CIC-DUX4 Sarcoma Involving the Skull Base: A Rare Presentation and Review of the Literature.

Background CIC-DUX4 sarcoma is a rare, aggressive tumor that is difficult to diagnose. Although it is closely related to Ewing's sarcoma, each is a distinct pathologic entity and both have been previously reported in the skin, lymph nodes, and viscera. We report the first description of CIC-DUX4 involving the posterior cranial fossa and review the distinctive symptomatology, morphology, immunoprofile, and genetic signature that differentiate this rare tumor. Case Report A 32-year-old man presented with an enlarging right lateral neck mass, progressive hoarseness, and orofacial pain. Biopsy revealed a high-grade undifferentiated malignant neoplasm. Imaging demonstrated an 8-cm mass in the right neck extending to the skull base and abutting the carotid sheath, in addition to pulmonary nodules and pelvic lymphadenopathy. Despite initial response to chemotherapy, he experienced disease progression and underwent surgical resection, radical neck dissection, and brachytherapy. Definitive pathologic diagnosis was achieved with next-generation sequencing. Within weeks of treatment, he developed symptoms reflecting progression of disease involving the neck, posterior cranial fossa, and lung. Adjuvant chemotherapy was planned, but the patient succumbed to his disease prior to initiation of further therapy. Conclusion CIC-DUX4 sarcomas are uncommon and can progress rapidly. Diagnosis requires either fluorescence in situ hybridization or next-generation sequencing. Due to its rarity, there is no standard-of-care treatment for this tumor and further investigations are needed to understand disease behavior and develop targeted therapeutic modalities.

Practical Scientific Writing and Publishing in Anatomic Pathology.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a structured, introductory curriculum in scientific writing and publishing for residents in anatomic pathology. METHODS: We assessed the need for this curriculum by using an online questionnaire sent to anatomic pathology residents in our program and tailored content to address areas of least familiarity. The curriculum consisted of 4 virtual lectures delivered by select experts in the field. Curriculum evaluation was assessed through a postcurriculum questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 27 of 31 (87%) residents responded to the initial questionnaire. The major educational need was identified in the following topics: "responsibilities of a corresponding author"; "selecting a journal for publication"; "editor's approach to evaluating a manuscript"; "correspondence with editors and reviewers"; and "open access, cost and increasing exposure to manuscript." Eight residents participated in at least 3 of 4 lectures and completed the pre- and postcurriculum survey. The postcurriculum survey demonstrated statistically significant interval increases in familiarity with 7 of 18 topics, and the leading increases were noted in topics of most significant educational need. CONCLUSIONS: Development of novel curricula is vital to the ever-changing landscape of pathology resident education. This study proposes a generalizable algorithmic approach to assessing new areas of educational need and effectively addressing them through targeted curricula.