ABSTRACT
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an uncommon, long-term epilepsy associated tumor of young adults. Its pigmented variant is exceedingly rare, with only five previously reported cases on record. We report the sixth case of pigmented PXA in a 24-year-old lady presenting with long-standing seizures. The MRI revealed a solid cystic lesion located in the right medial temporal lobe. Histopathologically, the superficially located tumor showed typical features of PXA with melanin-laden astrocytic component and was negative for V600E-mutant BRAF. The histogenesis is discussed.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the clinical, sonographic and histopathological response of axillary lymph node metastasis to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) with clinically palpable or sonographically detectable axillary nodes were studied. FNAC of the primary tumor and axillary nodes was done and patients were started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Axillary nodes were assessed clinically and sonographically for response after 3 cycles of chemotherapy. All patients underwent total mastectomy with axillary clearance and the lymph nodes in the specimen were examined for metastasis. RESULTS: 47% patients had complete clinical nodal response, while 19% showed complete sonographic response. Complete pathological nodal response was documented in 22% of patients. Ultrasonography was found to be more sensitive than clinical examination in assessing complete nodal response. 10% of the patients had complete pathological response of both primary tumor and axillary nodes. There was significant correlation between pathological response of primary tumor and lymph nodes (P=0.004). Patients with complete sonographic or clinical response were found to have no or minimal residual disease in axilla and hence axillary dissection may be avoided in them.