Histologic Confirmation (histologic + confirmation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Cytology of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Edward B. Stelow M.D.
Abstract Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas is extremely uncommon and its cytologic features have rarely been described. We describe the cytologic features of cases we have seen, review the literature regarding its cytologic features and discuss the pitfalls that may be encountered and the use of immunohistochemistry for its diagnosis. We searched our databases for all cases of histologically confirmed pancreatic ACC which had undergone prior fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the primary pancreatic lesion. The clinical histories, radiographic and sonographic findings, cytologic features, original cytologic diagnoses, and final histologic diagnoses were reviewed. Four cases of pancreatic ACC were found that had undergone FNA prior to histologic confirmation of the diagnoses. They were from 2 men and 2 women aged 50,75 yr. All masses were in the head of the pancreas, 2 had apparent peri-pancreatic adenopathy and 1 had an apparent liver metastasis. On review, all 4 had had diagnostic material on cytology samples. Original cytologic diagnoses included "acinar cell carcinoma," "pancreatic endocrine tumor," "favor neuroendocrine tumor, low-grade" and "non-diagnostic specimen." The cytologic features included small to moderate-sized loose groups with numerous single cells, prominent acinar formation, little anisonucleosis and prominent nucleoli. The cytologic features showed significant overlap with those of pancreatic endocrine tumors. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006; 34:367,372. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Pain as sign of recurrent disease in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 5 2001
Miriam Smit MSc
Abstract Background The role of pain in head and neck cancer is seldom addressed. This retrospective study examined in a group of 190 curatively treated patients to what extent pain complaints should be considered to be the first sign of recurrent disease. Methods The research population exists of 95 patients with a recurrent head and neck carcinoma and control group matched for age, gender, primary tumor, and duration of follow-up. Results Of the patients with proven recurrent disease, 70% reported pain complaints as the first symptom. In 35% of these cases, the complaints concerned referred pain, whereas in 65% localized pain complaints in the head and neck were registered. The median interval between reporting localized pain complaints and histologic confirmation of recurrence was 4 months. In the case of referred pain, this delay was 2.5 months. No statistically significant correlation between pain complaints and site of recurrence could be demonstrated. Only 2% of the control group reported pain complaints. Conclusions This study confirms that each pain complaint after intentional curative treatment should be regarded as a warning sign. Recurrence of disease without preceding pain complaints (30%) emphasizes the importance of a thorough follow-up. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 372,375, 2001. [source]


Mycosis fungoides associated with malignant melanoma and dysplastic nevus syndrome

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
J. A. Pielop MD
Background The increased risk of second malignancies, including nonmelanoma skin cancers, in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients has been well documented. However, relatively few studies of malignant melanoma in CTCL patients have been reported. Methods A database of 250 CTCL patients registered over a 3-year period was searched to identify patients with diagnoses of both mycosis fungoides (MF) and malignant melanoma. Results We identified six cases of MF associated with malignant melanoma and one associated with dysplastic nevus syndrome, which is a marker of increased risk of melanoma. In four patients, melanoma was diagnosed along with or before MF. In the remaining two patients, MF was diagnosed prior to melanoma, although dysplastic nevi were noted at the time MF was diagnosed. These two patients received treatment for their MF (one with topical nitrogen mustard and another with radiation therapy and nitrogen mustard) prior to the histologic confirmation of melanoma. Six patients had early stages of MF (IA or IB), while one patient presented with simultaneous erythrodermic mycosis fungoides involving the lymph nodes as well as melanoma metastatic to the lymph nodes from an unknown primary. Conclusion There is an elevated prevalence of malignant melanoma in MF patients compared to the general US population (P < 0.00001) with a relative risk of 15.3 for observing malignant melanoma in MF patients (95% confidence interval 7.0,33.8). Possible pathologic links between the two diagnoses include effects of mycosis fungoides therapies, immunosuppression secondary to mycosis fungoides, and genetic alterations in the p16 tumor suppressor protein. [source]


Role of systematic ultrasound-guided staging biopsies in predicting extraprostatic extension and seminal vesicle invasion in men with prostate cancer

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 3 2002
Koji Okihara MD
Abstract Purpose To assess the presence of extraprostatic extension and seminal vesicle invasion in men with prostate cancer, we performed systematic staging biopsies targeting neurovascular bundles, seminal vesicles, and other extraprostatic tissues before the men underwent radical prostatectomy. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical efficacy of these systematic staging biopsies compared with digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal sonography (TRUS). Methods Two hundred forty-four candidates for prostatectomy who had a diagnostic biopsy Gleason score of 8 or higher and/or indications of extraprostatic extension (eg, seminal vesicle invasion) by DRE or TRUS underwent staging biopsies using an 18-gauge Tru-Cut needle under real-time TRUS guidance between June 1997 and March 2000. We determined the number of staging biopsy cores to be taken based on the Gleason score of the diagnostic biopsy as well as abnormal DRE and/or TRUS findings. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of differences. Results There were no complications of staging biopsy. In 75 (31%) of the 244 patients, results of the staging biopsies were positive. The clinical stage was upgraded by staging biopsy in 18 (24%) of these 75 patients. After the staging biopsies, 90 patients underwent radical prostatectomy. Among these 90 patients, staging biopsy specimens were positive for cancer in 20 (47%) of the 43 patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and in 1 (2%) of the 47 patients who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. There were no false-positive staging biopsies in either group. Among the 90 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, the false-negative rate for the prediction of organ-confined disease was 43% (30/69) for staging biopsies compared with 29% (10/34) for TRUS. The diagnostic accuracy of staging biopsies (67%; 60/90) was higher than that of DRE (52%; 47/90; p < 0.05) but lower than that of TRUS (79%; 71/90; p = 0.066). Conclusions Staging biopsies can reliably sample extraprostatic tissue, including the seminal vesicles and neurovascular bundles. Positive staging biopsy results can aid in the selection of treatment options and in the prediction of outcome for individual patients by providing definitive histologic confirmation of locally advanced disease. Conventional predictive variables for staging can be applied when the results of staging biopsies are negative. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 30:123,131, 2002; DOI 10.1002/jcu.10052 [source]


Fluorescent Detection of Rat Parathyroid Glands via 5-Aminolevulinic Acid,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 6 2008
Scott A. Asher BS
Abstract Objective: Anatomic identification of parathyroid glands during surgery is challenging and time consuming. We sought to determine whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) could produce parathyroid gland fluorescence to improve their detection in a preclinical model. Methods: Thirty-two rats were administered 0 to 700 mg/kg of 5-ALA by intraperitoneal injection prior to neck exploration under the illumination of a blue light (380,440 nm). Tissue fluorescence was assessed at 1, 2, or 4 hours postinjection and then removed for histologic confirmation of parathyroid tissue. Results: Rat parathyroid glands could not be visualized under ambient light. At dosages of 300 mg/kg or greater, bilateral parathyroid glands were visualized in 18 of 19 rats using blue light illumination. At dosages less than 300 mg/kg, parathyroid gland fluorescence was detected in only 1 of 13 rats. At 2 hours after 5-ALA administration, the net mean intensity of parathyroid gland fluorescence was optimal with a dose of 500 mg/kg. At both 1 and 4 hours after 5-ALA injection, the net mean intensity of parathyroid gland fluorescence was optimal at the highest dose (700 mg/kg) and positively correlated with dosage increases. Conclusion: 5-ALA can be used to selectively detect parathyroid tissue from surrounding tissue in a preclinical model. Our data support the use of this technique in the clinical setting. [source]