Central papillary adenoma of the lung diagnosed in a bronchoscopy-guided FNA: Cytological and histological characterization of this rare entity

Pulmonary papillary adenoma (PA) is an unusual tumor with only 32 reported cases to date. We present a case of a 69-year-old man, a smoker from the age of 12, with a central mass in the pulmonary left lower lobe identified in a PET-CT scan. Microscopical analysis of the Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) samples showed fragments of a tumor comprised of abundant papillary structures lined by a monolayer of cytologically bland columnar to cuboidal epithelial cells. The immunohistochemical stains were positive for CK7, TTF-1 and EMA in the epithelial cells, and negative for MYC. Based on the imaging tests, histological features and immunohistochemical profile, the tumor was diagnosed as pulmonary PA. The cytologic and histologic features of this rare entity are described in detail and the value of FNA as an essential presurgical diagnostic procedure is emphasized.

Lymph Node Tumor Burden Correlates With Tumor Budding and Poorly Differentiated Clusters: A New Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Carcinoma?

INTRODUCTION

Molecular lymph node (LN) staging in early colorectal cancer (CRC) has demonstrated to be more precise than conventional histopathology pN staging. Tumor budding (TB) and poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) are associated with LN metastases, recurrences, and lower survival in CRC. We evaluated the correlation between the total tumor load (TTL) in LNs from CRC surgical specimens with patient outcome, TB, and PDC.

METHODS

In this retrospective multicentre study, 5,931 LNs from 342 stage I-III CRC were analyzed by both hematoxylin and eosin and molecular detection of tumor cytokeratin 19 mRNA by one-step nucleic acid amplification. TB and PDC were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and cytokeratin 19 immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

One-step nucleic acid was positive in 38.3% patients (n = 131). Tumor Budding was low in 45% cases, intermediate in 25%, and high in 30%. Poorly Differentiated Clusters were low-grade G1 in 53%, G2 in 32%, and G3 in 15%. TB and PDC correlated with TTL, high-grade, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, pT, pN and stage (P < 0.001). TB, PDC, and TTL ≥ 6,000 copies/µL were associated with worse overall survival (P = 0.002, P = 0.013, and P = 0.046) and disease-free survival (P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

The implementation of more sensitive molecular methods to assess LN status is a promising alternative approach to pN staging, which could be integrated to other factors to help risk stratification and management of patients with early-stage CRC. This study demonstrates the correlation of the amount of LN tumor burden with TB and PDCs. TTL is related to the outcome and could be used as a new prognostic factor in CRC (see Visual Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 2, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A512).

Complete Loss of EPCAM Immunoexpression Identifies EPCAM Deletion Carriers in MSH2-Negative Colorectal Neoplasia

Simple Summary

Colorectal carcinomas from patients with Lynch syndrome (LS) due to EPCAM deletions show loss of MSH2 expression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of EPCAM expression in identifying carriers of EPCAM deletion among patients with MSH2-negative lesions. MSH2 and EPCAM immunohistochemistry was performed in a large series of lesions (190) composed of malignant and benign neoplasms as well as precursor lesions of different organs from 71 patients with suspected LS due to MSH2 alterations. Germ-line analysis confirmed LS in 68 patients due to MSH2 mutations (53) and EPCAM deletions (15). Among colorectal lesions with lack of MSH2 expression, only 17 were EPCAM-negative and belonged to patients with EPCAM deletions. We confirm that loss of EPCAM expression identifies EPCAM deletion carriers with 100% specificity and we recommend adding EPCAM IHC to the algorithm of MSH2-negative colorectal neoplasia.

Abstract

The use of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) immunohistochemistry (IHC) is not included in the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening algorithm to detect Lynch syndrome (LS) patients. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that EPCAM IHC is a useful tool to guide the LS germ-line analysis when a loss of MSH2 expression was present. We retrospectively studied MSH2 and EPCAM IHC in a large series of 190 lesions composed of malignant neoplasms (102), precursor lesions of gastrointestinal (71) and extra-gastrointestinal origin (9), and benign neoplasms (8) from different organs of 71 patients suspicious of being LS due to MSH2 alterations. LS was confirmed in 68 patients, 53 with MSH2 mutations and 15 with EPCAM 3′-end deletions. Tissue microarrays were constructed with human normal tissues and their malignant counterparts to assist in the evaluation of EPCAM staining. Among 154 MSH2-negative lesions, 17 were EPCAM-negative, including 10 CRC and 7 colorectal polyps, and 5 of them showed only isolated negative glands. All lesions showing a lack of EPCAM expression belonged to patients with EPCAM 3′-end deletions. EPCAM IHC is a useful screening tool, with 100% specificity to identify LS patients due to EPCAM 3′-end deletions in MSH2-negative CRC and MSH2-negative colorectal polyps.

Low-grade extrauterine endometrial stromal sarcoma of the peritoneum: A case report and literature review

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor that accounts for less than 1% of all primary uterine malignancies and extrauterine endometrial stromal sarcoma (EESS) is even rarer. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman with an abdominal tumor and multiple peritoneal implants. Histological analysis of the surgical specimens showed bland cellularity resembling normal endometrial stroma. The diagnosis of a low-grade EESS was confirmed by immunophenotypic findings and demonstration of JAZF1 translocation. After extensive sampling, no evidence of endometriosis was found. Our case showed atypical aggressive behavior and we discuss the possible influence of the high mitotic count (8/10 HPFs) in some areas of the tumor, the multifocality of the abdominal implants and the postmenopausal status of the patient. The unusual clinical presentation and extrauterine location of such a rare tumor were challenging implying a wide range of differential diagnosis. The correlation of morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular findings was necessary to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

Budget Impact Analysis of Molecular Lymph Node Staging Versus Conventional Histopathology Staging in Colorectal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The presence of lymph node (LN) metastasis is a critical prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and is also an indicator for adjuvant chemotherapy. The gold standard (GS) technique for LN diagnosis and staging is based on the analysis of haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides, but its sensitivity is low. As a result, patients may not be properly diagnosed and some may have local recurrence or distant metastases after curative-intent surgery. Many of these diagnostic and treatment problems could be avoided if the one-step nucleic acid amplification assay (OSNA) was used rather than the GS technique. OSNA is a fast, automated, standardised, highly sensitive, quantitative technique for detecting LN metastases.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the budget impact of introducing OSNA LN analysis in early-stage CRC patients in the Spanish National Health System (NHS).

METHODS

A budget impact analysis comparing two scenarios (GS vs. OSNA) was developed within the Spanish NHS framework over a 3-year time frame (2017-2019). The patient population consisted of newly diagnosed CRC patients undergoing surgical treatment, and the following costs were included: initial surgery, pathological diagnosis, staging, follow-up expenses, systemic treatment and surgery after recurrence. One- and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Using OSNA instead of the GS would have saved €1,509,182, €6,854,501 and €10,814,082 during the first, second and third years of the analysis, respectively, because patients incur additional costs in later years, leading to savings of more than €19 million for the NHS over the 3-year time horizon.

CONCLUSIONS

Introducing OSNA in CRC LN analysis may represent not only an economic benefit for the NHS but also a clinical benefit for CRC patients since a more accurate staging could be performed, thus avoiding unnecessary treatments.