Giant cell tumor of the ovary

Polyploid giant cancer cells and cancer progression

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are an important feature of cellular atypia, the detailed mechanisms of their formation and function remain unclear. PGCCs were previously thought to be derived from repeated mitosis/cytokinesis failure, with no intrinsic ability to proliferate and divide. However, recently, PGCCs have been confirmed to have cancer stem cell (CSC)-like characteristics, and generate progeny cells through asymmetric division, which express epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers to promote invasion and migration. The formation of PGCCs can be attributed to multiple stimulating factors, including hypoxia, chemotherapeutic reagents, and radiation, can induce the formation of PGCCs, by regulating the cell cycle and cell fusion-related protein expression. The properties of CSCs suggest that PGCCs can be induced to differentiate into non-tumor cells, and produce erythrocytes composed of embryonic hemoglobin, which have a high affinity for oxygen, and thereby allow PGCCs survival from the severe hypoxia. The number of PGCCs is associated with metastasis, chemoradiotherapy resistance, and recurrence of malignant tumors. Targeting relevant proteins or signaling pathways related with the formation and transdifferentiation of adipose tissue and cartilage in PGCCs may provide new strategies for solid tumor therapy.

Polyploid giant cancer cells: Unrecognized actuators of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and resistance

Cancer led to the deaths of more than 9 million people worldwide in 2018, and most of these deaths were due to metastatic tumor burden. While in most cases, we still do not know why cancer is lethal, we know that a total tumor burden of 1 kg-equivalent to one trillion cells-is not compatible with life. While localized disease is curable through surgical removal or radiation, once cancer has spread, it is largely incurable. The inability to cure metastatic cancer lies, at least in part, to the fact that cancer is resistant to all known compounds and anticancer drugs. The source of this resistance remains undefined. In fact, the vast majority of metastatic cancers are resistant to all currently available anticancer therapies, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and systemic radiation. Thus, despite decades-even centuries-of research, metastatic cancer remains lethal and incurable. We present historical and contemporary evidence that the key actuators of this process-of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance-are polyploid giant cancer cells.

Urinary bladder leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells: a case report

Background

Bladder leiomyosarcoma is the most frequent mesenchymal neoplasm of the bladder. However, the rarity of the disease and some morphological aspects could give serious problems to differential diagnosis.

Case presentation

A 86-year-old male patient was referred to our institution to undergo endoscopic low-urinary-tract re-evaluation 2 months after the detection of a “low-grade urothelial neoplasia” in urinary cytology. A TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumor) was performed and revealed a tumor extending for 3.5 cm with thin stalk peduncle on the left lateral wall of the bladder, cephalad and lateral to the left ureteral orifice. The exophytic part of the tumor was resected with the underlying bladder wall. Histologically, the tumor showed a quite complex pattern, composed of spindle cells, with often invasion to the surrounding bladder muscular wall, and the presence of numerous multinucleated, osteoclast-like giant cells, scattered throughout the neoplasia.

Conclusions

Here we report a unique case of urinary bladder leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells (OGCs). These cells, confounding the morphological aspect, indeed showed an immunohistochemical phenotype of non-neoplastic origin (most likely a histiocyte/macrophage differentiation). We feel that the presence of the OGCs within this tumor is reactive. Nevertheless, more research is necessary to understand the role of OGCs in urinary bladder tumors and leiomyosarcoma, in paticular.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Uterus: A Report of 3 Cases With a Spectrum of Morphologic Features

Giant cell tumors, a well-recognized neoplasm of bone, can rarely be found in the uterus. Such tumors are characterized by a dual population of mononuclear and osteoclast-like giant cells that lack epithelial and specific mesenchymal differentiation. In this study, the clinicopathologic features of 3 giant cell tumors of the uterus were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry for CD68, CD163, h-caldesmon, desmin, SMA, AE1/AE3, CD10, ER, PR, cyclin D1, CD1a, CD34, CD30, S100, myogenin/myoglobin, and Ki-67 was performed in all tumors, along with ultrastructural analysis in one. The patients were 47, 57, and 59 yr and the tumors measured 2.5, 7.5, and 16.0 cm. One neoplasm was confined to the endometrium, whereas the other 2 were myometrial. All 3 tumors showed a nodular growth comprised of mononuclear and osteoclast-like giant cells. The endometrial-confined tumor consisted of histologically benign mononuclear cells, whereas the others exhibited marked atypia. Mitotic activity was up to 5/10 HPF in the benign tumor and up to 22/10 HPF in the malignant. No cytologic atypia or mitoses were observed in the giant cells. CD68 and CD10 were strongly and diffusely expressed in both components of 3 and 2 neoplasms, respectively. Cyclin D1 was focal in the mononuclear cells and focal to diffuse in the giant cells. CD163 was diffuse in the mononuclear cells, but absent to focal in the giant cells. Ultrastructural analysis lacked diagnostic features of epithelial or specific mesenchymal differentiation. Both malignant tumors demonstrated an aggressive behavior. In summary, although rare, giant cell tumor of the uterus should be included in the differential diagnosis of benign or malignant tumors containing osteoclast-like giant cells.

Pleomorphic Giant Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

Pleomorphic tumors with giant cells have been described in a variety of primary sites. However, only a few cases have been described among prostatic carcinomas with only 1 on diagnostic biopsy material. Five cases were retrieved from the consultation files of one of the authors. One of the cases was retrieved from the surgical pathology files at our institute. Patient ranged in age from 59 to 76 years (mean=65.8 y). The diagnosis was made on needle biopsy (n=3), urethral biopsy (n=1), transurethral resection (n=1), or radical prostatectomy (n=1). In all cases, giant, bizarre, anaplastic cells were present. In 4 of the cases, marked pleomorphism occupied 5% of the specimen, with 20% and 70% bizarre giant cells in the other 2 cases. In one case, the bizarre cells had atypical mitotic figures, with other cases showing no mitoses in the markedly pleomorphic cells. In addition to the pleomorphic giant cell component, multiple coexistent histologic components were seen including Gleason score 9 conventional prostate cancer (n=6), small cell carcinoma (n=1), squamous carcinoma (n=1), and prominent ductal adenocarcinoma differentiation with intraductal spread (n=1). Immunohistochemically, 4 cases were for negative for prostate-specific antigen in the giant cells, 1 had 5% staining, and the other had 50% positivity in the giant cells. Staining for prostate-specific antigen in the conventional prostate carcinoma component was 1%, 5%, 20%, 50%, 100%, and 100%. The bizarre giant cells were strongly positive for cytokeratins AE1/AE3 and/or Cam 5.2 (n=3). Two cases had a history of conventional prostate cancer 4 years before the giant cell component, 1 treated with Lupron and the other with radiation. Follow-up after diagnosis of the giant cell component: Case 1: dead in 1 year of disease; Case 2: progressive metastases in 2 years; Case 3: alive at 1 year with disease; Case 4: large perineal recurrence after brachytherapy at 3 years; Case 5: radical prostatectomy with extraprostatic extension and seminal vesicle invasion; and Case 6: alive at 3 months, free of disease. Conventional prostate cancer, even when very high grade, typically consists of cells with relatively uniform nuclei. Our study expands the histology described in prostate cancer to include in very rare cases with prominent pleomorphism and bizarre giant cells. This giant cell component heralds a particularly aggressive clinical outcome.

Pleomorphic Giant Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate

We report the clinical and pathologic features of 2 cases of pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma of the prostate. One case was found at autopsy in a 77-year-old man and was composed of high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma with prominent anaplastic giant cells. The patient presented with metastases to multiple retroperitoneal lymph nodes, liver, and lumbar vertebrae. The second case occurred in a 45-year-old man who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and was found to have high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma with an extensive anaplastic giant cell component. The patient presented with distant metastases and died within 9 months. Both regular adenocarcinoma and anaplastic giant tumor cells displayed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for prostate-specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase, and keratin AE1/AE3; in one case, scattered cells were also positive for chromogranin and epithelial membrane antigen. Pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma is a rare variant of prostatic adenocarcinoma with a poor prognosis that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of prostatic pleomorphic tumors.

A malignant ovarian tumor with osteoclast-like giant cells

Neoplasms that are composed focally, predominantly, or exclusively of osteoclast-like giant cells admixed with variably pleomorphic mononuclear cells have been described in a wide variety of organs. In this report, we describe the case of a 76-year-old woman with an 8-cm tumor that appeared to be localized to the ovary, that was composed predominantly of diffusely distributed, bland-appearing osteoclast-like giant cells admixed with pleomorphic mononuclear cells, and that was not associated with an ovarian cystic neoplasm. Hemorrhage, large zones of necrosis, and a high mitotic index were the other characteristics of the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the mononuclear cells were strongly positive for vimentin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and were negative for keratin AE 1/3, CAM 5.2, cytokeratin 7, epithelial membrane antigen, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, desmin, smooth muscle actin, p53, leukocyte common antigen, S-100, inhibin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and CD68. The osteoclast-like giant cells displayed immunoreactivity for CD68, vimentin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and leukocyte common antigen only. Ultrastructurally, rare intercellular junctions were present between mononuclear cells, suggestive of an epithelial histogenesis. Less than a dozen ovarian lesions with the "giant cell" designation have been described, and most of these cases are thought to be analogous to the "sarcoma-like" nodules or other such lesions that have a well-known association with ovarian cystic neoplasms. Our case, in contrast, did not have an easily identifiable epithelial component and demonstrated both an infiltrative border and vascular invasion. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first detailed clinicopathologic description of such a case as an ovarian lesion.

Metaplastic (infarcted) Warthin's tumour of the parotid gland: a possible consequence of fine needle aspiration biopsy

AIMS

The metaplastic (or infarcted) variant of Warthin's tumour is characterized by replacement of much of the original oncocytic epithelium by metaplastic squamous cells, along with areas of extensive necrosis, fibrosis and inflammatory change. The pathogenesis is unknown, but it is most likely to be vascular in origin. An association with a previous fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been suggested, and this is explored further.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nine metaplastic Warthin's tumours were collected from several centres: all arose in the parotid gland, and all showed the characteristic histological features. Eight had previously undergone FNA some 1-4 months before surgery; the other case had had an incisional biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to recognize metaplastic Warthin's tumour, because the differential diagnoses of this benign neoplasm include mucoepidermoid and squamous carcinoma, both primary and metastatic. The tumours in this study followed FNA or biopsy, and we believe this association is unlikely to be coincidental. Although many metaplastic Warthin's tumours clearly arise spontaneously, we conclude that the balance of probabilities favours the view that FNA is capable of causing metaplastic change in a Warthin's tumour, and may have done so in these cases. If so, this previously unusual subtype will become increasingly common, as FNA becomes more widely used (and its value appreciated) in the investigation of patients with a mass in the neck.

Ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with sarcoma-like mural nodules

A rare case of ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with sarcoma-like mural nodules is reported. Macroscopically, nodular or granular lesions were scattered over the inner surface of a huge, multilocular tumor in the left ovary. The histopathological features were consistent with those of previously documented cases, except significant squamous metaplasia in the present case. The pleomorphic sarcoma-like cells showed a positive reaction for vimentin and alpha-antichymotrypsin but were negative for carcinoembryonic antigen and common epithelial membrane antigen by immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopically, the tumor cells had neither desmosomes nor secretory granules, but they possessed abundant intermediate filaments. Both immunostaining and ultrastructure suggested that the sarcoma-like nodules were derived from reactive proliferation of fibrohistiocytic cells. The fibrohistiocytic reaction seemed to occur in response to hemorrhage, because hemorrhage was reported to be associated with the mural nodules in most of the previous cases as well as ours.

Giant cell tumor of the lung: an autopsy case report with immunohistochemical observations

Tumors resembling giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone are well known to occur in other organs and many cases have been reported to date. While GCT occurring as primary lesions in the lung are extremely rare, the authors experienced such a tumor at an autopsy of a 77 year old woman and subsequently performed histological and immunohistochemical examinations. The clinical and morphologic characteristics of this case are documented, and the literature concerning this type of tumor is reviewed. The present tumor of the lung was histologically characterized by proliferation of benign-looking osteoclast-like giant cells in association with slightly atypical mononuclear cells. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for histiocytic markers but negative for epithelial markers. This case appears to be the first reported benign giant cell tumor of the lung in which histiocytic differentiation of mononuclear cells was suggested by immunohistochemistry.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder with osteoclast-type giant cells: a report of two cases and review of the literature

We report two transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder containing numerous osteoclast-type giant cells that stained for vimentin and acid phosphatase (with and without tartrate) and were negative for cytokeratin and lysozyme. One tumour, in a 65-year-old man, was composed of papillary transitional cell carcinoma, invasive poorly differentiated carcinoma with a prominent spindle cell component and numerous osteoclast-type giant cells; repeat curettage 2 months later showed no residual tumour. The second tumour occurred in a 75-year-old woman who underwent a radical cystectomy for a deeply invasive transitional cell carcinoma with a spindle and anaplastic giant cell component and areas containing numerous osteoclast-type giant cells. Osteoclast-type giant cells, which appear to be reactive, should be distinguished from the neoplastic giant cells of giant cell carcinoma.

Giant cell tumor of the bladder associated with transitional cell carcinoma

We report in detail the first giant cell tumor associated with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The giant cell tumor was composed of multinucleated giant and mononuclear stromal cells, and was morphologically indistinguishable from giant cell tumor of the bone. The giant and transitional cell carcinomas showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis 8 months after transurethral resection. No histogenetic correlation between the cancers was found.

Giant cell tumor of the kidney

A multinucleated giant cell tumor developed in the left renal pelvis of a 60-year-old man. The tumor was morphologically indistinguishable from giant cell tumor of bone and considered to be both primary and benign, with a follow-up period of one year and no evidence of either recurrence or metastasis.