Metastatic progression of breast cancer along with decreased mitochondrial cell death priming of breast cancer cells: a case report

Metastatic breast cancer remains to be a major cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Exploring the molecular mechanisms to identify targetable alterations in progressing breast cancer and developing functional tools to predict therapy response in these patients are needed. In this report, we present a case of breast cancer patient who progressed following surgery and adjuvant endocrine therapy. Radiological and pathological analyses revealed metastasis to liver and brain. Paired liquid biopsies demonstrated acquired ERBB2 mutations in addition to TP53 and PIK3CA mutations, which were also present before progression. BH3 profiling test demonstrated decreased mitochondrial cell death priming in CTCs of the patient after progression. In conclusion, novel personalized treatment strategies are needed to monitor metastatic breast cancer patients for better clinical benefit.

[Determination of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Genotype Prevalance and Distrubution in Adana: A Hospital-Based Study Between 2014-2021]

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women all over the world. It is accepted that cervical cancer is highly related to the HPV. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified 13 HPV types as group 1 carcinogens (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 66), which are commonly referred to as high risk-HPVs (hr-HPVs). Among these, hr-HPV-16 is undoubtedly the most carcinogenic based in the burden of cervical cancer (CC) and its precursor lesions. In our study, we analyzed retrospectively the data of a total of 2329 female patients who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of our hospital over a seven-year-period, whose cervical smear were carried out by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cytology. In this study, it was aimed to determine the data of of HPV prevalence in our region during the seven-year-period from April 2014 to April 2021 and the most common genotypes and to interpret them together with the cervical smears cytology and biopsy results if it is available. HPV 3, 6, 11, 16, 18, 21, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 81, 82, 83, 84 were identified by using linear array HPV genotyping test (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) from April 2014 to October 2017. HPV genotypes were identified by using HPV Genotypes 14 Real-TM Quant (Qiagen, Germany) between October 2017 and April 2021. This method detected HPV genotypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 25.0) predictive analytics software. Continuous variables are indicated as mean ± standard deviation, and discrete variables are indicated as number [percentage (%)]. Chi-square test is used to investigate dependencies between variables. All analyzes were evaluated to provide 95% confidence level and 80% test power. p<0.05 was accepted as significant for the analysis results. Out of 2329 patients, 1283 were found to be HPV negative (54.6%) and the others were found to be HPV positive (45.4%) by using real-time PCR in the cervical smears. It was detected that out of 1046 HPV positive patients, 585 of them (55.9%) had one HPV genotype and 461 of them (44.1%) had more than one HPV genotypes. As we divided all of the patients into two groups as <30 (Group I) ve > 30 (Group II) according to age range, HPV positivity was found 134/296 (45.2%) in Group I and 912/2033 (44.8%) in Group II. When we compared the HPV positive/negative results of Groups I and II by using chi-square test, no significant difference was found between the two age groups in terms of HPV positivity (p= 0.894). In our study, the most common HPV types were HPV 16 (14.2%), HPV 68 (8.2%), HPV 56 (8.2%), HPV 52 (7.1%), HPV 51 (6.8%), HPV 31 (6.5%), HPV 66(6.1%), HPV 39 (5.8%) and HPV 18 (5.6%) among the women with normal and abnormal cytology in the cervical smears. ASC-US was the most common abnormal epithelial cell change detected with HPV16 and 18 genotypes and it was detected 26.07% and 21.88% in patients, respectively. In our study, we found HPV prevalance in our region as 45.4% and the most common type was HPV 16. As a result, we concluded that it is important to determine regional HPV prevalance data, which is an important step in cervical cancer prevention strategies, and regional data of detected HPV genotypes.

Accuracy of intra-operative frozen section in guiding surgical staging of endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

Surgery consists the main treatment of endometrial cancer; however, decision of lypmhadenectomy is controversial. Intra-operative frozen section (FS) is commonly used in guiding surgical staging; nevertheless, there are different reports regarding its adequacy and reliability. Aim of this study is to assess accuracy of FS in predicting paraffin section (PS) results in patients with endometrium cancer.

METHODS

Data of 223 cases, who were operated for endometrial cancer at a tertiary hospital in 2012-2019, were analyzed retrospectively. Histological type, grade, tumor diameter, depth of myometrial invasion, and cervical and adnexal involvement in frozen and paraffin section were evaluated. Positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of frozen results in predicting paraffin results for each parameter was assessed. Statistical significance was taken as 0.05 in all tests.

RESULTS

Accuracy of FS in predicting PS results were 76.23% for histology, 75.45% for grade, 85.31% for depth of myometrial invasion, and 95.45% for tumor diameter. Surgery, based on FS results, caused undertreatment in 4 patients, while metastatic lymph node ratios were found in only 35.3-50.0% of cases who had high risk parameters at FS.

CONCLUSION

Our FS results have reasonable accuracy rates in predicting PS results, in comparison with the previous literature. However, even if the high risk parameters detected in FS predict PS accurately, absence of lymph node involvement in all cases with high risk parameters indicates that FS-based triage cannot prevent unnecessary lymphadenectomies.

Clinicopathologic importance of atypical glandular cells in cervico-vaginal cytology

Objective:

To analyze the histopathologic outcomes of patients with atypical glandular cells (AGC) in cervicovaginal cytology examinations.

Material and Methods:

Patients with AGC in cervicovaginal cytology were included in this study between March 2011 and March 2018 and patient data were collected retrospectively among all cytology results. AGC classification of cervicovaginal cytology were based on the Bethesda 2001 classification system.

Results:

The total prevalence of cervical epithelial cell abnormality and AGC were found as 4.2% and 0.2%, respectively, in the study cohort. AGC-favor neoplasia (AGC-FN) was the subgroup of AGC with the highest malignancy rate with 62.5% (p=0.06). The incidence of malignancy in the postmenopausal group (33.3%) was detected higher than in the premenopausal group (8.3%) (p=0.07).

Conclusion:

The probability of malignancy in AGC-FN cytology is more commonly associated with malignancy in the postmenopausal group. Therefore, histopathologic examination is strongly recommended in these patients with AGC smears because of the high risk for malignancy in this group.

Male Breast Cancer: Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical and Radiological Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pathological and radiological features, immunohistochemical profile and treatment methods of primary male breast carcinoma cases diagnosed at our center.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The pathology archive between 2006 and 2019 was reviewed and the data of 27 male patients diagnosed as primary breast cancer were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The age of the patients ranged between 40-86 years. The left breast was involved in 17 patients. The mean tumor diameter was 2.35 ± 1.09 cm. Of the 27 cases, 8 were dead and 19 were alive. The mean follow-up duration was 37.45 ± 24.84 months. The mean estimated life expectancy was 65±14.7 months. The most common complaint was a swelling in the breast. The time interval between the onset of complaints and admittance to hospital ranged from three months to two years. The most common histopathological diagnosis was invasive carcinoma - no special type. The most common surgical procedure was mastectomy with lymph node dissection. Nine patients had metastatic lymph nodes. In terms of the hormone profiles, 24 were Estrogen receptor positive, 21 were Progesterone receptor positive and six were Her2/neu positive. Three patients had triple-negative tumors.

CONCLUSION

Male breast carcinoma is a rare disease but its frequency has been increasing recently. As breast cancer is more commonly attributed to women, the diagnosis is usually delayed until later stages in males. Public awareness should therefore be increased and breast cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis especially in the presence of breast swelling and complaints related to the breast skin so that the appropriate biopsy can be obtained without delay.

Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: Analysis of 38 Cases from a Single Institute

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pathological and radiological features, hormone profiles, surgery and treatment methods of metaplastic breast carcinoma cases diagnosed at our center in the light of current literature.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A total of 38 metaplastic breast cancer cases diagnosed between 2006-2018 at our center were included in the study. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, tumor size, localization, histological grade, hormone profiles (ER, PR, Her2-neu), American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumor, Lymph node status, Metastases (TNM) stage, progression, survival, radiological features, types of surgery and therapy modalities (chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy).

RESULTS

The age of the patients ranged between 32 and 95 years. Pathological evaluation of cases showed that 14 were pure epithelial (IC-NST + squamous cell carcinoma) and 24 were metaplastic carcinomas with mesenchymal differentiation. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was accompanying an invasive component in twenty cases. Seventeen patients had lymph node metastasis. Twelve patients developed distant metastasis. Thirty patients were triple negative for hormone receptors. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 34 months. The estimated life expectancy was 116 months. All of the patients received chemotherapy and 28 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. There was no correlation between tumor size and lymph node or distant metastasis in our series. Our findings are consistent with the literature.

CONCLUSION

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is a rare entity among breast carcinomas. Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast draw attention with the differences in their clinical course and the radiological and pathological heterogeneity.

Not Otherwise Specified-Type Sarcoma of Breast with CD10 Expression: Case Report

Primary breast sarcomas are very rare and account less than 1% of invasive breast carcinomas. Primary sarcomas of breast are leiomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and pleomorphic sarcoma. Recently, a new CD10 positive group of sarcoma was identified. These tumors cannot be classified as a soft tissue sarcoma and show diffuse strong positive staining pattern with CD10 (NSCD10). Herein we report clinical and morphological characteristics of two cases diagnosed with not otherwise specified-type sarcoma with CD10 expression by histologically and immunohistochemical findings with the literature. NSCD10 shows similarity with leiomyosarcoma and sarcomatoid-type metaplastic carcinoma histomorphologically among specific sarcomas of breast. CD10 expression should be taken into consideration in the presence of not diagnosed and not specified tumors and CD10 should be added to the immunohistochemical panel.

What does the Data of 354,725 Patients from Turkey Tell Us About Cervical Smear Epithelial Cell Abnormalities? - The Epithelial Cell Abnormality Rate is Increasing - Quality Control Studies and Corrective Activity are Musts

OBJECTIVE

There is no other screening program close to the success rate of PAP test. Cervical cytology constitutes a large workload so that quality control in cervical cytology is important for the quality assurance of pathology laboratories.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

In this study, we collected the cervical cytology results from all over Turkey and discussed the parameters influencing the quality of the PAP test. The study was conducted with Turkish gynaecopathology working group and 38 centers (totally 45 hospitals) agreed to contribute from 24 different cities. The study was designed to cover the cervical cytology results during 2013. The results were evaluated from the data based on an online questionnaire.

RESULTS

The total number of Epithelial Cell Abnormality was 18,020 and the global Epithelial Cell Abnormality rate was 5.08% in the total 354,725 smears and ranging between 0.3% to 16.64% among centers. The Atypical squamous cells /Squamous intraepithelial lesion ratios changed within the range of 0.21-13.94 with an average of 2.61. When the centers were asked whether they performed quality assurance studies, only 14 out of 28 centers, which shared the information, had such a control study and some quality parameters were better in these centers.

CONCLUSION

There is an increase in the global Epithelial Cell Abnormality rate and there are great differences among centers. Quality control studies including the Atypical squamous cells/Squamous intraepithelial lesion ratio are important. Corrective and preventive action according to quality control parameters is a must. A cervical cytology subspecialist in every center can be utopic but a dedicated pathologist in the center is certainly needed.

Huge Neck Masses Causing Respiratory Distress in Neonates: Two Cases of Congenital Cervical Teratoma

Congenital cervical teratomas are rare and usually large enough to cause respiratory distress in the neonatal period. We present two cases of congenital huge cystic neck masses in which distinguishing cervical cystic hygroma and congenital cystic teratoma was not possible through radiologic imaging techniques. Experience with the first case, which was initially diagnosed and treated as cystic hygroma by injection sclerotherapy, led to early suspicion and surgery in the second case. The masses were excised completely and histopathologic diagnoses were congenital teratoma in both patients. Our aim is to review congenital huge neck masses causing respiratory distress in early neonatal life to highlight this dilemma briefly with these interesting cases.

Seroma Cytology in Breast Cancer: An Underappreciated Issue

BACKGROUND

The presence of malignant cells in postoperative seroma has been ignored in current breast cancer treatment. We aimed to assess the presence of malignant seroma cytology and to evaluate its relationship with the known prognostic factors for breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The solution from irrigation of the operation field and postoperative drainage fluid from 68 patients were prospectively collected and examined for malignant cytology. The results were evaluated according to the tumor characteristics and patient demographics.

RESULTS

Malignant cytology was found in none of the intraoperative samples but was found in the postoperative samples from 4 patients. Of these 4 patients, 3 were free of axillary metastasis. None of the common risk factors for breast cancer was associated with the finding of malignant cytology.

CONCLUSION

Malignant cells can be seen in the drainage fluids from breast cancer patients independent of any contamination occurring during surgery, even in those without axillary metastasis.

Myofibroblastoma of the Breast

This study aimed presenting a case of a 64-year-old woman with a rare diagnosis of myofibroblastoma (MFB). MFB is one of the rare, benign, spindle-like stromal tumors arising from the connective tissue of the breast. MFBs are often confused with fibroadenomas and hamartomas because of their benign characteristic appearance on breast imaging and are diagnosed after excisional biopsies. Their differential diagnosis with malignant neoplasia of the breast is important because of their wide morphological spectrum. Our case also demonstrated a breast mass with benign imaging characteristics and a needle core biopsy revealing a benign, spindle-like stromal tumor. The pathological examination performed after the excision of the lump demonstrated a collagenous-/fibrous-type MFB. This case report emphasizes the rare but important place of MFB variants of the breast in the differential diagnosis of breast mass.

Predictors determining the status of axilla in breast cancer: Where is PET/CT on that?

PURPOSE

18 F-FDG PET/CT has an acceptable specificity but a low sensitivity on the prediction of axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis in breast cancer. We analyzed the factors that could possibly affect this prediction.

METHODS

The records of 270 patients with T1-2 invasive breast cancer who underwent surgery, 116 of whom had been evaluated by preoperative 18 F-FDG PET/CT were reviewed. Prediction of ALN status by PET/CT according to tumor stage, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and HER2 status, histology, age and sentinel node properties was assessed.

RESULTS

ALN metastasis was present in 62 of 131 T1 (43.7%) and 106 of 142 T2 tumors (74.6%), 20 of 46 (43.5%) ER(-) and 146 of 222 (65.8%) ER(+) tumors, 38 of 71 (53.5%) PgR(-) and 127 of 200 (63.5%) PgR(+) tumors. On multivariate analysis only the tumor size (>2 cm) independently correlated with ALN metastasis (Odds ratio/OR=3.1). None of the other parameters had statistical significance in terms of ALN prediction on FDG-PET/CT.

CONCLUSION

Though T2 tumors showed increased tendency to metastasize to the axilla, prediction of ALN metastasis in preoperative FDG-PET/CT was not associated with any of the predictive factors.

Durable clinical benefit to trastuzumab and chemotherapy in a patient with metastatic colon adenocarcinoma harboring ERBB2 amplification

Somatic ERBB2 amplification or activating mutations occur in approximately 2-5% of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas and are presumed to be oncogenic drivers, but limited evidence exists to suggest these lesions are sensitive to targeted monotherapy in patients. Here we present the case of a patient with advanced CRC with pulmonary metastases, who had progressed on both standard of care cytotoxic chemotherapy and anti-EGFR targeted therapy. Comprehensive genomic profiling (FoundationOne(®)) identified amplification of ERBB2 and a TP53 mutation in the metastatic lesion. Treatment with trastuzumab with a chemotherapy backbone elicited stable disease/minor response in the patient over a one year course of therapy, reducing tumor burden and significantly improving quality of life. This report demonstrates the application of personalized targeted therapy guided by comprehensive genomic profiling in metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma.

A Comparative Study of Conservative versus Surgical Treatment Protocols for 77 Patients with Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features and demographic data of patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to compare the results of conservative versus surgical treatment protocols. The demographic data, clinical findings, microbiological and pathologic features, scanning and treatment methods, recurrence, and recovery rates of 77 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of treatment received. Core biopsies were used to diagnose 37 patients: 26 using incisional biopsies and 14 using excisional biopsies. Of the patient population with IGM, 31 were treated with surgical excision, one with a simple mastectomy, and one with a subcutaneous mastectomy combined with a breast implant, whereas 44 were treated with steroids. The recovery rates of the 44 patients who were treated conservatively were 6 (1-15) months while for the 33 patients who were treated surgically, it was 1 (1-5) month (p = 0.001). Nine patients from the conservative treatment group experienced a recurrence while there were no recurrences in the surgically treated group (p = 0.009). Among all patients, the recurrence rate was 11.7% (9/77) while the average follow-up period was 16.57 ± 18.57 months. As a comparative study between conservative treatment protocols and surgical ones for patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM), this study is the largest to date. A wide surgical excision is the preferred approach for treating patients with IGM because of the low recurrence rate.

Comparison of predictive factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of phyllodes tumours of the breast

BACKGROUND

To compare predicting factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of benign and malign/ borderline phyllodes tumours (PT) of the breast, and to discuss treatment modalities.

METHODS

Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients with histopathological diagnosis of phyllodes tumour were examined. Patients were divided into group 1 (benign PT) and group 2 (borderline/malignant PT). Groups were compared in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Of the patients studied, 37 (68.5%) had benign, 7 (12.9%) had borderline and 10 (18.5) had malignant histopathology. A statistically significant relationship was detected between the incidence of malignancy and mass diameter (p = 0.001) and age (p = 0.030) when the two groups were compared. Wide surgical excision was performed on 46 (82.5%) patients, simple mastectomy on 7 (13%) patients and modified radical mastectomy on one (1.9%) patient. Ten (18.5%) patients were re-operated for surgical margin positivity. Local recurrence was determined only in one (1.9%) patient. Distant metastasis due to malignant PT developed in two (3.7%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the patients who were considered to have PT, malignancy was likely to be present, especially if the patient's age was over 40 and the diameter of the mass was above 33.5 mm. Therefore, in patients with similar characteristics, surgical margins should be kept slightly wider or wider excisions should be preferred with or without simultaneous reconstructive surgery in appropriate cases.

Clitoris metastasis from a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma: A case report

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare form of cancer commonly found in the retroperitoneum, uterus, stomach, small intestine and vascular tissue. Surgery with a wide margin of resection is the most effective treatment. Nevertheless, metastasis is common and generally occurs within the first 3 years. The liver and lungs are the most common sites of metastasis in leiomyosarcoma. Other sites of metastasis include bone, spleen, soft tissues and brain. Metastatic tumours of the clitoris are extremely rare. As cited in the literature, the most common cancers that metastasize to the clitoris are breast, bladder, renal and gastric. Here, we report a case of a clitoral mass in a 64-year-old woman who received an operation for retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma 4 years prior. Mass resection was performed. The pathological diagnosis was a leiomyosarcoma metastasis. The patient also presented with brain and lung metastases at the time of the clitoral metastasis. This is the first case of clitoral and brain metastases originating from a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.

Surgical treatment of the solid breast masses in female adolescents

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the histopathologic results of the excised solid breast masses in our clinic and to draw attention to breast masses in adolescents.

DESIGN

A retrospective chart review study and review of the literature.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Baskent University Adana Research Center between March 2003 and May 2011.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients included 10 adolescent girls admitted to pediatric surgery clinic with the complaint of palpable breast mass who underwent surgical excision of the breast mass.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The necessity of surgery in breast masses of female adolescents.

RESULTS

10 female patients with an average age of 14 years were operated on for breast masses. A palpable mass in the breast and social anxiety were the cardinal complaints. Two patients had a family history of breast carcinoma. One patient had a history of neuroblastoma in remission. Histopathologic examination revealed 3 juvenile fibroadenomas, 1 conventional fibroadenoma, 3 tubular adenomas, and 3 phyllodes tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Palpable breast masses in adolescents are uncommon and are usually benign. The low malignancy risk and rarity of breast masses in childhood create a controversy as how to manage breast masses. Ultrasonography is the initial imaging modality to define the characteristics of the breast mass. Excisional biopsy and histopathologic examination is essential to rule out rare, but probable malignant, lesions in adolescents in selected patients such as maternal history of breast carcinoma, previous malignancy history in the patient, big size of the mass, and no regression on follow-up.

Unusual malignant breast lesions: imaging-pathological correlations

This pictorial essay presents the common radiological (mammography and/or ultrasonography) and pathological findings observed in unusual malignant breast lesions, which include well-differentiated subtypes of invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified (tubular, mucinous, papillary, and medullary carcinomas), metaplastic carcinoma, and metastases. This study also includes unusual ultrasonographic appearances of a plasmacytoma.

Solitary Polyps of the Uncinate Process

Cases of a solitary polyp of the nasal cavity are much less common than cases of massive polyposis. The most important factor in the formation of solitary polyps is the anatomic variations that result in mucosal contacts. We report the case of a patient who had bilateral solitary polyps of the uncinate process. Radiologic and clinical examinations revealed a medially bent uncinate process in the right nasal cavity and a bifid uncinate process in the left nasal cavity. These structures were the origins of the polyps.

Solitary polyps of the uncinate process

Cases of a solitary polyp of the nasal cavity are much less common than cases of massive polyposis. The most important factor in the formation of solitary polyps is the anatomic variations that result in mucosal contacts. We report the case of a patient who had bilateral solitary polyps of the uncinate process. Radiologic and clinical examinations revealed a medially bent uncinate process in the right nasal cavity and a bifid uncinate process in the left nasal cavity. These structures were the origins of the polyps.

[A case of cervical lymphoepithelial cyst]

Lymphoepithelial cysts are usually benign lesions of unknown etiopathogenesis. They develop in the lateral aspect of the neck and their diagnosis is mainly made with histopathologic examination. Total excision is the primary method for treatment. A 43-year-old woman presented with a swelling on the left side of her neck. Computed tomography of the neck showed a cystic lesion. Fine needle aspiration cytology yielded a diagnosis of benign epithelial cyst. The lesion was totally excised. Histopathologic examination of the specimen was reported as lymphoepithelial cyst. No complications were encountered in the postoperative period.

Nasoalveolar cysts: review of 3 cases

Nasoalveolar cysts, also known as nasolabial cysts or Klestadt's cysts, are rare, nonodontogenic, soft-tissue lesions that arise during development of the maxilla. They occur lateral to the midline in the region of the maxillary lip and alar base. In this case report clinical features and treatment options of three patients with nasoalveolar cysts are discussed.

Can E-selectin be a reliable marker of inflammation in lumbar disc disease?

The cause of sciatica and low back pain associating with lumbar disc herniation has not been clearly identified until now. Inflammation has been shown to occur via immunohistochemical and biochemical methods in herniated disc tissues. The important prognostic role of E-selectin has recently been substantiated by other studies in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The important role of adhesion molecules in the initiation and progression of the inflammatory response is well known for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. In our study, we aimed to show the role of E-selectin as an inflammatory marker and the correlation of inflammation with straight-leg raise (SLR) test findings and subtype of disc herniation. We found that the cases with positive SLR test had higher rates of immunostaining with E-selectin. This led us to think that E-selectin might play an important role in the activity status of the disease, meaning patients with more limited movement capacity might benefit from E-selectin antagonist therapy. Among the many studies performed to identify the relationship between the inflammation markers and activity of lumbar disc herniation, this is the first investigation held with E-selectin.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney: a rare entity

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is usually aggressive and rapidly progressing and metastasizing tumor. Occurrence of the this type of tumor in the kidney is considered as unusual, and few cases have been reported so far. We present a PNET arising from the kidney in a 23-year-old female patient.