Intrinsic neuroendocrine cells in the outer wall of the human pyriform recess.

The extrinsic neural supply of the hypopharynx is well established. However, little is known about the intrinsic neurons and neuroendocrine cells (NECs) of the human hypopharynx that are under the influence of the extrinsic nerves. We aimed to identify and characterize such cell populations within the outer wall of the pyriform recess. We applied antibodies for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), calretinin (CR) and neurofilaments (NF) to autopsy samples from four donor cadavers. Within the lamina propria and the muscle layer of the pyriform recess outer wall, usually in perivascular areas, we found NSE-, CR- and NF-positive cells, mostly apolar, that were considered on a histological and immunohistochemical basis to be NECs. Although these cells have not, to our knowledge, been described previously in this anatomical location, their presence within the hypopharynx wall may explain the appearance of rare forms of local primary neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Immunohistochemical profile of the estrogen and progesterone receptors in mammary benign lesions.

UNLABELLED: The immunohistochemical diagnosis for estrogen and progesterone receptors must be carried out in the tracking of every primary tumor, benign or malign, especially in the case of in situ carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have studied the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in benign lesions, identifying phenotypes depending on the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors. RESULTS: The result "positive" or "negative" in the report sent to the doctor is not sufficient, the inclusion of the total score in the case of a positive result, the clone used, the usage / non-usage of antigenic exposure and also the quality control being necessary. The benign mammary lesions occur in the context of a hormonal imbalance, which, in the long run runs the risk of developing a mammary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The further study of the hormonal spectrum of those lesions, considered as pre-malignant, may lead to the identification of some groups of hyperplastic lesions, presenting a high risk for developing a mammary cancer.