Importance of P53, Ki-67 expression in the differential diagnosis of benign/malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast.

Background: Conventionally growth pattern, stromal overgrowth, stromal cellularity and stromal mitotic activity are the main parameters in the grading of phyllodes tumors (PTs). Recent studies revealed that both p53 and Ki-67 expressions are correlated with grade of PTs of the breast. Expression of hormone receptors and overexpression/amplifi cation of HER2 has been studied in PTs to discover the roles of these markers as new treatment modalities. Materials and Method: We studied 26 PT cases. Seventeen benign and nine malignant PTs were re-evaluated as regards stromal cellularity mitotic activity, p53/Ki-67 expression rates and the relation between these parameters. Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) positivity were determined by counting nuclear staining in fi ve high-power fi elds. Also, the presence of any HER2 staining and staining patterns were documanted. Results: Stromal cellularity, mitotic rate, p53 and Ki-67 expression rates were all correlated with benign and malignant histologic subgroups (P = 0.000-0.001). Ki-67 and p53 expressions were statistically signifi cantly correlated with histologic subgroups, stromal cellularity and mitotic rate (P < 0.005). ER and PR expressions in the epithelial component were not statistically signifi cant between the two groups. HER2 showed different staining patterns in the epithelial component, and there was no staining in the stromal component. Conclusion: Ki-67 and p53 expression rates were statistically signifi cantly correlated with grade of mammary PTs; therefore, they can be used in the determination of tumor grade, especially for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. Malignant and benign tumors did not differ signifi cantly in terms of hormone receptor and HER2 expression. HER2 expression showed different patterns in the epithelial component of the PTs

Urbach-Wiethe disease (lipoid proteinosis).

Lipoid proteinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of variable severity that may involve the skin, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and internal organs that may display different clinical manifestations based on the site of involvement. A 34-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of hoarseness present since childhood but had worsened in recent years. A dermatological examination revealed light brown papillomatous skin lesions on the dorsum of both hands and elbows present for a long duration. Endoscopic examination of the larynx revealed widespread mucosal thickening and irregularity. Microscopic examination revealed acid Schiff (PAS) positive, Congo red negative eosinophilic hyaline material deposits in the dermis and submucosal regions. The final diagnosis was lipoid proteinosis with skin and larynx involvement. This typical case has been reported to draw attention to the fact that lipoid proteinosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with hoarseness in childhood.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: An immunohistochemical analysis demonstrating latent Epstein-Barr virus in a subset of eight cases.

Background: Sarcomatoid or spindle cell carcinomas are rare malignancies which are considered as a poorly differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a wide variety of malignancies. Materials and Methods: We examined the expression of EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) and EBV EBNA-2 as well as the immunohistochemical profile of AE-1/AE-3, vimentin, desmin, CK 5-6, smooth muscle actin (SMA), p63, S-100, p53 and CD-117 with the clinicopathological correlation of eight patients of sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) in the upper aerodigestive tract. Results: Four cases showed EBV LMP-1 positivity (50%) and there was no EBV EBNA-2 positivity. However, the EBV LMP-1 results of our series could be considered only as a coincidental finding in the SCs of the upper aerodigestive tract. Conclusions: This finding supports the idea that further studies based on larger series might be helpful enlighting the role played by EBV in carcinogenesis of SC.