Rhinosporidiosis presenting as an urethral polyp

Rhinosporidiosis is an inflammatory disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, a protoctistan mesomycetozoa, member of a group of novel aquatic parasites, characterized by hyperplastic polypoid lesions of the nasal cavity and rarely other mucous membranes. We report an unusual presentation of rhinosporidiosis as an urethral polyp, which is only the second case of rhinosporidiosis reported from Pakistan

Frequency of primary solid malignant neoplasms in both sexes, as seen in our practice

To determine the frequency of various histologic types of primary solid malignant neoplasms in males and females, in our practice, in a large series of surgical biopsies. A retrospective study of 20,000 consecutive surgical biopsies in the section of Histopathology, Aga Khan University Hospital [AKU], Karachi, in 2004. Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity was the commonest malignant neoplasm in males followed by diffuse Large B cell, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Prostatic adenocarcinoma. In females, infiltrating Ductal carcinoma of the breast was overwhelmingly the commonest malignant neoplasm followed by Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and esophagus. Out of 20,000 biopsies, there were 4616 [23.08%] malignant neoplasms. Carcinoma of oral cavity is very common in our population in both sexes

Frequency of primary solid malignant neoplasms in different age groups as seen in our practice

To determine in a large series of surgical biopsies, the frequency of various histologic types of primary solid malignant neoplasms in males and females in different age groups. A retrospective study of 20,000 consecutive surgical biopsies reposted in the section of histopathology, AKU in 2004. Malignant neoplasms are commonest in the fifth and sixth decades of life. The commonest malignant neoplasms in the first decade were Hodgkin's lymphoma and Wilm's tumor in males and females respectively. In the second decade, osteosarcoma in males and Ewing's sarcoma/PNET in females. In the third decade, colorectal adenocarcinoma in males and infiltrating Ductal carcinoma of breast in females. In the fourth decade, squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity in males and infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast in females. In the fifth decade squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity in males and infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast in females. In sixth decade, squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity in males and infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast in females and in the seventh decade, prostatic adenocarcinoma in males and infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast in females. Above age of 70 years, the commonest malignant were again prostatic adenocarcinoma in males and infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast in females. Malignant neoplasms are commonest in the fourth, fifth and sixth decades of life

Significance of immunohistochemistry in accurate characterization of malignant tumors

To determine in a large series of surgical biopsies the role and significance of immunohistochemistry in the adequate and accurate characterization of malignant tumors. A retrospective study of 20,000 consecutive surgical biopsies reported in the Section of Histopathology, AKU in 2003. Data was obtained by retrieving the filed surgical biopsy reports in the section. Out of the 20,000 biopsies, 6534 [32.67%] were neoplastic. 4726 neoplasms [72.33%] were malignant, and 1808 [27.67%] were benign. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 29.49% of malignant tumors, and 4.97% of benign tumors. Immunos were performed on only 2.82% of routine squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of various organs, and in only 1.9% of infiltrating breast carcinomas, the commonest malignant tumors in females. In contrast, immunos were performed on 97.12% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 97.94% of Hodgkin's lymphomas, 98.09% of malignant spindle cell neoplasms, 87.96% of small round blue cell tumors of childhood, 87.30% of neuroendocrine neoplasms, and 84.37% cases of malignant melanomas. In addition, immunos were performed on all cases of malignant undifferentiated neoplasms and were able to resolve the issue in over 89% of such cases. Immunos were also performed on 54.74% of metastatic tumors. Lymph nodes were the commonest organs on which immunos were performed i.e. 96.50% of lymph node tumors, followed by CNS and renal neoplasms with 33.01% and 25.92% respectively

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma

Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas [SEGAs] are slowly growing tumours corresponding to WHO grade I. They are intraventricular and usually occur in the setting of tuberous sclerosis complex. They often result in obstructive hydrocephalus. Treatment is usually restricted to surgical resection, recurrences are rare and long term prognosis is excellent. We present a series of three cases

Uterine perivascular epithelioid cell tumour presenting as a cervical mass

Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumour [PEComa] also known as myelomelanocytic tumours are uncommon, recently described mesenchymal tumours that include angiomyolipoma, clear cell "sugar" tumour of the lung, lymphangioleiomyoma and tumours composed predominantly of epithelioid cell morphology. A predilection for uterus has been described. However up till now only 14 cases of uterine PEComas have been described. All of these were seen in adult females in the peri and post menopausal age group [from 40-75years], and almost all were located in the region of body of uterus. A single case in the upper cervical region has been reported with uterine PEComatoses. We report an unusual presentation of this rare tumour presenting as a polypoidal cervical mass in a young female. Occurrence of this tumor in a young female as seen in our case warrants inclusion of PEComa in the diferential diagnosis of all epithelioid and clear cell neoplasms of uterus irrespective of age