A standardized pathology report for gastric cancer: 2nd edition

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer: 2nd Edition

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements.The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

Synchronous ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp and Meckel’s diverticulum found during laparoscopic surgery for adult intussusception / 영남의대학술지

We present a rare case of synchronous ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp and Meckel’s diverticulum detected during laparoscopic surgery for adult intussusception. A 48-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a segment of ileocecal intussusception. Thus, laparoscopic exploration was performed, which revealed an ileal mass with an outpouching closed luminal structure in the distal ileum. Two abnormal structures were resected via mini-laparotomy, and the patient was discharged without postoperative complications. Histopathological examination confirmed an ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp and Meckel’s diverticulum with ectopic pancreatic tissue.

Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp of the Appendix: A Case Report

An inflammatory fibroid polyp is a rare benign tumor that can arise throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Most cases are observed in the stomach or ileum, and more rarely in the appendix (< 1%). We report on a case of an inflammatory fibroid polyp of the appendix.

A Case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Associated with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection / 임상소아혈액종양

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a self-limiting disease characterized by subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis. This benign disease is frequently associated with prolonged fever and mostly occurs in young Asian women. KFD is generally diagnosed using a biopsy of affected lymph nodes and spontaneously resolves in several months. Although the causative agent is believed to be infectious, the etiology remains unknown. Some cases of KFD are associated with viral infections, including Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus 6, and parvovirus B19 infection. Herein, we report a case of KFD associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Benign Atypical Intralymphatic CD30+ T-Cell Proliferation: A Case Report and Literature Review

No abstract available.

Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Carcinoma Treated by Endoscopic Resection and Radiation / 대한소화기학회지

Esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare, aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma. BSC is usually diagnosed in advanced stage and its prognosis is relatively poor. A 59-year-old male with subepithelial lesion of the esophagus that was incidentally discovered during health promotion examination was referred to our hospital. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a 10-mm bulging mucosa with an intact surface at 34 cm from incisor teeth. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a smooth margined homogenous hypoechoic lesion, measuring 11.3×3.9 mm with a submucosal layer of origin. The patient underwent endoscopic mucosal resection of the subepithelial lesion. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed BSC with involvement of vertical margin by tumor. The patient then underwent radiotherapy, and is doing well without recurrence for 35 months. We report a case of esophageal BSC confined to submucosal layer successfully treated with endoscopic resection followed by radiation.

Molecular Testing for Gastrointestinal Cancer

With recent advances in molecular diagnostic methods and targeted cancer therapies, several molecular tests have been recommended for gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Microsatellite instability analysis of gastrointestinal cancers is performed to screen for Lynch syndrome, predict favorable prognosis, and screen patients for immunotherapy. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor has been approved in metastatic CRCs with wildtype RAS (KRAS and NRAS exon 2–4). A BRAF mutation is required for predicting poor prognosis. Additionally, amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and MET is also associated with resistance to EGFR inhibitor in metastatic CRC patients. The BRAF V600E mutation is found in sporadic microsatellite unstable CRCs, and thus is helpful for ruling out Lynch syndrome. In addition, the KRAS mutation is a prognostic biomarker and the PIK3CA mutation is a molecular biomarker predicting response to phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and response to aspirin therapy in CRC patients. Additionally, HER2 testing should be performed in all recurrent or metastatic GCs. If the results of HER2 immunohistochemistry are equivocal, HER2 silver or fluorescence in situ hybridization testing are essential for confirmative determination of HER2 status. Epstein-Barr virus–positive GCs have distinct characteristics, including heavy lymphoid stroma, hypermethylation phenotype, and high expression of immune modulators. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies enable us to examine various genetic alterations using a single test. Pathologists play a crucial role in ensuring reliable molecular testing and they should also take an integral role between molecular laboratories and clinicians.

Rare Presentation of Richter's Transformation to Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: a Case Report / 대한내과학회지

Richter's syndrome refers to the development of aggressive lymphoma in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It occurs in about 2% to 10% of patients with CLL. The most frequent manifestation of Richter's syndrome is diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Extranodal involvement is rare but can occur. The prognosis of Richter's syndrome is very poor. We herein report a case of a rare presentation of Richter's syndrome. A 42-year-old man diagnosed with CLL 2 years previously developed nodules on the bilateral thighs and buttocks. A positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scan revealed high fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in multiple lymph nodes, skeletal muscles, and the myocardium. An ultrasonography-guided biopsy confirmed Richter's syndrome from CLL to DLBCL. The patient was treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy. After six cycles of chemotherapy, we performed a PET-CT scan that revealed a complete response. However, 3 months later, the syndrome recurred. The patient was undergoing salvage chemotherapy at the time of this writing.

A Case of Pseudolymphomatous IgG4-Related Disease Involving the Maxilla / 영남의대학술지

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is an inflammatory condition characterized by IgG4 positive plasma cell infiltration. It can affect any organ in the body and mainly involves the pancreas, liver, biliary tracts, orbits, salivary glands and lymph nodes. It can manifest as an inflammatory pseudotumor. Pseudolymphoma as an inflammatory pseudotumor is a group of benign tumors that exhibit histological and clinical features suggestive of malignant lymphoma. Studies on IgG4-related disease are rarely reported, and no case of the disease that involved the maxillary bone and adjacent soft tissue, except for the skin, has been reported. Therefore, we report herein a case of pseudolymphomatous IgG4-related disease that involved the maxilla, with a literature review.

A Case of Gastric Lipoma with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 영남의대학술지

Gastric lipoma is a typical benign submucosal tumor that is usually asymptomatic and is generally detected incidentally when performing gastroscopy. However, depending on its size and location, an atypical gastrointestinal lipoma can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal obstruction, intussuception and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. We report herein a case of gastric lipoma with bleeding in a 43-year-old man. The gastroscopy showed a 4x4 cm ulcero-fungating submucosal mass at the anterior wall of the gastric antrum. Laparoscopic gastric wedge resection was performed and the lesion was diagnosed as gastric lipoma.

Early Colorectal Epithelial Neoplasm in Korea: A Multicenter Survey of Pathologic Diagnosis

BACKGROUND: The incidence of early colorectal epithelial neoplasm (ECEN) is increasing, and its pathologic diagnosis is important for patient care. We investigated the incidence of ECEN and the current status of its pathologic diagnosis. METHODS: We collected datasheets from 25 institutes in Korea for the incidence of colorectal adenoma with high grade dysplasia (HGD) and low grade dysplasia in years 2005, 2007, and 2009; and early colorectal carcinoma in the year 2009. We also surveyed the diagnostic terminology of ECEN currently used by the participating pathologists. RESULTS: The average percentage of diagnoses of adenoma HGD was 7.0%, 5.0%, and 3.4% in years 2005, 2007, and 2009, respectively. The range of incidence rates of adenoma HGD across the participating institutes has gradually narrowed over the years 2005 to 2009. The incidence rate of early colorectal carcinoma in the year 2009 was 21.2%. The participants did not share a single criterion or terminology for the diagnosis of adenoma HGD. The majority accepted the diagnostic terms that distinguished noninvasive, mucosal confined, and submucosal invasive carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Further research requirements suggested are a diagnostic consensus for the histopathologic diagnosis of ECEN; and standardization of diagnostic terminology critical for determining the disease code.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Hepatic Hydatid Cyst: A Case Study

Hydatid cysts (echinococcosis) are caused by an infestation with larval tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The disease is extensively distributed worldwide, and it has been rarely reported in Korea. We describe the cytologic features of a case of hepatic hydatid cyst in a 28-year-old male. Computed tomography revealed a cystic mass in the right lobe of the liver. A right hemihepatectomy was performed. The aspirated fluid from the hepatic cystic mass was clear. The smears showed protoscolices, hooklets, and a laminated membrane.

Imprint Cytology of Soft Tissue Myoepithelioma: A Case Study

Soft tissue myoepithelioma is a rare neoplasm composed of myoepithelial cells. Here, we describe the cytologic features of soft tissue myoepithelioma arising on the right forearm in an 18-year-old man. The excised tumor (3.0x1.8x1.5 cm) was well-demarcated, yellow-gray, soft, and myxoid. The cytologic smears showed round to spindle, epithelioid, and plasmacytoid cells in the myxoid background. The nuclei were uniform, round to ovoid, with finely distributed chromatin and eosinophilic or pale cytoplasm. The tumor cells demonstrated immunoreactivity for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), epithelial membrane antigen, S100 protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Electron microscopy showed intermediate filaments, desmosomes, and basal lamina.

Current Trends of the Incidence and Pathological Diagnosis of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEP-NETs) in Korea 2000-2009: Multicenter Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: As a result of various independently proposed nomenclatures and classifications, there is confusion in the diagnosis and prediction of biological behavior of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). A comprehensive nationwide study is needed in order to understand the biological characteristics of GEP-NETs in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 4,951 pathology reports from 29 hospitals in Korea between 2000 and 2009. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine the prognostic significance of clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Although the GEP-NET is a relatively rare tumor in Korea, its incidence has increased during the last decade, with the most significant increase found in the rectum. The 10-year survival rate for well-differentiated endocrine tumor was 92.89%, in contrast to 85.74% in well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma and 34.59% in poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. Disease related death was most common in the biliary tract (62.2%) and very rare in the rectum (5.2%). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, tumor location, histological classification, extent, size, mitosis, Ki-67 labeling index, synaptophysin expression, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymph node metastasis showed prognostic significance (p<0.05), however, chromogranin expression did not (p=0.148). The 2000 and 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) classification proposals were useful for prediction of the prognosis of GEP-NET. CONCLUSION: The incidence of GEP-NET in Korea has shown a remarkable increase during the last decade, however, the distribution of tumors in the digestive system differs from that of western reports. Assessment of pathological parameters, including immunostaining, is crucial in understanding biological behavior of the tumor as well as predicting prognosis of patients with GEP-NET.

Childhood Asymmetry Labium Majus Enlargement

Childhood asymmetry labium majus enlargement (CALME) is a disctinctive clinicopathologic entity of pre- and early puberty first described in 2005. It is defined as an expansion of normal soft tissues of the vulva. Although CALME is not a rare lesion, it has been called lipoma, fibroma, hamartoma, and fibrous hyperplasia. CALME is not a true neoplasm and is a physiologic growth in response to hormone. It may tend to resolve spontaneously and recur after surgical resection. We report four cases of CALME with a review of the literature. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first Korean report.

HER2 Status in Gastric Adenocarcinomas Assessed by Immunohistochemistry, Automated Silver-Enhanced In Situ Hybridization and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

BACKGROUND: Recently, many studies have focused on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in gastric cancer due to HER2-targeted therapy using trastuzumab. We investigated HER2 overexpression and amplification and their concordance rate in Korean gastric adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Tissue microarrays were constructed with 232 gastric adenocarcinoma samples. We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC), silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for HER2. RESULTS: IHC was negative in 94.8% (218/232), equivocal in 1.7% (4/232) and positive in 3.5% (8/232) of cases. HER2 protein expression was heterogeneous in 75% (9/12) of IHC 2+/3+ cancers. Gene amplification was observed in 6.5% (15/230) by SISH and the same 15 cases were also FISH-positive. We observed HER2 amplification in 1.4%, 27.3%, 25%, and 100% of IHC 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+ gastric adenocarcinomas, respectively. The concordance rate between IHC and SISH results was 95.7%. CONCLUSIONS: HER2 overexpression and amplification were less frequent in gastric adenocarcinomas than breast carcinomas. Compared to breast carcinoma, (1) there may be IHC-negative but gene amplification-positive cases for HER2 and (2) frequent intratumoral heterogeneity of IHC for HER2 in gastric adenocarcinomas.

Automated Silver-enhanced In Situ Hybridization for Evaluation of HER2 Gene Status in Breast Carcinoma: Comparison with Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemistry

BACKGROUND: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is amplified in 20-25% of breast cancers. HER2 overexpression or amplification is associated with a worse clinical outcome and it can predict the benefit from anthracycline and anti-HER2 therapies. The HER2 status has usually been assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in clinical samples. A new silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) technique was recently introduced. Therefore we evaluated the usefulness of SISH for detecting HER2 amplification. METHODS: Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed with 144 invasive breast cancer tissue samples. We performed IHC, FISH and SISH for HER2 on the tissue sections from the TMAs and we interpreted the results according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines. The concordant rates between the two different tests were calculated. RESULTS: HER2 was overexpressed and amplified in 16.9%, 16.9%, and 18% of the cases by IHC, FISH and SISH, respectively. The concordant rates between IHC and FISH, IHC and SISH, and FISH and SISH were 95.1%, 95.7%, and 97.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SISH can be an alternative test for evaluating HER2 amplification because the 97.8% concordance with FISH satisfies the ASCO/CAP requirement of > 95% concordance with an alternative validated method.

A Case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma with Direct Invasion to Gastric Mucosa / 대한소화기학회지

Mesothelioma is a rare aggressive tumor arising from the mesothelial cell and regarded as universally fatal disease with average survival around 1 year. The incidence rate is varied from one to forty per million in different countries and increasing by the year. The most common site of tumor origin is the pleura and only 20% to 33% of mesothelioma arise from the peritoneum. There are increasing reports of malignant mesothelioma with forty to fifty fatal cases per year in Korea. Histological studies with immunohistochemical stain is helpful for the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma and imaging modality alone is not sufficient for diagnosis, so it is difficult to confirm diagnosis. A 64-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a palpable mass on abdomen. The 6x6 cm sized huge mass was seen on the body of stomach adjacent to the peritoneum. We report a case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma without evident exposure to asbestos, of which direct invasion to the gastric mucosa was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy and immunohistochemical stain.

A case of micropapillary breast cancer with endometrial metastasis / 대한내과학회지

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Even if appropriate treatments are applied, metastasis can occur in any organ of the body. Uterine metastasis from an extrapelvic tumor such as breast cancer is very rare. A 62-year-old woman with breast cancer was treated with modified radical mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. A single lung metastasis developed at 2 years after surgery, and the patient underwent wedge resection followed by capecitabine chemotherapy. Afterwards, the patient was treated with gemcitabine/vinorelbine chemotherapy for skin metastasis. Recently, she complained of vaginal spotting for 3 weeks. MRI of the uterus revealed a 1.1 cm endometrial tumor with myometrial invasion. Biopsy confirmed papillary carcinoma that originated from previous breast cancer. Although she was treated by palliative radiotherapy to the uterus, docetaxel/cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab, disease progression was observed.