Role of stromal CD10 expression in classifying phyllodes tumors

Background: Phyllodes tumor is a rare fibroepithelial tumor of the breast comprising less than 1% of all primary breast tumor. Phyllodes tumors are classified into benign, borderline and malignant based on histological criteria. Grading of phyllodes tumor is important as it determines the biological behaviour of the tumor. The aim of the present study was to identify the incidence, pathological features of benign, borderline and malignant phyllodes tumors and to compare the CD10 expression in benign, borderline and malignant phyllodes, in order to highlight its diagnostic significance.Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in Department of Pathology, Madras Medical College, Chennai for a period of 3 years. The clinical and pathological findings of phyllodes tumors were retrieved from the surgical pathology records. Totally 50 case were selected randomly (38 benign, 6 borderline and 6 malignant) and their representative formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry for CD10 expression.Results: In the 38 cases of benign phyllodes tumors, only three cases (7.9%) were CD10 positive. Three out of six cases (50%) of borderline phyllodes tumors showed CD10 positivity, whereas five out of six cases (83.3%) of malignant phyllodes tumor showed CD10 positivity.Conclusions: CD10 expression correlated well with grade of phyllodes tumors, which is of statistical significance and therefore it can be used in the determination of tumor grade and this may pave way for development of targeted therapies.

Evaluation of laboratory request forms submitted to clinical pathology department in tertiary health care hospital

Background: Laboratory diagnostics is the fast-growing field which contributes 70% of clinical diagnosis. Laboratory information has a profound impact on patient diagnosis. Research has demonstrated most of the laboratory errors occur in the pre-analytical phase. Incorrect and incomplete filling of information on the laboratory request forms can significantly impact the quality of laboratory results, and it affects patient outcome and resources. We, therefore, evaluated the extent of incomplete laboratory forms in our center.Methods: The study was a retrospective study conducted on all request forms received over 1 month from June 15, 2018, to July 15, 2018, in the Clinical Pathology Department of ESI hospital, Coimbatore, during working hours were analyzed for the frequency of incomplete data.Results: Only the patient’s name appeared in all the forms. Consultant in charge of requesting laboratory tests (99%) was the most omitted parameter. No clinical details or location/ward details of the patient was provided in 90.7% and 7% of the cases. Age and gender did not appear in 21.9% and 22%, respectively. Date of request, doctor’s signature, and hospital number were missing on 8.4%, 27.6%, and 4.4%, respectively.Conclusions: The study has demonstrated the level completion of laboratory request forms was suboptimal. This may be responsible for many pre-analytical errors. There should be closer interaction between clinicians and laboratory physician to improve the quality of laboratory services and resource management.