Skin Tumours – Histopathological Review of 125 Cases.

The skin is the largest organ in the body. A wide variety of hyperplastic growths and tumours, both benign and malignant are encountered in the clinical practice. Any lesion, for which the diagnosis is uncertain, based on the history and clinical examination should be biopsied for histopathological examination to rule out malignancy. Objective: To analyze retrospectively tumours of skin with respect to age, sex, clinical features and histopathological features in a tertiary referral centre in Maharashtra, India. Material & Methods: The present study consisted of analysis of tumours of skin received in the histopathology section of department of pathology over a period of 5 years that is from August 2005 to July 2010. The material comprised of biopsies and excision specimens. The clinical and histopathological details were noted. The findings were compared with those reported by other authors. Results: One twenty five (125) tumours of skin were observed. The benign tumours were slightly more common (51.2%) than malignant tumours (48.8%). The maximum number of tumours was found in 7th decade (25.6%). Maximum number of tumours were found in third decade in benign tumours (20.3%) and seventh decade in malignant tumours (37.7%). Both benign and malignant tumours of skin were common in males than females. The equal numbers of skin tumours were seen in both the head and neck region (44.8%) and the extremities (44.8%). Face was the commonest site for skin tumours (35.2%). The keratinocytic tumours, both benign and malignant were common tumours of skin (62.4%) while neural tumours were rarely observed (1.6%). The Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) was the commonest malignant tumour (45.9%) followed by Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) (34.4%). Verrucas (32.8%) were the commonest benign tumours followed by pyogenic granuloma (21.9%). Conclusion: SCC is the most common malignant skin tumour in India, unlike the Western countries. Histopathological study is a very important step in the diagnosis of skin tumours.

Tumourlike Lesions of Skin - A Clinicopathological Analysis of 175 Cases.

As the skin is the largest and complex organ, a wide variety of tumourlike lesions are encountered in the clinical practice. The ability to properly diagnose & treat these common lesions & to distinguish them from malignant tumours is the vital skills for all clinicians. Objective: To analyse retrospectively tumourlike lesions of skin with respect to age, sex, clinical features and histopathological features in a tertiary referral centre in Maharashtra, India. Methods : The present study consisted of analysis of tumourlike lesions of skin received in the histopathology section of department of pathology over a period of 5 years that is from August 2005 to July 2010 .The material comprised of biopsies and excision specimens. The clinical and histopathological details were noted. The findings were compared with those reported by other authors. Results : One hundred and seventy five (175) cases of tumourlike lesions of skin were seen .These lesions presented as skin swellings or tumours. Maximum cases (34.8%) of tumourlike lesions occurred in fourth & fifth decades with male preponderance (1.35:1). The maximum number of cases was encountered in the head & neck region (63.4%). Their size ranged from 0.4 to 9 cms. Epidermal cyst was the commonest tumourlike lesion (59.4%) followed by dermoid cyst (13.1%).Other lesions were trichilemmal cyst, fibroepithelial polyp, keloid, hypertrophic scar and epidermal nevus. Conclusion : Tumourlike lesions are clinically diagnosed by their presentation. However, the histopathological examination confirms the clinical diagnosis. The pathologic evaluation of all tumourlike lesions is mandatory to avoid patient’s and family’s anxiety.

An unusual presentation of parathyroid adenoma--a case report.

A case of intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma which clinically and cytologically mimicked thyroid tumor is presented. The patient was normocalcemic inspite of clinical and radiological features suggestive of hyperparathyroid bone disease. The adenoma showed an area of infarction presumably accounting for the normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. The case is reported for its unusual presentation.

Quality assessment program in histopathology: a pilot study from Maharashtra.

Histopathology reports are important quality assurance tools and evaluation of pathological diagnoses described in them is an integral part of total quality control and quality improvement program. We describe a program based on slide circulation which was aimed at both continuing education to upgrade knowledge and proficiency testing of histopathologists. The performance of the participating pathologists was analyzed and the degree of agreement was also studied. The results showed improvement indicated by rising level of performance in 35.3% of consistent participants and increasing trend in the average score. The degree of agreement was comparatively low (65.29%). The practicability of this program and its acceptability as an EQAS was also investigated.