John R. Goodlad

Solitary fibrous tumour arising at unusual sites: analysis of a series

Solitary fibrous tumours (‘pleural fibromas’) are well‐recognized in the pleura, but their rare occurrence at other sites has only become appreciated in recent years, as a consequence of which extrapleural examples often go unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Eight cases (three peritoneal, two retroperitoneal. two intrapulmonary and one mediastinal) are presented herein. All but one presented in adulthood, and three were asymptomatic chance findings. Size ranged from 0.8 to 26 cm in maximum diameter. To date, none has behaved in an aggressive fashion. Histologically, these lesions are entirely comparable to their pleural counterparts, and accurate diagnosis is largely dependent on appreciation of their potential extrapleural location. Immunohistochemistry in seven cases favoured myofibroblastic fibroblastic differentiation, in keeping with the putative submesothelial origin of these lesions.

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and Borrelia burgdorferi infection in patients from the Highlands of Scotland.

Although a link beteen primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) and Borrelia burgdorferi infection has long been suspected, previous studies have not demonstrated a significant association. The authors looked for evidence of B. burgdorferi in 20 cases of PCBCL from the Scottish Highlands, an area with endemic Lyme disease, and compared their findings with those in 40 control patients (20 undergoing wide reexcision at sites of malignant melanoma and 20 biopsies of inflammatory dermatoses). All studies were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The cases of PCBCL were classified according to criteria described by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group using a combination of morphology, immunohistochemistry, and seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. A nested PCR was performed on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracts from the lymphoma and control cases using primers to a unique conserved region of the B. burgdorferi flagellin gene. B. burgdorferi-specific DNA was detected in seven of 20 lymphoma cases (five of 12 marginal zone lymphomas, one of five primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphomas, one of three diffuse, large B-cell lymphomas of the leg) and in one melanoma reexcision patient of 40 control subjects. The relationship between B. burgdorferi and PCBCL was significant when compared with the control groups separately (p <0.05) or in combination (p <0.01). These results provide strong evidence to support the concept of B. burgdorferi-driven lymphomagenesis in the skin.

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma: clinicopathological analysis of eleven new cases in support of a distinct entity

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a recently recognized, uncommon soft tissue neoplasm with a tendency to develop in deep soft tissue of young adults. Diagnostic criteria have not been well defined and this tumour has not been widely accepted as a distinct entity. Eleven new cases are reported here for which reproducible histological features are described and in which the immunohistochemical profile of the tumour cells is documented for the first time. Ten of the eleven patients were male and the majority were young or middle‐aged adults (median age 45 years). All except one of the tumours were situated in deep soft tissue. Lower limb (four cases) and chest wall (three cases) were the commonest primary sites; one case each arose in the groin, buttock, axilla and retroperitoneum. Follow‐up (median duration 6 years) was available in nine patients. Six developed local recurrence and in five cases recurrences were multiple. Pulmonary metastasis occurred in one patient. All tumours were characterized by the presence of bland spindle cells, showing a mainly whorled or focally linear arrangement, set in alternating areas with a fibrous or myxoid stroma. Tumour cells were small, spindle to stellate, with poorly defined, palely eosinophilic cytoplasm and hyperchromatic ovoid nuclei. Most tumour cells showed strong staining with antibodies to vimentin, while occasional cells stained positively for actin, desmin and cytokeratin, in keeping with focal myofibroblastic differentiation. Ultrastructural examination in one case revealed features of fibroblasts. Careful consideration of the morphological and immunohistochemical features of these tumours permits a positive diagnosis of low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and allows its distinction from a number of other benign and malignant soft tissue neoplasms.

Primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma: a clinicopathologic and molecular study of 16 cases in support of a distinct entity

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas displaying a prominent follicular growth pattern are rare and remain poorly defined, particularly in terms of the frequency of detection of t(14;18) and whether or not, as a group, they represent an entity distinct from follicular lymphoma arising in lymph nodes. The morphologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical features of 16 cases of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma, identified during a review of all PCBCL in the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group database, were studied and the number of cases harboring t(14;18) assessed by polymerase chain reaction using primers to the major breakpoint cluster region. Comparisons were made with stage I follicular lymphoma arising in lymph nodes and follicular lymphoma secondarily involving the skin. All cases of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma had undergone thorough staging, including physical examination and CT scans of chest and abdomen, with 15 of 16 cases also having bone marrow aspiration and/or trephine performed. The morphology and immunophenotype of the lesions were similar to that expected in lymph nodes. All cases displayed a follicular architecture complete with follicular dendritic cell networks and comprised an admixture of CD10 and/or bcl-6-positive neoplastic centrocytes and centroblasts with 13 of 16 cases also expressing bcl-2 protein. None harbored t(14;18), a significantly different finding compared with cases of stage I nodal follicular lymphoma (p <0.001) and secondary cutaneous follicular lymphoma (p <0.039). Relapses occurred in five of 15 patients with a median time to first relapse of 20 months (range 1–73 months; mean 27.2 months). These were multiple in two patients and involved extracutaneous sites in two patients. The propensity for relapse was similar to that in a comparative cohort of stage I nodal follicular lymphoma, but the group of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma were significantly more likely to attain complete remission; all cases of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma were in complete remission when last seen compared with 49 of 87 patients with stage I nodal follicular lymphoma (p <0.005). No lymphoma-related deaths were encountered in 15 cases with a mean follow-up >60 months (range 5–119 months). These results support the concept of a subtype of follicular lymphoma lacking t(14;18) involving the major breakpoint cluster region, and with a propensity to arise in the skin. Despite a high relapse rate patients with primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma are more likely to achieve complete remission and may ultimately have a more favorable long-term prognosis than those with equivalent nodal disease.

Borrelia burgdorferi-associated cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of two cases illustrating the temporal progression of B. burgdorferi-associated B-cell proliferation in the skin.

A relationship between Borrelia burgdorferi and primary cutaneous B‐cell lymphoma (PCBCL) has recently been confirmed following demonstration of the organism in lesional skin of patients with PCBCL. We report herein two cases of B. burgdorferi‐associated PCBCL which strengthen this association by demonstrating the organism in cutaneous B‐cell infiltrates present at sites in which PCBCL subsequently developed.

SURGICAL RESECTION OF PRIMARY SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMA: INCIDENCE OF RESIDUAL TUMOUR IN 95 PATIENTS NEEDING RE-EXCISION AFTER LOCAL RESECTION

We reviewed retrospectively 236 consecutive patients seen in our soft-tissue sarcoma clinic. Of these, 95 had had a primary soft-tissue sarcoma excised elsewhere, but with histologically inadequate resection margins. All these patients had a secondary and wider re-excision. The tissues removed at the secondary re-excision were examined histologically for the presence of residual tumour. Definite tumour tissue was found in 29 of 55 lower-limb specimens, 16 of 25 upper-limb, 7 of 10 trunk and 4 of 5 head and neck specimens. In 31 cases some residual tumour was visible macroscopically, and in 56 of the 95 patients (59%) the primary tumour had been incompletely excised. Our results indicated that surgical assessment of the adequacy of excision is very inaccurate and that most local recurrences are the consequence of inadequate primary surgery. The large number of patients who had inadequate initial treatment emphasises the need for a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with soft-tissue sarcoma.

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: prognostic significance of clinicopathological subtypes

Classification and subdivision of primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCDLBCL) are a matter of ongoing debate. In this study we assessed the morphologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical features of 30 cases of PCDLBCL identified during a review of all primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas in the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group database. We also determined the number of cases harboring t(14;18) using a polymerase chain reaction and primers to the major breakpoint cluster region. The effect on prognosis of a variety of clinical and pathologic factors was assessed for the group of 30 PCDLBCL and the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of this cohort compared with that of 195 cases of stage I diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising primarily in lymph nodes, also identified from within the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group database. Location on the leg was the only independent prognostic factor for determining outcome in PCDLBCL (67% 5-year DSS compared with 100% for the upper body; P = 0.0047). The presence of multiple lesions, involvement of more than one body site, and expression or not of CD10, bcl-2, bcl-6, and CD10 and bcl-6, had no effect on survival. Compared with cases arising above the waist, those on the leg were more often female, were of an older age, and had a significantly higher incidence of bcl-2 expression (P = 0.002) as well as the aforementioned poorer prognosis. They also showed more frequent co-expression of CD10 and bcl-6, supporting a follicle center cell origin for some, but this difference was not statistically significant. Although there was no significant difference in the 5-year DSS between the group of PCDLBCL and the cases of stage I nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (88% 5-year DSS vs. 78%; P = 0.06), the latter were generally treated with more aggressive therapy. Moreover, a significant difference in 5-year DSS was seen when the nodal DLBCLs were compared with PCDLBCLs arising above the waist (78% vs. 100% respectively; P = 0.0135). These results support the current EORTC approach of subdividing PCLBCL on the basis of site to produce prognostically relevant groupings.

Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma: adverse histologic features predict aggressive behavior and allow distinction from atypical fibroxanthoma

The behavior of atypical fibroxanthoma is benign, if strict diagnostic criteria are applied. Tumors with similar pathologic features but deep subcutaneous invasion, necrosis, and/or lymphovascular or perineural invasion are thought to be associated with adverse outcome and are better regarded as pleomorphic dermal sarcoma or undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of skin. This tumor group is not well documented in the literature, and its characteristics are only poorly defined. To study the clinical and pathologic spectrum more comprehensively, we retrieved 32 pleomorphic dermal sarcomas from our departmental files. The tumors were large (median: 25 mm) and exclusively presented on sun-damaged skin with a strong predilection for the head. Typically, elderly men were affected (median age: 81 y). Histologically, these often ulcerated tumors were poorly marginated, asymmetrical, and deeply invasive into deep subcutaneous, muscular, and/or fascial tissues. The tumors were cellular and composed of pleomorphic epithelioid cells, atypical spindle cells, and multinucleated tumor giant cells in varying proportions. Mitotic count was brisk and often atypical. Tumor necrosis was observed in 53%, lymphovascular invasion in 26%, and perineural infiltration in 29%. The majority of tumors showed a predominance of atypical spindle cells in a fascicular arrangement. A sheet-like growth of pleomorphic epithelioid cells or mixed spindle and epithelioid cell features were less frequently observed. Myxoid and keloidal change, a desmoplastic stromal response, pseudoangiomatous and storiform growth patterns, and admixed osteoclast-like giant cells were additional morphologic features in some cases. No immunoreactivity was noted for multiple cytokeratins, S100, HMB-45, desmin, and CD34. Smooth muscle actin was expressed in 70%, CD31 in 48%, epithelial membrane antigen in 16%, Melan A in 6%, and p63 in 1 case. CD10 was expressed in all cases stained. Follow-up (available for 29 patients; median: 24 mo) showed local recurrence in 28% and a metastatic rate of 10%, mainly in the skin. Progressive metastatic disease was observed in 2 patients. Remission was achieved in 1 patient using systemic chemotherapy. The second patient died in the setting of advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. No disease-related mortality was noted. Our data underscore the importance of recognizing adverse histologic features in tumors otherwise resembling atypical fibroxanthoma. Deep subcutaneous invasion, tumor necrosis, and perineural and/or lymphovascular invasion confers at least low-grade malignant potential.

Clinical spectrum and features of activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ syndrome: A large patient cohort study

Background: Activated phosphoinositide 3‐kinase &dgr; syndrome (APDS) is a recently described combined immunodeficiency resulting from gain‐of‐function mutations in PIK3CD, the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase &dgr; (PI3K&dgr;). Objective: We sought to review the clinical, immunologic, histopathologic, and radiologic features of APDS in a large genetically defined international cohort. Methods: We applied a clinical questionnaire and performed review of medical notes, radiology, histopathology, and laboratory investigations of 53 patients with APDS. Results: Recurrent sinopulmonary infections (98%) and nonneoplastic lymphoproliferation (75%) were common, often from childhood. Other significant complications included herpesvirus infections (49%), autoinflammatory disease (34%), and lymphoma (13%). Unexpectedly, neurodevelopmental delay occurred in 19% of the cohort, suggesting a role for PI3K&dgr; in the central nervous system; consistent with this, PI3K&dgr; is broadly expressed in the developing murine central nervous system. Thoracic imaging revealed high rates of mosaic attenuation (90%) and bronchiectasis (60%). Increased IgM levels (78%), IgG deficiency (43%), and CD4 lymphopenia (84%) were significant immunologic features. No immunologic marker reliably predicted clinical severity, which ranged from asymptomatic to death in early childhood. The majority of patients received immunoglobulin replacement and antibiotic prophylaxis, and 5 patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Five patients died from complications of APDS. Conclusion: APDS is a combined immunodeficiency with multiple clinical manifestations, many with incomplete penetrance and others with variable expressivity. The severity of complications in some patients supports consideration of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for severe childhood disease. Clinical trials of selective PI3K&dgr; inhibitors offer new prospects for APDS treatment.

Activation of nuclear factor kappa B in Crohn's disease

Abstract.Objectives and Design: The location and degree of activation of nuclear factor kappa (NFκB), a primary transcription factor that plays a regulating role in immune and inflammatory responses, was determined in Crohns disease using full thickness specimens of bowel collected at surgery.¶Materials and Methods: Resected specimens of inflamed and non-inflamed bowel were collected from thirteen patients with Crohns disease and non-inflamed bowel from eleven control subjects. Prepared frozen sections were immunostained using a monoclonal antibody to the activated form of the p65 subunit of NFκB and the number of positive staining cells counted using a Lennox graticule.¶Results: The number of cells positive for activated NFκB was significantly increased (p = 0.001) in all layers of inflamed Crohns disease bowel, compared to non-inflamed bowel from controls. There was also a significant increase (p = 0.009) in the number of positive cells, when compared to non-inflamed bowel from control subjects, in the submucosa of non-inflamed areas of Crohns disease bowel. Cells positive for activated NFκB were provisionally identified by morphological criteria as mostly macrophages with some lymphocytes. There was no activation in endothelia.¶Conclusion: NFκB is activated within large mononuclear cells in all layers of inflamed areas of the bowel in Crohns disease and may represent key events in the inflammatory process. Increased activation in the submucosa of non-inflamed Crohns disease bowel provides further evidence of early immunological activation in macroscopically and microscopically uninvolved areas and an underlying abnormal immune system in Crohns disease.