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Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor occurring in the oral cavity. Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the biomarkers such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), p53 and Ki67 expression in OSCC cases, and its correlation with other well-established clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Seventy cases of OSCC cases diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 were included in the study. A technique of manual tissue microarray was employed for the analysis of expression of IHC markers such as EGFR, HER2/neu, p53, and Ki67 in all cases. Results were subjected to the statistical analysis. Results: A statistically significant positive association was noted between EGFR expression and tumor grade, tumor stage, and p53 immunoexpression in OSCC cases. Increased EGFR expression was noted insignificantly in OSCC cases with lymph node (LN) metastasis and Ki67 positive cases. Statistically significant positive association was noted between HER2/neu expression and tumor grade and stage of oral SCC cases. Increased HER2/neu expression was noted insignificantly in OSCC cases with LN metastasis, p53 and Ki67 positive OSCC cases. A statistically significant positive association was noted between percent of tumor cells expressing EGFR, HER2/neu, p53 and Ki67, and grade of OSCC. Conclusion: This study intends to document prognostic utility of EGFR and HER2/neu expression in OSCC cases in the Indian setting and contribute to the data pool which could aid in formulating individual tailored therapy that includes targeted therapy in oral SCC cases. [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]

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: 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]

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]

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]

Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) family of tumors is an uncommon group of malignant neoplasms that may present in both skeletal and extraskeletal sites. PNET outside the central nervous system is called peripheral PNET (pPNET) developing from migrating embryonal cells of the neural crest. Very few cases of pPNET of the maxilla are reported in English literature. These tumors may be difficult to diagnose due to their primitive morphology. These tumors occur predominantly in infancy or early childhood. The occurrence of extraskeletal ES/PNET in the maxillary sinus in an old age is very rare. We report a case of extraskeletal ES/PNET developing in maxillary sinus in a 60-year-old woman. The ES/ PNET should be included in the differential diagnosis of a small round cell tumor and immunohistochemical analysis with a panel of immunomarkers should be done for correct diagnosis and proper treatment. [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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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.

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.

Introduction: Papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma (PSTCC) arising from the uterine cervix is a distinctive histomorphological subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) not otherwise specified (NOS) of cervical epithelial tumors., Aim: The present study was undertaken to study the histopathological features and immunoexpression of CK7, CK20, p53 and Ki-67 in PSTCC of the cervix., Materials and Methods: This study included 43 cases of PSTCC of cervix. A technique of manual tissue array was employed along with IHC staining of entire section in some cases. The expression pattern of CK7, CK 20, p53 and Ki67 in PSTCC was studied and clinico-pathological correlation of various parameters with IHC expression of CK7 and CK20 was observed. Results were subjected to statistical analysis and were considered significant when the p-value was less than 0.05., Results: Out of 43 PSTCC cases, there were 38 squamotransitional type and 5 papillary type. Histomorphologically, all the cases studied were having fused papillae with rounded contours and fibrovascular cores with highest number of cases having intermediate cell type morphology (86%). Stromal invasion was seen in 74.4% of cases. Koilocytosis were seen in 39.3% of cases. Thirty-two cases showed CK7 immunopositivity (+) and CK20 immunonegativity (-), nine cases were both CK7 and CK20 - and two cases were CK7- and CK20+. Among them 90.7% cases were p53 positive and all cases were positive for Ki67 immunostaining with highest number of cases showing moderate proliferative activity (74.4%); followed by nine cases showing high (20.93%) and two cases showing low proliferative activity (4.65%)., Conclusion: The distinct histomorphology and CK7/CK20 immnunoprofile of PSTCC along with Ki67 and p53 could help in arriving at an accurate diagnosis as well predicting its biological behavior.

Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II and CIN III have a high progression rate to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Histopathological assessment is known to have intra and inter-observer diagnostic discrepancies even among two panels of pathologist. Subsequently, to improve on the accuracy of histopathological examination, various IHC biomarkers have been evaluated in the biopsy of cervix., Aim: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the immunoexpression and interrelationship of p16INK4A, MIB-1 and CK17 in histopathologically diagnosed cases of CIN and invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC) which could aid in differentiating CIN and ICC from benign cervical lesions., Materials and Methods: This study included 120 cases of cervical lesions; out of which 20 cases were each of negative for malignancy/dysplasia (NED), CIN I and CIN III, 10 cases of CIN II and 50 cases of ICC. A technique of manual tissue microarray was employed for the study of immunohistochemical markers such as p16INK4A, CK17 and MIB-1 in all cases. Results were subjected to statistical analysis., Results: The difference in p16 immunoexpression between NED (0/20, 0%) and CIN+ICC (97/100, 97%) cases was statistically highly significant. (p<0.01) The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of p16 immunoexpression in comparison to histopathological diagnosis was 97%, 100%, 100%, 86.96% and 97.5% respectively. The overall agreement of p16 staining with histopathological diagnosis was 97.5% (?=0.9151 i.e. very good) The difference in MIB-1 immunoexpression between CIN-I (6/20, 30%) and CIN II+III (30/30, 100%), CIN (36/50,72%) and ICC (50/50, 100%) cases was statistically highly significant. (p<0.01) The difference in MIB-1 immunoexpression between NED (0/20, 0%) and CIN+IC (86/100, 86%) cases was statistically highly significant. (p<0.01) The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of MIB-1 immunoexpression in comparison to histopathological diagnosis was 86%, 100%, 100%, 58.82% and 88.33% respectively. The overall agreement of MIB-1 staining with H&E diagnosis was 88.33%. (?=0.6719 i.e. good) The difference in CK17 immunoexpression between CIN-I (11/20, 55%) and CIN-II+III (26/30, 86.67%) cases was statistically significant. (p=0.030) The difference in CK17 immunoexpression between CIN (37/50, 74%) and ICC (46/50, 92%) cases was statistically significant. (p=0.033) The difference in CK17 immunoexpression between NED (0/20, 0%) and CIN+ICC (83/100, 83%) cases was statistically highly significant. (p<0.01) The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of CK 17 immunoexpression in comparison to histopathological diagnosis was 82%, 100%, 100%, 52.63% and 85% respectively. The overall agreement of CK 17 staining with histopathological diagnosis was 85% (?=0.6029 i.e. moderate) The agreement between p16 and MIB-1 immunostaining was 89.16%. (?= 0.7 i.e., good) The agreement between CK17 and MIB-1 immunostaining was 86.6%. (?= 0.683 i.e., good) The agreement between p16 and CK17 immunostaining was 84.16%. (?= 0.5908 i.e., moderate) Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the IHC report of p16, MIB-1 and CK-17 in CIN and ICC cases if included in each histopathology report could aid in accurate diagnosis which could facilitate in better patient management.

Introduction: Breast carcinoma (BCa) is one of the most common cancers among women globally. Increased vimentin expression has been reported in various epithelial cancers., Aim: This study examines the expression of vimentin in BCa and its correlation with various prognostic factors such as tumor size, histological grade, lymph node status, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2/neu, and Ki67 status., Materials and Methods: Seventy cases of BCa diagnosed between 2014 and 2015 were included in the study. A technique of manual tissue microarray was employed for the analysis of expression of immunohistochemical (IHC) markers such as vimentin, ER, PR, HER2/neu, and Ki67. Results were subjected to statistical analysis., Results: Vimentin was found positive in 53 (75.7%) cases of BCa, of which 18 cases (25.7%) were triple-negative BCa (TNBC). Positivity for ER, PR, Her2, and Ki67 was 32.8%, 31.4%, 60%, and 99%, respectively. Vimentin expression was significantly associated with ER negativity. All 53 cases expressing vimentin showed positive Ki67 labeling index; however, this was not statistically significant. Maximum vimentin expression was observed in the age group >50 years, postmenopausal women, BCa cases showing lymphovascular invasion (LVI), axillary lymph node metastasis, higher stage and higher grade of tumor, negative PR expression, and positive HER2/neu expression. However, this was not statistically significant. In TNBC, vimentin expression was significantly associated with histological grade and LVI., Conclusion: Vimentin expression was associated with well-established poor prognostic factors of BCa. Vimentin expression if routinely included in histopathology report would aid in better understanding of tumor behavior., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

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: A total of 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.

Introduction: Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers of mucin family are associated with various Gallbladder Lesions (GBLs)., Aim: To study the distribution of GBL with respect to age and sex as well as to analyse the IHC profile of MUC1 and MUC5AC in GBLs and attempt correlation with clinical and histopathological findings., Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted over a period of six years. A technique of manual tissue array was employed for cases subjected to IHC using MUC1 and MUC5AC. Results were statistically analysed using software program "The Primer of Biostatistics 5.0"., Results: A total of 629 GBL were encountered. Out of 605 of non-neoplastic lesions, 32 (5.29%) expressed MUC1 while 515 (85.12%) cases expressed MUC5AC. Out of 24 cases of neoplastic GBL, 20 cases (83.33%) showed positivity for MUC1 and 9 cases (37.5%) were positive for MUC5AC. The rate of MUC1 expression was significantly higher in Gall Bladder Cancer (GBC) {18GB carcinoma (ca) +3 Carcinoma In Situ (CIS)} (85.71%) than chronic cholecystitis (4.71%). The positive rate of MUC5AC expression was significantly lower in GBC (28.57%) than chronic cholecystitis (87.19%). The percentage of cases showing MUC1 expression increased as the severity of disease progressed from hyperplasia to CIS. The percentage of cases showing MUC5AC expression decreased as the severity of disease progressed from hyperplasia to CIS., Conclusion: In this study, 96.18% cases were non neoplastic GBL of which chronic cholecystitis (87.77%) was predominant. 3.81% of the GBL constituted for neoplastic lesions of which 75% were GBC. MUC1 showed higher rates of expression in neoplastic GBL. MUC5AC showed higher rates of expression in non neoplastic GBL. Expression of MUC1 and MUC5AC might be closely related to pathogenesis of neoplastic and non neoplastic GBL.