Concomitant echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in non-small cell lung cancer patients from eastern India

Background: In non-small cell lung cancer common driver mutations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are usually mutually exclusive. This study aimed to elucidate the concurrence of EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement in eastern India patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma and assess the response of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy after 6 months in primary lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 198 adenocarcinomas for EGFR and ALK mutations. EGFR and ALK tests were done by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques, respectively. Radiological response was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (version 1.1). Results: EGFR/ALK co-alteration was found in 4 adenocarcinoma patients. All were males with advanced disease. Younger patients had exon 19 deletion whereas older ones showed exon 21 mutation. The initial option of ALK-TKI in all four patients was excluded straightaway due to the high-cost burden of ALK-TKI. Two of them showed a partial response while other two had stable disease after 6 months of EGFR TKI therapy. Conclusion: EGFR/ALK co-alterations in adenocarcinomas albeit rare do exist. The challenge of monetary hurdle in developing countries with ALK TKI therapy can be handled by giving only EGFR TKI in these cases of concomitant mutations. Future perspective in research could be finding an agent with the potential of dual inhibition of ALK and EGFR

Lipoleiomyoma of the left broad ligament with dermoid cyst in ipsilateral ovary and synchronous multiple benign lesions of female genital tract: An unusual association.

Lipoleiomyoma of the uterus is a rare variant of leiomyoma, and lipoleiomyoma of the broad ligament is still rarer, with only a handful of cases being reported. The present case was a perimenopausal woman who presented with a huge lower abdominal mass. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a heterogeneous solid mass in the left adnexa. The histopathological findings confirmed the nature of the lesions as a benign lipoleiomyoma with dermoid cyst of the left ovary and its other associated benign lesions, were the interesting features seen in this case which were not suspected clinically and radiologically.

Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A 3-year record-based descriptive study from a tertiary care center in Southern India.

Introduction: Primary extranodal lymphoma (pENL) refers to group of disorders arising from tissues other than lymph nodes and even from sites, which normally do not contain lymphoid tissue. This study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and histological subtypes of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from a tertiary care institute in Southern India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pathology over a period of 3-years. Detailed clinical history, routine complete blood count, microbiological status was obtained from the medical records. Hamatoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed and immunohistochemistry was performed using a panel of antibodies depending on the morphology. All cases were classifi ed based upon morphologic and immunophenotypic criteria according to World Health Organization 2008 classifi cation. Results: Primary extranodal NHL constituting 22.6% (68/300) of all NHL and the majority of patients were from higher age group with peak incidence seen in fourth to fi fth decade of life. In the pediatric population, the most common site is ileocaecal region (42.8%) and the most common morphology is lymphoblastic lymphoma (42.8%). Similarly in the adult population head and neck was the most common site constituting 36% and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common morphological subtype comprising 54% of all extranodal lymphomas. Conclusion: Although the reported incidence of pENL is low in India compared to other parts of the world, the possibility of pENL should always be kept in mind even though it arises in an extranodal site.