Ovarian carcinoma pathology and genetics: recent advances

In this review we summarize recent advances in the histopathological diagnostic criteria and molecular pathology of the main subtypes of ovarian surface epithelial carcinoma. These advances have greatly improved our understanding of the biology of ovarian carcinoma and are also relevant to patient management. With progress toward subtype-specific treatment of ovarian carcinoma, accurate, reproducible histopathological diagnosis of these subtypes by practicing pathologists is increasingly important.     

Food allergy: recent advances in pathophysiology and treatment

Food allergies are adverse immune reactions to food proteins that affect up to 6% of children and 3-4% of adults. A wide range of symptoms can occur depending on whether IgE or non-IgE mediated mechanism are involved. Many factors influence the development of oral tolerance, including route of exposure, genetics, age of the host, and allergen factors. Advances have been made in the understanding of how these factors interact in the pathophysiology of food allergy. Currently, the mainstay of treatment for food allergies is avoidance and ready access to emergency medications. However, with the improved understanding of tolerance and advances in characterization of food allergens, several therapeutic strategies have been developed and are currently being investigated as potential treatments and/or cures for food allergy.     

Personalized lymphoma diagnosis and treatment: recent advances

Comprehensive gene expression and genetic analysis of lymphoma during the last decade has revealed activated signaling pathways that can be targeted with specific drugs. In addition, novel antibodies have been developed to specifically target lymphoma cells. This article reviews these recent developments and discusses the potential consequences for diagnosis of lymphoma.     

乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌病理诊断的临床意义及研究现状

乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌(invasive micropapillary earcinoma,IMPC)自2003年WHO乳腺和女性生殖系统肿瘤病理学和遗传学分类将其列为一种独立的病理类型以来,经采用Medline数据库进行检索,国内外有关研究论文共计47篇,加之以前发表的文章,共103篇.     

Asthma: recent advances

Asthma represents an increasing source of morbility and significant mortality in westernized societies. A recent meeting discussed progress in understanding the genetic, molecular and immunological basis of this allergic disorder.     

Diagnosis,pathogenesis and treatment of myositis: recent advances

Dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), necrotizing myopathy (NM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM) are four distinct subtypes of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies – in short myositis. Recent studies have shed some light on the unique pathogenesis of each entity. Some of the clinical features are distinct, but muscle biopsy is indispensable for making a reliable diagnosis. The use of magnetic resonance imaging of skeletal muscles and detection of myositis‐specific autoantibodies have become useful additions to our diagnostic repertoire. Only few controlled trials are available to substantiate current treatment approaches for myositis and hopes are high that novel modalities will become available within the next few years. In this review we provide an up‐to‐date overview of the pathogenesis and diagnostic approach of myositis. We aim to present a guide towards therapeutic and general management.     

肾嗜酸细胞瘤和嫌色细胞癌的临床鉴别诊断及治疗

目的 探讨肾嗜酸细胞瘤和嫌色细胞癌的临床特点,诊断,鉴别诊断及治疗。方法 回顾性分析8例肾嗜酸细胞瘤,男5例,女3例,年龄23~74岁,平均58.8岁,肿瘤直径3~7cm,平均5.1cm;5例嫌色细胞癌,男3例,女2例,年龄35~72岁,平均54.5岁,肿瘤直径3~8cm,平均5.8cm。全部患者均行彩超、CT检查,并行手术切除肿瘤,术后经病理学检查证实。结果 肾嗜酸细胞瘤细胞呈圆形,胞质富含浓染嗜酸颗粒,彩超以等回声或低回声多见,CT平扫为密度较均匀,增强后大多均匀强化,术后随访时间 10~53个月,未发现复发和转移。嫌色细胞癌由两种细胞类型组成,即典型型及嗜酸型,胞质呈纤细网状结构,胞膜清晰。彩超以高回声多见,CT大多强化不均匀,随访时间 12~49个月,1例术后 1年出现转移灶后死亡。结论 根据临床,影像方面的差别,术前基本能鉴别诊断,确诊仍需病理。肾嗜酸细胞瘤为良性肿瘤,首选保留肾单位手术;对于嫌色细胞癌,肾癌根治术是首选方法。     

Marginal zone cell lymphoma--an update on recent advances

The marginal zone represents one of the distinct compartments of the B-cell area in lymphoid tissues. It is especially well developed in the spleen and in Peyer's patches of the gut, but not in lymph nodes, with the exception of the ones in the mesenterium. However, the pronounced proliferation of so-called 'monocytoid B-cells' that may be seen in some inflammatory conditions of the lymph node may be regarded as a nodal reactive marginal zone cell expansion. The cellular compositions of the marginal zone and the monocytoid B-cell proliferation are similar and both show a heterogeneous population of B-cells, of which the functions are being slowly unravelled. Neoplasms originating in the marginal zone have been recognized in the past and are listed in the REAL classification as marginal zone B-cell lymphomas including extranodal MALT-type lymphomas, splenic marginal zone lymphomas and nodal (monocytoid) marginal zone lymphomas. Marginal zone cell lymphomas display a broad morphological spectrum, which is reflected by the heterogeneity of the cellular composition and the variation in the growth pattern of the lymphoma, but is independent of the anatomical site. All three marginal zone cell lymphomas share immunophenotypic, genetic and chromosomal similarities which will be discussed. The morphologic features are dealt with only briefly as they have been extensively discussed elsewhere.     

Recent advances in the biology of Merkel cell carcinoma

Recent outstanding research has rapidly revealed new aspects of the biology, etiology, and clinicopathology of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin malignancy that affects the elderly and immunosuppressed patients. Molecular biological studies, especially the discovery of Merkel cell polyomavirus, have shed new light on the pathogenesis of the disease. Increasing evidence strongly suggests that this virus is causally related to the development of Merkel cell carcinoma. On the other hand, many studies have also indicated that a subset (approximately 20%) of Merkel cell carcinomas are not likely to be associated with the virus. Tumors with and without the virus have been shown to be significantly different in prognosis, oncogene expression, and histologic appearance, suggesting that they have different etiologies. Moreover, studies on the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and cytogenetics have revealed several biological factors that are related to the clinical behavior and prognosis of the disease. This review summarizes the advances in the molecular biology of Merkel cell carcinoma based on recent study results. Although the exact molecular pathway of the pathogenesis of Merkel cell carcinoma remains unclear, further understanding of the pathophysiology of this tumor is expected to result in novel therapeutic approaches for management of the disease and contribute to better patient outcomes.     

Glomerular pathology: recent advances

The last decade has seen significant advances in the fields of cellular and molecular biology and pathology. These have contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms of glomerular disease and indicate possible novel approaches to therapy. This review discusses recent insights into the pathogenesis of glomerular disease, with consideration of the roles of intrinsic glomerular cells, infiltrating inflammatory cells, circulating permeability factors, and antibodies, and recent advances in the molecular pathology of the glomerular basement membrane. Changes in the perception of some well-established glomerular entities such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis are considered. In addition, a number of newly-recognized specific glomerulopathies including collapsing glomerulopathy, fibrillary and immunotactoid glomerulopathy, fibronectin glomerulopathy, and collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy are briefly reviewed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.