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.

Significance of loss of heterozygosity in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of breast metastatic to axillary lymph node (ALN) is a critical factor in determining stage and is a strong predictor of disease prognosis and survival. We studied ALN metastasis using a combined histopathologic/molecular approach to gain insights into the pathobiology implications. Fourteen patients with IDC with positive ALN and 19 with negative ALN were retrieved.

The diagnostic utility of CK5/6 and p63 in fine-needle aspiration of the breast lesions diagnosed as proliferative fibrocystic lesion.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy (FNAB) in the preoperative assessment of breast lesions has shown diagnostic limitations with false-positive and false-negative diagnoses. We investigated the diagnostic value of cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and p63 in a series of breast FNABs, diagnosed as proliferative breast lesions with or without atypia, to see whether these ancillary studies enhance the ability to make an accurate diagnosis by FNAB. Sixty-four breast FNABs were retrieved between January 2000 and December 2005 and included in the study as follows: 29/64 (45%) cases as proliferative with atypia and 35/64 (55%) without atypia.

CDX2 as a marker for intestinal differentiation: Its utility and limitations.

CDX2 is a nuclear homeobox transcription factor that belongs to the caudal-related family of CDX homeobox genes. The gene encoding CDX2 is a nonclustered hexapeptide located on chromosome 13q12-13. Homeobox genes play an essential role in the control of normal embryonic development.

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.

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.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of breast adenomyoepithelioma: a potential false positive pitfall and presence of intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions.

Cytologic diagnosis of adenomyoepithelioma can be very challenging. We report fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings of a benign adenomyoepithelioma. The cytologic features are characterized by hypercellularity and the presence of numerous atypical dispersed cells with epithelioid morphology and intact cytoplasm.

Idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in an adult, a potential mimic of gastric carcinoma.

Primary or idiopathic hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle (IHPM) is a rare entity with uncertain pathogenesis which both clinically and pathologically mimics gastric cancer. We present a rare late-occurring case of IHPM in a 71-year-old Caucasian man with no apparent predisposing factor. Imaging studies demonstrated gastric distension with air fluid levels and no evidence of extrinsic compression.

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.

Peritumoral lymphatic vessel density as a prognostic parameter in endometrial carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study.

Context: Lymphatic invasion and nodal metastasis play a major role in the spread and prognosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC).

Aims: In this study, we investigate tumor lymph-angiogenesis, detected by D2-40, as a predictive marker for the risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis and its relation to other prognostic parameters in EC.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-five cases of EC treated with total hysterectomy and pelvic LN dissection were reviewed.

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.

Distribution of basal/myoepithelial markers in benign and malignant bronchioloalveolar proliferations of the lung.

We investigated the staining pattern of commonly used basal cell/myoepithelial markers, such as p63 (a p53-homologous nuclear protein), basal cell-specific cytokeratin antibody (34betaE12, K903), and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) in benign and malignant bronchioloalveolar proliferations of the lung. We studied 85 lung lesions consisting of 35 bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, 30 well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and 20 cases of benign lung lesions. In normal lung, p63, K903, and SMMHC decorated the basal cells of large and small airways and occasional cells of terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory cytology: differential diagnosis and pitfalls.

Pulmonary cytology can be challenging and has its share of diagnostic pitfalls. Reactive atypia can occasionally be alarming, leading to diagnostic pitfall for a false-positive diagnosis of malignancy, even for experienced cytopathologists (Naryshkin and Young, Diagn Cytopathol 1993;9:89-97). In addition, cytologic preparations can show an absence of architectural clues, leading to diagnostic difficulties.

CDX-2 expression is a common event in primary intestinal-type endocervical adenocarcinoma.

We studied the expression of cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK20, CDX-2, and p16 in 119 cervical adenocarcinomas (65 usual type [50 invasive; 15 in situ], 37 intestinal type [21 invasive; 16 in situ], 10 endometrioid, 5 adenosquamous, and 2 signet-ring carcinomas) in comparison with 55 cases of rectal adenocarcinomas. The percentage of cells staining was considered negative if 0% to 5% stained; more than 5% was considered positive. For p16, staining of more than 50% was considered positive.

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.

Detection of HPV-DNA by a PCR-based method in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from rare endocervical carcinoma types.

High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of cervical squamous neoplasia and adenocarcinomas of the mucinous and endometrioid cell types. Cervical serous, clear cell, and small cell carcinomas differ from the conventional endocervical adenocarcinoma in their clinical characteristics. The data on the role of HPV in their pathogenesis are limited.

Postradical vaginal trachelectomy follow-up by isthmic-vaginal smear cytology: a 13-year audit.

Radical trachelectomy is a fertility preserving alternative for early cervical cancer patients. This audit assesses the role of isthmic-vaginal smear in postoperative follow-up. A total of 94 patients were identified generating 913 smears.

CDX2, cytokeratins 7 and 20 immunoreactivity in rectal adenocarcinoma.

There are limited data regarding CDX2 expression in rectal carcinoma. The CK20/CK7 immunoprofile of colorectal adenocarcinoma has been described in studies, which have mostly lumped colonic and rectal tumors together. In this study, we investigated the diagnostic utility of immunohistochemical stains for CK7, CK20, and CDX2 in a series of rectal adenocarcinoma.

Lymphatic vessel density as prognostic marker in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

We studied tumor lymphatic vascular density (LVD) as a predictive marker for the risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis and its relationship to other prognostic parameters and survival in 75 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Samples were immunostained for D2-40, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microvessels were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at x400 field (0.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.