Serous cystadenocarcinoma of pancreas

Serous cystic neoplasms of pancreas are relatively rare tumours. Malignancy in these tumours is even more rare which is confirmed by metastasis to other organs or by perineural, vascular or surrounding soft tissue invasion. A 60 years old lady presented with vague upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan showed multiloculated cystic mass in the body of pancreas measuring 9 x 6 x 5 cm and not involving spleen. Pancreatectomy specimen showed a multicystic tumour having sponge-like appearance which showed vascular and soft tissue invasion of surrounding stroma on microscopic examination and was diagnosed as serous cystadenocarcinoma of pancreas

Paraffin-based immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of glomerular diseases in renal biopsies

To determine sensitivity and specificity of paraffin-based immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of glomerular diseases in renal biopsies using immunofluorescence as gold standard. Cross-sectional analytical study. Department of Histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from August 2008 to August 2009. Seventy renal biopsy specimens fulfilling the inclusion criteria for light microscopy and immunofluorescence during the study period were evaluated. Antibodies to immunoglobulins [IgG, IgA, and IgM] and components of complement system [C3] were applied on 70 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded renal biopsy specimens previously classified by means of light microscopy and immunofluorescence [IF]. Staining for these antibodies was recorded as positive and negative for immunohistochemistry [IHC] and IF in paired proportions presuming IF as gold standard test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicitive value and negative predicitive value of individual antibody were calculated. Of 70 patients, mean age was 33 +/- 18 years ranging from 2 to 80 years. Forty five [64%] were males and 25 [36%] were females. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of individual antibodies to IgG, IgA, IgM and C3 were very low and generally in the range of 40 - 60%. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffinembedded renal biopsy specimens were very low and therefore, not suitable for evaluation of renal biopsies in currentcircumstances

Morphological characterization of renal tumours according to decades of life: experience at AFIP Rawalpindi, Pakistan

To evaluate morphological characterization of renal tumours according to decades of life and to compare it with other national and international studies. Descriptive study Place and duration of study: The retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP] Rawalpindi during the years 2005 to 2008. Data of 236 nephrectomy specimens diagnosed as renal tumours during the years 2005 to 2008 was retrieved from tumour registry of AFIP, Rawalpindi. The morphological characterization of these tumours according to decades of life was done and compared with the international data. Of 236 cases of renal tumours, 169 [72%] were males and 67 [28%] were females. The mean age of the patients was 50 years [SD=18.5] ranging from 1 to 80 years. The most common histological diagnosis in adults was conventional renal cell carcinoma in 172 [73%] patients followed by papillary renal cell carcinoma in 20 [8.5%] patients. Among children Wilm's tumour was the most common in 21 [9%] of patients. Conventional renal cell carcinoma was most commonly diagnosed in the patients aged between 51 to 60 years [52 cases] where as 17 out of 21cases of Wilm's tumour were diagnosed in the age group of 1 to 10 years. Renal cell tumours are diagnosed in all ages. Conventional renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma are the most common types in non pediatric age group whereas Wilm's tumor is most common type in pediatric age group. The chromophobe renal cell carcinoma was very rare in our study. Males had a greater incidence as compared to females and incidence of renal tumours has the trend of increase over the years