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Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, non-invasive diagnostic modality which can be performed with ease on any superficially palpable lesion. Surgical scar endometriosis is a rare entity which presents as an abdominal lump in women of reproductive age. It is often a diagnostic pitfall for clinicians due to its nonspecific symptoms. It displays characteristic morphology, which needs to be identified and recognized by a cytopathologist for accurate diagnosis. FNAC can be used as a key diagnostic tool in cases of abdominal wall mass for appropriate patient management, thereby avoiding unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Here, we report the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with an abdominal lump where FNAC played a vital role in the patient's management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanocytic schwannoma (MS) is an extremely rare soft tissue tumor accounting for less than 1% of all primitive nerve sheath tumors, with a predilection for spinal nerve involvement. To date, only 20 cases of cutaneous/subcutaneous MS have been described in literature. Here, we describe a case of MS presenting as a subcutaneous nodule in a 22-year-old male in right thigh. On examination, the nodule measured 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm with overlying skin showing a bluish hue and an ulcer. With a preoperative diagnosis of hemangioma, the patient was taken up for wide local excision and was diagnosed as a case of non psammomatous melanocytic schwannoma based on clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical studies. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity with S-100, HMB-45, and Melan A with pericellular Laminin positivity. Carney's syndrome was ruled out. MS needs to be differentiated from other pigmented lesions like pigmented neurofibroma, Bednar tumor, cellular blue neavus, and especially malignant melanoma, which has an obvious ominous prognosis. Since MS can show unpredictable behavior especially in absence of overt malignant features, a long term follow up with or without radiotherapy is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Merkel cell carcinoma also known as neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin is a very rare skin tumor. It commonly presents in the old age and the common sites are head, neck and extremities. The diagnosis requires histopathological examination with immunohistochemical correlation. We report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma stage IIIB with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy that on FNAB showed metastatic deposits of the tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary giant cell tumors of soft tissues (GCT-ST) are extremely rare soft tissue tumors, located in both superficial and deep soft tissues. They resemble osseous giant cell tumors morphologically and immunohistochemically. The tumor exhibits strong positive immunoreactivity for cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) within multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells and focal staining of mononuclear cells. Case reports describing the cytohistological features of this entity are very few. We report a case of GCT-ST of low malignant potential diagnosed on fine needle aspiration (FNA) and confirmed on histological and immunohistochemical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Giant Pilomatricoma of the arm: A diagnostic challenge for cytopathologist" by Siddhi Gaurish in the 2015 issue.

Introduction: Endometrial carcinoma is the second most common gynecologic malignancy in the developing countries. Endometrial Hyperplasia (EH) is a precursor to Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma (EMAC). A 23% of Atypical Hyperplasias (AEH) progress to EMAC. Aim: This study was undertaken to analyse ER, PR, p53 and Ki67 in EH and endometrial carcinomas and attempt correlation with clinical and histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted over a period of seven years. A manual tissue array technique was employed for cases subjected to IHC. Analysis of the expression of IHC markers (ER, PR, p53, Ki67) in EH and endometrial carcinoma was attempted. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. The results were considered to be significant when the p-value <0.05. Results: An 85 cases of EH and 28 cases of endometrial carcinoma were included in the study. EH (75.22%) was more common than endometrial carcinoma (24.78%). Among 28 cases of endometrial carcinomas, EMAC was most common (78.57%) followed by Clear Cell Carcinoma (CCC) (14.28%), and Uterine Serous Carcinoma (USC) (7.14%). ER and PR expression decreased as lesion progressed from EH to EMAC. ER and PR expression was negative in USC and CCC. The p53 expression and mean Ki67 labelling index increased as the severity of lesion increased from EH to endometrial carcinoma. Conclusion: The ER, PR, p53, Ki67 IHC markers may be included in every case of endometrial carcinoma to understand the tumour biological behavior which in turn could help individual treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The ampulla of Vater consists of papilla, common channel, distal common bile duct and the distal main pancreatic duct. Ampullary carcinomas arise from two different types of mucosa, reflecting their broad histomorphological spectrum. Adenocarcinomas originating in the ampulla of Vater are classified as having either 'Intestinal' or 'Pancreatobiliary' type of differentiation. Pancreatobiliary type has consistently shown a worse prognosis. Various types of mucins are distributed in normal tissues and gastrointestinal tumours. MUC1, MUC2 and MUC5AC are known to be the most important amongst all. Aim: To study clinicopathological features of different types of carcinoma of ampulla with MUC1, MUC2 and MUC5AC expression. Materials and Methods: We included 20 cases of ampullary adenocarcinoma in this study, diagnosed after radical surgery. The histopathological slides were reviewed and the tumours were classified into intestinal type, pancreatobilliary and other types. Representative block of tumours was subjected to immunohistochemical (IHC) study with MUC1, MUC2 and MUC5AC antibodies. Results were subsequently analysed. Results: Pancreaticobiliary type of ampullary carcinoma cases predominated (50%) over intestinal type (25%). Carcinomas of "other types" included one case each of mucinous carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma and well differentiated neuroendocrine tumours. Pancreatobiliary type of carcinomas was associated with higher tumour stage and grade and lymph node metastasis. All the pancreatobiliary type expressed MUC1 and all intestinal type carcinomas expressed MUC2. MUC 5AC expression was seen predominantly in pancreatobiliary type of ampullary carcinomas. Conclusion: Mucin markers are associated with two different subtypes of ampullary carcinomas which have different prognosis. Immunohistochemical study of mucin expression can define the different types of carcinomas of ampulla of Vater with better objective criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast Cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer among women in India and accounts for 7% of global burden of BC and one-fifth of all Cancers (CA) among women in India. Aim: This study was conducted for studying the expression of MUC1, MUC2 and MUC5AC in breast carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Fifty cases of primary breast carcinoma diagnosed between years 2013 to 2015 were included in the study. Manual tissue array technique was applied for cases subjected to Immunohistochemistry (IHC). An analysis of the expression of IHC markers (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, ER, PR and HER2/neu) was attempted. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. They were considered to be significant when the p-value was less than 0.05. Results: The positivity for MUC1, MUC2 and MUC5AC in BC was 58%, 8% and 6% and for ER, PR and HER2 was 48%, 36% and 64% respectively. There was a significant correlation between MUC1 expression and ER and PR positivity. There was a significant correlation between MUC2 expression and ER positivity. No significant association was observed between MUC2 and PR expression, MUC5AC expression and ER and PR positivity. There was statistically significant correlation between negative MUC2 and MUC5AC expression and histopathological grade. It was noted that MUC2 and MUC5AC negative tumours were associated with higher tumour stage though not statistically significant. It was noted that MUC5AC negative tumours showed higher frequency of lymphovascular invasion though not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our experience with the present study highlights the role of mucins in the development and progression of BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Solitary Thyroid Nodule (STN) has provoked increased concern owing to higher incidence of malignancy. The inter and intra observer variation in the histomorphological diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas (PTC) may sometimes pose a diagnostic difficulty. Aim: This study was undertaken to analyse immunohistochemical (IHC) markers (CK-19, CD-56, p53, Ki-67) to differentiate between benign and malignant surgically resected STN along with their utility in the identification of PTC. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 4 years. A technique of manual tissue array was employed for cases subjected to IHC. The primary antibodies used were CK-19, CD-56, p53 and Ki- 67. Analysis of the expression of IHC markers (p53, Ki-67) to distinguish between benign and malignant STN was done. Evaluation and correlation of expression of IHC markers (CK-19, CD-56) to determine its utility in reaching definitive diagnosis and assessing prognosis of PTC was tried. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. The results were considered to be significant when the p-value <0.05. Results: Out of the 160 cases of surgically resected STN specimens, 68 cases were non-neoplastic, 24 cases were benign and 68 cases were of malignant tumours (7 cases of follicular carcinoma (FCa), 61 cases of PTC). CK-19 was found to be a sensitive (83.61%) and a highly specific positive marker (100%) for the diagnosis of PTC. The difference in CD- 56 expression between PTC and non-PTC group was found to be highly statistically significant. CD-56 was found to be a sensitive (85.86%) and specific (82.25%) negative marker in differentiating PTC from follicular lesions/neoplasms. The difference in p53 expression between the malignant and nonmalignant STN cases was found to be highly statistically significant with a sensitivity and specificity 85.29% and 70.65% respectively. The statistical difference in mean Ki-67 Labeling Index (LI) was found to be significant between PTC versus FA, PTC versus non-neoplastic lesions, FA versus FCa and FVPTC versus FA. Conclusion: The panel of four IHC markers (CK-19, CD-56, p53, Ki-67) may be used for differentiating doubtful benign STN cases from malignant ones and also for definitive diagnosis of PTC along with histopathological examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fibroepithelial tumours are a heterogeneous group of biphasic neoplasms consisting of a proliferation of both epithelial and stromal components. Fibroadenoma (FA) and Phyllodes Tumour (PT) constitute the major entities. It is crucial to distinguish benign from borderline PT (low grade malignant PT), because the former do not metastasize, have a lesser risk of local recurrence and initial local recurrences are histologically benign in almost all instances. Multiple Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers are being studied to find their utility in grading the PT accurately for planning proper treatment. Aim: To study, the IHC expression of CD10 in the stromal cells of a series of PTs and FA, with the aim of determining whether the degree of CD10 expression in the stromal cells is related to the grade of the tumour. Materials and Methods: Records of 28 cases of PT and 35 cases of FA received in the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care hospital were obtained. Histopathology reports and slides of all the cases were reviewed and clinical data such as age and histomorphological features such as tumour cellularity, stromal overgrowth, mitotic count and nuclear atypia were noted. Representative block of the tumour with maximum cellularity was subjected to CD10 staining. For FA and benign PT a technique of tissue microarray was used. For borderline and malignant PT, representative section was used. Stromal cell staining was assessed, using cytoplasmic staining of the breast myoepithelium as internal control. Results: Present study included 35 cases of FA, 20 cases of benign PT, five cases of borderline PT and three cases of malignant PT. The mean age of the patients increased with the increasing tumour grade of PT and this was also observed for FA and benign PT. The mean age increased with increase in tumour grade of PT and was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean size did not increase with the increasing tumour grade of PT and was statistically insignificant (p=0.0429). Mean tumour size was more in benign PT as compared to FA and was highly statistically significant (p<0.01). CD10 staining was diffuse (Grade-3) and strong in malignant PT. The staining intensity was strong but patchy (Grade-2) in borderline PT. Weak and patchy (Grade-1) CD10 staining was seen in four benign PT and six FA. Other cases of benign PT and FA were negative for CD10 immunoreactivity. Conclusion: Our study showed that CD10 expression strongly correlates with the PT grade, which can help in the differentiation between benign and malignant variants of PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in women in many developing countries. Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix spreads principally by lymphatics and less commonly through blood vessels. The most frequent sites for those who develop distant metastasis include lungs (21%), lumbar and thoracic spine (16%), and para-aortic lymph nodes (7%). Metastasis to the kidney is extremely rare with <10 previously reported cases. We report a case of renal metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix detected in end-stage kidney due to hydronephrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is the least common of the three conditions included in the follicular occlusion triad. It is one of the causes of scarring alopecia in adult males. Clinically it has to be differentiated from other causes of folliculitis affecting the scalp. The histopathology is diagnostic. The treatment is prolonged and the clinical course is characterized by remissions and relapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer (BCA) is the second most common cancer among women in India and accounts for 7% of global burden of BCA. The axillary lymph node status is an independent prognostic factor. The combined estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu biomarker expression is a predictor of BCA status for therapeutic guidance. Studies have demonstrated that these biomarkers are unstable throughout their tumor progression. Varying concordance and discordance rates in the biomarker expression between primary breast carcinoma (PBC) and metastatic axillary lymph node (MALN) status are reported.Aim: This study was conducted for studying and comparing the expression of immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers, i.e., ER, PR, HER2/neu, p53, and Ki67 between PBC and their corresponding MALN for prognostication and therapeutic purpose.Methods: Sixty cases of PBC with metastasis to axillary lymph nodes diagnosed between years 2008 and 2014 were included in the study. A technique of manual tissue array was employed for cases subjected to IHC. Analyses of the expression of IHC markers were attempted between the PBC and their corresponding synchronous MALN and classified as concordant or discordant. Results were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Substantial agreement was observed for biomarker ER, PR, HER2/neu, p53, and Ki67 expression between PBC and MALN with k-value 0.79, 0.75, 0.89, 0.7, and 0.6, respectively.Conclusion: There was high concordance for the IHC markers: ER, PR, HER2/neu, p53, and Ki67 expression in matched pairs of PBC and corresponding synchronous MALN. However, the discordance noted in small subgroups cannot be overlooked. Thus, there is a need to perform ER, PR, HER2/neu, p53, and Ki67 IHC studies routinely in both PBC and MALN to help design therapies that are tailored to target the specific tumor clones and render maximum benefit to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented discussing a case of pseudoleukopenia due to ethylenediaminetetraacetate induced leukoagglutination.

The article presents a case study of a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder alongwith predominant hand-mirror cell morphology. He was presented with cough, breathlessness, and chest pain for eight days which developed to severe respiratory distress and mediastinal widening. His examinations showed bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and right-sided pleural effusion with mediastinal mass widening. He succumbed to the disease in the hospital within two days.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a case study of an 18-year-old female with painless swelling over her right knee joint which ultrasonography confirmed to be a cystic lesion.

Introduction: Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare tumours that arise in sympathetic and parasympathetic paraganglia and are derived from neural crest cells. Presence of metastasis is the only absolute criterion for malignancy. There is no single histo-morphological feature indicating malignant potential and multiple parameters have been proposed to prognosticate the individual case. This includes studies conducted using Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) and Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers. Aim: We have studied ten cases of paraganglioma and attempted to correlate the prognosis with multiple clinicopathological variables. Materials and Methods: This study was done in a tertiary care general hospital over a period of five years. Available clinical records and histopathology slides of all patients were reviewed. Using Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS), we divided the cases into two groups-tumours showing high risk behaviour (PASS=4) and tumours showing benign behaviour (PASS<4). IHC analysis was done using synaptophysin, chromogranin, S100 and Ki67. We correlated S100 immunoreactivity and Ki67 proliferative index with PASS score. Both PASS score and IHC markers were also correlated with clinical outcome. Results: There were six Pheochromocytomas (PHC) and four Paragangliomas (PGL). Two paragangliomas were retroperitoneal and one each was located in ear (HNPGL) and broad ligament. PASS score was =4 in five cases and <4 in five cases. Out of five cases in which PASS was =4, three cases showed clinical evidence of malignancy and two cases were benign. All the cases in which PASS was <4 were clinically benign. S100 immunoreactivity was grade 1 in two cases, grade 2 in six cases and grade 3 in two cases. The cases in which S100 immunoreactivity was grade 1 were malignant. One case in which S100 was grade 2 was clinically malignant. Ki67 labeling index was raised (>3%) in two cases, which were malignant correlated with malignant PASS score. Conclusion: We conclude that the following clinicopathological parameters should be taken into account for risk assessment of malignant behaviour of paragangliomas- location, size, PASS score, S100 immunoreactivity and Ki67 labeling index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a rare case of ascariasis of gall bladder. The unusual features in this case were the presence of eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides in the lumen. Some of the eggs had evoked a foreign body reaction indicating chronicity. The bladder wall was unevenly thickened with yellowish white nodules and showed maximum thickness around the neck region. Microscopy showed predominantly xanthogranulomatous inflammation in the thickened parts of the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 27-year-old woman with gradually erupting itchy papules and open pores behind her left ear. Cystically dilated hair follicles with retention of small hair shafts and keratinous material within the dermis were revealed during light microscopy. The article discusses trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a common but underdiagnosed disorder of the pilosebaceous follicle. TS presents a raised follicular spicules on the face, nose of middle and older individuals.