ABCG2 Expression as a Potential Survival Predictor in Human Gliomas.

Gliomas are notably challenging to treat due to their invasive nature and resistance to conventional therapies. The ABCG2 protein has attracted attention for its role in multidrug resistance, complicating treatment effectiveness. This study scrutinized the relationship between ABCG2 expression and glioma grade and the role of ABCG2 in the process of glioma progression, aiming to evaluate ABCG2 expression as a predictive factor of tumor progression and patient survival. Conducted at Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia, the study analyzed 152 glioma specimens from 2013 to 2022, assessing ABCG2 expression alongside standard clinical markers. A significant association was found between patients' survival and the ABCG2 profile (p = 0.003, r = 0.24), separately for patients who underwent chemotherapy (p = 0.0004, r = 0.32) and radiotherapy (p = 0.003, r = 0.29). Furthermore, the ABCG2 profile was significantly associated with disease progression (p = 0.007, r = 0.23), tumor grade (p = 0.0002, r = 0.31), and Ki67 expression (p = 0.0004, r = 0.31). ABCG2-positive tumor cells only showed association with Ki67 expression (p = 0.002, r = 0.28). The ABCG2 profile was found to affect the overall patient survival (p = 0.02) and represent a moderate indicator of tumor progression (p = 0.01), unlike the percentage of ABCG2-positive tumor cells. ABCG2 may serve as a marker of angiogenesis and vascular abnormalities within tumors, predicting glioma progression and treatment response. Targeting ABCG2 could enhance chemoradiotherapy efficacy and improve patient outcomes, which highlights its value in assessing tumor aggressiveness and designing treatment strategies.

Pathohistological features of the aging human lacrimal gland.

AIM: To assess sex-related differences in the pathohistological features of the human lacrimal gland and to investigate age-related and sex-related differences in stereologically measured volume density of the secretory tissue, connective tissue, and fat. METHODS: We performed an observational analysis of acinar atrophy, periacinar fibrosis, periductal fibrosis, ductal dilation, ductal proliferation, fatty infiltration, and lymphocyte infiltration of hematoxylin and eosin-stained lacrimal gland samples from 81 cornea donors. Stereological analysis of the volume density of the secretory tissue, connective tissue, and fat was performed on samples from 66 donors. RESULTS: Up to 69% of all samples showed degenerative changes. Female samples had a higher frequency of all observed degenerative changes, except ductal dilation. While acinar atrophy was significantly more prevalent in women, ductal dilation was significantly more prevalent in men. Stereological analysis indicated lower portions of acini and higher portions of connective tissue and fat, as well as a more pronounced age-related progression of degenerative changes in female samples. CONCLUSION: Female lacrimal glands are more susceptible to degeneration, and this susceptibility could play an important role in the higher incidence of dry eye disease in older women. A further stereological analysis using more samples from younger age groups is needed to elucidate age-related and sex-related differences in the structure of the human lacrimal gland and their impact on dry eye disease.

Nuclear Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Overexpression as a Survival Predictor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to determine, by immunohistochemical methods, the expression of nEGFR and markers of cell proliferation (Ki-67), cell cycle (mEGFR, p53, cyclin D1), and tumor stem cells (ABCG2) in 59 pathohistological samples of healthy oral mucosa, 50 oral premalignant changes (leukoplakia and erythroplakia), and 52 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). An increase in the expression of mEGFR and nEGFR was found with the development of the disease (p < 0.0001). In the group of patients with leukoplakia and erythroplakia, we found a positive correlation between nEGFR and Ki67, p53, cyclin D1, and mEGFR, whereas in the group of patients with OSCC, we found a positive correlation between nEGFR and Ki67, mEGFR (p < 0.05). Tumors without perineural (PNI) invasion had a higher expression of p53 protein than tumors with PNI (p = 0.02). Patients with OSCC and overexpression of nEGFR had shorter overall survival (p = 0.004). The results of this study suggest a potentially important independent role of nEGFR in oral carcinogenesis.

Challenges in the diagnostics and treatment of ectopic ameloblastic carcinoma: a case report.

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare and aggressive malignant epithelial odontogenic tumor, most commonly located in the mandible or maxilla. An extremely rare extragnathic localization of AC with no connection to the jaws, ectopic ameloblastic carcinoma (EAC), has so far been described only three times. This report presents a 64-year-old male with skull base ameloblastic carcinoma and offers a review of diagnostic and treatment challenges related to EAC. Because of its rarity and histological similarity to other tumors, EAC is often misdiagnosed. This is why we established a pathohistological and immunohistochemical profile of EAC that differentiates it from histologically similar tumors. The most frequently used EAC treatment is radical surgical resection, but the majority of reviewed reports described local recurrence. Taking into consideration new scientific discoveries on the molecular pathogenesis of ameloblastoma, we are the first to have performed BRAF mutation analysis in an EAC patient. BRAF inhibitors offer promising results in the treatment of BRAF-positive ameloblastomas and should continue to be researched in AC and EAC patients. Finally, EAC should be considered in differential diagnosis of head and neck tumors outside the jaws.

Expect the unexpected: Brown tumor of the mandible as the first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a condition in which one or more parathyroid glands produce increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), causing disturbances in calcium homeostasis. Most commonly HPT presents with asymptomatic hypercalcemia but the clinical spectrum may include disturbances reflecting the combined effects of increased PTH secretion and hypercalcemia. Brown tumors are rare, benign, tumor-like bone lesions, occurring in 1.5% to 4.5% of patients with HPT, as a complication of an uncontrolled disease pathway, and are nowadays rarely seen in clinical practice. The tumor can appear either as a solitary or multifocal lesion and usually presents as an asymptomatic swelling or a painful exophytic mass. Furthermore, it can cause a pathological fracture or skeletal pain and be radiologically described as a lytic bone lesion. The diagnosis of a brown tumor in HPT is typically confirmed by assessing the levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH. Although when present, brown tumor is quite pathognomonic for HPT, the histologic finding often suggests a giant cell tumor, while clinical presentation might suggest other more frequent pathologies such as metastatic tumors. Treatment of brown tumors frequently focuses on managing the underlying HPT, which can often lead to regression and resolution of the lesion, without the need for surgical intervention. However, in refractory cases or when dealing with large symptomatic lesions, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor of the maxilla (Pindborg tumor).

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT), or the Pindborg tumor, is very rare neoplasm, which accounts up to 1% of all odontogenic tumors. These tumors involve mandible almost twice as common as the maxillary bone, mostly in the premolar and molar region and present at first with local swelling. There is no gender predilection and the tumor usually appears between 2nd and 6th decade of life. We report the case of a 36-year-old male patient with a Pindborg tumor in the maxillary region on the right side, also involving the adjacent maxillary sinus, with destroying of the local anatomical structures. Complete surgical excision of the tumor has been performed and four years after surgical treatment, there is no sign of recurrence.

Renal cell carcinoma with concurrent urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

We report a case of a 71-year-old male with multiple primary malignancies involving kidney and urinary bladder, combined with synchronous lymphoma. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of painless gross hematuria. Examination revealed tumor of the right kidney and papillary tumor in the urinary bladder and enlarged lymph nodes along aorta and inferior vena cava. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR), radical nephrectomy of the right kidney and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy were performed. Pathohistologic evaluation, together with immunohistochemistry, gave the patient the final diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder and B- small cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-CLL).

Significance of nuclear EGFR and ABCG2 expression in malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of nuclear EGFR (nEGFR) and the stem cell marker ABCG2 in oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral erythroplakia (OE) and to assess their significance as prognostic biomarkers for malignant transformation. METHODS: In this study we included 50 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), 31 with OL and 19 with OE, in whom we examined the expression of nEGFR and ABCG2 by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Twenty-one (42%) of 50 patients with OL and OE developed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The malignant transformation was increased 12,84-fold (95% CI, 2.15-76.44, p = 0.005) in OPMD expressing both ABCG2 and nEGFR. Expression of nEGFR is a strong indicator of malignant transformation, unlike ABCG2 expression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Determining the co-expression of the biomarkers nEGFR and ABCG2 in OPMD may serve us to determine the risk of malignant transformation in OSCC.

Are We Benign? What Can Wnt Signaling Pathway and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Tell Us about Intracranial Meningioma Progression.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is characterized by the reduced expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of N-cadherin, plays an important role in the tumor invasion and metastasis. Classical Wnt signaling pathway has a tight link with EMT and it has been shown that nuclear translocation of ß-catenin can induce EMT. This research has showed that genes that are involved in cadherin switch, CDH1 and CDH2, play a role in meningioma progression. Increased N-cadherin expression in relation to E-cadherin was recorded. In meningioma, transcription factors SNAIL, SLUG, and TWIST1 demonstrated strong expression in relation to E- and N-cadherin. The expression of SNAIL and SLUG was significantly associated with higher grades (p = 0.001), indicating their role in meningioma progression. Higher grades also recorded an increased expression of total ß-catenin followed by an increased expression of its active form (p = 0.000). This research brings the results of genetic and protein analyzes of important molecules that are involved in Wnt and EMT signaling pathways and reveals their role in intracranial meningioma. The results of this study offer guidelines and new markers of progression for future research and reveal new molecular targets of therapeutic interventions.

Malignant transformation of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in pregnant patient: Clinical case and ethical dilemma.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare astrocytic tumor, accounting for <1% of astrocytic tumors. Due to its rarity, etiology, natural history, and biologic behavior is not completely explained. We present a case of malignant transformation of a PXA to glioblastoma in pregnant patient 6 month after tumor biopsy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 28-year-old female patient was presented with a newly onset of headache, nausea, and right-sided hemiparesis at 21st week of pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cystic mass in the left frontal region. Patient underwent biopsy to confirm pathohistological analysis; the tumor tissue corresponded to an anaplastic PXA. Two weeks after initial biopsy, open surgery along with gross total tumor removal was performed confirming pathohistological analysis. Six months later, after childbirth, and control MRI revealed a recurrent tumor mass: the patient underwent surgical resection and the tumor tissue corresponded to a glioblastoma. The patients were further treated with radiation and chemotherapy according to oncologist. CONCLUSION: Distinguishing between PXA patients who have a good prognosis and those at risk for early progression is very important for the PXA clinical management. Despite cellular pleomorphism, mitotic index and the extent of resection are shown to be the main predictors for recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates. The standard therapy management is not yet established. Our patient treatment was associated with a significant ethical dilemma. Respecting patient's wishes to deliver a baby, nor radio or chemo treatments were done. Further studies are necessary to provide factors responsible for malignant transformation of PXA. In addition, in ethically sensitive situation, such as tumor in pregnant patient, good communication, respecting patient's wishes, and a multidisciplinary teamwork is the key for better outcome.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of chondroid syringoma.

Chondroid syringoma (CS) is a rare, benign, appendageal tumor with diagnostic feature of myxochondroid stroma supporting eccrine and apocrine epithelial structures. The usual presentation is a painless, slowly growing mass, typically located in the head and neck region. It usually affects middle-aged and older male patients. Because of its unremarkable clinical presentation it is often overlooked. It should be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous head and neck tumors, especially in middle-aged men. Optimal treatment of CS is total surgical excision. We present a 63 year-old man with a small nodule on the neck with 5 years of duration. The diagnosis was made initially on fine needle aspiration cytology that was performed by ultrasound guidance and confirmed subsequently by histology. FNA cytology may be very useful to determine diagnosis before excision.

Prognostic significance of bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) expression, clinical and pathological factors in clinically node-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) has unique properties regarding structure and function in supporting bone formation during development and adult life. Despite its known role in various malignant tumors, the prognostic significance of BMP6 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate immunohistochemical expression of BMP6 in OSCC in correlation with clinical and pathological parameters, disease recurrence and survival. In addition, we investigated other parameters in order to identify prognosticators of neck metastases and final outcome. The study included 120 patients with clinically T1-3N0 OSCC who were primarily surgically treated between 2003 and 2008. There were 99 (82.5%) male and 21 (17.5%) female patients. The five-year disease-specific survival for the whole cohort was 79.7%. Tumors smaller than 2 cm in diameter showed higher incidence of strong BMP6 expression. No statistical correlation was observed between other clinico-pathological factors and BMP6 expression. Expression of BMP6 was not associated with disease recurrence and survival. BMP6 may not serve as prognosticator of final outcome or recurrence in clinically node-negative OSCC subjects. In multivariate analysis predictors of poorer survival were positive surgical margin, moderate tumor cell differentiation and pathological involvement of levels IV and/or V.

Intraspinal calcinosis mimicking intervertebral disc extrusion: A clinical and surgical case report.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous calcinosis is a well-recognized manifestation of systemic sclerosis that usually involves multiple pressure points and may also be found in the paraspinal or intraspinal regions. In this case, intraspinal calcinosis uniquely led to a severe neurological deficit. CASE DESCRIPTION: A patient with severe systemic sclerosis/calcinosis exhibited left greater than right lower extremity radiculopathy attributed to intraspinal left-sided L4-L5 calcinosis. On examination, the patient exhibited bilateral positive Lasegue signs, distal lower extremity weakness (left greater than right), and bilaterally decreased Achilles responses. When the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a significant intracanalicular mass on the left side at the L4-L5 level, the patient underwent a left-sided L4-L5 decompressive laminectomy. The MRI scan 5 years later revealed no recurrence of the calcinosis, and the patient had no residual neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal calcinosis rarely involves the lumbar spinal canal. Here, a patient with a large left-sided L4-L5 focus of intraspinal calcinosis, mimicking a disc herniation, required a laminectomy to resect the lesion. Lumbar calcinosis should be radiologically evaluated utilizing using X-ray, MRI, and computed tomography studies to adequately document the pathology. Patients, when symptomatic, may require surgical decompression and excision of these lesions.

Primary dural lymphoma mimicking meningioma: a clinical and surgical case report.

INTRODUCTION: Primary central nervous system lymphoma and its subtype, primary dural lymphoma, are types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that only occur in the central nervous system without any dissemination. They are extremely rare cases of extra nodal lymphomas accounting for 1--5% of intracranial tumors. CASE REPORT: We present a patient diagnosed with primary dural lymphoma in right frontal brain region who underwent surgical resection. Histopathological analysis revealed diffuse B-type large cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patient underwent four cycles of R-CHOP and intrathecal methotrexate protocol. Six months postoperative, no signs of newly onset infiltration were present. DISCUSSION: Primary dural lymphoma most likely presents with unusual radiological signs, which can easily be mistaken for meningioma, the main differential diagnosis. A thorough immunological, histopathological and clinical patients profile should be conducted in order to establish the certainty of diagnosis. Although there are few treatment options: surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, there is no established treatment protocol.

The rise in melanoma incidence in Croatia.

The incidence of skin cancer, and particularly of cutaneous melanoma, has increased substantially over the recent decades. It has generally been assumed that early diagnosis may in fact be responsible for a part of incidence increase. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and distribution of primary cutaneous melanoma among biopsy specimens during the 1991-2000 period. The Surgical Pathology computerized registry was used to identify patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. The distribution of primary cutaneous melanoma according to Clark showed an increased number of melanoma in situ diagnosed during the 1997-2000 period. It could not be definitely concluded whether these data resulted from more common excision of suspicious pigmented skin lesions or there was an increase in the melanoma rate as a consequence of environmental changes. Fortunately, nowadays new patients with cutaneous melanoma are mostly diagnosed early in the clinical course of disease when it can be successfully managed by simple surgical treatment.

Multiple cystic brain metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma mimicking neurocysticercosis.

The papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland is the most common type of tumor of the thyroid gland with good prognosis and low incidence of distant metastasis. The brain metastases of thyroid gland carcinoma are extremely rare. We report a patient with multiple cystic brain lesions and satisfying criteria for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Brain biopsy revealed brain metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma. The tumor originated from mediastinal thyroid tissue. Even in cases when neuroimaging suggests neurocysticercosis with great accuracy, it is important to exclude metastasis. Extensive brain metastases of primary papillary thyroid carcinoma are extremely rare.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI) is an uncommon tumour affecting predominantly the craniofacial bones of the newborn infants. The neural crest origin of the tumour has been confirmed. MNTI is generally accepted as a benign tumour despite of its rapid and locally infiltrative growth. Recurrence rate varies between 10% and 60%, and malignant behaviour has been reported in 6.5% of MNTIs. Systematic review of the literature revealed 445 MNTIs published between 1918 and 2010. We present additional two cases of MNTI from our Department, typical in all terms, which equals a total number of 447 reported cases. One of our cases revealed histological features consistent with malignant behaviour, but at present, 18 months after the surgical excision, there is no evidence of recurrence. Biological behaviour of MNTI cannot be predicted by gross or histologic characteristics, thus early diagnosis and careful follow-up after the complete surgical excision is required.

Schwannoma of the tongue in a child.

A schwannoma or neurilemmoma is a benign, slow growing, usually solitary and encapsulated tumour originating from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Approximately 25-40% of all schwannomas are seen in the soft tissues of the head and neck, often originate from the acoustic nerve. Intraoral schwannomas are rare and account for 1% of schwannomas of the head and neck region. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy diagnosed with a schwannoma of the tongue. The purpose of this report is to emphasize the possibility of diagnosing schwannoma among all other lingual lesions in children. The disease itself was diagnosed histologically after complete surgical excision. Five years after surgical treatment, the patient is without signs of recurrence. This paper highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of this very rare entity.