Retroperitoneal giant ancient schwannoma.

Ancient schwannoma is a rare variant of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor, often morphologically mimicking malignancy. Retroperitoneum is an uncommon location. We describe one case of giant retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma. Literature concerning this variant is also reviewed. A 65 year old male presented with altered bowel habits. Imaging findings revealed a large heterogeneous mass in the retroperitoneum. The patient was treated with complete excision. Grossly, the tumor was predominantly solid with focal cystic degeneration. Histological examination showed an encapsulated spindle cell tumor with nuclear palisading, very focal nuclear atypia and widespread foam cell infiltration - findings consistent with ancient schwannoma. A diagnosis of ancient schwannoma can be considered for a solid-cystic encapsulated mass in the retroperitoneum. Malignant transformation is very rare. Local recurrence is uncommon following complete excision. The authors have nothing to disclose.

Computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of solitary pulmonary nodules suspected to be bronchogenic carcinoma: Experience of a general hospital.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may be diagnostic in candidates with indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) suspicious of bronchogenic carcinoma. AIMS: The study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT)-guided FNAC in our centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the cases had a strong clinical suspicion of lung cancer, negative bronchoscopy, negative sputum cytology for malignant cells and acid fast bacilli. A thorough radiological evaluation was made to rule out primary malignancy elsewhere. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients were studied in one year. May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain was used for the smears. The cytological diagnosis was correlated with clinical-radiological follow-up and biopsy to arrive at a final diagnosis. The procedure had a high sensitivity and specificity. Chi-square test was used to calculate statistical significance. Tumor of more than three centimeter and immediate cytological assessment significantly increased the yield. Review of slides added two cases of malignancy that were missed initially. There were very few complications. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided FNAC was an accurate and safe procedure for SPNs.

Pattern of cancer occurrence in rural population of West Bengal--a hospital-based study.

Incidence of cancer in India is lower than in the West and the commonly affected sites are very different. Cancers of the upper alimentary and respiratory tracts (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx) contribute more than half of the cancers in men and about a quarter in women. Indigenous habits of chewing and smoking seem to be primarily responsible for the high incidence of these cancers. During a 10-year study period, out of a total 20072 cases biopsied, 3226 (16.07%) were malignant. The maximum number of malignancies were from cervix uteri ie, 1499 (44.92%); next oral cavity and pharynx (n = 437; 13.55%) frequently found in males; breast was third in the series. Cancer of the cervix uteri is a major problem in women. Practical measures are to be taken for the prevention of these cancers common in India.

Evaluation of endoscopic biopsy in gastric lesions with a special reference to the significance of mast cell density.

Various studies have shown the role of mast cells in chronic inflammatory states and in tumor growth. The study is designed to have an idea of the relationship of mast cell density (MCD) to gastric ulcer and cancer, to verify whether mast cell accumulation occurred in the two conditions especially in Indian patients and thus postulate that therapeutic strategies against mast cell mediators could be useful in treatment. Also, we want to review literature and attempt to explain our findings. A total of 240 patients, who underwent their first endoscopy and biopsy for a span of 21/2 years were studied retrospectively. Out of these, 210 cases that were either gastric ulcers or cancer were chosen for this MCD study. Biopsies were sectioned and stained routinely. Toluidine blue stain and copper grid was used to calculate MCD. Student's t-Test was used to calculate the statistical significance of MCD. MCD in benign ulcers was much higher than in control subjects. MCD in well-differentiated cancers showed MCD higher than control. Poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma showed lower MCD than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. It was concluded that the accumulation of mast cells in gastric ulcers is an inflammatory response. MCD is increased in well-differentiated gastric cancers, which may be a mast cell mediated immune response or mast cells may have a role in tumor angiogenesis and produce factors for tumor progression. Poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma apparently lacks mast cell mediated anti-tumor response in some unexplained way.

Coexistence of a mature teratoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in the same ovary--a case report.

A case of right sided abdominal lump with pain in a 45 years female was presented. Radiological investigation revealed a multiloculated cystic mass with a few mural nodules arising from right ovary. The tumor was removed by exploratory laparotomy and histopathological examination showed coexistence of dermoid cyst with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in the same ovary. Left ovary and uterus was healthy and there was no tumor extension or omental deposits. Postoperative period was uneventful.

B cell lymphoma with unusual clinical cutaneous presentation.

Cutaneous B cell lymphoma (CBCL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of neoplastic B cell of the skin. These are rarer than T cell lymphomas. Commonly, the presenting features of CBCL are plaques or nodules. Here is a case report of CBCL with a very unusual presentation of cutaneous horns. The patient was managed by a combination chemotherapy and local radiotherapy only. He is disease-free for about the last five years. The case has been presented because of its rarity and its management protocol.