Hyalinizing Trabecular Tumor of the Thyroid Gland, a Diagnostic Challenge in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology: Case Report

Hyalinizing trabecular tumor (HTT) is a rare thyroid tumor with low to minimal malignant potential. HTT is often misinterpreted as other thyroid tumors, including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, because of its overlapping cytologic features, such as nuclear grooves and intranulcear pseudoinclusions. Although cytopathologists cannot definitely conclude HTT by FNA cytology, suspicion of HTT is necessary to avoid misdiagnosing HTT as PTC or MTC and to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatment. Here, we report a case of HTT with novel cytologic features in CellPrep liquid based cytology that was diagnosed as suspicious for papillary carcinoma by FNA and finally diagnosed as HTT in the surgical specimen.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to Pleural Fluid: A Case Report

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin that shows locoregional or distant metastasis. Metastasis of MCC to body cavity effusion is extremely rare; only three cases have been reported so far. Metastatic MCC in effusion cytology shows small blue round cells with fine stippled chromatin like other small blue round cell tumors such as small cell lung carcinoma or lymphoma. The diagnosis of metastatic MCC can grant patients good chances at recently advanced therapeutic options. Here, we present a case of metastatic MCC to pleural effusion with characteristic single file-like pattern.

Subfrontal Schwannoma Extended Broadly to Nasal Cavity Treated by Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Following Surgical Excision: A Case Report

Subfrontal schwannomas are rarely reported. They are usually found only in the subfrontal area, but some extend to the nasal cavity. In these cases, prevention of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage through thinned or eroded anterior skull base is important. A 51-year-old female with anosmia and mild nausea was diagnosed as subfrontal extraaxial mass with nasal cavity extension. This mass was initially thought to be an olfactory groove meningioma. We performed a bifrontal craniotomy for surgical excision. We did not totally remove the tumor, as we wanted to prevent a skull base defect. The histopathological diagnosis was a schwannoma. There was no postoperative complication such as CSF leakage. The residual tumor was treated with gamma knife radiosurgery. The nasal cavity mass has not grown as of five years after radiosurgery.

PTEN Methylation Dependent Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SMM) is an aggressive and rare type of melanoma. Although the classic RAS-RAF-MEK pathway is thought to be the main pathway involved in melanoma pathogenesis, genetic alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT pathway, including PTEN-regulated signaling, are also thought to contribute. So far, data regarding altered PTEN expression and epigenetic mechanism of PTEN silencing in development of SMM is extremely limited. Herein we report on a case of SMM with liver and bone metastases with an epigenetic alteration of PTEN. Results of mutation analysis for BRAF, NRAS, HRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA, c-Kit, and PTEN were negative; however, methylation of PTEN CpG islands was observed. Our case not only supports PTEN as a major tumor suppressor involved in melanoma tumorigenesis, but also a potential epigenetic mechanism of PTEN silencing in development of SMM.

PTEN Methylation Dependent Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SMM) is an aggressive and rare type of melanoma. Although the classic RAS-RAF-MEK pathway is thought to be the main pathway involved in melanoma pathogenesis, genetic alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT pathway, including PTEN-regulated signaling, are also thought to contribute. So far, data regarding altered PTEN expression and epigenetic mechanism of PTEN silencing in development of SMM is extremely limited. Herein we report on a case of SMM with liver and bone metastases with an epigenetic alteration of PTEN. Results of mutation analysis for BRAF, NRAS, HRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA, c-Kit, and PTEN were negative; however, methylation of PTEN CpG islands was observed. Our case not only supports PTEN as a major tumor suppressor involved in melanoma tumorigenesis, but also a potential epigenetic mechanism of PTEN silencing in development of SMM.

Upregulated Neuro-oncological Ventral Antigen 1 (NOVA1) Expression Is Specific to Mature and Immature T- and NK-Cell Lymphomas

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have revealed that the splicing factor neuro-oncological ventral antigen 1 (NOVA1) is enriched in fibroblasts and accumulated T cells of tertiary lymphoid structures. In the present study, we investigated NOVA1 expression in various subtypes of mature and immature T- and natural killer (NK)-cell lymphomas as well as in various B-cell lymphoma subtypes. METHODS: NOVA1 immunoexpression was evaluated in hyperplastic palatine tonsils (n = 20), T- and NK-cell lymphomas (n = 177), diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (n = 151), and other types of B cell lymphomas (n = 31). Nuclear staining intensity and percentage of positive tumor cells were graded. NOVA1 mRNA expression was analyzed in various lymphoma cell lines. RESULTS: Tumor cells of T- and NK-cell lymphomas showed higher expression levels of NOVA1 than did normal paracortical T cells, and 56.5% of T- and NK-cell lymphoma cases showed diffuse and strong expression. The NOVA1 expression level varied according to the subtype; it was higher in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-LBL), but it was lower in ALK-positive ALCL. In almost all B-cell lymphomas, NOVA1 expression was very low or negative. NOVA1 mRNA was also expressed in Jurkat, a T-LBL cell line. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that NOVA1 upregulation may be involved in certain subtypes of T- and NK-cell lymphomas, but not in B-cell lymphomas. Upregulated NOVA1 expression seems to be a specific biological feature of activated T cells such as T- and NK-cell lymphomas.

Lymphoplasmacytic Plaque in Children

No abstract available.

Lymphoplasmacytic Plaque in Children

No abstract available.

What Is the Ideal Tumor Regression Grading System in Rectal Cancer Patients after Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy? / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Tumor regression grade (TRG) is predictive of therapeutic response in rectal cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative resection. However, various TRG systems have been suggested, with subjective categorization, resulting in interobserver variability. This study compared the prognostic validity of four different TRG systems in order to identify the most ideal TRG system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 933 patients who underwent preoperative CRT and curative resection. Primary tumors alone were graded according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), Dworak, and Ryan TRG systems, and both primary tumors and regional lymph nodes were graded according to a modified Dworak TRG system. The ability of each TRG system to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed using chi-square and C statistics. RESULTS: All four TRG systems were significantly predictive of both RFS and OS (p < 0.001 each), however none was a better predictor of prognosis than ypStage. Among the four TRGs, the mDworak TRG system was a better predictor of RFS and OS than the AJCC, Dworak, and Ryan TRG systems, and both the chi-square and C statistics were higher for the former, although the differences were not statistically significant. The combination of ypStage and the modified Dworak TRG better predicted RFS and OS than ypStage alone. CONCLUSION: The modified Dworak TRG system for evaluation of entire tumors including regional lymph nodes is a better predictor of survival than current TRG systems for evaluation of the primary tumor alone.

Long Non-coding RNA HOTAIR Expression in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: In Relation to Polycomb Repressive Complex Pathway Proteins and H3K27 Trimethylation

BACKGROUND: A long non-coding RNA hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is involved in epigenetic regulation through chromatin remodeling by recruiting polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) proteins (EZH2, SUZ12, and EED) that induce histone H3 trimethylation at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Deregulation of c-MYC and interaction between c-MYC and EZH2 are well known in lymphomagenesis; however, little is known about the expression status of HOTAIR in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). METHODS: The expression status of PRC2 (EZH2, SUZ12, and EED), H3K27me3, c-MYC, and BCL2 was analyzed using immunohistochemistry (n = 231), and HOTAIR was investigated by a quantification real-time polymerase chain reaction method (n = 164) in DLBCLs. RESULTS: The present study confirmed the positive correlation among PRC2 proteins, H3K27me3, and c-MYC in DLBCLs. Expression level of HOTAIR was also positively correlated to EZH2 (p < .05, respectively). Between c-MYC and HOTAIR, and between c- MYC/BCL2 co-expression and HOTAIR, however, negative correlation was observed in DLBCLs (p < .05, respectively). High level of H3K27me3 was determined as an independent prognostic marker in poor overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.0; p = .023) of DLBCL patients. High expression of HOTAIR, however, was associated with favorable overall survival (p = .004) in the univariate analysis, but the impact was not significant in the multivariate analysis. The favorable outcome of DLBCL with HOTAIR high expression levels may be related to the negative correlation with c- MYC expression or c-MYC/BCL2 co-expression. CONCLUSIONS: HOTAIR expression could be one of possible mechanisms for inducing H3K27me3 via EZH2-related PRC2 activation, and induced H3K27me3 may be strongly related to aggressive DLBCLs which show poor patient outcome.

CD56-Negative Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, with Extranasal Cutaneous Involvement

No abstract available.

CD56-Negative Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, with Extranasal Cutaneous Involvement

No abstract available.

Incidence and Survival of Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Comparison between Adults and Children / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Pediatric-type sarcomas such as rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), Ewing sarcoma (EWS), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), and desmoplastic small round-cell tumor (DSRCT) are rare in adults, with limited studies on their prognosis and optimal treatment strategies. We aimed to examine the outcome of children and adult patients with RMS, EWS, PNET, and DSRCT and relevant prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 220 pediatric-type sarcoma patients at a single institution between 1985 and 2011. Comparisons were made in order to examine differences in demographics, disease characteristics, and survival. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 220 consecutive patients were identified at our institute. Median age was 15.6 years (range, 0 to 81 years) and there were 108 children (49%) and 112 adult patients (51%). According to histological classification, 106 patients (48.2%) had RMS, 60 (27.3%) had EWS, 50 (22.7%) had PNET, and 4 (1.8%) had DSRCT. With a median follow-up period of 6.6 years, the estimated median overall survival (OS) of all patients was 75 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.2 to 122.8 months) and median event-free survival (EFS) for all patients was 11 months (95% CI, 8.8 to 13.2 months). No significant difference in OS and EFS was observed between adults and children. In multivariate analysis, distant metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.617; 95% CI, 1.022 to 2.557; p=0.040) and no debulking surgery (HR, 1.443; 95% CI, 1.104 to 1.812; p=0.012) showed independent association with worse OS. CONCLUSION: Metastatic disease and no surgical treatment are poor prognostic factors for OS among pediatric-type sarcomas for both adults and children.

The Histologic Cut-off Point for Adjacent and Remote Non-neoplastic Liver Parenchyma of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

BACKGROUND: The molecular profile of peritumoral non-neoplastic liver parenchyma (PNLP) has recently been suggested as predictive factor of early and late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is no definite cut-off point for tumor-free PNLP in terms of either histological or molecular changes. Therefore, our aim is to determine the numerical cut-off point for separating adjacent PNLP and remote PNLP in histopathologic perspective. METHODS: Peritumoral tissues from 20 resected HCC patients were sampled from 0 to 40 mm distance from the tumor border (divided into 5-mm columns). Histopathologic parameters such as necroinflammatory activity, fibrosis, bile ductular reaction, hepatic venulitis, peliosis, and steatosis were compared between each column. RESULTS: The morphologic changes just adjacent to the tumor were notably severe and faded with distance. The parenchyma within 10 mm of the tumor showed significantly severe inflammation, fibrosis, peliosis and hepatic venulitis compared with those from farther areas. The histopathologic changes of the parenchyma became stable beyond 20 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study revealed that the parenchyma within 10 mm distance from the tumor, or adjacent PNLP, has histopathologic changes that are directly affected by the tumor, and the parenchyma beyond 20 mm as the remote PNLP without tumor effect.

A Case of Microscopic Polyangiitis: Glomerulonephritis, Neuropsychiatric Abnormalities, and Urticarial Vasculitis / 대한신장학회지

We report a case of microscopic polyangiitis, presenting with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, neuropsychiatric abnormalities, and urticarial vasculitis. A 65-year-old woman reported loss of appetite, significant weight loss, and a transient history of veering tendency. She was presented with a mild fever, cough, and sputum. Routine laboratory test revealed anemia, leukocytosis with a left shift, azotemia, and elevated highly sensitive C-reactive protein. The bilateral kidneys were observed to be enlarged (right kidney 16.3 cm, left kidney 18.2 cm) on an abdominal computed tomography. The perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) titer was >1:640 and MPO-ANCA was positive. Her chief complaints consisted of character change, visual illusion, and hearing loss. A skin rash with a bullous change resembling urticaria was further developed. Kidney biopsy demonstrated pauci-immune diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis. Skin biopsy was compatible with urticarial vasculitis. Having received intravenous cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone, she showed sustained improvement in renal function, as well as her neuropsychiatric symptoms and skin rash.

The Effect of Nutritional Support with Oral High Protein Liquid on Patients Who are Undergoing Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer

PURPOSE : Weight loss and malnutrition in patients undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer are common problems. We evaluated the effect of nutritional support with administering oral high calorie, high protein liquid, Mediwell ProteinTM. MATERIALS AND METHODS : From Feb. 2007 to Aug. 2008, 21 patients with lung cancer received nutritional supplement for 4 weeks with Mediwell StandardTM (n=10) or higher protein liquid, Mediwell ProteinTM (n=11). Their nutritional statues were evaluated just before radiation therapy and after 4 weeks. RESULTS : Nutritional support with oral high calorie, high protein liquid, Mediwell ProteinTM, showed improvement of the nutritional status during radiation therapy for lung cancer, even though it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION : Nutritional support with oral high calorie, high protein liquid was effective for maintaining the nutritional status of patients with lung cancer during radiation therapy

Clinical manifestations and risk factors of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome by IVF-ET / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence, clinical predictors, clinical manifestations of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a large group. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all IVF-ET cycles was performed from January 2005 to October 2007. We analysed incidence of severe OHSS and clinical manifestation. We assessed transvaginal number of follicles on hCG, serum estradiol, numbers of oocytes as the predictive factors comparing severe OHSS group and control group. Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used. Pleural effusion group was assessed identically. RESULTS: 6,292 IVF-ET cycles were undertaken in which 133 cycles of severe OHSS was developed (incidence: 2.11%). Patients age, transvaginal number of follicles on hCG, serum estradiol, numbers of oocytes were high in severe OHSS group and lately developed OHSS patients were all pregnant. 43.6% of severe OHSS were diagnosed polycystic ovarian syndrome. Pleural effusion was develop in 28 patients (incidence : 0.45%) and there were no predictive factor of pleural efusion. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of severe OHSS was 2.11%. The protocol of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation did not affect the incidence of severe OHSS. Transvaginal number of follicles on hCG, serum estradiol, numbers of oocytes, PCOS, pregnancy were meaningful risk factors. There were no predicting factor for the pleural effusion of severe OHSS.

Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy after fresh non-donor in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To find risk factors for ectopic pregnancy among women who conceived after fresh non-donor in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: A total of 2,326 cycles conceived after fresh non-donor IVF-ET between January 2002 and December 2005 were studied with regard to patient factors, and factors related to the ART procedures through review of their medical chart. Risk factors in ectopic pregnancy were assessed by using chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 2,326 pregnancies of fresh non-donor IVF-ET cycles, 135 (5.8%) were ectopic pregnancies. Most of ectopic pregnancies were tubal type (79 cases, 58.5%) and combined type (40 cases, 29.6%). Most of ectopic pregnancies (87.4%) were treated by laparoscopic surgery. In comparison with clinical pregnancy group, estradiol level checked on human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection day for final follicular maturation and mean number of oocytes retrived were higher in ectopic group. respectively, (2,228.9 vs. 1,906.9 pg/ml, p=0.022; 13.8 vs. 11.6, p=0.001). In univariate analysis, the risk for ectopic pregnancy was increased among women with tubal factor infertility (odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.35) and, decreased among women with male factor infertility (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.47-0.94) and use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.50-0.98). However, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only tubal factor was an independent predictor for ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Tubal factor infertility is the main risk factor for ectopic pregnancy following fresh non-donor IVF-ET.

A case of abdominal pregnancy on abdominal scar following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in a patient with bilateral tubal obstruction / 대한산부인과학회지

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare event following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. In case of early abdominal pregnancy, it is difficult to diagnose and treat early because of nonspecific symptoms. The abdominal pregnancy in a woman with tubal obstruction is very exceptional and an abdominal pregnancy on abdominal scar have not been reported. We reported the first abdominal pregnancy on abdominal scar following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in a woman with unilateral salpingectomy and contralateral tubal obstruction.

Clinical correlation of basal FSH level and IVF-ET outcome / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of basal follicular stimulating hormone level on clinical outcome in women undergoing IVF-ET. METHOD: A descriptive and retrospective study of 730 cycles of IVF-ET chosen from 2002 to 2004 in CHA fertility center. RESULTS: Basal FSH screening appeared to be a fairly informative predictor of achiving pregnancy especially in GnRH agonist long protocol in women undergoing IVF-ET. In addition, basal FSH level shows significant difference compared ongoing pregnancy with early abortion group in GnRH antagonist group. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we were able to predict the ovarian response and IVF-ET outcome using FSH level. Furthermore, this information allow more precise counseling for patients.