Awatif Al-Nafussi

Prognostic indicators for gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 108 resected cases of the stomach

Aims:  Whether immunohistochemical markers increase accuracy in predicting prognosis for gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) remains uncertain. However, past studies have used only small, heterogeneous patient groups. Our aim was to test previously studied and more novel morphological features as well as four immunohistochemical markers as prognostic indicators amongst a large cohort of surgically resected, gastric GISTs.

Carcinosarcoma of the Ovary 19 Years of Prospective Data from a Single Center

A review of clinicopathologic features and outcome in women with carcinosarcoma of the ovary (also known as malignant mixed mesodermal tumor [MMMT]) compared with a group of women with serous adenocarcinoma (SAC) of the ovary was conducted.

Giant cell tumour of tendon sheath (localised nodular tenosynovitis): clinicopathological features of 71 cases

Aims/Background—Giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is regarded as the most common neoplasm of the hand that can recur after excision. The objective of this study was to review a series of cases in our department and to determine any clinical or pathological features that might predict the likelihood of recurrence. Methods—Clinical data, obtained from pathology request forms and in patient notes, along with the gross and microscopic appearances of 71 cases of GCTTS were evaluated. Results—Clinical features and pathological features identified were similar to those of previous studies. In comparison with previous studies a higher mitotic count (range, 1–21 mitoses/10 high power fields (HPF); mean, 5/10 HPF) was noted in all cases, irrespective of recurrence and numerous apoptotic bodies (up to 30/10 HPF), mainly formed from osteoclast-like giant cells, were present. Conclusions—GCTTS is a relatively rare soft tissue tumour of uncertain histiogenesis. Mitotic and apoptotic figures are a common feature and do not indicate clinical behaviour. Complete local excision is the treatment of choice.

Spindle cell tumours of the breast: practical approach to diagnosis

Spindle cell tumours of the breast are uncommon and often present diagnostic challenges. The most important is the sarcomatoid/metaplastic carcinoma, which has monophasic and biphasic variants. Each of these groups presents special diagnostic difficulties. In the monophasic variant the mesenchymal component predominates and the epithelial element forms a minor component often detected only after immunohistochemical study. The spindle cell areas may be bland and therefore under‐diagnosed as nodular fasciitis or fibromatosis. Alternatively they may be highly malignant with a pattern that is misinterpreted as primary sarcoma of the breast. In the biphasic variant, the difficulty is in distinguishing between sarcomatoid carcinoma, myoepithelial carcinoma or malignant phyllodes tumour. Other spindle cell lesions of the breast include the various myofibroblastic tumours, the spindle cell variant of adenomyoepithelioma, the varied primary breast sarcomas, metastatic tumours with spindle cell morphology and, finally, the very rare follicular dendritic cell tumour. A simple practical approach to the diagnosis of spindle cell lesions is presented to help the general surgical pathologist to compile a differential diagnosis and to arrive at the correct conclusion

Sarcomatoid/metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases

Sarcomatoid/metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases

Endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer : 20 years of prospectively collected data from a single center.

Clinicopathological features and outcome of women with endometrioid and serous ovarian adenocarcinoma were compared.

Verrucous naevoid and keratotic malignant melanoma: a clinico-pathological study of 20 cases.

Verrucous naevoid malignant melanoma is a recently described variant of malignant melanoma that may be confused both clinically and histologically with benign lesions. This study reports the clinical and pathological features of 20 such cases. These constituted 3.2% of all melanomas diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Aberdeen University, in the period 1970‐1991. They occurred more often on the back and limbs of male patients with a mean age of 57 years. Clinical diagnosis of benign lesions (warty naevi, papillomas, seborrhoeic keratosis and cysts) were made in over 50% of the cases. Eight patients had metastases, seven of whom died of their disease. Microscopically, these lesions exhibited a spectrum of naevoid features such as symmetry, exophytic and papilliferous growth pattern, hyperkeratosis and pseudo‐epitheliomatous hyperplasia. The majority, however, showed lateral intra‐epidermal spread and were composed of large epithelioid cells exhibiting various degrees of cellular pleomorphism. Histological classification was difficult, as more than 50% of the cases were initially labelled unclassifiable. The marked papilliferous architecture of these lesions made assessment of Breslow depth and Clark levels difficult. Initially, 10% of the cases were histologically diagnosed as benign. It is therefore important for surgical pathologists to recognize this unusual variant of malignant melanoma, as it may be confused both clinically and pathologically with benign lesions.

Intra-abdominal spindle cell lesions: a review and practical aids to diagnosis

Intra‐abdominal spindle cell lesions: a review and practical aids to diagnosis

Uterus‐like mass of the ovary associated with endometrioid carcinoma

We describe a solid and cystic right ovarian mass removed from a 38‐year‐old woman. The solid component, which had a central cavity lined by endometriotic tissue and surrounded by a thick muscle wall, strongly resembled a miniature uterus. The contiguous cystic mass was an endometrioid carcinoma. We review the literature and discuss the theories of histogenesis of uterus‐like ovarian masses.

Cutaneous ciliated cyst: a case report and immunohistochemical comparison with fallopian tube.

An example of a cutaneous ciliated cyst in the buttock of a 42 year old woman is reported. The histological and immunohistochemical features of the cyst are presented; comparisons with fallopian tube are made and this rare lesion is discussed.