Primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor (atypical carcinoid) expressing KIT and PDGFRA with myoepithelial differentiation: a case report with immunohistochemical and molecular genetic studies

Primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors (NET) except for Merkel cell carcinoma have rarely been reported. Herein reported is a very unique case of primary cutaneous NET with immunohistochemical markers of myoepitheliomas. A 47-year-old woman presented a tumor measuring 0.8x0.9x0.6 cm of the face. The tumor was excised completely with wide margins. Morphologically, the tumor was located in the dermis, and the tumor was composed of epithelioid cells arranged in trabecular, sinusoidal, rosette, ribbon-like, and cord-like patterns. Focal areas show tubular formations. The tumor cells were homogenous, and their nuclei showed hyperchromasia but no apparent histological features of malignancy were seen. The stroma was very scant. No invasive features were seen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for cytokeratin (CK) 34BE12, CD5/6, CK14, NCAM (CD56), p63, and KIT (CD117), and moderately positive for CK AE1/3, p53, chromogranin, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), PDGFRA, CA19-9, and Ki-67 antigen (labeling index=23%). The tumor cells were negative for CK CAM5.2, CK7, CK8, CK18,CK19,CK20, EMA, vimentin, CEA, HMB45, S100 protein, α-smooth muscle antigen, desmin, CD34, GFAP, neurofilaments, CD99 (MIC2), CD45, CD57, ErbB2, TTF-1, MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6. Mucins examined by d-PAS and Alcian blue techniques were negative. A genetic analysis using PCR-direct sequencing method in paraffin sections identified no mutations of KIT (exons 9, 11, 13 and 17) and PDGFRA (exons 12 and 18) genes. Imaging modalities including CT and MRI identified no tumor in the body. The clinicians thought that the tumor was cured. She was a sailor and immediately visited other countries; therefore the follow-up could not be done.     

Electric current induced in teeth by electromagnetic fields from electric toothbrushes and curing lights

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the electric current induced in teeth and tooth-bonded brackets by electromagnetic fields from electric toothbrushes and the curing lights used for photo-activating light-cured resins.Materials and methodsCuring lights-generated low-frequency magnetic fields (1–2000 Hz) were measured with a spectrum analyzer. Temperature changes induced in the enamel and pulpal dentin surface of extracted upper premolar teeth (with or without a stainless steel or zirconia bracket) by electric toothbrushes and curing lights were estimated using an infrared thermometer. Electric current induced in these extracted teeth by electric appliances was estimated using a digital multimeter.ResultsCuring lights generated low-frequency magnetic fields. Irradiation of the tooth surface by curing lights elevated the temperature of the enamel and pulpal dentin surfaces, but there were no differences between curing lights. About electric current induced in extracted teeth (with or without a bracket) by electric toothbrushes and curing lights, the highest current was induced in teeth to which a zirconia bracket was bonded, whereas the lowest current was in unmodified teeth. Intermediate currents were generated in teeth bonded to stainless steel brackets.ConclusionThe low-frequency magnetic fields induced by electric toothbrushes and light curing units induce electric current in tooth tissue, irrespective of whether these teeth are bonded to stainless steel or zirconia brackets.     

Esophageal combined carcinomas: Immunohoistochemical and molecular genetic studies

Primary esophageal combined carcinoma is very rare. The authors herein report 2 cases. Case 1 was a combined squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma, and case 2 was a combined squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell carcinoma. Case 1 was a 67-year-old man with complaints of dysphagia. Endoscopic examination revealed an ulcerated tumor in the middle esophagus, and 6 biopsies were obtained. All 6 biopsies revealed a mixture of squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma. Both elements were positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and p53 protein, and had high Ki-67 labeling. The small cell carcinoma element was positive for synaptophysin, CD56, KIT, and platelet-derived growth factor-α (PDGFRA), while the squamous cell carcinoma element was not. Genetically, no mutations of KIT and PDGFRA were recognized. The patient died of systemic carcinomatosis 15 mo after presentation. Case 2 was a 74-year-old man presenting with dysplasia. Endoscopy revealed a polypoid tumor in the distal esophagus. Seven biopsies were taken, and 6 showed a mixture of squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The 3 elements were positive for cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, and p53 protein, and had high Ki-67 labeling. The adenocarcinoma element was positive for mucins. The small cell carcinoma element was positive for CD56, synaptophysin, KIT, and PDGFRA, but the other elements were not. Mutations of KIT and PDGFRA were not recognized. The patient died of systemic carcinomatosis 7 mo after presentation. These combined carcinomas may arise from enterochromaffin cells or totipotential stem cell in the esophagus or transdifferentiation of one element to another. A review of the literature was performed.