Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Diagnosis and Screening.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous groups of clonal myeloid disorders characterized by unexplained persistent peripheral blood (PB) cytopenia(s) of one or more of the hematopoietic lineages, or bone marrow (BM) morphologic dysplasia in hematopoietic cells, recurrent genetic abnormalities, and an increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the past several years, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches have substantially improved with the development of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) diagnostic testing and new medications. However, there is no single diagnostic parameter specific for MDS, and correlations with clinical information, and laboratory test findings are needed to reach the diagnosis.

High Preponderance of BRAF V600E Mutation in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Among Filipinos: A Clinicopathologic Study.

PURPOSE: BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with an aggressive phenotype, with varying incidence. We evaluated the prevalence of BRAF mutations in PTC among Filipino patients and their correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathologic data were retrieved from 64 sequential patients who underwent thyroidectomy from June 2016 to December 2016. BRAF mutation testing was performed using Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Eighteen (28%) of 64 patients were diagnosed with PTC; 12 (70.59%) of 17 harbored a BRAF V600E mutation (no amplification in one patient). Demographics of patients with PTC were as follows: 13 women and five men, with median age of 46 years (range, 25 to 74 years). Fourteen patients had conventional subtype PTC; two, follicular variant; one, oncocytic variant; and one, tall-cell features. Tumor size ranged from 0.8 to 7.0 cm (median, 2.4 cm); extrathyroidal extension was present in seven (38.9%) of 18 patients, multifocality in six (33.33%) of eight, and lymph node involvement in eight (44.4%) of 18. Significant association between presence of a BRAF mutation and presence of extrathyroidal extension or lymph node involvement was not determined due to the limited sample size. CONCLUSION: The high preponderance of BRAF mutation (70.59%) suggests some correlation with the previously reported lower 5-year survival among Filipinos. This warrants further investigation in a larger-cohort prospective study.

The utility of immunohistochemistry in subtyping adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of vater.

Histologic classification of ampullary carcinomas into intestinal, pancreatobiliary, or other subtypes is easily achievable in some cases but difficult in others. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains may allow distinction between the subtypes; however, their added value to routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) evaluation has not been systematically evaluated. Inconsistent histologic subtyping has hampered current clinical research and therapeutic trials. In this study, a consecutive series of 105 ampullary carcinomas was subtyped first by H&E evaluation and then by the evaluation of an IHC panel composed of CK7, CK20, CDX2, MUC1, and MUC2, and the added value of IHC was analyzed. By H&E, a consensus diagnosis, defined as concordant subtyping among at least 3 of the 4 independent study pathologists, was achieved in 81 of the 105 (77%) cases. There was excellent agreement for poorly differentiated and mucinous subtypes (κ=0.72 and 0.89, respectively) but only good agreement for intestinal and pancreatobiliary subtypes (κ=0.57 and 0.48, respectively) and poor agreement for mixed subtype (κ=0.09). By IHC, CK7 showed no informative value (being positive in ≥70% of the cases in both intestinal and pancreatobiliary subtypes), whereas a subtyping schema incorporating the combination staining patterns of CK20, CDX2, MUC1, and MUC2 did. By this schema, "intestinal subtype" was defined as having (1) positive staining for CK20 or CDX2 or MUC2 and negative staining for MUC1, or (2) positive staining for CK20, CDX2, and MUC2, irrespective of the MUC1 result; and "pancreatobiliary subtype" was defined as having positive staining for MUC1 and negative staining for CDX2 and MUC2, irrespective of CK20 results. Cases not fitting one of these 3 categories were regarded as "ambiguous" immunohistochemically. By combining this schema with H&E evaluation, 97 of the 105 cases (92%) could be classified into either intestinal or pancreatobiliary subtype. In particular, immunophenotyping allowed categorization of 75% of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and 69% of cases with mixed histologic features as either intestinal or pancreatobiliary subtype. Most mucinous adenocarcinomas (88%) were clearly intestinal subtype by IHC. Thus, our IHC schema enhanced the subtyping of ampullary carcinoma and, in combination with H&E evaluation, allowed a dichotomous classification in 92% of the cases. Should further independent studies reaffirm our findings, this schema may serve as a valuable tool in both diagnostic and research settings.

Frequent phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase mutations in proliferative breast lesions.

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway is one of the most commonly altered molecular pathways in invasive breast carcinoma, with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) mutations in 25% of invasive carcinomas. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), benign papillomas, and small numbers of columnar cell lesions harbor an analogous spectrum of PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations, yet there is little data on usual ductal hyperplasia and atypical ductal and lobular neoplasias. We screened 192 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast lesions from 75 patients for point mutations using a multiplexed panel encompassing 643 point mutations across 53 genes, including 58 PIK3CA substitutions. PIK3CA point mutations were identified in 31/62 (50%) proliferative lesions (usual ductal hyperplasia and columnar cell change), 10/14 (71%) atypical hyperplasias (atypical ductal hyperplasia and flat epithelial atypia), 7/16 (44%) lobular neoplasias (atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ), 10/21 (48%) DCIS, and 13/37 (35%) invasive carcinomas. In genotyping multiple lesions of different stage from the same patient/specimen, we found considerable heterogeneity; most notably, in 12 specimens the proliferative lesion was PIK3CA mutant but the concurrent carcinoma was wild type. In 11 additional specimens, proliferative epithelium and cancer contained different point mutations. The frequently discordant genotypes of usual ductal hyperplasia/columnar cell change and concurrent carcinoma support a role for PIK3CA-activating point mutations in breast epithelial proliferation, perhaps more so than transformation. Further, these data suggest that proliferative breast lesions are heterogeneous and may represent non-obligate precursors of invasive carcinoma.

KRAS mutations are associated with solid growth pattern and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in lung adenocarcinoma.

KRAS mutations define a clinically distinct subgroup of lung adenocarcinoma patients, characterized by smoking history, resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies, and adverse prognosis. Whether KRAS-mutated lung adenocarcinomas also have distinct histopathological features is not well established. We tested 180 resected lung adenocarcinomas for KRAS and EGFR mutations by high-sensitivity mass spectrometry-based genotyping (Sequenom) and PCR-based sizing assays. All tumors were assessed for the proportion of standard histological patterns (lepidic, acinar, papillary, micropapillary, solid, and mucinous), several other histological and clinical parameters, and TTF-1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Among 180 carcinomas, 63 (35%) had KRAS mutations (KRAS+), 35 (19%) had EGFR mutations (EGFR+), and 82 (46%) had neither mutation (KRAS-/EGFR-). Solid growth pattern was significantly over-represented in KRAS+ carcinomas: the mean±s.d. for the amount of solid pattern in KRAS+ carcinomas was 27±34% compared with 3±10% in EGFR+ (P<0.001) and 15±27% in KRAS-/EGFR- (P=0.033) tumors. Furthermore, at least focal (≥20%) solid component was more common in KRAS+ (28/63; 44%) compared with EGFR+ (2/35; 6%; P<0.001) and KRAS-/EGFR- (21/82; 26%; P=0.022) carcinomas. KRAS mutations were also over-represented in mucinous carcinomas and were significantly associated with the presence of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and heavier smoking history. EGFR mutations were associated with non-mucinous non-solid patterns, particularly lepidic and papillary, lack of necrosis, lack of cytological atypia, hobnail cytology, TTF-1 expression, and never/light smoking history. In conclusion, extended molecular and clinicopathological analysis of lung adenocarcinomas reveals a novel association of KRAS mutations with solid histology and tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells and expands on several previously recognized morphological and clinical associations of KRAS and EGFR mutations. Solid growth pattern was recently shown to be a strong predictor of aggressive behavior in lung adenocarcinomas, which may underlie the unfavorable prognosis associated with KRAS mutations in these tumors.

Molecular epidemiology of EGFR and KRAS mutations in 3,026 lung adenocarcinomas: higher susceptibility of women to smoking-related KRAS-mutant cancers.

PURPOSE: The molecular epidemiology of most EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung cancer remains unclear. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We genotyped 3,026 lung adenocarcinomas for the major EGFR (exon 19 deletions and L858R) and KRAS (G12, G13) mutations and examined correlations with demographic, clinical, and smoking history data. RESULTS: EGFR mutations were found in 43% of never smokers and in 11% of smokers. KRAS mutations occurred in 34% of smokers and in 6% of never smokers. In patients with smoking histories up to 10 pack-years, EGFR predominated over KRAS. Among former smokers with lung cancer, multivariate analysis showed that, independent of pack-years, increasing smoking-free years raise the likelihood of EGFR mutation. Never smokers were more likely than smokers to have KRAS G > A transition mutation (mostly G12D; 58% vs. 20%, P = 0.0001). KRAS G12C, the most common G > T transversion mutation in smokers, was more frequent in women (P = 0.007) and these women were younger than men with the same mutation (median 65 vs. 69, P = 0.0008) and had smoked less. CONCLUSIONS: The distinct types of KRAS mutations in smokers versus never smokers suggest that most KRAS-mutant lung cancers in never smokers are not due to second-hand smoke exposure. The higher frequency of KRAS G12C in women, their younger age, and lesser smoking history together support a heightened susceptibility to tobacco carcinogens.

Immunohistochemical algorithm for differentiation of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma based on large series of whole-tissue sections with validation in small specimens.

Immunohistochemistry is increasingly utilized to differentiate lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. However, detailed analysis of coexpression profiles of commonly used markers in large series of whole-tissue sections is lacking. Furthermore, the optimal diagnostic algorithm, particularly the minimal-marker combination, is not firmly established. We therefore studied whole-tissue sections of resected adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (n=315) with markers commonly used to identify adenocarcinoma (TTF-1) and squamous cell carcinoma (p63, CK5/6, 34ßE12), and prospectively validated the devised algorithm in morphologically unclassifiable small biopsy/cytology specimens (n=38). Analysis of whole-tissue sections showed that squamous cell carcinoma had a highly consistent immunoprofile (TTF-1-negative and p63/CK5/6/34ßE12-diffuse) with only rare variation. In contrast, adenocarcinoma showed significant immunoheterogenetity for all 'squamous markers' (p63 (32%), CK5/6 (18%), 34ßE12 (82%)) and TTF-1 (89%). As a single marker, only diffuse TTF-1 was specific for adenocarcinoma whereas none of the 'squamous markers,' even if diffuse, were entirely specific for squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, coexpression profiles of TTF-1/p63 had only minimal overlap between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and there was no overlap if CK5/6 was added as a third marker. An algorithm was devised in which TTF-1/p63 were used as the first-line panel, and CK5/6 was added for rare indeterminate cases. Prospective validation of this algorithm in small specimens showed 100% accuracy of adenocarcinoma vs squamous cell carcinoma prediction as determined by subsequent resection. In conclusion, although reactivity for 'squamous markers' is common in lung adenocarcinoma, a two-marker panel of TTF-1/p63 is sufficient for subtyping of the majority of tumors as adenocarcinomas vs squamous cell carcinoma, and addition of CK5/6 is needed in only a small subset of cases. This simple algorithm achieves excellent accuracy in small specimens while conserving the tissue for potential predictive marker testing, which is now an essential consideration in advanced lung cancer specimens.

Malignant glomus tumor of kidney: the first reported case and review of literature.

Glomus tumors are mesenchymal neoplasms and are rarely seen in visceral organs like the kidney. Our patient presented with a metastatic, malignant, and highly aggressive glomus tumor in the kidney. In our extensive literature review, we did not come across even a single case of malignant glomus tumor arising in the kidney. We report the clinical presentation, radiologic, and pathological features of our case. Immunohistochemical findings that distinguish our case from other reported cases of glomus tumors arising from the kidney have been discussed. We have also reviewed the criteria for malignancy and other reported malignant glomus tumors.

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia: a potential misdiagnosed entity.

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia is a rare condition characterized by enlarged multicystic placenta with anechoic regions on ultrasound. Gross examination shows grapelike vesicles which mimics molar pregnancy. Microscopic findings shows large edematous villi with cistern formation interspersed with normal villi. The absence of trophoblastic proliferation and trophobastic inclusions differentiates it from molar pregnancy. We report a new case of placental mesenchymal dysplasia. A 31-year-old G2P1 presented with preterm vaginal bleeding at 24 5/7 weeks of gestation. Ultrasound findings show cystic placenta and placenta previa. She went into preterm labor and delivered a female baby with no dysmorphic features but later suffered from complications of prematurity. Pathologically, the placenta showed multiple grapelike cystic vesicles with unremarkable chorionic vessels. Microscopically, enlarged edematous villi with cistern formation were noted. Trophoblastic proliferation or inclusions were not seen.