Comparison Of Clinicopathological Features Research Articles

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics, efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy, and prognosis in HER2-low and HER2-ultralow breast cancer

BackgroundThis study aims to analyze potential differences in clinicopathology, efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), and clinical outcome among HER2-null, HER2-ultralow and HER2-low breast cancers.MethodsConsecutive cases of HER2-negative breast cancer that received NAT were included. They were classified as HER2-null (no staining), HER2-ultralow (incomplete faint staining in ≤ 10% of tumour cells) and HER2-low (HER2-1 + or HER2-2+, in situ hybridisation negative). Subgroup analysis was performed based on the HER2 expression level.ResultsOut of 302 patients, 215 (71.19%) were HER2-low, 59 (19.54%) were HER2-ultralow, and 28 (9.27%) were HER2-null. In comparison to the HER2-ultralow group, the HER2-low group exhibited higher expression frequencies of ER (p < 0.001), PR (p < 0.001), and AR (p = 0.004), along with a greater prevalence of the luminal subtype (p < 0.001). The HER2-ultralow group also demonstrated a higher prevalence of lymph node metastasis compared to the HER2-null group (p = 0.026). Varied rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) were observed among the three subgroups: HER2-null, HER2-ultralow, and HER2-low, with rates of 35.71%, 22.03%, and 12.56%, respectively. Only the HER2-low subgroup exhibited a significant difference compared to HER2-null (p = 0.001). Despite variations in pCR rates, the three subgroups exhibited comparable disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.571). Importantly, we found HER2-low patients with better treatment response (RCB-0/I) exhibited significantly better DFS than those with significant residual disease (RCB-II/III) (P = 0.036). The overall rate of HER2 immunohistochemical score discordance was 45.24%, mostly driven by the conversion between HER2-0 and HER2-low phenotype. Notably, 32.19% of cases initially classified as HER2-0 phenotype on baseline biopsy were later reclassified as HER2-low after neoadjuvant therapy, and it is noteworthy that 22 out of these cases (78.57%) originally had an HER2-ultralow status in the pretreatment biopsy sample.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the distinct clinicopathological features of HER2-low and HER2-ultralow breast tumors and confirm that RCB is an effective predictor of prognosis in HER2-low populations for the first time. Notably, our findings demonstrate high instability in both HER2-low and HER2-ultralow expression from the primary baseline biopsy to residual disease after NAT. Furthermore, this study is the first to investigate the clinicopathological feature and the effectiveness of NAT for HER2-ultralow breast cancer.

Comparison of clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes for cutaneous melanomas of the head and neck and melanomas arising at other sites: Implications for systemic therapy

Melanoma is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease, with conflicting evidence regarding whether cutaneous head and neck melanoma (CHNM) represents a distinct entity. Comparison of clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of CHNM and cutaneous melanomas of other sites (CMOS). Patients with CHNM and CMOS diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 were included. Locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, melanoma-specific survival (MSS), and overall survival (OS) were described using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analyses were performed to examine associations between prognostic factors and outcomes. Additional analyses of survival from time of stage IV disease diagnosis were undertaken, stratified by receipt of BRAF-targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Of 3007 CHNM and 10,637 CMOS patients, CHNM had more adverse pathological features (median age 65.9 vs 58.5, P<.001; median Breslow thickness 1.7mm vs 1.2mm, P<.001; and ulceration 21.2% vs 18.2%, P<.001). CHNM had worse locoregional control (hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, P<.001) and distant metastasis-free survival (HR 1.25, P<.001) but there were no significant differences in MSS or OS. Among stage IV patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitor, CHNM had better MSS (HR 0.56, P=.001) and OS (HR 0.57, P<.001) on multivariable analyses. Retrospective study, offset by prospective data collection. CHNM is associated with a distinct clinicopathological and prognostic profile.

Comparison of clinicopathological features between cerebral cystic and alveolar echinococcosis: analysis of 27 cerebral echinococcosis cases in Xinjiang, China

BackgroundCerebral echinococcosis is relatively rare, and it is important to distinguish cerebral cystic echinococcosis (CCE) from cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (CAE) in terms of pathological diagnosis. We aim to describe the different clinicopathological features among patients with CCE and CAE.MethodsWe collected 27 cases of cerebral echinococcosis which were diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 1, 2012, to June 30, 2023. We compared the patients’ clinical characteristics, MRI features, and pathologic manifestations of CCE and CAE.ResultsAmong 27 cases of cerebral echinococcosis, 23 cases were CAE and 4 cases were CCE. The clinical manifestations of both CCE and CAE patients mainly included headache (21 patients, 77.78%), limb movement disorders (6 patients, 22.22%), epileptic seizures (4 patients, 14.81%) and visual disturbances (2 patients, 7.41%). The average onset age of CAE cases was 34.96 ± 11.11 years, which was 9.00 ± 7.26 years in CCE cases. All CAE patients presented with multiple involvements in the brain and extracranial organs while all CCE patients observed a solitary lesion in the brain and 3 CCE cases had no extracranial involvement. Lesions of CCE in MRI showed a single isolated circular, which was well demarcated from the surrounding tissues and with no obvious edema around the lesions, whereas CAE lesions presented as multiple intracranial lesions, with blurred edges and edema around the lesions, and multiple small vesicles could be observed in the lesions. The edge of CAE lesions could be enhanced, while CCE lesions have no obvious enhancement. CCE foci were clear cysts with a wall of about 0.1 cm. Microscopically, the walls of the cysts were characterized by an eosinophilic keratin layer, which was flanked on one side by basophilic germinal lamina cells, which were sometimes visible as protocephalic nodes. While the CAE lesion was a nodular structure with a rough and uneven nodule surface, and the cut section was cystic and solid; microscopically, the CAE lesion had areas of coagulative necrosis, and the proto-cephalic nodes were barely visible. Inflammatory cell areas consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelioid cells, plasma cells, eosinophils, and fibroblasts can be seen around the lesion. Brain tissues in the vicinity of the inflammatory cell areas may show apoptosis, degeneration, necrosis, and cellular edema, while brain tissues a little farther away from the lesion show a normal morphology.ConclusionsWith the low incidence of brain echinococcosis, the diagnosis of echinococcosis and the differential diagnosis of CAE and CCE are challenging for pathologists. Grasping the different clinical pathology characteristics of CAE and CCE is helpful for pathologists to make accurate diagnoses.

Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Early and Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) persists as the fourth most prevalent cause of global cancer-related mortality, presenting a challenge due to the scarcity of available therapeutic strategies. Precision medicine is crucial not only in the treatment but also in the management of GC. We performed gene panel sequencing with Oncomine focus assay comprising 52 cancer-associated genes and MSI analysis in 100 case-matched gastric cancer cases. A comprehensive analysis of clinical and genetic characteristics was conducted on these genetic results and clinicopathological findings. Upon comparison of clinicopathological characteristics, significant differences between early gastric cancer (EGC) and advanced gastric cancer (AGC) were observed in tumor location (p = 0.003), Lauren classification (p = 0.015), T stage (p = 0.000), and N stage (p = 0.015). The six most frequently mutated genes were PIK3CA (29%, 10/35), ERBB2 (17%, 6/35), KRAS (14%, 5/35), ALK (6%, 2/35), ESR1 (6%, 2/35), and FGFR3 (6%, 2/35). Regarding genetic variation, there was a tendency for the N stage to be higher in GC patients with mutated genes (p = 0.014). The frequency of mutations in GC patients was statistically significantly higher in AGC (n = 24) compared to EGC (n = 11) (odds ratio, 2.792; 95% confidence interval, 1.113 to 7.007; p = 0.026). Six of the ten GC patients carrying mutated genes and exhibiting MSI were classified into intestinal-type and undifferentiated GC, with the location of the tumor being in the lower-third. Among these patients, five harbored mutated PIK3CA, while the remaining patient had a mutation in ALK. Conclusions: AGC patients more frequently exhibited alterations of PIK3CA, KRAS, and ERBB2 as somatic oncogenic drivers, and displayed a higher prevalence of cumulative genetic events, including increased rates of PIK3CA mutations, enhanced detection of immunotherapy biomarkers, and mutations of the ESR1 gene.

Comparison of clinicopathological features and survival analysis between esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on the SEER database, alongside nomogram analysis for esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma (ENEC) is a rare subtype of esophageal cancer (EC). It presents distinctive clinical and pathological features in comparison to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). To better elucidate the disparities between the two and establish a prognostic prediction model for ENEC, we conducted this study. Data of ENEC and ESCC patients (1975 to 2016) were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Patients with a confirmed pathological diagnosis of ENEC and ESCC were enrolled in the study. The Chi-square test was employed to compare categorical variables, and the median survival time was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier curve. Training and validation groups were randomly assigned at a ratio of 7:3. Factors with a significance level of <0.05 in the multifactor regression model as well as age were integrated into the nomogram model. Concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analyses (DCA) were generated for model validation. This study encompassed a total of 737 ENEC patients and 29,420 ESCC. Compared to ESCC, ENEC patients had higher probability of liver metastasis (13.8% vs. 1.9%, P<0.001), poor differentiation (68.0% vs. 37.1%, P<0.001), and late SEER stage (52.8% vs. 26.9%, P<0.001). Patients who received either surgery, radiotherapy (RT), or chemotherapy had a significantly longer disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) (all P<0.001). After propensity score matching (PSM), ENEC patients were associated with shorter DSS (7.0 months vs. not reached, P<0.0001) and OS (7.0 vs. 12.0 months, P<0.0001) compared to ESCC. Race, SEER stage, surgery, RT, and chemotherapy were identified as predictors of DSS and were incorporated into the nomogram model together with age. The validation of the model using C-index (0.751 and 0.706, respectively) and calibration curves reflected the better discrimination power of the model. In addition, DCA supported the favorable potential clinical effect of the predictive model. Lastly, a risk classification based on the nomogram also verified the reliability of the model. ENEC and ESCC exhibit distinct clinicopathological features. Patients with ENEC experience significantly poorer survival outcomes compared to those with ESCC. Surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy significantly improve OS and DSS for ENEC patients. The nomogram prediction model, constructed based on age, race, stage, and treatment regimen, demonstrates accurate and effective predictive capabilities for prognostic factors in ENEC patients.

Comparison of clinicopathological features between children and adults with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective: To compare the clinicopathological features between children ( 18 years) and ≤ adults with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Subject and method: A descriptive study on 50 children and 158 adults with DTC at the 108 Military Central Hospital from January 2015 to March 2022. We collected the clinicopathological features and evaluated the difference in these features between children and adult groups. Result: The rate of DTC in children was 0.65% of all DTC patients. In both groups, female patients accounted for the majority (66% and 84.2%, respectively). Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was the most common subtype (92% and 97.5%). The pediatric DTC patients had higher rates of large tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, vascular invasion, intrathyroidal spread, and lymph node metastasis (LNM). There was no difference between the two groups regarding bilaterality, multifocality, tumor necrosis, and chronic thyroiditis. Conclusion: DTC in the children group revealed more aggressive patterns than DTC in the adults group, with larger tumor size, higher rate of multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, and LNM.

Comparison of Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Mucinous Gastric Carcinoma and other Gastric Cancers: A Retrospective Study of 4,417 Patients

BackgroundMucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) is a distinct histologic subtype of gastric cancer (GC) that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MGC, when compared to adenocarcinoma and signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), are currently subjects of debate and require further investigation. MethodsIn this study, we conducted an investigation on 4,417 patients who were hospitalized with GC at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between April 2008 and December 2019. The objective was to compare the prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics of MGC with other types of GC. ResultsIn comparison to adenocarcinoma, MGC patients exhibited more advanced tumor infiltration (p < 0.001), lower tumor differentiation (p < 0.001), and higher rates of preoperative tumor marker positivity (except for AFP and CA125) (all p < 0.05). However, after propensity score matching (PSM) to eliminate confounding factors, MGC patients surprisingly exhibited a better prognosis than adenocarcinoma patients (p = 0.008), and the results in multifactorial COX regression were similar (HR = 0.792, 95% CI 0.629–0.997, p = 0.047). Among patients with MGC, age, pN stage, as well as preoperative levels of CA125 and CA724 (all p < 0.05), emerged as independent prognostic markers. While overall survival did not significantly differ between MGC and SRCC (p = 0.196), significant survival disparities emerged in advanced-stage patients (p = 0.009), with MGC showing better survival rates. Furthermore, a nomogram was developed to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival in gastric cancer patients based on various factors, achieving a C-index of 0.772 (95% CI: 0.745–0.799). ConclusionsWhile the poorer prognosis associated with MGC may be linked to its advanced stage and lower degree of differentiation, its biological behavior could contribute to improved survival.

Comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics among patients with HBV-positive, HCV-positive and Non-B Non-C hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe incidence of HBV-negative and HCV-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (NBNC-HCC) is significantly increasing. However, their clinicopathologic features and prognosis remain elucidated. Our study aimed to compare the clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes of NBNC-HCC with hepatitis virus-related HCC.MethodA literature review was performed in several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science, to identify the studies comparing NBNC-HCC with HBV-positive HCV-negative HCC (B-HCC), HBV-negative HCV-positive (C-HCC) and/or HBV-positive HCV-positive HCC (BC-HCC). The clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes were extracted and pooled to access the difference.ResultsThirty-two studies with 26,297 patients were included: 5390 patients in NBNC-HCC group, 9873 patients in B-HCC group, 10,848 patients in C-HCC group and 186 patients in BC-HCC group. Patients in NBNC-HCC group were more liable to be diagnosed at higher ages, but with better liver functions and lighter liver cirrhosis. Comparing to B-HCC and C-HCC groups, although NBNC-HCC group was prone to have larger tumor sizes, it did not have more advanced tumors. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in both 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival and overall survival between NBNC-HCC group and B-HCC or C-HCC group.ConclusionsOur meta-analysis revealed patients with NBNC-HCC had as worse prognosis as those with hepatitis virus-related HCC. More attention should be paid on patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or metabolic syndromes to prevent the incidence of NBNC-HCC.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes between gallbladder mucinous adenocarcinoma and gallbladder adenocarcinoma: A propensity score-matched study.

Gallbladder mucinous adenocarcinoma (GBMAC) is a rare subtype of gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBAC), with limited knowledge of its survival outcomes from small case series and single-center retrospective analysis. To compare the clinicopathological characteristics of GBMAC with typical GBAC and its prognostic factors to gain insights into this field. This study was conducted using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, including cases of GBMAC and typical GBAC diagnosed from 2010 to 2017. The Pearson chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to examine the differences in clinicopathological features between these two cohorts. In addition, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to balance the selection biases. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazards regression analyses were performed to determine independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). The Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to assess the OS and CSS of GBMAC and typical GBAC patients. The clinicopathological and demographic characteristics of GBMAC were different from typical GBAC. They included a larger proportion of patients with unmarried status, advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, higher T stage, higher N1 stage rate and lower N0 and N2 stage rates (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that surgery [OS: Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.27, P = 0.0037; CSS: HR = 2.05, P = 0.0151], chemotherapy (OS: HR = 6.41, P < 0.001; CSS: HR = 5.24, P < 0.001) and advanced AJCC stage (OS: Stage IV: HR = 28.99, P = 0.0046; CSS: Stage III: HR = 12.31, P = 0.015; stage IV: HR = 32.69, P = 0.0015) were independent prognostic indicators for OS and CSS of GBMAC patients. Furthermore, after PSM analysis, there was no significant difference between GBMAC and matched typical GBAC patients regarding OS (P = 0.82) and CSS (P = 0.69). The biological behaviors of GBMAC are aggressive and significantly different from that of typical GBAC. However, they show similar survival prognoses. Surgery, chemotherapy, and lower AJCC stage were associated with better survival outcomes. Further research is needed in the future to verify these results.

Comparison of Clinico-pathologic features and outcomes of ANCA negative and ANCA positive pauci immune crescentic glomerulonephritis: A single centre study.

Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (PICN) is an important cause of rapidly progressive renal failure. 10-40% of PICN cases have ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) negative serology. The present study compared clinico-pathologic features, Brix's renal risk score, Berden's histopathological classes and differences in outcome between ANCAnegative vs ANCA positive PICN patients. Sixty-one patients of biopsy-proven PICN were studied. Biochemical findings and ANCA serology were recorded. Renal biopsy slides were reviewed along with direct immunofluorescence. Clinical and histological features were compared between ANCA negative and positive PICN using the Man Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Patients were compared for distribution in Berden's histological classes and Brix's renal risk categories. Patient and renal survival were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. ANCA negative PICN patients were younger (44.9 ± 16.5 years vs 53.6 ± 15.1 years, P = 0.049). Nasal (0 vs 18%, P = 0.035) and pulmonary involvement (9% vs 38%, P = 0.014) were lower in ANCA negative group. Both ANCA groups had similar renal biochemical profiles, percentage normal glomeruli, 16.3 ± 18.2 vs 21.7 ± 20.4 and percentage glomeruli with crescents, 64.5 ± 28.1 vs 64.3 ± 27.1. Twenty-seven per cent of ANCA negative cases fell in the sclerotic class in Berden's classification vs just 2.5% in ANCA positive group (p = 0.037) without significant difference in Brix's renal risk categories (p = 0.329). Thirteen per cent of ANCA negative patients achieved complete remission on treatment compared to 33% in ANCA positive patients. Patient survival and overall probability of progressing to ESRD were similar in the two groups. ANCA negative PICN cases present at younger ages. Nasal and pulmonary involvement is uncommon in these patients. Patient survival and progression to ESRD are similar in both ANCA groups.

Comparison of Clinicopathologic Features and Outcomes Between Synchronous and Metachronous Bilateral Breast Cancer

Purpose: Bilateral breast cancer (BBC) can be divided into two concurrent lesions, depending on the time of occurrence of primary cancer and secondary tumors after treatment of the primary cancer. This study aimed to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and results of synchronous BBC (SBBC) and metachronous BBC (MBBC).Methods: Data of patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Wonkwang university Hospital between October 1991 and October 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Data of 3,259 patients who were diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the right or left breast were reviewed. The tumor was defined as SBBC when another cancer was identified as BBC simultaneously or within six months after the primary breast cancer, and as MBBC when another cancer was identified after six months. Among patients with BBC, 31 had SBBC and 32 had MBBC.Results: In SBBC patients, the median age was 59.9 years, and the condition was diagnosed 3.3 years later compared with MBBC. The primary and secondary tumors of SBBC had lower disease stage, even when diagnosed late. Except for tumor, node, and metastasis stage, MBBC showed more invasive ductal carcinoma, while SBBC showed relatively more ductal carcinoma &lt;i&gt;in situ&lt;/i&gt; in both primary and secondary tumors compared with MBBC. In addition, SBBC showed lower hormone receptor positivity rates and Ki-67 levels compared with MBBC. MBBC patients showed a higher survival rate compared with SBBC patients. MBBC is associated with higher overall survival rate compared with SBBC, and its prognosis is not worse compared with that of unilateral breast cancer. In the case of secondary tumor that develops in the contralateral breast without evidence of metastasis, the survival rate is similar to that of unilateral breast cancer, while the treatment is similar to that of primary tumor.Conclusion: As those with SBBC have a worse survival, these patients will require more medical attention; meanwhile, MBBC requires an active treatment approach that is equivalent to that for unilateral breast cancer.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics and long-term survival between patients with gallbladder adenosquamous carcinoma and pure gallbladder adenocarcinoma after curative-intent surgery: a single-center experience in China and a meta-analysis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the similarities and differences between gallbladder adenosquamous carcinoma (GBASC) and pure gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBAC). Patients with GBASC and GBAC from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed in terms of clinicopathological features and long-term survival. Moreover, a meta-analysis was also performed for further validation. Our experience: A total of 304 patients with resected GBC were identified, including 34 patients with GBASC and 270 patients with GBAC. Patients with GBASC had a significantly higher preoperative CA199 level (P <0.0001), a significantly higher incidence of liver invasion (P <0.0001), a relatively larger tumor size (P = 0.060), and a significantly higher proportion of patients with T3-4 (P <0.0001) or III-IV disease (P = 0.003). A comparable R0 rate was obtained between two groups (P = 0.328). A significantly worse overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0002) or disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.0002) was observed in the GBASC. After propensity score matching, comparable OS (P = 0.9093) and DFS (P = 0.1494) were obtained. Clear margin (P = 0.001), node metastasis (P <0.0001), T stage (P <0.0001), and postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (P <0.0001) were independent prognostic factors for OS for the entire cohort. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy had a survival benefit for patients with GBAC, while the survival benefit was still being validated in patients with GBASC. Meta-analysis: With our cohort incorporated, a total of seven studies involving 1,434 patients with GBASC/squamous carcinoma (SC) were identified. GBASC/SC shared a worse prognosis (P <0.00001) and more aggressive tumor biological features than GBAC. GBASC/SC shared more aggressive tumor biological features and a much worse prognosis than those with pure GBAC.

Comparison of clinicopathologic features, survival, and demographics in sebaceous carcinoma patients with and without Muir-Torre syndrome

Visceral malignancies in patients with Lynch syndrome behave less aggressively than in those without Lynch syndrome. The behavior of sebaceous carcinoma (SC) in Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS), a variant of Lynch syndrome, is incompletely investigated. To investigate features and survival of SC patients with and without MTS. Retrospective cohort study in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 17 database from 2000 to 2019 of patients with SC. Patients were classified as MTS or non-MTS cases based on a threshold score of 2 on the Mayo MTS risk score. We identified 105 (2.8%) MTS cases and 3677 (97.2%) non-MTS cases. On univariate analysis, MTS patients were younger, had a higher proportion of tumors outside the head/neck, and had fewer high-grade tumors. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, MTS patients trended toward having better SC-specific survival. On multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusting for other covariates, MTS status was an independent predictor of worse overall survival. However, there was no association between MTS status and SC-specific survival. Given relatively high disease-specific survival in SC, our study may have been underpowered to detect a difference on Kaplan-Meier analysis. Our study suggests SC does not behave more aggressively in patients with MTS.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics and survival between symptomatic and asymptomatic anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Although anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a fatal form of thyroid cancer with an overall survival of only a few months, there are some factors associated with longer survival. However, it remains unknown whether asymptomatic ATC differs from symptomatic ATC in terms of characteristics and overall prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to examine the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of asymptomatic ATC compared with those of symptomatic ATC. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 113 patients with ATC who were registered at our institution between November 1994 and July 2020. A total of 86 patients (59 women and 27 men; mean age, 66.9 ± 11.1 years) were enrolled for analysis. The clinicopathological characteristics of the ATC cohort were evaluated, and prognostic factors associated with disease-specific mortality were assessed. Of the 86 patients with ATC, 78 were symptomatic and eight were asymptomatic. Compared with the symptomatic group, the asymptomatic group had a younger age at diagnosis (59.3 ± 10.3 vs. 67.7 ± 11.0 years, p = 0.045), smaller tumor size (2.8 ± 1.2 vs. 5.8 ± 2.0 cm, p < 0.001), and longer survival period (37.5 ± 46.4, 9.5 ± 16.8 months, p < 0.001). However, the ATC component (%) of the tumor, sex, ultrasonographic risk category, and distant metastasis at diagnosis did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, asymptomatic ATC (HR: 0.33, 95% CI 0.11–0.99, p = 0.045) and absence of distant metastasis (hazard ratio (HR): 0.56, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.35–0.88, p = 0.012) were associated with longer survival. Patients with asymptomatic ATC have a smaller tumor size, a longer survival period, and a younger age than those with symptomatic ATC. Being asymptomatic and having no distant metastasis were associated with longer survival in patients with ATC in a clinical setting.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics, gene expression profiles, mutational analysis, and clinical outcomes of pure and mixed small-cell carcinoma of thebladder.

Small cell bladder carcinoma (SCBC) is a rare, divergent form of urothelial carcinoma (UC). We aimed to determine whether pure (n=16) and mixed (SCBC and UC; n=30) tumours differed in pathology, gene expression characteristics, genetic alterations, and clinical outcomes. Forty (87%) patients received first-line chemotherapy. Twenty-nine patients had no metastatic disease at diagnosis and underwent radical cystectomy. There were no differences in age, sex, race distribution, tumour size, stage at presentation, therapy response with pathological downstaging to ≤ypT1N0, or overall or progression-free survival (PFS) between pure and mixed tumours. There was a longer PFS among downstaged chemotherapy-responding tumours ≤ypT2N0M0 than among unresponsive tumours ≥ypT2 ≥ yN1M1 (P=0.001). Patients who achieved pathological downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n=10) were stage cT2N0M0 at the time of diagnosis and were alive at the last follow-up (median 37months), while 46% of patients who failed to achieve pathological downstaging were alive at the last follow-up (median 38months; P=0.008). RNA sequencing showed that the UC of mixed SCBC had similar neural expression signatures to pure SCBC. DNA sequencing revealed alterations in TERT (83%), P53 (56%), ARID1A (28%), RB1 (22%), and BRCA2 (11%). Immunohistochemistry for RB1 showed loss of expression in 18/19 (95%) patients, suggesting frequent pathway downregulation despite a low prevalence of RB1 mutation. Patients with pure and mixed SCBC have similar outcomes and these outcomes are determined by the pathological stage at RC and are best among patients who have pathological downstaging after NAC.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics and response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy in patients with HER2-low-positive and HER2-zero breast cancer.

Previous studies have observed that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low-positive patients and HER2-zero patients have different prognoses. This study was conducted to investigate whether there are differences in clinicopathological characteristics and the response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) defined as systemic treatment prior to surgery between HER2-low-positive patients and HER2-zero patients. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with HER2-negative breast cancer who received NST at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2014 to 2021. There were 238 patients with HER2-low-positive status and 198 patients with HER2-zero status. The proportion of hormone receptor (HR)-positive patients in the HER2-low-positive group was significantly higher than that in the HER2-zero group (82.8% vs 52.0%, p < 0.001). The HER2-low-positive group had more patients with low Ki67 expression (23.9% vs 16.2%, p = 0.045), higher mastectomy rate (94.5% vs 88.9%, p = 0.031), and larger pathological tumor size (21.6 vs 17.8 mm, p = 0.028) than the HER2-zero group. However, no significant differences were found in pathologic complete response (pCR) rates between the two groups. We draw a conclusion that patients with HER2-low status and HER2-zero status were not found to have different pCR rates after NST, irrespective of HR status. However, differences were observed in some clinicopathological characteristics between the two groups.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics, disease free survival and recurrence in triple negative breast cancer(TNBC) with Non-TNBC

Introduction: TNBC is associated with high mortality, morbidity and low survival rates. This study is aimed to study difference in pathological characteristics, disease free survival and recurrence between TNBC and Non-TNBC. Materials and Methods: Total 208 patients, who are diagnosed cases of breast carcinoma visiting our out patient department between August 2020 and July 2022 were enrolled. Demographic details, details during the presentation, pathological characterstics including the HPE, grade and receptor status, modality of treatment were taken. Enrolled patients were followed up. At the end of the study period, 2 year disease free survival, overall survival, recurrence of malignancy were noted. 102 patients who lost followup, status unknown or who has not completed a period of 2 years after diagnosis of Breast carcinoma were excluded. 106 patients were nalised, details were entered in excel sheet. Patients were divided into TNBC and Non-TNBC group and compared. Results: Prevalence of TNBC in our study was 22.6. Tumor size is more at presentation in TNBC compared to Non TNBC. All patients with TNBC had positive nodes during presentation (100%Vs78%). Presence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis is more in TNBC group(20.8%Vs 8.5%). Both groups has Intraductal Carcinoma as the predominant variant. Most of the TNBC had poorly differentiated grade tumors when compared to Non-TNBC. TNBC has more local(38.8% Vs 18.7%) and metastatic(22.22% Vs 4%) recurrences. 2 year Diseases free survival was more in Non-TNBC group(77.33% Vs 38.88%). Conclusions: TNBC has overall lesser disease survival period, more local and metastatic recurrences. Stage at diagnosis in TNBC is more advanced. Hence TNBC has got poor prognosis and high mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key in reducing the mortality and better prognosis.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy between HER2-low and HER2-zero breast cancer

Novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) showed its effect in previously-treated HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, suggesting a promising future in HER2-low breast cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data of 325 patients with stage I–III HER2 negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2016 to June 2021. In general, 91 patients (28.0%) were HER2-zero, and 234 patients (72.0%) were HER2-low. The pathological complete response (pCR) rate of the entire cohort was 17.3%. The pCR rate was 16.7% in HER2-low group, and 18.9% in HER2-zero group, showing no significant difference. Patients with HER2-low tumors had significantly longer overall survival (OS) than patients with HER2-zero tumors. ER status was the affecting factor of OS in HER2-low patients in both univariate and multivariate analysis. In conclusion, evidence for HER2-low BC as a distinct entity is insufficient, and more efforts are needed to standardize the scoring of HER2-low breast cancer.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between resected ampullary carcinoma and carcinoma of the second portion of the duodenum.

Few studies compared the oncological and biological characteristics between ampullary carcinoma (AC) and cancer of the second portion of the duodenum (DC-II), although both tumors arise from anatomically close locations. To elucidate differences in clinicopathological characteristics, especially the patterns of lymph node metastasis (LNM), between AC and DC-II. This was a retrospective cohort study of 80 patients with AC and 27 patients with DC-II who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 1998 and December 2018 in two institutions. Clinicopathological factors, LNM patterns, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. The patients with AC and DC-II did not exhibit significant differences in 5-year overall survival (66.0% and 67.1%, respectively) and 5-year relapse-free survival (63.5% and 62.2%, respectively). Compared to the patients with DC-II, the rate of preoperative biliary drainage was higher (P = 0.042) and the rates of digestive symptoms (P = 0.0158), ulcerative-type cancer (P < 0.0001), large tumor diameter (P < 0.0001), and advanced tumor stage (P = 0.0019) were lower in the patients with AC. The LNM rates were 27.5% and 40.7% in patients with AC and DC-II, respectively, without significant difference (P = 0.23). The rates of LNM to hepatic nodes (N-He) and pyloric nodes (N-Py) were significantly higher in patients with DC-II than in those with AC (metastasis to N-HE: 18.5% and 5% in patients with DC-II and AC, respectively; P = 0.0432; metastasis to N-Py: 11.1% and 0% in patients with DC-II and AC, respectively; P = 0.0186). Although there were no significant differences in the prognosis and recurrence rates between the two groups, metastases to N-He and N-Py were more frequent in patients with DC-II than in those with AC.

Comparison of clinicopathological features and prognostic significance between synchronous multiple primary and solitary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

BackgroundSynchronous multiple primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (S-MPESCC) refers to more than one primary esophageal carcinoma detected in a solitary patient at the time of initial presentation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features, appropriate surgical approaches and long-term survival in patients with S-MPESCC by comparing with those with solitary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC).MethodsIn total, 567 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma surgically resected in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2012 to December 2018 were screened for retrospective analysis (50 in the S-MPESCC group and 516 in the SESCC group).ResultsNo significant difference was observed in terms of other characteristics except total alcohol consumption (P = 0.029). S-MPESCC had higher lymph node rate than SESCC (62.0% and 44.1%, respectively; P = 0.015) especially in upper mediastinal (32.0% and 18.6%, respectively; P = 0.023) and abdominal (38.0% and 22.8%, respectively; P = 0.017) regions. The survival was not different between the two groups, and the 5-year survival rates of S-MPESCC and SESCC were 46.2% and 50.8%, respectively (P = 0.507). But for patients with pT3-4 cancers, the survival in S-MPESCC was worse than that in SESCC (P = 0.033). In the multivariate analysis, pT stage of primary cancer was an important independent predictor of prognosis in patients with S-MPESCC (hazard ratio [HR], 3.968; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.031 to 15.268; P = 0.045).ConclusionsS-MPESCC was significantly different from SESCC in terms of clinicopathological characteristics include alcohol intake and pattern of lymphatic metastasis. Furthermore, S-MPESCC showed worse long-term survival than SESCC with increasing depth of primary cancer infiltration.