Mixed Tumors,Myoepitheliomas, and Oncocytomas of the Soft Tissues Are Likely Members of the Same Family: A Clinicopathologic and Ultrastructural Study

Four diagnostically unusual soft tissue tumors are presented. All lesions were of consistent size and long duration. Histologically, one lesion was analogous to mixed tumors of the usual sites (i.e., salivary glands), one lesion was totally spindled, and the two other lesions both had oncocytic appearances ( epithelioid and spindle biphasic pattern in a case, purely epithelioid in the other). Immunohistochemically, the mixed tumor was positive for vimentin, cytokeratins, S-100 protein, and focally for EMA. The purely spindled tumor exhibited immunoreactivity for vimentin, actins, S-100 protein, EMA (focally), and GFAP. The oncocytic biphasic tumor was positive for mitochondrial antigen, vimentin, and actins. The purely epithelioid oncocytic neoplasm was immunoreactive only for mitochondrial antigen and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, in the epithelial-like portion of the first (mixed) tumor, peripheral arrays of contractile filaments were detected along with well-developed desmosomes. In the second (spindled) case, peripheral contractile filaments and attenuated desmosomes were also seen. In the third case, a huge number of mitochondria, some desmosomes, and actin-type microfilaments were found. In the fourth case, desmosomes and punctate subplasmalemmal densities, in addition to numerous mitochondria, were documented. In all cases an external basal lamina were present, which was discontinuous in the first three cases and almost continuous in the fourth. These tumors were respectively designated as mixed tumor, myoepithelioma of the classic type, myoepithelioma of oncocytic type with biphasic cell architecture, and true oncocytoma. So far, all tumors have followed benign clinical courses (median follow up: 12 months). Comparisons with similar tumors of other sites are drawn, and suggestions for considering all of them as members of the same myoepithelial-derived tumor family are given.     

Primary Composite Angiogenic Leiomyosarcoma?Epithelioid Angiosarcoma of the Brain

The authors describe a primary sarcoma of the brain with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of leiomyosarcoma as well as epithelioid hemangiosarcoma. The leiomyosarcomatous component consisted of spindle cells with well-developed external lamina, subsarcolemmal densities composed of microfilaments, pinocytic vesicles, and abundant intermediate filaments, and showed immunohistochemical reactions for smooth muscle actin. The epithelioid part of the tumor contained scattered cells reactive for alkaline phosphatase as well as CD31 and factor VIII. Many epithelioid cells were lipidized and remarkably similar to "stromal cells" of a hemangioblastoma. Occasional Weibel-Palade bodies, indicating endothelial differentiation, were present in scattered neoplastic cells. There were also cells with features intermediate between endothelium, pericytes and smooth muscle cells, and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. The brain at the periphery of sarcoma showed conglomerates of well-differentiated capillaries, telangiectasias and small dysplastic arteries, features that raise the possibility of origin of this tumor from a preexisting vascular developmental abnormality.     

Ultrastructure of Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

The ultrastructural features of 30 adrenal cortical carcinomas have been reviewed and compared with those seen in adrenal cortical adenomas, adrenal cortical hyperplasia, and the normal cortex. A broad range of ultrastructural appearances was found among the carcinomas, but the differences were mainly in the amount of cytoplasmic lipid, number of lysosomes, and quantity and architecture of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Structural variants among the carcinomas included lipid-rich, oncocytic, and glycogen-rich cells. Electron microscopy can be extremely useful in differential diagnoses that include adrenal cortical carcinoma.     

Imaging of the spine and spinal cord: An overview of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques

This review will discuss conventional and advanced magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging techniques used to study the spine and spinal cord according to the anatomical structures and clinical indications. Clinical challenges that neuroradiologists may face are also discussed, such as the “when” and “where” concerning the use of each technique, and in which pathology or clinical scenario each technique is useful. Finally, some “tips and tricks” to overcome the challenges are provided with clinical examples.     

Diagnostic Utility of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiating Small Solid Renal Tumors (≤4 cm) at 3.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement obtained with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) to distinguish renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) from small benign solid renal tumors (≤4 cm).

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 49 consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed small solid renal tumors, and seven healthy volunteers were imaged using nonenhanced MRI and DW-MRI. The ADC map was calculated using the b values of 0, 50, 400, and 600 s/mm² and values compared via the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. The utility of ADC for differentiating RCCs and benign lesions was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Multiple nonenhanced MRI features were analyzed by Logistic regression.

Results:

The tumors consisted of 33 cases of clear-cell RCCs (ccRCCs) and 16 cases of benign tumors, including 14 cases of minimal fat angiomyolipomas and 2 cases of oncocytomas. The ADCs showed significant differences among benign tumors ([0.90 ± 0.52] × 10⁻³ mm²/s), ccRCCs ([1.53 ± 0.31] × 10⁻³ mm²/s) and the normal renal parenchyma ([2.22 ± 0.12] × 10⁻³ mm²/s) (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was statistically significant difference between high and low-grade ccRCCs (P = 0.004). Using a cut-off ADC of 1.36 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, DW-MRI resulted in an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity equal to 0.839, 75.8%, and 87.5%, respectively. Nonenhanced MRI alone and the combination of imaging methods led to an AUC, sensitivity and specificity equal to 0.919, 93.9%, and 81.2%, 0.998, 97%, and 100%, respectively. The Logistic regression showed that the location of the center of the tumor (inside the contour of the kidney) and appearance of stiff blood vessel were significantly helpful for diagnosing ccRCCs.

Conclusions:

DW-MRI has potential in distinguishing ccRCCs from benign lesions in human small solid renal tumors (≤4 cm), and in increasing the accuracy for diagnosing ccRCCs when combined with nonenhanced MRI.     

miR-221/222与肿瘤发生发展关系的研究进展

微小RNA-221/222(miR-221/222)是一类与肿瘤发生密切相关的微小RNA,异常表达存在于机体多系统、多步骤、多位点肿瘤的分化发展进程中。miR-221/222通过靶向不同靶基因的信号转导途径发挥着抑癌基因或促癌基因的作用,有望成为恶性肿瘤的生物学标志物和新型治疗靶点。该文就miR-221/222与肿瘤发生发展关系的研究进展作一综述。     

Non-primary salivary malignancies: A 22-year retrospective study

PurposeMost salivary gland malignancies are primary tumors, but in our medical center one of six is non-primary. The relative scarcity of such reports justifies studying them.Subjects & methodsWe studied patients' demographic and clinical parameters, salivary tumors/metastasis, diagnosis and treatment, and survival rates.ResultsOf all our salivary malignancy patients over the last 22 years, 15% (18/119) had non-primary malignant tumors, all located in the parotid glands. Of these, nine had skin cancer (SCC), 3 malignant solid tumors and 6 hematological systemic malignancies. Four had concomitant second malignancy. Mean age was 70.2 ± 13.8 years, 66.7% of the patients were males, 27.8% were smokers, none reported alcohol use. The most prevalent diagnostic tools used were CT (16 patients), FNA (13) and PET-CT (12). Eleven of 18 patients died from the disease despite receiving therapy: 6 SCC patients, 2 CLL patients and all 3 with solid tumors. All four lymphoma patients survived as did another three SCC patients.ConclusionsChemotherapy and radiotherapy for systemic disease prolonged life rather than surgery. Patients with poor prognosis non-primary salivary tumors should be treated conservatively; surgery should be for those without widespread metastases or systemic disease. Sometimes a palliative patient may benefit from tumor debulking.     

Osteosarcoma with Cardiac Metastasis in a 22‐year‐old Man: A Case Report and Review of Cardiac Tumors

Primary osteosarcoma accounts for 3% of all childhood cancer. It commonly occurs during the adolescent growth spurt and is more common in boys than girls and in African Americans than white people. The 5‐year survival is approximately 79%. Cardiac metastasis of osteosarcoma is exceedingly rare; we present an unusual case in a 22‐year‐old man with significant intracardiac tumor burden. Additionally, we review the current pediatric cardiac tumor literature.     

经食管黏膜下隧道内镜治疗胃底贲门固有肌层肿物的价值

目的 探讨经食管黏膜下隧道治疗胃底贲门部固有肌层起源肿物的的应用价值.方法 2011年1月至2011年12月间经超声内镜诊断胃底贲门固有肌层起源肿物18例,行经食管黏膜下隧道法内镜切除术,随访观察治疗效果.结果 18例患者治疗均取得成功,剥离病变大小0.7～7.2cm,平均大小约(2.43 ± 1.91)cm,病变均完整切除.术中出现腹膜后、纵隔、皮下气肿2例,3d后自行吸收.术后24h内出现发热1例,伴有WBC升高,抗炎对症处理后第2天完全缓解.无严重出血、穿孔及死亡病例.所有病例术后3d可正常进流质食,1周后复查食管隧道愈合创面形成.结论 内镜经食管黏膜下隧道技术是胃底贲门部固有肌层起源肿物剥离切除安全有效的方法,能有效降低内镜切除胃底贲门部固有肌层病变的难度.