Appendiceal schwannoma - report of a case and literature review.

Appendiceal tumours encompass a wide spectrum of differential diagnoses and frequently present with clinical features of appendicitis. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman who presented with epigastric pain, dyspepsia and bloating. An atypical right para-iliac mass was detected on abdominal ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) identified an appendiceal tumour.

Interobserver variation in the classification of tumor deposits in rectal cancer-is the use of histopathological characteristics the way to go?

The focus on lymph node metastases (LNM) as the most important prognostic marker in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been challenged by the finding that other types of locoregional spread, including tumor deposits (TDs), extramural venous invasion (EMVI), and perineural invasion (PNI), also have significant impact. However, there are concerns about interobserver variation when differentiating between these features. Therefore, this study analyzed interobserver agreement between pathologists when assessing routine tumor nodules based on TNM 8.

Radical resection of large metastatic non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma complicated by splenic vein thrombosis and sinistral portal hypertension.

Introduction And Importance: There are limited reports in the literature of radical surgical resection for pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PNEC). In patients with non-functioning PNEC (NF-PNEC) within the tail of the pancreas tumours can cause splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) and subsequent sinitral portal hypertension (SPH). Radical surgical resection in such patients with concomitant liver metastasis has not previously been reported.

The Mutational Concordance of Fixed Formalin Paraffin Embedded and Fresh Frozen Gastro-Oesophageal Tumours Using Whole Exome Sequencing.

Unlabelled: 1.

Background: The application of massively parallel sequencing has led to the identification of aberrant druggable pathways and somatic mutations within therapeutically relevant genes in gastro-oesophageal cancer. Given the widespread use of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples in the study of this disease, it would be beneficial, especially for the purposes of biomarker evaluation, to assess the concordance between comprehensive exome-wide sequencing data from archival FFPE samples originating from a prospective clinical study and those derived from fresh-frozen material.

Annular atrophic lichen planus induced by anti-HER2 antibodies.

Pertuzumab and trastuzumab are monoclonal antibody inhibitors targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and are increasingly being utilised in the management of HER2-positive breast cancer, having been demonstrated to improve progression-free survival in conjunction with docetaxel. We present a rare presentation of a lichenoid drug eruption, in an annular atrophic variant, in a 35-year-old woman after initiation of HER2-inhibitor (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) therapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Can extranodal tumour deposits be diagnosed on MRI? Protocol for a multicentre clinical trial (the COMET trial).

Introduction: Tumour deposits (TDs) are a poor prognostic marker when seen on pathology, and are worse than lymph node metastases (LNMs). They are now being reported on MRI as discontinuous nodules of extramural venous invasion but this diagnosis has not been validated and it is unclear how it correlates with the diagnosis of TDs on pathology.

Methods And Analysis: This is a prospective interventional clinical trial which aims to directly map the location of TDs on MRI and correlate what is seen on MRI with the pathology findings at each location.

The sigmoid take-off: An anatomical imaging definition of the rectum validated on specimen analysis.

Background: A pre-operative imaging landmark to define the rectum would optimise clinical care of rectal cancer patients and research efforts to improve outcomes. The sigmoid take-off has been suggested as an imaging landmark for the rectosigmoid junction (RSJ). This study aimed to investigate whether this imaging definition of the rectum was validated by surgical specimen analysis.

MRI Tumor Regression Grade and Circulating Tumor DNA as Complementary Tools to Assess Response and Guide Therapy Adaptation in Rectal Cancer.

Purpose: Response to preoperative chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) varies. We assessed whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) might be an early indicator of tumor response or progression to guide therapy adaptation in rectal cancer.

Experimental Design: A total of 243 serial plasma samples were analyzed from 47 patients with localized rectal cancer undergoing CRT.

Clonal diversity of MYC amplification evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridisation and digital droplet polymerase chain reaction in oesophagogastric cancer: Results from a prospective clinical trial screening programme.

Introduction: The MYC proto-oncogene is among the most commonly dysregulated genes in human cancers. We report screening data from the iMYC trial, an ongoing phase II study assessing ibrutinib monotherapy in advanced pretreated MYC- and/or HER2-amplified oesophagogastric cancer, representing the first attempt to prospectively identify MYC amplifications in this tumour type for the purposes of therapeutic targeting.

Methods: Screening utilising a fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) assay for assessment of tumour MYC amplification has been instituted.

Ex vivo specimen MRI and pathology confirm a rectosigmoid mesenteric waist at the junction of the mesorectum and mesocolon.

Aim: Continuity of the mesentery has recently been established and may provide an anatomical basis for optimal colorectal resectional surgery. Preliminary data from operative specimen measurements suggest there is a tapering in the mesentery of the distal sigmoid. A mesenteric waist in this area may be a risk factor for local recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Radiological and histological findings of an asymptomatic ever-increasing neoplasm: The small bowel neuroendocrine tumor (NET).

The small bowel neuroendocrine tumor is a rare but ever-increasing tumor, most of the time asymptomatic and found incidentally. An early diagnosis can consistently change the prognosis.

Liver metastasis from adenoid cystic carcinoma: imaging and histologic features.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumour. The reported incidence of isolated metastases to the liver is rare but possible and it seems to be more likely in case of perineural invasion.

PARAGON II - A single arm multicentre phase II study of neoadjuvant therapy using irinotecan bead in patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Perioperative chemotherapy confers a 3-year progression free survival advantage following resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), but is associated with significant toxicity. Chemoembolisation using drug eluting PVA microspheres loaded with irinotecan (DEBIRI) allows sustained delivery of drug directly to tumour, maximising response whilst minimising systemic exposure. This phase II single arm study examined the safety and feasibility of DEBIRI before resection of CRLM.

Echinococcus equinus and Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto from the United Kingdom: genetic diversity and haplotypic variation.

Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Europe including the United Kingdom. However, information on the molecular epidemiology of Echinococcus spp. from the United Kingdom is limited.

Evolution in functionality of a metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (pNET) causing Cushing's syndrome: treatment response with chemotherapy.

Background: We report the case of a patient who had a non-functional metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (pNET), which changed in functionality during the course of the disease. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy in the management of select group of patients with this rare, challenging condition.

Case Presentation: Our patient was a 34 year old man under oncology follow up, diagnosed with a non-functional metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour treated with a Whipple's procedure two years ago.

Transverse myelitis associated with an itchy rash and hyperckemia: neuromyelitis optica associated with dermatitis herpetiformis.

Importance: Neuromyelitis optica is associated with severe neurodisability if not recognized and treated promptly. Several autoimmune disorders are associated with this condition and may vary in their presentation. It is essential that clinicians are aware of the uncommon presenting features of neuromyelitis optica and associated autoimmune conditions.

Renal cell carcinoma metastases to gallbladder.

A 74-year old man underwent a radical cholecystectomy for presumed gallbladder cancer. The histology of the resected specimen in fact revealed the lesion to be metastatic renal cell carcinoma from his resected right nephrectomy performed 14 years previously.

Tumour size and differentiation predict survival after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma arising from non-cirrhotic and non-fibrotic liver: a case-controlled study.

Aims: The aims of this study were to assess the outcomes of patients who underwent potentially curative hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a background of non-cirrhotic/non-fibrotic livers, and to determine prognostic factors that influenced survival.

Methods: Over a 15-year period, all patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC were identified. Collated data included demographics, laboratory analysis, operative findings and histo-pathological data.