Malignant phyllodes tumor with chondrosarcomatous differentiation: radiological-pathological correlation.

We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with malignant phyllodes tumor in her left breast. On imaging, a large, dumbbell-shaped, predominantly cystic mass with thin peripheral enhancement was noted. The lesion was causing rib destruction, chest wall invasion, and intrathoracic extension. These aggressive imaging features were considered highly suspicious of a malignant chest wall tumor. Subsequent chest wall resection of the tumor showed breast tissue with a biphasic lesion composed of proliferated spindle cells in loose sheets with extensive islands of atypical cartilage and a scanty epithelial component, including compressed ducts in the periphery of the lesion. A diagnosis of a malignant phyllodes tumor with stromal overgrowth and chondrosarcomatous differentiation was made in view of the presence of a benign epithelial component and negative reaction of the stromal component with a pancytokeratin. To the best of our knowledge, a phyllodes tumor with the radiological features of chest wall invasion and intrathoracic extension has not been described in the literature until now. Malignant phyllodes should be included in the list of differentials along with sarcomas on encountering lesions with such aggressive imaging features.

"Metabolic signature" of the lesions on F18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography: A clue to the underlying pathology.

Increase in glycolytic pathway, forms one of the major adaptations in various cancer types. This can be imaged using (18)F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET). The intensity of FDG avidity is an indirect marker of the grade of the tumor. We present a case where FDG PET demonstrated a known chondrosarcoma and two other incidental lesions. The intensity of avidity in each of the lesions was grossly incongruent from the chondrosarcoma and further investigation proved the lesions to be two distinct primary malignancies, pathologically different from the known chondrosarcoma. We present the case to highlight the fact that the grade of FDG avidity is a clue to the pathological nature of the lesion and should always be considered while interpreting PET images.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma: a clinicopathological and cytomorpholgical study from a tertiary care centre in Chennai, India.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) cases occurring in Indian patients and also study the utility of the crush smear preparation in intraoperative diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immune status, clinical, radiological details, immunohistochemical profile, histopathological findings and cytological features in smear preparation of 32 cases of PCNSL were analyzed. Patients with systemic NHL and skull-base lymphomas were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 52 years with a male: female ratio 1:1. A periventricular location was found in 62.5% of patients. None of our PCNSL cases were associated with AIDS. All cases except one were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Intraoperative diagnosis using crush smears allowed correct prediction in 93% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that PCNSL is seen predominantly in immunocompetent patients in India .The age of presentation is relatively young as compared to the West. Our study also stresses the utility of crush smear preparation in establishing an intraoperative diagnosis.

Images: granular cell tumour of the breast mimics a malignancy.

Five percent of granular cell tumour occurs in the breast. They are benign in nature but mimick a carcinoma on imaging (mammography and breast ultrasound). We present radilogical and histopathological images of granular cell tumour in the breast.

A unique case of well differentiated papillary mesothelioma involving an inguinal hernia.

Well Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma (WDPM) is an uncommon tumor occurring predominantly in the peritoneum of young women with no history of asbestos exposure. In this report, we present a case of 48 year old male patient presenting with indirect inguinal hernia and incidental finding of a WDPM in the hernial sac during surgery. The unusual site of presentation and the relative rarity of this neoplasm in males evoke much clinico-pathological interest.