DA-REPOCH Versus R-CHOP for the Treatment of Activated B-Cell Subtype Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Community Center Experience.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents around one quarter of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in both the United States and globally. The activated B-cell (ABC) subtype of DLBCL is associated with higher relapse rates and a worse prognosis when treated with standard regimens in comparison to other subtypes of DLBCL. Recent studies have demonstrated a potential benefit with combination of dose-adjusted rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (DA-REPOCH) in comparison to standard combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) in ABC DLBCL patients.

P16 and HPV discordance in metastatic carcinoma of cervical lymph nodes of unknown primary.

The prognostic utility of HPV in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and non-OPSCC as has been well documented. Currently, a standardized IHC scoring system does not exist and is needed to define HPV positivity. We have recently seen a patient that provides a caution in using p16 status as a diagnostic aid.

Copper deficiency mimicking myelodysplastic syndrome.

Copper deficiency is a rare cause of pancytopenia that may be mistaken for myelodysplastic syndrome. Cytoplasmic vacuolization in erythroid and myeloid precursors is found on bone marrow examination. Patients with a history of abdominal surgery who present with anemia and neutropenia with dysplastic changes should have copper levels checked.

Defining error in anatomic pathology.

Context: Although much has been said and written about medical error and about error in pathology since the publication of the Institute of Medicine's report on medical error in 1999, precise definitions of what constitutes error in anatomic pathology do not exist for the specialty. Without better definitions, it is impossible to accurately judge errors in pathology. The lack of standardized definitions has implications for patient care and for the legal judgment of malpractice.

Error and error reduction in pathology.

Context: Since publication of the Institute of Medicine's report on medical error in late 1999, there has been widespread interest in improving patient safety and in error reduction in all disciplines of medicine. In fields other than medicine, considerable knowledge has been obtained concerning error and error reduction. This body of knowledge can be successfully applied to pathology in order to make the specialty safer and less error prone.

Identification errors in pathology and laboratory medicine.

Identification errors involve misidentification of a patient or a specimen. Either has the potential to cause patients harm. Identification errors can occur during any part of the test cycle; however, most occur in the preanalytic phase.