Reda S. Saad

Immunophenotyping of serous carcinoma of the female genital tract

To update the data on the expression of ‘mesothelioma markers’ by serous carcinomas of various sites we have studied cases from ovary (n=56), endometrium (n=37), fallopian tube (n=6), primary peritoneum (n=5) and cervix (n=3) using a panel of antibodies (WT1, P53, estrogen receptors, HER2/neu, D2-40, cytokeratin 5/6 and E-cadherin). Ovarian carcinomas demonstrated D2-40 and cytokeratin 5/6 immunoreactivity in 23.2 and 55.4% of cases, respectively. Endometrial carcinomas demonstrated D2-40 and cytokeratin 5/6 immunoreactivity in 43.2 and 37.8% of cases, respectively. D2-40 staining pattern was predominantly focal; however, strong reactivity was identified in 16.2% of endometrial and 10.7% of ovarian carcinomas. HER2/neu oncoprotein overexpression was demonstrated in 7 of 37 (18.9%) uterine serous carcinomas. In contrast, all the serous carcinomas of the other sites were HER2/neu negative. The proportion of positive cases was significantly different in ovarian vs endometrial carcinomas regarding WT1 (P=0.0458), estrogen receptors (P<0.001) reactivity and HER2/neu overexpression (P=0.0025). D2-40 and cytokeratin 5/6 are expressed in a considerable proportion of serous carcinomas and should be used cautiously in a ‘mesothelioma panel’ in situations where serous carcinoma is in the differential diagnosis. HER2/neu was exclusively overexpressed in serous carcinomas of endometrial origin.

CDX2, cytokeratins 7 and 20 immunoreactivity in rectal adenocarcinoma.

There are limited data regarding CDX2 expression in rectal carcinoma. The CK20/CK7 immunoprofile of colorectal adenocarcinoma has been described in studies, which have mostly lumped colonic and rectal tumors together. In this study, we investigated the diagnostic utility of immunohistochemical stains for CK7, CK20, and CDX2 in a series of rectal adenocarcinoma. Fifty-five specimens of rectal adenocarcinomas were retrieved and immunostained for CK7 (Dako-M7018), CK20 (NovoCastra NCL-L-CK20), and CDX2 (NovoCastra NCL-CDX2). Thirty cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 15 cholangiocarcinomas were also studied as a comparison group. CK7 was expressed in 12/55 (22%) and CK20 in 48/55 (87%) cases of rectal adenocarcinoma. The CK7−/CK20+ immunophenotype was identified in 36/55 (65%), CK7+/CK20+ in 12/55 (22%), and CK7−/CK20− in 7/55 (13%) rectal adenocarcinoma. CDX2 showed moderate-strong positivity in all cases and was not related to tumor differentiation. Benign rectal mucosa was available in 37 cases and showed the following results: CK7−/CK20+ in 25/37 (67%), CK7+/CK20+ in 8/37 (22%) and CK7−/CK20− in 4/37 (11%) cases. In pancreatic adenocarcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas, 29/45 (64%) were CK7+/CK20+ and 16/45 (36%) were CK7+/CK20−. CDX2 was positive in only 3/45 (7%) of these cases; all were pancreatic adenocarcinomas. In conclusion, CK7 can be expressed in rectal adenocarcinoma, and should not be used as the sole basis for excluding a rectal primary. CDX2 is a sensitive marker for rectal origin of adenocarcinoma. It can be helpful in cases with metastatic rectal carcinoma, especially those with CK7+/CK20+ or CK20−/CK7− immunophenotype. In this study, CDX2 expression was not influenced by the grade (differentiation) of rectal adenocarcinoma.

Assessment of endometrial sampling as a predictor of final surgical pathology in endometrial cancer

Background:The histology and grade of endometrial cancer are important predictors of disease outcome and of the likelihood of nodal involvement. In most centres, however, surgical staging decisions are based on a preoperative biopsy. The objective of this study was to assess the concordance between the preoperative histology and that of the hysterectomy specimen in endometrial cancer.Methods:Patients treated for endometrial cancer during a 10-year period at a tertiary cancer centre were identified from a prospectively collected pathological database. All pathology reports were reviewed to confirm centralised reporting of the original sampling or biopsy specimens; patients whose biopsies were not reviewed by a dedicated gynaecological pathologist at the treating centre were excluded. Surgical pathology data including histology, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical stromal involvement and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) as well as preoperative histology and grade were collected. Preoperative and final tumour cell type and grade were compared and the distribution of other high-risk features was analysed.Results:A total of 1329 consecutive patients were identified; 653 patients had a centrally reviewed epithelial endometrial cancer on their original biopsy, and are included in this study. Of 255 patients whose biopsies were read as grade 1 (G1) adenocarcinoma, 45 (18%) were upgraded to grade 2 (G2) on final pathology, 6 (2%) were upgraded to grade 3 (G3) and 5 (2%) were read as a non-endometrioid high-grade histology. Overall, of 255 tumours classified as G1 endometrioid cancers on biopsy, 74 (29%) were either found to be low-grade (G1–2) tumours with deep myometrial invasion, or were reclassified as high-grade cancers (G3 or non-endometrioid histologies) on final surgical pathology. Despite these shifts, we calculate that omitting surgical staging in preoperatively diagnosed G1 endometrioid cancers without deep myometrial invasion would result in missing nodal involvement in only 1% of cases.Conclusions:Preoperative endometrial sampling is only a modest predictor of surgical pathology features in endometrial cancer and may underestimate the risk of disease spread and recurrence. In spite of frequent shifts in postoperative vs preoperative histological assessment, the predicted rate of missed nodal metastases with a selective staging policy remains low.

CDX2 as a marker for intestinal differentiation: Its utility and limitations

CDX2 is a nuclear homeobox transcription factor that belongs to the caudal-related family of CDX homeobox genes. The gene encoding CDX2 is a nonclustered hexapeptide located on chromosome 13q12-13. Homeobox genes play an essential role in the control of normal embryonic development. CDX2 is crucial for axial patterning of the alimentary tract during embryonic development and is involved in the processes of intestinal cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and apoptosis. It is considered specific for enterocytes and has been used for the diagnosis of primary and metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. CDX2 expression has been reported to be organ specific and is normally expressed throughout embryonic and postnatal life within the nuclei of epithelial cells of the alimentary tract from the proximal duodenum to the distal rectum. In this review, the authors elaborate on the diagnostic utility of CDX2 in gastrointestinal tumors and other neoplasms with intestinal differentiation. Limitations with its use as the sole predictor of a gastrointestinal origin of metastatic carcinomas are also discussed.

Detection of HPV-DNA by a PCR-based method in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from rare endocervical carcinoma types

High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of cervical squamous neoplasia and adenocarcinomas of the mucinous and endometrioid cell types. Cervical serous, clear cell, and small cell carcinomas differ from the conventional endocervical adenocarcinoma in their clinical characteristics. The data on the role of HPV in their pathogenesis are limited. In this study, we examined the presence of high-risk HPV-DNA in rare types of cervical carcinoma using polymerase chain reaction-based test. In-house cervical serous, clear cell, and small cell carcinoma cases accessioned between 2000 and 2008 were tested for HPV by polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA extracted from deparaffinized sections using Roche AMPLICOR HPV Amplification Detection and Control Kits. The kit detects all 13 high-risk HPV-DNA genotypes. The positive cut-off point for AMPLICOR HPV Test was A450=0.2. We identified 4 serous, 3 clear cell, 1 mixed clear cell and serous, and 5 small cell carcinomas. High-risk HPV-DNA tested positive in 3 out of 4 serous carcinomas, 2 out of 3 cervical clear cell carcinomas, and all 5 cases of small cell carcinoma and the mixed cell type. Our report documents HPV status in a series of archival unusual types of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. It suggests a robust association between high-risk HPV and these rare subtypes. Despite their unique clinical setting and morphologic appearance, the majority of these tumors likely share a common HPV-mediated carcinogenic pathway. Our observation is particularly significant in cervical cancer prevention as we enter the HPV vaccination era.

Is routine appendectomy at the time of primary surgery for mucinous ovarian neoplasms beneficial

Objectives To evaluate the value of an appendectomy at the time of surgery for ovarian mucinous borderline tumors or carcinoma. Methods A retrospective single institute–based study was conducted. We identified patients who were operated on by a gynecologic oncologist for an abnormal pelvic mass, which was diagnosed as mucinous adenocarcinoma or mucinous borderline tumor between January 2000 and December 2010. Cases were included in the study if an appendectomy was performed at the time of initial surgery. Results Seventy-seven cases meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The ovarian mass of 11 patients (14%) was diagnosed as metastatic appendiceal carcinoma involving the ovary. Evidence of metastatic disease, abnormal-looking appendix, or pseudomyxoma peritonei, were identified at the time of surgery for all of these cases. The condition of 30 patients (39%) and 36 patients (47%) were diagnosed as mucinous borderline ovarian tumor and invasive or microinvasive mucinous ovarian carcinoma, respectively. Evidence of metastasis from the ovary to the appendix was not identified in any of the cases. Conclusions Our data suggest that in cases of apparent early-stage mucinous ovarian borderline tumors and cancer, adding an appendectomy at the time of surgery is not warranted in the absence of a grossly abnormal appendix or evidence of metastatic disease.

Immunohistochemical characterization of primary and recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors.

Adult granulosa cell tumors are usually diagnosed at an early stage. However, most patients with advanced or recurrent disease will die of the disease due to limited treatment options. Data on the immunohistochemical characteristics of recurrent granulosa cell tumors are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical profile of primary and recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors. Special emphasis is given to epidermal growth factor receptor expression because it represents a potential marker for targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies.Inhouse granulosa cell tumor cases accessioned between 1999 and 2008 were retrieved and reviewed according to the WHO classification. Cases were studied by immunohistochemistry using a panel of 11 antibodies. Immunostaining was semiquantitatively recorded.We have studied 20 cases of primary and 20 cases of recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors from 31 patients. Immunohistochemistry showed that primary tumors were positive for inhibin in 100%, calretinin 100%, CD56 90%, CD99 40%, D2-40 35% and low molecular weight keratin 30%. Recurrences were positive for inhibin 90%, calretinin 85%, CD56 95%, CD99 65%, D2-40 55% and low molecular weight keratin 10%. Recurrences were positive for inhibin 90%, calretinin 85%, CD56 95%, CD99 65%, D2-40 55%, and low molecular weight keratin 10%. All primary and recurrent tumors were negative for melan-A, CD10, and epithelial membrane antigen. Epidermal growth factor receptor was positive in 65% of primary tumors and 85% of recurrences. Ki67 index was higher in recurrence specimens.The immunoprofile of primary and recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors is highly concordant. Similar to primary tumors, almost all recurrent cases exhibited evidence of sex cord lineage. The lack of specific markers emphasizes the need for evaluation using a panel of antibodies. Special attention should be paid when low molecular-weight keratin is used as part of a panel differentiating granulosa cell tumors from carcinomas, as a significant proportion of the former are positive. Although targeted therapies directed against epidermal growth factor receptor have not been tested yet in the setting of advanced or recurrent granulosa cell tumors, the high level of epidermal growth factor receptor expression is important as we step to an era of advanced biolabeled imaging techniques.

Interobserver Agreement for Endometrial Cancer Characteristics Evaluated on Biopsy Material

A shift toward a disease-based therapy designed according to patterns of failure and likelihood of nodal involvement predicted by pathologic determinants has recently led to considering a selective approach to lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer. Therefore, it became critical to examine reproducibility of diagnosing the key determinants of risk, on preoperative endometrial tissue samples as well as the concordance between preoperative and postresection specimens. Six gynaecologic pathologists assessed 105 consecutive endometrial biopsies originally reported as positive for endometrial cancer for cell type (endometrioid versus nonendometrioid), tumor grade (FIGO 3-tiered and 2-tiered), nuclear grade, and risk category (low risk defined as endometrioid histology, grade 1 + 2 and nuclear grade <3). Interrater agreement levels were substantial for identification of nonendometrioid histology (κ = 0.63; SE = 0.025), high tumor grade (κ = 0.64; SE = 0.025), and risk category (κ = 0.66; SE = 0.025). The overall agreement was fair for nuclear grade (κ = 0.21; SE = 0.025). There is agreement amongst pathologists in identifying high-risk pathologic determinants on endometrial cancer biopsies, and these highly correlate with postresection specimens. This is ascertainment prerequisite adaptation of the paradigm shift in surgical staging of patients with endometrial cancer.

P16INK4a expression in undifferentiated carcinoma of the uterus does not exclude its endometrial origin.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium is a rare neoplasm, which, when involving the cervix, raises a question about its origin. Diffuse p16 positivity of uterine cancers is usually interpreted as a surrogate marker for high-risk human papilloma virus and favors cervical origin. In this study, we investigated the expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7), monoclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (mCEA), estrogen receptor (ER), vimentin, and p16 in 28 cases of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma, 20 high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas, and 50 cervical adenocarcinomas. Staining was considered positive when it was cytoplasmic for CK7, mCEA, and vimentin, nuclear for ER, and both nuclear and cytoplasmic for p16. Percentages of cells staining were recorded as follows: negative (0%–5%), 1+ (6%–25%), 2+ (26%–50%), 3+ (51%–75%), and 4+ (>75%). P16 was considered positive if it stained more than 75% of the tumor cells. Diffuse/strongly positive staining for p16 was seen in 40/50 (80%) cases of cervical adenocarcinoma and 14/28 (50%) cases of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma. In high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma, staining was mainly patchy. CK7, mCEA, ER, progesterone receptor, and vimentin staining in undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma was as follows: 10/28 (36%), 4/28 (14%), 21/28 (75%), 23/28 (82%), and 26/28 (93%), respectively; for high-grade endometrioid carcinoma: 20/20 (100%), 1/20 (5%), 17/20 (85%), 18/20 (90%), and 19/20 (95%); for endocervical adenocarcinoma: 50/50 (100%), 45/50 (90%), 9/50 (18%), 8/50 (16%), and 6/50 (12%), respectively. Our data indicate that p16 may play a role in the tumorigenesis of a subset of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma. In the setting of p16 positivity, undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas are more likely to be ER, progesterone receptor, and vimentin positive and mCEA negative when compared with endocervical adenocarcinomas. Distinction between undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma, both of which can share diffuse p16 expression, should rely on detection of human papilloma virus in the latter.

Intraoperative margin assessment of the radical trachelectomy specimen

OBJECTIVEnTo summarize our experience in the frozen section (FS) assessment of the trachelectomy surgical margin.nnnMETHODSnAll surgeries from 1994 to 2007 were performed by one surgeon. The FS examination was consistently carried out by a group of gynecologic pathologists according to the protocol described in details in this article. Cases were retrieved from the pathology files and the slides were reviewed by two pathologists.nnnRESULTSn132 patients were identified with complete pathology records. They ranged from 17 to 46 years old (median 31). Surgeries were performed for clinical Stages 1A (n=39) and 1B (n=93) tumors (63 adenocarcinoma, 59 squamous cell carcinoma, 7 adenosquamous and 3 others). In 78 cases, no residual tumor was seen in the trachelectomy specimens as it was resected by the preceding LEEP or cone. The margin was reported as negative in 123, suspicious in 3 and positive in 6 cases. It was revised in 16 cases (6 positive, 2 suspicious and 8 negative but <5 mm). Final margin assessment agreed with the FS diagnosis in 130 (98.5%) and showed interpretational overcall in 2 cases (1.5%); only one of which resulted in a revised margin. No false negative intraoperative assessment was found.nnnCONCLUSIONSnWe describe our FS protocol and summarize our data. This protocol is reliable since none of the patients was under-treated.