Diffuse Neoplasm Research Articles

Gastric Carcinoma with Lymphoid Stroma: A Rare Case Report with EBV Negativity

Abstract Introduction/Objective Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) is a distinct and rare histologic subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma that is characterized by undifferentiated carcinoma mixed with prominent lymphoid cell infiltration. Around 80% of GCLS cases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Here we report a case of EBV-negative GCLS. Methods The patient was a 79-year-old female with a recent history of abdominal distention, weight loss, and gastrointestinal bleeding who presented for evaluation. Endoscopy found a 4.6 mm lobulated lesion at the incisura of the stomach with endosonographic evidence of invasion through the submucosa. Biopsy was consistent with intramucosal diffuse neoplasm, favoring adenocarcinoma. The decision was made to do subtotal gastrectomy. Results The patient underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth 2 reconstruction. Gross examination of the stomach revealed a firm 1.4 cm nodule in the background of diffuse mucosal granularity in the adjacent stomach. Microscopically, the tumor invaded the submucosa without lymph nodes involvement. Staining showed the tumor diffusely positive for CAM5.2, focally and weakly positive for pancytokeratin and CK7, while negative for CK20. Mismatch repair (MMR) proteins staining demonstrated a loss of nuclear expression of MLH1 and PMS2. Her2/Neu FISH was non-amplified. The tumor was found to be EBV negative by EBER ISH while PD-L1 was expressed. The histopathological findings confirmed the final diagnosis of gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS). Conclusion We report a case of GCLS that was EBV negative with non-amplified HER2, while MMR-deficient, and PD-L1 positive. These results suggest that this tumor subtype may be less responsive to targeted therapy, but show susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Priapismo en perro tratado con penectomía seguida de uretrostomía: Reporte de un caso

Priapism is defined as a persistent erection of the penis, frequently painful that longs more than 4 hours, in absence of stimulus or sexual desire. It is an infrequent pathology in dogs with low number of cases described in the veterinary literature. The penectomywithurethrostomy is recommended as a treatment in many cases, for example in diffuse neoplasms and post-traumatic injuries. The objective of this study was to report a case of trauma and secondary penile necrosis to priapism in a paraplegic dog treated with penectomy followed by urethrostomy scrotal. The penectomy with urethrostomy proved to be a good alternative to avoid the repercussions of priapism in dogs.

Neural stem cell-mediated CE/CPT-11 enzyme/prodrug therapy in transgenic mouse model of intracerebellar medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a heterogeneous diffuse neoplasm that can be highly disseminated, and is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor. Although multimodal treatments have improved survival rates for patients with medulloblastoma, these tumors are associated with high morbidity and mortality. New treatment strategies are urgently needed to improve cure rates and, importantly, to spare normal brain tissue from neurotoxicity and patients from life-long cognitive and functional deficits associated with current therapies. In numerous preclinical brain tumor models, neural stem cells (NSCs) have shown great promise as delivery vehicles for therapeutic genes. Here, we have used an established, genetically modified human NSC line (HB1.F3.CD) to deliver carboxylesterase (CE) to cerebellar tumor foci and locally activate the prodrug CPT-11 (Irinotecan) to the potent topoisomerase I inhibitor SN-38. HB1.F3.CD NSC tumor tropism, intratumoral distribution and therapeutic efficacy were investigated in clinically relevant experimental models. Magnetic resonance imaging was used for in vivo tracking of iron nanoparticle-labeled NSCs, and to assess the therapeutic efficacy of CE-expressing HB1.F3.CD cells. As compared to controls, a significant decrease in tumor growth rate was seen in mice that received both NSCs and CPT-11 as their treatment regimen. Thus, this study provides proof-of-concept for NSC-mediated CE/CPT-11 treatment of medulloblastoma, and serves as a foundation for further studies toward potential clinical application.

Flow cytometric analysis of a localized malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma usually presents as a diffuse neoplasm. We report a localized malignant mesothelioma in the parietal pleura of a patient who was not exposed to asbestos. A complete clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical description is provided. Flow cytometric analysis showed an aneuploid DNA content in neoplastic cells. The patient is alive and well 8 months after complete surgical resection. Localized malignant mesothelioma must be included in the differential diagnosis in chest wall-based neoplasms.

Surgical management of cervicomedullary and dorsally exophytic brain stem tumors

Cervicomedullary and dorsally exophytic brain stem tumors are surgically accessible and treatable neoplasms that must be distinguished as a specific subset of brain stem gliomas. Brain stem gliomas account for only 10% to 20% of all pediatric brain tumors, and the diffuse neoplasm has been thought of historically when describing these tumors. The focal dorsally exophytic brain stem and cervicomedullary glioma constitute about 10% to 15% of all childhood brain stem tumors. These neoplasms have a distinct clinical presentation, distinct imaging characteristics, and a more favorable prognosis than diffuse brain stem gliomas. This article outlines the present management of cervicomedullary and dorsally exophytic neoplasms.

Surgical Management of Brain Stem Tumors of Childhood and Adolescence

Intrinsic brain stem tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that may be classified according to clinical and neurodiagnostic criteria. We have described simple anatomic categories that include focal, diffuse, cystic, and cervicomedullary tumors. Although there is no surgical option for the common diffuse brain stem neoplasms, the other tumors may be operated on if the clinical and neurodiagnostic assessment suggests the possibility of a benign neoplasm. It is important to emphasize that although all tumors that were covered by intact ependyma or pia were considered intrinsic tumors in this series, most of these tumors created a "bulge" that was obvious on visual inspection of the external surface of the brain stem. In all of the tumors that were benefitted by surgery, the neoplasms tended to "bulge" from the brain stem rather than infiltrate it, which was the case with the diffuse neoplasms. It seems likely that many of the focal, cystic, and cervicomedullary tumors are similar to the dorsal exophytic brain stem tumors, which are characteristically low-grade astrocytomas that disrupt the ependymal lining and grow posteriorly into the fourth ventricle. Although surgery has been well tolerated and beneficial in many patients, it would be premature to comment on the duration of remission or the possibility of permanent cure.

Urinary Neopterin in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Relationship to Clinical and Biologic Assessment of the Disease

Neopterin is a metabolite of guanosine-triphosphate, released in vitro by macrophages under the control of gamma-interferon and described as a marker of T cell activation in vivo. We have compared the urinary neopterin/creatinine ratio (mumol/mol) in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (n = 66), interstitial lung diseases other than sarcoidosis (nonsarcoid ILD, n = 35), and 45 normal control subjects. For the sarcoid population as a whole, urinary neopterin was higher (496 +/- 52 mumol/mol [mean +/- SEM]) than in control subjects (126 +/- 5 mumol/mol) (p less than 0.001). In patients with nonsarcoid ILD, urinary neopterin was frequently higher in granulomatous and/or lymphoproliferative diseases (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, tuberculosis, primitive Sjögren's syndrome, and malignant lymphomas) (781 +/- 193 mumol/mol, n = 10) but remained normal in other types of nonsarcoid ILD [( 163 +/- 14 mumol/mol, n = 25]: histiocytosis X, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung collagen-vascular diseases, diffuse neoplasms, pneumoconiosis; p less than 0.001 compared with sarcoidosis). We have also evaluated the relationship between urinary neopterin and the clinical or biologic markers currently used to assess sarcoidosis: alveolar lymphocytosis in lavage fluid (ALY), 67-gallium scan semiquantitative index (67Ga), or serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE). Sarcoid patients with the highest urinary neopterin were those in whom mean values of these markers were the highest (p less than 0.05, all comparisons). Patients with positive markers (i.e., either clinical expression of sarcoidosis-ALY greater than 30%-67Ga greater than 20-SACE greater than 60 U/ml) had significantly higher urinary neopterin levels than did other sarcoid patients (p less than 0.05, all comparisons).

Transbronchial Biopsy without Fluoroscopy: A Seven-year Perspective

The use of fluoroscopic guidance for transbronchial biopsy (TBB) during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination has been controversial. Patient records and bronchoscopy reports for 112 transbronchial biopsies performed with fluoroscopy over a seven-year period were reviewed and compared with those of 135 transbronchial biopsies performed without fluoroscopy over the same interval. Complication rates with regard to pneumothorax, fever, and hemorrhage were compared, as were yield data for neoplasm, sarcoidosis, and other miscellaneous pulmonary diagnoses. Complication rates were low in both groups and not statistically different; yield data were likewise comparable, particularly in diffuse neoplasm and sarcoidosis. This report suggests that TBB without fluoroscopy (in the basilar segments) is safe and that diagnostic yield, particularly in sarcoidosis and diffuse neoplasm, is good.

Neurological deficit after carotid infusion of cisplatin and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) for malignant glioma: an analysis of risk factors.

The records of 24 patients with malignant gliomas treated with carotid infusion of cisplatin and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) are reviewed for risk factors that might suggest the development of a permanent neurological deficit after infusion. Permanent neurological deficits were seen with doses of cisplatin as low as 69 mg/m2, although doses as high as 100 mg/m2 were tolerated by other patients. All 3 patients who developed permanent neurological deficits received fixed doses of cisplatin of 150 mg and supplied only 2 major intracranial branches from the infused carotid artery. In none of these patients was a filter used in the infusion line. Other risk factors identified in 2 of the 3 patients were diffuse neoplasm involving the region of the internal capsule and the use of an infusion pump rather than a pulsatile bolus infusion technique. The development of a permanent neurological deficit appeared unrelated to the dose of BCNU within the range utilized, and preinfusion administration of corticosteroids did not prevent neurological deficit. These possible risk factors should be considered in the future development of protocols for arterial infusion therapy of malignant gliomas.

Angiographic and interventional radiologic considerations in liver transplantation.

Of 46 liver transplantations performed, 15 patients are alive at follow-up intervals from 2 to 50 months. The most common indications for liver transplantation were biliary atresia, cirrhosis, and neoplasia. About 50% of the patients had pre- and/or postoperative angiograms. Additional material was available from pretransplant workups in patients subsequently shown to be unsuitable for transplantation. Of 13 preoperative angiographic studies, portal vein patency was confirmed in two, inferior vena caval (IVC) patency was confirmed in two, and diffuse neoplasm was identified in three. These patients subsequently had transplants. Conditions precluding liver transplantation in six patients were inadequate portal vein size (less than 5 mm) in two, occluded IVC or portal vein in one each, nonvisualized portal vein in one, and neoplasm localized to one lobe in one. Postoperatively 18 vascular studies identified hepatic arterial compromise in nine, postbiopsy arteriovenous fistula in two, and bleeding from a right adrenal artery in one. Postoperative venography showed thrombosis or occlusion of the IVC in five, portal vein thrombosis in one, and splenic vein thrombosis in one. Of the 18 postoperative angiograms, 12 demonstrated findings considered threatening to the transplants' survival. Six of 18 studies demonstrated findings considered compromising to the transplant. Of the nine postoperative cholangiographic studies, six diagnoses were considered threatening to transplant survival: obstruction of the biliary-enteric anastomosis in four, leakage from the biliary-enteric anastomosis in one, and an abscess from biliary leakage in one.

Diffuse testicular disease: sonographic features and significance.

Sonographic findings in 26 patients with diffuse testicular disease were retrospectively analyzed for features to differentiate diffuse neoplasms from diffuse orchitis or infarct. Diffuse neoplasms were associated with moderate to marked enlargement, globular shape, lobulated contour, and heterogeneous texture of the testis; the epididymis and scrotal skin were normal. In diffuse inflammatory disease, the testis was mild to moderately enlarged, the oval shape and smooth contour were preserved, and the texture was generally homogeneous; the epididymis was often enlarged, and scrotal skin was almost always thickened.

Posthypophysectomy taste abnormalities: their relationship to remote effects of cancer.

Abnormalities in taste sensation have been studied in 15 patients consisting of five normal controls, five patients with diffuse neoplasm and five patients post hypophysectomy. Threshold recognition for salt and HC1 in the three groups studied was the same. Sucrose and urea recognition was higher in patients with neoplasm as compared to normal controls. Patients post hypophysectomy had a lower threshold recognition for sucrose than both normal individuals and patients with neoplasm. The threshold recognition has markedly shifted for both sucrose (decreased) and urea (increased) post hypophysectomy. These observations are in support of previous findings and suggest that the pituitary plays at least a necessary permissible factor in the development of abnormalities in taste as observed in patients with disseminated cancer.

The Lungs in Systemic Diseases.

This is an absolutely splendid monograph by America's most experienced pulmonary clinician, the late Eli Rubin, and his colleague in radiology at Montefiore Medical Center, Stanley S. Siegelman. It describes and illustrates the pulmonary manifestations of circulatory diseases, diffuse connective tissue (collagen) diseases, sarcoidosis, diffuse neoplasms, lymphomas, metabolic diseases, and various rare and bizarre Clinical cases are succinctly described and pulmonary manifestations beautifully illustrated with extremely clear roentgenograms (some of the best reproductions the reviewer can recall anywhere). This book was not intended as a source of general information on pulmonary diseases. Its purpose is to give greater breadth and depth of coverage of the effects of systemic diseases upon the lung than any general textbook. It should be of particular help to the following groups: (1) internists caring for patients with systemic diseases when puzzling pulmonary abnormalities develop; (2) specialists in pulmonary diseases who need constantly to keep