Fernanda Viviane Mariano

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of salivary glands is a lipid-rich tumour, and adipophilin can be valuable in its identification.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of salivary glands shows morphological similarities to milk‐secreting mammary epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of adipophilin (a component of milk lipid globule membranes) and of proteins related to secretory mechanisms (STAT5a and mammaglobin) in MASC and other salivary tumours.

Clinicopathological factors are predictors of distant metastasis from major salivary gland carcinomas

The risk of distant metastasis of salivary gland cancers has usually been associated with histological type, tumour size, and site. The aim of this study was to evaluate a series of patients with major salivary gland carcinomas in order to identify potential risk factors associated with distant metastasis. 255 patients treated for major salivary gland carcinoma in Brazil from 1953 to 2004 were reviewed. Clinical and treatment data were obtained from the medical records and histological features reviewed. 57 (22%) of 255 patients had distant metastasis. The lungs were the most common metastatic site (40 cases, 65%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma the most frequent histological type involved (27 cases, 47%). The percentage of tumours in the submandibular, parotid, and sublingual glands that presented distant metastasis was 42%, 20%, and 17%, respectively. These results provide evidences that clinicopathological factors (tumour site and histology) are significant predictors of distant metastasis in patients with major salivary gland carcinomas.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in a Brazilian population: clinico-pathological analysis of 38 cases

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) is a rare tumour, with different prevalence rates reported among studies. Epidemiological studies of large series of CXPAs in developing countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was to describe Brazilian patients with CXPA; this was a retrospective study of 38 patients. Demographic and clinico-pathological features were evaluated. No preferential gender was found, and the mean age at diagnosis was 57.6 years. The most commonly involved site was the parotid, followed by the submandibular and the minor salivary glands. A prevalence of clinical stages III and IV was observed at diagnosis. The most common histological subtypes were salivary duct carcinoma, adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified, myoepithelial carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. Moreover, by invasive phase, most were frankly invasive carcinoma. Recurrence was observed in seven out of 24 patients with outcome information available, and all were invasive cases. All seven patients died of causes related to the disease. The distributions of cases according to age, gender, tumour location, and clinical stage were similar to those reported in the literature. Frankly invasive cases presented a worse prognosis. More information is needed to further our understanding of the clinico-pathological aspects of CXPA.

Levels and patterns of expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, glucose transporter‐1 and CD105 in adenoid cystic carcinomas with high‐grade transformation

Costa A F, Tasso M G, Mariano F V, Soares A B, Chone C T, Crespo A N, Fresno M F, Llorente J L, Suárez C, de Araújo V C, Hermsen M & Altemani A 
(2012) Histopathology 60, 816–837

Clinico-Pathologic Conference: Case 1

The clinical differential diagnoses for painful swelling of the right mandible in a 44 years old black female patient, could include fracture, infection, and neoplastic conditions. Although it was not mentioned, if besides these two features, loss of function had been observed, osteogenic sarcoma would be a consideration inasmuch as these tumor may present as a well-known triad consisting of pain, swelling and loss of function [1]. The radiological findings of the right mandibular lesion can be summarized as follow: ill-defined margin, increased bony sclerosis, patchy bone destruction, new bone formation, and periosteal reaction with a Codman’s triangle. These alterations could favor the diagnosis of malignancy. Bony sclerosis was found at the periapical and cervical area of the adjacent tooth and the mandibular canal. The radioopacities seen at the periapex can be interpreted as osteomyelitis as the periapex can be the starting point of oral infection [2]. On the other hand, diffuse scattered radioopacities, which encompassed the cervical area of the tooth and the mandibular canal could not be consistent with osteomyelitis. The radio-opacity around the inferior alveolar nerve may be interpreted as sclerotic bone, which could explain the patient’s pain. Looking at the radiographs carefully, other findings can be observed. Multiple radio-opaque and radiolucent areas are present in the right maxilla and left mandible and entities to consider include a fibro-osseous lesion and Pagets disease. On the other hand, the presence of diffuse patchy bone destruction in the right body of mandible is intriguing and has to be emphasized. Although rare, osteolytic change in fibro-osseous lesion or Paget’s disease must be considered. More detailed radiograph can be useful to define the disease. Some of the alterations in the right mandible, such as bone sclerosis with bone destruction are observed in malignant conditions. Another clue for malignancy is periosteal reaction, which is seen in the ascending ramus to condylar head in the panoramic radiographic view. The periosteum is not normally visible on radiographs and the term ‘periosteal reaction’ refers to excess bone produced by periosteum [3]. The occlusal view demonstrates an M. A. Lopes (&) F. V. Mariano P. A. Vargas Áreas de Semiologia e Patologia Oral, Departamento de Diagnóstico Oral, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Limeira 901, CP52, Areião, Piracicaba, São Paulo 13414-903, Brazil e-mail: malopes@fop.unicamp.br

XPD c.934G > A polymorphism of nucleotide excision repair pathway in outcome of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with cisplatin chemoradiation

This study aimed to investigate the associations of XPC c.2815A>C, XPD c.934G>A and c.2251A>C, XPF c.2505T>C and ERCC1 c.354C>T single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of nucleotide excision repair pathway in outcome of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with cisplatin (CDDP) chemoradiation. Patients with XPC c.2815AC or CC and XPD c.934GA or AA genotypes had 0.20 and 0.38 less chances of presenting moderate/severe ototoxicity and nausea, respectively. Patients with XPD c.934AA and c.2251AC or CC genotypes had 8.64, 12.29 and 3.55 more chances of achieving complete response (CR), consistent ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, respectively. AA haplotype of XPD and ACT haplotype of XPD and ERCC1 SNPs were associated with 9.30 and 3.41 more chances of achieving CR and consistent nephrotoxicity, respectively. At 24 months of follow-up, patients with XPD c.934AA genotype presented lower progression-free survival and overall survival in Kaplan-Meier estimates, and differences between groups remained the same in univariate Cox analysis. Patients with XPD c.934AA genotype had 2.13 and 2.04 more risks of presenting tumor progression and death than others in multivariate Cox analysis. Our data present preliminary evidence that XPC c.2815A>C, XPD c.934G>A and c.2251A>C, and ERCC1 c.354C>T SNPs alter outcome of HNSCC patients treated with CDDP chemoradiation.

Loss of expression of Plag1 in malignant transformation from pleomorphic adenoma to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.

PLAG1 (pleomorphic adenoma gene 1) is frequently activated in pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) arises in PA, and PLAG1 expression is believed to be maintained from PA to CXPA, as it can contribute to the carcinogenesis process. To evaluate if PLAG1 is a good marker of malignant transformation from PA to CXPA as well as to evaluate if PLAG1 expression is associated with progression and histopathologic subtype of CXPA. Forty PAs, 21 residual PAs (without malignant transformation), and 40 CXPAs were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with PLAG1 antibody. The proportion of positive neoplastic cells was assessed according to a 2-tiered scale: >10% to 50%, and >50% positive cells. The CXPA group was classified according to histopathologic subtype and invasiveness degree. Thirty-seven PAs (92.5%), 15 residual PAs (71%), and 14 CXPAs (35%) were positive for PLAG1. In relation to the CXPA group, among the intracapsular cases, myoepithelial carcinoma and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma showed the highest level of PLAG1 expression. PLAG1 expression is lost when PA undergoes malignant transformation, possibly due to other pathway activation and different clone cells. In addition, PLAG1 expression seems to be present mainly in low-grade carcinomas and in cases with early phase of invasion, due to its regulation of oncogene-induced cell senescence. In CXPA, PLAG1 expression was most associated with myoepithelial differentiation. This way, loss of PLAG1 expression can be considered a hallmark of CXPA carcinogenesis, mainly when there is only epithelial differentiation.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary glands with major epithelial-myoepithelial component: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 3 cases

In the present study, 3 cases of very rare intraoral carcinomas ex pleomorphic adenomas showing a striking differentiation of the malignant component towards epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma were described. The tumors occurred in 2 men and 1 woman with median age of 56 years. Involved sites included palate and buccal mucosa. Two patients experienced local recurrences, of which one died of disease complications. In all cases, residual pleomorphic adenoma was present. The malignant component in all cases shared morphological aspects with epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. Those areas were characterized by eosinophilic duct-forming cells surrounded by layers of clear cells. The studied immunohistochemical markers highlighted a biphasic cell population. Duct-forming cells expressed pan-cytokeratin, cytokeratin 7, and focally cytokeratin 14, whereas the clear cell component strongly stained to cytokeratin 14, vimentin, and p63 but weakly stained to pan-cytokeratin and focally to α-smooth muscle actin, an immunophenotype compatible with both epithelial and myoepithelial differentiation. The Ki-67 proliferation index was up to 40% in malignant areas. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenomas of minor salivary glands with major epithelial-myoepithelial component are rare, locally aggressive, and potentially lethal tumors. The peculiar morphological and immunohistochemical aspects described may raise problems in diagnosis and classification of such cases, particularly in incisional biopsies.

Primary synovial sarcoma involving the submandibular gland

Synovial sarcoma represents 5.6%-10% of all soft-tissue sarcomas. Adolescents and young adults are most frequently affected, mainly in the deep soft tissue of the extremities. Only 10% of synovial sarcomas affect the head and neck region; most of these are biphasic. We describe a case of an 18-year-old man who complained of a mass in the right submandibular region that had been present for approximately 12 months. On surgical removal, microscopic analysis showed a tumor formed by sheets of malignant spindle cells involving the submandibular gland. Immunohistochemistry displayed positivity for AE1/AE3, CK18/8, epithelial membrane antigen, CD99, CD56, and TLE-1. Based on these immunohistochemical and histopathologic features, a diagnosis of monophasic synovial sarcoma was rendered. The patient was treated with adjuvant radiotherapy and after 1 year was free of disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of synovial sarcoma involving the submandibular gland.

ICAM-1 expression on immune cells in chronic villitis.

INTRODUCTION ICAM-1 expression on the villous syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is believed to participate in migration of maternal cells into the inflamed villi regardless of villitis etiology. However, its expression on immune cells in chronic villitis (CV) has yet to be analyzed. ICAM-1 induces cell-cell adhesion allowing intercellular communication, T cell-mediated defense mechanism, and inflammatory response. MATERIAL AND METHODS 21 cases of CV (all without an identifiable etiologic agent) and 3 control placentas were analyzed using ICAM-1, and for immune cells CD45, CD3 and CD68. These cells were subdivided according to their location in inflamed villi: a) within the inflamed villi and b) outside forming perivillous aggregates. RESULTS Large amounts of CD45, CD3 and CD68 were found within the inflamed villi and forming perivillous aggregates attached to areas of trophoblastic loss. Inflamed villi usually showed ICAM-1+ ST. The majority of immune cells surrounding areas of trophoblastic rupture presented marked expression of ICAM-1. In contrast, a small number of immune cells within the inflamed villi exhibited ICAM-1 expression. Only some (<5%) inflamed villi without trophoblastic rupture and with ICAM-1+ ST presented adherence of immune cells. DISCUSSION In inflamed villi of chronic villitis, the level of ICAM-1 expression on immune cells depends on their location: high in number of cells in the perivillous region and low within the villi. The strongest expression of ICAM-1 on immune cells attached to areas of trophoblastic rupture suggests that the loss of trophoblast can lead to an amplification of the inflammatory response.