Malignant Conditions (malignant + condition)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Do cytogenetic abnormalities precede morphologic abnormalities in a developing malignant condition?

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
Jill K. Northup
Abstract Cytogenetic evaluation of bone marrow and neoplastic tissues plays a critical role in determining patient management and prognosis. Here, we highlight two cases in which the cytogenetic studies challenge the common practice of using hematologic and morphologic changes as key factors in malignant disease management. The first case is that of a lymph node sample from a 40-yr-old non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patient sent for determination of disease progress. Hematologic studies showed no evidence of transformation to high-grade NHL (>15% blasts with rare mitotic figures). Cytogenetic studies of lymph node showed multiple clonal abnormalities, most notably a der(18) from a t(14;18) which is associated with high-grade NHL. After two cycles of chemotherapy with fludarabine, the patient did not show any clinical response, suggesting possible progression to high-grade lymphoma. The second case is of a patient with a history of human immunodeficiency virus and blastic natural killer leukemia/lymphoma. Hematologic studies of ascitic fluid classified the patient as having pleural effusion lymphoma whereas bone marrow analysis showed no malignancy. Bone marrow cytogenetic studies showed multiple clonal abnormalities including a t(8;14), which is commonly associated with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). To our knowledge, this is the first case wherein a morphologically normal bone marrow showed presence of clonal abnormalities consistent with BL or Pleural effusion lymphoma. After two cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy, the patient's general condition and ascitis improved and she was discharged. These studies clearly demonstrate that genetic changes often precede morphologic changes in a developing malignant condition. Therefore, the critical information needed for care of patients with malignant disorders may be incomplete or inaccurate if cytogenetic evaluation is overlooked. [source]


Effect of betel chewing, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on oral submucous fibrosis: a case,control study in Sri Lanka

JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 4 2006
A. Ariyawardana
Background:, Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, insidious, disabling potentially malignant condition of the oral mucosa seen predominantly in south and Southeast Asia. No reports are hitherto available on the aetiological factors of OSMF based on Sri Lankan patients. Methods:, A total of 74 patients with OSMF and 74 controls who consecutively attended the Oral Medicine clinic at the Dental Hospital (Teaching) Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka were included in the study. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to model the influence of betel chewing, smoking and alcohol use and to determine the effects of different combinations of chewing habits on OSMF. Results:, Betel chewing was the only significantly associated factor in the aetiology of OSMF (OR = 171.83, 95% CI: 36.35,812.25). There were no interaction effects of chewing, smoking and alcohol consumption in the causation of OSMF. Conclusion:, The present study has shown a strong association of betel quid chewing (including tobacco as an ingredient) with the causation of OSMF. [source]


Prognostic Significance of Oncogenic Markers in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: A Clinicopathologic Study

THE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009
Sevilay Altintas MD
Abstract:, Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a heterogeneous malignant condition of the breast with an excellent prognosis. Until recently mastectomy was the standard treatment. As the results of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project-17 trial and the introduction of the Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI) less radical therapies are used. Objectives are to identify clinicopathologic and biologic factors that may predict outcome. Cases of DCIS diagnosed in two Belgian University Centers were included. Paraffin-embedded material and Hematoxylin and Eosin stained slides of DCIS cases were reviewed and tumor size, margin width, nuclear grade, and comedo necrosis were assessed. Molecular markers (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER1-4, Ki67, and c-myc) were assayed immunohistochemically. Applied treatment strategies were correlated with the prospective use of the VNPI score. Kaplan,Meier survival plots were generated with log-rank significance and multiple regression analysis was carried out using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis; 159 patients were included with a median age of 54 years (range 29,78); 141 had DCIS and 18 DCIS with microinvasion. The median time of follow-up was 54 months (range 5,253). Twenty-three patients developed a recurrence (14.5%). The median time to recurrence was 46 months (range 5,253). Before the introduction of the VNPI, 37.5% of the DCIS patients showed a recurrence while thereafter 6.7% recurred (p < 0.005). Two recurrences occurred in the VNPI group I (7.1%); seven in the VNPI group II (8.5%) (median time to recurrence 66.3 months) and 14 in the VNPI group III (28.5%) (median time to recurrence 40.2 months) (disease-free survival [DFS]: p < 0.05). A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that tumor size, margin width, pathologic class, and age were independent predictors of recurrence, but none of the studied molecular markers showed this. Overexpression of HER4 in the presence of HER3 was found to be associated with a better DFS (p < 0.05). This study confirms the value of the VNPI score and questions the benefit of an aggressive approach in the low-risk DCIS lesions. Independent predictors for recurrence included size, margin width, pathologic class, and age, but none of the molecular markers were part of it. Overexpression of HER4 in the presence of HER3 was associated with a better DFS. [source]


Penile epithelioid sarcoma and the case for a histopathological diagnosis in Peyronie's disease

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2003
M.F. Usta
Objectives To devise a set of clinical criteria that would identify which penile abnormality could be malignant and warrant biopsy, between Peyronie's disease (a pathological fibrosis involving the tunica albuginea of the penis) and epithelioid sarcoma (ES) of the penis (a rare malignant condition which can resemble Peyronie's disease in clinical presentation). Patients and methods The pathology reports and histological slides of men with Peyronie's disease who underwent penile biopsy were reviewed for ES. The medical charts of suspicious cases were then reviewed by a pathologist, unaware of the origin, for consistencies in signs, symptoms and clinical findings. These consistencies were then to be used to develop criteria for biopsy. Thirty-two men underwent penile biopsy from 1992 to 2001. Results Because there were no actual cases of ES, a specific set of criteria for ES could not be established. A review of previously published cases was then used for comparison with the present patients. Conclusions Many of the previously reported cases included signs and symptoms of urethral narrowing or compression, causing lower urinary tract symptoms. In addition, the penile nodule size was reported to progressively enlarge over time. Because of the high prevalence of Peyronie's disease and low prevalence of ES, biopsy of every penile nodule is not judicious. However, signs and symptoms of urethral obstruction, and a progressively growing and persistently painful nodule should suggest a possible malignancy and warrant biopsy. [source]


Psammoma bodies in cervical smear in association with keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of cervix: A case report

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
K. Raveendran Pillai Ph.D.
Abstract The presence of psammoma bodies (PBs) in cervical smears is a rare finding. These structures have been identified in association with a wide range of benign and malignant conditions within the female genital tract. PBs in cervical smears have usually been associated with malignant serous epithelial ovarian tumors. However, many PBs associated with atypical squamous cells were detected in cervical smears of an 83-year-old woman with complaint of postmenopausal bleeding. Colposcopic examination revealed an ulceroinfiltrative growth in the cervix. Histological examination of the biopsy specimen from the growth revealed keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma with multiple and singly arranged PBs. This report suggests that cytologists should aware of the possibilities, on finding PBs associated with atypical cells in cervical specimens and report the cases accordingly. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: A historical overview

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 11 2008
Marilin Rosa M.D.
Abstract Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a safe, inexpensive and accurate technique for the diagnosis of benign and malignant conditions. Its increase in popularity in the present days has made it a technique used on daily basis in the majority of medical centers in United States and around the world. However, the situation was not always like this. In its beginnings the procedure suffered from all kinds of criticism and attacks. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview about the development of this technique from its birth to our days. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:773,775. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Results of laparoscopic splenectomy for treatment of malignant conditions

HPB, Issue 4 2001
E M Targarona
Background Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is widely accepted for treatment of benign diseases, but there are few reports of its use in cases of haematological malignancy. In addition, comparative studies with open operation are lacking. Malignant haematological diseases have specific clinical features - notably splenomegaly and impaired general health - which can impact on the immediate outcome after LS. The immediate outcome of LS comparing benign with malignant diagnoses has been analysed in a prospective series of 137 operations. Patients and methods Between February 1993 and April 2000, 137 patients with a wide range of splenic disorders received LS. Clinical data and immediate outcome were prospectively recorded, and age, diagnosis, operation time, perioperative transfusion requirement, spleen weight, conversion rate, accessory incision, hospital stay and complications were analysed. Results The series included 100 benign cases and 37 suspected malignancies. In patients with malignant diseases the mean age was greater (37 years [3,85] vs 60 years [27,82], p <0.01), LS took longer (138 min [60,400] vs 161 min [75,300], p <0.05) and an accessory incision for spleen retrieval was required more frequently (18% vs 93%, p <0.01) because the spleen was larger (279 g [60,1640] vs 1210 g [248,3100], p <0.01). However, the rate of conversion to open operation (5% vs 14%), postoperative morbidity rate (13% vs 22%) and transfusion requirement (15% vs 26%) did not differ between benign and malignant cases. Hospital stay was longer in malignant cases (3.7 days [2,14] vs 5 days [2,14], p <0.05). Conclusion LS is a safe procedure in patients with malignant disease requiring splenectomy in spite of the longer operative time and the higher conversion rate. [source]


Soft tissue uptake on 99mTc methylene diphosphonate bone scan imaging: Pictorial review

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
J Kaye
SUMMARY 99mTechnetium methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone isotope may accumulate in many extra-osseous sites due to a variety of both benign and malignant conditions. This finding on a bone scan can be crucial to the diagnosis and may not be apparent in other imaging or the clinical evaluation of the patient. We present a pictorial review sampling some of the many causes of extra-osseous 99mTc MDP accumulation. [source]


Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (Nora's lesion) of the foot

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2001
Hisashi Horiguchi
A 22-year-old man presented with a growing lump on the fifth metatarsal of the right foot. Radiographically, the lesion was a calcified mass stuck on to the bone. The T2 -weighted magnetic resonance images showed heterogeneity in intensity. A tumor was suspected and an excisional biopsy was done. The lesion was composed of a cartilaginous cap and bone tissue. Histological examination revealed characteristic features of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP), such as hypercellularity, a blue tinctorial quality in the osteocartilaginous interfaces, and a scattering of binucleated or bizarre enlarged chondrocytes. Immunohistochemically, basic fibroblast growth factor was expressed in nearly all chondrocytes within the cartilaginous cap, while vascular endothelial growth factor was expressed only in enlarged chondrocytes near the osteocartilaginous interfaces. Reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction detected chondromodulin-I transcripts in the tissue of the cartilaginous cap. These findings indicate that the processes occurring in BPOP are similar to those occurring in endochondral ossification in the growth plate, and they support the concept that BPOP is a reparative process. BPOP is a rare tumorous lesion of the bone and is occasionally confused with other benign or malignant conditions. Thus, it is important to consider the clinical, radiographical and the gross histological features of the lesion when making a diagnosis. [source]


Molecular Classification of Thyroid Nodules by Cytology,,§

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2008
Nitin A. Pagedar MD
Abstract Objectives: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of thyroid nodules provides cytologic specimens whose interpretation can direct patients toward either thyroidectomy or observation. Approximately 20% of FNA specimens yield an indeterminate result. Recent studies have characterized differences in gene expression between benign and malignant conditions, most often using whole tissue. Our goal was to determine the feasibility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based gene expression analysis in cytologic samples. For five genes shown to be over-expressed in thyroid carcinomas (fibronectin, galectin-3, Met/HGFR, MUC1, and GA733-precursor), we compared expression among pathologic states. Study Design: Prospective laboratory analysis of 20 thyroidectomy specimens. Methods: Routine microscopy was performed. Cytologic samples were obtained from the dominant nodules, and RNA was extracted. Preliminary analysis using fluorometry and reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR was performed. Expression levels of the test genes in nodules and from control samples were measured by real-time qPCR. Fold changes in gene expression were compared. Results: Only one specimen did not yield sufficient intact RNA for gene expression analysis. RT-PCR revealed satisfactory RNA recovery in all other specimens. qPCR showed significant over-expression of fibronectin in the papillary carcinomas compared with the goiters (P = .0013), follicular adenomas (P = .0014), and follicular carcinomas (P = .0001). Differences in both fibronectin and MUC1 expression between the follicular carcinomas and the follicular adenomas were also significant (P = .025 and .045, respectively). Conclusions: Cytologic specimens were a satisfactory source of tissue for qPCR-based gene expression analysis. Both fibronectin and MUC1 were differentially expressed in follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas, and fibronectin expression differed in papillary carcinomas compared with the other lesions. These results may form the basis of a clinical predictor for lesions with indeterminate or suspicious cytology. [source]


Conditions masquerading as infantile haemangioma: Part 2

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Ilona J Frieden
ABSTRACT Infantile haemangiomas are among the most common growths during infancy. Their rapid growth during infancy and vascularity can easily cause confusion with other, less common growths. Part I focussed on other vascular anomalies that can mimic infantile haemangiomas. Part II emphasizes benign growths and malignant conditions that can also cause diagnostic confusion. [source]


Role of antiretroviral therapies in mucocutaneous manifestations in HIV-infected children over a period of two decades

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
E. Seoane Reula
Summary Background, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes a severe cellular immunodeficiency, which results in a greater susceptibility to infectious, inflammatory and malignant conditions. Among these, pathologies of the skin seem to be those most frequently observed in HIV+ patients. However, there are few reports on how antiretroviral therapy affects skin disorders in HIV-infected children. Objective, To study the incidence and prevalence of skin disorders in a cohort of HIV-infected children, in relation to the antiviral therapy [nontreated, monotherapy, combined therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)] received, and their impact on immunological and virological markers. The treatments were those available in different calendar periods in the history of antiviral treatment. Materials and methods, A retrospective, observational study in a cohort of 210 HIV-infected children was carried out. These children were followed up every 3 months throughout 22 years. The viral load (HIV RNA copies mL,1) was quantified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and the viral phenotype of HIV-1 isolates was determined by in vitro culture. T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were quantified by flow cytometry. Results, Mucocutaneous manifestations were diagnosed in 17% of the untreated infected children. Of the treated children in different treatment periods, 22% in the monotherapy period, 25% in the combined therapy period but only 10% on HAART had some type of mucocutaneous manifestation, concordant with a higher number of CD4+ T cells, a lower viral load and less cytopathic virus in the last group. Mucocutaneous manifestations of infectious aetiology were most frequently observed; they were detected in 13% of the children during the first calendar period (untreated children), 16% during the second and third periods (monotherapy and combined therapy) and only 5% in the last period (HAART). Interestingly, syncytium-inducing virus was present in 69% of all children with mucocutaneous manifestations of infectious aetiology. Conclusion, Only in the last calendar period (HAART) was a significant decrease observed in the prevalence of mucocutaneous manifestations with HIV infection associated with an increase in CD4+ T cells. In addition, we found a strong association between children who had mucocutaneous manifestations with an infectious aetiology and a more cytopathic (X4/SI) viral phenotype. [source]