Since the introduction of the liquid-based ThinPrep testing in 1996, most cytology laboratories across the country have adopted the liquid-based cytology (LBC) for Pap test screening. Subsequent to wide-spread adoption of the ThinPrep Pap test, the ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS) Cytyc Corp, Marlborough, MA was introduced to improve the accuracy and efficiency of screening interpretation. We report our initial experience with the TIS at Magee Women's Hospital. We introduced the TIS in December 2004. METHODS: The imager assisted Pap test results over the first 12 months (December 2004 to December 2005) of implementation were reviewed and analyzed. Our implementation protocol included each cytotechnologist manually prescreening 200 negative slides to gain experience with the imager slides and serve as a quality check for the TIS. We re-screened 3400 slides (200 slides each for 17 cytotechnologists) manually which were initially determined to be negative using the TIS. 104,457 Pap tests were imaged on the TIS. 95,899 manually screened Pap tests, 12 months prior to the introduction of the TIS (December 2003-November 2004) are taken as the historic control group for our study. RESULTS: The mean ASC-US rate employing the automated imager was 8.70% [9088/104,457]. The mean LSIL detection rate was 4.22% [4409/104,457]. The imager did not miss any detectable high-grade lesions during these months, with a HSIL (+) detection rate of 0.68% in comparison to 0.60% by manual screening confirmed by follow-up biopsies. The difference is statistically significant with a p value of 0.022. The definition of false negative rate for purposes of this study is calculated as the number of false negative cases identified out of number of negatives re-screened. The TIS false negative rate was estimated at 0.012% [4/3400]. CONCLUSION: The overall performance of the TIS in our lab appears to be highly satisfactory in terms of improving sensitivity in screening cervical precursor lesions. The increased accuracy of detection of HSIL indicates a positive impact of the TIS in our laboratory.

Clinical significance of cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade, in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

We used cytohistologic correlation to determine the clinical significance of atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade (ASC-H) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. A computer search identified 250 Papanicolaou smears from women older than 45 years with a diagnosis of ASC- H. Cases were considered perimenopausal (45 to < 55 years; 150 cases) and postmenopausal ((3)55 years; 100 cases). No follow-up data were available for 33 cases, which were excluded. The remaining 217 cases (perimenopausal, 127; postmenopausal, 90) had surgical or cytologic follow-up. Results of follow-up colposcopic biopsy were available for 176 (81.1%) and cytology for 41 (18.9%) women. Follow-up results were as follows: perimenopausal women, negative, 50 (39.4%); mild dysplasia (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL]), 46 (36.2%); high-grade dysplasia (high-grade SIL [HSIL]); 28 (22.0%); and ASC of undetermined significance (ASC-US), 3 (2.4%); postmenopausal women, negative, 52 (58%); LSIL, 31 (34%); HSIL, 5 (6%); and ASC-US, 2 (2%). The diagnosis of ASC-H in postmenopausal women usually is associated with LSIL or a negative diagnosis on follow-up, suggesting a less aggressive surveillance and treatment regimen is needed for postmenopausal women with ASC-H.

Dietary fatty acids modulate chronic colitis, colitis-associated colon neoplasia and COX-2 expression in IL-10 knockout mice.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of different dietary oils on the development of colitis-associated colon cancer have not been studied. The present study examined the effect of different dietary oils on the severity of chronic colitis, development of colitis-associated premalignant changes, and colonic expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10-/-) mice. METHODS: IL-10-/- mice were fed chow supplemented with corn oil (CO; control, n=28), olive oil (OO; n=29), or fish oil (FO; n=35) for 12 wk and their colons were studied for colitis score, premalignant changes, and COX-2 expression. RESULTS: The average colitis score was higher in the FO than in the CO group. Similarly, the incidence of severe colitis (score>or=3) was significantly higher in the FO than in the CO and OO groups (50% versus 7.7% and 3.7%, respectively, P<0.05). Dysplasia was more frequent in the FO and less frequent in the OO than in the CO group (47% and 4% versus 15%, respectively, P<0.05). Conversely, aberrant crypt foci and crypt index were significantly higher in the FO than in the CO group. Colitis score, aberrant crypt foci, and crypt index did not differ between the OO and CO groups. COX-2 immunostaining was significantly lower in the OO than in CO group (P<0.05) but not different between the FO and CO groups. CONCLUSIONS: In IL-10-/- mice, fish oil exacerbates chronic colitis and colitis-associated premalignant changes. Conversely, olive oil inhibits COX-2 immunostaining and decreases the risk of neoplasia associated with chronic colitis.

Cytomorphologic analysis and histological correlation of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in postmenopausal women.

Atrophy-related epithelial changes often pose a diagnostic difficulty during the interpretation of postmenopausal smears. The objectives of this study are to identify the cytomorphologic features of HSIL, in Pap smears of postmenopausal Pap women, and to investigate the possible criteria that could lead to an inaccurate interpretation and false-positive results. Forty Pap smears that were reported as HSIL in postmenopausal women were reviewed. Follow-up cervical biopsies were available on all cases, of which 6 cases were immunostained for MIB-1 and P16. The following cytomorphologic features were evaluated: smear background, degree of cellularity, cellular arrangement, nuclear size, nuclear membrane irregularity, nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, hyperchromasia, and chromatin pattern. Significant histological abnormalities were present in 35 out of 40 cases. Of those, 22 (55%) cases had high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 or CIN3), 10 (25%) had CIN-1, 5 (12.5%) had reactive changes in the biopsy, and 3 cases had invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The cytomorphologic features that favored HSIL (P < 0.05) included: increased number of abnormal cells, nuclear membrane irregularities, cellular arrangement, and high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. Granular background, nuclear size, hyperchromasia, and abnormal chromatin pattern can be associated with reactive and atrophic changes. Our study showed that cytomorphological features favoring HSIL in postmenopausal smears include increased number of abnormal single cells with high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and irregular nuclear membrane. Granular background, nuclear enlargement, abnormal chromatin pattern, and hyperchromasia can be seen in reactive changes, and may lead to inaccurate interpretation.

Sclerosing papillary lesion of the breast: a diagnostic pitfall for malignancy in fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Papillary neoplasms of breast constitute a group of lesions that show broad spectrum of morphological changes, ranging from benign to malignant and posing challenges at all diagnostic levels. Some benign papillary lesions may form well-defined solid masses with a dominant sclerosed architecture, known as complex sclerosing papillary lesion or simply sclerosing papilloma. The purpose of this study is to apply the previously published criteria for papillary lesions and to identify the cytomorphologic findings that lead to false-positive diagnosis of these cases. We reviewed the fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of six histologically proven sclerosing papilloma that were called suspicious or malignant on FNAB. The patient age ranged from 40 to 69, with a mean of (43 +/- 6) yr. Three patients presented with a palpable lump and two patients had history of fibrocystic disease. All six patients had abnormal screening mammograms. FNAB was performed using a 23-gauge syringe attached to a commercial holder. FNA smears were markedly hypercellular with large number of epithelial fragments and papillary clusters, discohesive single cells that are hyperchromatic with mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism. Bipolar cells were present in all cases, varying from low to abundant. Intraoperative consultation was requested on four cases. Touch preparations were made on two cases and were reported as suspicious based on the cellularity and nuclear atypia. All surgically excised specimens showed sclerosing complex papillary proliferative lesions with epithelial hyperplasia. In conclusion, FNA cytology of this proliferative lesions may be highly cellular and may display cellular atypia similar to breast carcinoma and thus leads to false-positive interpretation.

The diagnostic utility of D2-40 for malignant mesothelioma versus pulmonary carcinoma with pleural involvement.

Differentiating malignant mesothelioma (MM) from pulmonary carcinoma in pleural fluid cytology can be challenging. Recent studies have suggested that D2-40, a novel lymphatic marker, may be a useful marker for mesothelial differentiation in surgical specimens. However, there are no available data regarding its utility in effusion cytology specimens. We investigated the utility of D2-40 in pleural fluid cytology in differentiating MM from pulmonary carcinomas. Twenty cases of pleural effusion smears of surgically confirmed MM with their corresponding cell blocks were retrieved from the database of the hospital computer system. We also included 10 cases of metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PA) and 10 cases metastatic pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) involving the pleural fluid. Cell blocks were formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded, and immunostained for TTF1, p63, calretinin, CK5/6, WT-1, and D2-40. Cases were scored as negative (<5% positivity) or positive (>5% moderate/strong positivity). The positive rates for TTF1, p63, calretinin, CK5/6, WT-1, and D2-40 were as follows: MM (0/20), (0/20), (17/20), (18/20), (19/20), (17/20), for PA (8/10), (0/10), (3/10), (0/10), (0/10), (0/10), and for PSCC (1/10), (10/10), (6/10), (10/10), (0/15), (0/10). The staining pattern for D2-40 was characterized by thick membranous staining. Diffuse cytoplasmic staining by D2-40 was seen in 2 cases of pulmonary carcinoma, counted as negative. Our study showed that in differentiating MM from PA, CK5/6, WT-1, and D2-40 have high specificity and sensitivity for MM. Although calretinin is a sensitive IHC marker for MM, it is not specific since it stained 30% of PA. Conversely, to differentiate between MM and PSCC, p63 and WT-1 are the best available markers. We recommend a panel of CK5/6, p63, D2-40, and WT-1 to differentiate MM from pulmonary carcinomas in effusion cytology specimens.

Clinical significance of a cytologic diagnosis of atypical glandular cells, favor endometrial origin, in Pap smears.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of a diagnosis of atypical glandular cells, favor endometrial origin (AGC-EM), using cytohistologic correlation. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective search identified 90 cervicovaginal smears (vaginal pool) with a diagnosis of AGC-EM, in 2 tertiary care medical centers between January 1998 and December 2002. RESULTS: Forty-six (51%) were conventional preparations and 44 (49%) were liquid-based monolayers (SurePath, TriPath Imaging Inc., Burlington, North Carolina, U.S.A.). Follow-up biopsies were available in 55 of 90 (61%) cases, 15 of 90 (17%) cases had cytology follow-up, and 20 of 90 (22%) were lost to follow-up. The patients ranged in age from 30 to 86 years (mean, 56); 56 of 90 (62%) were > 50 years. Among the patients who underwent biopsy, 22 (40%) had a clinically significant lesion, including 10 (18%) endometrial adenocarcinomas, 8 (15%) endometrial hyperplasias and 4 (7%) high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/squamous cell carcinoma, nonkeratinizing type. The remaining 33 patients had benign histology, including benign endometrium, endometrial polyp, tubal metaplasia, cystic endometrial atrophy and cervical microglandular hyperplasia. Of the patients with cytologic follow-up, 2 had Pap smears showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, while the remainder had negative results. CONCLUSION: In our study population, 40% (22 of 55) of women who underwent biopsy following a diagnosis of AGC-EM had significant uterine lesions, with the majority of the lesions endometrial in origin. Patients with a diagnosis of AGC-EM, especially those > 50, should be followed closely, and endometrial sampling should be included in their initial workup.