Novel prognostic molecular markers in lung cancer.

Lung carcinoma, especially in its most commonly diagnosed non-small cell histological form, is a challenge to diagnose and treat worldwide, due to the prognosis in patients with this type of cancer being poor and mortality rates being high. However, a number of patients with this type of lung carcinoma exhibit a longer than average overall survival. The specific molecular background of non-small-cell lung cancer that favors longer survival has not yet been determined. The aim of the current study was to review articles published in the years 2017-2018 and create a list of the most important and strongest non-conventional factors that could be used in the future assessment of the prognosis of patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung who cannot undergo current targeted therapy. Analysis identified multiple prognostic factors in non-small cell lung carcinoma, including tumor mutational burden, which was revealed to be independent of the tumor stage or grade as well as other factors, including age, sex or targeted therapy effects. The selected molecular factors exhibit the potential to be used in the treatment of patients with specific problematic lung cancer, and may contribute to setting recommendations for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of individual patients with lung cancer.

Lymphocytic gastritis.

Organic basis of gastrointestinal symptoms is in the scope of many specialists. In this article lymphocytic gastritis, relatively newly described and not widely-known entity is presented. The lesion is characterized by presence of numerous mature lymphocytes in the surface and foveolar epithelium, as well as lymphocytic infiltration of the lamina propria. According to the definition at least 25 lymphocytes per 100 gastric epithelial cells is now required for the diagnosis. Literature found in wide range of databases was searched for morphological features of lymphocytic gastritis and its relationship with others coexisting or predisposing conditions or lesions. A strong positive correlation between celiac disease and Helicobacter pylori infection, and occurrence and severity of lymphocytic gastritis was revealed. A relationship was also found between lymphocytic gastritis and gastric lymphomas and other conditions.

Malakoplakia of the urinary system.

Malakoplakia is regarded as a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease with a good prognosis. It usually affects the urinary system, especially the urinary bladder. Bacterial infections, including E. coli are thought to be the main factor in pathogenesis. It frequently coexists with chronic diseases and immunosuppression state. Histopathological examination of affected tissue samples is thought to be the best diagnostic method. The basic microscopic feature is mixed inflammatory infiltration containing foamy histiocytes known as von Hansemann cells, frequently with basophilic inclusions known as Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Symptoms and the clinical course of malakoplakia depend on location and the extent of the lesions. The lesion is treated successfully with antibiotic therapy and surgical excision.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign disease that rarely undergoes malignant transformation. There are two types of disease: localized (nodular tenosynovitis) and di used (pigmented villonodular synovitis/tenosynovitis) with intra- or extra-articular locations. The second one is limited to synovium of the burse (PVNB) or tendon sheath (PVNTS). The intraarticular lesions are usually located in the knee, hip, ankle and elbow joints. Histologically, PVNS is a tenosynovial giant cell tumor, characterized by proliferation of two types of mononuclear cells - predominantly small, histiocyte-like cells and larger cells with dense cytoplasm, reniform or lobulated nucleus, with accompanying multinucleated giant cells and macrophages overloaded with hemosiderin that give typical image on MRI - currently selected as a gold standard for its diagnosis. The classic X-ray and CT are non-specific but similar to ultrasound should be used to evaluate disease progression and treatment response if radiotherapeutic and pharmacological methods were selected for treatment. An open arthroscopic surgery could also be applied in selected cases.