Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes profile and response in neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated triple-negative breast carcinoma patients.

Background: Triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) has the highest mortality among all the breast carcinoma subtypes, but paradoxically, it shows the best response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) density has been shown to have prognostic significance in TNBC. However, there are limited data on TIL subpopulation and their association with response to NACT in TNBC. Materials and Methods: The study included 80 consecutive patients with TNBC prospectively diagnosed for two and half years, who underwent tru-cut biopsy before NACT, followed by subsequent definite surgical procedures. Global TIL profile and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56 were done on all baseline tru-cut biopsies and post-NACT surgical specimens. Results: Almost half the patients were postmenopausal with a mean age of 45.89 ± 4.62 years. The majority had low CD3, low CD4, low CD56, low CD20, and high CD8 positivity in both pre- and post-NACT specimens. On multivariate analysis, low CD3, CD4, CD56 and CD 20 were established as independent predictor of poor pathologic response (PR). Low CD4 (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 228.46) was associated with the highest OR for poor PR. Low CD8 was associated with significantly decreased odds of poor PR on univariate analysis (OR: 0.26), but it was not been established as an independent predictor of PR on multivariate logistic regression. NACT did not significantly alter the profile of TILs. Conclusions: TIL profile with low CD3, CD4, CD20, and CD56 expression predicts PR to NACT in TNBC and may thus help in prognostication of these patients.

Comparative Study of Imprint Cytology and Histopathology of Soft Tissue Tumors.

BACKGROUND: The components of soft tissue are fibroblasts, collagen, vascular structures, fatty tissue, skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, and neural tissue. The real incidence of soft tissue tumors (STTs) is difficult to estimate because most of them are benign (Benign: Malignant-100:1). AIMS: The aim of the present study was undertaken to note the patterns of presentation of patients with STTs and to evaluate the findings of imprint cytology (IC) and histopathological examination (HPE) of STTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was undertaken for 1 year. A total of 41 patients with clinically and radiologically diagnosed STTs were included in the study. Following surgery, imprint smear was taken for each tumor, before delivering the tissue to 10% formalin. HPE was subsequently performed. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 4 months to 80 years with a mean of 35.6 ± 17.5 years. The ratio of males to females was 1.05:1. HPE revealed that 21 (51.2%) tumors were benign and 20 (48.8%) malignant. Imprint smears revealed 16 (39%) tumors to be benign and 20 (48.8%) malignant. IC was inconclusive in 5 (12.2%) cases. The sensitivity of IC was found to be 89.5% and specificity 82.35%. The positive predictive value of IC was 85%. The accuracy of IC for diagnosis of both benign and malignant tumors was found to be 75%. CONCLUSION: IC of STTs is a rapid and simple method of intraoperative diagnosis, and it can serve as a viable alternative to frozen section biopsy, particularly in rural settings.

A clinicopathological study of mediastinal masses operated in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India in 3 years with special reference to thymoma.

INTRODUCTION: The mediastinum is the central portion of the thoracic cavity, limited by pleural cavities laterally, thoracic inlet superiorly, and the diaphragm inferiorly. Housing numerous organs, it is a veritable Pandora's box, within which various lesions may develop. This study was conducted to assess the epidemiologic profile, clinicoradiological features, cytological, and histopathological findings in patients presenting with mediastinal masses in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of cases presenting with mediastinal masses attending the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of Medical College, Kolkata between May 2011 and April 2014. Detailed history, physical, and radiological findings were noted. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed when feasible. Following surgery, histopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations of the specimens were undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 22 cases included in our study, ten were anterior, seven middle, and five posterior mediastinal masses. Fifteen cases were male and seven were female. Thymic pathology was detected in seven cases, lymphoma in five, extragonadal germ cell tumor (GCT) in three, schwannoma and pericardial cyst in two cases each and neurofibroma, ganglioneuroma, and retrosternal thyroid in one case each. The age group of the patients for each diagnostic category was found to be of significance. FNAC was done in 15 cases. IHC was required for classification of lymphoma cases (CD45, CD15, CD30, CD20, CD3, Tdt, CD34, and Ki-67). CONCLUSION: This study reflects the incidence of different mediastinal masses in West Bengal with their clinicopathologic correlation.

Carcinosarcoma of ovary with its various immunohistochemical expression: Report of a rare case.

Ovarian carcinosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor with an incidence of <2%. A report of such a rare case in a 40-year-old multiparous woman is being presented here. The patient complained of abdominal pain and distension. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a variegated mass in the right adnexal region. The CA-125 level was 1635 U/ml. The patient underwent laparotomy and the tumor was removed. Microscopic examination of the tumor showed presence of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the carcinomatous component was positive for cytokeratin and estrogen receptor and negative for progesterone receptor. The sarcomatous component was positive for vimentin. Ki-67 was positive in 60% cells. A final diagnosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma was rendered. This case is significant owing to extreme rarity of the tumor. Records of similar cases must be maintained for future reference with regard to impact of treatment protocol followed on prognosis.

Malignant lymphoma in Eastern India: a retrospective analysis of 455 cases according to World Health Organisation classification.

BACKGROUND: Malignant lymphoma (ML) is one of the most common cancers and is most prevalent in developed countries. The distribution of different subtypes of ML varies in the different geographical locations according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study was aimed to analyze different patterns of ML in Eastern India and to compare it with other geographical locations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and fifty five patients of two large hospitals in Eastern India were included over a period of four years and were categorized according to WHO classification, using morphology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: There were 347 (76.3%) non Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), and 108 (23.7%) Hodgkin lymphomas (HL). Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common of the NHL type (35.2%) followed by the follicular lymphoma (19.3%). B cell lymphoblastic lymphoma was the least common type of NHL (1.4%). Mixed cellularity (33.3%) and nodular sclerosis (26.9%) were the two most common type of HL. Childhood lymphoma comprised of 12.5% of all ML. T cell NHL and HL were the common lymphomas in this age group. CONCLUSION: Incidence of follicular lymphoma is lower compared to western studies and mixed cellularity is most common subtype of HL unlike nodular sclerosis subtype in western world. Burkitt's type NHL though is the most common subtype of childhood ML in many studies but in our study T cell NHL is the most common type of childhood ML.

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney: a case report.

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is a rare malignant neoplasm of childhood, known for its aggressiveness, its tendency for recurrence, and to metastasize to bone. We report the observation of 8-month-old child presenting with a large abdominal mass. Clinically, it was diagnosed as Wilm's tumor, and left nephrectomy was done. Grossly, 10 cm×8 cm×3.5 cm globular, white, encapsulated, smooth mass uniformly involving the whole kidney was noted. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as clear cell sarcoma with renal vein showing presence of tumor embolus in lumen. The tumor was given stage-II (NWTS-5 protocol). Immunohistochemistry showed vimentin positive and cytokeratin negative tumor cells. The child is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has not yet shown any sign of bony metastasis.

Primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma, leg type: Report of two cases and review of literature.

Primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL-LT), is very rare neoplasm presenting on and confined to leg(s). PCLBCL-LT is distinguished from other type of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) by its frequent relapses and poorer prognosis. We report, two cases of PCLBCL-LT, occurring in two younger patients compared to published cases in literature. Both the patients were treated with chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. During the 1-year follow-up period one patient presented with extracutaneous dissemination and succumbed. The other patient is symptom free and follow-up period was uneventful.

Tumours of minor salivary glands--a clinicopathologic study.

The salivary gland system comprises 3 pairs of major glands ie, parotid, submandibular and sublingual and also thousands of lobules of minor salivary glands dispersed in oral cavity, nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses and upper airways. Most of the studies on salivary gland tumours included both major and minor salivary glands. Objectives of this study were to see the age, sex and site distribution of minor salivary gland tumours as well as cytohistologic correlation during their diagnosis. The study is a retrospective one and done in the pathology department of Medical College, Kolkata taking the cases referred from ENT and Surgery departments in the period from April 2008 to March 2011. There were 123 cases of salivary gland tumours including both major and minor salivary glands in this study. Out of these, 21 cases of minor salivary gland tumours were selected and further analysed. There were 9 cases of benign and 12 cases of malignant tumours. Most benign cases were pleomorphic adenoma and most of malignant were adenoid cystic carcinoma affecting maximally males above 40 years of age. For malignant cases the cytohistologic correlation was 100% whereas in benign it was 70%. We had no need of using immunohistochemistry as histologic diagnosis were clear-cut. Pathologic staging were done in most of malignant cases thus helping the clinicians to adopt better treatment protocol.

High-grade plasmablastic neoplasm of humerus in an HIV-negative patient, which was indeterminate between plasmablastic lymphoma and plasmablastic myeloma.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) of bone is a rare neoplasm that shares many confusing cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features with plasmablastic plasma cell myeloma (PBPCM). A 47-year-old female patient presented with a bony swelling and bone pain in the left humerus for the last 6 months. On radiological examination (x-ray and computed tomography) it appeared to be a lytic lesion, and a pathological fracture was detected. The patient was HIV-negative. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was done from the lesion, which was inconclusive. Subsequently, incisional biopsy was taken. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed a high-grade plasmablastic neoplasm, favoring a diagnosis of PBL. Most of the reported cases of PBL have occurred in HIV-positive patients, and the bone is a very rare site. PBL can be confused with PBPCM. A final diagnosis should be rendered only after thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.

Comparison of vaginal misoprostol tablets and prostaglandin E2 gel for the induction of labor in premature rupture of membranes at term: a randomized comparative trial.

AIM: To compare immediate induction with vaginal misoprostol tablets and immediate induction with vaginal dinoprostone (naturally occurring prostaglandin E2 [PGE2]) gel in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term. METHODS: Two hundred and twelve women with PROM at term were assigned randomly to receive either an intravaginal 25 µg misoprostol tablet, 4-hourly, with a maximum of five doses, or 0.5 mg intravaginal PGE2 gel, 6-hourly, with a maximum of two doses. The primary outcome measures were the admission-to-delivery interval and the induction-to-delivery interval. Secondary outcomes included cesarean section rate, mode of delivery, and maternal and neonatal safety outcome. Results were calculated applying Fisher's exact test, χ2-test, t-test and calculating the P-value using an alpha level of 0.05 for Type I errors. RESULTS: The mean time from admission to delivery was 13.53 h in the misoprostol group and 12.30 h in the PGE2 group (P = 0.090). The induction-to-delivery interval was also comparable between the groups (10.75 h vs. 9.37 h), while the cesarean section rate did not differ significantly between them (7.61% vs. 15.30%). More women in the misoprostol group had an instrumental delivery (12.38% vs. 2.94%). The only significant difference in neonatal outcome was a greater number of babies born with Apgar score < 7 at 1 min in the misoprostol group. Maternal outcomes were not significantly different, except for a higher number of digital vaginal examinations in the misoprostol group. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol is equally efficacious in labor induction and demonstrates a similar fetal and maternal safety profile to PGE2 gel.

Adrenal myelolipoma with abdominal pain: A rare presentation.

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors. Most of the cases are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. We are reporting a case of myelolipoma involving right adrenal cortex of a 40-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain. A short review of etiology, clinical features, and differential diagnoses of this neoplasm are also discussed. Radiologic features are often helpful in diagnosis but histology must be done to exclude other fat-containing lesions. Although uncommon, myelolipomas should be considered in differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions.

Comparison of intramuscular magnesium sulfate with low dose intravenous magnesium sulfate regimen for treatment of eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to compare intramuscular (i.m.) magnesium sulfate with a low dose intravenous (i.v.) magnesium sulfate regimen in prevention of convulsion recurrence and maternal deaths in women with eclampsia. METHODS: This prospective trial was conducted in Nilratan Sircar Medical College, India from January 2001 to December 2005. All women with a clinical diagnosis of eclampsia were included in the trial. Magnesium sulfate (4 gm) was given as an i.v. loading dose, followed by either i.m. injections as recommended by Pritchard or low dose i.v. infusions (0.6 gm/h). Primary measures of outcome were recurrence of convulsions and maternal death. Secondary measures of outcome were potentially life threatening events, events related to labor and delivery as well as perinatal mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Of the 630 women participating in the trial, 480 women received i.m. magnesium sulphate according to the Pritchard regimen and 150 women were subjected to a low dose i.v. regimen of magnesium sulphate. There was no significant difference in recurrence of convulsion (3.3% in the i.m. and 2% in the i.v. groups P = 0.586). Maternal deaths were not significantly lower in the i.v. group than the i.m. group (5% in the i.m. and 3.3% in the i.v. groups, P = 0.506) There were no significant differences in other measures of serious maternal morbidity, in perinatal morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSION: Low dose i.v. magnesium sulfate regimen is equally effective in prevention of convulsion recurrence and maternal deaths in eclamptic women when compared with an i.m. magnesium sulfate regimen.

Mature teratoma of the mesentery.

Teratoma of the mesentery is an extremely rare tumour of the germ cells and imposes diagnostic dilemma in clinical practice and is reported because of its very uncommon occurrence. With the advent of modern imaging modalities like ultrasonography, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is now confidently diagnosed and rarely requires diagnostic laparotomy. CT shows characteristic appearance (Rokitansky sign).