Chondroid lipoma--a case report.

Chondroid lipoma is a rare fatty tumor of soft tissues, especially in limbs and limb girdles. Though it is clinically benign, the main importance lies in its histological similarity with myxoid liposarcoma and chondrosarcoma, which have poorer prognosis. In our study, classical histological pattern of chondroid lipoma was confirmed on H&E and PAS stains with low mitotic count.

Cytological Study of Breast Carcinoma Before and After Oncotherapy with Special Reference to Morphometry and Proliferative Activity.

Our study was done to assess the cytological changes due to oncotherapy in breast carcinoma especially on morphometry and proliferative activity. Cytological aspirates were collected from a total of 32 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma both before and after oncotherapy. Morphometry was done on the stained cytological smears to assess the different morphological parameters of cell dimension by using the ocular morphometer and the software AutoCAD 2007. Staining was done with Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as proliferative markers. Different morphological parameters were compared before and after oncotherapy by unpaired Student's t test. Statistically significant differences were found in morphometric parameters, e.g., mean nuclear diameter, mean nuclear area, mean cell diameter, and mean cell area, and in the expression of proliferative markers (Ki-67 and PCNA). Statistical analysis was done by obtaining p values. There are statistically significant differences between morphological parameter of breast carcinoma cells before and after oncotherapy.

Role of proliferative markers in prostatic lesions.

Prostatic lesions on routine H&E stain sometimes cause diagnostic dilemma specially in premalignant lesions like A.A.H. and P.I.N. Proliferative markers (AgNOR, P.C.N.A) are of great help in this grey zone. Total 50 cases studied and provisional diagnosis after HIE stain revealed that 37 cases were B.H.P., 5 cases were A.A.H., 1 case was P.I.N and 7 cases were adenocarcinoma. Proliferative marker study revealed AgNOR count of B.H.P as (0.4 -2.5)/cell, of A.A.H as (1.5-3.2)/cell, of P.I.N as 4.8/cell and adenocarcinoma as (4.3-5.4)/cell. P.C.N.A index of B.H.P was (2-8)%, of A.A.H (17-35)%, of P.I.N 40% and of carcinoma (54-82)%. Proliferative marker study was of great help in distinguishing between benign and malignant and specially premalignant lesions like A.A.H and P.I.N, where routine histopathology diagnosis was confusing. In the study, P.C.N.A was found to be superior to AgNOR since the values for interpretation was wider.

Can molecular subtyping replace axillary nodal status as prognostic marker in breast cancer?

Subtypes are an established prognostic factor of BC in western population but its significance in Indian BC patients has not been evaluated. Thus this study provides an insight into the prognostic significance of molecular classification and its effect on the survival of BC patients in Eastern India. In this hospital based study 242 BC patients attending a Comprehensive Breast Service Clinic of a reputed institute in Eastern India and having IDC were studied over a period of 7 years (January 2007 to October 2013). Nonluminal HER-2-positive and Triple negative tumors were associated with advanced stage of disease, metastatic lymph nodes and NPI ≥5.4, whereas Luminal 1 and Luminal 2 tumors were associated with early stage, uninvolved lymph nodes and NPI <5.4. Better survival was observed for the patients with Luminal 1 [OS = 57.1 % (n = 36)] and Luminal 2 [OS = 60.0 % (n = 6)], compared to Triple negative [OS = 33.6 % (n = 38)] and nonluminal HER-2-positive tumors [OS = 32.1 % (n = 18)]. This study provided some idea about the pattern of BC on the basis of classification by molecular profiling. Our study indicated that Triple negative and nonluminal HER-2-positive tumors have reduced DFS and OS compared with luminal 1 and 2 subtypes. In our patients, Triple negative and nonluminal HER-2-positive tumors were associated with established unfavorable prognostic indicators and this reflects the data in the western literature. The results suggest that the molecular subtypes are an independent prognostic and predictive marker in Indian BC patients. Whether or not molecular subtyping of breast cancer can replace axillary lymph nodes as the standard in prognosis remains to be seen, but if molecular subtyping can provide more information than the axilla about the prognosis and treatment option, it may well be the future of prognostication.

Cytological and morphometric study of urinary epithelial cells with histopathological correlation.

This study has been done to asses the utility and accuracy of urinary cytology and morphometric study of exfoliated cells in early detection and follow-up of urothelial neoplasms and thereby help to reduce the disease-related mortality and morbidity. A total 100 patients with urinary symptoms were studied by cytological examination of urine along with morphometric analysis of suspicious epithelial cells. Immunostaining to detect CK-20 expression and p53 over expression was done in smears showing atypical cells. Histopathological confirmation was done in cases which were suspicious on cystoscopy. P value was determined by using unpaired t-test. Statistically significant difference was found between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of the urinary bladder as far as morphometry is concerned. Urinary cytology along with morphometry is an important tool in early detection of urothelial neoplasms. It is also helpful to find out the recurrences during post-operative follow-up period. Overexpression of CK-20 and p53 immunostain in cytology can act as an adjunct to the cytological diagnosis.

Role of Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in Prognosis of Breast Cancer.

COX-2 regulates tumour growth, invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. This study investigated the association between COX-2 expression in human breast cancer versus the expression of ER, PR, HER-2/neu, as well as its association with other established prognostic indicators like age, menopausal status, tumour size, lymph nodal status, stage, grade, NPI and histological subtype, and aims to validate the role of overexpression of COX-2 as a prognostic marker in patients with breast cancer in Indian subcontinent. In this hospital based study of 123 breast cancer patients (Group-A) and 76 female patients with benign breast disease (Group-B) attending a Comprehensive Breast Clinic at a reputed institute in Eastern India, COX-2 protein expression was measured from breast tissue using the Western Blot Technique. COX-2 mRNA expression was measured by RT-PCR Technique. ER, PR and HER-2/neu status was measured by immunohistochemistry methods. COX-2 was not expressed in the control group. The proportion of COX-2 positive tumours was significantly higher in patients of age >50 years [52(91.2 %), p < 0.01], postmenopausal status [64(90.1 %), p < 0.01], advanced stage of disease (p < 0.01), higher grade (p < 0.01), larger tumors (p < 0.01), metastatic lymph nodes (p < 0.01) and NPI ≥ 5.4 (p < 0.01). COX-2 expression was seen in ER-negative [66(95.7 %), p < 0.01], PR-negative [76(92.7 %), p < 0.01], and HER-2/neu positive tumours [29(100.0 %), p < 0.01]. Risk of COX-2 positivity was found to be 2.74 times more for postmenopausal status, 6.90 times more for large size tumours (≥ 2.5), 34.37 times more for node positive tumours, 9.26 times more with ER negative patients and 5.88 times more for PR negative patients. COX-2 expression is associated with established indicators of poor prognosis such as postmenopausal status, age >50 year, advanced stage of disease, large tumour size, higher grade, lymph node metastasis, NPI ≥ 5.4, ER negativity, PR negativity and HER-2/neu positivity. Thus, COX-2 expression implies aggressive tumour biology, and may play an important role as a prognostic marker.

Study of lymph node lesions with fine needle aspiration cytology and histopathology along with immunohistochemistry.

Lymphadenopathy is one of the commonest clinical presentations of the patients attending hospital outdoor. Aetiology varies from Inflammatory process to malignant conditions. Fine needle aspiration cytology has become an integral part of the initial diagnosis. Histology remains the gold standard. But there exists some gray zones both in cytology and histology where immunohistochemistry plays a major role for final diagnosis. In this study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the importance of immunohistochemistry in this field. Fifty cases were studied. Clinical history was noted and examination done. All cases were examined both cytologically and histologically. Immunocytochemistry was done in all the cases by monoclonal antibody against p53 and Ki67. The results were tabulated and analysed according to unpaired 't' test. Reactive hyperplasia was present in maximum number followed by tuberculosis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. All of these lesions showed statistically significant difference in p53 and Ki67 expression both in cytology and in histology. To conclude, fine needle aspiration cytology is an adjuvant to histology for early diagnosis and immunohistochemistry can help us in the gray zones.

Oryzias melastigma - an effective substitute for exotic larvicidal fishes: enhancement of its reproductive potential by supplementary feeding.

A preliminary study was conducted on the efficacy of Oryzias melastigma in consuming mosquito larva so as to control mosquito and mosquito borne diseases, and enhancing its reproductive success using supplementary feed. Oryzias melastigma is a larvivore fish and widely distributed in the shallow water, wetlands of Gangetic plains and peninsular India. These studies indicate that O. melastigma is a prolific breeder and gregarious feeder of mosquito larvae. Increased reproduction by providing different supplementary feed, of which Ulothrix acted remarkably, may aid in wide spread use of this fish as a biological control measure against mosquitoes. One adult fish of any sex can consume 87.1% first instars mosquito larvae/day. So, early stages of mosquito larvae are effectively controlled, as compared to other successive stages. Ulothrix has considerable effect on egg production, successful hatching and regaining reproductive maturity of female in surprisingly quicker interval.

Morphometric and histological study of breast lesions with special reference to proliferative activity and invasiveness.

Breast carcinoma is the most common cause of carcinoma death in women. Sometimes, difficulty arises to differentiate between premalignant lesions and carcinoma by routine histopathology. Our study was done to establish the role of morphometry and immunohistochemistry to solve this problem. In this study, total 60 cases of different breast lesions were included and 10 controls were also included to compare the results with the normal findings. They were studied by hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections for morphometry and routine histological study; as well as by proliferative markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p53. Invasiveness was studied using immunohistochemical staining with 34 ßE12 monoclonal antibody. Statistically significant differences were found in morphometric parameters and in expression of proliferative markers between most of them. Morphometry and immunohistochemistry help in the proper diagnosis of different breast lesions that lie in the gray zone on routine histopathology.

Study of immunohistochemistry in prostatic lesions with special reference to proliferation and invasiveness.

Prostatic lesions on routine staining sometimes cause diagnostic dilemma especially in premalignant lesions like atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Benign small acinar lesions also may be difficult to differentiate from small acinar adenocarcinoma. An important differentiating point is the loss of basal cell layer in adenocarcinoma and its presence in benign lesions. Basal cell markers (e.g. 34ßE12 cytokeratin) & proliferative markers (e.g. AgNOR and PCNA) can help in this regard. Total 60 cases of different prostatic lesions studied. After history taking, clinical examination, radiological & other investigations were done. Routine H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining against 34ßE12 cytokeratin & proliferative markers (AgNOR & PCNA) was performed. Statistically significant differences found in expression of 34ßE12 cytokeratin and proliferative markers between benign, premalignant and malignant prostatic lesions. Basal cell markers and proliferative markers are important parameters to distinguish between different benign, premalignant and malignant prostatic lesions.

Role of proliferative markers in breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoma of breast is a leading cause of death in women throughout the world. Difficulty in diagnosis occurs in routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained sections to differentiate premalignant lesions like epitheliosis and malignant lesions like carcinoma in situ which may affect prognosis. AIMS: Our study was done to assess the role of proliferative markers in this field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, total 66 cases of different breast lesions were studied by H&E stained sections as well as proliferative markers like silver staining nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences found in expression of proliferative markers between most of them. CONCLUSION: Study of proliferative markers help in the proper diagnosis of different breast lesions which lies in the grey zone on routine histopathology.

Posterior mediastinal biphasic synovial sarcoma in a 12 year-old boy: a case report and review of literature.

We report a case of biphasic synovial sarcoma of the mediastinum, a very rare tumor, in a 12-year-old boy with left-sided chest pain of 3 years duration at presentation. Chest X-ray showed left-sided opacity with loss of cardiac silhouette and the mediastinum deviated to the opposite side. Computed tomography (CT) of thorax showed left-sided posterior mediastinal mass with left-sided pleural effusion and pleural thickening. CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the mass reported it as spindle cell variant of adenocarcinoma. Ultrasonography (USG) of the whole abdomen revealed no abnormality. The mediastinal tumor was resected by left thoracotomy and histopathological report confirmed it to be a biphasic synovial sarcoma with capsule invasion at places.

Preoperative ultrasound guided needle localisation for non-palpable breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Indian women. Most cases present late and thus survival in Indian patients is poor compared to the western world. In the absence of a screening, early detection of breast cancer is a challenge in Indian subcontinent. METHOD: Though much is known about management of any palpable lump in breast, clear guidelines in dealing with non-palpable lesions of breast is still obscure. Careful imaging of breast followed by assignment of standard Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BIRADS) category to the finding can go in a long way to predict chances of malignancy in a non-palpable breast lesion (NPBL). Total 22 patients with impalpable lesions in the breast were localised with US guided needle and lesion excised. Applicability of Ultrasonography (USG) to detect early breast lesions and comparison with mammography in predicting malignancy was assessed by tests of proportions (z test). RESULTS: Total of three early breast cancers and four borderline lesions were diagnosed by this method among 22 properly selected cases. Needle localisation of the lesion on sonographic guidance followed by lumpectomy can be both an accurate diagnostic and therapeutic method to deal with occult lesion in our scenario. CONCLUSION: US guided lumpectomy is a feasible alternative to other methods and is effective in Indian scenario to diagnose early subclinical breast cancers.

Study of salivary gland lesions with fine needle aspiration cytology and histopothology along with immunohistochemistry.

Salivary gland swelling is a common and important problem. Acute and chronic sialadenitis, different benign and malignant neoplasms are the common causes which present with salivary gland swelling. Imaging technique is not so helpful in pre-operative diagnosis; microscopical examination is required for diagnosis. Pre-operative core needle biopsy is hazardous and may damage facial nerve, lead to fistula formation or associated with tumour seeding. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is however virtually risk-free. The study was done to assess the utility of FNAC and its accuracy and pitfalls with respect to histopathology and advantages of immunohistochemistry. The study was done with 40 cases of salivary gland swelling. After clinical examination, FNAC and histopathological examination along with immunohistochemistry was done and the results were correlated. Out of 40 cases, 25 involved the parotid gland, most common age group affected was 20 - 40 years and male: female ratio was 5: 3. Out of 40 cases 37 cases were cytologically and histopathologically correlated and rest 3 cases were different. Among these 3 cases, 2 were adenoid cystic carcinoma which was cytologically diagnosed as benign neoplasm (monomorphic adenoma). One case of Warthin's tumour was cytologically diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma. The sensitivity of this study was found to be 71.43%, specificity 100% and accuracy was 93.10%. This study corroborates well with other studies including immunohistochemical findings. p53 expression was found to be related with nature of the neoplasm. FNAC is an important tool for early diagnosis of salivary gland lesions.

Relative incidence of different thalassaemias and haemoglobinopathies in South Bengal.

Thalassaemia is a common congenital abnormality throughout the world and beta-thalassaemia and HbE abnormality are two common haemoglobin disorders in West Bengal of India. There is inadequate study of these disorders in and around Calcutta, which is the most populated area in West Bengal. The present study showed 74.85% normal chromatogram on high performance liquid chromatography; 9.16% showed symptomatic patients of which commonest was E beta-thalassaemia followed by beta-thalassaemia. Asymptomatic patients with abnormal haemoglobin was found in 15.99% of which beta-thalassaemia minor was the commonest. Other studies in and around Calcutta also showed similar results. Studies involving population of 24 Paraganas of West Bengal showed less percentage of carrier state than the present study. This signifies the increased awareness of the urban and semi-urban population than the rural population regarding these congenital diseases. Only screening procedure can prevent spread of these diseases amongst general population.