Primary pericardial synovial sarcoma: A case report and literature review.

Primary pericardial synovial sarcoma is extremely rare, with few published cases in the literature. We report the case of an adolescent aged 13 years with primary pericardial synovial sarcoma discovered during tamponade, confirmed by molecular biology, and for whom treatment combined radiosurgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The particularity of the case we are reporting stems from the young age of our patient (13 years) as well as the duration of remission, which is quite long (21 months) prior to a superior mediastinal relapse compared to cases reported in the literature. .

[Breast angiosarcoma: a case report]. / Angiosarcome mammaire : à propos d'un cas.

The breast angiosarcoma is an endothelial malign tumor. Its prevalence is about 0.04% of all breast malignant tumors. The characteristics of angiosarcoma are its malignancy and its clinical and radiologic polymorphism. The breast angiocarcinoma has a bad prognostic because of the frequency of metastases and recurrence. The purpose of this paper is to report the clinical, imaging and pathological features of breast angiosarcoma, a rare but aggressive tumor, based on a review of one case.

High incidence of MYCN amplification in a Moroccan series of neuroblastic tumors: comparison to current biological data.

MYCN protooncogene status was assessed for the first time in Morocco in peripheral neuroblastic tumors, including neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma. Correlations with age at diagnosis, stage, mitosis-karyorrhexis index, differentiation, and Shimada histology were evaluated. Thirty-six formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded peripheral neuroblastic tumor tissue specimens collected between 2007 and 2010 from the Pathology Department were assessed for MYCN amplification using fluorescence in situ hybridization. MYCN amplification was found in 27.8% of cases. An association of MYCN amplification with unfavorable Shimada grading, higher mitosis-karyorrhexis index, and undifferentiated morphologic phenotype was found. We found no correlation with older age, advanced stage, or the presence of metastasis. Our results suggested that the presence of MYCN amplification is a strong biological indicator of a poor outcome and aggressive disease in neuroblastoma and nodular ganglioneuroblastoma.

[Granular cell tumor of the male breast]. / Tumeur à cellules granuleuses du sein chez un homme.

The granular cell tumor of the breast (TCGS) is a rare benign tumor, which grows from Schwann cells. It can be confused with a cancerous tumor clinically and radiologically. Only the histological appearance can make the diagnosis. We report a case of TCGS in a man, discovered as a result of self-examination of a breast lump. The authors emphasize the problem of differential diagnosis with breast cancer: clinically, a hard lump with an occasional skin retraction or a fixity to the deep plane; radiologically a stellar opaque appearance with irregular contours, sonographically unspecific, and even macroscopically during surgery, this lesion having morphological characteristics which need histologic examination and even immunohistochemistry in order to exclude a malignant tumor. They are cured by wide local excision and have generally a good prognosis.

Immunohistochemical expression of CD44s in human neuroblastic tumors: Moroccan experience and highlights on current data.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuroblastic tumors (pNTs), including neuroblastoma (NB), ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) and ganglioneuroma (GN), are extremely heterogeneous pediatric tumors responsible for 15 % of childhood cancer death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of CD44s ('s': standard form) cell adhesion molecule by comparison with other specific prognostic markers. METHODS: An immunohistochemical profile of 32 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pNTs tissues, diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2010, was carried out. RESULTS: Our results have demonstrated the association of CD44s negative pNTs cells to lack of differentiation and tumour progression. A significant association between absence of CD44s expression and metastasis in human pNTs has been reported. We also found that expression of CD44s defines subgroups of patients without MYCN amplification as evidenced by its association with low INSS stages, absence of metastasis and favorable Shimada histology. DISCUSSION: These findings support the thesis of the role of CD44s glycoprotein in the invasive growth potential of neoplastic cells and suggest that its expression could be taken into consideration in the therapeutic approaches targeting metastases. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1034403150888863

[The diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology in hematology: a study of 40 cases]. / La valeur diagnostique de la cytoponction ganglionnaire en hématologie : étude de 40 cas.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple and safe procedure that has proven to be accurate in the diagnosis of a variety of neoplasms. It is performed in an outpatient setting, and results are routinely available within 24 hours. To evaluate the diagnostic value of FNAC in the assessment of lymph nodes, we conducted a prospective study of patients with no history of previews malignancy, who underwent FNAC of an enlarged lymph node, during the period of January 2010 through June 2011. Cytologic findings were correlated with either histologic findings, clinical information, or both. Sensibility, specificity, and predictive values in differentiating between benign and malignant lymphadenopathy were high (81-92%). False negative results could be explained by the fact that pathology may be focal rather than widespread and therefore not seen on a cytologic smear. FNAC has become an integral part of the initial diagnosis and management of patients with persistent lymphadenopathy. However, the most important limitations are the high percentage of inadequate material (37%). Sensitivity and specificity are to be improved in our practice by improving the adequacy of the sampling, as well as the skill, experience, and familiarity of the cytopathologist.

Successful treatment of Miescher's cheilitis in Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome with betamethasone injections and doxycycline.

We report a case of a 19-year-old girl who presented with 5-year history of swelling of upper lip and fissured tongue treated with dapsone then oral steroids without any improvement. Clinical examination found peripheral facial nerve paralysis and Labial mucosa biopsy showed non-necrotizing giganto-epithelioid granuloma. Diagnosis of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome was retaind because of association of cheilitis, lingua plicata and facial paralysis. Given the failure of dapsone and oral steroid we suggested an association of betamethasone injection and doxycycline. Gradual and permanent reduction of the upper lip volume was observed. One year follow up objectified no reactivation of cheilitis.

Treatment of Wilms tumor according to SIOP 9 protocol in Casablanca, Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Childhood Wilms tumor represents one of the challenge for pediatric oncologists in developing countries. We report the characteristics and treatment results of patients with Wilms tumor according to SIOP 9 protocol in Morocco. PROCEDURE: From January 1989 to December 2000, 86 children with Wilms tumor were admitted. The diagnosis was based on physical exam and abdominal ultrasound. The metastatic work-up was based on abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 months (3-120 months). The sex-ratio was 1. Abdominal mass was the main symptom at presentation (84 cases). There were 13 metastatic cases. Treatment applied was according to SIOP 9 Protocol without randomization. Local deases was present in 75 patients with stage I in 38 cases (50%), IIN0 in 4 cases (6%), IIN1 in 9 cases, and III in 24 cases (44%). The distribution of pathologic groups was: favorable in 4 cases, standard in 69 cases, and unfavorable anaplastic type in 2 cases. Sixty-nine patients were evaluable for therapeutic evaluation. Other patients were lost to follow-up. Three patients died of treatment related toxicity and 13 patients relapsed. With a median follow-up of 70 months, the 5-year EFS and 5 years overall survival for evaluable patients are 77.4% and 79%, respectively while the 5-year EFS for all patients was 56%. CONCLUSION: These results are encouraging for a developing country but special efforts should be done to reduce the rate of abandonment.

[Myeloid sarcoma of the brain. A case report]. / Sarcome myéloïde cérébral préleucémique. A propos d'un cas.

We report a case of myeloid sarcoma of the brain mimicking a meningioma on CT scan. The lesion was first morphologically misdiagnosed as a lymphoma, but correctly identified by using immunochemistry with anti-myeloperoxidase, anti-CD68, anti-CD15 antibodies. An acute myeloid leukemia was diagnosed 5 months later. Myeloid sarcoma is frequently mistaken for malignant lymphoma, especially when it presents without leukemic manifestation, even at immunohistochemistry, since both express some leukocyte antigens. Careful evaluation of morphology for evidence of myeloid differentiation, and immunohistochemistry using anti-myeloperoxidase, anti-lysozyme, CD15, CD68 antibodies, should be used to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out lymphoma since the treatment is different.