The role of intratumoral lymphovascular density in distinguishing primary from secondary mucinous ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian mucinous metastases commonly present as the first sign of the disease and are capable of simulating primary tumors. Our aim was to investigate the role of intratumoral lymphatic vascular density together with other surgical-pathological features in distinguishing primary from secondary mucinous ovarian tumors. METHODS: A total of 124 cases of mucinous tumors in the ovary (63 primary and 61 metastatic) were compared according to their clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical profiles. The intratumoral lymphatic vascular density was quantified by counting the number of vessels stained by the D2-40 antibody. RESULTS: Metastases occurred in older patients and were associated with a higher proportion of tumors smaller than 10.0 cm; bilaterality; extensive necrosis; extraovarian extension; increased expression of cytokeratin 20, CDX2, CA19.9 and MUC2; and decreased expression of cytokeratin 7, CA125 and MUC5AC. The lymphatic vascular density was increased among primary tumors. However, after multivariate analysis, the best predictors of a secondary tumor were a size of 10.0 cm or less, bilaterality and cytokeratin 7 negativity. Lack of MUC2 expression was an important factor excluding metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The higher intratumoral lymphatic vascular density in primary tumors when compared with secondary lesions suggests differences in the microenvironment. However, considering the differential diagnosis, the best discriminator of a secondary tumor is the combination of tumor size, laterality and the pattern of expression of cytokeratin 7 and MUC2. .

Basal cytokeratin as a potential marker of low risk of invasion in ductal carcinoma in situ

OBJECTIVES: Biological markers that predict the development of invasive breast cancer are needed to improve personalized therapy for patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ. We investigated the role of basal cytokeratin 5/6 in the risk of invasion in breast ductal carcinoma in situ. METHODS: We constructed tissue microarrays using 236 ductal carcinoma in situ samples: 90 pure samples (group 1) and 146 samples associated with invasive carcinoma (group 2). Both groups had similar nuclear grades and were obtained from patients of similar ages. The groups were compared in terms of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression, cytokeratin 5/6 immunostaining, human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR) membrane staining and molecular subtype, as indicated by their immunohistochemistry profiles. RESULTS: ER/PR-negative status was predictive of invasion, whereas HER2 superexpression and cytokeratin 5/6-positive status were negatively associated with invasion. Among the high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ cases, a triple-positive profile (positive for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2) and cytokeratin 5/6 expression by neoplastic cells were negatively associated with invasion. In the low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ subgroup, only cytokeratin 5/6 expression exhibited a negative association with the probability of invasion. CONCLUSION: The immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 5/6 by ductal carcinoma in situ epithelial cells may provide clinically useful information regarding the risk of progression to invasive disease. .

Fallopian tube origin of supposed ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas

INTRODUCTION: Serous carcinomas are the most frequent histologic type of ovarian and peritoneal cancers, and can also be detected in the endometrium and fallopian tubes. Serous carcinomas are usually high-grade neoplasms when diagnosed, yet the identification of an associated precursor lesion remains challenging. Pathological examination of specimens obtained from prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies that were performed for patients harboring BRCA1/2 mutations suggests that high-grade serous carcinomas may arise in the fallopian tubes rather than in the ovaries. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence and extent of fallopian tube involvement in cases of serous pelvic carcinomas. METHODS: Thirty-four cases of serous pelvic carcinoma with clinical presentations suggesting an ovarian origin were analyzed retrospectively. Histologic samples of fallopian tube tissues were available for these cases and were analyzed. Probable primary site, type of tubal involvement, tissues involved in the neoplasia and vascular involvement were evaluated. RESULTS: Fallopian tube involvement was observed in 24/34 (70.6 percent) cases. In 4 (11.8 percent) of these cases, an intraepithelial neoplasia was present, and therefore these cases were hypothesized to be primary from fallopian tubes. For an additional 7/34 (20.6 percent) cases, a fallopian tube origin was considered a possible primary. CONCLUSIONS: Fallopian tubes can be the primary site for a subset of pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas.

MammaGene: ensaio quantitativo de 21 genes para prognóstico do câncer de mama receptor de estrogênio positivo / MammaGene®: a quantitative 21-gene assay for prognostic of breast cancer estrogen receptor-positive

Objetivos: Padronizar em nosso meio um ensaio que analisa, por RT-PCR, 21 genes e descrever a experiência inicial com 95 casos consecutivos de carcinoma inicial de mama receptor de estrogênio positivo. Métodos: O teste foi desenvolvido a partir dos relatos publicados por Cronin et al. (2004) e Paik et al. (2004) para a avaliação da expressão de genes em tecido fixado em formalina e incluído em parafina. O teste foi aplicado em uma coorte consecutiva de 95 amostras de câncer de mama receptor de estrogênio positivo e os escores finais foram comparados com a idade da paciente, O tamanho do tumor, o tipo e o grau histológico, expressão imunoistoquímica do receptor de estrogênio, índice de Ki67 e subtipo molecular. Resultados: Os escores finais variaram de 3 a 90 e as categorias de risco de recorrência em dez anos foram: baixa (34 casos), intermediária (38 casos) e alta (23 casos). Não houve associação das categorias de risco com idade, comprometimento linfonodal e tipo histológico. A media do tamanho dos tumores foi maior no grupo de alto escore (2,0 versus 1,2 cm). Observou-se associação entre o escore obtido pelo teste e grau histológico, Ki-67, nível de expressão de receptor de estrogênio e subtipo molecular. Conclusão: A realização do teste de 21 genes foi factível em nosso meio. Alem disso, os dados preliminares, aliados aos dados da literatura, sugerem que tal teste pode ser uma ferramenta útil na avaliação do risco de recorrência a distância em câncer de mama receptor de estrogênio positivo. No entanto, estudos adicionais são necessários para comparar os resultados deste trabalho com séries amplas publicadas na literatura.

Objectives: To standardize a homemade RT-PCR-based 21-gene assay and to describe the preliminary experience with 95 early positive estrogen receptor breast cancer consecutive cases. Methods: The test was developed using the reports described by Cronin et al. (2004) and Paik et al. (2004) for the evaluation of gene expression in fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. The test was performed in a consecutive cohort of 95 positive estrogen receptor breast carcinomas, and the final scores were compared with the patient's age, tumor size, histological type, histological degree, estrogen receptor immunohistochemical expression, Ki-67 expression, and molecular luminal subtype. Results: Final scores ranged from 3 to 90 and risk categories of recurrence in ten years were: low (34 cases), intermediate (38 cases), and high (23 cases). There was no association between score categorical distribution and age, lymph node status, or histological type. Mean tumor size was higher in the high score group (2.0 versus 1.2 cm). We have observed an overall concordance between the score obtained by the test, and the histological degree, Ki-67, estrogen receptor level, and molecular subtype. Conclusion: The developed 21-gene assay is a feasible test to be performed in a homemade setting. Besides, the preliminary data from this study suggest, in comparison with data from the literature, that this test has the potential to be a useful tool to evaluate the risk of breast cancer distant recurrence. However, further data are necessary in order to compare this paper's results with larger series published in the literature.

Potential economic impact of the 21-gene expression assay on the treatment of breast cancer in brazil / Potencial impacto econômico do painel de expressão de 21 genes no tratamento adjuvante do câncer de mama no Brasil

OBJECTIVE: The 21-gene expression assay may support the decision regarding use of chemotherapy in early breast cancer. We sought to investigate the potential impact of incorporating the 21-gene expression assay into private practice in Brazil, from the perspective of third party payers. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey with 30 (of a total of approximately 700) Brazilian medical oncologists, who were stratified by State according to the proportion of patients with breast cancer and private health insurance. We evaluated the possible treatment of first choice for patients with lymph-node-negative, estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, regardless of menopausal status. Interviewees were not aware of the objective of the study. Responses permitted a quantitative assessment of the care patterns regarding use of different chemotherapy regimens, type of premedication, use of growth factors, and use of intravenous antibiotics for febrile neutropenia. We calculated medication costs using the manufacturer's recommended prices. Other direct medical expenses, indirect medical costs, and non-medical costs were not included. RESULTS: Considering a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients without access to the 21-gene expression assay, the survey showed that 84 patients would receive chemotherapy. Reclassifying patient eligibility for chemotherapy according to the 21-gene expression assay would lower this number to 49. For a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients with access to the test, US$ 79,361.43 would be saved in main direct medical costs. Such results, however, would greatly vary according to tumor size: the 21-gene expression assay could increase direct medical costs in T1 tumors, and decrease costs in cases with T >2 cm. CONCLUSION: Considering the current price for the 21-gene expression assay in Brazil, our economic analysis suggests that such testing is an overall cost-saving, from the perspective of third party payers. Further, optimal ...

OBJETIVO: O índice de recorrência (IR), também conhecido como painel de 21 genes, pode apoiar decisões com relação ao uso de quimioterapia (QT) no câncer de mama precoce. Procuramos investigar o impacto potencial da incorporação do IR na prática privada no Brasil, a partir da perspectiva das fontes pagadoras. MÉTODOS: Conduzimos uma pesquisa com 30 oncologistas brasileiros (de um total de aproximadamente 700), que foram estratificados por Estado de acordo com a proporção de pacientes com câncer de mama e com cobertura pelo sistema de saúde suplementar. Avaliamos o tratamento de primeira escolha para pacientes com câncer de mama com axila negativa e expressão positiva do receptor de estrógeno, independente do estado menopausal. Os entrevistados não estavam cientes do objetivo do estudo. As respostas permitiram uma avaliação quantitativa dos padrões de cuidado, considerando o uso de diferentes regimes de QT, o tipo de pré-medicações, o uso de fatores de crescimento e o tratamento hospitalar da neutropenia febril. Calculamos o custo dos medicamentos usando o Brasíndice, e o custo do IR foi fixado em R$ 3.900,00 (MammaGene®). Outras despesas médicas diretas, custos médicos indiretos e custos não-médicos não foram considerados. RESULTADOS: Numa corte hipotética de 100 pacientes sem acesso ao teste de IR, 84 iriam receber quimioterapia. Reclassificando a elegibilidade das pacientes para QT de acordo com o IR, esse número cairia para 49. Para uma coorte hipotética de 100 pacientes com acesso ao IR, seriam economizados R$ 134.915,00 em despesas médicas diretas. CONCLUSÃO: Considerando o preço atual para avaliação do IR no Brasil, nossa análise econômica sugere que este teste economizaria custos, pela perspectiva das fontes pagadoras do setor privado. Além disso, o uso otimizado de recursos poderia requerer o emprego do painel de 21 genes de forma racional.

Prognostic value of podoplanin expression in intratumoral stroma and neoplastic cells of uterine cervical carcinomas

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological significance of podoplanin expression in the intratumoral stroma and neoplastic cells of early stage uterine cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients with clinical stage I and IIA uterine cervical carcinomas underwent surgery between 2000 and 2007. Clinicopathological data and slides associated with these cases were retrospectively reviewed. Immunodetection of podoplanin expression in histologic sections of tissue microarray blocks was performed using the monoclonal antibody D2-40. RESULTS: Expression of podoplanin was detected in neoplastic cells in 31/143 (21.6 percent) cases, with 29/31 (93.5 percent) of these cases diagnosed as squamous carcinoma. For all of the cases examined, the strongest signal for podoplanin expression was observed at the proliferating edge of the tumor nests. The rate of positive podoplanin expression for node-positive cases was lower than that of node-negative (18.9 percent vs. 22.6 percent, respectively). Furthermore, the rate of positive podoplanin expression in fatal cases was 10.5 percent vs. 21.6 percent, respectively. In 27/143 (18.8 percent) cases, podoplanin expression was detected in fibroblasts of the intratumoral stroma, and this expression did not correlate with patient age, clinical stage, tumor size, histologic type, depth of infiltration, or vascular involvement. Moreover, expression of podoplanin in intratumoral stroma fibroblasts was only negatively associated with nodal metastasis. A greater number of fatal cases was observed among negative intratumoral stroma fibroblasts (15.5 percent vs. 3.7 percent, respectively), although this difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that podoplanin may have a role in host-tumor interactions and, as a result, may represent a favorable prognostic factor for squamous cervical carcinomas.

Triple-negative breast carcinomas are a heterogeneous entity that differs between young and old patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency and immunohistochemical profiles of triple-negative breast carcinomas in younger and older women. METHODS AND RESULTS: We selected patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast carcinomas. The groups examined were women who were 35 years old or younger between 1997 and 2007 (n = 74) and, for comparison, women who were 60 years old or older (n = 19, consecutive cases). All formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor samples were reviewed and immunohistochemically stained for ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67 antigen, epidermal growth factor receptor, cytokeratin 5/6, p53, vimentin, CD117, and p63 using tissue microarrays blocks. Triple-negative breast carcinomas corresponded to 34.6 percent (74/213) of the carcinomas from the younger patients and 16.2 percent (19/117) of the carcinomas from the older patients (p = 0.002). No significant differences in the frequency of the basal phenotype were observed in the two patient groups based on CK5/6 and/or epidermal growth factor receptor expression (74.3 percent vs. 68.4 percent). However, triple-negative breast carcinomas in the older patients presented a higher frequency of CK5/6 expression compared to those of younger patients (42.1 percent vs. 9.6 percent; p = 0.005), whereas triplenegative breast carcinomas of younger patients had a higher expression level of epidermal growth factor receptor (71.6 percent vs. 47.3 percent). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that there were significant molecular differences between the triple-negative basal-like breast carcinomas that were diagnosed in younger women and those that were diagnosed in older women. These findings may provide a basis for describing the more aggressive phenotype of the triple-negative breast carcinomas observed in younger women.

Caracterização anatomopatológica e imunofenótipica de carcinomas de mama em mulheres jovens / Pathological and molecular characterization of breast carcinomas of young women

Objetivos: Analisar características anatomopatológicas e perfil imuno-histoquímico dos carcinomas de mama em mulheres até os 35 anos. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com análise de casos recebidos no período de 1997 a 2007. Foram identificados 909 (6,6%) casos de jovens, dos quais 314 possuíam blocos de parafina disponíveis. Foi selecionado um grupo controle de 81 pacientes acima de 60 anos. Todos os casos foram revisados quanto a características anatomopatológicas. A pesquisa imuno-histoquímica de RE, RP e HER2 foi realizada em 291 casos de mulheres jovens e em 74 acima de 60 anos. Os tumores foram categorizados como luminal (RE e/ou RP positivo), HER2 (RE e RP negativos e HER2 positivo) e triplo-negativo (RE, RP e HER2 negativos). Resultados: O tipo histológico ductal invasivo foi o mais frequente nos dois grupos (95,2% em jovens e 83,90% acima de 60 anos). A frequência do tipo lobular foi menor no grupo jovem (2,5% x 12,3%), embora o subtipo pleomórfico tenha sido mais frequente. Pacientes jovens apresentaram mais frequentemente tumores de alto grau (41,7% x 28,4%) e tendência a tumores circunscritos (8,2% x 7,4%) e com necrose (23,2% x 16,0%). O perfil luminal foi mais frequente nos dois grupos, embora com proporção menor nas jovens (64,9% x 81,1%). Estas apresentaram maior frequência do perfil triplo-negativo (27,1% x 17,6%), mais superexpressão de HER2 (16,5% x 5,4%), e maior frequência do perfil HER2 puro (7,9% x 1,3%). Conclusões: Os resultados apontam para diferenças intrínsecas nos carcinomas em jovens, caracterizadas por perfis morfológico e imuno-histoquímico mais agressivos.

Aims: To analyse pathological features and immunohistochemical profile of breast carcinomas in women 35 years or less. Methods: Retrospective study with analysis of the cases received from 1997 to 2007. We identified 909 (6.6%) cases of breast cancer in young women, 314 of them with available paraffin blocks. A control group of 81 patients above age of 60 was selected. AlI the cases were revised regarding histological features. The immunohistochemical detection of ER, PR and HER2 was carried on 291 cases of young women and 74 in olders. The tumors were categorized as luminal (positive ER and/or PR), HER2 (negative ER and RP, and positive HER2), and triple-negative (negative ER, PR and HER2). Results: The ductal histological type was the most frequent one in the two groups (95.2% in young and 83.9% above 60 years). Infiltrative lobular carcinoma was less frequent in the young group (2.5% x12.3%), although the pleomorphic subtype was more frequent. Young women more often presented with high grade tumors (41.7% x 28.4%) and showed a trend to more circumscribed tumors (8.2% x 7.4%) and necrosis (23.2% x 16.0%). The luminal profile was more frequent in the two groups, although with lower frequency among younger (64.9% x 81.1%). These presented more triple-negative profile (27.1% x 17.6%), more overexpression 01 HER2 (16.5% x 5.4%), as well as the molecular profile HER2 (7.9% x 1.3%). Conclusions: The results point to intrinsic differences in the tumors arising in young women characterized by more aggressive morphological and immunohistochemical profiles.

Tumor virilizante de células tecais do ovário simulando defeito na esteroidogênese / Virilization tumor of theca-cell tumor of the ovary simulating steroidogenesis defect

Os autores relatam um caso atípico de tumor virilizante de células tecais em paciente de 21 anos com quadro de amenorréia primária e virilizaçao. As dosagens hormonais (níveis elevados de 17-hidroxiprogesterona, progesterona e testosterona) simulavam um defeito na esteroidogênese ovariana ou adrenal, porém a investigaçao revelou um tumor ovariano produtor de andrógenos. Um mês após a cirurgia a paciente apresentou menarca seguida de ciclos menstruais normais e engravidou quatro meses após a cirurgia.

Distrofia vulvar na infância: aspectos clínicos e diagnósticos / Vulvar dystrophy in childhood: clinical and diagnostic aspects

Entre setembro de 1981 e março de 1991, o Setor de Ginecologia Infanto-juvenil do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo atendeu 1037 crianças de quatro a nove anos de idade, com diagnósticos diversos. Desse total, 20 (l,9 por cento) pacientes tiveram o diagnóstico de distrofia vulvar. Os dados valorizados foram: raça, queixa principal, casos semelhantes na família e antecedentes mórbidos pessoais possíveis de causar prurido. O tipo de discromia, sua localizaçao e extensao, foram os dados considerados ao exame físico. Recorreu-se à biópsia da vulva em ambulatório, sob anestesia local, para confirmar o diagnóstico. Doze meninas eram da raça branca e oito de raça negra. O prurido foi a queixa predominante (95 por cento dos casos), independente da forma de distrofia. A lesao branca na vulva predominou como a discromia mais encontrada (85 por cento). O líquen escleroso surgiu como o tipo histológico mais freqüente (70 por cento), seguido de distrofia mista (20 por cento) e distrofia hiperplásica (lO por cento). Detectaram-se alteraçoes coilocitóticas nos dois casos de distrofia hiperplásica. Conclui-se que: a distrofia vulvar ocorre em crianças, até mesmo nas formas de hiperplasia epitelial; há possibilidade do envolvimento do HPV na etiopatogenia da distrofia hiperplásica e o exame anatomopatológico é essencial para o diagnóstico definitivo.