Uncommon hereditary gynaecological tumour syndromes: pathological features in tumours that may predict risk for a germline mutation

Validity of ultrasound with color Doppler to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumours

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of ultrasound and color Doppler and the Accuracy of International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group classification in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian neoplasms to assess benign or malignant histopathology in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors.

METHODS

This observational longitudinal prospective analysis of 60 patients was performed over a period of 2 years (2017- 2019). The mean age of the patients was 43.75 years. Ultrasonography of ovarian masses were evaluated, and cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) levels were evaluated. Based on the IOTA classification, the B and M features of adnexal masses were studied. Color Doppler imaging was performed to evaluate the patterns of vascularity and indices.

RESULTS

Sixty patients with 35 benign, 23 malignant, and two borderline lesions were included in the study. In malignant lesions, 17 women (73.9%) were above the age of 45. The CA-125 cut off was ≥35 internatioal units/mL. Based on the IOTA classification, 27/35 (77.1%) benign cases, were correctly identified as benign, 6/35 (17.1%) benign cases were incorrectly identified as malignant, and two (5.7%) were found to be inconclusive. In the malignant group, 17 of the 23 patients were identified as having malignancy. Color Doppler showed three (18.8%) benign tumors had a pulsatality index (PI) of <0.8 and 21 malignant tumors had a PI of <0.8. Four benign tumors had an resistive index (RI) of <0.6 and 100% of malignant tumors had an RI <0.6.

CONCLUSION

The IOTA classification is a reliable scoring system for adnexal masses, and color Doppler can help to minimize interobserver variation.

Gastric-phenotype Mucinous Carcinoma of the Fallopian Tube with Secondary Ovarian Involvement in a Woman with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: A Case Report

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by the association of hamartomatous polyps in the digestive tract, mucocutaneous pigmentation, family history, and infrequently tumors of the female genital tract with one of the most characteristic being the gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with a history of gastrointestinal polyps and cancer of the pancreas and breast, diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, who clinically debuted with a primary adnexal tumor. However, on histologic examination it was found to be a gastric-phenotype primary mucinous carcinoma tubal in origin, associated to tubal mucinous metaplasia and secondary ovarian involvement. One of her daughters had a confirmed genetic diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and presented with mucinous metaplasia of the tubal mucosa in the pathological study of a prophylactic hysterectomy specimen. Another of her daughters died from an ovarian juvenile granulosa cell tumor, she did not have a genetic diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. This case intends to highlight the rarity of gastrointestinal-type mucinous carcinomas of the ovary and fallopian tube (similar to gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma) in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and emphasize the importance of genetic counseling of these patients as well as the adequate sampling of surgical specimens for early detection and treatment.

BAP1 Tumor Predisposition Syndrome Presenting as a Recurrent Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal Tumor

The BRCA1-associated protein 1 ( BAP1 ) gene encodes a tumor suppressor that functions as a ubiquitin hydrolase involved in DNA damage repair. BAP1 germline mutations are associated with increased risk of multiple solid malignancies, including mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and high-grade rhabdoid meningiomas. Here, we describe the case of a 52-yr-old woman who experienced multiple abdominal recurrences of an ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor that was originally diagnosed at age 25 and who was found to have a germline mutation in BAP1 and a family history consistent with BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome. Recurrence of the sex cord-stromal tumor demonstrated loss of BAP1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Although ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors have been described in mouse models of BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome, this relationship has not been previously described in humans and warrants further investigation. The case presentation, tumor morphology, and immunohistochemical findings have overlapping characteristics with peritoneal mesotheliomas, and this case represents a potential pitfall for surgical pathologists.

Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix in a woman with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a predisposition to the development of multiple neoplasms. Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma (GAS), a new variant of carcinoma of the cervix according to 2014 WHO classification, is less common compared with squamous cell carcinoma, is more aggressive and has a lower 5-year survival rate compared with the usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma, and is also unrelated to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

CASE SUMMARY

We herein present the case of a 32-year-old patient with PJS who was diagnosed with GAS of the cervix. The patient was not sexually active and had been diagnosed with PJS at 2 years of age. A tumor ∼6 cm was found on the cervix and was diagnosed as GAS of the cervix of clinical-stage IB3. The patient was treated with intra-arterial chemotherapy for one course, followed by radical surgery and then systematic chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The present case highlights the need for more thorough cancer screening for patients with PJS, as this disorder is rare and is associated with a high risk of malignancies. Young patients with PJS, including those who are not sexually active, who present with watery vaginal discharge or bleeding should be screened for cervical carcinoma, even if the cytological results or HPV tests are negative.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Skin manifestations and endocrine anomalies (Review)

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a rare autosomal dominant serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11)/ liver kinase B1 (LKB1) gene-related genodermatosis, is characterized by oral hyperpigmentation (OHP); multiple gastro-intestinal mucosal benign hamartomatous polyps causing local bleeding, occlusion, intussusception, post-resection small bowel syndrome, associated increased risk of small intestinal cancer (incidence during the third decade); and 76% cumulative higher risk than the global population of developing non-gastrointestinal tumors (female predominance) including ovarian/testicular neoplasia, pancreatic and gynecologic (breast, uterus, ovarian) cancers. Suggestive PJS-associated OHP requires STK11 genetic testing. Abdominal pain in an OHP patient may be related to PJS-associated polyps. Other features include focal depigmentation followed by hyperpigmentation, and xeroderma pigmentosum-like lesions. The severity of the dermatological findings is correlated with gastrointestinal polyps. The STK11 gene is linked to reserve of primordial follicles, polycystic ovary syndrome, female fertility, and spermatogenesis. PJS is associated with 2 types of ovarian sex-cord stroma tumors (SCSTs): annular tubules (SCTATs) and pure Sertoli cell tumors. SCSTs accounts for 8% of ovarian cancer and SCTATs represents 2% of SCST, which may be associated with the overproduction of progesterone. PJS-SCTAT vs. non-PJS-SCTAT reveals bilateral/multifocal, small tumors with a benign behavior vs. a unique ovarian, large tumor with increased malignant/metastasis risk. Male precocious puberty is due to large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (LCCSCTs). Notably, 30-40% of LCCSCTs are caused by PJS or Carney complex. PJS-LCCSCT is not aggressive, but it may be bilateral/multifocal, with the ultrasound hallmark being micro-calcifications. Testicular, intra-tubular large cell hyalinizing Sertoli cell tumor is the second testicle neoplasia in PJS. The skin and mucosal lesions are useful markers of PJS, assisting with the early identification of hamartomatouspolyps and initiation of serial surveillance of ovarian, or testicular neoplasia.

A Review of Breast Cancer Risk Factors in Adolescents and Young Adults

Simple Summary

Cancer diagnosed in patients between the ages of 15 and 39 deserves special consideration. Diagnoses within this cohort of adolescents and young adults include childhood cancers which present at an older age than expected, or an early presentation of cancers that are typically observed in older adults, such as breast cancer. Cancers within this age group are associated with worse disease-free and overall survival rates, and the incidence of these cases are rising. Knowing an individual’s susceptibility to disease can change their clinical management and allow for the risk-testing of relatives. This review discusses the risk factors that contribute to breast cancer in this unique cohort of patients, including inherited genetic risk factors, as well as environmental and lifestyle factors. We also describe risk models that allow clinicians to quantify a patient’s lifetime risk of developing disease.

Abstract

Cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) deserves special consideration for several reasons. AYA cancers encompass paediatric malignancies that present at an older age than expected, or early-onset of cancers that are typically observed in adults. However, disease diagnosed in the AYA population is distinct to those same cancers which are diagnosed in a paediatric or older adult setting. Worse disease-free and overall survival outcomes are observed in the AYA setting, and the incidence of AYA cancers is increasing. Knowledge of an individual’s underlying cancer predisposition can influence their clinical care and may facilitate early tumour surveillance strategies and cascade testing of at-risk relatives. This information can further influence reproductive decision making. In this review we discuss the risk factors contributing to AYA breast cancer, such as heritable predisposition, environmental, and lifestyle factors. We also describe a number of risk models which incorporate genetic factors that aid clinicians in quantifying an individual’s lifetime risk of disease.

Non-invasive Technology Advances in Cancer-A Review of the Advances in the Liquid Biopsy for Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers

Improving cancer survival rates globally requires improvements in disease detection and monitoring, with the aim of improving early diagnosis and prediction of disease relapse. Traditional means of detecting and monitoring cancers rely largely on imaging and, where possible, blood-based protein biomarkers, many of which are non-specific. Treatments are being improved by identification of inherited and acquired genomic aberrations in tumors, some of which can be targeted by newly developed therapeutic interventions. Treatment of gynecological malignancy is progressively moving toward personalized therapy, as exemplified by application of PARP-inhibition for patients with BRCA-deficient tubo-ovarian cancers, or checkpoint inhibition in patients with mismatch repair-deficient disease. However, the more recent discovery of a group of biomarkers described under the umbrella term of “liquid biopsy” promises significant improvement in our ability to detect and monitor cancers. The term “liquid biopsy” is used to describe an array of tumor-derived material found in blood plasma and other bodily fluids such as ascites, pleural fluid, saliva, and urine. It includes circulating tumors cells (CTCs), circulating nucleic acids including DNA, messenger RNA and micro RNAs, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). In this review, we discuss recent advancements in liquid biopsy for biomarker detection to help in diagnosis, prognosis, and planning of treatment of ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Genetic and Epidemiological Similarities, and Differences Between Postoperative Intraperitoneal Adhesion Development and Other Benign Fibro-proliferative Disorders

Intraperitoneal adhesions complicate over half of abdominal-pelvic surgeries with immediate, short, and long-term sequelae of major healthcare concern. The pathogenesis of adhesion development is similar to the pathogenesis of wound healing in all tissues, which if unchecked result in production of fibrotic conditions. Given the similarities, we explore the published literature to highlight the similarities in the pathogenesis of intra-abdominal adhesion development (IPAD) and other fibrotic diseases such as keloids, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and pulmonary, intraperitoneal, and retroperitoneal fibrosis. Following a literature search using PubMed database for all relevant English language articles up to November 2020, we reviewed relevant articles addressing the genetic and epidemiological similarities and differences in the pathogenesis and pathobiology of fibrotic diseases. We found genetic and epidemiological similarities and differences between the pathobiology of postoperative IPAD and other diseases that involve altered fibroblast-derived cells. We also found several genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms that are up- or downregulated and whose products directly or indirectly increase the propensity for postoperative adhesion development and other fibrotic diseases. An understanding of the similarities in pathophysiology of adhesion development and other fibrotic diseases contributes to a greater understanding of IPAD and these disease processes. At a very fundamental level, blocking changes in the expression or function of genes necessary for the transformation of normal to altered fibroblasts may curtail adhesion formation and other fibrotic disease since this is a prerequisite for their development. Similarly, applying measures to induce apoptosis of altered fibroblast may do the same; however, apoptosis should be at a desired level to simultaneously ameliorate development of fibrotic diseases while allowing for normal healing. Scientists may use such information to develop pharmacologic interventions for those most at risk for developing these fibrotic conditions.

TERT Gene Fusions Characterize a Subset of Metastatic Leydig Cell Tumors

OBJECTIVE

Metastatic Leydig cell tumors (LCT) are rare, difficult-to-treat malignancies without known underlying molecular-genetic events. An index case of metastatic LCT showed an LDLR-TERT gene fusion upon routine genetic profiling for detection of therapeutic targets, which was then followed by an investigation into a cohort of additional LCTs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine LCT (27 male and 2 female patients) were profiled using next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

TERT gene fusions were detected only in testicular metastatic LCTs, in 3 of 7 successfully analyzed cases (RMST:TERT, LDLR:TERT, and B4GALT5:TERT). TOP1 and CCND3 amplifications were identified in the case with a B4GALT5:TERT fusion. A TP53 mutation was detected in 1 metastatic tumor without a TERT fusion. Five primary (4 testicular and 1 ovarian) LCTs showed multiple gene amplifications, without a consistent pattern. A single metastatic ovarian LCT showed BAP1 mutation and copy number amplifications affecting the NPM1, PCM1, and SS18 genes. At the protein level, 4 of 7 metastatic and 6 of 10 primary testicular LCTs overexpressed Topo1. Androgen receptor was overexpressed in 10 of 13 primary testicular tumors and 2 of 5 metastatic testicular LCTs (without detectable ARv7 messenger RNA or ARv7 protein). Only 1 metastatic testicular LCT exhibited a high tumor mutational burden; all tested cases were microsatellite instability stable and did not express programmed cell death ligand 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study for the first time identified TERT gene fusions as a main genetic alteration and a potential therapeutic target in metastatic LCTs. Topo1 and androgen receptor may guide decisions on chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy for selected individual patients.

Genomic alterations in gynecological malignancies: histotype-associated driver mutations, molecular subtyping schemes, and tumorigenic mechanisms

There are numerous histological subtypes (histotypes) of gynecological malignancies, with each histotype considered to largely reflect a feature of the "cell of origin," and to be tightly linked with the clinical behavior and biological phenotype of the tumor. The recent advances in massive parallel sequencing technologies have provided a more complete picture of the range of the genomic alterations that can persist within individual tumors, and have highlighted the types and frequencies of driver-gene mutations and molecular subtypes often associated with these histotypes. Several large-scale genomic cohorts, including the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), have been used to characterize the genomic features of a range of gynecological malignancies, including high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, uterine cervical carcinoma, and uterine carcinosarcoma. These datasets have also been pivotal in identifying clinically relevant molecular targets and biomarkers, and in the construction of molecular subtyping schemes. In addition, the recent widespread use of clinical sequencing for the more ubiquitous types of gynecological cancer has manifested in a series of large genomic datasets that have allowed the characterization of the genomes, driver mutations, and histotypes of even rare cancer types, with sufficient statistical power. Here, we review the field of gynecological cancer, and seek to describe the genomic features by histotype. We also will demonstrate how these are linked with clinicopathological attributes and highlight the potential tumorigenic mechanisms.

Clinicopathological and Molecular Differences Between Gastric-type Mucinous Carcinoma and Usual-type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

BACKGROUND/AIM

We investigated differences in the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics between gastric-type mucinous carcinoma (GMC) and usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected the clinicopathological information and performed targeted genomic sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

GMCs exhibited significantly deeper invasion depth, larger horizontal spread, more advanced stage, more frequent distant metastasis, and more frequent parametrial and vaginal extension. Disease-free survival time of GMC patients was significantly shorter than that of UEA patients. GMCs displayed mutant p53 immunostaining pattern, whereas UEAs exhibited p16 block positivity. GMCs harbored mutations in KRAS, TP53, NF1, CDKN2A, STK11, and ARID1A. One GMC exhibited MDM2 amplification. In contrast, UEAs harbored mutations in HRAS, PIK3CA, and BRCA2. Two UEAs were found to have novel TP53 mutations.

CONCLUSION

GMC is associated with more aggressive behavior than UEA. Distinctive p53 and p16 immunostaining patterns enable differential diagnosis. GMC and UEA exhibit genetic heterogeneity with potentially actionable molecular alterations.

Hereditary ovarian tumour syndromes: current update on genetics and imaging

Hereditary ovarian tumour syndromes are a diverse group of hereditary syndromes characterised by the development of specific histotypes of ovarian neoplasms. While BRCA syndromes are exclusively associated with high-grade serous carcinomas, patients with Lynch syndrome show a preponderance of endometrioid subtype of ovarian and endometrial carcinomas. Distinct non-epithelial phenotypes, such as sex cord stromal tumours with annular tubules, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours, and small cell carcinoma of the hypercalcaemic type occur in patients with Peutz-Jeghers, DICER1, and rhabdoid tumour predisposition syndromes, respectively. Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is characterised by the development of bilateral, multiple ovarian fibromas in 14-24% of patients. Ovarian steroid cell tumours and broad ligament papillary cystadenomas are characteristically found in women with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Recent studies have allowed the characterisation of tumour genetics and associated oncological pathways that contribute to tumourigenesis. Implications of the diagnosis of these syndromes on screening, management, and prognosis are discussed.

Putting morphology to the test: An established classification scheme reliably stratifies salivary gland cytology by risk of malignancy with substantial interobserver agreement

BACKGROUND

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology describes several salivary gland fine-needle aspiration cytology (SGFNAC) morphologies developed by Griffith et al. Basaloid neoplasms are pleomorphic (PB) or monomorphic with fibrillary (MBFib), hyaline (MBHy), or other (MBOther) matrix. Oncocytoid neoplasms can be pleomorphic (PO), demonstrate granular and/or vacuolated cytoplasm (OGV), or be monomorphic with mucinous (MOMuc), cystic (MOCyst), or other (MOOther) background. In the current study, the authors explore interobserver agreement (IOA) and risk of malignancy (ROM) for these subcategories.

METHODS

The study included 169 SGFNAC cases with surgical follow-up. Four reviewers categorized these cases using the criteria of Griffith et al. with consensus determined by majority. For all morphologic categories, IOA (using the Fleiss kappa) and ROM were calculated.

RESULTS

ROMs for basaloid categories were: PB: 100% (1 of 1 case); MBHy: 71.4% (5 of 7 cases); MBFib: 50.0% (3 of 6 cases); and MBOther: 47.4% (9 of 19 cases). ROMs for oncocytoid neoplasms were: OGV: 100% (10 of 10 cases); MOMuc: 92.3% (12 of 13 cases); PO: 88.9% (8 of 9 cases); MOOther: 33.3% (5 of 15 cases); and MOCyst: 0 (0 of 1 case). The system demonstrated substantial agreement overall (κ = 0.69). For basaloid neoplasms, the IOA results were: MBHy: κ = 0.59; MBFib: κ = 0.41; MBOther: κ = 0.41; and PB: κ = 0.11. For oncocytoid neoplasms, the IOA results were: MOMuc: κ = 0.88; OGV: κ = 0.67; PO: κ = 0.63; MOOther: κ = 0.57; and MOCyst: κ = 0.18.

CONCLUSIONS

The SGFNAC scheme proposed by Griffith et al. and incorporated into the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology demonstrated substantial agreement overall, with particularly high agreement for the MOMuc, OGV, PO, and MBHy categories. The PB and MOCyst categories demonstrated slight agreement and may be improved by revised criteria. The PB, PO, MOMuc, and OGV categories demonstrated high ROM, and the latter 2 categories might best be classified as suspicious for malignancy.

Endometrial Gastric (Gastrointestinal)-type Mucinous Lesions: Report of a Series Illustrating the Spectrum of Benign and Malignant Lesions

With the recent elucidation of gastric-type lesions in the female genital tract (especially in the cervix), occasional cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma displaying gastric (gastrointestinal) differentiation have been reported, but they are currently not recognized as a distinct pathologic entity. We report 9 cases of endometrial mucinous lesions which exhibit gastric (gastrointestinal)-type features by morphology and immunohistochemistry, including 4 adenocarcinomas and 5 benign mucinous lesions, in patients aged 32 to 85. The adenocarcinomas showed gastric-type morphology in all 4 cases and goblet cells in 1, with a component of benign gastric-type mucinous glands in 1 case. Immunohistochemically, the adenocarcinomas were positive for CK7 (4/4), CEA (4/4), MUC6 (3/3), PAX8 (3/4), CK20 (2/4), CDX2 (2/4), and estrogen receptor (1/4). They were negative for Napsin A (0/3), with mutation-type p53 staining in 2/4 cases, block-type p16 positivity in 1/4, and scattered chromogranin-positive cells in 1/2. Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed nonsense mutation in RB1 gene for the case with block-positive p16. Follow-up was available in all adenocarcinoma cases and indicated aggressive behavior; 2 patients were dead of disease at follow-up of 7 months to 3 years, 1 was alive with progression at 9 months, and 1 was alive without disease at 7 months. The benign mucinous lesions (including the benign component in 1 adenocarcinoma) exhibited gastric-type morphologic features in 5/6 cases, goblet cells in 5/6, and Paneth-like neuroendocrine cells in 1/6. These benign mucinous lesions were associated with an endometrial polyp in 5/6 cases. Cytologic atypia was present in 2/6 cases and a lobular architecture resembling cervical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia in 4/6. Immunohistochemically, the benign mucinous lesions were positive for CK7 (5/5), CDX2 (5/6), estrogen receptor (4/5), MUC6 (4/5), CK20 (3/5), PAX8 (3/5), and CEA (2/4), with scattered chromogranin-positive cells in 4/4 cases; in all cases tested Napsin A was negative, p53 was wild-type and p16 was negative. We propose the term "endometrial gastric (gastrointestinal)-type adenocarcinoma" for this distinctive group of rare aggressive endometrial carcinomas. We believe that benign or atypical gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucinous lesions are putative precursors for these adenocarcinomas, comparable to recognized premalignant gastric-type lesions in the cervix and the vagina. Future recognition and reporting of these gastric-type endometrial mucinous lesions will help delineate their pathogenesis and clinical significance.

Imaging in pediatric ovarian tumors

The spectrum of ovarian tumors in the pediatric population differs significantly from that in adults. Germ cell tumors are the predominant class of ovarian tumors in children, whereas epithelial tumors are the most common in adults. Ultrasonography is the modality of choice for the initial evaluation of pediatric ovarian tumors. Determining the diagnosis based on imaging may prove difficult, and combining the imaging findings with the clinical scenario is very helpful in reaching a differential diagnosis during clinical practice. We will discuss the spectrum of ovarian neoplasms in the pediatric population and describe their clinical, pathologic, and imaging characteristics. A few unique entities related to ovarian tumors, such as growing teratoma syndrome, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, and hereditary ovarian tumor syndromes, are also discussed. In addition, we will review several entities that may mimic ovarian neoplasms as well as their distinct imaging features.

Molecular characterization of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma using next-generation sequencing

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma is an uncommon aggressive type of endocervical adenocarcinoma that is not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). At present, this tumor is classified under the spectrum of mucinous carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The clinical stage of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma at the time of diagnosis is usually more advanced compared to the HPV-associated endocervical adenocarcinoma. Widespread dissemination to unusual sites, such as omentum, peritoneum, and distant organs, can be present. Owing to its rare incidence, diagnostic dilemmas, and aggressive behavior, clinical management can be challenging. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular characteristics of these tumors by using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to assess 161 unique cancer-driver genes for single-nucleotide and copy-number variations, gene fusions, and insertions/deletions within gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma tumors. In total, 92 variants were detected across the 14 samples tested (7 variants on average per tumor). TP53 was the most recurrently mutated gene followed by MSH6, CDKN2A/B, POLE, SLX4, ARID1A, STK11, BRCA2, and MSH2. Abnormal p53 expression was observed in nine cases by immunohistochemistry, of which TP53 variants were present in four cases. MDM2 gene amplification in 12q15 (69202190-69233452) locus was seen in two cases that express normal p53 levels by immunohistochemistry. Four cases had STK11 null (frameshift/nonsense) variants, three of which were previously reported in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Overall, genes that are implicated in DNA damage, repair, cell cycle, Fanconi anemia pathway, and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathways were found to be mutated. Of note, genes known to have acquired and/or inherited variants in endometrial tumors were enriched within our cohort. In conclusion, our study shows the genetic heterogeneity of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma with some potentially actionable molecular alterations, which highlights the importance of further molecular characterization for better identification of this rare entity, and hence better clinical management.

A Comprehensive Review of Ovarian Serous Carcinoma

Although ovarian serous carcinoma is a well-studied human gynecologic malignancy, this high-grade tumor remains fatal. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the accumulated evidence on serous malignant tumors and to clarify the unresolved issues. We discuss the 8 dichotomies of serous carcinoma: high grade versus low grade, ovarian versus extraovarian primary, extrauterine versus uterine primary, sporadic versus hereditary, orthodox versus alternative histology, p53 overexpression versus complete absence of immunophenotype, TP53-mutated versus intact precursor, and therapy responsive versus refractory. In addition, we summarize the molecular classification of high-grade serous carcinoma. This review would lead readers to rapid and parallel developments in understanding high-grade serous carcinoma.

Expression of TRA2B in endometrial carcinoma and its regulatory roles in endometrial carcinoma cells

Expression levels of Transformer 2 protein homolog beta (TRA2B) in patients with endometrial carcinoma were assessed to investigate the impact of TRA2B on endometrial carcinoma cells. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of several genes in the tissue samples from patients with endometrial cancer (EC) to identify whether cancer related genes we chose are differently expressed between the endometrial carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues. The results of RT-qPCR analysis, western blot technology and immunofluorescence method consistently manifested that the expression of several genes in endometrial carcinoma tissue was significantly dysregulated between the two groups. Among the dysregulated genes, the strongly upregulated TRA2B in the tissues and serum from patients with EC was selected for further analysis. Endometrial carcinoma cells were transfected with chemically synthesized TRA2B plasmid, siRNA-TRA2B and their corresponding negative control respectively to assess the effects of TRA2B on the EC cells. Overexpression of TRA2B increased both the cell viability and proliferation potency of EC cells. Whereas, the viability and the proliferation ability of EC cells were strongly decreased by siRNA-TRA2B treatment. Furthermore, the invasion of EC cells was promoted by transfection of TRA2B and overexpression of TRA2B decreased the apoptosis of EC cells. Moreover, siRNA-TRA2B transfection inhibited the invasion but accelerated apoptosis of EC cells. Our results demonstrated that TRA2B is closely related to the development of endometrial carcinoma, and inhibition of TRA2B can decrease viability, proliferation and invasion of endometrial carcinoma, suggesting TRA2B is associated with the pathogenesis of human EC. Knockdown of TRA2B may be used for treatment of endometrial carcinoma, furthermore, these findings suggest an experimental foundation to clinical prognostic role of TRA2B in patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis with novel somatic KIT mutation K509I and association with tuberous sclerosis

Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) is a rare but potentially fatal condition when diagnosis and targeted treatments are delayed. This case illustrates the life-threatening complications in DCM and reviews the currently available treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mastocytosis with somatic K509I mutation and concomitant tuberous sclerosis.