Tumors and tumor-like conditions of the vulva and Vagina: a pathologic study of 126 cases

One hundred and ten histologically confirmed cases of tumors and tumor-like conditions of the vulva and vagina are studied. The most common benign tumors of the vulva are condylomas [27.2%], while in the vagina cystic lesions come first [48.2%]. The majority of malignant tumors of the vulva and vagina are squamous cell carcinomas [63% and 42.8% respectively]. Leiomyosarcomas are equally as common in the vagina. The role of Pap smear cytology in the assessment of such lesions retrospectively is limited. A prospective cytologic study would be more rewarding. Close cooperation between the gynecologist and Pathologist is mandatory to improve the diagnosis of these lesions and thus the provide more appropriate medical care

Histopathology of vitiligo

A total of twenty one patients with vitiligo was studied, shave biopsies were taken both from early lesion [stage I] and late lesions [stage II] of depigmentation. Haematoxilin Eosin and Fontana stains were carried out on all sections. Melanin pigment was found in the basal layer of the epidermis in stage I with either very slight reduction or partial absence while there was almost complete absence of melanin in stage II of the disease. The histopathology showed marked inflammatory response mainly lymphocytic perivascular infiltrate in the dermis with epidermal invasion. These changes were more intense in stage I. Also there was perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate with invasion into the follicular wall

Carcinoma of gallbladder in Iraq

This study includes 50 patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder treated during a ten years period. The mean age was 64 years, the majority were females. The incidence of gall stones was 54%. In the vast majority, the tumors was advanced at the time of diagnosis with liver metastasis and / or invasion. Most patients were treated by palliative measures and survival was very poor. Early diagnosis, radical surgery offer the only hope for a better cure rate

Ocular manifestations of xerodermia pigmentosum in Iraq

Out of 34 patients with Xeroderma pigmentosum [XP] followed for ten years, twelve [35%] developed opthalmological complications. These ranged from keratoconjunctivitis to extensive epithelial neoplasia. Various medical and surgical measures were used in the treatment. It is emphasized that the main point in XP is prophylaxis. patients should be followed carefully by a group of specialists including an ophthalmologist

Hydatid disease of bone

This study included 35 hydatid cysts of bone in 33 patients. Long bones were mostly affected, followed by the spine and then the pelvis. Various radiological and pathological aspects of osseous hydatidosis are discussed

Ocular manifestations of xeroderma pigmentosa in Iraq

We reviewed a total of 34 patients with xeroderma pigmentosa. Twelve [35%] had major ocular complications related to malignant tumors. The most common malignant tumors of the eye were squamous cell carcinoma

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of abdominal masses

This is a short report on our experience with fine needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB] in the diagnosis of intraabdominal tumors. Twenty cases, representing various malignancies at different age groups are discussed. They include eight cases of NHL [Six of them are Burkitt's lymphoma in children], two are neuroblastomas, two renal cell cacinomas, one pheochromocytoma, four liver tumors [primary and secondary] and two pancreatic tumors. The results of the cytodiagnosis was similar to the histopathologic result, whenever this was available. No complications were recorded. It was considered that FNAB of abdominal masses is a simple and accurate technique, especially in childhood tumors, and should be used whenever possible

Smooth muscle tumors of the scrotum: Report of 3 new cases

Three cases of non-epithelial tumours of the scrotum are presented. A suggestion for the management was made which would depend on the grade of the smooth muscle tumour. This can be decided from the first operation by doing a frozen section examination

Bladder cancer in Iraq: the histological subtypes and their relationship to schistosomiasis

A total of 1216 cases of urinary bladder cancer in Iraq were evaluated for histological and association with schistosomiasis. The detection rate of schistosomal ova was only about 30%. About half of the cases were squamous cell carcinoma and there was a high frequency of schitosomiasis. The other half of the cases were mostly transitional cell carcinomas, and these were associated with a low incidence of Schistosoma. Only 4.7% of the papillary type were associated with schistosomiasis, and this parallels the incidence of schistosomiasis our autopsy series and in the adult Iraqi as a whole. The spectrum of metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma in situ was observed in the urinary bladder biopsies from patients with schistosomiasis, even in the absence of invasive cancer. In our study, and for most likely the first time in an Iraqi series, we included 87 causes in which biopsy specimens were obtained at cystectomy. In the remaining cases, specimens were obtained during transurethral cystoscopy. Careful histopathological study of these cases helped to clarify many of the questions about the relationship between urinary bladder cancer and schistosomiasis in the Iraqi population

Non-hodgkin's lymphomas in Iraqi children: analysis of 102 cases

The study is a clinicopathological of 102 Iraqi children with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]. Most were high-grade types, affecting mostly male children with tendency to abdominal or mediastinal presentation according to the histologic type. Small non-cleaved follicular center [SNC] lymphomas frequently presented as intestinal primaries with a very aggressive course particularly in Burkitt's subtype if not treated promptly and adequately. Lymphoblastic [LBL] occurred more frequently in older children with mediastinal primaries and followed by leukemic dissemination. The Mediterranean lymphoma [MTL] was uncommon [8.8%], mostly in the early mucosal phase with good prognosis. Not a single case of follicular lymphomas was encountered in this series. Proper histopathologic typing helps to define the epidemiology, natural history and therapy of NHL in children

Ovarian tumours in the Medical City Hospital - a clinico pathologic study

A study of 244 patients having ovarian tumours seen and treated at the Medical City Teaching hospital was carried out during the period from Jan. 1976 to Dec. 1982. Two thirds of the patients were young adults [20-40 years]. The most common cystic benign tumour seen among the patients studied is the benign cystic teratoma. On the other hand, various types of adenocarcinoma are the most common solid tumours. An interesting finding is that malignant germ cell tumours are more common in our study compared to most other studies from Western countries. About 60% presented with abdominal pain, 25% with abdominal mass, while 15% of these tumours were discovered during examination for other gynaecological problems. Involvement of the right ovary is seen in 38%, the left ovary in 35% and in 17% the tumour was bilateral. The tumours were cystic in consistency in 74%, solid in 10% and 13% had disseminated malignany at the time of operation.This study gives basic information about the incidence and behaviour of the ovarian neoplasms in Iraqi women

pathology of orbital tumours [a retrospective study]

The study includes 226 cases of orbital tumours diagnosed at the Medical City Teaching Hospital over 15 years [1970-1984]. There were 159 [70%] malignant and 67 [30%] benign tumours. About two thirds of the malignancies were skin cancers involving the eye lids, mostly basal cell carcinomas [BCC]. Twenty three retinoblastomas has been diagnosed, followed by malignant melanomas, [10 cases], and two embryomal rhabdomyosarcomas. The most common benign tumours encountered were compound naevi, anigomas, neurofibromas and squamous cell papillomas. The histopathology as well as the differential diagnosis of these entities are discussed

Tumours of the minor and major salivary glands [analysis of 225 cases]

The study includes a review of the histopathological types of 225 tumours of the major and minor salivary glands diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Medical City Hospital during eleven years period. The majority [71%] were benign [mostly pleomorphic adenomas]. Of the malignant tumours, mucoepedermoids were the most common. About 30% of these behaved as highly malignant carcinoma. Adenoid cystic carcinoma [about 20% of all carcinomas] mostly affected salivary glands other than the parotid. Various clinico-pathological aspects of the salivary gland tumours in Iraq are discussed

Fine needle aspirates in malignant lymphoma: possible value in predicting response to chemotherapy

We propose the use of serial lymph node fine needle aspiration for cyto-pathologic examination in the follow up of patients suffering from lymphoma who are under chemotherapy. Apoptotic bodies start to appear within two hours following therapy, reaching a peak in 10 hours then start to disappear. Cellular degeneration seems to reach the peak within 4-5 days. Apoptotic bodies and degenerated cell counts can be used as an index to assess cellular response to chemotherapy. Three cases are reported as examples of an ongoing project in our institute. Preliminary results indicate a close correlation between these indices and initial clinical response to therapy

Testicular tumours in Iraq: a pathologic study of 60 cases

Sixty cases of primary testicular tumours are analysed using the WHO classification. There were 49 germ tumours, three interstitial cell tumours and eight lymphoreticular malignancies. As expected, seminomas were the most common germ cell tumour representing about 49% of the total. 25% of seminomas arose in undescended testicles. In children, most of the tumours were embryonal [yolk sac] carcinomas in infants and malignant lymphomas in older children

Lung cancer in Iraq

344 pulmonary and bronchogenic cancers seen and treated in the Medical City Hospital Baghdad were reviewed using the WHO classification. About 50% were squamous cell carcinomas, 25% small cell undifferentiated and 13% adenocarcinomas. The latter were more common in females and young individuals. The relative rarity of adenocarcinomas in Iraq is contrary to recent reports from other countries, where this histological type is said to be on the increase

asymptomatic mediastinal cyst

A review of 15 patients with mediastinal cysts seen over a five-year period is presented. Thirteen patients were asymptomatic, the lesion being originally diagnosed on a routine chest X-ray: the other 2 patients had no symptoms referable to the chest. Complete excision was accomplished in all cases. Operative morbidity was negligible, no patient died, and there has been no instance of local recurrence. Since most of the patients were asymptomatic, the importance of routine chest radiography is stressed

Primary mediastinal tumors Clinicopathological evaluation of 50 patients

This paper presents various surgical and pathological problems of primary mediastinal tumors in 50 patients seen and managed during a period of 5 years. Twenty were women. The ages ranged from 9 months to 60 years. Ten patients included in this study were asymptomatic, the presenting symptoms in the remaining patients were diverse depending primarily on the nature of the lesions, their location and size. The various diagnostic procedures used could only characterize the lesion, the exact diagnosis however was established at operation and confirmed histologically in all of the patients. There were 16 seperate varieties, and 62% of the lesions were found to be malignant. Our experience in diagnostic evaluation and operative management is described and discussed