Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α staining is associated with worse outcome in colorectal liver metastases.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of nuclear receptors involved in lipid metabolism and liver response to injury. We hypothesised that differences in the expression of PPARs may reflect differences in the cellular microenvironment of the liver and, consequently, in the behaviour of colorectal liver metastases. Of the 145 patients who underwent hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases between 1998 and 2007, 103 had adequate tissue for PPAR staining and histological re-evaluation.

Synoptic reporting improves histopathological assessment of pancreatic resection specimens.

Aim: We examined whether introduction of a standardised pancreatic cancer minimum data set improved the reporting of key pathological features across multiple institutions.

Methods: From seven different pathology departments that are members of the New South Wales Pancreatic Cancer Network, 109 free text reports and 68 synoptic reports were compared.

Results: AJCC stage could not be inferred from 44% of free text reports, whereas stage was reported in all 68 synoptic reports.

Mucinous cyst exhibiting severe dysplasia in gastric heterotopic pancreas associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumour.

Heterotopic pancreatic tissue within the stomach is rare and dysplasia within heterotopic pancreatic tissue is very rare. We present the first report of a patient with concurrent occurrence of heterotopic pancreas in the stomach with a gastrointestinal stromal tumour.