Biliary Adenofibroma of Liver: Morphology, Tumor Genetics, and Outcomes in 6 Cases.

Biliary adenofibroma is a rare primary hepatic neoplasm, recognized in the World Health Organization classification, although only 14 cases have been reported to date. This series includes extended follow-up from 2 of the early case reports and 4 novel cases. Clinical history and histology were reviewed in all 6 cases.

Clinical, morphologic, and immunophenotypic characteristics of ampullary carcinomas with an emphasis on SMAD4 expression.

Background: The purpose of our study was to examine the relationship between clinicopathologic variables and morphologic subtypes in ampullary carcinoma, with an emphasis on the expression of tumor suppressor gene.

Methods: Sixty-three cases of ampullary carcinomas resected between 2000-2011 were included in this study. Clinical characteristics and outcome data were recorded.

EGFR family and cMet expression profiles and prognostic significance in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma.

Background: Targeted therapy with anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) monoclonal antibody in patients with HER2 overexpressed esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) improves survival; however, the effect is transient due to the development of resistance. Some studies suggest that cMet overexpression provides cross talk for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 inhibition. We sought to characterize the expression profile of the EGFR family and cMet receptors in untreated, resected EGA.

Discordant HER2 expression and response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma.

Background: Targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) with trastuzumab in metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) improves survival. The impact of HER2 inhibition in combination with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in early stage EGA is under investigation. This study analyzed the pattern of HER2 overexpression in matched-pair tumor samples of patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery.

Interobserver variability of mitotic index and utility of PHH3 for risk stratification in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Objectives: Accurate grading of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), based on mitotic index, can be problematic.

Methods: In this study, we compared interobserver variability in detecting mitosis on H&E with PHH3 immunohistochemistry (IHC). In addition, we examined the correlation between H&E mitosis and Ki-67 and the association of PHH3 and Ki-67 with overall survival.

Identification of pathologic features associated with "ulcerative colitis-like" Crohn's disease.

Aim: To identify pathologic features associated with this "ulcerative colitis (UC)-like" subgroup of Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Seventeen subjects diagnosed as having UC who underwent proctocolectomy (RPC) from 2003-2007 and subsequently developed CD of the ileal pouch were identified. UC was diagnosed based on pre-operative clinical, endoscopic, and pathologic studies.

Characteristics and outcomes of adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas.

Background: Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCAP) is a rare histologic type of pancreatic carcinoma that constitutes 1% to 4% of all pancreatic exocrine malignancies. It has a clinical presentation similar to that of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (ACP), but may have a worse overall prognosis, with most patients surviving for less than 2 years.

Methods: This was an institutional, retrospective, cohort analysis of 237 patients who underwent resection of pancreatic cancer with curative intent.

Rapid liver enlargement and hepatic failure secondary to radiographic occult tumor invasion: two case reports and review of the literature.

Introduction: Unfamiliarity with certain clinical presentations, as illustrated in these cases, can lead to delayed diagnoses that in turn cause increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and the need for autopsy.

Case Presentation: In Case 1, a 63-year-old Caucasian woman presented with hepatic enlargement and insufficiency which progressed and resulted in her death over a period of less than 2 weeks. The patient underwent a detailed workup included magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan of her liver, which did not reveal the source of her liver enlargement.

Distinguishing Ménétrier's disease from its mimics.

Objective: Ménétrier's disease (MD) is a rare hypertrophic gastropathy characterised by giant rugal folds, hypochlorhydria, protein loss and a classic constellation of symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and peripheral oedema). It is considered a clinical diagnosis that may at times be difficult to establish. Firm diagnostic criteria for MD are proposed by delineating the clinicopathological features that best differentiate MD from its mimics.

Detection of phospho-STAT5 in mast cells: a reliable phenotypic marker of systemic mast cell disease that reflects constitutive tyrosine kinase activation.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is characterized by the abnormal proliferation and accumulation of mast cells (MCs). Constitutive activation of kit, a receptor tyrosine kinase (TK), has been associated with all types of SM. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), such as STAT5, mediate downstream kit signalling.