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Gonzalez RS, Yin T, Rosenbaum MW, Quintana L. Evaluation of fine-needle core biopsy specimens for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Diagnostic utility and helpful histological features. Histopathology 2024. [PMID: 38659189 DOI: 10.1111/his.15199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
AIMS With the advent of new biopsy devices, fine-needle core biopsy specimens can be obtained from pancreas masses. This study aimed to report the histological spectrum of intrapancreatic adenocarcinoma on fine-needle core biopsy and the accuracy of sampling. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified 423 SharkCore™ fine-needle core biopsies taken from patients with a high clinical concern for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. For each, we recorded patient age and sex, percentage of diagnostic tissue in each sample and tumour site, size and histological findings. The cases came from 392 patients (193 men, 199 women; mean age 69 years). Median diagnostic tissue amount in the samples was 30%. Common histological findings included desmoplasia (36%), single atypical cells (44%), haphazard glandular growth pattern (68%), nuclear pleomorphism > 4:1 (39%), incomplete gland lumens (18%) and detached atypical epithelial strips (37%). Additional levels were ordered on 143 cases. Final clinical diagnoses associated with the 423 cases were adenocarcinoma (n = 343), pancreatitis (n = 22), intraductal neoplasm or other benign/low-grade process (n = 16) and unknown (n = 42, patients lost to follow-up). Of the adenocarcinoma cases, the diagnosis was established by the evaluated fine-needle core biopsy sample alone in 178, by fine-needle aspiration biopsy alone in 30, by both concurrently in 89 and by subsequent biopsy or resection in 37 cases. Among 68 cases called suspicious on fine-needle core biopsy, 78% ultimately represented adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Fine-needle core biopsy allows for histological diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, using known histological parameters. Common findings include single atypical cells, desmoplasia, haphazard gland growth and nuclear pleomorphism. Cases interpreted as suspicious often represent malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul S Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tiffany Yin
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew W Rosenbaum
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liza Quintana
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Esposito I, Yavas A, Häberle L. [Histopathologic diagnosis of solid and cystic pancreatic lesions with a focus on ductal adenocarcinoma : A vademecum for daily practice]. PATHOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 45:5-18. [PMID: 38191761 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-023-01288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Pancreas pathology is constantly evolving and can present various challenges for pathologists. This paper is focused on providing helpful hints for daily routine diagnostics. During histopathological analysis of pancreas biopsies, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma must be distinguished not only from other solid neoplasms, but especially from its mimicker, autoimmune pancreatitis. This can be achieved by a systematic workup following clear diagnostic criteria. When analyzing samples from cystic pancreatic lesions, mucin-producing neoplasms must be detected due to their role as pancreatic cancer precursors; molecular analyses can help considerably with their detection and distinction. During frozen section examination, evaluation of the pancreatic neck margin and analysis of unclear lesions of the liver are two important tasks, which are explained further in this article. A special challenge is the evaluation of neoadjuvant treated pancreatic cancer, which requires a detailed macroscopic and microscopic workup. Finally, current advances in precision oncology and emerging approaches for pancreatic cancer within this field are discussed. With the advancement of technical possibilities and their increasingly broad implementation, the classification systems in pancreatic pathology will continue to gain in complexity, but also in accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Esposito
- Institut für Pathologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität und Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
| | - Aslihan Yavas
- Institut für Pathologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität und Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Lena Häberle
- Institut für Pathologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität und Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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3
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Pateras IS, Igea A, Nikas IP, Leventakou D, Koufopoulos NI, Ieronimaki AI, Bergonzini A, Ryu HS, Chatzigeorgiou A, Frisan T, Kittas C, Panayiotides IG. Diagnostic Challenges during Inflammation and Cancer: Current Biomarkers and Future Perspectives in Navigating through the Minefield of Reactive versus Dysplastic and Cancerous Lesions in the Digestive System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1251. [PMID: 38279253 PMCID: PMC10816510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021251] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In the setting of pronounced inflammation, changes in the epithelium may overlap with neoplasia, often rendering it impossible to establish a diagnosis with certainty in daily clinical practice. Here, we discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms driving tissue response during persistent inflammatory signaling along with the potential association with cancer in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, extrahepatic bile ducts, and liver. We highlight the histopathological challenges encountered in the diagnosis of chronic inflammation in routine practice and pinpoint tissue-based biomarkers that could complement morphology to differentiate reactive from dysplastic or cancerous lesions. We refer to the advantages and limitations of existing biomarkers employing immunohistochemistry and point to promising new markers, including the generation of novel antibodies targeting mutant proteins, miRNAs, and array assays. Advancements in experimental models, including mouse and 3D models, have improved our understanding of tissue response. The integration of digital pathology along with artificial intelligence may also complement routine visual inspections. Navigating through tissue responses in various chronic inflammatory contexts will help us develop novel and reliable biomarkers that will improve diagnostic decisions and ultimately patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis S. Pateras
- 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (N.I.K.); (A.I.I.); (I.G.P.)
| | - Ana Igea
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- Mobile Genomes, Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ilias P. Nikas
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, 2029 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Danai Leventakou
- 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (N.I.K.); (A.I.I.); (I.G.P.)
| | - Nektarios I. Koufopoulos
- 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (N.I.K.); (A.I.I.); (I.G.P.)
| | - Argyro Ioanna Ieronimaki
- 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (N.I.K.); (A.I.I.); (I.G.P.)
| | - Anna Bergonzini
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Alfred Nobels Allé 8, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Molecular Biology and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Han Suk Ryu
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea;
| | - Antonios Chatzigeorgiou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Teresa Frisan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Christos Kittas
- Department of Histopathology, Biomedicine Group of Health Company, 156 26 Athens, Greece;
| | - Ioannis G. Panayiotides
- 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece; (D.L.); (N.I.K.); (A.I.I.); (I.G.P.)
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Zhang ML, Sabatino ME, Castillo CFD, Mattia AR, Chebib I. Cytologic, histologic, and molecular features of pancreatic sarcomatoid undifferentiated carcinoma with heterologous osteosarcomatous transformation. Diagn Cytopathol 2023; 51:E164-E169. [PMID: 36762822 DOI: 10.1002/dc.25114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally invasive and effective modality to diagnose pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, some histologic subtypes of ductal adenocarcinoma are rarely encountered and challenging to diagnose on FNA/small biopsies. To date, cytohistologic features of pancreatic sarcomatoid undifferentiated carcinoma with heterologous elements have not been thoroughly described. An 83-year-old man with lower back pain was found to have an incidental pancreatic neck mass. FNA biopsy of the mass showed rare markedly atypical, large, pleomorphic cells in a background of abundant calcifications/bone formation without areas of conventional adenocarcinoma. A diagnosis of "Malignant neoplasm with osteosarcomatous differentiation" was rendered on the FNA specimen. Subsequently, a Whipple resection revealed a 4.1 cm lobulated, calcified pancreatic mass. Microscopic examination showed a heavily calcified/ossified mass with adjacent areas of a highly cellular malignant spindle cell proliferation and admixed large, pleomorphic tumor cells; no background conventional adenocarcinoma was identified. Cytokeratin immunostains MNF116 and CK19 were positive in a large subset of the malignant spindle cells, and AE1.3/CAM5.2 showed patchy weak staining. Molecular testing revealed mutations in KRAS, TP53, BRCA2, NTRK3, EPHA2, MYD88, and CBL. No reportable fusions were detected. The final diagnosis was "Sarcomatoid undifferentiated carcinoma with heterologous elements (osteosarcomatous differentiation)." Definitive diagnosis of extremely rare subtypes of ductal adenocarcinoma is challenging on FNA biopsies. In this case, cytologic evaluation was helpful in making an early diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm with highly unusual features, prompting appropriate triage and early surgical resection of a sarcomatoid undifferentiated carcinoma with prominent osteosarcomatous differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lisa Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marlena E Sabatino
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carlos Fernandez-Del Castillo
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anthony R Mattia
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ivan Chebib
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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