Gangliocytic paraganglioma: a multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan

Pulmonary gangliocytic paraganglioma: An under-recognized mimic of carcinoid tumor

Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare neoplasms occurring almost exclusively in the ampullary region of the gastrointestinal tract. Although these tumors are not typically considered in the differential diagnosis of primary pulmonary neoplasia, 5 cases of primary pulmonary gangliocytic paragangliomas have been previously reported. Herein we report our experience with 3 additional examples, all referred to our Anatomic Pathology Consultation service. The patients (a 32-year-old man, a 69-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man) each presented with an endobronchial (2 cases) or upper lobe lung mass, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 cm in maximum dimension. Biopsy and endobronchial debulking specimens demonstrated the classic triphasic morphology of gangliocytic paraganglioma, with epithelial, spindled and ganglion-like cells. By immunohistochemistry, the tumors were positive for keratin, synaptophysin and chromogranin A in the epithelial component, S100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the Schwannian spindled cells, and synaptophysin in ganglion cells. TTF1 expression was seen in the epithelial components of 2 cases. The Ki-67 labelling index was low (<2%). Primary pulmonary gangliocytic paragangliomas should be distinguished from carcinoid tumors, given the different natural histories and risk stratification approaches for these morphologically similar tumors. Awareness that gangliocytic paraganglioma may occur in the lung and appropriate immunohistochemical studies are key to correct diagnosis.

Endoscopic papillectomy combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography for duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma: A case report

RATIONALE

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a rare tumor that can occur in several organs throughout the body. Gangliocytic paraganglioma of the main duodenal papilla is even rarer. This study analyzes and discusses the endoscopic management of a case of gangliocytic paraganglioma of the main duodenal papilla and reviews the relevant literature. It is hoped that this study will increase clinicians' awareness of this disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Electron endoscopy reveals a duodenal main papillary tumor, and the patient desires further clarification of the nature of the tumor and the next step in the treatment plan.

DIAGNOSES

Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma.

INTERVENTIONS

As the patient lesion was located in the main duodenal papilla, we successfully performed endoscopic minimally invasive treatment of the tumor by endoscopic papillectomy combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

OUTCOMES

The patient was discharged after the postoperative removal of the nasobiliary drain and returned to the hospital 2 months later to have the biliary stent removed; the patient was in good general condition at follow-up.

LESSONS

For duodenal main papillary tumor, we need to be alert to the possibility of gangliocytic paraganglioma. Since the tumor is located in the submucosa of the juxta-abdominal region, the preoperative biopsy positivity rate is low, and the tumor is often adjacent to or involves the biliopancreatic duct, endoscopic resection combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography can be considered for diagnosis and treatment.

Gangliocytic Paraganglioma of the Duodenum: A Masquerader

Background: Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is a rare tumor that most commonly arises from the duodenum and is characterized pathologically by 3 cell types: epithelioid, spindle, and ganglion cells. GP is often difficult to differentiate from a neuroendocrine tumor on the basis of preoperative imaging, and the diagnosis is based on final histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Case Report: We report the case of a 28-year-old male who presented with pain in the abdomen, bilious vomiting, and weight loss. Imaging showed a mass involving the first and second part of the duodenum that was likely a neuroendocrine or gastrointestinal stromal tumor. He underwent robotic-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy, and the final pathology report identified GP with lymph node metastasis. The patient was doing well at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: GP is often a histologic surprise as most cases are diagnosed in postoperative histopathology. While GP has a more benign course than a neuroendocrine tumor, radical surgical resection is warranted in cases of diagnostic dilemma, suspicion of malignancy, or lymph node metastasis. Robotic-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy is a feasible option.

Distinct cases of gangliocytic paraganglioma in the duodenum: Two case reports

Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is a rare, benign neuroendocrine tumor that commonly arises in the second portion of the duodenum. Despite its favorable prognosis, there have been instances of lymph node and liver metastasis as well as 1 reported fatal case. The immunohistochemical and morphological resemblance between GP and neuroendocrine tumor G1 makes it critical to properly recognize and differentiate between the 2. In this article, we present 2 distinct cases of GP: a 70-year-old male with a GP tumor in the ampulla, and a 46-year-old male with a GP near the ampulla whose tumor was excised using a robotic Whipple procedure. We focus on optimizing diagnosis and management through the application of radiological modalities and pathological analysis.

Gangliocytic Paraganglioma: A Rare Etiology of Obstructive Jaundice

BACKGROUND Gangliocytic paraganglioma is an extremely rare tumor, with only 263 reported cases. This tumor has heterogeneous clinical presentation, with gastrointestinal bleeding being the most common. However, jaundice is a relatively unusual presentation, seen in less than 5% of all cases. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 32-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. He reported having similar episodes of this pain recently, but they were milder in severity. On examination, there was a tenderness in the right upper quadrant with a positive Murphy sign. Laboratory investigation revealed total bilirubin of 3.6 mg/dL with a direct bilirubin of 3.0 mg/dL, alkaline phosphatase of 323 IU/L, and g-glutamyltransferase level of 1153 IU/L, giving the impression of obstructive jaundice. The abdominal ultrasound examination revealed a normal common bile duct diameter with no thickening or pericholecystic fluid noted. Subsequently, the patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which revealed a mass in the second part of the duodenum. Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens obtained by fine-needle biopsy revealed an unencapsulated submucosal lesion with epithelioid, spindle, and ganglion cells. The spindle cells expressed positive immunohistochemical staining for S100, synaptophysin, and chromogranin. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of gangliocytic paraganglioma. Surgical resection of the tumor was advised. However, the patient refused the operation despite the recommendation of the oncology team. CONCLUSIONS Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a very rare tumor that may present with a clinical picture mimicking a biliary disease. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for duodenal lesions in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice with no evidence of biliary stones.

Immunohistochemical distinction of paragangliomas from epithelial neuroendocrine tumors-gangliocytic duodenal and cauda equina paragangliomas align with epithelial neuroendocrine tumors

Distinction of paraganglioma (PGL) from epithelial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can be difficult as they can mimic each other by nested architecture and expression of neuroendocrine markers. In this study, we examined differential diagnostic markers in 262 PGLs (142 adrenal pheochromocytomas and 120 extra-adrenal PGLs), 9 duodenal gangliocytic PGLs and 3 cauda equina PGLs, and 286 NETs (81 GI, 78 pancreatic, 42 thoracic, 37 medullary thyroid carcinomas, and 48 high-grade NETs including 32 small cell carcinomas of lung). While keratin expression was nearly uniform in NETs with the exception of few tumors, extensive keratin expression was seen in only one PGL (<1%) and focal expression in 5% PGLs. GATA3 was present in >90% of PGLs but only in 2% of NETs, usually focally. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was expressed in >90% of adrenal, abdominal, and thoracic PGLs but only in 37% of head and neck PGLs, reflecting their variable catecholamine synthesis. Focal or occasional extensive TH-expression was detected in 10% of NETs. CDX2 was a helpful discriminator seen in 28% of pancreatic and most GI NETs but in no PGLs. SOX10 detected sustentacular cells in 85% of PGLs and 7% of NETs, whereas GFAP detected sustentacular cells mainly in PGLs of neck and was absent in NETs. Duodenal gangliocytic PGLs (n = 9) and all cauda equina PGLs (n = 3) expressed keratins, lacked GATA3, showed no or minimal TH expression as some NETs, and contained SOX10 and S100 protein-positive spindle cells negative for GFAP. Ganglion-like epithelioid cells were keratin-positive and negative for TH and SOX10 differing from true ganglion cells. We conclude that duodenal gangliocytic and cauda equina PGLs have a NET-like immunoprofile and differ from ordinary PGLs. NETs can be distinguished from PGLs by their expression of keratins and general lack of GATA3, TH, and GFAP-positive sustentacular cells, and sometimes by expression of CDX2 or TTF1.

Periampullary Gangliocytic Paraganglioma

BACKGROUND

Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is rare and difficult to be differentiated from other periampullary neoplasms. The clinical characteristics and optimal treatment of periampullary GPs have not been clarified.

METHODS

The data pool for the analysis comprised of cases of periampullary GP encountered in our institution and sporadic cases reported in the English literature.

RESULTS

A total of 117 cases with periampullary GP were studied, including 2 from our institute, and among them, duodenal GP was the most common (53.0%). GP size ranged from 0.7 to 19.0 cm, with a median of 2.2 cm. The most common presenting symptom for overall periampullary GPs was epigastric pain in 49.5% cases, followed by gastrointestinal bleeding in 35.4% cases. Most (84.1%) of the periampullary GPs were benign, whereas 15.9% were malignant. Metastasis was noted in 26.3% of periampullary GPs, with 14.5% showing lymph node metastasis and 1.8% showing liver metastasis. Of the periampullary GP cases included, 30.1% were treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy, 40.6% with local excision, and 17.7% with endoscopic resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Periampullary GP should be considered as a tumor with malignant potential. Endoscopic resection is the treatment of choice for most of the duodenal GPs, whereas pancreaticoduodenectomy is recommended for GPs with possible malignancy, such as large size, with submucosal invasion, or pancreatic GP.

Gangliocytic paraganglioma: An overview and future perspective

Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is rare neuroendocrine tumor (NET) with a good prognosis that commonly arising from duodenum. Although the tumor is characterized by its unique triphasic cells (epithelioid, spindle, and ganglion-like cells), the proportions of these three tumor cells vary widely from case to case, and occasionally, morphological and immunohistochemical similarities are found between GP and NET G1 (carcinoid tumors). Further, GP accounts for a substantial number of duodenal NETs. Therefore, GP continues to be misdiagnosed, most often as NET G1. However, GP has a better prognosis than NET G1, and it is important to differentiate GP from NET G1. In this article, I wish to provide up-to-date clinicopathological information to help oncologists gain better insight into the diagnosis and clinical management of this tumor.

Endoscopic resection of gangliocytic paraganglioma of the duodenum: a case report

Duodenal gangliocytic paragangliomas are extremely rare. A 79-year-old woman underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy for screening prior to resection of gallbladder carcinoma. Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 5-mm submucosal tumor in the second portion of the duodenum. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed no tumor or metastasis. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed low echo pattern of the tumor. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed proliferation of three types of cells (epithelioid cells, spindle cells, and ganglion cells). Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the tumor was positive for S-100 and synaptophysin. The preoperative diagnosis was gangliocytic paraganglioma. The tumor was completely resected by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). In conclusion, an early stage of gangliocytic paraganglioma of the duodenum could be resected using EMR.

Biliary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Clinical Profiles, Management, and Analysis of Prognostic Factors

Biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent <1% of all NENs. The aim of this retrospective study is to present the clinical characteristics, management and prognosis profiles of 28 biliary NEN patients from a large tertiary center, and identify factors related to prognosis. Nine tumors originated from the gallbladder, two from the extrahepatic bile duct and 17 from the ampulla of Vater. One patient was classified as neuroendocrine tumor (NET) Grade 1, three patients were classified as NET Grade 2, 18 were graded neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) Grade 3 and six were classified as mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). The overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate did not have statistically significant differences between tumors of different locations or different grading. Recurrence of disease correlated with poor prognosis (p < 0.001). Lymphovascular invasion and invasion beyond the submucosa were related to higher risk of local lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis identified patient age (p = 0.021) and R0 resection margin (p = 0.027) as independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival. Our study included relatively large numbers of biliary tract NENs with intact follow-up information. Patients with biliary neuroendocrine tumors showed different clinical outcomes according to tumor locations and tumor grades. Achieving R0 resection is important for better prognosis.

Duodenal Gangliocytic Paraganglioma Requiring a Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction

Duodenal gangliocytic paragangliomas (GPs) are a subclass of duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms and are exceedingly rare. They have been associated with an indolent behavior; however, they can rarely metastasize. Radical resection like a pancreaticoduodenectomy is sometimes indicated. We hereby present a case requiring major surgery and perform a literature search about this disease.

Presentation of Case

A 49-year-old Caucasian female, who presented with an upper gastrointestinal bleed, was found to have a hypodense mass in the second/third portion of the duodenum. A biopsy of the mass during upper endoscopy was inconclusive. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was recommended based on the high suspicion for a duodenal adenocarcinoma and was performed successfully. Her final pathology revealed a duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma.

Discussion

The majority of duodenal GPs present as gastrointestinal bleeds while others less commonly present with anemia, abdominal pain, duodenal obstructive symptoms, pancreatitis, or abnormal incidental findings on axial abdominal imaging. Duodenal GPs were initially viewed as benign tumors of the duodenum; however, there have been increasing incidence reports of hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis. Appropriate treatment of duodenal GPs is still controversial and ranges from local endoscopic submucosal resection to major radical surgery.

Conclusion

Duodenal GPs are very rare tumors of the second portion of the duodenum presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and local symptoms of surrounding organs. Local or radical resection is usually recommended to prevent bleeding and the minor risk of metastatic spread.

Gangliocytic Paraganglioma with Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater

The patient was a "73" -year-old woman who visited our hospital with the chief complaint of weight loss. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an enlarged ampulla of Vater, and a biopsy led to a diagnosis of Group "4" gastric carcinoma; suspicious of adenocarcinoma. There were no findings suggesting invasion into the muscle layer of duodenum, despite tumor mass formation being observed in the sphincter of Oddi. We performed endoscopic papillectomy for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Pathologically, a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma existed in the superficial layer of the mucous membrane of the papilla of Vater, and gangliocytic paraganglioma was present in the deep portion. The resected margins of both lesions were negative.

Diagnosis, Pathological Findings, and Clinical Management of Gangliocytic Paraganglioma: A Systematic Review

Background: Although gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is considered a rare benign neuroendocrine tumor, cases of mortality have been reported. Occasionally, GP is misdiagnosed as neuroendocrine tumor G1, which is associated with a poorer prognosis than GP. To avoid such misdiagnoses, it is important to understand the clinicopathological characteristics of GP. Thus, herein, we discuss the current literature on the clinicopathological characteristics of GP.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. PubMed and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina searches were used to identify papers describing GP. Inclusion criteria included confirmation of epithelioid, spindle-shaped, and ganglion-like cells in the main article and/or figures and whether the paper was cited in other studies of GP. Data were collected on age, sex, site of the primary lesion, tumor size, treatment, prognosis, lymph node metastasis (LNM), depth of tumor invasion, rate of preoperative diagnosis, and clinical symptoms.

Results: In total, 162 papers containing 263 cases of GP met the criteria. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.5 years. The male-to-female ratio was 157:104. The mean tumor size was 25.7 mm. The predominant site of the primary tumor was the duodenum (89.7%). The most common clinical sign of GP was gastrointestinal bleeding (47.9%). Other signs and symptoms of GP included abdominal pain (44.7%), anemia (20.3%), incidental findings (12.9%), nausea (6.9%), weight loss (5.5%), general fatigue (5.1%), jaundice (4.6%), and incidental autopsy findings (5.1%). LNM was observed in 11.4% of patients. Liver metastasis was observed in 1.1% of patients. Depth of tumor invasion (penetrating beyond the submucosal layer or sphincter of Oddi) was by far the most significant risk factor for LNM in patients with GP. This suggests, along with histological heterogeneity, that GP may have hamartomatous characteristics. Furthermore, immunohistochemical expression of progesterone receptor and pancreatic polypeptide were useful in distinguishing between GP and neuroendocrine tumor G1, even in small biopsy specimens.

Conclusions: We reveal the clinicopathological characteristics of GP, including risk factors for LNM, differential diagnostic approaches, and improvements in the clinical management of this tumor.In addition, GP may have hamartomatous characteristics.

Risk factors associated with the progression and metastases of hindgut neuroendocrine tumors: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The worldwide incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has increased remarkably, with the hindgut being the second most common site for such tumors. However, the mechanisms underlying progression and metastasis of hindgut NETs are unclear. A retrospective study was conducted to elucidate these mechanisms.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data of cases of hindgut NET between April 1996 and September 2015 were analyzed, retrospectively. Patients with neuroendocrine carcinoma were excluded. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of hindgut NET cases were subjected to detailed morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Statistical analyses were performed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and chi-squared test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted as appropriate for the data set.

RESULTS

Fifty-six hindgut NET cases were considered. Microvessel density and lymphatic microvessel density were identified as significant risk factors for venous and lymphatic invasion. There was a positive correlation between microvessel density and the maximum tumor diameter. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the maximum tumor diameter alone was an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis, whereas lymphovascular invasion and MVD was not the predictor of lymph node metastasis. There were no significant correlations between the Ki-67 labeling index and any of the parameters evaluated including age, sex, the maximum tumor diameter, venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, microvessel density, lymphatic microvessel density, and lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiogenic mechanisms may play important roles in the progression of hindgut NET. Otherwise, the maximum tumor diameter alone was an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in hindgut NETs. Moreover, our study raises the question of whether the presence of lymphovascular invasion, in endoscopically obtained hindgut NET tissues, is an absolute indication for additional surgery or not.

Pancreatic gangliocytic paraganglioma harboring lymph node metastasis: a case report and literature review

Background

Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm, which occurs mostly in the periampullary portion of the duodenum; the majority of the reported cases of duodenal GP has been of benign nature with a low incidence of regional lymph node metastasis. GP arising from the pancreas is extremely rare. To date, only three cases have been reported and its clinical characteristics are largely unknown.

Case presentation

A nodule located in the pancreatic head was incidentally detected in an asymptomatic 68-year-old woman. Computed tomography revealed 18-, 8-, and 12-mm masses in the pancreatic head, the pancreatic tail, and the left adrenal gland, respectively. Subsequent genetic examination revealed an absence of mutations in the MEN1 and VHL genes. Macroscopically, the tumor located in the pancreatic head was 22 mm in size and displayed an ill-circumscribed margin along with yellowish-white color. Microscopically, it was composed of three cell components: epithelioid cells, ganglion-like cells, and spindle cells, which led to the diagnosis of GP. The tumor was accompanied by a peripancreatic lymph node metastasis. The tumor in the pancreatic tail was histologically classified as a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1 (grade 1, WHO 2010), whereas the tumor in the left adrenal gland was identified as an adrenocortical adenoma. The patient was disease-free at the 12-month follow-up examination.

Conclusions

Pancreatic GP is associated with a higher incidence of metastasis and larger tumor size than duodenal GPs, suggesting that the primary organ of GP is an important prognostic factor.

Recent Updates on Neuroendocrine Tumors From the Gastrointestinal and Pancreatobiliary Tracts

CONTEXT

-Gastrointestinal (GI) and pancreatobiliary tracts contain a variety of neuroendocrine cells that constitute a diffuse endocrine system. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) from these organs are heterogeneous tumors with diverse clinical behaviors. Recent improvements in the understanding of NETs from the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts have led to more-refined definitions of the clinicopathologic characteristics of these tumors. Under the 2010 World Health Organization classification scheme, NETs are classified as grade (G) 1 NETs, G2 NETs, neuroendocrine carcinomas, and mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas. Histologic grades are dependent on mitotic counts and the Ki-67 labeling index. Several new issues arose after implementation of the 2010 World Health Organization classification scheme, such as issues with well-differentiated NETs with G3 Ki-67 labeling index and the evaluation of mitotic counts and Ki-67 labeling. Hereditary syndromes, including multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, neurofibromatosis 1, and tuberous sclerosis, are related to NETs of the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts. Several prognostic markers of GI and pancreatobiliary tract NETs have been introduced, but many of them require further validation.

OBJECTIVE

-To understand clinicopathologic characteristics of NETs from the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts.

DATA SOURCES

-PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) reports were reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

-In this review, we briefly summarize recent developments and issues related to NETs of the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts.

Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma, successfully treated by local surgical excision-a case report

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Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma is a rare tumor usually with benign behavior.

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Resection of the tumor, either endoscopically or surgically is the treatment of choice.

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Complete removal of the mass offers cure and long-term survival.

Introduction

Duodenal gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare neoplasms often arising in proximity to the major duodenal papilla of Vater. These neoplasms are considered to have a benign behavior with lymph node metastases being a rare phenomenon and distant metastatic disease even more so. Resection of the tumor is the only definitive therapy.

Presentation of case

A 67 year old male presented to a referring hospital with symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Evaluation with CT imaging revealed a 3.1 cm intraluminal mass situated grossly at the junction of the third with the fourth portion of the duodenum. The tumor was found to be situated near the ampulla of Vater and was excised through a longitudinal duodenotomy followed by myotomy of the sphincter of Oddi.

Discussion

Complete resection of duodenal gangliocytic paragangliomas by surgical or endoscopic means is the only potential cure. Endoscopic removal is the first option and is both safe and adequate. Ηowever, localized excision may be utilized instead in those cases in which endoscopic removal is not possible or cannot achieve negative margins. Recurrent disease after complete resection is unlikely.

Conclusion

Cases of duodenal gangliocytic paragangliomas are best managed with endoscopic resection. However, local surgical excision remains as a second-choice procedure. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy are unnecessary after complete excision.

Four Neuroendocrine Tumor Types and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Duodenum: Analysis of 203 Cases

BACKGROUND

Several types of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have been described in the duodenal tract, from low-grade tumors (NETs) to high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). A comprehensive analysis of histology, hormonal profile and prognostic parameters of a sufficiently large duodenal NEN series to cover all main kinds of neoplasms is however lacking.

METHODS

We collected a retrospective series of 203 duodenal wall and ampullary region NENs, from six specialized endocrine pathology centers. All were characterized histopathologically and histochemically, and 190 were followed for a median of 9 years.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven poorly differentiated NECs, mostly from the ampullary region, were identified and shown to lead to patient demise in a median of 10 months. Among 176 NETs, four subtypes were characterized, including 20 gastrinomas, 37 ampullary-type somatostatin-producing NETs (ASTs), 12 gangliocytic paragangliomas (GPs) and 106 nonfunctioning NETs (nfNETs). ASTs and GPs were mostly localized in the ampullary/periampullary region, while gastrinomas and nfNETs were mainly from the proximal duodenum. ASTs and gastrinomas showed high rates of local infiltration (especially lymphoinvasion and deep duodenal wall/pancreatic tissue invasion) and lymph node metastasis, while nfNETs had significantly lower and more size-dependent local invasive potential. Disease-specific survival differed significantly between NETs and NECs, though not among NET subtypes. NET cases with distant metastases (n = 23) were significantly associated with larger size, higher proliferative grade, lymphovascular invasion, deep invasion and local lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Our careful analysis of a large series of duodenal NENs identified five histologically and prognostically different histotypes of potential clinical relevance.

Neuroendocrine Differentiation in Breast Cancer: Clinicopathological Significance of Bcl-2 Positive Solid Papillary Carcinoma

Solid papillary carcinoma (SPC) is considered a rare malignant breast tumor. Maluf and Koerner first reported this disease entity as a special type of ductal carcinoma in situ with several characteristic histopathological features, including low-grade cellular atypia, intracellular or extracellular mucin deposition, and solid papillary growth pattern, as well as neuroendocrine differentiation. The present paper describes a case of SPC with bcl-2 expression, which is known as a marker for malignancy of neuroendocrine tumors. Interestingly, despite bcl-2 expression being a poor prognostic indicator of neuroendocrine tumors, the patient with this tumor has achieved long-term survival (approximately 6 years) at the time of writing this report. Because previous investigators reported that bcl-2 expression might play a role in the inhibition of the development of breast cancer, we suggest that bcl-2 expression might reflect a good prognosis in patients with SPC, rather than being a poor prognostic indicator, as it is in several types of neuroendocrine tumor. However, to confirm this hypothesis, further investigation is required.

Duodenal Rare Neuroendocrine Tumor: Clinicopathological Characteristics of Patients with Gangliocytic Paraganglioma

Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) has been regarded as a rare benign tumor that commonly arises from the second part of the duodenum. As GP does not exhibit either prominent mitotic activity or Ki-67 immunoreactivity, it is often misdiagnosed as neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1. However, the prognosis might be better in patients with GP than in those with NET G1. Therefore, it is important to differentiate GP from NET G1. Moreover, our previous study indicated that GP accounts for a substantial, constant percentage of duodenal NETs. In the present article, we describe up-to-date data on the clinicopathological characteristics of GP and on the immunohistochemical findings that can help differentiate GP from NET G1, as largely revealed in our new and larger literature survey and recent multi-institutional retrospective study. Furthermore, we would like to refer to differential diagnosis and clinical management of this tumor and provide intriguing information about the risk factors for lymph node metastasis on GP.

The clinicopathological significance of angiogenesis in hindgut neuroendocrine tumors obtained via an endoscopic procedure

Background

As the World Health Organization grading system for gastroenteropancreatic-neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) may not always correlate with tumor progression, it is imperative that other independent predictors of tumor progression be established. To identify such predictors, we conducted a retrospective histopathological study of hindgut NETs, obtained from endoscopic procedures, and used statistical analyses to evaluate predictive factors.

Methods

We first obtained clinicopathological data of cases of hindgut NETs. Tissue sections from tumor samples were prepared and subjected to pathological examination. In particular, we calculated the microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) values, and performed appropriate statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 42 cases of hindgut NETs were selected for the study, 41 from the rectum and 1 from the sigmoid colon. Based on the Ki-67 labeling index, 34 cases were classified as NET G1 tumors and 8 as NET G2 tumors. MVD values ranged from 1.4/mm² to 73.9/mm² and LMVD values from 0/mm² to 22.9/mm². MVD and LMVD were identified as risk factors for venous and lymphatic invasion of hindgut NETs. Moreover, MVD positively correlated with the maximum diameter of the tumor.

Conclusions

Tumor progression of NETs may cause angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, via an unknown mechanism, as well as lymphovascular invasion. Angiogenesis likely plays an important role in occurrence and progression in the initial phase of hindgut NETs.

Endoscopic resection of a periampullary gangliocytic paraganglioma of the duodenum: A case report

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The gangliocytic paraganglioma was resected endoscopically.

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Immunohistochemical examination reveal S100, synaptophysin and VIP expression.

Introduction

The gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is an extremely rare neuroendocrine tumour originating from the second part of the duodenum. Generally GP shows benign clinical behaviour. The GP is typically characterized by consisting of three tumour components: the epithelioid, the spindle-shaped and the ganglion-like cells.

Presentation of case

We present a female patient at the age of 65, who underwent a routine gastroscopy due to known gastro-oesophageal reflux. Accidentally a 2 × 1,5 cm sized mass of unknown entity was revealed in the duodenum. The magnet resonance tomography neither detected distant metastasis nor any local lymphadenopathy. After endosonographically guided punctures of the submucosal mass, a malignant tumour could not be diagnosed thus the decision to perform an endoscopical resection was made and successfully conducted. Immunohistochemical examination revealed a total resected GP.

Discussion

In literature malignant transformation with distant metastasis and local recurrences has been described. Furthermore the clinical manifestation and location varies. The GP has often been misdiagnosed as a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) G1.

Conclusion

Due to published cases of metastasising GPs, we recommend a long term follow-up. In a non-metastatic stage the endoscopic resection should be the therapy of choice in order to prevent unnecessary major surgical interventions. In this case report we will discuss the clinical appearance, behaviour and differential diagnosis of GP.

Endoscopic Resection of a Pedunculated Brunner's Gland Hamartoma of the Duodenum

A 68-year-old Japanese woman presented with a solitary pedunculated polyp in the duodenum. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed multiple cystic structures in the polyp. The polyp was successfully resected by endoscopic snare polypectomy and pathologically diagnosed as Brunner's gland hamartoma. Because hamartomatous components were not identified in the stalk of the polyp, we speculate that the stalk developed from traction of the normal duodenal mucosa. When a solitary, pedunculated polyp with cystic structure within the submucosa is found in the duodenum, Brunner's gland hamartoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis, despite the rarity of the disease. This case underscores the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography for the diagnosis of duodenal subepithelial tumors.

Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma: report of two cases and review of literature

We report two cases of Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP), one of which was accompanied by lymph node metastasis. Histologically, the tumor was composed of three morphologically distinct cell populations: spindle cells, ganglion-like cells and epithelioid cells. The epithelioid cells were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), synaptophysin (Syn), chromogranin A (CgA), CD56 and progesterone receptor (PR). Ganglion-like cell types showed positive reactivity for Syn and CD56. In contrast, the spindle-shaped cells showed positive reactivity for S-100. The patient with lymph node metastasis has a good prognosis. Nonetheless, close surveillance is still necessary for patients with GP because a few cases of GP with regional lymph node metastasis and even distant metastasis have been published, including a malignant case of GP showing a lethal course.