Biopsy sampling of breast lesions: comparison of core needle- and vacuum-assisted breast biopsies

Needle biopsy is now the initial investigation of choice for the pre-operative diagnosis of breast lesions. This includes core needle biopsy (CNB) and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) with or without radiologic assistance. The performance indices of both of these biopsy techniques were evaluated. In a large cohort of patients with breast lesions including 464 cases (285 CNB and 179 VAB), with confirmed outcomes, the diagnostic accuracy was compared using parameters including quantitation of the sampling based on the total number of cores taken, cores containing breast parenchyma, and cores with lesion; and non-epithelial changes including necrosis and calcification. CNB showed a 99% PPV, 94% NPV, 96% sensitivity, and 99% specificity, whereas VAB demonstrated a 100% PPV, 100% NPV, 100% sensitivity, and 100% specificity. The correct diagnosis in CNB was proportional to the number of cores extracted, whereas accuracy of VAB was independent of the total number of cores taken. There was a positive correlation between the presence of calcification and malignancy in CNB, but not detected under VAB. CNB and VAB were equally efficient in palpable lesions, in detecting necrosis, and calcification. Large calcification was found to be associated with malignancy in both CNB and VAB. In non-palpable lesions, VAB was more effective in the detection of calcification. The diagnostic accuracy of VAB appeared to be independent of number of cores sampled, whereas CNB required a minimum of 3–4 cores to achieve high diagnostic accuracy.     

Core-needle biopsy performed by the cytopathologist: a technique to complement fine-needle aspiration of soft tissue and bone lesions

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is gaining increased popularity in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal lesions; and, in many patients, a definitive diagnosis can be rendered from aspiration smears alone. The main limitation of FNAC of soft tissue and bone neoplasms is in the evaluation of tissue architecture. In addition cytologic specimens are not always adequate for ancillary studies. METHODS: A consecutive series of 130 patients with soft tissue and bone lesions was examined by core-needle biopsy (CNB) performed by a cytopathologist in conjunction with FNAC. The findings of this combined diagnostic approach were compared with histologic diagnoses made on surgical biopsies and resected specimens from 86 patients. Adequate follow-up was available in all patients. RESULTS: FNAC combined with CNB correctly could identify 77 of 78 malignant lesions and 50 of 52 benign lesions. Only seven patients underwent incisional biopsy. The tumor subtype was determined correctly in 30 of 39 patients (77%) and the malignancy grade was determined in 35 of 39 patients (90%) with primary soft tissue and bone sarcomas compared with the biopsy or operative specimens. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC of musculoskeletal tumors/lesions complemented with CNB combined cytomorphology with tissue architecture and ancillary procedures. In the current study, obtaining FNAC as well as CNB at the same clinic visit and by the cytopathologist made preliminary diagnosis on the day of referral possible. This speeded diagnosis increased the number of correct diagnoses and usually enabled correct subtyping and malignancy grading of sarcomas.     

Role of axillary ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging,and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the preoperative triage of breast cancer patients

Purpose

Roughly two-thirds of early breast cancer cases are associated with negative axillary nodes and do not benefit from axillary surgery at all. Accordingly, there is an ongoing search for non-surgical staging procedures to avoid lymph-node dissection or sentinel node biopsy (SNB). Non-invasive imaging techniques with very high sensitivity (Se) and negative predictive value (NPV) could eventually replace SNB. We aimed to establish the role of axillary US and MRI, alone or in combination, associated with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) in the prediction of axillary node involvement.

Methods/patients

Between January 2003 and September 2015, we included 1505 of the 1538 breast cancer patients attending our centres. All patients had been referred from a single geographical area. Axillary US, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) were performed if required.

Results

1533 axillary US examinations and 1351 axillary MRI studies were analyzed. For axillary US, Se, Specificity (Sp), Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and NPV were 47.5, 93.6, 82.5, and 73.8%, respectively. For axillary MRI, corresponding values were 29.8, 96.6, 84.9, and 68.4%. When both tests were combined, Sp and PPV slightly improved over individual tests alone. US-FNAB showed a 100% Sp and PPV, with a Se of 80%.

Conclusion

We may confidently state that axillary US and US-FNAB have to be included in the preoperative work-up of breast cancer patients.

     

Comparison of the diagnostic performances of core needle biopsy in myxoid versus non-myxoid tumors

BackgroundDespite the overall diagnostic utility of core needle biopsy (CNB) comparable to incisional biopsy, increased diagnostic errors have been suggested of CNB for myxoid soft tissue tumors. This study compared the diagnostic performance of CNB between myxoid and non-myxoid soft tissue tumors.Methods369 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided CNB prior to resection for soft tissue tumors were classified into two groups according to resection pathology; myxoid group (n = 75) and non-myxoid group (n = 294). One-hundred and ninety-three patients were male and the median age of the patients was 40 years. Two-hundred and sixty-three tumors were malignant.ResultsCNB correctly diagnosed malignancy in 84% (58 of 69) for the myxoid group and 95% (184 of 194) for the non-myxoid group. For diagnosing histologic grade of soft tissue sarcoma, CNB correctly identified high grade in 78% (18 of 23) for the myxoid group and 74% (94 of 128) for the non-myxoid group. Correct diagnosis rate of histological type was significantly lower in the myxoid group (63% [47 of 75] in the myxoid group and 83% [242 of 294] in the non-myxoid group, p = 0.013).ConclusionOur study suggests that CNB is useful for myxoid soft tissue tumors of the extremity, with regard to diagnosing malignancy and histologic grade. However, CNB was less useful for identifying histologic subtype in myxoid tumors than in non-myxoid tumors.     

High incidence of false-positive PET scans in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing regimens

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerfulpredictor of relapse and survival in non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas(NHLs) based on studies carried out in the prerituximab era.Little is known about the predictive power of PET in rituximab-treatedpatients. Patients and methods: Patients with aggressive B-cell NHL withbaseline and follow-up PET studies were included. Clinical characteristics,PET and computed tomography scans, biopsy results, and outcomeswere reviewed. PET was defined as positive if higher than mediastinalor background activity was observed. Results: In all, 51 patients (diffuse large B cell—38;mantle cell lymphoma—13) treated with rituximab-containingregimens were included. For 13 of 40 patients (32.5%), mid-therapyPET studies were positive and 9 of 48 patients (18.7%) had positiveposttherapy PET. The positive predictive value (PPV), negativepredictive value (NPV), sensitivity (Se), and specificity (Sp)of the mid-therapy PET for predicting relapse were 33% [95%confidence interval (CI) 19% to 49%], 68% (95% CI 51% to 81%),33% (95% CI 6% to 76%), and 68% (95% CI 49% to 82%), respectively.For posttherapy PET, the relapse PPV, NPV, Se and Sp were 19%(95% CI 9% to 33%), 81% (95% CI 67% to 91%), 13% (95% CI 0.6%to 53%), and 80%(95% CI 64% to 90%), respectively. Conclusions: Compared with previous reports in prerituximabera, addition of rituximab resulted in reduced PPV and sensitivityof mid- and posttherapy PET in patients with aggressive B-cellNHL. Key words: lymphoma, PET scan, rituximab Received for publication July 21, 2008. Accepted for publication August 7, 2008.     

Borderline breast core needle histology: predictive values for malignancy in lesions of uncertain malignant potential (B3)

Breast core needle biopsy (CNB) is an accurate test but may result in borderline histology (lesions of uncertain malignant potential or B3). This is an evaluation of the largest series (to date) of B3 histology, which focuses on estimating positive predictive values (PPV) for malignancy. We identified all B3 CNBs over a 10-year period in a single institution (N=372) from a series of 4035 consecutive needle biopsies. We describe the imaging findings, and report excision histology outcomes (N=279) and category-specific PPV for B3 lesions using two approaches including estimates based on subjects who had either excision or follow-up (N=328). B3 represented 9.2% of all CNB results. Excision histology was benign in 181 (64.9%) and malignant in 98 (35.1%) subjects (61 ductal carcinoma in situ, 37 invasive carcinoma). Positive predictive value for malignancy (based on excision histology) was 35.1% (95% CI: 29.5-40.7) and PPV (based on excision or review) was 29.9% (95% CI: 24.9-34.8). Lesion-specific PPV (estimates in parentheses for excision or follow-up) was atypical ductal hyperplasia 44.7% (40.6%); lobular intraepithelial neoplasia 60.9% (58.3%); papillary lesion 22.7% (15.9%); radial scar 16.7% (12.3%); phyllodes tumour 12.5% (12.5%); and B3 not specified 20.0%. Approximately one-third of CNB results classified as B3 are malignant on excision, and the likelihood of malignancy varies substantially between specific lesion groups. Whereas cases may be selectively managed without surgery, the majority warrant excision biopsy based on our estimates. Research is needed to improve differentiation between malignant and benign diseases in B3 lesions using diagnostic or predictive methods.     

Altered patterns of retinoblastoma gene product expression in adult soft-tissue sarcomas.

Altered expression of the retinoblastoma (RB) tumour-suppressor gene product (pRB) has been detected in sporadic bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Earlier studies, analysing small cohorts of sarcoma patients, have suggested that these alterations are more commonly associated with high-grade tumours, metastatic lesions and poorer survival. This study was designed to re-examine the prevalence and clinical significance of altered pRB expression in a large and selected group of soft-tissue sarcomas from 174 adult patients. Representative tissue sections from these sarcomas were analysed by immunohistochemistry using a well-characterised anti-pRB monoclonal antibody. Tumours were considered to have a positive pRB phenotype only when pure nuclear staining was demonstrated, and cases were segregated into one of three groups. Group 1 (n = 36) were patients whose tumours have minimal or undetectable pRB nuclear staining (< 20% of tumour cells) and were considered pRB negative. Patients with tumours staining in a heterogeneous pattern (20-79% of tumour cells) were classified as group 2 (n = 99). The staining of group 3 (n = 39) was strongly positive with a homogeneous pRB nuclear immunoreactivity (80-100% of tumour cells). pRB alterations were frequently observed in both low- and high-grade lesions. Altered pRB expression did not correlate with known predictors of survival and was not itself an independent predictor of outcome in the long-term follow-up. These findings support earlier observations that alterations of pRB expression are common events in soft-tissue sarcomas; nevertheless, long-term follow-up results indicate that altered patterns of pRB expression do not influence clinical outcome of patients affected with soft-tissue sarcomas. It is postulated that RB alterations are primary events in human sarcomas and may be involved in tumorigenesis or early phases of tumour progression in these neoplasias.     

Prognosis following locally recurrent soft-tissue sarcoma. A staging system based on primary and recurrent tumour characteristics

We have shown that the clinical growth rate of local recurrence from soft-tissue sarcoma could be expressed as a growthrate index (GRI) which was predictive for metastasis, and which was able to identify 2 equal populations of good (80% 2-year MFS) and poor survivors (33%). We now report the associations between characteristics of the primary and GRI, and combine primary and locally recurrent tumour characteristics in a staging system. We studied 460 adult patients with soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities and trunk wall who were diagnosed and treated between 1964 and 1990, of whom 134 developed local recurrences and 151 metastases. The association of primary tumour size, histologic malignancy grade, depth, spontaneous necrosis, intratumoral vascular invasion and S-phase fraction with local recurrence, GRI and metastasis were examined. High GRI was associated with primary tumours that were larger, deeper, more malignant, underwent spontaneous tumour necrosis, demonstrated intravascular invasion and had a higher S-phase fraction. The same factors were also strongly associated with the incidence of metastasis. A multivariate analysis found GRI and primary tumour necrosis to be the strongest and most significant prognostic factors. GRI and tumour necrosis were combined in a staging system that identified groups with good survival (79 to 94% 2-year MFS), intermediate survival (61% 2-year MFS) and exceptionally poor survival (6% 2-year MFS). These findings validate our earlier assertion that high GRI reflects highly malignant tumours. A staging system composed of primary tumour necrosis and GRI can identify patients who may be suitable candidates for trials of adjuvant chemotherapy. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy by ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy for patients with suspicious node positive breast cancer

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of preoperative diagnostic tools for axillary lymph nodes (LNs) staging of breast cancer.

Materials and Methods

A total of 2464 consecutive patients with operable breast cancer were prospectively identified at our institution between April 2012 and March 2017. Patients with suspicious axillary LN of breast cancer were assessed using preoperative ultrasound(US) or computed tomography (CT), underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA) or core needle biopsy (CNB). The inclusion criteria for both FNA and CNB were a cortical thickness >3 mm or abnormal morphological characteristics. Patients with biopsy-proven metastasis underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and those with a negative FNA or CNB underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB). If the SNB was positive, ALND was performed. Diagnostic accuracy for SNB was calculated for both FNA and CNB. In addition, the patients in this study were divided into two groups as follows: the cN0-FNA group (suspicious LN but negative FNA) and cN0-CNB group (suspicious LN but negative CNB).

Results

A number of patients with negative US/CT findings of LNs were 1406, with 744 undergoing FNA and 272 undergoing CNB for suspicious LNs. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 65, 99, 99, 80, and 85% in FNA, and 87, 100, 100, 93 and 95% in CNB, respectively. SNB was performed in 172 (cN0-CNB group) of 272 CNB and 487 (cN0-FNA group) of 744 FNA patients. One hundred and seventy-two patients from the cN0-CNB group (Tis 6, T1 97, T2 66, T3 3 patients) treated with SNB were compared to 487 from the cN0-FNA group (Tis 21, T1 225, T2 233, T3 8 patients) in terms of number of LN metastasis. A number of patients with more than 3 positive SNB and positive LNs were 9 (5%) and 0 (0%) in cN0-CNB group, and 78 (16%) and 24 (5%) in cN0-FNA group, respectively. A number of patients who had complications such as haematoma and pain at the time of 7 to 14 days after CNB and FNA were 1 (0.5%) and 1 (0.5%) in cN0-CNB group, and were 0% and 0.2% in cN0-FNA group (p = 0.44), respectively.

Conclusions

The preoperative diagnosis of axillary LNs was influenced by the diagnostic tool used. CNB is a reliable method for the preoperative diagnosis of LN metastasis.

     

Valeur diagnostique des microcalcifications ACR3 et ACR4 dans le dépistage du cancer du sein

Objective

To evaluate the risk of cancer associated with ACR3 and ACR4 microcalcifications.

Patients and methods

A retrospective study of 96 out of 5204 patients who underwent mammography was conducted for 5 years (January 2008 to December 2012). We confronted cancer lesions with ACR3 and ACR4 microcalcifications.

Results

Cancer was detected in 201 women,with a prevalence of 3.8%. Among the 96 cases of ACR3 and ACR4 microcalcifications detected, 56 cases (58%) were classified as ACR3, and 40 cases (42%) as ACR4. For all ACR3 and ACR4 microcalcifications, it was noted 30% of them represented cancerous lesions against 70% of benign lesions. The sensitivity (Se) was 14.4%, specificity (Sp) was 98.66 %, positive predictive value (PPV) was 30% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.63%. For ACR3 microcalcifications, cancerous lesions represented for 11 against 89% of benign lesions. The Se was 3%, Sp was 99%, PPV was 11% and NPV was 96%. For ACR4 microcalcifications, cancerous lesions were noted in 57.5% against 42.5% of benign lesions. The Se was 11.4%, Sp was 99.6%, PPV was 57.5% and NPV was 96.5%.

Conclusion

In our study, the risk of cancer associated with ACR3 microcalcifications was 11% against 57.5% ACR4 microcalcifications.     

子宫颈癌早期筛查多种方法的比较分析

 目的 探讨子宫颈癌早期筛查的最佳方法。方法 选取2005年5月至2006年7月，太原钢铁（集团）有限公司总医院妇产科门诊接诊病例100例，以病理检查作为金标准，采用肉眼观测辅以醋酸和碘试验、阴道镜检查、液基细胞学检查（TCT法）、杂交捕获二代法（HC-Ⅱ法） HPV DNA检测等几种常用方法，对比其特异度（Sp）、敏感度（Se）、准确度（E）、阳性预测值（PPV）、阴性预测值（NPV）。结果 几种检测方法Sp、Se、E、PPV、NPV，肉眼观测辅以醋酸和碘试验依次为31.13 %、71.43 %、74.00 %、6.69 %、92.95 ％，阴道镜检查依次为33.43 %、93.39 %、86.00 %、21.20 %、96.65 ％，TCT法依次为69.87 %、95.08 %、95.45 %、67.98 %、95.78 ％，HC-Ⅱ法 HPV DNA依次为99.87 %、84.65 %、88.71 %、33.00 %、99.06 ％。结论 肉眼观测辅以醋酸和碘试验法联合应用阴性预测值高，阴道镜检测不适用于早期筛查     

Intraoperative touch imprint cytology of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer: experience at a tertiary care center in Mexico

Background Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with breast cancer has emerged as a conservative and promising procedure. One of the most important issues is the intraoperative evaluation of the SLN with a high degree of accuracy by frozen section and/or imprint cytology. The objective of this study was to test the ability of intraoperative touch imprint cytology (ITIC) to predict metastasis on SLN. Methods SLNs were freshly examined, bisected in <0.5 cm or serially sectioned at 2 mm intervals on the long axis. Each surface of the section was touched on the glass slide, and stained. Results of ITIC were compared with permanent sections. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy (Acc) were calculated. False negatives were reviewed. Results We analyzed 179 SLN from 110 patients. The comparison between ITIC and final results of the SLN showed 139 (77.6%) true negative imprints, and 28 (15.6%) true positive. There were 12 (6.70%) false negative (FN) imprints which included 6 macrometastases, 3 micrometastases, and 3 isolated tumor cells. Re-screening after the definitive results of false negative imprints showed again 10 negative imprints, one with two groups of cells and one with multiple groups of cells. The overall Se was 70% (73.6% for micro/macrometastases and 82.3% for macrometastases), Sp and PPV were 100% in all cases. NPV was 92.1% overall (93.4% micro/macrometastases and 96% in macrometastases).Global accuracy was 93.3% (94.4% for micro/macrometastases and 96% for in macrometastases). Conclusions ITIC is excellent to detect macrometastases, however, it fails to detect micrometastases. False negative imprints for macrometastases are mainly due to sampling error. The immediate availability, low cost, high Sp, PPV, preservation of the lymph node for histopathologic examination, avoiding of a second surgery are the major advantages of intraoperative evaluation of SLN.     

Transcervical needle biopsy for the differential diagnosis between uterine sarcoma and leiomyoma

BACKGROUND: The clinical differential diagnosis between uterine sarcoma and benign leiomyoma is difficult even with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, a considerable number of patients have undergone hysterectomies due to an indication of "suspected malignancy" based on tumor size alone. However, approximately 80% of these hysterectomies have been judged to have been recommended inappropriately. In such situations, reliable preoperative diagnostic tests are required. The authors have evaluated the accuracy of needle biopsy for uterine myoma-like tumors, a procedure that to the authors' knowledge has been performed infrequently. METHODS: Transcervical needle biopsy was performed in 435 patients with uterine myoma-like tumors. The biopsy specimens were scored for degree of malignancy according to the histopathologic criteria proposed by Bell et al. Histopathologic evaluation of surgical specimens and clinical outcome after 2 years of follow-up were used as the reference standards. RESULTS: Of 435 patients, 7 had uterine sarcomas, 4 of which were scored as > or = 4 points and were diagnosed as "sarcoma" by needle biopsy alone. No sarcoma cases were included in the group of patients with a score of 0. The cutoff score combining the highest sensitivity and specificity with respect to distinguishing uterine leiomyosarcoma from uterine leiomyoma was 2; sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 100%, 98.6%, 58%, and 100.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transcervical needle biopsy using histopathologic scoring is a reliable diagnostic test for the differential diagnosis between uterine sarcoma and leiomyoma. This diagnostic method, combined with MRI screening, could reduce the number of patients currently undergoing unnecessary surgery.     

Value of cardiophrenic angle lymph node for the diagnosis of colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis

BackgroundCardiophrenic angle lymph nodes (CPALN) have been reported in patients with abdominopelvic malignancies. We aimed to assess whether the presence of CPALN is associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in colorectal cancer.Patients and methodsBetween 2007 and 2011, 550 patients with colorectal cancer, including 165 (30%) with PC, had undergone surgery with complete peritoneal exploration. We retrospectively reviewed preoperative CT scans for the presence of CPALN and assessed its association with confirmed PC by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsCPALN were present in 123 (75%) patients with PC, but absent in 263 (68%) patients without PC (Se: 0.72; Sp: 0.68; PPV: 0.49; NPV: 0.85; [OR], 3.3; p < 0.001). PC was the only factor independently associated with CPALN in the multivariate analysis. CPALN was not correlated with the presence of liver metastases. 99 of the 165 patients with PC (62%) had visible signs of PC on CT scan. Among the remaining 66 patients, CPALN were the only potential sign of PC in 41 (62%), (Se 0.62, Sp 0.68, PPV 0.24, and NPV 0.92).ConclusionThe detection of CPALN on CT may be of valuable help for the diagnosis of PC in patients with CRC.     

Soft-tissue Sarcomas in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Systematic Review

Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas require tailored and multidisciplinary treatment and management.However, little is known about how sarcomas are treated and managed throughout the Asia-Pacific region.Materials and Methods: MEDLINE was systematically searched using prespecified criteria. Publications (previous10 years) that reported tumour characteristics, treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and/or safety outcomesof patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were selected. Exclusion criteria were studies of patients <18 years of age;≤10 patients; countries other than Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines,Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand; >20% benign tumours; sarcomas located in bones or joints; gastrointestinalstromal tumour; Kaposi’s sarcoma; or not reporting relevant outcomes. Results: Of the 1,822 publicationsretrieved, 35 (32 studies) were included. Nearly all patients (98%, 1,992/2,024; 31 studies) were treated withsurgery, and more studies used adjuvant radiotherapy than chemotherapy (24 vs 17 studies). Survival outcomesand recurrence rates varied among the studies because of the different histotypes, sites, and disease stagesassessed. Only 5 studies reported safety findings. Conclusions: These findings highlight the lack of specific dataavailable about soft-tissue sarcomas in the Asia-Pacific region. Better efforts to understand how the sarcoma ismanaged and treated will help improve patient outcomes in the region.     

Diagnostic precision of image-guided multisampling core needle biopsy of suspected lymphomas in a primary care hospital

We evaluated the diagnostic quality of image-guided multisampling core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients investigated for suspected lymphoma in a primary care hospital. A total of 112 patients were consecutively assessed during a 3-year period. There were 80 lymphoid site biopsies and 32 non-lymphoid site biopsies. Eight to nine cores were obtained from different parts of the biopsy site. Two cores were systematically frozen, allowing for further morphological, immunochemistry and molecular studies. The diagnostic yield of CNB for malignancy was 100%. Only 47% (41/87) of patients with initial suspicion of lymphoma were finally diagnosed with Lymphoma. The diagnostic yield of CNB for lymphoma typing was 98% (62/63), according to the WHO classification. The diagnostic yield of CNB for complete lymphoma subtyping/grading was 86% (54/63). The diagnostic yield of CNB for a definite diagnosis of benignity was only 47% (8/17). In a primary care setting, multisampling CNB is a minimally invasive, and very accurate procedure for confirming malignancy in patients with suspected lymphoma, presenting with superficial/deep-seated, lymphoid/non-lymphoid site targets. With a very high diagnostic yield for lymphoma typing and a high diagnostic yield for complete lymphoma subtyping/grading a therapeutic decision can be taken in most patients.     

Diagnosing Lymphoproliferative Disorders Using Core Needle Biopsy Versus Surgical Excisional Biopsy: Three-Year Experience of a Reference Center in Lebanon

BackgroundDespite current guidelines, a significant increase in the use of core needle biopsy (CNB) has been noted. Our aims were to determine the profile of patients referred for image-guided biopsies, to assess the diagnostic yield of these biopsies, and to learn whether CNB is an effective alternative to surgical excisional biopsy (SEB).Patients and MethodsAll lymph node biopsy samples evaluated in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from 2014 to 2017 were included. Patients’ demographics, biopsy type, and final diagnosis were recorded and classified as diagnostic or nondiagnostic. The reasons for the latter were evaluated and follow-up was obtained, where available.ResultsA total of 373 cases, 210 CNB and 163 SEB, were collected. The diagnostic yield was 79% for CNB compared to 97% for SEB. The choice of CNB versus SEB was not dependent on patient’s age, gender, or clinical suspicion of malignancy. Failure to reach a diagnosis was due to insufficient or suboptimal tissue in most nondiagnostic CNBs. Lymphoma was equally diagnosed among CNB and SEB. CNB was at an advantage in diagnosing large B-cell lymphomas.ConclusionWhen performed adequately, CNB is a good substitute for SEB. Strict and specific guidelines need to be updated and adopted to indicate how and when it can be used, including the recommendation of concomitant complementary diagnostic laboratory testing such as flow cytometry. The latter should be readily available in order to not compromise the quality and accuracy of the diagnoses.     

Analysis of p53 mutational events and MDM2 amplification in canine soft-tissue sarcomas.

Canine cancer is of major significance in terms of animal health and welfare and soft tissue sarcomas are an important group of tumours accounting for approximately 15% of all canine tumours presented. Abnormal p53 protein expression and gene mutations have been identified in a number of different canine tumour types. However, mdm2 gene amplification has only been investigated in a limited number of canine osteosarcomas. In this present study a series of canine soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) were examined for p53 mutations and/or mdm2 amplification. For p53 mutational studies polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing was used. Gene mutations were identified in 6 of 30 (20%) primary tumour cases including MPNST (n=3) leiomysarcoma (n=1), heamangiosarcoma (n=1) and sarcoma (n=1). mdm2 gene amplification was assessed by Southern Blot. Although there was no evidence for major gene rearrangements, gene amplification was detected in 4 of 35 (11.4 %) primary tumours including MPNST (n=2), rhabdomyosarcoma (n=2). A total of 33 cases were examined for both p53 mutations and mdm2 amplification. Seven of the tumours were positive for p53 mutations, while five were positive for mdm2 amplification. With the exception of one case, a reciprocal relationship between the presence of a p53 mutation and mdm2 gene amplification was demonstrated.     

Current pathology work-up of extremity soft tissue sarcomas,evaluation of the validity of different techniques

Objective

In patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) a correct histopathological diagnosis is considered important before surgical treatment. We evaluated the preoperative use and sensitivity of the various pathology techniques.

Methods

In a population-based study in patients operated for a newly diagnosed extremity STS between January 2000 and December 2003 the preoperative pathology work-up was evaluated. Data were retrieved from a national pathology database (PALGA). The sensitivity of the three techniques was assessed considering an examination affirmative when the conclusion of the pathology report stated the presence of mesenchymal malignancy.

Results

The pathology reports of 573 patients were identified in the database. In 177 patients (31%) no pathology examination was done before resection of the tumour. In the remaining 396 patients the pathology procedure of first choice had been an incisional biopsy (IB) in 195 patients (49%), a core-needle biopsy (CNB) in 90 patients (23%) and a fine needle aspiration (FNA) in 111 patients (28%). An affirmative diagnosis was established in 95% of the patients following an IB, in 78% after a CNB and in 38% following FNA. After an initial CNB an additional IB was performed in 18 of the 90 patients improving the yield to 89%. After an initial FNA a subsequent histological biopsy was done in 53 of the 111 patients, increasing the sensitivity to 71%.

Conclusions

In this population-based study in patients treated for extremity STS, the proportion of patients operated without preoperative pathology evaluation was high. In the remaining patients an incisional biopsy was still the most commonly performed technique with the highest yield.     

Unsuccessful preoperative biopsies, fine needle aspiration cytology or core needle biopsy, lead to increased costs in the diagnostic workup in breast cancer

Correct preoperative diagnosis of a breast lesion is essential for optimal treatment planning. Our aim was to compare feasibility of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in diagnosis of breast lesions. The special aim was to evaluate the extra costs and delay in surgical treatment due to unsuccessful preoperative biopsies. Diagnostic work-ups in 572 patients with 580 breast lesions were retrospectively evaluated. FNAC was the first biopsy method for 339 lesions, CNB for 241 lesions. The postoperative diagnosis was malignant for 503 lesions. The preoperative rate of definitely malignant diagnosis was 67% (194/289) for FNAC and 96% (206/214) for CNB (p < 0.0001), and 95% and 99%, respectively (p = 0.0173), when also suspicious findings were included. In patients with FNAC, an additional needle biopsy was performed for 93 and a surgical biopsy for 62 lesions. In the CNB group, a subsequent CNB was performed for 2 and a surgical biopsy for 33. The frequent need for additional biopsies raised the total expenses of FNAC over those of CNB. Multiple biopsies may also delay cancer surgery. It is therefore recommended to use CNB as the initial needle biopsy method.