MUC expression in adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck regions of Japanese patients: Immunohistochemical analysis

Adenosquamous Carcinoma with the Acantholytic Feature in the Oral Cavity: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is an aggressive subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Due to its poor prognosis, a precise pathological diagnosis of ASC is essential but challenging because its pathological criteria are still unclear. Here, we present a rare case of oral ASC accompanied by acantholytic features. The tumor was raised in the mandibular gingiva and recurred locally approximately 13 months after the initial surgery with cervical lymph node metastasis. Pathological specimens of the primary lesion showed acantholysis in a large area of the SCC. Mucous cells, the characteristic finding indicating glandular differentiation, were imperceptible in the initial surgical specimen but increased in the locally recurrent and metastatic lymph node specimens. In a comprehensive literature review of oral ASC cases, the present case was the only case of ASC with acantholytic features. We reconfirmed that ASC has poor prognoses, such as low 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival, high locoregional recurrence, and high distant metastasis rates. A precise diagnosis of ASC is required for estimating prognosis and undergoing close follow-up, even if the adenocarcinomatous component is limited to a small area in the lesion.

Rare Diseases of Larynx, Trachea and Thyroid

This review article covers data on rare diseases of the larynx, the trachea and the thyroid. In particular, congenital malformations, rare manifestations of inflammatory laryngeal disorders, benign and malignant epithelial as well as non-epithelial tumors, laryngeal and tracheal manifestations of general diseases and, finally, thyroid disorders are discussed. The individual chapters contain an overview of the data situation in the literature, the clinical appearance of each disorder, important key points for diagnosis and therapy and a statement on the prognosis of the disease. Finally, the authors indicate on study registers and self-help groups.

Transoral Laser Surgery for Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Glottis: First Case Report and Review of the Literature

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare cancer associated with poor prognosis. Histologically, it is identified through the presence of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, although it may be difficult to diagnose from initial endoscopic biopsies. We report a case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the glottis in an 82-year-old female patient who presented with progressive hoarseness of voice and in whom initial biopsies had shown only moderate to severe dysplasia. This is the first case in the literature of a primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the glottis managed successfully with a CO₂ laser left type Va cordectomy. The patient remained disease-free 28 months postoperatively.

Cell membrane-anchored MUC4 promotes tumorigenicity in epithelial carcinomas

The cell surface membrane-bound mucin protein MUC4 promotes tumorigenicity, aggressive behavior, and poor outcomes in various types of epithelial carcinomas, including pancreatic, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. This review summarizes the theories and findings regarding MUC4 function, and its role in epithelial carcinogenesis. Based on these insights, we developed an outline of the processes and mechanisms by which MUC4 critically supports the propagation and survival of cancer cells in various epithelial organs. MUC4 may therefore be a useful prognostic and diagnostic tool that improves our ability to eradicate various forms of cancer.

Vascular-Associated Muc4/Vwf Co-Localization in Human Conjunctival Malignant Melanoma Specimens-Tumor Metastasis by Migration?

PURPOSE

To investigate whether vascular differentiation marker von Willebrand factor (vWf) and proliferation marker KI67 expression correlate with MUC4 localization around stromal tumor vascularization in human conjunctival malignant melanoma (CMM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the purposes of this study, we analyzed samples from human CMMs (n = 4), conjunctival compound nevi (n = 7), and samples from healthy conjunctiva (n = 7) for MUC1, 4, and 16 by immunohistochemistry. To test CMM vessel association of MUC4, we investigated the co-localization of MUC4 with vWf or KI67 in human CMM specimens (n = 10) by immunohistochemistry. Also, we investigated the MUC4 localization around vessels of healthy conjunctiva (n = 10).

RESULTS

The immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated membrane-associated mucin expression in epithelia of CMM, nevi and healthy conjunctiva, whereas only MUC4 was localized perivascular in CMM tissue in this preliminary analysis. Co-staining analysis with vWf and KI67 demonstrated MUC4 localization around stromal vessels in human CMM specimens. In contrast, no MUC4 localization has been seen around healthy conjunctiva stroma vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

MUC4 was detected around vWf/KI67-positive CMM stromal vascular tissue, but not around healthy conjunctival stroma vessels. Therefore, we assume that MUC4 might play a role in tumor cell migration toward vessels inducing metastasis.

Laryngeal Dysplasia, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Variants

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant epithelial tumor showing evidence of squamous differentiation. It is the most common malignancy of the larynx, with several variants (verrucous, exophytic or papillary, spindle-cell, basaloid, acantholytic, adenosquamous) recognized, with well-established precursor lesions. Dysplasia is now separated into only low-grade and high-grade categories. Each SCC variant has unique cytomorphologic features and histologic differential diagnoses that are important to consider, as management and outcomes are different.

Exploring the role and diversity of mucins in health and disease with special insight into non-communicable diseases

Mucins are major glycoprotein components of the mucus that coats the surfaces of cells lining the respiratory, digestive, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. They function to protect epithelial cells from infection, dehydration and physical or chemical injury, as well as to aid the passage of materials through a tract i.e., lubrication. They are also implicated in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant diseases of secretory epithelial cells. In Human there are two types of mucins, membrane-bound and secreted that are originated from mucous producing goblet cells localized in the epithelial cell layer or in mucous producing glands and encoded by MUC gene. Mucins belong to a heterogeneous family of high molecular weight proteins composed of a long peptidic chain with a large number of tandem repeats that form the so-called mucin domain. The molecular weight is generally high, ranging between 0.2 and 10 million Dalton and all mucins contain one or more domains which are highly glycosylated. The size and number of repeats vary between mucins and the genetic polymorphism represents number of repeats (VNTR polymorphisms), which means the size of individual mucins can differ substantially between individuals which can be used as markers. In human it is only MUC1 and MUC7 that have mucin domains with less than 40% serine and threonine which in turn could reduce number of PTS domains. Mucins can be considered as powerful two-edged sword, as its normal function protects from unwanted substances and organisms at an arm's length while, malfunction of mucus may be an important factor in human diseases. In this review we have unearthed the current status of different mucin proteins in understanding its role and function in various non-communicable diseases in human with special reference to its organ specific locations. The findings described in this review may be of direct relevance to the major research area in biomedicine with reference to mucin and mucin associated diseases.

Immunohistochemical and HPV-related features of laryngeal adenosquamous carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the head and neck is a rare malignancy characterized by loco-regional and distant aggressiveness. At histology, ASC reveals two distinct, juxtaposed components, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and true adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The immunohistochemical expression of AE3, CK19 and CAM5.2, and HPV infection was tested in a case of laryngeal ASC.

RESULTS

The patient had no regional lymph node metastases, but developed a recurrence in neck soft tissues shortly after primary radical surgery. The laryngeal surgical specimen had the typical morphological features of ASC. The tumor's squamous and glandular components were both strongly and diffusely immunoreactive for AE3 and CK19, whereas CAM5.2 selectively stained only the gland-like part. We found no high- or low-risk HPV DNA (28 genotypes) in the specimens. The patient underwent salvage extended radical neck dissection and received postoperative radio-chemotherapy. At 4-month follow-up control, neck recurrence was found. Palliative chemotherapy was instituted.

CONCLUSIONS

An accurate histological and immunohistochemical diagnosis is mandatory to differentiate ASC from conventional SCC. Radical surgical excision is recommended for laryngeal ASC. Adjuvant postoperative therapy is administered in most cases, but there are no widely accepted indications for these treatments.