Endometrial glandular dysplasia: a newly defined precursor lesion of uterine papillary serous carcinoma. Part I: morphologic features

Dysplastic epithelium frequently bridges the changes between normal epithelium and noninvasive carcinoma. However, such a dysplastic lesion has not been previously described in the development of uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) or between resting endometrium and serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC), which is composed of indisputably malignant noninvasive cancer cells. In this study, we hypothesize that there is a lesion bridging benign endometrium and serous EIC. Based on current understanding of carcinogenesis in general, the lesion should exhibit dysplastic features that are more atypical than "resting endometrium" but fall short of serous EIC. If the putative dysplastic endometrial lesion exists, it should be highly associated with UPSC rather than uterine endometrioid carcinoma (UEC). We examined the morphologic appearance of the endometrium from 32 uteri with UPSC, 16 with serous EIC, and 60 with UEC. The endometrial dysplastic lesions were identified and their pathologic features were characterized. Immunohistochemical staining with p53 and MIB-1 were performed in all sections containing endometrial dysplastic lesions, serous EICs, and benign areas. In addition, 25 postmenopausal endometrial biopsies including 6 benign resting endometria, 8 dysplastic lesions, and 11 serous EICs were also compared for the level of p53 overexpression and cellular proliferative activity. We found that endometrial dysplastic lesions do exist in the endometrial specimens we speculated and examined. We designate it as endometrial glandular dysplasia (EmGD). EmGD was present in 17 (53%) uteri with UPSC compared with 1 (1.7%) uterus removed for UEC (p = 0.001). EmGD was identified in 12 (75%) of 16 serous EIC uteri. Areas of both EmGD and serous EIC were found in 15 (47%) of the 32 UPSC uteri. Transitions from either EmGD to serous EIC or serous EIC to UPSC were present in 8 (25%) of the UPSC cases. No transitions from EmGD to UPSC were identified in any hysterectomy specimen. EmGD was frequently found in endometrial polyps. There was no statistically significant difference between EmGD in a polyp (48%) and EmGD in nonpolypoid endometrium (52%). The majority of EmGDs were multifocal and involved superficial endometrial glands. However, single glandular involvement and endometrial surface epithelial involvement were also seen. Immunohistochemically, EmGD lesions mostly showed intermediate scores/indices of p53 and MIB-1 in comparison with serous EIC and resting endometrium. EmGD is a morphologically distinct entity, which is commonly and specifically associated with uterine tumors with serous differentiation. EmGD may represent the earliest identifiable morphologic change in the development of UPSC. Characteristics of p53 and MIB-1 immunostains of EmGD may be of diagnostic usage in surgical pathology practice. Recognition of EmGD may provide an opportunity to improve the management of UPSC.     

Renal papillary adenoma--a putative precursor of papillary renal cell carcinoma

The precursor lesions of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence, histomorphological features, and immunohistochemical features of papillary adenoma and elucidate its potential relationship to RCC. We reviewed 542 consecutive nephrectomy specimens over an 8-year period. Immunohistochemistry was carried out with antibodies specific for alpha-methyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) and glutathione S-transferase alpha (clear-cell RCC marker). Thirty-eight (7%) nephrectomy specimens showed histologic evidence of papillary adenoma. Of these 38 cases, 18 (47%) arose in the setting of papillary RCC (PRCC). Seven papillary adenomas (18%) occurred in the setting of acquired polycystic kidney disease (APKD), 6 in clear-cell RCCs, 3 in chromophobe RCCs, 2 in end-stage kidney disease, 1 in oncocytoma, 1 in angiomyolipoma, and 1 in renal schwannoma. Furthermore, papillary adenomas were more commonly found in kidneys removed for PRCC (25%, 18/71) than in kidneys harboring clear-cell RCC (1.9%, 6/318). Histomorphologically, papillary adenomas were characterized by varying proportions of papillae and tubules formed by cuboidal cells with scant basophilic cytoplasm similar to those in type 1 PRCC. Adenomas associated with PRCC tend to be multiple in number (61% [11/18] of cases had >2 adenomas; mean, 5). In contrast, 100% of papillary adenomas arising in other conditions had less than 2 adenomas. Most of the adenomas (82%, 31/38) stained strongly for AMACR in a fashion similar to that of PRCC. The 7 AMACR-negative cases all arose in the setting of APKD. In this study of surgical specimens, the high coincidence, multifocality, and histologic and immunohistochemical similarities between papillary adenoma and PRCC suggest that the 2 are strongly associated and may represent a continuum of 1 biologic process. In contrast, adenomas associated with APKD exhibit distinct morphological and immunohistochemical features and, therefore, may have an entirely different pathogenesis.     

Follicular epithelial dysplasia of the thyroid: morphological and immunohistochemical characterization of a putative preneoplastic lesion to papillary thyroid carcinoma in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

In chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT), the follicular epithelial cells display cytological atypia resembling papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and epidemiological studies have suggested an increased risk of PTC in patients with this condition. While reactive atypia is observed diffusely in CLT-affected thyroid parenchyma, it is not unusual to find microscopic foci morphologically distinct from the surrounding parenchyma, exhibiting more pronounced cytological and architectural atypia. These small atypical lesions, which we term “follicular epithelial dysplasia” (FED), are particularly prominent in cases of severe CLT, yet lack invasive growth, papillary architecture, or intranuclear pseudoinclusions. To gain further insight into their biological significance, we constructed a tissue microarray of 70 cases of CLT, comprised of morphologically normal thyroid, thyroid with reactive atypia, FED, follicular nodular disease (nodular hyperplasia or follicular adenoma), and PTC. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for a marker panel including PTC (HBME-1, cytokeratin 19, galectin-3, and cyclin-D1) as well as TTF-1, thyroglobulin, and p63. Slides were digitally scanned and immunohistochemical staining evaluated using automated image analysis software. FED lesions were positive for TTF-1 and thyroglobulin (50/50, 100 %), though some (13/50, 26 %) also expressed p63. Similar to PTC, strong diffuse staining was observed for HBME-1 (43/50, 86 %), cytokeratin 19 (48/50, 96 %), galectin-3 (20/50, 40 %) and cyclin-D1 (38/50, 76 %). In contrast, normal thyroid, reactive atypia, and follicular nodular disease were negative, or at most, exhibited focal weak staining for HBME-1, cytokeratin 19, and galectin-3. The results of this study demonstrate the presence of atypical microscopic lesions in CLT with an immunohistochemical profile similar to PTC, supporting the concept of a premalignant lesion preceding PTC, arising in the context of severe chronic inflammation.     

Cytologic findings of cervicovaginal smears in women with uterine papillary serous carcinoma

The goal of this study was to evaluate the cytomorphologic features of histologically confirmed uterine papillary serous carcinomas (UPSC) of the endometrium. We reviewed cervicovaginal smears from 12 patients with UPSC who had done their cervical smears at six months to a year earlier before the time of diagnosis; nine smears (75%) were diagnosed as positive for malignancy and three smears (25%) were diagnosed as negative. The cervical smears of patients with UPSC revealed frequent papillary clusters that were composed of large pleomorphic tumor cells with prominent nucleoli in a background of necrosis. Other findings revealed from the tests were relatively frequent single malignant cells and bare nuclei. Although the Pap smear is not a sensitive screening test for endometrial carcinoma, we could depend on it to reveal the cytologic features of UPSC which are fairly characteristic and reliable for a preoperative diagnosis of UPSC. Preoperative identification of this poor prognostic variant of endometrial carcinoma may influence the surgical management of these cases and the choice of adjuvant therapy.     

Primary extrarenal Wilms'' tumour: identification of a putative precursor lesion

We report a case of primary extrarenal Wilms' tumour which, on histological examination, revealed a zone of hyalinized blastema adjacent to, and within the tumour capsule. The tumour showed a predominant stromal component. The presence of the hyalinized blastema adjacent to the tumour raises the possibility that some cases of extrarenal Wilms' tumour may have a precursor lesion.     

Minimal uterine serous carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 40 cases.

The term 'minimal uterine serous carcinoma' has been proposed to include serous carcinomas with invasion limited to the endometrium (superficial serous carcinoma), and those without stromal invasion (intraepithelial serous carcinoma or endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma). Both lesions display similar cytological and immunohistochemical profiles of a typical invasive serous carcinoma with a high nuclear grade and an overexpression of mutant p53 protein. We studied the clinicopathologic features of 40 cases of minimal uterine serous carcinoma. All patients were postmenopausal and underwent hysterectomy and surgical staging procedures. There were nine cases of intraepithelial serous carcinoma and 31 cases of superficial serous carcinoma. Five intraepithelial serous carcinomas and 16 superficial serous carcinomas exclusively involved an endometrial polyp. A total of 18 minimal uterine serous carcinomas also involved, in addition to a polyp, the endometrium proper in the form of intraepithelial serous carcinoma (13 cases) and superficial serous carcinoma (five cases). Overall, minimal uterine serous carcinomas were found to involve an endometrial polyp in 88% of the cases (35/40) and were confined to the polyp in 53% (21/40). Extrauterine tumors were present in 45% of the cases (18/40). In all, 22 patients with tumor limited to their uteri demonstrated an overall survival of 94% (2-73 months of follow-up). Eight of 18 patients with extrauterine tumors died of their malignancy (1.5-62 months of follow-up). In conclusion, a significant majority of minimal uterine serous carcinomas involve an endometrial polyp. Complete surgical staging is important to predict the prognosis. When the lesion is confined to an endometrial polyp and/or the endometrium proper, the clinical outcome is excellent.     

Follicular adenoma with papillary architecture: a lesion mimicking papillary thyroid carcinoma

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of 'benign' encapsulated follicular thyroid nodules with papillary structures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-one cases of encapsulated neoplastic thyroid nodules with papillary structures and nuclear features not diagnostic of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were obtained. All cases were reviewed with particular attention to nuclear features (fine chromatin pattern, optical clearing, grooves and inclusions). Representative sections were submitted for measurement of the maximum diameter of 200 round or nearly round nuclei and for immunostaining for MIB1, CK19, HBME and Ret oncogene protein. Nine cases displayed scattered optically clear nuclei or nuclear grooves in less than 30% of total neoplastic cells. They were grouped in the category of thyroid nodules with limited nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but not diagnostic of PTC. The other 12 cases had fine or coarse chromatin, but lacked other features of nuclei in PTC. The diameter of the nuclei ranged from 5.6 to 7.2 microm and were smaller than those of PTC (6.3-10.0 microm). Immunostaining revealed positive reactivity for MIB1 in the papillary structures. Immunostaining for CK19 and HBME varied from negative or focally weak to diffusely moderate reactivity. Ret oncogene protein immunostaining showed focal and weak reactivity in one case and was negative in other cases of the study. Clinical follow-up from 6 months to 15 years revealed no evidence of metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The papillary structures in the study cases are unlikely to represent degenerative changes due to their proliferative activity. In view of (i) the encapsulation and the uniformity of the constituent cells, (ii) the varying degrees of immunoreactivity for CK19 and HBME and negative immunoreactivity for Ret oncogene protein, and (iii) the absence or insufficiency of nuclear criteria for the diagnosis of PTC and the absence of lymph node metastasis in all study cases, we believe that these lesions represent the papillary variant of follicular adenoma. Recognition of this pathological entity is important to avoid an over-diagnosis of PTC.     

子宫浆液性乳头状癌24例临床病理分析

目的比较子宫浆液性乳头状癌(uterine papillary serous carcinoma,UPSC)和子宫内膜样癌(uterine endometrioid carcino-ma,UEC)的组织病理学和免疫组化表达,以了解两种肿瘤生物学行为的差异。方法对24例UPSC和54例UEC进行组织学复查和应用免疫组化SP法检测肿瘤的p53蛋白、ER和PR的表达。结果24例UPSC占子宫内膜癌的3·77%,平均年龄UP-SC组为60岁,UEC组为51·7岁(P<0·01),晚期癌(FIGOⅢ-Ⅳ)UPSC组占62·5%,UEC组占35·1%(P<0·025)。p53蛋白的表达UPSC组16例阳性(66·7%),UEC组10例阳性(18·5%),两组比较(P<0·01)。ER阳性表达UPSC组(8·3%),UEC组(42·5%),PR阳性表达UPSC组(12·5%),UEC组(35·2%),两组比较:ER(P<0·01),PR(P<0·05),差异有显著性。UPSC组p53蛋白表达与肿瘤分期、分级、及肌层浸润无明显关系,而UEC组Ⅲ~Ⅳ期肿瘤的p53蛋白的表达率高于Ⅰ-Ⅱ期(P<0·005)。UPSC的5年生存率为25%,UEC组5年生存率为80·9%(P<0.01),两组差异有显著性。结论UPSC为p53高表达,而缺乏雌激素和孕激素受体,为高度恶性的肿瘤。它的生物学行为不同于UEC,因而强调诊断时需和其他类型的子宫内膜癌相区别。     

Liver cell dysplasia: a DNA aneuploid lesion with distinct morphologic features.

Liver cell dysplasia is characterized by hepatocellular foci with nuclear atypia. It is often seen in cirrhosis and may be a precursor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To determine whether liver cell dysplasia is DNA aneuploid, 72 sections of 33 cirrhotic livers from the autopsy files of The Johns Hopkins Hospital were studied, and 14 foci of dysplasia from 13 cirrhotic livers were selected. Patients ranged in age from 32 to 70 years. Histologically, there were 10 foci of low-grade dysplasia and four foci of high-grade dysplasia. Nine HCCs served as positive controls; seven autopsy livers with no morphologic or clinical evidence of primary liver disease served as negative controls. One focus of HCC and one focus of dysplasia were unsatisfactory for analysis. Flow cytometric examination demonstrated subpopulations with DNA abnormality in four of nine (44%) foci of low-grade dysplasia, of which three were aneuploid. Three of four (75%) foci of high-grade dysplasia were aneuploid. Six of eight (75%) HCCs showed DNA abnormality, of which five were aneuploid. DNA aneuploidy was not present in the seven control livers; however, one showed DNA abnormality. We conclude that liver cell dysplasia is a morphologic entity that contains DNA aneuploid cells, a feature that supports the role of liver cell dysplasia in the evolution of HCC.     

Endometrial glandular and stromal breakdown, part 2: cytomorphology of papillary metaplastic changes

Careful cytomorphologic evaluation of abnormal endometrial lesions has made accurate and reproducible microscopic assessment possible. Histopathology of patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to an anovulatory cycle usually contain endometrial glandular and stromal breakdown (EGBD) and papillary metaplasia on the endometrial surface epithelium, if an appropriate sample has been collected. We often recognized abnormal cell clumps in the cytological smears with EGBD cases. They were composed of metaplastic cells, and some irregular small projection figures were observed from the margins of the cell clumps. We describe the quantitation of metaplastic clumps with irregular protrusions (MCIP) in endometrial endocyte samples. The current study presents the cytomorphological characteristics of the metaplastic changes recognized in EGBD cases. During a 7-yr period, 144 cases for which histopathological diagnoses were obtained following endometrial curettage, after collecting a direct endometrial sample using the endocyte. The material comprised 49 cases of normal proliferative endometrium (NPE) (patients aged 28-51, average 39.9), 32 cases of EGBD (patients aged 30-67, average 49.6), and 63 cases of endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (EH) (patients aged 35-65, average 47.7). The following points were investigated: (1) the occurrence of metaplastic cells; (2) the occurrence and the frequency of MCIP; and (3) the occurrence of MCIP that contains condensed stromal clusters. Metaplastic cells were seen in 93.8% of the EGBD cases. Cytomorphologic pattern identified with MCIP was 90.6%, and its frequency showed 16.1%. The occurrence of MCIP that contain condensed stromal clusters (93.1%) showed a strong association in comparison with other lesions, such as NPE and EH. Our data appear to indicate that the appearance of MCIP with condensed stromal clusters originated from the papillary metaplasia, which occurred on the endometrial surface epithelium. The cytologic observation of those cells may be a useful indicator for providing the nature of EGBD endometrium.     

子宫乳头状浆液性癌临床病理分析及其辅助疗法探讨

目的 探讨子宫乳头状浆液性癌的临床病理特点及其合理疗法,以提高对该病的认识.方法 收集61例子宫乳头状浆液性癌,全面手术病理分期并随访4～9年,采用HE和免疫组织化学(EnVision法)染色,进行镜下观察,结合术后治疗方案和随访资料进行临床病理分析.结果 61例患者均为绝经后妇女,中位年龄68岁,临床表现为绝经后阴道流血和(或)腹部症状,或宫颈细胞学筛查发现异常等.肿瘤直径中位数7.5 cm(范围1.2～14.8 cm),FIGO分期:Ⅰ期17例(27.9%;Ⅰ A期8.2%,Ⅰ B期14.8%,Ⅰ C期4.9%),Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ期分别占9.8%(6/61)、32.8%(20/61)和29.5%(18/61).活检和手术标本的组织学特点与卵巢高级别浆液性乳头状癌相似,以高级别核为特征,常出现复杂的分支状乳头状结构,沙砾体出现率24.6%(15/61),免疫组织化学染色示p53和Ki-67弥漫强阳性而雌激素受体(ER)和孕激素受体(PR)阴性(均为肿瘤细胞核着色).24.6%(15/61)未见子宫肌层浸润,但其中10/15有子宫外扩散,主要累及腹膜(6/15)和淋巴结转移(9/15).深肌层浸润、淋巴结转移和脉管受累为单个预后差的指标.56例接受术后辅助治疗,化疗者42例,放疗者24例,联合放/化疗10例.化疔组和未化疗组(用或不用放疗)的中位生存期分别为66.4和32.8个月.结论 子宫乳头状浆液性癌有独特的临床和病理特征,分期、淋巴结状况、脉管受累和肌层浸润深度为主要预后指标.晚期患者和复发患者采用含有紫衫醇(单用或联合使用顺铂)的全身化疗方案,可延长患者生存期.     

A baboon model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia: II. Pathologic features

A light microscopic (LM), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study was performed on the lungs from seven baboons delivered by cesarean section prematurely (75% of full gestation) and one at full term. Six of the seven premature baboons pursued a clinical course typical of human hyaline membrane disease (HMD) and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). All the animals were supported with mechanical ventilation and exposed to continuous high levels of inspired oxygen. Three animals died early (?3 days) of complications and two demonstrated typical light and electron microscopic lesions of hyaline membrane disease. Three baboons survived ? 8 days and developed pathologically confirmed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, characterized by an altered inflation pattern of atelectasis and overdistension/“emphysema,” bronchial and bronchiolar lesions of necrosis, regenerative hyperplastic and/or squamous metaplastic changes, and peribronchiolar fibrosis and early alveolar wall fibrosis. A striking finding was a hyperplastic/obliterative respiratory bronchiolar lesion, most frequently seen in the atelectatic areas. The lungs of these animals lacked pores of Kohn; a feature shared by a study group of untreated baboons with gestation ages of 109 to 180 days. It is suggested that the lack of collateral ventilation, plus the striking hyperplastic-obliterative airway lesion might explain the characteristic feature of atelectasis. The histopathologic features of this model coincide with with those of BPD in the human neonate, with the exception of the hypertensive vascular changes, which may be a time-related lesion. The pathologic findings further support the premise that the premature baboon will be a very useful model in which the primary etiologic consideration of oxygen toxicity and barotrauma can be separated as to their roles in the causation of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.     

Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia might become a precursor of adenocarcinoma with pyloric gland features

We report a case of adenocarcinoma with pyloric gland features, which appears to have originated from lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings were performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. LEGH was observed in the conization specimens. In the hysterectomy specimens, LEGH, atypical LEGH, and mucinous adenocarcinoma coexisted. The adenocarcinoma was located at a site distant from the transition zone. p16(INK4a) immunopositivity was extremely rare. Front formation was observed, and a transition from benign-looking columnar cells of LEGH to adenocarcinoma was recognized. These findings suggested that the adenocarcinoma with pyloric gland features arose from LEGH. LEGH is no longer regarded as a pseudoneoplastic lesion, and it is necessary to consider that LEGH is able to transform into a precursor lesion and to develop into an adenocarcinoma with pyloric gland features.     

腹膜浆液性乳头状腺癌4例并临床病理分析

目的探讨腹膜浆液性乳头状腺癌(peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma,PPSC)的临床病理学特征、免疫表型、鉴别诊断及预后。方法对4例PPSC行免疫组化SP法染色及HPV检测,并复习相关文献。结果 4例PPSC均为女性,年龄23~62岁,平均51岁。临床表现多为无特异性的腹部不适,CA125升高,影像学表现为腹腔肿块。镜下肿瘤细胞形成形态不一、大小不等的乳头状结构;肿瘤细胞为低柱状,核质比大,核圆形,核仁大,异型性明显,核分裂象易见。腺体及间质内可见砂砾体。免疫表型:肿瘤细胞CA125、WT1、CK7、p53、CEA、p16均呈阳性,部分肿瘤细胞表达CK5/6、ER、PR;不表达GCDFP-15、CR、D2-40、CK20、Villin、CDX2、TTF1;HPV检测阴性。结论 PPSC是一种少见的原发于腹膜的恶性肿瘤,临床误诊率高,依据其临床和病理组织学特点,结合免疫组化染色可以明确诊断。     

Differentiated dysplasia is a frequent precursor or associated lesion in invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and pharynx

The source of precursor lesions of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity and pharynx, their classification, and grading are controversial. In contrast, vulvar and penile cancer precursor lesions are known to be related to human papillomavirus or chronic inflammation and can be described using the vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) classification system (VIN 1–3) or as differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), respectively. Oral and pharyngeal SCC precursor lesions are more etiologically diverse, and the spectrum of lesions may thus be wider. No international consensus exists regarding the histological types of precursor lesions or the significance of individual types. We therefore reviewed resection specimens and preceding biopsies of 155 patients with SCC of the oral cavity and pharynx (excluding tonsils) and identified five basic patterns of SCC-associated or precursor lesions: (1) pleomorphic (22/155), (2) basaloid (5/155), (3) differentiated (63/155), (4) mixed (42/155), and (5) verrucous (12/155). Keratinization was a common but variable feature in differentiated, mixed, and verrucous dysplasia. In 11/155 patients, no precursor lesion could be identified. Progression of isolated differentiated dysplasia (ranging from months to years) was documented in 13/155 (8 %) of patients. Our data suggest that full-thickness epithelial dysplasia of pleomorphic or basaloid type is present in <20 % of oral and pharyngeal SCC, and differentiated dysplasia is a frequent precursor or associated in situ lesion. Failure to recognize differentiated dysplasia results in the underdiagnosis of many patients at risk for invasive carcinoma. These results indicate a need to refine criteria to distinguish differentiated dysplasia from morphologically related lichenoid lesions.     

Comparison of computerized analysis of nuclear DNA changes in uterine cervix dysplasia and in urothelial non-invasive papillary carcinoma

The nuclear DNA content was measured in preneoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix and in papillary carcinomas of the bladder. Three groups of features were calculated from the raw data: basic DNA, DNA deviation and DNA distribution. The basic DNA features, concerning both the cervix and the bladder, showed a progressive increase in the mean DNA content, a decrease in the percentage of diploid nuclei and steadily increasing values of polyploid and aneuploid nuclei. Among the DNA deviation features, the malignancy grade value was zero in the normal cervical epithelium and in the normal urothelium. An increase in this value was evident in moderate dysplasia and in urothelial papillary carcinoma of grade 2, the highest value being in CIS and in grade 3. Concerning the DNA distribution features, the values of the 15th and 95th percentiles and their difference were progressively higher both in the cervix and in the bladder, expressing a continuous shift and spread of the DNA content measurements in the different diagnostic categories, with respect to normal epithelium and urothelium. The statistical analysis showed that the strongest correlation is between 2c D.I. and % of polyploid nuclei in the cervix and between M.I. and % of aneuploid nuclei greater than 4c in the bladder. In the cervix the most discriminating feature is the Malignancy Grade, whereas in the bladder it is the percentage of diploid nuclei. The comparison between the results of the three groups of features showed that: 1) Mild dysplasia of the cervix and urothelial papillary carcinoma of grade 1 showed similar changes in DNA features. Both were basically characterized by increased proliferative activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lobular carcinoma in situ and infiltrating ductal carcinoma: frequent presence of DCIS as a precursor lesion

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) occurs frequently in patients with lobular carcinoma in-situ (LCIS). LCIS is not thought to be the direct precursor of the invasive component. The authors analyzed 15 cases of coexisting LCIS and IDC and found ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 12. The DCIS and IDC were of similar grade and located in the same area. Selected cases stained with E-cadherin demonstrated a different immunophenotype for the lobular and ductal lesions. These results support the notion that DCIS is the direct precursor of IDC occurring in patients with LCIS.