Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Improves the Prognostication of Patients with Disseminated Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms (Pseudomyxoma Peritonei).

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) with disseminated disease (pseudomyxoma peritonei) are heterogeneous tumors with variable clinicopathologic behavior. Despite the development of prognostic systems, objective biomarkers are needed to stratify patients. With the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS), it remains unclear if molecular testing can improve the evaluation of disseminated AMN patients. METHODS: Targeted NGS was performed for 183 patients and correlated with clinicopathologic features to include American Joint Committee on Cancer/World Health Organization (AJCC/WHO) histologic grade, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Genomic alterations were identified for 179 (98%) disseminated AMNs. Excluding mitogen-activated protein kinase genes and GNAS due to their ubiquitous nature, collective genomic alterations in TP53, SMAD4, CDKN2A, and the mTOR genes were associated with older mean age, higher AJCC/WHO histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, and lower mean PCI (p < 0.040). Patients harboring TP53, SMAD4, ATM, CDKN2A, and/or mTOR gene alterations were found to have lower OS rates of 55% at 5 years and 14% at 10 years, compared with 88% at 5 years and 88% at 10 years for patients without the aforementioned alterations (p < 0.001). Based on univariate and multivariate analyses, genomic alterations in TP53, SMAD4, ATM, CDKN2A, and/or the mTOR genes in disseminated AMNs were a negative prognostic factor for OS and independent of AJCC/WHO histologic grade, PCI, CC score, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted NGS improves the prognostic assessment of patients with disseminated AMNs and identifies patients who may require increased surveillance and/or aggressive management.

Tumor Size Differences Between Preoperative Endoscopic Ultrasound and Postoperative Pathology for Neoadjuvant-Treated Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Predict Patient Outcome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The assessment of therapeutic response after neoadjuvant treatment and pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been an ongoing challenge. Several limitations have been encountered when employing current grading systems for residual tumor. Considering endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) represents a sensitive imaging technique for PDAC, differences in tumor size between preoperative EUS and postoperative pathology after neoadjuvant therapy were hypothesized to represent an improved marker of treatment response. METHODS: For 340 treatment-naïve and 365 neoadjuvant-treated PDACs, EUS and pathologic findings were analyzed and correlated with patient overall survival (OS). A separate group of 200 neoadjuvant-treated PDACs served as a validation cohort for further analysis. RESULTS: Among treatment-naïve PDACs, there was a moderate concordance between EUS imaging and postoperative pathology for tumor size (r = 0.726, P < .001) and AJCC 8th edition T-stage (r = 0.586, P < .001). In the setting of neoadjuvant therapy, a decrease in T-stage correlated with improved 3-year OS rates (50% vs 31%, P < .001). Through recursive partitioning, a cutoff of ≥47% tumor size reduction was also found to be associated with improved OS (67% vs 32%, P < .001). Improved OS using a ≥47% threshold was validated using a separate cohort of neoadjuvant-treated PDACs (72% vs 36%, P < .001). By multivariate analysis, a reduction in tumor size by ≥47% was an independent prognostic factor for improved OS (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in tumor size between preoperative EUS imaging and postoperative pathology among neoadjuvant-treated PDAC patients is an important prognostic indicator and may guide subsequent chemotherapeutic management.

Significance of hepatocyte atypia in liver fine needle aspiration.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the liver is frequently the diagnostic procedure of choice for sampling hepatic lesions. One of the main diagnostic challenges in the interpretation of liver FNA is distinguishing dysplastic lesions and well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (WD-HCC) from benign processes, as they share significant cytomorphologic overlap. Furthermore, the diagnosis of HCC often requires evaluation of stroma for invasion, which may not be present on cytology and small needle biopsy specimens. A reporting system for liver cytopathology has yet to be instituted. Without standardized and well-defined criteria for hepatocyte atypia, we recommend limiting the use of atypia in evaluation of liver FNA specimens to describe a diagnosis of exclusion, in which all known benign and neoplastic processes have been ruled out. The cytologic findings on the FNA of a liver nodule may be best reported as atypical hepatocytes in the absence of a core needle biopsy or cell block sufficient to render a definitive diagnosis of HCC.

Image-guided lymph node fine-needle aspiration: the Johns Hopkins Hospital experience.

INTRODUCTION: Although the diagnostic utility of lymph node fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is well established in the evaluation of metastatic malignancy, its value in the diagnosis of lymphoma is more controversial; yet, there is a growing trend among practitioners towards less-invasive procedures such as FNA and core needle biopsy (CNB). The guidelines recently published by the American Society for Clinical Pathology/College of American Pathology (CAP) regarding the workup of lymphoma include recommendations on the value and limitations of FNA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 1237 image-guided lymph node aspirates from 695 procedures (410 nodes from 360 ultrasound [US]-guided cases, 799 from 309 endobronchial ultrasound [EBUS], 25 from 23 endoscopic ultrasound [EUS], and 3 from 3 computed tomography [CT]). RESULTS: The majority (40 of 46, 87%) of lymph nodes suspected of lymphomatous involvement were aspirated under ultrasound. Core needle biopsy [CNB] was obtained for 41 (89%) lymph nodes, including all 40 US specimens. Flow cytometry (FC) was performed on 37 (80%) aspirates; aspirates without FC were from patients who had a history of Hodgkin lymphoma, or showed granulomata or non-hematologic malignancy onsite. Thirty-one (67%) lymph nodes were sent for review by hematopathology. Forty-two (91%) lymph node FNA/CNB yielded actionable diagnoses. Seventeen of 241(7%) cases aspirated for other indications (14 US, 3 EBUS) were involved by a lymphoproliferative process. All were reviewed by hematopathology. All 14 US cases had FC and CNB. CONCLUSION: Our institutional approach towards lymph node cytopathology for lymphoma workup appears to be in accordance with the new CAP guidelines, and demonstrates a potential triage and workflow model for lymph node FNA specimens that allows for accurate diagnosis in cases where lymphoma is a consideration.

Cytomorphologic Features Found in Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Central nervous system involvement is present in 70% of patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (CNS-HLH). CNS-HLH is defined by neurologic deficits, neuroimaging abnormalities, or positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. The CSF cytomorphologic spectrum of CNS-HLH, however, has not been well investigated. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 64 CSF specimens from pediatric and adult patients with HLH. Ten patients had clinicoradiologic evidence of CNS involvement. RESULTS: We identified five CSF cytomorphologic patterns: (1) hemophagocytosis, (2) vacuolated macrophages without evidence of hemophagocytosis, (3) monocytes and/or nonvacuolated macrophages, (4) acellular specimens, and (5) bloody specimens. Patterns 1 and 2 were common in CNS-HLH and rare in patients without CNS involvement. The CSF cytomorphologic patterns did not correlate well with WBC counts or protein concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers a comprehensive view of the cytomorphologic features seen in CSF specimens from patients with HLH.

Cystic biliary tumors of the liver: diagnostic criteria and common pitfalls.

With major advancements and frequent use of abdominal imaging techniques, hepatic cysts are increasingly encountered in clinical practice. Although the majority of cysts are benign, a small subset represents neoplastic precursors to cholangiocarcinoma. These cystic precursors include intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct (IPNB) and mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver (MCN-L), and bear striking pathologic resemblance to corresponding cystic neoplastic precursors within the pancreas. This review examines the salient clinical, gross, microscopic and molecular features of IPNBs and MCN-Ls, and, in particular, provides histopathologic comparison to their pancreatic counterparts. Considering these neoplasms may be diagnostically challenging, we also discuss other hepatic lesions within the differential diagnosis, and the potential for molecular methods to improve their preoperative evaluation and the early detection of cholangiocarcinoma.

Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy (GRID) Prior to Standard Neoadjuvant Conventionally Fractionated Radiotherapy for Bulky, High-Risk Soft Tissue and Osteosarcomas: Feasibility, Safety, and Promising Pathologic Response Rates.

Spatially fractionated radiotherapy (GRID) has been utilized primarily in the palliative and definitive treatment of bulky tumors. Delivered in the modern era primarily with megavoltage photon therapy, this technique offers the promise of safe dose escalation with potential immunogenic, bystander and microvasculature effects that can augment a conventionally fractionated course of radiotherapy. At the University of Maryland, an institutional standard has arisen to incorporate a single fraction of GRID radiation in large (>8 cm), high-risk soft tissue and osteosarcomas prior to a standard fractionated course. Herein, we report on the excellent pathologic responses and apparent safety of this regimen in 26 consecutive patients.

Clinicopathological analysis of appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastasis: World Health Organization grade predicts survival following cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

AIMS: Peritoneal spread is the most common route of metastasis in appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of the World Health Organization (WHO) 5th edition grading criteria in peritoneal metastases of goblet cell adenocarcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated the clinicopathological features and survival of 63 patients with peritoneal metastasis of goblet cell adenocarcinoma who underwent cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (CRS-HIPEC), stratified according to the WHO 5th edition and the Tang et al. grading schemes. The patients were also compared with 120 patients with peritoneal metastasis of appendiceal mucinous neoplasia. Most (73%) peritoneal metastases of goblet cell adenocarcinoma were WHO Grade 3 (G3), there being fewer cases of Grade 2 (G2) (16%) and Grade 1 (G1) (11%) disease. No significant differences in overall survival were observed between WHO G1 and G2 tumours or between the three Tang grades. In the multivariable model of survival, WHO G3 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-7.70] and the presence of >50% extracellular mucin (HR 2.30, 95% CI 1.09-4.88) were associated with reduced overall survival for patients with goblet cell adenocarcinoma. As compared with patients with peritoneal metastasis of mucinous neoplasia, patients with goblet cell adenocarcinoma had significantly reduced survival (median overall survival of 37 months versus 102 months, P < 0.001), which was attributed to the reduced survival of patients with G1/G2 goblet cell adenocarcinoma as compared with patients with G1 mucinous neoplasia (median survival of 98 months versus 204 months, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Grade of peritoneal goblet cell adenocarcinoma determined according to the WHO 5th edition criteria is a clinically relevant measure that independently predicts survival in patients treated with CRS-HIPEC.

Fine needle aspiration of thymic epithelial neoplasms and non-neoplastic lesions.

Thymic epithelial neoplasms are rare as these tumors represent less than 1% of all human tumors. In addition, thymic hyperplasia and thymic cysts can also present as anterior or less often superior mediastinal masses. Fine needle aspirates and core biopsies of thymic epithelial neoplasms are rarely encountered in routine pathology practices. Histologic classification of these lesions requires microscopic examination of the entire lesion as a significant number of tumors can have more than one histologic type and the status of invasion into adjacent soft tissues or organs is needed for accurate staging. Therefore, it is important to understand the limitations of the information these biopsy methods can provide. The accuracy of the diagnosis can be improved by using ancillary techniques like immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. In this review, we are summarizing the clinical, histologic and cytologic characteristics of thymic cysts, thymic hyperplasia and thymic epithelial neoplasms including different types of thymoma and thymic carcinoma.

Wolffian tumor (female adnexal tumor of Wolffian origin) presenting as a pelvic side wall mass: Report of a case.

The Wolffian tumor, previously identified as "female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin," is a rare tumor first described in 1973. The tumor is usually benign and is characterized by diffuse and tubular patterns, accentuated by reticulum and periodic acid-Schiff stains. Immunohistochemistry is used to further identify and classify these tumors, which are positive for cytokeratins, vimentin, inhibin, calretinin, and CD10 and negative for cytokeratin 20, epithelial membrane antigen, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, 34betaE12, and glutathione S-transferase. We report the case of a 47-year-old female with Wolffian tumor arising from the pelvic sidewall, separate from all reproductive organs. This is the first reported case of Wolffian tumor in this location.

Neuroendocrine cell proliferations in lungs explanted for fibrotic interstitial lung disease and emphysema.

Using recently proposed pathological criteria, we determined the incidence of neuroendocrine cell proliferation in a series of explants with lung disease. Cases were defined as NECH (≥3 bronchioles with ≥5 endocrine cells), borderline diffuse neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DPNECH) (1-3 tumourlets with or without NECH), and DPNECH (≥3 tumourlets with NECH). Endocrine cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin. There were 65 explants with interstitial lung disease (57 with non-sarcoid fibrotic lung disease, 8 with sarcoidosis), and 21 with centrilobular emphysema. Over one-third of all explant cases demonstrated histological criteria for NECH. There were three cases of DPNECH in the non-sarcoid fibrotic lung disease group (5%) and 20 cases of NECH (35%). The emphysema group had one case of DPNECH (5%), two cases of borderline DPNECH (10%), and seven cases with NECH (33%). The sarcoidosis group had two cases of DPNECH (25%) and three cases of NECH (38%). NECH is common in interstitial lung disease and emphysema. These results suggest that fibrotic lung disease is a predisposing factor for neuroendocrine cell proliferation, in addition to the known risk of epithelial neoplasms.

Excellent Pathologic Response and Atypical Clinical Course of High-Grade Extremity Sarcoma to Neoadjuvant Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy.

Neoadjuvant radiation therapy, followed by definitive surgical resection, remains the standard of care for resectable high-grade and unresectable soft tissue sarcomas. Proton therapy offers the promise of highly conformal dose distributions with improved sparing of neighboring normal tissues as compared with conformal and intensity modulated photon techniques. It is unclear whether proton therapy may offer an improved tumoral response, especially with dose escalation, in this relatively radio-insensitive tumor type. We, herein, present a patient with an excellent pathologic response to preoperative pencil beam scanning proton therapy despite a complex treatment course.

A critical role for alpha-synuclein in development and function of T lymphocytes.

Alpha-synuclein is highly expressed in the central nervous system and plays an important role in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. Previous studies have demonstrated the expression of α-synuclein in hematopoietic elements and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, although its roles in hematopoiesis and adaptive immunity are not studied. Using an α-synuclein knock out (KO) mouse model, we have recently shown that α-synuclein deficiency is associated with a mild defect in late stages of hematopoiesis. More importantly, we demonstrated a marked defect in B lymphocyte development and IgG, but not IgM production in these mice. Here we show a marked defect in development of T lymphocytes in α-synuclein KO mice demonstrated by a significant increase in the number of CD4 and CD8 double negative thymocytes and significant decreases in the number of CD4 single positive and CD8 single positive T cells. This resulted in markedly reduced peripheral T lymphocytes. Interestingly, splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that developed in α-synuclein KO mice had a hyperactivated state with higher expression of early activation markers and increased IL-2 production. Moreover, splenic CD4(+) T cells from α-synuclein KO mice produced lower levels of IL-4 upon antigenic stimulation suggesting a defective Th2 differentiation. Our data demonstrate an important role for α-synuclein in development of T lymphocytes and regulation of their phenotype and function.

Does total manual rescreening of negative pap tests screened by the ThinPrep imaging system add any value?

We compared the performance of utilizing the ThinPrep® Imaging System (TIS) according to the manufacturer's directions to screening with the TIS plus total manual rescreening in Pap tests that were initially diagnosed as NIL to determine whether manual rescreening decreases the false-negative rate for epithelial lesions. Three thousand three hundred forty cases were diagnosed as NIL on the 22 fields of view selected by the TIS and subsequently manually rescreened by the same cytotechnologist. Six hundred seventy-four cases were sent to a cytopathologist for final diagnosis based on review criteria. Biopsy follow-up and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test results were noted if available for cases with a diagnosis of ASCUS or above. Three thousand one hundred fifty-nine (94.6%) were confirmed NIL and 181 cases were diagnosed as abnormal on manual rescreen. There were 147 ASCUS, 6 ASCH, 9 AGC, 19 LSIL, and 0 HSIL cases. The overall false-negative rate of screening for atypia/SIL with the TIS was 5.4%. Of the 147 cases with HPV results, 43 (29%) were positive. Only 1 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 was found on biopsy follow-up, in a case of ASCUS with a positive HPV. Based on our data, the TIS for screening of Pap tests is reliable in NIL cases as compared to total manual rescreening. The majority of the false-negative cases were diagnosed as ASCUS on subsequent review, with 0 HSIL cases. Our results confirm that the TIS is highly accurate in excluding HSIL, negating the need for total manual rescreening of NIL Pap tests.

Five-year outcomes with alemtuzumab induction after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Induction therapy with alemtuzumab, followed by lower than conventional intensity post-transplant immunosuppression (eg, tacrolimus monotherapy), has been associated with reduced morbidity and mortality in abdominal and heart transplantation. We examined 5-year outcomes in lung recipients receiving alemtuzumab in conjunction with reduced-intensity post-transplant immunosuppression (early lower-dose tacrolimus; lower-dose steroids, with or without mycophenolate mofetil), compared with lung recipients receiving other induction agents or no induction in association with post-transplant immunosuppression. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using prospectively collected data from a single-site clinical database of 336 lung recipients (aged ≥ 18) who received allografts between 1998 and 2005, classified by induction type: alemtuzumab, 127; Thymoglobulin, 43; daclizumab, 73; and none, 93. Survival analyses examined patient and graft survival, and freedom from acute cellular rejection (ACR), lymphocytic bronchiolitis, obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). RESULTS: Five-year patient and graft survival differed by group (p = 0.046, p = 0.038, respectively). Alemtuzumab patient/graft survival rates were 59%/59%. Survival rates were 60%/44% for Thymoglobulin, 47%/46% for no induction, and 44%/41% for daclizumab. Freedom from ACR, lymphocytic bronchiolitis, OB, and BOS differed by group (all values, p < 0.008); alemtuzumab recipients showed greater 5-year freedom from each outcome (30%/82%/86%/54%) than Thymoglobulin (20%/54%/62%/27%), daclizumab (19%/55%/70%/43%), and no-induction groups (18%/70%/69%/46%). The groups did not differ in PTLD rates (≥ 94% free of PTLD at 5 years; p = 0.864). Effects were unchanged after controlling for potential covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Alemtuzumab induction may be associated with improved outcomes in lung transplantation. Randomized controlled trials are needed to establish any effects of this agent.

Meta-analysis of medical regimen adherence outcomes in pediatric solid organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to the medical regimen after pediatric organ transplantation is important for maximizing good clinical outcomes. However, the literature provides inconsistent evidence regarding prevalence and risk factors for nonadherence posttransplant. METHODS: A total of 61 studies (30 kidney, 18 liver, 8 heart, 2 lung/heart-lung, and 3 with mixed recipient samples) were included in a meta-analysis. Average rates of nonadherence to six areas of the regimen, and correlations of potential risk factors with nonadherence, were calculated. RESULTS: Across all types of transplantation, nonadherence to clinic appointments and tests was most prevalent, at 12.9 cases per 100 patients per year (PPY). The immunosuppression nonadherence rate was six cases per 100 PPY. Nonadherence to substance use restrictions, diet, exercise, and other healthcare requirements ranged from 0.6 to 8 cases per 100 PPY. Only the rate of nonadherence to clinic appointments and tests varied by transplant type: heart recipients had the lowest rate (4.6 cases per 100 PPY vs. 12.7-18.8 cases per 100 PPY in other recipients). Older age of the child, family functioning (greater parental distress and lower family cohesion), and the child's psychological status (poorer behavioral functioning and greater distress) were among the psychosocial characteristics significantly correlated with poorer adherence. These correlations were small to modest in size (r=0.12-0.18). CONCLUSIONS: These nonadherence rates provide benchmarks for clinicians to use to estimate patient risk. The identified psychosocial correlates of nonadherence are potential targets for intervention. Future studies should focus on improving the prediction of nonadherence risk and on testing interventions to reduce risk.