Niceta Stomaci

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder: clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis of a case series.

A plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma has been recently recognized in the World Health Organization classification system. This is characterized by a discohesive growth of plasmacytoid cells with eccentric nuclei, extending in the bladder wall and often in the perivesical adipose tissue. Herein, we report the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular features of a series of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Four bladder carcinomas characterized by epithelial cells with morphologic appearance resembling plasma cells were evaluated at the immunohistochemical, electron microscopic, and molecular genetic levels. Tumor cells stained with cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, GATA-3 (endothelial transcription factor 3), CD15, p53, and p16. In addition, malignant cells strongly stained with CD138 in all the cases, whereas leukocyte common antigen and multiple myeloma 1/interferon regulatory factor 4 were completely negative, nor immunoreactivity was seen for either κ or λ light chains. The electron microscopic examination showed the presence of divergent squamous and glandular differentiation. At variance with conventional urothelial carcinoma, the analysis of exons 4-9 of TP53 gene revealed no alteration in all the 4 tumors tested, and this can be of value in choosing additional chemotherapy after surgery. Plasmacytoid carcinoma of the bladder is a tumor entity, which can be characterized by specific immunohistochemical markers, including positivity for GATA-3, and presents phenotypic and genotypic peculiarities.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Features of Gender Identity Disorder: An Italian Multicentric Evaluation

INTRODUCTION Male to female (MtFs) and female to male (FtMs) subjects with gender identity disorder (GID) seem to differ with regard to some sociodemographic and clinical features. Currently, no descriptive studies focusing on MtFs and FtMs attending an Italian clinic are available. AIM To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of a GID population seeking assistance for gender transition and to assess possible differences in those features between MtFs and FtMs. METHODS A consecutive series of 198 patients was evaluated for gender dysphoria from July 2008 to May 2011 in four dedicated centers. A total of 140 subjects (mean age 32.6 ± 9.0 years old) meeting the criteria for GID, with their informed consent and without genital reassignment surgery having already been performed, were considered (92 MtFs and 48 FtMs). Diagnosis was based on formal psychiatric classification criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Medical history and sociodemographic characteristics were investigated. Subjects were asked to complete the Body Uneasiness Test (a self-rating scale exploring different areas of body-related psychopathology), Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (a self-rating scale to measure psychological state), and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (a self-rating scale to evaluate gender role). The presence of psychiatric comorbidities was evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interviews for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) (SCID I and SCID II). RESULTS Several significant differences were found between MtFs and FtMs regarding lifestyle and sociodemographic factors and in psychometric test scores. No differences were found in terms of psychiatric comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS This is the first large study reporting the sociodemographic characteristics of a GID sample referring to Italian clinics, and it provides different profiles for MtFs and FtMs. In particular, FtMs display significantly better social functioning.

A rare case of leiomyosarcoma of the penis with a reappraisal of the literature.

Primary leiomyosarcomas arising in the penis are rare, with only 29 reported cases to date. We review the published records on this entity and describe an additional case of penile leiomyosarcoma occurring in a 53‐year‐old patient who underwent postectomy for a firm nodule in the prepuce. Four years later he experienced local recurrence which was successfully treated with partial penectomy.

Bladder Herniation after Transpubic Urethroplasty

We report 2 cases of bladder hernia following repair of complex posterior urethral strictures by transpubic bulboprostatic anastomosis and omentoplasty. One patient was treated successfully by repair of the defect with a synthetic mesh. The presence of concomitant pubic diastasis is thought to be a contributing factor, as well as the use of omentum to fill the dead space.

Clear cell carcinoma of the bladder in a patient with a earlier clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a case report with morphologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetical analysis.

Clear cell transitional carcinoma of the bladder is a subtype of transitional carcinoma that morphologically resembles a clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Although kidney tumors do not frequently metastasize to the bladder, the recurrence after a clear cell renal cell carcinoma has been reported even several years after nephrectomy. We report the case of a male patient to whom radical nephrectomy for a clear cell renal cell carcinoma has been done, with a bladder tumor featuring polygonal cells with abundant clear cytoplasm deeply infiltrating the vesical wall. We discuss the morphologic features, the immunohistochemical staining with a new marker and the UroVysion FISH analysis to achieve a definitive diagnosis.

Primitive testicular leiomyosarcoma.

Primary testicular leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor with only few cases described in literature. In young people this rare tumor seems to be related to radiotherapy and anabolic steroids abuse. In older people there are apparently no risk factors. We describe one further case in a 77-years old man with full histological and ultrastructural evaluation. A short term follow-up of one year signals no recurrence of the disease.

Use of sigmoid colon in orthotopic neobladder reconstruction: Long-term results

To present our experience with a sigmoid orthotopic neobladder.

Posterior urethroplasty in children

A series of 33 posterior urethral strictures in children is presented. The etiology was traumatic in 31 cases and iatrogenic in 2. Complex strictures were treated by a transpubic approach (20 cases) or by a posterior scroto-urethral inlay (1 case). Simple strictures were directly treated via the perineum: by a push-in technique (6 cases); by end-to-end anastomosis (3 cases); by a skin pedicled tube urethroplasty (1 case); by free skin graft (1 case), and by endoscopic urethrotomy (1 case). The use of omentum, employed in 19 cases, is considered a necessary step in transpubic urethroplasty. Favorable results were observed in 18 out of 20 transpubic procedures, in 8 out of 9 perineal urethroplasties and in 3 out of 4 other techniques, with an overall success rate of 87.8%.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the ureter: unusual case presenting hepatic and ovarian metastases.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm, which has a striking morphologic similarity to hepatocarcinoma. It has been described in different organs, the most common are stomach, lung, and pancreas. In some cases, it is characterized by high serum levels of α-fetoprotein. This tumor has a pattern similar to the hepatocarcinoma. The typical features are a combination of histopathologic aspects of solid nests and trabecular structures of polygonal atypical cells with eosinophil and granular cytoplasm and immunohistochemical expression of α-fetoprotein and of carcinoembryonic antigen in half of cases. Here, we report the case of an old female patient affected by hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the ureter with ovarian, small intestine, and hepatic involvement. We discuss the clinical aspects, the morphologic features, and the immunoistochemical staining useful for differential diagnosis.

Impairment of antipyrine metabolism in urinary tract cancer.

The metabolism of antipyrine was studied in 13 patients with cancer and bladder papillomas and in 11 control subjects, matched for interfering factors like smoking, diet, age and sex. The mean antipyrine half-life was significantly longer in patients with urinary tract cancer (14.7 ± 1.32 h SE) than in control subjects (11 ± 0.55 h SE) (P < 0.025); other clinical parameters did not vary.