Fine needle aspiration cytology of myxoid lesions of soft tissues: a study of 24 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the diagnostic features of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of myxoid lesions in soft tissue, and to define the cytological criteria for differentiating benign lesions from sarcomas and between various myxoid lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>FNAC data of 24 soft tissue myxoid lesions (14 benign lesions, 10 malignant lesions) from 1993 to 2006 from Kiang Wu Hospital, Macau were reviewed in correlation with the clinical course or the results of biopsy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ganglion, myxoma, and myxoid nodular fasciitis were the most common benign myxoid lesions of the soft tissues, all of which had low cellularity and lack of marked cellular atypia in smears in common. Ganglion was characterized by the disappearance of or the gradual minimization of the nodule after aspiration and the lack of blood vessel in smears. Myxoid nodular fasciitis was characterized by a pleomorphic pattern of proliferative cells and the presence of ganglion cell-like cells. Myxoid liposarcoma, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and myxofibrosarcoma were the most common myxoid sarcomas. Cytologically, they had high cellularity and various degrees of cellular atypia. Myxoid liposarcoma exhibited branching chicken-wire like capillary vessels and/or lipoblasts; myxofibrosarcoma were prominent in both pleomorphic and atypia of the cells. The data revealed that the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC was nearly 100% in differentiating benign and malignant myxoid lesions of the soft tissues. The coordinate rate to the histopathology diagnosis of the common myxoid lesions of the soft tissues was above 75% (benign 71.4% and malignancy 80% respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FNAC is an effective method in diagnosing myxoid lesions of soft tissue, in correlation with the clinical data and the accessory examinations. FNAC can provide an objective basis for the treatment of myxoid lesions and prevention of unnecessary surgical operations.</p>

Role of immunocytochemistry in fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of mammary lesions of breast / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of immunocytochemical study for cyclin D1, c-erbB-2, Ki-67, p21(CIP1/WAF1) and 34betaE12 in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) diagnosis of mammary lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-five cases of breast diseases, all with FNAC performed and follow-up histologic correlation available, were enrolled into the study. These included 43 cases of benign non-proliferative diseases, 45 cases of benign proliferative diseases and 47 cases of mammary carcinoma. Immunostaining for cyclin D1, c-erbB-2, Ki-67, p21(CIP1/WAF1) and 34betaE12 was carried out on FNAC smears and paraffin sections of the corresponding biopsy specimens. The statistical significance was analyzed using SPSS11.5 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No statistically significant difference was observed in the expression of cyclin D1, c-erbB-2, Ki-67, p21(CIP1/WAF1) and 34betaE12 within the groups of benign non-proliferative and benign proliferative breast diseases. On the other hand, a significant difference in immunostaining results was found between benign breast lesions and mammary carcinoma (P < 0.001). A panel of cyclin D1, 34betaE12 and c-erbB-2 immunostaining is highly sensitive and specific in confirming the diagnosis of mammary carcinoma in FNAC samples. A positive reaction for cyclin D1 and c-erbB-2, when coupled with a negative reaction for 34betaE12, showed to be the most reliable supportive evidence for the malignant cytologic diagnosis. When taking the results of either cyclin D1 or 34betaE12 immunostaining into consideration, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing carcinoma was 95.7% and 94.3% respectively. On the other hand, when any of the three immunostains suggested carcinoma, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity became 97.9% and 92.0% respectively. If the immunostaining results of any two of the three markers suggested carcinoma, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity became 72.3% and 100% respectively. Within the carcinoma group, the degree of expression of cyclin D1, p21(CIP1/WAF1) and 34betaE12 showed little difference amongst different cytologic grades (according to Robinson cytologic grading system). There were however differences in expression of c-erbB-2 and Ki-67. Highest expression rate was observed in grade 3 carcinoma, while lowest expression rate was observed in grade 1 carcinoma (only in 40.0% and 33.3% of cases respectively). Whenever either cyclin D1 positivity or 34betaE12 negativity was demonstrated, the diagnostic accuracy for grade 1 and grade 2 carcinoma was 93.3% and 96.2 % respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Immunocytochemical study using a panel of antibodies for cyclin D1, c-erbB-2, and 34betaE12 has significant diagnostic value in distinguishing between benign breast diseases and mammary carcinoma in FNAC samples. Cyclin D1 and 34betaE12 are especially useful in confirming the cytologic diagnosis of low-grade cancer.</p>

The diagnostic value of 34 betaE 12 in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant mammary lesions / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the differential diagnostic value of high molecular cytokeratin 34betaE12 as a benign marker in mammary lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>90 cases (30 benign non-proliferative diseases, 20 benign proliferative diseases, 10 intraductal carcinomas and 30 invasive carcinomas) were collected, all of which had undergone fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) examination and a follow-up operation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using monoclonal antibodies against 34betaE12 on FNAC smears and the follow-up paraffin sections. SPSS 10.0 software was applied to analyze the differential diagnostic value of 34betaE12 in benign and malignant mammary lesions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) No significant difference was found in the expression of 34betaE12 between benign non-proliferative and proliferative disease. (2) A significant difference was found between the expression of 34betaE12 in mammary benign disease and mammary carcinoma. 66.7% and 66.3% of the carcinoma cases showed either lack of 34betaE12 expression or had only a few isolated 1+ cells which were cytoplasmic positive for 34betaE12 immunoreaction on FNAC smear and paraffin section respectively. The remaining 33% of cases having 2+ to 3+ cells mainly displayed cytoplasmic granular positive reaction rather than strong membranous and cytoplasmic positive reaction as benign lesions. In contrast with carcinoma, most benign lesions showed strong immunoreaction of 2+ to 3+ and especially exhibited complete strong membranous and cytoplasmic positive reaction on paraffin section, their positive expressive character differed from those of carcinoma. The positive rates on FNAC smear and paraffin section were 100% and 78% respectively. (3) Certain types of intraductal carcinoma, including low grade cribriform, papillary and solid type either lacked 34betaE12 expression or revealed a few isolated 1+ cells with cytoplasmic positivity for 34betaE12 immunoreaction. Pronounced immunoreaction of 3+ was only seen in high grade comedotype intraductal carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>34betaE12 may serve as a marker of benign mammary disease for differential diagnosis. When there is a total or predominant lack of 34betaE12 expression, the possibility of carcinoma should be strongly considered. If 34betaE12 is expressed diffusely in the suspicious area with a strong membranous staining in particular, a benign proliferative process rather than carcinoma must be considered.</p>