The Oncocytic Variant of Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Shows a Specific Immune-Related Gene Expression Profile.

Background: Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) is a rare, follicular cell-derived neoplasm with an unfavorable prognosis. The oncocytic variant of PDTC may be associated with even more adverse outcome than classical PDTC cases, but its specific molecular features are largely unknown. Our aim was to explore the immune-related gene expression profile of oncocytic and classical PDTC, in correlation with clinical and pathological characteristics (including programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1] expression) and outcome, and in comparison with a control group of well-differentiated follicular carcinomas (WDFCs), including conventional follicular carcinomas (FTCs) and Hürthle cell carcinomas (HCCs).

Prognostic Characterization of Higher-Grade Meningiomas: A Histopathological Score to Predict Progression and Outcome.

Higher-grade meningiomas (WHO grade II and III) represent a diagnostic and prognostic challenge. We assessed the pathological and molecular characteristics of 94 higher-grade meningiomas (85 grade II, 9 grade III) to identify novel prognostic parameters. Higher mitotic count (p = 0.

[TNM Classification of malignant tumours - Eighth edition: which news?].

The eighth edition of TNM classification of malignant tumours has been published by the Union for International Cancer Control in January 2017. As for the previous editions - from the third on - it has been translated into Italian and recently published in our Country. This article explains the main changes from the previous edition: new classifications, some major revisions of cancer staging rules, the introduction of a grid of prognostic factors for each neoplasia and the addition of two chapters.

Is Ovarian Cancer Being Managed According to Clinical Guidelines? Evidence From a Population-Based Clinical Audit.

Background: In the northwestern Italian region of Piedmont, current statistics on hospitalizations show that surgical treatment for ovarian cancer (OC) is taking place in many small hospitals, as opposed to a more centralized approach. A population-based clinical audit was promoted to investigate whether OC is being managed according to clinical guidelines, identify determinants of lack of adherence to guidelines, and evaluate the association between adherence to guidelines and survival.

Patients And Methods: Residents diagnosed with OC in 2009 were identified in the regional hospital discharge records database.

[TNM classification of malignant tumours, VII edition 2009. Changes and practical effects on cancer epidemiology].

The seventh edition of TNM classification of malignant tumours has been published by the International Union against Cancer in late 2009 and it is now available also in Italian language. This new edition introduces some major revisions and several updates of cancer staging rules. New criteria based on pathological details, biological assessment of lesions and new prognostic groupings have been established.

Cancer incidence in people with AIDS in Italy.

People with HIV/AIDS (PWHA) have increased risk of some cancers. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) has improved their life expectancy, exposing them to the combined consequences of aging and of a prolonged exposure to cancer risk factors. The aim of this study was to estimate incidence rates (IR) in PWHA in Italy, before and after the introduction of HAART, after adjusting for sex and age through direct standardization.

Misclassification of breast cancer as cause of death in a service screening area.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the misclassification of cause of death for breast cancer cases, and to evaluate the differential misclassification between cases detected in an organized screening program and cases found in current clinical practice.

Methods: All deaths occurring between 1999 and 2002 within breast cancer cases were linked to hospital discharge records. Death certificates and latest available hospital discharge notes were classified into various categories.

Early diagnosis, not differential treatment, explains better survival in service screening.

Italian population-based breast cancer screening programmes with 2-year, high-quality mammography started in the cities of Florence and Turin in the early 1990s. Breast cancer cases from the local Tumour Registry were classified by method of detection and tumour characteristics (size, nodal-status and grade). Follow-up was at December 2001.