Molecular Pathology: Predictive,Prognostic, and Diagnostic Markers in Salivary Gland Tumors

Although initial attempts at using ancillary studies in salivary gland tumor classification were viewed with skepticism, numerous advances over the past decade have established a role for assessment of molecular alterations in the diagnosis and potential prognosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors. Many monomorphic salivary tumors are now known to harbor defining molecular alterations, usually translocations. Pleomorphic, high-grade carcinomas tend to have complex alterations that are often further limited by inaccuracy of initial classification by morphologic and immunophenotypic features. Next-generation sequencing techniques have great potential in many aspects of salivary gland tumor classification and biomarker discovery.     

Molecular Pathology: Predictive,Prognostic, and Diagnostic Markers in Lymphoid Neoplasms

Lymphoid neoplasms show great diversity in morphology, immunophenotypic profile, and postulated cells of origin, which also reflects the variety of genetic alterations within this group of tumors. This review discusses many of the currently known genetic alterations in selected mature B-cell and T-cell lymphoid neoplasms, and their significance as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers. Given the rapidly increasing number of genetic alterations that have been described in this group of tumors, and that the clinical significance of many is still being studied, this is not an entirely exhaustive review of all of the genetic alterations that have been reported.     

Molecular Pathology: Prognostic and Diagnostic Genomic Markers for Myeloid Neoplasms

Application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) on myeloid neoplasms has expanded our knowledge of genomic alterations in this group of diseases. Genomic alterations in myeloid neoplasms are complex, heterogeneous, and not specific to a disease entity. NGS-based panel testing of myeloid neoplasms can complement existing diagnostic modalities and is gaining acceptance in the clinics and diagnostic laboratories. Prospective, randomized trials to evaluate the prognostic significance of genomic markers in myeloid neoplasms are under way in academic medical centers.     

Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Breast Cancer: Issues Related to Molecular Determinants of Outcome

Abstract: Prognostic and predictive factors related to breast cancer are defined and discussed with a historical perspective, using the estrogen receptor and erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) as examples. Important issues related to translational applicability are discussed from the authors point of view. Emphasis is placed on a recognition of treatment and molecular marker interactions (for predictive factors) and how these may effect, either positively or negatively, their prognostic value.     

Practical Molecular Pathology and Histopathology of Embryonal Tumors

There have been significant improvements in understanding of embryonal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) in recent years. These advances are most likely to influence the diagnostic algorithms and methodology currently proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification scheme. Molecular evidence suggests that the tumors presumed to be specific entities within the CNS/primitive neuroectodermal tumors spectrum are likely to be reclassified. All these developments compel reassessing current status and expectations from the upcoming WHO classification efforts. This review provides a synopsis of current developments and a practical algorithm for the work-up of these tumors in practice.     

Prognostic and Predictive Markers for Treatment Decisions in Early Breast Cancer

Breast cancer clinically represents a heterogeneous disease. Over the last decades, the integration of prognostic and predictive markers in treatment decisions has led to a more individualized and optimized therapy. While prognosis describes the risk of disease recurrence and disease-related death after diagnosis without the influence of therapy, prediction illustrates the probability of efficacy or response of a specific therapeutic measure. The substantial decline in breast cancer mortality seen over the last 20 years is primarily due to the delivery of adjuvant systemic therapy. It is important that clinical decisions are made to minimize overtreatment, under-treatment, and incorrect treatment. Improved understanding of breast cancer biology together with the utilization of classical biomarkers and the identification of new markers or profiles is increasingly defining who should receive cancer therapy and what therapy offers the best efficacy. The molecular targets as the prerequisite for successful concepts of specific therapies like anti-estrogens, antibodies, or small molecules, have therefore high clinical value in regards to prognosis as well as prediction.     

PK刀在腹腔镜下早期子宫恶性肿瘤手术中的应用

目的探讨等离子刀(PK刀)在腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除术和盆腔淋巴结切除术治疗子宫恶性肿瘤中的应用价值。方法2003年1月~2006年12月,应用PK刀行腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除术和盆腔淋巴结切除术治疗30例经活检证实的早期子宫恶性肿瘤,其中子宫颈癌19例,子宫内膜癌11例。结果30例均在腹腔镜下完成手术,无一例中转开腹手术。手术时间(253.2±55.3)min,术中出血量(310.0±147.7)ml,淋巴结切除时间(73.5±23.6)min,淋巴结切除(17.0±6.2)枚,术后肛门排气时间(32.3±11.2)h,术后应用抗生素时间(5.5±1.5)d,术后住院(12±5)d。术中损伤膀胱1例,术后最高体温≥38.5℃3例,尿潴留4例,淋巴囊肿1例。结论PK刀作为兼备切割和止血的腹腔镜手术器械,其止血效果好,创伤小,具有较高的安全性,在子宫恶性肿瘤腹腔镜下行广泛子宫切除术和盆腔淋巴结切除术是安全、可行的。     

Oligometastases in Genitourinary Tumors: Recent Insights and Future Molecular Diagnostic Approach

ContextAn oligometastatic state is an early event during tumor metastatic spread and is rarely reported in patients with genitourinary tumors. In this condition, the primary tumor has low capacity for distal dissemination because its aggressiveness has not yet reached a maximum.ObjectiveTo review recent findings on the diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic disease in patients with genitourinary tumors.Evidence acquisitionTo identify relevant studies, we reviewed articles in PubMed from January 1966 to September 2017. The search was conducted by combining the words “oligometastasis” or “oligometastatic disease” with “bladder cancer”, “genitourinary tumor”, “prostate cancer”, and “renal cancer”.Evidence synthesisIn renal cell carcinoma (RCC), tumors from patients with multiple metastases showed a different gene signature compared to oligometastatic RCC. In addition, an oligometastatic state was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Otherwise, the characteristics of oligometastases from bladder cancer remain unclear, as do the clinical and prognostic significance of metastasectomy in this setting. However, patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer have longer recurrence-free survival and OS and seem to benefit from local metastasis-directed therapies.ConclusionsEarly detection of oligometastatic disease in patients with genitourinary tumors is fundamental in improving outcomes by identifying patients who would benefit from local approaches with potentially curative rather than palliative intent.