MALT lymphoma of the floor of the mouth: a case report.

MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas are low-grade extranodal B-cell lymphomas that may involve various sites in the head and neck including the thyroid, salivary, and lacrimal glands. Development of MALT lymphoma in the head and neck is often associated with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome or Hashimoto thyroiditis. Here we report a case of a MALT lymphoma of the floor of the mouth that likely arose in the sublingual gland.

Fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules: a study of 4703 patients with histologic and clinical correlations.

Background: The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology recently proposed 6 diagnostic categories for the classification of thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Using these categories, the experience with FNA from 2 institutions was studied with emphasis on cytologic-histologic correlation, source of errors, and clinical management.

Methods: Patient cytology data were retrieved by a retrospective search of thyroid FNA in the institutional databases.

Role of FNA cytology and immunochemistry in the diagnosis and management of medullary thyroid carcinoma: report of six cases and review of the literature.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine thyroid malignancy. This study retrospectively reviewed 10 fine-needle aspiration samples from six MTC patients. Aspirated specimens were from thyroid (3), cervical lymph nodes (5), left lung (1), and anterior chest wall (1).

The role of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in distinguishing pancreatic cystic lesions.

Distinguishing mucinous from nonmucinous cystic lesions of the pancreas often constitutes a diagnostic dilemma. The clinical management differs between such lesions; therefore it is important to make an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Various centers have reported conflicting results regarding their ability to detect mucin-producing neoplastic cells and appropriately reach a diagnosis based on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided FNA.

Using cytology to evaluate the endocervical canal after loop excision.

Objective: This study assesses cytology to evaluate the endocervical canal immediately after loop excision.

Material And Methods: In 103 patients, we performed a cytologic smear and endocervical curettage immediately after loop excision. Diagnoses were made independently by two cytopathologists and compared to histology.

Imaging, morphologic, and immunohistochemical correlation in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) recently have been distinguished morphologically, immunohistochemically, and genetically from other gastrointestinal-tract spindle cell neoplasms. The objective of this study was to correlate clinical and imaging findings with morphology and immunohistochemistry to diagnose GISTs and to differentiate them from other spindle cell lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods: The authors reviewed 9 patients who had tumors that were diagnosed as GIST by image-guided and endosonographic-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with or without core biopsy (7 stomach tumors and 2 intraabdominal tumors).

Activation of the hedgehog pathway in a subset of lung cancers.

Activation of the hedgehog pathway is reported in lung cancer, but its frequency remains unknown. We examine activation of this pathway in lung cancers by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemstry, and find that less than 10% of the tumors have elevated hedgehog target gene expression. We further identify a cell line NCI-H209 and two primary tumors with no detectable Su(Fu), a negative regulator of the pathway.

Clinical, imaging, and cytopathological features of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: a clinicopathologic study of three cases and review of the literature.

Solid pseudopapillary tumors are rare pancreatic neoplasms of uncertain pathogenesis that rarely metastasize and usually occur in young women. We describe the clinical, imaging, and cytopathological features of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas. We reviewed the clinical presentation, imaging, morphologic/immunochemical features, and follow-up of three women (age range 26-44).

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis above and below the diaphragm.

Endosonography ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive technology using a high-frequency ultrasound transducer that is incorporated into the tip of a conventional endoscope. This technique permits high-resolution imaging of the gastrointestinal wall and structures in its vicinity, as well as real-time endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA). This is a review of the literature on EUS-guided FNA of the mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes, the pancreas, intramural gastrointestinal masses, and other miscellaneous organs and body cavities.

Primer: cytopathology for the clinician--how to interpret the results of aspiration cytology.

The practice of clinical cytopathology is characterized by the daily challenges of trying to establish pathological diagnoses on the basis of microscopic evaluation of small cellular samples, from both deep-seated and superficial anatomic sites. The diagnostic work-up of mass lesions involves a collaborative effort between clinicians and pathologists, and relies on the pathologist's ability to establish a reliable diagnosis; that is, one that convincingly explains the mass and its underlying neoplastic or non-neoplastic nature. Arriving at a conclusive pathological diagnosis is not always easy and additional ancillary tests, such as special stains, microbiologic cultures and flow cytometry, are often required.

Synergistic interaction of hyperthermia and Gemcitabine in lung cancer.

Hyperthermia increases cytotoxicity of various antineoplastic agents. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of Gemcitabine and/or hyperthermia on BZR-T33 (human non-small-cell lung cancer cells) in vitro and in immune-suppressed athymic nude mice. Isobologram analysis of monolayer cell cultures for cytotoxicity demonstrates a synergistic interaction between hyperthermia and Gemcitabine.

Phenotypic diversity of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma on aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy: case series and review of the literature.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) represents approximately 10% of primary liver malignancies and can mimic metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the cytopathology files at the University of Texas Medical Branch to identify patients who were diagnosed with intrahepatic or extrahepatic CC by aspiration cytology between 1995 and 2004. Brush cytology specimens of extrahepatic CC were excluded.

Regulation of lung cancer cell growth and invasiveness by beta-TRCP.

Beta-transducin-repeat-containing protein (beta-TRCP) serves as a substrate-recognition subunit of Skp1/Cullin/F-box (SCF)(beta-TRCP) E3 ligases, involved in regulation of several important signaling molecules. SCF(beta-TRCP) E3 ligases play a critical role in cell mitosis as well as in various signaling pathways. Here, we provide evidence to support that beta-TRCP negatively regulates cell growth and motility of lung cancer cells.

Reporting the presence of significant epithelial atypia in pancreaticobiliary brush cytology specimens lacking evidence of obvious carcinoma: impact on performance measures.

Objective: To assess the clinical impact of recognizing and reporting the presence of significant atypia in brush cytology specimens from the biliary and pancreatic ducts lacking obvious features of carcinoma.

Study Design: Analysis of 120 pancreaticobiliary brushings from 99 patients over a 4-year period. There were 114 bile duct and 6 pancreatic duct specimens obtained via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at a tertiary care center.

Endoscopic sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration yield in submucosal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Objective: To study the yield of endoscopic ultrasonographically guided fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination in the diagnosis of submucosal masses.

Methods: From 1999 to 2003, 10 patients underwent ultrasonographically guided fine-needle aspiration for the cytologic diagnosis of submucosal masses in our institution. The endoscopic ultrasonography records and the cytology database were consulted, and the reports were analyzed, as were slide material and the technical aspects related to these procedures.

Recent advances in cell biology, diagnosis, and therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

The understanding of mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract has evolved dramatically over the last two decades since gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) was described as the most common stromal tumor arising anywhere from the esophagus to the ano-rectum. Although morphologically similar to other benign and malignant smooth muscle and neural stromal neoplasms, GIST constitutes a distinct group of rare gastrointestinal tract tumors that originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, regulators of gut peristalsis that normally express CD117, which is the product of the c-KIT proto-oncogene that encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that regulates cellular proliferation in GISTs. Virtually all GISTs occur from mutations of the c-KIT oncogene and exhibit consistent expression of c-KIT (CD117), which is considered the most specific criterion for a diagnosis of GIST.

Primary pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma: report of a case diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lower respiratory tract is an uncommon tumor that can arise in the mainstem bronchus and often presents as an endobronchial mass lesion causing bronchial obstruction with post obstructive atelectasis and pneumonia. Exfoliative cytology is seldom useful in the diagnosis of primary bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma, because these neoplasms usually have a submucosal location with often intact mucosa. Since most endobronchial adenoid cystic carcinomas are endoscopically visible, bronchoscope-guided fine-needle aspiration constitutes an excellent approach to establish a pathologic diagnosis.

Clinical impact of on-site cytopathology interpretation on endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-guided FNA) is becoming a preferred modality for diagnosing and staging GI and mediastinal malignancies. Although experts advocate on-site cytopathology assessment for tissue sample adequacy, there are few data to support this claim. Our goal was to determine whether on-site cytopathology interpretation improves the diagnostic yield of EUS-guided FNA.

Enhancing recovery of endocervical component on gynecologic cytology specimens processed by thin-layer technology.

Objective: To address the causes and report the corrective measures required for resolving the initial problem of high rates of cervical vaginal cytology specimens reported as having no endocervical component on SurePath (AutoCyte, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina, U.S.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of hepatobiliary cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma.

Background: Hepatobiliary cystadenomas (HBCs) with mesenchymal stroma (MS) are rare cystic neoplasms occurring exclusively in women. Hepatobiliary cystadenoma consists of a mucin-producing cyst lining epithelium underlined by a dense MS cell layer. In the current study, the authors review the fine needle aspiration cytology of HBC with MS and identify characteristic cytologic features that suggest such an uncommon neoplasm on aspirates.