Diagnostic pitfalls in needle core biopsy of the breast

Breast core biopsies are a standard component of the triple approach that includes clinical examination, imaging and tissue sampling. Conventional cores, diagnostic vacuum assisted biopsy and vacuum assisted excisions are established methods for sampling and managing breast lesions. It is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls in the technical handling and interpretation of the limited core biopsy samples. Here, we present a clinically oriented, well illustrated overview of the common diagnostic pitfalls based on the author's diagnostic and second opinion practice, emphasize the value of clinicopathological correlation and provide histological tips and clues with useful immunohistochemistry to aid the reporting pathologists in their daily interpretation of breast core biopsies.     

Survival in node-positive early oral squamous cell carcinoma: sentinel node biopsy versus elective neck dissection

Patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) for early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who harbour occult metastases (pN+ve) may be at greater risk of mortality due to prolonged overall treatment times than those identified as pN+ve on elective neck dissection (ELND). A retrospective comparative survival analysis was therefore undertaken to test this hypothesis. Patients were identified from the South Glasgow multidisciplinary team (MDT) database. Group 1 comprised 38 patients identified as pN+ve, or who were false negative, on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Group 2 comprised 146 patients staged pN+ve on ELND. The groups were compared with the Kaplan Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. In addition, a matched-pair analysis was performed. A unique and specifically designed algorithm was deployed to optimise the pairings. No difference in disease-specific or overall survival was found between the groups. Patients undergoing SLNB as the initial neck staging modality in early OSCC and are identified as pN+ve do not appear to be at a survival disadvantage compared with those staged with ELND.     

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: diagnostic challenges,histopathologic features and ancillary testing

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive thyroid malignancy with high mortality rate. This malignancy arises in thyroid follicular cells either denovo or with an associated differentiated thyroid carcinoma component. Clinically, it usually presents as a rapidly enlarging mass, pain and locally compressive symptoms. Histopathologic variability and heterogeneity often pose diagnostic challenges, especially in scant and paucicellular specimens. This article describes the clinical, histopathologic and molecular features of ATC and also addresses the associated diagnostic limitations and challenges.     

Thyroid Embolization for Nonsurgical Treatment of Nodular Goiter: A Single-Center Experience in 56 Consecutive Patients

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolization (TAE) in the treatment of nodular goiter (NG).MethodsDuring a 5.5-year period, 56 consecutive patients with a NG underwent TAE. In Group A, there were 20 patients with a solitary/dominant 5–11-cm nodule, and in Group B, there were 36 patients with numerous nodules. Of the 56 patients, 47 (84%) had a retrosternal goiter and 25 had hyperthyroidism. In all patients, clinical and radiological evaluations were made at baseline and 6 months after TAE, and these parameters were statistically compared.ResultsIn 56 patients, 145 of the 146 thyroid arteries were successfully embolized. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8%. Minor and major complications occurred in 25 and 2 patients, respectively. Six months after the TAE, the mean nodule volume was reduced from 80.2 mL to 25.0 mL, the mean thyroid volume was reduced from 147.0 mL to 62.6 mL, and the mean intrathoracic extension was reduced from 31.7 mm to 15.9 mm (P < .001). Of the 22 patients with non–Graves hyperthyroidism, 19 (86%) became euthyroid. The mean thyroid-related patient-reported outcome scores improved from 155.4 to 70.4 (P < .001). Of the 51 patients, 50 (98%) declared that they would recommend TAE to other patients with NG.ConclusionsTAE is safe and effective for the treatment of NG, with a significant volume reduction of the nodule(s) and thyroid gland.     

SLC及其受体CCR7与Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌淋巴结微转移的相关性

目的 探讨溶质载体蛋白（SLC）及其受体趋化因子受体7（CCR7）与I期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）淋巴结微转移的相关性。方法 选取2019年1月~2020年3月于我院就诊的I期NSCLC患者127例为研究对象，按照淋巴结微转移情况分为对照组92例和转移组35例，所有患者入院后均通过根治术切除病灶，通过免疫组化方式检测病灶中SLC7A11及CCR7含量，并收集患者临床资料、实验室检查资料及影像学检查资料。通过Logistic回归分析评价SLC7A11及CCR7与淋巴结微转移之间的关系。最后通过建立ROC曲线分析两者及其联合检测对NSCLC患者微淋巴结转移的预测价值。结果 两组患者SLC7A11及CCR7表达水平存在显著差异（P＜0.05）。转移组患者病灶直径、支气管受累及TLG显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。病灶直径（OR=49.254,95%CI=11.062~507.604）是影响NSCLC淋巴结微转移的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。SLC7A11（OR=8.622）及CCR7（OR=8.709）表达水平是影响NSCLC淋巴结微转移的独立因素（P＜0.05）。SLC7A11、CCR7及联合诊断对NSCLC淋巴结微转移具有较好的检测价值（均P＜0.05）。联合检测特异度显著高于 SLC7A11及CCR7单独检测（2=7.292，15.125；均P＜0.01）。结论 SLC家族的中SLC7A11及其受体CCR7与NSCLC患者微淋巴结转移显著相关。     

Bench to bedside: recent advances in lung cancer pathological research with implications for diagnostic clinical practice

After decades of relative stagnation lung cancer is emerging as a disease type where rapid progress is being made in diagnosis and therapy, as well as in our understanding of disease biology. Much of this progress is of immediate impact to diagnosticians, and more is likely to affect diagnostic practice in the near future. In this review we seek to briefly summarize several key areas of active research of immediate or probable imminent value to trainee and consultant pulmonary pathologists alike. We cover some major changes in tumour classification, grading, and patient stratification, as well as considering the state of the art in machine-assisted interpretation of lung cancer histology, and the use of genetically modified lung cancer models.