CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the skin in association with mycosis fungoides: a case report

CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL] can develop secondary from mycosis fungoides [MF]; a phemenon known as transformation of MF and is associated with aggressive clinical behavior. However, the coexistence of MF and CD30+ALCL runs an indolent course. Further dissection of the relationship between MF and CD30+ALCL is needed. We report a case of a 73 years old Yemeni woman who presented with a four months history of an ulcerated skin lesion of the left arm. Biopsy of that lesion demonstrated light microscopic features and immunohistochemical markers of CD30+ ALCL. Further examination of the patient revealed multiple eczematous lesions of the lower extremities. Biopsy of one of those lesions revealed histology of patch stage mycosis fungoides. The cell morphology and clinical behavior are consistent with MF and CD30+ALCL coexistence

Identifying helicobacter pylori: is H and E staining enough?

To compare hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] stain to the urease test and giemsa stain and their sensitivities in identifying helicobacter pylori. Forty-six endoscopic gastric biopsies were evaluated for the presence of H.pylori using H and E, giemsa and the urease test. None of the doctors who performed each of these tests were aware of the results of the others. Sensitivities and the level of agreement of H and E versus urease and giemsa tests were calculated. H and E had a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 100% with a positive predictive value of 100% but a 44% negative predictive value. On the other hand, the sensitivities and the level of agreement of-giemsa and the urease test compared to H and E were 87.5% and 84% and 87% and 76%, respectively. H and E has a high sensitivity and specificity for helicobacter pylori identification. Added tests can be helpful if H and E gave negative results in the presence of histological gastritis

Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric cancer: a study of 84 cases from Asir region

Gastric cancer can be divided into three histologic types: intestinal and diffuse adenocarcinoma, and malignant lymphoma. To determine whether Helicobacter pylori was associated with either cancer type, we reviewed histologic sections from stomachs of 84 patients with the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Of 63 patients with histologic evidence of intestinal adenocarcinoma, 53 [84%] contained H. pylori in noncancerous tissue compared with six [66.7%] of nine patients with diffuse adenocarcinoma [odds ratio = 2.65; Z=1.048; P>0.05] and with eight [66.7%] of 12 patients with non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma of the stomach [odds ratio = 2.65; Z=0.826; P>0.05]. Our findings are compared with reported data from other countries and we are not aware of similar reports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Peripheral lymphadenopathy as a primary presenting sign: a study of 324 cases from Asir region

Superficial lymph node biopsies received over a four year-period, 1987 to 1990, at the histopathology laboratory of Asir Central Hospital were reviewed. Total number of patients was 324, all presented with peripheral lymphadenopathy as the primary sign. Two hundred sixty-six patients [82%] were Saudi nationals and 58 patients [18%] were non-Saudi nationals living in Asir region. Granulomatous lymphadenitis was the most common pattern [43%], followed by: nonspecific lymphoid hyperplasia [33%], malignant lymphoma [13%], metastatic nonlymphoid malignant neoplasm [6.6%], and miscellaneous specific lymphadenopathies [4.4%]. The distribution patterns of various histopathologic findings according to age, sex, nationality and lymph node location are included

Pattern of primary gastrointestinal tract cancer in the southern province

Two hundred thirty-four cases of primary gastrointestinal tract malignancy were diagnosed at the histopathology laboratory of Asir Central Hospital over a four-year period, from 1987 to 1990. The current study is a retrospective analysis of these cases regarding rank orders, distribution according to nationality, age and sex, primary sites affected and the histopathologic pattern. Eighty-eight percent of our cases were Saudi and 12% were non-Saudi nationals. The mean age of patients was 60 +/- 16 years with a male:female ratio of 2:1. Primary liver cancer was the most common malignancy [29%], followed by gastric cancer [27%], colorectal cancer [21%] and esophageal cancer [13%]. Comparison of our findings to those from other provinces of the Kingdom are also included