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Abstract A history of an increase in pulmonary mass was presented in the right upper lobe of a 72-year-old male. The bronchial brushing cytology specimens contained many sheet-like or three-dimensional clusters of malignant cells having small to medium-sized, uniform oval to round, and hyperchromatic nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli, and scanty cytoplasm, admixed with mitotic figures. A coarsely granular chromatin pattern was predominantly noted. We first interpreted it as suspicious of malignancy, such as atypical carcinoid. A right upper lobectomy was performed, and gross examination revealed a centrally cavity-formed tumor lesion, containing asymmetrically thinned wall and looking grayish to whitish, partly adjacent to the bronchiolar wall. On microscopic examination, the tumor was predominantly composed of a solid proliferation of atypical epithelial cells without apparent glandular or squamous differentiation, often arranged in an alveolar growth pattern with peripheral palisading. Immunohistochemically, these atypical cells are negative for all three neuroendocrine markers and thyroid transcription factor 1, whereas positive for 34βE12, p63 and S-100 protein. Therefore, we finally made a diagnosis of basaloid carcinoma with cavity formation. We should be aware that, owing to its characteristic features, cytopathologists might be able to raise basaloid carcinoma of the lung as one of differential diagnoses, based on careful cytological examination. Virtual slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.dianosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1519986488570234

Abstract A 67-year-old Japanese female was followed up due to prolonged idiopathic thrombocytopenia with non-response to steroid therapy for 4 years, but recent progressive pancytopenia, hypo-albuminemia, and hypo-γ-globulinemia were presented. An abdominal CT scan revealed heterogeneously enhanced splenomegaly without any nodular lesions. A splenectomy was performed, and gross examination showed markedly hyperemic red pulp, weighing 760 g, accompanied by multiple foci of peripheral anemic infarction. Surprisingly, microscopic findings exhibited a diffuse proliferation of medium-sized to large tumor cells having pleomorphic nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, predominantly within the sinuses and cords of the red pulp, which occasionally displayed conspicuous hemophagocytosis and vascular permeation. In immunohistochemistry, these atypical cells were specifically positive for CD68 (KP-1), CD163, and lysozyme, which was consistent with histiocytic sarcoma (HS) of the spleen. Subsequently, section from the aspiration of bone marrow showed infiltration of the neoplastic cells associated with erythrophagocytosis 2 months after the operation, but never before it. Therefore, primary splenic HS presenting with secondary bone marrow involvement was conclusively diagnosed. Since early diagnosis and treatment are necessary for the HS patients with poor outcomes, splenic HS should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases with chronic thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly. Virtual slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1009474924812827

Abstract A 78-year-old Japanese male noticed a difficulty in the beginning of standing up, followed by 7a progressive numbness of extremities with pain, Bell’s palsy, dysarthria, and difficulty in swallowing. A clinician had suspected cancer of unknown primary origin, accompanied by the diverse and elusive neurological symptoms, likely presenting as painful mononeuropathy simplex and cranial neuropathy. He developed dysbasia over weeks and died 1 month after the symptom onset. At autopsy, an ill-defined large and soft tumor mass in the right lobe of the liver with direct invasion into the right adrenal gland was observed. The left adrenal gland or right iliopsoas muscle was also involved. Microscopic findings showed a monotonous proliferation of medium-sized to large atypical lymphoid cells, which were diffusely positive for CD20 in immunohistochemistry, consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL). Furthermore, the lymphoma cells aggressively infiltrated endoneurial and subperineurial spaces not only in the peripheral nerves and plexuses, but partly in the spinal nerve roots, and intravascular spaces in various tissues. Therefore, systemic lymphoma (DLBL) complicated with neurolymphomatosis (NL) and intravascular lymphoma (IVL) was diagnosed. Very early diagnosis and treatment are necessary for the NL patients with poor prognosis. Virtual slides The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/5862472377020448.

Abstract A history of a recent rapid increase in long-standing swelling mass was presented in the right parotid gland of an 85-year-old male. The inadequate cytologic specimens contained few small clusters of three-dimensional malignant epithelial cells having hyperchromatic pleomorphic nuclei and prominent nucleoli, adjacent to a cluster of benign monomorphic myoepithelial cells. We first interpreted it merely as an adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified. A radical parotidectomy was performed, and gross examination revealed an encapsulated and firm tumor lesion, looking grayish-blue to yellowish-white, focally associated with extracapsular invasion. On microscopic examination, the tumor was predominantly composed of a proliferation of highly atypical epithelial cells having abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, often arranged in a Roman-bridge appearance with foci of comedo necrosis, alternating with extensive infiltration to adjacent stroma in a trabecular or alveolar fashion with severe vessel permeation. Within the background of pleomorphic adenoma, the carcinoma cells sometimes replaced ductal luminal cells while retaining an intact-like myoepithelial layer. Therefore, we finally made a diagnosis of invasive salivary duct carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. We should be aware that owing to its characteristic features, cytopathologists might be able to determine correct diagnosis, based on multiple and adequate samplings. Virtual slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2126158270695815

Abstract Here we report the first case of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9-producing early gastric adenocarcinoma arising in polyp. A solitary pedunculated polyp lesion of the stomach, measuring 26 × 20 × 20 mm, was noticed in a 76-year-old Japanese woman due to an abdominal disorder, associated with a markedly high serum CA19-9 level (2,172.6 U/ml). After endoscopic mucosal resection was performed, the CA19-9 level was drastically decreased and normalized. The scanning view of immunohistochemical staining of CA19-9 exhibited a focal, not diffuse, positive-expression in the hyperplastic epithelium and, especially, in the irregular and fused tubular glands and the mucinous material secreted into the dilated glands. In particular, microscopic examination of the strongly CA19-9-positive areas showed structurally atypical epithelium containing mildly to focal moderately enlarged nuclei and prominent nucleoli with loss of cellular polarity, estimated as adenocarcinoma. No stromal invasion was evident. Immunohistochemically, distinct nuclear stainings for p53 and Ki-67 were seen, occasionally conforming to the CA19-9-positive atypical cells, respectively, confirmed by double immunostaining. These hyperplastic and atypical cells were classified into the pure gastric phenotype by mucin histochemical methods. Based on these features, we finally made a conclusive diagnosis of CA19-9-producing in situ well differentiated adenocarcinoma of gastric type arising in hyperplastic foveolar polyp. We suggest that the markedly high serum CA 19-9 level could be indicative of carcinoma in polyp at the very least. Virtual Slides The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1692254825554310

An inflammatory response followed by vascular injury plays an important role in neointima formation and development of atherosclerotic lesions, which are in part mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. Using a cuff injury model, we examined the effects of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) on neointima formation and the proinflammatory response. A cuff was placed around the femoral artery, and adenovirus expressing human PTEN type 1 (AdPTEN) or Escherichia coli [beta]-galactosidase (AdLacZ) was injected between the cuff and the adventitia. After 14 days, the arteries were examined histopathologically and by Western blotting. The significant reduction of neointima formation by AdPTEN compared with AdLacZ was accompanied by reduced cell proliferation and increased adventitial cell apoptosis. AdPTEN also reduced expression of phosphorylated I[kappa]B-[alpha], but not nonphosphorylated I[kappa]B-[alpha]. Western blotting revealed that AdPTEN reduced the cuff injury-induced expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-l, TNF-[alpha], and IL-1[beta] and their expression in all layers of the arterial wall. In contrast, cuff-induced macrophage invasion, which was also inhibited by AdPTEN, was detected only at the intimal surface and in the adventitia. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, PTEN 'directly inhibited ANG II-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression as quantified by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Our results suggest that overexpression of PTEN reduces neointima formation, possibly in part through inhibition of the inflammatory response by macrophage invasion and proinflammatory cytokine expression. vascular inflammation; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; gene transfer doi:10.1152/ajpheart.01221.2006