The comparison of pure uterine serous carcinoma and mixed tumor with serous component: a single-institution review of 91 cases

BACKGROUND

Pure uterine serous carcinoma (p-USC) and mixed tumors with serous component (m-USC) are aggressive subtypes of endometrial cancer associated with high mortality rates. This retrospective study aimed to compare clinicopathologic features and outcomes of p-USC and m-USC in a single center.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with USC at Peking University People's Hospital between 2008 and 2022. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare clinicopathological characteristics between p-USC and m-USC. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the impact of clinical and pathological variables on OS and PFS.

RESULTS

Among the 91 patients who underwent surgery, 65.9% (n = 60) were p-USC, and 34.1% (n = 31) were m-USC. Patients with p-USC had earlier menopause (P = 0.0217), a lower rate of progesterone receptor(PR) expression (P < 0.001), and were more likely to have positive peritoneal cytology (P = 0.0464). After a median follow-up time of 40 months, 28 (46.7%) p-USC and 9 (29%) m-USC patients had progression disease, 18 (30%) and 8 (25.8%) patients died of their disease. 5-year PFSR were 51.2% and 75.3%, respectively, and 5-year OS rates were 66% and 67.4%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that p-USC was more likely to relapse than m-USC (P = 0.034), but there was no significant difference in OS. Cox regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis and surgical approach were risk factors for OS, and myoinvasion depth ≥ 1/2 was an independent risk factor for PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

p-USC was more likely to relapse than m-USC, but there was no significant difference in OS between the two subtypes.

[Myoepithelial tumors of soft tissue: A case of mixed tumor]

Myoepithelial neoplasms of soft tissue represent a rare entity which has been described only recently when compared to salivary gland tumors with whom they share histopathological and molecular features. The most common locations are the superficial soft tissues of the limbs and limb girdles. However, they can rarely occur in the mediastinum, abdomen, bone, skin and visceral organs. Benign forms (myoepithelioma and mixed tumor) are more frequent than myoepithelial carcinoma and the latter mostly affects children and young adults. Diagnosis is mainly based on histology, which shows a proliferation of myoepithelial cells of variable morphology with or without glandular structures in a myxoid background, and immunohistochemistry, which shows co-expression of epithelial and myoepithelial markers. Molecular tests are not mandatory, but in selected cases FISH analysis can prove useful as about 50% of myoepitheliomas show EWSR1 (or rarely FUS) rearrangements and mixed tumors show PLAG1 rearrangements. Here, we present a case of a mixed tumor of the soft tissue occuring in the hand with expression of PLAG1 in immunohistochemistry.

The Rare Presentation of Multiple Chondroid Syringomas in One Patient: A Case Report

Chondroid syringomas are rare, benign tumors originating from sweat glands occurring as singular lesions of the head and neck. This case report presents a patient in whom multiple chondroid syringoma lesions were found. Thus illuminating the possibility for such occurrences in the future of which physicians should be aware.

A primary gastric adenosquamos carcinoma: Case report

INTRODUCTION

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is too rare accounting for <0.5 % of all gastric cancers and has a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a man with digestive symptoms and epigastric discomfort came to a Gastrointestinal clinic. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large mass localized in the gastric fundus and cardia. A PET-CT scan showed a localized lesion in the stomach. Gastroscopy revealed a mass in the gastric fundus. Biopsy from the gastric fundus reported a poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. A laparoscopic abdominal exploration found a mass and Infected Lymphatic Nodes on the abdomen wall. a second biopsy reported an Adenosquamous cell carcinoma grade II. The therapeutic was open surgery and then chemotherapy.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Adenosquamous carcinoma usually presents at an advanced stage with metastasis (Chen et al., 2015). In our case, the patient presented with a stage IV tumor; including two lymph nodes metastasis (pN1, N = 2/15) and abdominal wall involvement (pM1).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of this potential site of adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) because this carcinoma has a poor prognosis even if diagnosed at an early stage.

Common Tumor in an uncommon location: Pleomorphic Adenoma of nasal cavity - a case Report

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign salivary gland tumor of which parotid gland involvement is the most common. PA may arise from minor salivary glands as well, however, PA is very rare in the sinonasal and nasopharyngeal areas. It usually affects middle aged females. They are frequently misdiagnosed due to high cellularity and myxoid stroma, leading to delay in diagnosis & further appropriate management. Here we present a case report of a female who presented with gradually progressive nasal obstruction, on examination found to have a nasal mass in right nasal cavity. Imaging was done and the nasal mass was excised. Histopathological report revealed a PA. Common tumor in an uncommon location: Pleomorphic adenoma of the nasal cavity - a case report.

Chondroid syringoma of the lower back simulating lipoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Chondroid syringoma (CS) is a rare tumor of the apocrine or eccrine glands. CS of the lower back is rare, and its clinical manifestations are similar to those of lipoma, which is a common misdiagnosis for this disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A 39-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of an asymptomatic subcutaneous mass on the lower back. The lesions increased progressively over time. The patient denied any history. Dermatological examination showed that there was a subcutaneous mass, ranging from 3-4 cm in diameter, with a clear boundary on the lower back. The surface of the skin was smooth without ulceration or scaling. Histopathologic examination was consistent with the diagnosis of CS.

CONCLUSION

CS is a rare tumor of the apocrine or eccrine glands. It usually presents as a wellcircumscribed and single subcutaneous masses. Histopathology showed the tumor was located in the dermis, with nests, sheets, and cords of basal-like cells, mucin deposition, and chondroid structures. We herein report a case of CS located in the lower back. CS of the lower back is rare, and its clinical manifestations are similar to those of lipoma, for which it is commonly misdiagnosed.

Spontaneous multiple cutaneous mixed tumors in Japanese giant salamander Andrias japonicus

We examined 7 cutaneous mixed tumors in 2 wild-captured Japanese giant salamanders Andrias japonicus. The tumors were either already present and/or increased in size, or newly occurred during capativity. We sampled the 7 tumors from these animals and 3 verrucose protrusions from 3 unaffected animals, as controls, and examined them pathologically and virologically. The tumors (5 mm to 4 cm in size) were papillary protrusions or pendulated on the skin surface. The cut surface of the tumors was white, lobulated, partially hard, and contained mucus. All tumors presented similar histological characteristics of a hyaline structure and exhibited biphasic proliferation, with neoplastic epithelial cells partially composing the pseudo-ductal structure and staining positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Vimentin 3B4-positive blast-like mesenchymal cells proliferated to fill the gaps in the epithelial components. Transition from unique mucous gland to neoplastic tissue was observed. The hyaline structure was stained blue by AZAN stain, Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) double stain, and toluidine blue (TB) stain of pH 7.0, but was unstained by TB with pH values of 4.1 and 2.5. The mucus in the neoplastic tissue and in the mucous gland in verrucose protrusions was stained blue by Alcian blue-PAS double stain; TB staining at pH 7.0, 4.1, and 2.5 revealed metachromasy. No virus was detected in the tumors. The 7 tumors were diagnosed as cutaneous mixed tumors, and it was confirmed that the neoplastic cells originated from the mucous gland in the dermis. The biological behavior and pathological development of tumors should be elucidated because the tumors have the potential to negatively affect A. japonicus.

Fine-needle aspiration cytopathology of soft tissue myoepithelioma: an analysis of seven cases

INTRODUCTION

Soft tissue myoepithelioma (STM), a rare mesenchymal neoplasm morphologically analogous to its more common salivary gland (SG) counterpart, is the subject of single case reports regarding its fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. To our knowledge, ours is the first case series of STM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was made of our pathology databases for cases diagnosed as STM. FNA biopsy smears and cell blocks were performed using standard techniques.

RESULTS

Seven cases were retrieved from 4 men and 3 women (M:F = 1.3:1; age range: 25-79 years, x = 54 years). All but 1 presented as a primary neoplasm. Six aspirates were from the extremities, and 1 from the abdominal wall. Mean tumor size was 5.7 cm. Cytologic diagnosis of STM or suspicious for STM was made in 3 cases (43%). Remaining FNA diagnoses were spindle cell neoplasm/lesion (2), spindle cell sarcoma (1), and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (1). Three cases were composed primarily or solely of uniform spindle cells, 3 primarily of uniform epithelioid cells with plasmacytoid features, and 1 case a mixture of these 2 cell types. Myxoid/chondromyxoid stroma was relatively abundant except in the single hypocellular example. Immunohistochemical (IHC) testing performed in 71% was nonspecific, but positive with S-100 in 4 of 5, EMA in 3 of 3, calponin in 2 of 2, and keratin in 1 of 3 examples.

CONCLUSION

FNA biopsy smears of STM are remarkably similar cytomorphologically to their SG equivalent. However, STM can be misidentified principally as extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, thus requiring a relatively broad IHC panel for a specific diagnosis.

New insights into the pathophysiology and clinical care of rare primary liver cancers

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma, fibrolamellar carcinoma, hepatic haemangioendothelioma and hepatic angiosarcoma represent less than 5% of primary liver cancers. Fibrolamellar carcinoma and hepatic haemangioendothelioma are driven by unique somatic genetic alterations (DNAJB1-PRKCA and CAMTA1-WWTR1 fusions, respectively), while the pathogenesis of hepatocholangiocarcinoma remains more complex, as suggested by its histological diversity. Histology is the gold standard for diagnosis, which remains challenging even in an expert centre because of the low incidences of these liver cancers. Resection, when feasible, is the cornerstone of treatment, together with liver transplantation for hepatic haemangioendothelioma. The role of locoregional therapies and systemic treatments remains poorly studied. In this review, we aim to describe the recent advances in terms of diagnosis and clinical management of these rare primary liver cancers.

Cutaneous ciliated cyst on the anterior neck in young women: A case report

BACKGROUND

A cutaneous ciliated cyst (CCC) is a rare, benign tumor in young female adults, which is usually found on the lower extremities.

CASE SUMMARY

We found an uncommon location of CCC in the anterolateral cervical area and reviewed the literature. A 20-year-old female complained of a well-defined, painless, palpable mass that started several years ago. The mass was tense and movable and located at the anterolateral aspect of the neck. Imaging showed a non-enhancing round mass. Surgical excision biopsy was performed, and the cystic mass was revealed to be a CCC.

CONCLUSION

The rare location of CCC can be found in anterior neck area, which should be another diagnostic option for mass on anterior neck.

A rare coexistence of papillary carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid in multinodular goitre: Case report and literature review

Introduction

Multinodular goiter is defined as multiple discrete nodules in the thyroid gland. The incidence of Papillary carcinoma thyroid was found to be highest out of total Multinodular Goiter cases while that of Anaplastic carcinoma was the least. We report a rare coexistence of Papillary carcinoma and Anaplastic carcinoma in adult patient with a long-standing Multinodular Goiter.

Case presentation

Here we present a case of 54 years male with huge anterior neck swelling for 20 years with a gradual increase in size. Computerized tomography of neck revealed solidocystic mass lesion without any significant lymphadenopathy, features suggesting Multinodular goiter with differential diagnosis of Carcinoma Thyroid. Cytological examination showed Papillary thyroid Carcinoma. He underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection. Postoperative period was uneventful. Histopathological report revealed features suggestive of mixed tumor of Papillary thyroid Carcinoma and Anaplastic Carcinoma thyroid TNM Staging T3 N0 M0, Stage IVA. After the final reports patient was sent for adjuvant therapy three weeks later where he received megavoltage external beam radiation and he was followed up till 12th week. He was assessed radiologically which showed no signs of physical progression of the disease. However, he was lost to follow up after that visit.

Discussion

Long-standing benign conditions of thyroid can transform into malignant forms in the undefined duration of time.

Conclusion

Regular follow up and early management of multinodular goiter at the right time can save a patient from undue stress and complication like the conversion into malignancy.

Mixed olfactory neuroblastoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma: An unusual case report and literature review

Background:

The aim of the study was to present a case of mixed olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) and carcinoma, an extremely rare tumor with only a few cases in the published literature.

Case Description:

An otherwise healthy 27-year-old male presented with sinus complaints, headache, and unilateral eye discharge. Imaging and endoscopy revealed a mass presumed to represent a juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. Unexpectedly, the final pathology report revealed high grade mixed ONB and carcinoma. This tumor is the sixth and youngest documented patient with mixed ONB and carcinoma.

Conclusion:

Physicians should remain vigilant for the possibility of malignancy in their approach to nasal cavity masses, even in young otherwise healthy patients. Careful review of the immunohistopathology should also be taken, as mixed olfactory tumors such as these are aggressive, rare entities that require multidisciplinary oncologic care.

Early presentation in ameloblastic fibroma

Ameloblastic fibroma are rare mixed tumors composed by both epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. They mostly affect the posterior mandibular sector in young adults. Here we report an atypical case affecting a very young patient in an unusual localization. We describe the management of the case and discuss the origin of this little know lesion.

Soft Tissue Special Issue: Myoepithelial Neoplasms of Soft Tissue: An Updated Review with Emphasis on Diagnostic Considerations in the Head and Neck

Primary myoepithelial neoplasms of soft tissue have been shown to be related to their salivary gland counterparts, with which they often share morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular genetic features, such as the presence of PLAG1 rearrangement in both soft tissue mixed tumor and salivary pleomorphic adenoma. However, important distinctions remain between soft tissue and salivary myoepithelial neoplasms, namely differing criteria for malignancy. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the clinicopathologic and molecular features of soft tissue myoepithelial neoplasms, including discussion of the similarities and differences between soft tissue and salivary counterparts and relevant diagnostic issues specific to head and neck pathology practice.

Targeted sequencing of histologically defined serous endometrial cancer reflects prognosis and correlates with preoperative biopsy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of discordant endometrial sampling on the prognosis of patients finally diagnosed with uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and to analyze UPSC mutational profile. Retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes of patients post-operatively diagnosed with UPSC and preoperatively diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) or UPSC. Genes commonly implicated in carcinogenesis were analyzed in a subgroup of 40 patients post-operatively diagnosed with UPSC, using next generation sequencing. 61 patients with UPSC on post-surgical, final pathology were included in the study. Prior to surgery, 15 were diagnosed with EEC (discordant) and 46 were correctly diagnosed with UPSC (concordant). After a median follow-up of 41.6 months [5.4-106.7], a preoperative diagnosis of EEC was associated with better 3-year progression-free survival (100% vs. 60.9%, P = 0.003) and longer disease free interval (63.5 versus 15 months, P = 0.026) compared to patients with an initial diagnosis of UPSC. Patients with a concordant diagnosis of UPSC were 5 times more likely to progress or die compared to those with a discordant EEC diagnosis (P = 0.02, P = 0.03, respectively), and their tumors were associated with higher rates of TP53 (88.9% vs. 61.5%, P = 0.04), and a lower rate of PTEN (14.8% vs. 38.5%, P = 0.09) and ARID1A (3.7% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.05) mutations. A pre-surgical diagnosis of EEC is associated with improved prognosis in patients with UPSC. Some histologically defined UPSC tumors contain endometrioid-like molecular characteristics that may confer a survival advantage, suggesting a possible need for molecular approaches to better stratify patients into risk groups.

[Indications for transplantation and bridging procedures for primary hepatobiliary malignancies]

Primary hepatobiliary malignancies are hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and the rare hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (mixed tumor). The indications for liver transplantation and the oncological prognosis differ considerably between these tumor entities. Treatment and decision making for these tumors are often complicated by an underlying chronic liver disease. The aim of this review is to delineate the indications for transplantation and bridging therapies for each cancer entity as well as to highlight some aspects pertinent to transplantation, such as the principles of organ allocation.

Pleomorphic Adenoma of Soft Palate: Unusual Occurrence of the Major Tumor in Minor Salivary Gland-A Case Report and Literature Review

Salivary gland tumours constitute about less than 4 % of all head and neck tumours. Pleomorphic adenoma, also called benign mixed tumour, is the most common tumour of the salivary glands. About 80-90 % of these tumours occur in the major salivary glands mainly parotid gland and 10 % of them occur in the minor salivary glands. The most common site for pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands is the palate, followed by the lips and the cheeks. Other rare sites include the floor of the mouth, tongue, tonsil, pharynx, retromolar area and the nasal cavity. Here, we are reporting a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands of the soft palate in a 36-year-old Indian female. The mass was removed by wide local excision with adequate margins under general anesthesia. There was no recurrence seen after a follow-up period of 1 year.

Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Paracecal Mesentery: Aggressive Behavior of a Rare Neoplasm at an Unusual Anatomic Site

Myoepithelial tumors of the soft tissues represent a rare group of neoplasms that vary in their clinical behavior, pathologic features and genetics. They are histopathologically typified by a myoepithelial immunohistochemical phenotype, of expression of one or more epithelial markers, S100 protein and smooth muscle actin. Because of their rarity and occurrence over a wide age range and at a variety of anatomic sites, they can be difficult to diagnose due to the lack of familiarity by physicians, which is compounded by their spectrum of histologic features and morphologic overlap with several other neoplasms. Recent genetic insights have aided classification, and it is increasingly understood that soft tissue myoepithelial neoplasms can be stratified into two distinct morphologic and genetic subgroups. We describe a case of a 44-year-old man who was diagnosed with a primary myoepithelial neoplasm of the paracecal mesentery, which showed aggressive local recurrence after four years. The tumor was composed of cords of ovoid cells within chondromyxoid stroma, and displayed a characteristic pancytokeratin, S100 protein and smooth muscle actin-positive myoepithelial immunoprofile. Primary myoepithelioma has not been previously described at this site, and this case highlights this varied family of tumors, emphasizes the need to consider myoepithelial tumor in the differential diagnoses of carcinoma variants occurring in the bowel or mesentery, and also adds to the number of reported myoepithelial neoplasms showing markedly aggressive behavior.

Primary Mixed Glandular-endocrine Tumor of the Male Proximal Urethra: A Case Report

Primary urethral carcinoma is much more common in women than in men due to its association with urethritis. A 65-year-old man presented with a 10-month history of penile induration, obstructive voiding symptoms and hematuria. Urethrocystoscopy showed a solitary mass in the proximal urethra and no bladder involvement. It was performed penectomy without bladder neck excision and regional staging lymphadenectomy of the obturator lymph nodes. Pathological diagnosis revealed adenosquamous cell carcinoma with squamous and glandular components. We described a case of primary mixed glandular-endocrine tumor of the male proximal urethra consisting of adenosquamous cell carcinoma with squamous and neuroendocrine components.

Pancreatic mixed serous neuroendocrine neoplasm with clear cells leading to diagnosis of von Hippel Lindau disease

Mixed serous neuroendocrine neoplasms are extremely rare tumors that are usually seen in female patients and are often associated with von Hippel Lindau (VHL) disease. We describe the case of a 38-year-old male who presented with complaints of anorexia, weight loss, and abdominal pain. CT abdomen showed a mass in the head of the pancreas, multiple small nodules in the body of pancreas, and bilateral adrenal masses. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the mass showed features of a neuroendocrine tumor, with many of the cells demonstrating abundant clear cytoplasm. Histopathological examination of the pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen showed a mixed serous neuroendocrine neoplasm with two components viz. serous cystadenoma and neuroendocrine tumor (NET) World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2. In addition, he was diagnosed to have bilateral pheochromocytomas and a paraganglioma. The synchronicity of these tumors suggested the possibility of VHL disease. Thus, identification of a NET with clear cells or of a mixed serous neuroendocrine neoplasm should raise suspicion of VHL disease. In a mixed tumor, FNAC may identify only one of the two components. Thorough processing of all pancreatic serous tumors for pathological examination is recommended, as NET may occur as a small nodule within the serous cystadenoma.

Postresection Outcomes of Combined Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Cholangiocarcinoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is rare. This study investigated the clinicopathological features of cHCC-CC and compared the postresection survival outcomes of cHCC-CC, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC).

METHODS

Between January 2000 and September 2012, 53 patients with cHCC-CC underwent tumor resection, accounting for 1.1 % of surgeries for primary liver malignancies. Control groups included patients with HCC (n = 1452) and IHC (n = 149) who underwent R0 resection of stage I/II tumors ≤5 cm.

RESULTS

Mean tumor diameter of cHCC-CC group was 5.5 ± 2.9 cm, and single tumor was identified in 50. Pathological classification included combined (n = 41), mixed (n = 11), and double (n = 1) tumors. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year tumor recurrence rates were 60.8, 71.8, 80.7, and 80.7 %, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 73.3, 35.6, 30.5, and 11.1 %, respectively. Tumor recurrence and patient survival did not differ significantly according to AJCC tumor staging and histological type (all p ≥ 0.2). Tumor recurrence rates did not differ significantly between the cHCC-CC, HCC, and IHC groups (p = 0.43), whereas differences in survival rates were significant (p = 0.000), with a median survival after tumor recurrence of 8, 51, and 6 months, respectively (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cHCC-CC showed similar recurrence rates to those of control patients with HCC and IHC, whereas their survival outcomes were worse than those of control HCC patients because of poor responses to recurrence treatment. Further evaluation of differences in tumor characteristics and tumor biology is necessary to accurately predict the prognosis of patients with cHCC-CC.

Myoepithelial Tumors: An Update

Primary myoepithelial neoplasms of soft tissue are uncommon, and have been increasingly characterized by clinicopathologic and genetic means. Tumors are classified as mixed tumor/chondroid syringoma, myoepithelioma, and myoepithelial carcinoma, and they share morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features with their salivary gland counterparts. However, soft tissue myoepithelial tumors are classified as malignant based on the presence of cytologic atypia, in contrast to the criterion of invasive growth in salivary gland sites. This review discusses the clinicopathologic and morphologic characteristics, distinct variants, and currently known genetic alterations of myoepithelial neoplasms of soft tissue, skin, and bone.

Odontogenic carcinosarcoma of the mandible: a case report and review

Odontogenic carcinosarcoma is an extremely rare malignant odontogenic tumor with only a few reported cases. It is characterized by a true mixed tumor showing malignant cytology of both epithelial and mesenchymal components. It has been assumed to arise from pre-existing lesions such as ameloblastoma, ameloblastic fibroma, and ameloblastic fibrosarcoma. To date, the reported cases have exhibited considerably aggressive clinical behavior. The case of an odontogenic carcinosarcoma in the mandible of a 61-year-old male is described herein. The tumor destroyed the cortex of the mandible and invaded the adjacent tissues. Treatment was performed by surgical resection and reconstruction. The purposes of this article are to introduce odontogenic carcinosarcoma through this case study, to distinguish it from related diseases and to discuss features of the tumor in the existing literature.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of gastrointestinal tract: report of two cases

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that consists of a dual adenocarcinomatous and neuroendocrine differentiation, each component representing at least 30% of the tumor. To date, only seven cases have been reported in the cecum, and less than 40 in the stomach. Our first case was diagnosed in a 74-years-old female as a polypoid lesion of the cecum with direct invasion in the transverse colon, without lymph node metastases. The second case was diagnosed in the stomach of a 46-years-old male as a polypoid tumor of the antral region that invaded the pancreas and presented metastases in 22 regional lymph nodes. The metastatic tissue was represented by the glandular component. In both cases, the tumor consisted of a moderately-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma (with mucinous component in Case 1) intermingled with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Ki67 index was lower than 20% in Case 1, respectively higher than 20% in Case 2. The neuroendocrine component was marked by synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase, being negative for Keratins 7/20. The neuroendocrine component represented 60% in Case 1, and 40% in Case 2, respectively. The glandular components were marked by carcinoembryonic antigen, maspin and keratin 20/7 (Case 1/2). Both cases were proved to be microsatellite stable. Independently by the localization and tumor stage, MANECs appear to be highly malignant tumors, with high risk for distant metastases. The aggressiveness seems to depend on the endocrine component, independent of its proportion. The neuroendocrine component could be a dedifferentiated adenocarcinoma with a neuroendocrine phenotype.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of gastrointestinal tract: Report of two cases

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that consists of a dual adenocarcinomatous and neuroendocrine differentiation, each component representing at least 30% of the tumor. To date, only seven cases have been reported in the cecum, and less than 40 in the stomach. Our first case was diagnosed in a 74-years-old female as a polypoid lesion of the cecum with direct invasion in the transverse colon, without lymph node metastases. The second case was diagnosed in the stomach of a 46-years-old male as a polypoid tumor of the antral region that invaded the pancreas and presented metastases in 22 regional lymph nodes. The metastatic tissue was represented by the glandular component. In both cases, the tumor consisted of a moderately-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma (with mucinous component in Case 1) intermingled with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Ki67 index was lower than 20% in Case 1, respectively higher than 20% in Case 2. The neuroendocrine component was marked by synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase, being negative for Keratins 7/20. The neuroendocrine component represented 60% in Case 1, and 40% in Case 2, respectively. The glandular components were marked by carcinoembryonic antigen, maspin and keratin 20/7 (Case 1/2). Both cases were proved to be microsatellite stable. Independently by the localization and tumor stage, MANECs appear to be highly malignant tumors, with high risk for distant metastases. The aggressiveness seems to depend on the endocrine component, independent of its proportion. The neuroendocrine component could be a dedifferentiated adenocarcinoma with a neuroendocrine phenotype.

Expression and amplification of HER2 in mixed-type gastric carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression and amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in mixed-type gastric carcinoma.

METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to detect the expression and amplification of HER2 in 277 cases of mixed-type gastric carcinoma, respectively.

RESULTS: The overall expression rate of HER2 protein was 41.5% (115/277). Strong HER2 protein expression (+++) accounted for 10.1% (28/277), including diffuse expression in 7 cases, partial expression in 12 cases, and focal expression in 4 cases. Moderate HER2 protein expression (++) accounted for 13.4% (37/277), including diffuse expression in 9 cases, partial expression in 16 cases, and focal expression in 6 cases. Weak HER2 protein expression (+) accounted for 18.1% (50/277), including diffuse expression in 11 cases, partial expression in 24 cases, and focal expression in 7 cases. Negative HER2 protein expression was noted in 162 cases, which accounted for 58.5% (162/277). The overall rate of HER2 gene amplification was 40.9% (47/115), including 89.3% (25/28) of cases with strong HER2 protein expression, 45.9% (17/37) of cases with moderate HER2 protein expression and 10% (5/50) of cases with weak HER2 protein expression. Of the 47 cases with amplification of the HER2 gene, only one case occurred in the region of squamous cell carcinoma, and the remaining 46 cases occurred in the adenocarcinoma region.

CONCLUSION: HER2 expression has great heterogeneity in mixed-type gastric carcinoma, and the classification of positive HER2 protein expression into diffuse, partial and focal types can provide a better quantitative parameter for targeted therapy with anti-tumor drugs.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine gastric carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

We present a rare case of a gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine tumor and review the related English literature. A 77-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted to our department with nausea, anorexia, weight loss, and anemia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a large (>7 cm) ulcerative mass in the greater curvature of the stomach. Biopsy showed the presence of an adenocarcinoma with moderate differentiation. The patient underwent D2 subtotal gastrectomy. Histopathological analysis revealed a diagnosis of mixed gastric adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma. The post-operative course was uneventful, and at the 6-month follow-up, the patient was alive without evidence of recurrence. Our review of the English literature suggested that such cases are most often reported from eastern countries. Multimodal treatment should be the aim for these patients because of the neuroendocrine component of the tumor.

Solitary concomitant endocrine tumor and ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas

Pancreatic tumors with combined exocrine and endocrine features are rare. Most reported cases are classified as mixed exocrine and endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas. We report the first case of solitary concomitant endocrine tumor and ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. A 58-year-old patient was admitted for uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and body weight loss. The tumor was fortuitously discovered in the pancreatic tail after a tumor survey panel. Grossly, the solitary tumor had a central fibrous band that clearly divided it into two parts. On microscopic examination, the tumor contained both endocrine and exocrine components distinctly separated by the central fibrous band. The exocrine part showed a poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The endocrine part was strongly immunoreactive to chromogranin, synaptophysin and glucagon. We reviewed the literature on pancreatic tumors with combined exocrine and endocrine features. A simple classification for this group of neoplasms is suggested, including five types: amphicrine, mixed, collision, solitary concomitant and multiple concomitant.