Quantitative Analysis of Tumor-Associated Mast Cells in Recurrent and Non-recurrent Urothelial Bladder Cancer in Stage pTa and pT1.

Background Urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (UCUB) is a common malignancy in both genders with a very high recurrence rate. There has been increasing evidence for a correlation between tumor-associated mast cells (TAMC) and tumor growth and recurrence rates. In the present study, we set out to establish a link between TAMC and the clinical morphological characteristics of UCUB in stages pTa and pT1. Methodology A retrospective non-clinical approach was used, with two groups of patients with UCUB. A total of 163 patients were included, 95 in the non-recurrent group and 68 in the recurrent UCUB group. Estimation of TAMC was performed on histological slides from the initial biopsy material using Giemsa and Toluidine blue staining. The collected data were statistically analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier curve, Mann-Whitney test, receiver operating characteristic curve, and chi-square analysis. Results Statistical analysis revealed that TAMC in the tumor stroma shows a positive correlation with local recurrence, with no statistical significance to the time of recurrence. No correlation showed statistical significance with pT stage, grade, gender, and age. Conclusions The amount of TAMC in UCUB correlates positively with the rate of local recurrence. The depicted correlations are similar to those established in mammary carcinoma, some lymphoproliferative disorders, and pancreatic and prostate malignancies.

Balkan Endemic Nephropathy: An Autopsy Case Report.

Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a form of interstitial nephritis seen only in certain geographical areas in the Balkan peninsula. Herein we describe the gross and histological changes in a diseased 42-year-old male Caucasian patient with BEN. All the changes fit the classically described alterations, with copper hue discoloration of the skin of the torso and orange discoloration of the soles and palms. Grossly, the kidneys were atrophic, with the left one weighing 31 grams and the right one 32 grams. Their surface was predominantly smooth with areas of fine granulations and cystic transformations. Histology revealed hyalinization of the glomeruli, predominantly in the external part of the cortex, severe vascular changes, interstitial fibrosis, and scant inflammatory cell infiltrate. The renal pelvis and ureters revealed multiple urothelial papillomas and atypical urothelial hyperplasia. BEN is only one geographical variant of interstitial nephritis caused by exposure to aristolochic acid. Other forms of this condition include Chinese herb nephropathy/aristolochic acid nephropathy, as well as several similar endemic conditions with a yet unestablished link to aristolochic acid.

Histological Changes in Severe Diabetic Fetopathy: An Autopsy Case Report.

Maternal diabetes is one of the most common and dangerous risk factors during pregnancy, as often there are no generalized signs. Diabetic fetopathy is a severe, poorly defined complication of gestational diabetes or preexisting maternal diabetes mellitus, with an ill-defined histological spectrum of changes. Herein we report a case of severe diabetic fetopathy diagnosed upon autopsy of a recently miscarried fetus. On histology, the liver revealed severe generalized macrovesicular steatosis and number of small cysts. The pancreas revealed not only Langerhans isle hyperplasia, but also Langerhans amyloidosis, evident of the severity of maternal diabetes and fetal hyperglycemia. The adrenal glands revealed hyperplasia in zona glomerulosa, due to aldosterone overproduction, evident of fetal hypertension. The current case is an extreme example of an undiagnosed and untreated gestational diabetes mellitus. The severity of histological changes, in this case, is suggestive of further extension of the diagnostic criteria of diabetic fetopathy to include more subtle changes that can be observed clinically and even a combination of maternal-newborn factors.

Primary Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma of the Renal Capsule: A Histopathological Case Report.

Lymphomas are one of the most common malignant entries across all populations. Originating most commonly from the lymph nodes, extranodal lymphomas, including those originating from the connective tissue capsule of the internal organs, are rare entries. Herein we present a case report of a 78-year-old male patient presenting with a palpable mass in the region of the left kidney. Ultrasound and computer tomography revealed a mass engulfing the kidney. Nephrectomy was performed, with the histopathological investigation revealing a non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from the renal capsule, with infiltration into the adjacent tissues. The patient was referred to a hematologist for treatment and one and a half years later, following two negative bone marrow biopsies, the patient is alive and disease-free.

The Final Diagnosis: Colorectal Carcinoma, In the Context of Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Mimicking Pulmonary Carcinoma.

Pulmonary carcinoma is one of the most common malignant conditions worldwide. The current case presents a patient with lung lesions clinically and radiologically diagnosed as lung cancer, which was not biopsied due to patient's refusal. The patient was a heavy smoker and prior to the lung lesions, he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Following recurrent hospitalizations, the patient died and he was referred for an autopsy. The autopsy established six lesions in the lung, one in the liver, one in the cerebrum and multiple polyps of the colon, two of which were with a visible invasive growth. The histological sections revealed that the lung, liver, and cerebral lesions were composed of the atypical gland with excessive mucus production. The colorectal specimens revealed benign polyps and colorectal adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis of advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma with multiple metastases in the context of attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) was established due to the combined histological findings, the age of the patient, and the number of benign polyps in the colon.

Anorectal Melanoma - a Histopathological Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Primary melanomas of the anus and rectum are rare neoplasms with aggressive behavior, accounting for 0.1%-4.6% of anal canal tumors. Mucosal melanomas account for approximately 1.2% of all melanomas, of which fewer than 25% are anorectal. Histological evaluation with immunohistochemical stains like HMB-45, S-100, vimentin and Melan A is required for definitive diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate for anorectal melanomas (AM) was reported to be as low as < 20%, in contrast to the value of approximately 80% for cutaneous melanomas. Furthermore, up to 67% of patients are found to have distant metastases at the time of their initial diagnosis with AM. Since the chemotherapy treatment possibilities are limited, patients usually undergo mutation detection tests giving the opportunity of targeted therapy. Herein we report a case of a patient with anorectal melanoma, diagnosed in stage II and the pathomorphological and mutation status finding, together with their correlation to tumor behavior and patient prognosis.