ABSTRACT
Recently the so-called plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumors (PAMT) have emerged as a new entity of gastric soft tissue tumors and the light microscopic and immunohistological characteristics have now been well described. Until now PAMTs have not yet been reported in the German speaking literature. Worthy of note is that PAMTs can be diagnosed safely in sufficient biopsy material which enables adequate therapeutic steps to be initiated without delay, because PMATs although considered to be benign, can cause serious complications.
Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors/pathology , Mixed Tumor, Malignant/pathology , Myxoma/pathology , Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue/pathology , Pyloric Antrum/pathology , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Biopsy , Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors/surgery , Gastroscopy , Humans , Laparoscopy , Male , Middle Aged , Mixed Tumor, Malignant/surgery , Myofibroblasts/pathology , Myxoma/surgery , Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue/surgery , Pyloric Antrum/surgery , Stomach Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
Total mesorectal excision (TME) refers to the anatomically accurate surgical resection of the rectum from its surrounding fascias and has become the gold standard for treating rectal cancer. The pathologist plays a key role in the assessment of these specimens and good pathological reporting of rectal cancer is essential to achieving the optimum possible results for patients with rectal cancer. In experienced hands, these techniques result in a dramatic improvement in cancer-related cure rates from 45% to 75% and a reduction in pelvic recurrences from 40% to 5%-10%. Moreover, preservation of sexual and urinary functions is possible in the majority of cases. This article reviews the pathological assessment of the TME specimen in detail with regards to current international guidelines and describes its anatomical background. In addition, particular issues relating to margins, lymph node dissection and effects of neoadjuvant therapy are discussed.
Subject(s)
Rectal Neoplasms/pathology , Rectal Neoplasms/surgery , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/pathology , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/radiotherapy , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/surgery , Combined Modality Therapy , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Prognosis , Quality Assurance, Health Care , Rectal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Rectum/pathology , Rectum/surgeryABSTRACT
A 14-month-old girl had three epileptiform attacks in the course of 6 months, each consisting of rhythmic movements of the right arm and right hand of 5 minutes' duration, followed by a 15-minute period of weakness. There were otherwise no abnormal neurological signs. Prenatal and perinatal development had been uneventful and the mother was healthy. Computed tomography showed a tumour in the left frontoparietal region. Surgery revealed an intracerebral tumour 7 cm in diameter with two large cysts; it was not sharply demarcated from the brain parenchyma, had no connection with the dura and was not infiltrating the ventricular system. The tumour was completely removed and at follow-up 18 months later there was no evidence of recurrence. Histological and immunohistochemical investigations showed that the tumour consisted of closely interwoven astrocytes and fibroblasts, two different cell types the latter of which does not normally occur in the brain. Exact immunohistochemical analysis of the components of a tumour is important because, unlike pure glial tumours, gliofibromas have a good prognosis after complete resections.
