Publications by authors named "Morgan Ballard"
In patients with invasive breast cancer, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing for HER2 typically demonstrates the clear presence or lack of ERBB2 (HER2) amplification (i.e., groups 1 or 5).
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- The 2013 CAP/ASCO HER2 Testing Guidelines Update redefined categories for HER2 testing in breast cancer, categorizing certain non-traditional results as amplified or equivocal.
- A study analyzed data from three institutions (Stanford, UCSF, UWMC) on 8,068 breast cancer cases between 2001-2014 to assess the characteristics of cancers with equivocal or non-classical HER2 FISH results.
- Findings revealed that 5.2% of cases were equivocal, with non-classical HER2 findings primarily showing a high prevalence of ER-positive and high-grade cancers, indicating a need to support the existing classification scheme for HER2 testing.
Objectives: To determine whether cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM) can be associated with Gram-positive bacilli and Corynebacterium
Methods: We reviewed our experience with 35 granulomatous mastitis patients over a 10-year period, including histologic pattern, Gram stain and other microbiologic data, clinical presentation, treatment and outcome.
Results: Biopsies from 19 patients demonstrated CNGM, while 16 patients had other patterns of granulomatous mastitis. Gram-positive organisms were seen within microcystic spaces in 16/19 CNGM, but 0/16 non-CNGM patients (P = .
Novel mutations in neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast: possible therapeutic targets.
Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol
February 2015
Article Synopsis
- Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, comprising only 2% to 5% of cases.
- A study identified genetic mutations in neuroendocrine breast tumors, revealing that PIK3CA mutations are prevalent, while mutations in FGFR and RAS family members are rare.
- This research highlights the importance of comprehensive genetic analysis in understanding and potentially treating uncommon tumors like neuroendocrine breast carcinoma.
The dysfibrinogen gammaR275C can be a clinically silent mutation, with only two out of 17 cases in the literature reporting a hemorrhagic presentation and four cases reporting a thrombotic presentation. We describe here a particularly severe presentation in 54-year-old female patient who required a hysterectomy at 47 years of age due to heavy menstrual bleeding. Coagulation studies revealed a prolonged prothrombin time and thrombin time, a normal fibrinogen antigen level, and a low fibrinogen activity level.
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