ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are malignant endocrine neoplasms that present diverse clinical behaviors. Therefore, identification of biomarkers of PanNETs is important for stratification of the prognosis of PanNET patients. Recently, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and KIT expression were reported to have prognostic significance in PanNET patients. METHODS: To identify their prognostic significance, CK19 and KIT protein expression were assessed in 182 surgically resected PanNETs and compared with clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS: Of 182 PanNETs cases, CK19 and KIT expression was noted in 97 (53.3%) and 16 (8.8%) cases, respectively. PanNET patients with CK19 expression had larger tumors (p=.006), higher World Health Organization (WHO) grade (p=.002) and pT classification (p<.001), increased distant metastasis (p=.004), and lymphovascular (p=.012) and perineural (p=.019) invasion. Similarly, those with KIT expression had larger tumors (p=.030), higher WHO grade (p=.001), advanced pT classification (p<.001), distant metastasis (p=.001), and lymphovascular invasion (p=.014). The 5-year survival rate for PanNET patients with KIT expression was significantly lower (62%) than that of patients without KIT expression (77%, p=.011), as determined by univariate but not by multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: CK19 and KIT expression correlate with higher metastatic potential and advanced disease stage, and KIT expression is associated with worse survival in PanNET patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biomarkers , Classification , Immunohistochemistry , Keratin-19 , Multivariate Analysis , Neoplasm Metastasis , Neuroendocrine Tumors , Pancreas , Prognosis , Survival Rate , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
Fibrous dysplasia is a benign, bony abnormality that is usually asymptomatic. A 41-year-old male with minimal symptoms presented at this hospital with abnormal findings incidentally seen in his ribs on the chest radiograph. A skeletal survey showed numerous, osteolytic lesions throughout multiple bones. Diagnostic processes for malignancy of undefined primary origin (MUO) were performed in order to identify the underlying primary neoplasm, although abnormal findings were not seen except for multiple bone lesions. A computed tomography guided bone biopsy was performed on his left rib. The final diagnosis was fibrous dysplasia. This case demonstrates that fibrous dysplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young patients with multiple, osteolytic lesions and without a prior history suggesting malignancy.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Biopsy , Bone Neoplasms , Diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic , Neoplasm Metastasis , Radiography, Thoracic , RibsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper genital tract, including the endometrium, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, is extremely rare. It must be distinguished from the mucosal extension of primary cervical SCC because determination of the primary tumor site is important for tumor staging. However, patients with SCC of the fallopian tubes or ovarian surface have often undergone prior hysterectomy with inadequate examination of the cervix, making it difficult to determine the primary site. METHODS: We compared histologic findings, p16INK4a expression, and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA status in four patients with primary SCC of the upper genital tract and five patients with primary cervical SCC extending to the mucosa of the upper genital tract. RESULTS: All five SCCs of cervical origin showed strong expression of p16INK4a, whereas all four SCCs of the upper genital tract were negative, although one showed weak focal staining. Three of the five cervical SCCs were positive for HPV16 DNA, whereas all four primary SCCs of the upper genital tract were negative for HPV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: Although a thorough histological examination is important, immunonegativity for p16INK4a and negative for HPV DNA may be useful adjuncts in determining primary SCCs of the upper genital tract.