Immunohistochemical expression of human epididymis 4 in ovarian malignancy

Background: Ovarian malignancies has the highest mortality rate among all gynaecological malignancies. Surface epithelial tumors form two thirds of all ovarian neoplasm and 90% of all ovarian cancers are surface epithelial carcinomas. Mortality in case of ovarian malignancy is high due to late diagnosis. Early and accurate diagnosis can improve the case specific management. HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4) which is proved to be overexpressed in the ovarian cancer cells, is considered a new biomarker for ovarian cancer diagnosis which helps in early diagnosis and patient management. Aims and objectives of the study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of HE4 in various ovarian malignancies.Methods: It was a cross sectional, prospective, single institution-based study, conducted in the department of Pathology in collaboration with the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, from December 2016 to January 2019 in institution. A total 74 ovarian malignancies were selected for this study.Results: Serous carcinoma was the most common ovarian malignancy followed by endometrioid carcinoma. Highest percentage of expression of HE4 was seen in high grade serous cancer and malignant endometrioid tumor.Conclusions: HE4 was highly expressed in malignant ovarian tumour especially serous and endometrioid carcinoma and can be used as an important biomarker for malignant ovarian neoplasm. Expression in high grade ovarian serous cancer support its prognostic value also.

Transthoracic cutting needle biopsy: a valuable diagnostic procedure.

Intrathoracic mass lesions, especially peripherally situated masses, often present as a problem as tissue diagnosis is not always possible by cytopathological examination. Cutting needle biopsy may be the method of choice in selected cases for tissue diagnosis. Cutting needle biopsy is indicated for patients with peripherally situated mass lesions abutting chest wall, which are non-vascular and non-cystic in nature.

Plasma cell granuloma of lung.

A 10 years old girl presented with fever, cough, haemoptysis, dyspnoea on exertion of two months duration. Chest skiagram and CT-scan of thorax revealed well defined mass lesion of varying density occupying right upper and middle lobes with areas of calcification. On thoracotomy, a huge mass in the right upper lobe was resected and hispathological examination proved it to be a case of plasma cell granuloma.