Cytomorphologic features of metastatic endometrioid carcinoma by fine needle aspiration

Molecular Insights into Endometrial Cancer in Mice

Pluripotent, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and the 'progenitors' endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) along with associated molecular changes in endometrial cancer, that developed seven months after neonatal exposure to estradiol in one of the sixty mice, were studied in the present study. Endocrine disruption affected both endometrium and myometrium, there was accumulation of endometrial fluid and significant hyperplasia. Disrupted endometrial-myometrial junction resulted in mobilization of myometrial cells into endometrium and epithelial and stromal cells into myometrium suggestive of adenomyosis. Markers specific for VSELs/ EnSCs (OCT-4, NANOG, SSEA-1, SCA-1, c-KIT) showed increased expression in uterine sections and marked upregulation of corresponding transcripts (Oct-4A, Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog, Sca-1, c-Kit) was noted in RNA extracted from both uterine tissue and stem cells enriched from endometrial fluid. Hormonal receptors (ER-α, ER-β, PR, FSHR) were upregulated in both tumor sections and in endometrial fluid. ER-β and FSHR (Fshr3) expression was prominent suggesting a major role in endometrial cancer. Cancer cells showed global hypomethylation (reduced expression of 5-methyl cytosine), reduced expression of tumor suppressor gene (PTEN) and increased expression of cancer stem cells marker (CD166) which suggested dysregulation and aberrant oncogenic events. Increased expression of PCNA, Ki67, SOX-9 suggested excessive proliferation and hyperplasia which are predominant signs of endometrial cancer. Results suggest that VSELs increase in numbers and possibly transform into cancer stem cells (co-express CD166 and OCT-4) in endometrial cancer. Expression of OCT-4, CD133, ALDHA1 and CD166 in side-population cells from human endometrial cancer samples suggests a possible role of VSELs in human endometrial cancer as well.

Axillary Nodal Metastasis with Papillary Morphology: An Uncommon Origin

BACKGROUND

Metastases to axillary lymph nodes are commonly and readily confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Most likely, these arise from breast primaries. However, the diagnosis can become complicated when unusual cytomorphology is encountered.

CASE

We report a 60-year-old woman presenting with bilateral axillary lymphadenopathies but without breast lesions. History showed increasing CA-125 levels. FNAC yielded carcinoma cells showing prominent papillary pattern, being composed of mild to moderately differentiated malignant cells, with focal abortive glandular formation and squamous metaplasia. IHC stains were done and the tumor cells were PAX-8 positive, but GATA-3 and GCDFP-15 negative. Coupled with the clinical history, a diagnosis of metastatic endometrioid adenocarcinoma was made.

CONCLUSION

Nodal metastases with papillary cytomorphology can rarely arise from nonbreast primaries. The presence of papillary pattern, particularly in the absence of a clinically detectable breast lesion, should raise the possibility of a metastasis. Correlation with patient history, imaging findings and judicious use of IHC studies are crucial for a correct diagnosis.