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Huang Q, Lew E, Cheng Y, Huang K, Deshpande V, Shinagare S, Yuan X, Gold JS, Wiener D, Weber HC. Prognostic factors in clinicopathology of oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma: a single-centre longitudinal study of 347 cases over a 20-year period. Pathology 2024; 56:484-492. [PMID: 38480051 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.12.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) includes oesophageal (EA), gastro-oesophageal junctional (GEJA), and gastric (GA) adenocarcinomas. The prognostic values of clinicopathological factors in these tumours remain obscure, especially for GEJA that has been inconsistently classified and staged. We studied the prognosis of EGA patients among the three geographic groups in 347 consecutive patients with a median age of 70 years (range 47-94). All patients were male, and 97.1% were white. Based on tumour epicentre location, EGAs were sub-grouped into EA (over 2 cm above the GEJ; n=3, 18.1%), GEJA (within 2 cm above and 3 cm below the GEJ; n=231, 66.6%), and GA (over 3 cm below the GEJ; n=53, 15.3%). We found that the median overall survival (OS) was the longest in EA (62.9 months), compared to GEJA (33.4), and GA (38.1) (p<0.001). Significant risk factors for OS included tumour location (p=0.018), size (p<0.001), differentiation (p<0.001), adenocarcinoma subtype (p<0.001), and TNM stage (p<0.001). Independent risk factors for OS comprised low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma [odds ratio (OR) 0.449, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.214-0.944, p<0.05), mixed adenocarcinoma (OR 1.531, 95% CI 1.056-2.218, p<0.05), adenosquamous carcinoma (OR 2.206, 95% CI 1.087-4.475, p<0.05), N stage (OR 1.505, 95% CI 1.043-2.171, p<0.05), and M stage (OR 10.036, 95% CI 2.519-39.993, p=0.001)]. EGA was further divided into low-risk (common well-moderately differentiated tubular and low-grade papillary adenocarcinomas) and high-risk (uncommon adenocarcinoma subtypes, adenosquamous carcinoma) subgroups. In this grouping, the median OS was significantly longer in the low-risk (83 months) than in the high-risk (10 months) subgroups (p<0.001). In conclusion, the prognosis of EGA patients was significantly better in EA than in GEJA or GA and could be stratified into low and high-risk subgroups with significantly different outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Huang
- Department of Pathology of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Edward Lew
- Department of Gastroenterology of VA Boston and Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA, USA
| | - Yuqing Cheng
- Department of Pathology of Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Kevin Huang
- Department of Medicine of Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- Department of Pathology of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shweta Shinagare
- Department of Pathology of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Medicine of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason S Gold
- Department of Surgery of VA Boston, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Wiener
- Department of Surgery of VA Boston, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA, USA
| | - H Christian Weber
- Department of Gastroenterology of VA Boston and Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, West Roxbury, MA, USA
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2
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Fujii M, Sekine S, Sato T. Decoding the basis of histological variation in human cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:141-158. [PMID: 38135758 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular abnormalities that shape human neoplasms dissociate their phenotypic landscape from that of the healthy counterpart. Through the lens of a microscope, tumour pathology optically captures such aberrations projected onto a tissue slide and has categorized human epithelial neoplasms into distinct histological subtypes based on the diverse morphogenetic and molecular programmes that they manifest. Tumour histology often reflects tumour aggressiveness, patient prognosis and therapeutic vulnerability, and thus has been used as a de facto diagnostic tool and for making clinical decisions. However, it remains elusive how the diverse histological subtypes arise and translate into pleiotropic biological phenotypes. Molecular analysis of clinical tumour tissues and their culture, including patient-derived organoids, and add-back genetic reconstruction of tumorigenic pathways using gene engineering in culture models and rodents further elucidated molecular mechanisms that underlie morphological variations. Such mechanisms include genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations in cellular identity codes that erode hard-wired morphological programmes and histologically digress tumours from the native tissues. Interestingly, tumours acquire the ability to grow independently of the niche-driven stem cell ecosystem along with these morphological alterations, providing a biological rationale for histological diversification during tumorigenesis. This Review comprehensively summarizes our current understanding of such plasticity in the histological and lineage commitment fostered cooperatively by molecular alterations and the tumour environment, and describes basic and clinical implications for future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Sekine
- Division of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiro Sato
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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3
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Flach RN, Stathonikos N, Nguyen TQ, Ter Hoeve ND, van Diest PJ, van Dooijeweert C. CONFIDENT-trial protocol: a pragmatic template for clinical implementation of artificial intelligence assistance in pathology. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e067437. [PMID: 37286323 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Artificial intelligence (AI) has been on the rise in the field of pathology. Despite promising results in retrospective studies, and several CE-IVD certified algorithms on the market, prospective clinical implementation studies of AI have yet to be performed, to the best of our knowledge. In this trial, we will explore the benefits of an AI-assisted pathology workflow, while maintaining diagnostic safety standards. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials-Artificial Intelligence compliant single-centre, controlled clinical trial, in a fully digital academic pathology laboratory. We will prospectively include prostate cancer patients who undergo prostate needle biopsies (CONFIDENT-P) and breast cancer patients who undergo a sentinel node procedure (CONFIDENT-B) in the University Medical Centre Utrecht. For both the CONFIDENT-B and CONFIDENT-P trials, the specific pathology specimens will be pseudo-randomised to be assessed by a pathologist with or without AI assistance in a pragmatic (bi-)weekly sequential design. In the intervention group, pathologists will assess whole slide images (WSI) of the standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections assisted by the output of the algorithm. In the control group, pathologists will assess H&E WSI according to the current clinical workflow. If no tumour cells are identified or when the pathologist is in doubt, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining will be performed. At least 80 patients in the CONFIDENT-P and 180 patients in the CONFIDENT-B trial will need to be enrolled to detect superiority, allocated as 1:1. Primary endpoint for both trials is the number of saved resources of IHC staining procedures for detecting tumour cells, since this will clarify tangible cost savings that will support the business case for AI. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The ethics committee (MREC NedMec) waived the need of official ethical approval, since participants are not subjected to procedures nor are they required to follow rules. Results of both trials (CONFIDENT-B and CONFIDENT-P) will be published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Flach
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nikolas Stathonikos
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tri Q Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie D Ter Hoeve
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J van Diest
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Flach RN, Fransen NL, Sonnen AFP, Nguyen TQ, Breimer GE, Veta M, Stathonikos N, van Dooijeweert C, van Diest PJ. Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Practice as a Next Step after Going Digital: The UMC Utrecht Perspective. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051042. [PMID: 35626198 PMCID: PMC9140005 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Building on a growing number of pathology labs having a full digital infrastructure for pathology diagnostics, there is a growing interest in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for diagnostic purposes. This article provides an overview of the current status of the digital pathology infrastructure at the University Medical Center Utrecht and our roadmap for implementing AI algorithms in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N. Flach
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Nina L. Fransen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Andreas F. P. Sonnen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Tri Q. Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Gerben E. Breimer
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Mitko Veta
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nikolas Stathonikos
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Carmen van Dooijeweert
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
| | - Paul J. van Diest
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (R.N.F.); (N.L.F.); (A.F.P.S.); (T.Q.N.); (G.E.B.); (M.V.); (N.S.); (C.v.D.)
- Correspondence:
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The Prognostic Impact of Histology in Esophageal and Esophago-Gastric Junction Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205211. [PMID: 34680360 PMCID: PMC8533974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stage significantly affects survival of esophageal and esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinomas (EA/EGJAs), however, limited evidence for the prognostic role of histologic subtypes is available. The aim of the study was to describe a morphologic approach to EA/EGJAs and assess its discriminating prognostic power. Histologic slides from 299 neoadjuvant treatment-naïve EA/EGJAs, resected in five European Centers, were retrospectively reviewed. Morphologic features were re-assessed and correlated with survival. In glandular adenocarcinomas (240/299 cases-80%), WHO grade and tumors with a poorly differentiated component ≥6% were the most discriminant factors for survival (both p < 0.0001), distinguishing glandular well-differentiated from poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. Two prognostically different histologic groups were identified: the lower risk group, comprising glandular well-differentiated (34.4%) and rare variants, such as mucinous muconodular carcinoma (2.7%) and diffuse desmoplastic carcinoma (1.7%), versus the higher risk group, comprising the glandular poorly differentiated subtype (45.8%), including invasive mucinous carcinoma (5.7%), diffuse anaplastic carcinoma (3%), mixed carcinoma (6.7%) (CSS p < 0.0001, DFS p = 0.001). Stage (p < 0.0001), histologic groups (p = 0.001), age >72 years (p = 0.008), and vascular invasion (p = 0.015) were prognostically significant in the multivariate analysis. The combined evaluation of stage/histologic group identified 5-year cancer-specific survival ranging from 87.6% (stage II, lower risk) to 14% (stage IVA, higher risk). Detailed characterization of histologic subtypes contributes to EA/EGJA prognostic prediction.
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Koomen BM, Voorham QJM, Epskamp-Kuijpers CCHJ, van Dooijeweert C, van Lindert ASR, Deckers IAG, Willems SM. Considerable interlaboratory variation in PD-L1 positivity in a nationwide cohort of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Lung Cancer 2021; 159:117-126. [PMID: 34332333 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Immunohistochemical expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is used as a predictive biomarker for prescription of immunotherapy to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Accurate assessment of PD-L1 expression is therefore crucial. In this study, the extent of interlaboratory variation in PD-L1 positivity in the Netherlands was assessed, using real-world clinical pathology data. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on all NSCLC patients in the Netherlands with a mention of PD-L1 testing in their pathology report from July 2017 to December 2018 were extracted from PALGA, the nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands. PD-L1 positivity rates were determined for each laboratory that performed PD-L1 testing, with separate analyses for histological and cytological material. Two cutoffs (1% and 50%) were used to determine PD-L1 positivity. Differences between laboratories were assessed using funnel plots with 95% confidence limits around the overall mean. RESULTS 6,354 patients from 30 laboratories were included in the analysis of histology data. At the 1% cutoff, maximum interlaboratory variation was 39.1% (32.7%-71.8%) and ten laboratories (33.3%) differed significantly from the mean. Using the 50% cutoff, four laboratories (13.3%) differed significantly from the mean and maximum variation was 23.1% (17.2%-40.3%). In the analysis of cytology data, 1,868 patients from 23 laboratories were included. Eight laboratories (34.8%) differed significantly from the mean in the analyses of both cutoffs. Maximum variation was 41.2% (32.2%-73.4%) and 29.2% (14.7%-43.9%) using the 1% and 50% cutoffs, respectively. CONCLUSION Considerable interlaboratory variation in PD-L1 positivity was observed. Variation was largest using the 1% cutoff. At the 50% cutoff, analysis of cytology data demonstrated a higher degree of variation than the analysis of histology data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bregje M Koomen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Chantal C H J Epskamp-Kuijpers
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands; PALGA Foundation, De Bouw 123, 3991 SZ, Houten, the Netherlands
| | - Carmen van Dooijeweert
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anne S R van Lindert
- Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Stefan M Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
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7
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Perna C, Navarro A, Ruz-Caracuel I, Caniego-Casas T, Cristóbal E, Leskelä S, Longo F, Caminoa A, Santón A, Ferreiro R, Pizarro D, Palacios-Berraquero ML, Palacios J. Molecular Heterogeneity of High Grade Colorectal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020233. [PMID: 33435234 PMCID: PMC7826680 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Due to its low frequency, high grade colorectal carcinomas (HG-CRCs) are underrepresented in molecular series. We intended to further characterize the pathological and molecular features of these tumors. In addition, morphologically different areas when present, were analyzed separately to study tumor heterogeneity. We found that most (72.5%) of HG-CRCs showed mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. MMR status conditioned the frequency and the clonality of the molecular alterations found. Thus, whereas BRAF mutations and gene fusions were observed only in MMR deficient (MMRd) tumors, TP53, KRAS, and gene amplifications predominated in MMR proficient (MMRp) tumors. In MMRp tumors, gene amplification was a mechanism of progression, whereas the accumulation of mutations in genes of different pathways such as NOTCH, MMR or PIK3CA was involved in the clonal diversity of MMRd HG-CRC. In summary, intertumor and intratumor molecular heterogeneity in HG-CRCs is mainly due to MMR status. Abstract High grade colorectal carcinomas (HG-CRCs), which comprise 15% of colorectal carcinomas, are underrepresented in reported molecular studies. Clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 40 HG-CRCs are described. Moreover, glandular and solid areas of 25 tumors were separately analyzed. The expression of MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6, p53, E-cadherin, CDX2, CK20, CD8, PDL1, PAN-TRK, c-MET, SMARCB1, ARID1A, SMARCA2, and SMARCA4 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Promoter MLH1 methylation was analyzed in tumors with MLH1/PMS2 loss. Next-generation sequencing was used to screen 161 genes for hotspot mutations, copy number variations and gene fusions. In this series, 72.5% of HG-CRCs showed mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd). MMR deficient tumor and MMR proficient (MMRp) tumors showed striking molecular differences. Thus, whereas BRAF mutations were only observed in MMRd tumors, mutations in KRAS and TP53 were more frequent in MMR proficient tumors. Moreover, gene fusions (NTRK1 and MET) were detected only in MMRd tumors, whereas gene amplification (MYC, CCND1 and EGFR) predominated in MMRp/TP53-mutated tumors. Loss of expression of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling, such as ARID1A, was observed only in MMRd HG-CRCs, which also showed more frequently PD-L1 expression and a higher number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. The separate analysis of glandular and solid areas indicated that the clonal or subclonal nature of the molecular alterations also depended on MMR status. Mutations in genes such as TP53 and KRAS were always clonal in MMRp-CRCs but occurred as subclonal events in MMRd-CRCs. Gene amplification was implicated in the progression of MMRp tumors, but not in MMRd tumors, in which clonal diversity was due to accumulation of mutations in genes of different pathways such as NOTCH, MMR, or PIK3CA. In summary, intertumor and intratumor molecular heterogeneity in HG-CRCs is mainly due to MMR status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Perna
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
- Departamento de Medicina y Especialidades Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonia Navarro
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Tamara Caniego-Casas
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Eva Cristóbal
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Susanna Leskelä
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Federico Longo
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Caminoa
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Almudena Santón
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Reyes Ferreiro
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Pizarro
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | | | - José Palacios
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.P.); (A.N.); (I.R.-C.); (T.C.-C.); (E.C.); (S.L.); (A.C.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
- Departamento de Medicina y Especialidades Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (F.L.); (R.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-913-368-337
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van Dooijeweert C, van Diest PJ, Willems SM, Kuijpers CCHJ, van der Wall E, Overbeek LIH, Deckers IAG. Significant inter- and intra-laboratory variation in grading of invasive breast cancer: A nationwide study of 33,043 patients in the Netherlands. Int J Cancer 2020; 146:769-780. [PMID: 30977119 PMCID: PMC6916412 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Accurate, consistent and reproducible grading by pathologists is of key-importance for identification of individual patients with invasive breast cancer (IBC) that will or will not benefit from adjuvant systemic treatment. We studied the laboratory-specific grading variation using nationwide real-life data to create insight and awareness in grading variation. Synoptic pathology reports of all IBC resection-specimens, obtained between 2013 and 2016, were retrieved from the nationwide Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA). Absolute differences in laboratory-proportions of Grades I-III were compared to the national reference. Multivariable logistic regression provided laboratory-specific odds ratios (ORs) for high- vs. low-grade IBC. 33,792 IBC pathology reports of 33,043 patients from 39 laboratories were included, of which 28.1% were reported as Grade I (range between laboratories 16.3-43.3%), 47.6% as Grade II (38.4-57.8%), and 24.3% as Grade III (15.5-34.3%). Based on national guidelines, the indication for adjuvant chemotherapy was dependent on histologic grade in 29.9% of patients. After case-mix correction, 20 laboratories (51.3%) showed a significantly deviant OR. Significant grading differences were also observed among pathologists within laboratories. In this cohort of 33,043 breast cancer patients, we observed substantial inter- and intra-laboratory variation in histologic grading. It can be anticipated that this has influenced outcome including exposure to unnecessary toxicity, since choice of adjuvant chemotherapy was dependent on grade in nearly a third of patients. Better standardization and training seems warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul J. van Diest
- Department of PathologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Stefan M. Willems
- Department of PathologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Elsken van der Wall
- Department of Medical OncologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Lucy I. H. Overbeek
- Foundation PALGA (the nationwide network and registry of histo‐ and cytopathology in The Netherlands)HoutenThe Netherlands
| | - Ivette A. G. Deckers
- Foundation PALGA (the nationwide network and registry of histo‐ and cytopathology in The Netherlands)HoutenThe Netherlands
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9
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Klaver CEL, Bulkmans N, Drillenburg P, Grabsch HI, van Grieken NCT, Karrenbeld A, Koens L, van Lijnschoten I, Meijer J, Nagtegaal ID, Sagaert X, Seldenrijk K, van Velthuysen MF, Bruggink AH, Tanis PJ, Snaebjornsson P. Interobserver, intraobserver, and interlaboratory variability in reporting pT4a colon cancer. Virchows Arch 2020; 476:219-230. [PMID: 31616981 PMCID: PMC7028812 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-019-02663-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Clinical significance of the pT4 category in colon cancer is increasing with several therapeutic implications. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability in diagnosing pT4a colon cancer. Twelve pathologists classified 66 preselected scanned Hematoxylin/Eosin-stained slides with tumor cells at a distance of 25-1500 μm (n = 22), 0-25 μm (n = 22), or on (n = 22) the peritoneal surface. Inter- and intraobserver variability were calculated using Kappa statistics. For interlaboratory variability, pathology reports of pT3 and pT4a colon cancer were extracted from the Dutch Pathology Registry between 2012 and 2015. The proportion of pT4a (pT4a/(pT3+pT4a)) was compared between 33 laboratories. Potential risk of understaging was assessed by determining the average number of blocks taken from pT3 and pT4a N0-2M0 tumors with metachronous peritoneal metastasis. Interobserver variability among 12 pathologists was 0.50 (95%CI 0.41-0.60; moderate agreement). Intraobserver variability (8 pathologists) was 0.71 (substantial agreement). A total of 7745 reports with pT3 or pT4aN0-2M0 colon cancer from 33 laboratories were included for interlaboratory analysis. Median percentage of pT4a was 15.5% (range 3.2-24.6%). After adjustment for case mix, 8 labs diagnosed pT4a significantly less or more frequently than the median lab. Metachronous peritoneal metastases were histologically verified in 170 of 6629 pT3 and in 129 of 1116 pT4a tumors, with a mean number of blocks of 4.03(SD 1.51) and 4.78 (SD 1.76) taken from the primary tumors, respectively (p < 0.001). A substantial variability in diagnosing pT4a colon cancer exists, both at pathologist and laboratory level. Diagnosis of pT4a stage appears to be challenging and there is a need for standardizing assessment of this pathological entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E. L. Klaver
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Bulkmans
- Department of Pathology, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, Netherlands
| | | | - Heike I. Grabsch
- Department of Pathology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Pathology, Maastricht UMC+, and Pathology & Tumor Biology, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Lianne Koens
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jos Meijer
- Pathology DNA location Rijnstate, Arnhem, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Kees Seldenrijk
- Pathology DNA, Location St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands
| | | | - Annette H. Bruggink
- PALGA, the nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pieter J. Tanis
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Petur Snaebjornsson
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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10
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van Dooijeweert C, van Diest PJ, Willems SM, Kuijpers CCHJ, Overbeek LIH, Deckers IAG. Significant inter- and intra-laboratory variation in grading of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a nationwide study of 4901 patients in the Netherlands. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; 174:479-488. [PMID: 30539380 PMCID: PMC6422994 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-05082-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose A considerable part of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions may never progress into invasive breast cancer. However, standard treatment consists of surgical excision. Trials aim to identify a subgroup of low-risk DCIS patients that can safely forgo surgical treatment based on histologic grade, which highlights the importance of accurate grading. Using real-life nationwide data, we aimed to create insight and awareness in grading variation of DCIS in daily clinical practice. Methods All synoptic pathology reports of pure DCIS resection specimens between 2013 and 2016 were retrieved from PALGA, the nationwide Dutch Pathology Registry. Absolute differences in proportions of grade I-III were visualized using funnel plots. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression to correct for case-mix, providing odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for high-grade (III) versus low-grade (I–II) DCIS. Results 4952 DCIS reports from 36 laboratories were included, of which 12.5% were reported as grade I (range 6.1–24.4%), 39.5% as grade II (18.2–57.6%), and 48.0% as grade III (30.2–72.7%). After correction for case-mix, 14 laboratories (38.9%) reported a significantly lower (n = 4) or higher (n = 10) proportion of high-grade DCIS than the reference laboratory. Adjusted ORs (95%CI) ranged from 0.52 (0.31–0.87) to 3.83 (1.42–10.39). Significant grading differences were also observed among pathologists within laboratories. Conclusion In this cohort of 4901 patients, we observed substantial inter- and intra-laboratory variation in DCIS grading, not explained by differences in case-mix. Therefore, there is an urgent need for nationwide standardization of grading practices, especially since the future management of DCIS may alter significantly depending on histologic grade. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-018-05082-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen van Dooijeweert
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J van Diest
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Stefan M Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal C H J Kuijpers
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lucy I H Overbeek
- Foundation PALGA (the nationwide network and registry of histo-and cytopathology in the Netherlands), Houten, The Netherlands
| | - Ivette A G Deckers
- Foundation PALGA (the nationwide network and registry of histo-and cytopathology in the Netherlands), Houten, The Netherlands
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11
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Shimura T, Toiyama Y, Saigusa S, Imaoka H, Okigami M, Fujikawa H, Hiro J, Kobayashi M, Ohi M, Araki T, Inoue Y, Uchida K, Mohri Y, Kusunoki M. Inflammation-based prognostic scores as indicators to select candidates for primary site resection followed by multimodal therapy among colorectal cancer patients with multiple metastases. Int J Clin Oncol 2017; 22:758-766. [DOI: 10.1007/s10147-017-1113-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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