Marián Švajdler

Mammary analog secretory carcinoma of salivary glands: a report of 2 cases with expression of basal/myoepithelial markers (calponin, CD10 and p63 protein).

Mammary analog secretory carcinoma (MASC) of salivary glands is a recently described neoplasm with favorable outcome. We describe 2 cases of MASC occurring in a 34-year-old female and a 58-year-old male, both presenting with a swelling of upper lip and right parotid gland, measuring 15 and 20mm, respectively. Without adjuvant treatment, both patients have been free of disease for 15 months and 12 months since the operation. Microscopically, both tumors were cystic and showed tubular and cystopapillary architecture. The tumor cells had round to oval nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Presence of eosinophilic material was evident within cystic spaces. Immunohistochemically, both tumors expressed cytokeratins (CK), CK7, CK8, CK18, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, S-100 protein, mammaglobin, and STAT5a (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a). Interestingly, both tumors showed variable expression of basal/myoepithelial markers. In one case, we observed diffuse expression of calponin and focal expression of p63 whereas expression of CD10 was absent. In the second case, the staining of calponin was negative, but there was focal expression of both p63 and CD10. Both neoplasms harbored the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion transcript as proved by RT-PCR. Although previously reported only rarely, we conclude that MASC may show expression of basal/myoepithelial markers.

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor: A morphological, immunohistochemical and genetic study of six cases

Juxtaglomerular cell tumors (JGCTs) are rare tumors characterized by renin synthesis, hyperaldosteronism and hypertension. A curious immunohistochemical overlap between JGCT and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) including the expression of vimentin, CD34, CD117, α-smooth muscle actin was previously reported, prompting us to further investigate JGCT and its phenotypic and molecular genetic characteristics. Virtual karyotyping showed gain of chromosomes 3, 4, 10, 13, 17 and 18 in one JGCT, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study confirmed this multiple gain pattern. Additionally, loss of chromosome 9 was observed in four of six cases analyzed with FISH. A whole genome expression analysis revealed 415 up-regulated (including renin, and CD117) and 325 down-regulated genes between the 2 cases. The study confirmed earlier reports on the gain of chromosomes 4 and 10, and provided further evidence of up-regulation of the genes located on these 2 chromosomes. For the first time our study indicated the importance of the loss of chromosome 9 and loss of expression of several tumor suppressor genes located on this chromosome as possible pathogenetic events important in development of JGCT.

The leiomyomatous stroma in renal cell carcinomas is polyclonal and not part of the neoplastic process

Some renal epithelial neoplasms, such as renal angiomyoadenomatous tumor, clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma with smooth muscle stroma, contain a variably prominent smooth muscle stromal component. Whether or not this leiomyomatous stroma is part of the neoplastic proliferation has not been firmly established. We studied the clonality status of 14 renal cell carcinomas with a prominent smooth muscle stromal component (four renal angiomyoadenomatous tumors/clear cell papillary carcinomas, five clear cell carcinomas, two papillary carcinomas, and three renal cell carcinomas with smooth muscle rich stroma) using the human androgen receptor assay (HUMARA). We found the leiomyomatous stromal component in all analyzable (8/14) cases to be polyclonal and therefore reactive rather than neoplastic. Based on morphological observations, we propose that the non-neoplastic leiomyomatous stromal component is likely derived from smooth muscle cells of large caliber veins located at the peripheral capsular region or within the collagenous septae of the tumors.

Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor revisited: all tumors manifest typical morphologic features of myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma, further suggesting 2 morphologic variants of a single entity.

We describe 9 cases of pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor (PHAT). Recently described TGFBR3 and MGEA5 gene rearrangements in these tumors have confirmed the long-hypothesized link between PHAT and another soft tissue entity, the myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS). Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma and PHAT share the same translocation and in addition have a very similar clinical presentation. However, to our best knowledge, no study has ever addressed the striking morphologic similarities between MIFS and PHAT. Our findings based on histological criteria suggest that most, if not all, tumors diagnosed as PHAT might, in fact, represent examples of MIFS that, in addition to a conventional MIFS morphology, manifest aberrant angiectatic hyalinized vessels.

Distinctive renal cell tumor simulating atrophic kidney with 2 types of microcalcifications. Report of 3 cases

We report 3 cases of primary renal cell tumor simulating atrophic kidney with distinct gross, morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic features. The tumors were retrieved out of more than 17 000 renal tumors from the Plzen Tumor Registry. Tissues for light microscopy had been fixed, embedded, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin using routine procedures. The tumors were further analyzed using immunohistochemistry, array comparative genomic hybridization, and human androgen receptor. Analyses of VHL gene and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) 3p were also performed. The patients were 2 women and 1 man, with ages ranging from 29 to 35 years (mean, 31.3 years). Grossly, the neoplasms were encapsulated and round with largest diameter of 3.5 cm (mean, 3.2 cm). Follow-up available for all patients ranged from 2 to 14 years (mean, 8 years). No aggressive behavior was noted. Histologically, akin to atrophic (postpyelonephritic) kidney parenchyma, the tumors were composed of follicles of varying sizes that were filled by eosinophilic secretion. Rare areas contained collapsed follicles. Each follicle was endowed with a small capillary. The stroma was loose, inconspicuous, and focally fibrotic. Two types of calcifications were noted: typical psammoma bodies and amorphous dark-blue stained calcified deposits. Immunohistochemically, tumors were strongly positive for cytokeratins (OSCAR), CD10, and vimentin, with weak immunopositivity for CAM5.2 and AE1-AE3. WT1 and cathepsin K were weakly to moderately focally to diffusely positive. Tumors were negative for cytokeratin 20, carbonic anhydrase IX, parvalbumin, HMB45, TTF1, TFE3, chromogranin A, thyroglobulin, PAX8, and ALK. Only 1 case was suitable for molecular genetic analyses. No mutations were found in the VHL gene; no methylation of VHL promoter was noted. No numerical aberrations were found by array comparative genomic hybridization analysis. LOH for chromosome 3p was not detected. Analysis of clonality (human androgen receptor) revealed the monoclonal nature of the tumor. We describe an unknown tumor of the kidney that (1) resembles renal atrophic kidney or nodular goiter of thyroidal gland; (2) contains a leiomyomatous capsule and 2 types of calcifications; (3) lacks mitoses, atypias, necroses, and hemorrhages and nearly lack Ki-67 positivity; and (4) so far showed benign biological behavior.

Origin of cystic squamous cell carcinoma metastases in head and neck lymph nodes: Addition of EBV testing improves diagnostic accuracy

Most cases of cystic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastases in the upper neck are associated with an oropharyngeal primary, namely human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated SCC arising in the palatine or lingual tonsil. A retrospective study was performed on 22 patients who presented with cystic head and neck SCC metastases. The purpose of the study was to find out whether histological characteristics, p16 protein expression, HPV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status could be useful in predicting the localization of the primary tumor. The primary site was identified in 20 of 22 patients and included the oropharynx in 14 patients (63.6%), the nasopharynx in 3 patients (13.6%), the lungs in 2 cases (9%), and the skin of the auricle in one case (4.5%). No primary was found in two patients (9%). Sixteen of 17 cases (94.1%) originating in Waldayers ring (oropharynx and nasopharynx), and both cases with an unknown primary showed morphology of non-keratinizing SCC or non-keratinizing SCC with maturation. All tumors with oropharyngeal primary and both cases with unknown primary showed diffuse p16 staining and presence of HPV DNA. All three cystic metastases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were EBV-positive and p16/HPV-negative. In contrast, cutaneous and pulmonary metastases showed morphology of a well differentiated keratinizing SCC and poorly differentiated keratinizing SCC, respectively, and were HPV/EBV-negative. We confirmed that cystic SCC lymph node metastases of the head and neck region are strongly associated with the occult primary localized in the oropharynx. The oropharyngeal origin should always be corroborated by p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV-specific testing because SCC arising in other sites, such as nasopharynx, skin or lungs may manifest with cystic neck metastases as well. Addition of EBV testing in p16/HPV-negative cases can disclose the nasopharyngeal origin of the cystic neck metastases in a subset of cases.

Foamy cell angiosarcoma is a diagnostic pitfall: a case report of an angiosarcoma mimicking xanthoma.

Abstract:The authors report a case of cutaneous angiosarcoma, composed predominantly of cytologically bland foamy cells, mimicking cutaneous xanthoma, dermal clear cell mesenchymal neoplasm, or clear cell dermatofibroma. The tumor occurred on the forehead and scalp of an 86-year-old white man with no history of radiation exposure. The tumor cells were positive for CD31, CD34, D2-40, FLI-1, and ERG, and were negative for CD68 and CD163. Conventional vasoformative areas, with atypia and mitoses that led to the correct final diagnosis, were found only in 1 of the 2 performed biopsies. Foamy cell angiosarcoma is probably one of the least common variants of cutaneous angiosarcoma and represents an important diagnostic pitfall.

The Role of Satb2 as a Diagnostic Marker of Sinonasal Intestinal-type Adenocarcinoma

Background: Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon tumor associated with exposure to wood and leather dust, nickel, and possibly smoking. ITAC shares phenotypical features with colorectal carcinoma. In contrast to most non–intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinomas, ITAC is an aggressive adenocarcinoma with poor clinical outcome; therefore, its reliable separation from non-ITAC is very important. Aim: The use of a combination of immunohistochemical markers of intestinal differentiation was tested in a cohort of sinonasal carcinomas of different types. The aim of this study was to explore a new intestinal marker, SATB2, in conjunction with CDX2 and CK20 in differential diagnosis of sinonasal adenocarcinomas. Materials and Methods: Seven ITACs, 66 non-ITACs, and 1 case of extensive intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the nasal mucosa were included in the study and stained with SATB2, CK20, CDX2, and CK7 antibodies. Detection of mismatch repair proteins was performed in all cases of ITAC. All 7 sinonasal ITACs have been tested for KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF gene mutations. Results: All ITACs showed positive expression for SATB2, whereas all non-ITAC cases were negative. The only 1 case of IM was found to be positive for SATB2, whereas the same case showed negative expression of CK20 and only focal immunostaining for CDX2. The genetic analysis showed that only 1 sinonasal ITAC (1/7) showed KRAS c.35G>C, p.(Gly12Ala) mutation, whereas BRAF and NRAS genes were wild type. Four ITACs revealed wild-type KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF, and 2 remaining cases were not analyzable. All ITACs showed preserved nuclear expression of mismatch repair proteins. Conclusions: SATB2 in combination with CDX2 and CK20 differentiates sinonasal ITAC from non-ITAC with increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and detects IM in the sinonasal tract more easily.

Bizarre cell dysplasia of the cervix

The aim of this study was the characterization of a new subtype of high‐grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) with enlarged cells containing bizarre nuclei: so‐called bizarre cell dysplasia (BCD).

Human Papillomavirus Infection and p16 Expression in Extragenital/Extraungual Bowen Disease in Immunocompromised Patients.

Abstract:An increased rate of second nonmelanoma skin cancers is found in immunocompromised patients. Epidemiological and molecular data implicate ultraviolet radiation as the major risk factor. In addition, there is increasing evidence supporting the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of premalignant and malignant skin lesions in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, the authors examined the expression of p16 by immunohistochemistry and the presence of mucosal (&agr;-genus) and cutaneous/epidermodysplasia verruciformis (&bgr;-genus) HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction in 29 biopsy specimens of extragenital/extraungual Bowen disease (BD) from 24 Eastern European white immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, the author evaluated the association between the expression of p16 protein and the presence of HPV DNA. Among 25 specimens from 21 patients evaluable by polymerase chain reaction, HPV DNA was detected in 10 (40%) BD lesions from 9 patients. Beta-HPV predominated over alpha-HPV types. Among 29 immunohistochemically evaluable BD specimens, 22 lesions (∼76%) from 20 patients were scored as p16 positive. HPV DNA-positive and HPV DNA-negative lesions displayed the same proportion of p16 positivity (80%) and no correlation was found between the HPV DNA presence and the p16 expression status. Our pilot study demonstrated that &bgr;-HPV infections predominate in BD cases diagnosed among immunocompromised patients, although high- and low-risk mucosal (alpha) HPV genotypes may be detected in a minority of cases. In contrast to anogenital HPV-associated lesions, positive p16 expression is not a reliable marker of high-risk &agr;-HPV infection in BD cases, as it can be also detected in &bgr;-HPV infected and HPV-negative cases.