Desmoplastic melanoma involving head and fingers: diagnostic challenges and clinical characteristics.

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is considered a variant of melanoma, characterized by a paucicellular proliferation of malignant spindled melanocytes with an abundant collagenous or "desmoplastic" stroma and an intense inflammatory response. As DMs lack pigmentation, their appearances vary and can mimic many benign and malignant conditions, thus presenting a diagnostic challenge. Here, we are presenting one case involving the head and two cases involving fingers. One of our cases distinctively invade nerves and bones. We reviewed the literature for many similar cases. Most cases presented positive staining of S-100 and negative or focal positive staining of Melan-A and Melanoma. So far, the mechanisms of the rare entity have not been clearly recognized. Early accurate diagnosis and complete excision of this tumor is necessary. Some researchers considered BRAF-targeted therapy may be limited to a small number of patients with DM. Advanced DM may respond well to anti-PD-1 monotherapy.

Primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland: aggressive histological features and clinical behavior.

Primary adrenal epithelioid angiosarcoma (PAEA) is an exceedingly rare and high-grade malignant neoplasm with an epithelioid appearance morphologically. To the best of our knowledge, only 35 cases of PAEA have previously been reported in English literature. Here, we present our 7-year experience (2010-2017) with adrenal lesions at our Clinical Pathological Diagnosis Center. Of more than 1,800 adrenal gland specimens, a total of 2 adrenal epithelioid angiosarcoma cases were identified. We reviewed the literature for 13 similar cases. All of the patients appeared to have morphological features of epithelioid cells including vascular endothelium immunophenotype, hemorrhage/necrosis, and anastomosing vascular channels. They underwent adrenalectomy without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. One was still well at 3-year follow up but the other had died at 1-month follow up. One of our cases was first described with accompanying reactive adrenal cortex hyperplasia in a local area. Moreover, the mechanisms of epithelioid angiosarcoma are still uncertain and require further study. Clinical prognosis is poor, therefore early accurate diagnosis and complete resection of this tumor may be very helpful for patients.

Relationship between serum HBV-RNA levels and intrahepatic viral as well as histologic activity markers in entecavir-treated patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In diagnostics, serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)-RNA levels are valuable when the HBV-DNA load in circulation is effectively suppressed by nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy. This study aimed to determine the intrahepatic viral replication activity reflected in serum HBV-RNA and whether HBV-RNA contributes to liver histological changes in patients treated with NUC. METHODS: A cross-sectional set of serum and liver biopsy samples was obtained from patients treated with entecavir, who had undetectable levels of serum HBV-DNA. The correlations between serum HBV-RNA concentration and levels of peripheral and intrahepatic viral replicative forms, as well as histological scores, were analyzed. Quasispecies of serum HBV-RNA and intrahepatic viral replicative forms were examined by deep sequencing. HBV-RNA-positive hepatocytes were visualized by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Serum HBV-RNA was detected in 35 of 47 patients (74.47%, 2.33-4.80log10copies/ml). These levels correlated not only with the intrahepatic HBV-RNA level and the ratio of intrahepatic HBV-RNA to covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), but also with the histological scores for grading and staging. Regarding quasispecies, serum HBV-RNA was dynamic and more genetically homogenous to simultaneously sampled intrahepatic HBV-RNA than to the cccDNA pool. In situ histology revealed that HBV-RNA-positive hepatocytes were clustered in foci, sporadically distributed across the lobules, and co-localized with hepatitis B surface antigen. CONCLUSION: Serum HBV-RNA levels reflect intrahepatic viral transcriptional activity and are associated with liver histopathology in patients receiving NUC therapy. Our study sheds light on the nature of HBV-RNA in the pathogenesis of chronic HBV infection and has implications for the management of chronic hepatitis B during NUC therapy. LAY SUMMARY: Serum HBV-RNA levels are indicative of the intrahepatic transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular DNA and are associated with liver histological changes in patients with chronic B hepatitis who are receiving nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy.

[Expression of CD10 in tumor-associated fibroblast of cancerized or recurrent colorectal adenomas].

Objective: To investigate the expression of CD10 in tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF) in colorectal adenomas and its relation to cancerization and recurrence of adenoma. Methods: Tissue samples of low-grade adenoma (n=50), high-grade adenoma (n=50) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (n=50) were collected, and tissue samples at the distal margin of corresponding colorectal lesions were taken as controls. The expression of CD10 in the stromal TAFs, and the expressions of ß-catenin, Ki-67, p53 and CyclinD1 in tumor cells were detected by immunohistochemistry (Envision). The correlation of CD10 expression in stromal TAFs with the expressions of ß-catenin, Ki-67, p53 and CyclinD1 in tumor cells was analyzed by Spearmen. One hundred samples of low-grade colorectal adenoma were collected, including 57 non-recurrent cases and 43 recurrent cases (16 cases of recurrent adenoma and 27 cases of recurrent adenocarcinoma); the expression of stromal TAF CD10 were determined and compared among groups. Results: There was no TAF in normal colorectal mucosa. The expression rates of TAF CD10 in low-grade adenoma, high-grade adenoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma were 22%, 50% and 78%, respectively (all P<0.05). The expression of Ki-67 and ß-catenin in low-grade adenoma, high-grade adenoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma was on a rising trend (all P<0.01). The expression of CyclinD1 in high-grade adenoma was higher than that in colorectal adenocarcinoma and low-grade adenoma (all P>0.05). The expression of p53 in colorectal adenocarcinoma and high-grade adenoma was higher than that in low grade adenoma (all P<0.01). The expression of TAF CD10 was correlated with the expression of p53, Ki-67 and ß-catenin-nucleus(r=0.264、0.307、0.320, all P<0.01),but not correlated with CyclinD1 and ß-catenin-membrane (r=0.012、-0.073, all P>0.05). The TAF CD10 level was significantly higher in low-grade adenoma with recurrence than that in those without recurrence (P<0.05).The expression of CD10 in recurrent colorectal adenocarcinoma was higher than that in recurrent adenoma (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression of TAF CD10 is increased gradually in the process of adenoma-cancer, indicating that it may play an important role in the canceration of adenoma. Adenomas with high expression of CD10 TAF are likely to be recurrent and cancerized, and detection of TAF CD10 combined with p53, Ki-67 and ß-catenin may be of value in predicting canceration or recurrence of colorectal adenoma.

Fabrication and characterization of a novel carbon fiber-reinforced calcium phosphate silicate bone cement with potential osteo-inductivity.

The repair of bone defects is still a pressing challenge in clinics. Injectable bone cement is regarded as a promising material to solve this problem because of its special self-setting property. Unfortunately, its poor mechanical conformability, unfavorable osteo-genesis ability and insufficient osteo-inductivity seriously limit its clinical application. In this study, novel experimental calcium phosphate silicate bone cement reinforced by carbon fibers (CCPSC) was fabricated and characterized. First, a compressive strength test and cell culture study were carried out. Then, the material was implanted into the femoral epiphysis of beagle dogs to further assess its osteo-conductivity using a micro-computed tomography scan and histological analysis. In addition, we implanted CCPSC into the beagles' intramuscular pouches to perform an elementary investigation of its osteo-inductivity. The results showed that incorporation of carbon fibers significantly improved its mechanical properties. Meanwhile, CCPSC had better biocompatibility to activate cell adhesion as well as proliferation than poly-methyl methacrylate bone cement based on the cell culture study. Moreover, pronounced biodegradability and improved osteo-conductivity of CCPSC could be observed through the in vivo animal study. Finally, a small amount of osteoid was found at the heterotopic site one month after implantation which indicated potential osteo-inductivity of CCPSC. In conclusion, the novel CCPSC shows promise as a bioactive bone substitute in certain load-bearing circumstances.

Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease involving appendix and mesenteric nodes with a protracted course: report of a rare case lacking relationship to IgG4-related disease and review of the literature.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a rare disease of unknown etiology that typically presents as nodal disease in young children. However, it also can present in various extranodal sites and can be difficult to recognize if not considered in the differential diagnosis. Here, we report a case of appendix involvement by extranodal RDD, which occurred in a 69-year-old woman with a long duration of 12 years for intermittent right lower quadrant pain. The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy for a clinical diagnosis of appendiceal cancer. A mixed inflammatory infiltration of mature lymphocytes, plasma cells and histiocytes exhibiting emperipolesis were indentified. Other areas had storiform fibrosis and sclerosis admixed with numerous plasma cells. These histologic features combination with immunoreactivity for CD68 and S100 protein were indicative of a diagnosis of extranodal RDD. We discuss the clinical, pathologic findings as well as differential diagnoses and consideration of a possible relationship of this entity to IgG4-related lesion.

Angiofibroma of soft tissue: clinicopathologic study of 2 cases of a recently characterized benign soft tissue tumor.

Angiofibroma of soft tissue is a very recently characterized, histologically distinctive benign mesenchymal neoplasm of unknown cellular origin composed of 2 principal components, the spindle cell component and very prominent stromal vasculatures. It usually occurs in middle-aged adults, with a female predominance. Herein, we describe the clinical and pathologic details of 2 other examples of this benign tumor. Both patients were middle-aged male and presented with a slow-growing, painless mass located in the deep-seated soft tissue of thigh and left posterior neck region, respectively. Grossly, both tumors were well-demarcated, partial encapsulated of a grayish-white color with firm consistence. Histologically, one case showed morphology otherwise identical to those have been described before, whereas the other case showed in areas being more cellular than most examples of this subtype tumor had, with the lesional cells frequently exhibiting short fascicular, vaguely storiform and occasionally swirling arrangements, which posed a challenging differential diagnosis. Immunostains performed on both tumors did not confirm any specific cell differentiation with lesional cells only reactive for vimentin and focally desmin and negative for all the other markers tested. This report serves to broaden the morphologic spectrum of angiofibroma of soft tumor. Awareness of this tumor is important to prevent misdiagnosis as other more aggressive soft tissue tumor.

PAX8 expression in sporadic hemangioblastoma of the kidney supports a primary renal cell lineage: implications for differential diagnosis.

Hemangioblastoma is a benign, morphologically distinctive neoplasm of disputed histogenesis that typically occurs in the central nervous system either in the setting of von Hippel-Lindau disease or more often sporadically. Extraneural hemangioblastoma is exceptional and raises a challenging differential diagnosis. Herein, we report a primary renal hemangioblastoma occurring in 51-year-old woman without stigmata of von Hippel-Lindau disease. Histologically, the tumor was composed of sheets of polygonal epithelioid stromal cells with ample pale or eosinophilic, vacuolated cytoplasm in an arborizing capillary network. Tumor cells showed variable nuclear pleomorphism, intranuclear cytoplasmic invaginations, scattered hyaline globules, and psammoma-like calcifications. Some areas showed branching hemangiopericytoma-like vessels with tumor cells radiating from the wall, while other areas were edematous and hyalinized with sparse stromal cells and abundant reticular vessels. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells reacted strongly and diffusely with antibodies to PAX8, CD10, α-inhibin, S100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, and vimentin, and they showed focal positivity with antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen and AE1/AE3. Tumor cells were negative for CK7, CK8/18, RCC antigen, synaptophysin, chromogranin, c-kit, D2-40, HMB45, melan-A, cathepsin K, SMA, desmin, CD31, CD34, and estrogen and progesterone receptors. Positive immunoreactivity for PAX8 is unexpected and contrasts to central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas, which are essentially always negative for PAX8. This novel finding adds support to the hypothesis that the immunoprofile of extraneural hemangioblastoma varies with site of origin, perhaps as a result of tumor cell lineage and retention of organ-specific markers or acquisition of site-specific antigens due to local factors.

Cystic lymphangioma-like adenomatoid tumor of the adrenal gland: report of a rare case and review of the literature.

Adenomatoid tumors (AT) are uncommon, benign tumors of mesothelial origination most frequently encountered in the genital tracts of both sexes. Their occurrences in the extragenital sites are much rarer and could elicit a variety of differential diagnosis both clinically and morphologically. With regard to the adrenal gland, to the best knowledge of us, only 31 cases of AT have been reported in the English literature. Several histologic growth patterns have been documented in AT, among which cystic type is the least common one. We herein present a further case of AT arising in the adrenal of a 62-year-old Chinese man with a medical history for systemic hypertensive disease. The tumor was incidentally identified during routine medical examination. An abdomen computed tomography scan revealed a solitary mass in the right adrenal. Grossly, the poorly-circumscribed mass measured 3.0 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm with a cut surface showing a gelatinous texture with numerous tiny cystic structures. Microscopic examination showed an infiltrated lesion with honeycomb appearance mimicking a lymphangioma, which composed predominantly of variably sized and shaped anastomosing small cystic spaces lined by flattened endothelial-like cells, without any epithelioid or signet-ring like components present. Foci of extraadrenal tumor extension, lymphoid aggregates with occasional germinal centre formation, intralesional fat tissue, stromal myoid proliferation and ossification were also observed. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the mesothelial differentiation of this tumor and indicated a diagnosis of cystic lymphangiomatoid AT of the adrenal.

Anastomosing hemangioma of the kidney: a case report of a rare subtype of hemangioma mimicking angiosarcoma and review of the literature.

Anastomosing hemangioma is a recently described, unusual variant of capillary hemangioma which seems to be unique for the genitourinary system, with a particular proclivity for the kidney. Histologically, it is characterized by a unique sinusoidal architecture reminiscent of splenic parenchyma that can lead to concern for angiosarcoma. We herein report a further case of anastomosing hemangioma originating in the right kidney of a 48-year-old Chinese man. The patient had a past medical history significant for hepatocellular carcinoma; this tumor was incidentally identified as an asymptomatic right renal mass during the periodical surveillance of the hepatic cancer. The resected tumor measured 2.5 cm in maximum diameter and microscopically demonstrated an overall lobulated growth pattern with alternating cellular areas composed of anastomosing sinusoidal capillary-sized vessels lined by hobnail endothelial cells, and edematous, hyaline paucicellular areas. Cytologically the tumor cells were generally bland and exhibited positivity for CD31, CD34 immunohistochemically. The patient had been in a good status without evidence of tumor recurrence 12 months after the surgery. This rare variant renal hemangioma is in need of more recognition and should not be over-diagnosed as a malignance, particularly angiosarcoma.