Micropapillary Serous Borderline Tumors Research Articles

Interobserver Reproducibility in Assessing Eosinophilic Cells in Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumors to Predict BRAF Mutational Status.

Ovarian serous borderline tumors (SBTs) harboring the BRAFV600E mutation are associated with decreased risk of progression to low-grade serous carcinoma, and often prominently feature tumor cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Since eosinophilic cells (ECs) may be a marker of the underlying genetic driver, we proposed morphologic criteria and evaluated the interobserver reproducibility for assessing this histologic feature. Following the completion of an online training module, representative tumor slides from 40 SBTs ( BRAFV600E -mutated, n=18, BRAF -wildtype, n=22) were independently reviewed by 5 pathologists. For each case, reviewers provided a semiquantitative assessment of the extent of ECs (0: absent, 1: <10%, 2: 10%-50%, or 3: >50%, of tumor area). Interobserver reproducibility for estimating the extent of ECs was moderate (κ=0.41). Applying a cut-off score of ≥2, the median sensitivity and specificity for predicting BRAFV600E mutation were 67% and 95%, respectively. With a cut-off score of ≥1, median sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 82%, respectively. Morphologic mimics of ECs, including tumor cells with tufting or hobnail change and detached cell clusters in micropapillary SBTs, were possible contributing factors for discordant interobserver interpretations. BRAFV600E immunohistochemistry showed diffuse staining in BRAF -mutated tumors, including those with few ECs. In conclusion, the finding of extensive ECs in SBT is highly specific for BRAFV600E mutation. However, in some BRAF -mutated SBTs, ECs may be focal and/or difficult to distinguish from other tumor cells with overlapping cytologic features. The morphologic finding of definitive ECs, even when scarce, should therefore prompt consideration for BRAFV 600E mutation testing.

The cytokeratin 17 expression in primary ovarian tumors has diagnostic but not prognostic significance.

We assessed the value of cytokeratin 17 (CK17) expression for the differential diagnosis between primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastases from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the significance of CK17 expression in a broad spectrum of primary ovarian tumors with respect to their prognosis. The sample set consisted of 554 primary ovarian tumors and 255 GIT tumors. In the primary ovarian tumors, a higher CK17 expression (in > 10% of tumors cells) was present only in 0-11.4% of all tumors (including mucinous tumors, micropapillary serous borderline tumors, clear cell, endometrioid, and high-grade serous carcinomas). The only exception was low-grade serous carcinoma, where higher CK17 expression was present in 24% of cases. Concerning GIT tumors, the higher levels of CK 17 expression (in > 10% of tumor cells) were observed in the upper GIT tumors (68.5% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, 61.6% of gallbladder adenocarcinoma, and 46% of gastric adenocarcinoma), which differs substantially not only from most of the primary ovarian tumors, but also from colorectal carcinoma (3.7%; p < 0.001). The results of our study suggest that expression of CK17 can potentially be used as an adjunct marker in differential diagnosis between primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastases from the upper GIT, but not from colorectal carcinoma. However, in GIT tumors, CK17 can be used in the differential diagnosis between adenocarcinomas of the upper and lower GIT. Statistical analysis did not reveal strong association of CK17 expression with clinicopathological variables or patient outcomes in any primary ovarian tumors.

Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features of Paired Cases of Metachronous Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumor and Subsequent Serous Carcinoma.

Although risk factors have been established for the development of serous carcinoma after a diagnosis of serous borderline tumor (SBT), comprising atypical proliferative serous tumor (APST) (ie, conventional SBT) and noninvasive low-grade serous carcinoma (niLGSC) (ie, micropapillary SBT), subsequent invasive carcinoma still occurs in a subset of women who are not at increased risk. Whether subsequent serous carcinoma in women with a prior SBT represents malignant progression/recurrence or an independent primary tumor is unclear, and the combined clinicopathologic and molecular features of SBTs and their subsequent carcinomas have not been fully characterized. In this study, we analyzed a cohort of 42 women initially diagnosed with SBT who subsequently developed serous carcinoma of a total of 1025 cases of ovarian SBT from a nationwide population-based cohort. Review of the diagnostic slides was performed from this subset of SBTs and matched metachronous invasive serous carcinomas (39 low grade, 3 high grade). DNA was extracted from tissue blocks available for 41 cases (both SBT and carcinoma, n=36; SBT only, n=3; carcinoma only, n=2). Samples were subjected to digital droplet PCR to analyze mutation hotspots in KRAS (codon 12) and BRAF (V600E), which are frequently found in low-grade serous tumors. Eighty-one percent of SBTs (34/42) were APST, and 19% (8/42) were niLGSC. Forty percent of cases (17/42) were FIGO stage I, the majority of which were APST (14/17; 82%). The median time to development of carcinoma was 9 years (range, 0.6 to 25 y). Mutations in SBTs were distributed as follows: 5/39 (13%) BRAF mutant, 22/39 (56%) KRAS mutant, and 12/39 (31%) wild-type for both genes. There was a significant relationship between SBT gene mutation and histologic type, with BRAF mutations occurring exclusively in APST and a higher frequency of niLGSC among SBTs wild-type for BRAF and KRAS (P=0.01). The diffuse presence of tumor cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm was significantly associated with the BRAF mutation (P=0.001). Mutational analyses of matched SBT/carcinoma pairs revealed concordant profiles in 33/36 (92%) cases, of which 19 (53%) were KRAS mutant, 4 (11%) were BRAF mutant, and 10 (28%) were wild type for both genes. The 3 discordant cases consisted of a wild-type niLGSC with a subsequent BRAF-mutant invasive LGSC, a KRAS-mutant APST with a KRAS-mutant LGSC, and a BRAF-mutant APST with subsequent development of a KRAS-mutant high-grade serous carcinoma. In conclusion, some women with SBTs can subsequently develop serous carcinoma, occasionally over 10 years later. Most subsequent carcinomas are low grade, but a small subset can be high grade. The type of gene mutation in SBT correlates with various histologic features. While most cases of serous carcinoma developing after a diagnosis of SBT probably represent tumor progression, a minority are independent primary tumors, presumably arising from endosalpingiosis.

Cell Polarity Reversal Distinguishes True Micropapillary Growth From Retraction Artifact in Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma.

Focal micropapillary features in invasive urothelial carcinoma is sometimes difficult to distinguish from retraction artifact morphologically. Cell polarity reversal has been demonstrated in micropapillary tumors by epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) immunostaining. We have previously described the use of E-cadherin as a cell polarity marker in ovarian micropapillary serous borderline tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of immunohistochemistry for EMA and E-cadherin in differentiating micropapillary urothelial carcinoma from retraction artifact. We identified 29 invasive urothelial carcinomas with micropapillary features and 30 invasive urothelial carcinomas without reported micropapillary features but with areas of retraction artifact. Cell polarity reversal was considered present if E-cadherin showed membranous apical cup-like staining or if EMA demonstrated a well-defined basal staining towards the stroma. Twenty-seven of 29 cases (93%) of urothelial carcinoma with micropapillary features demonstrated EMA or E-cadherin staining patterns consistent with cell polarity reversal. Staining consistent with micropapillary architecture was identified with both markers in 20 of these 27 cases (74%). Six cases showed reversal of polarity by E-cadherin alone, whereas 1 case showed polarity reversal by EMA alone. Retraction artifacts showed circumferential staining by E-cadherin and lacked well-defined basal staining by EMA. Three cases originally classified as with retraction artifact showed reversal of cell polarity by both EMA and E-cadherin and were reclassified as micropapillary. Our data show that pathologists can reliably make this distinction in most cases. However, in some cases with ambiguous features, EMA and E-cadherin immunostaining may aid in resolving this diagnostic dilemma.

Serous ovarian borderline tumors: modern classification and biology

In this article there are considered current views on biology of ovarian serous borderline tumors, there is presented a modern histological classification of 2014, which has undergone some changes. Variants of serous borderline tumors are described in terms of morphology, clinical course and prognosis. Also there is discussed the issue of the pathogenesis in the development of ovarian borderline tumors, the contribution of gene mutations in the occurrence of borderline, poorly or well differentiated ovarian tumors. There are described in details features of morphology of serous borderline tumors, the interrelationship of their occurrence and dedifferentiation in dependence on the molecular and genetic deteriorations. In the article there is considered the microinvasive version of the serous borderline tumors and specified criteria for the establishment of this diagnosis. There are given the definition and characterization of micropapillary serous borderline tumors, there is discussed their impact on the course of the disease and prognosis. The issue of terminology is considered in terms of current views and history.

Low-grade Serous Neoplasms of the Ovary With Transformation to High-grade Carcinomas

Ovarian borderline tumors usually occur in young patients and are associated with good clinical outcomes. A proportion of these tumors, particularly those with micropapillary features, may progress to low-grade serous carcinomas. Evolution of low-grade serous neoplasms to high-grade carcinomas is rare and infrequently reported. In this case report, we describe 3 cases of serous borderline tumor that progressed to high-grade carcinoma. Patient ages were 22, 35, and 47 yr. Two patients were initially diagnosed with ovarian serous borderline tumor, and recurred in the pelvis 3 and 10 yr later with sarcomatoid carcinoma. The third patient presented with low-grade serous carcinoma arising in a micropapillary serous borderline tumor, and recurred with a carcinosarcoma 3 yr later. All 3 patients had an aggressive clinical course: 2 died of disease and 1 patient has disease progression on chemotherapy. Occasional low-grade serous tumors of the ovary may transform to high-grade carcinomas, which can occur many years after initial diagnosis. The presence of a high-grade component significantly worsens patient outcomes.

"Surface epithelial changes" in uterine endometrioid carcinoma mimicking micropapillary serous borderline tumor of ovary: report of two cases and review of the literature

We encountered two cases of endometrioid carcinoma of uterus with extensive surface epithelial changes (SECs) mimicking serous borderline tumor (SBT) of the ovary. The first case was a well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma arising in a background of complex atypical hyperplasia. The second case was moderately-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma with squamous and mucinous differentiation. The SECs comprised of thin microapapillae without hierarchal branching, lined by cuboidal cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and mild to moderate nuclear atypia. These areas were reminiscent of SBTs of ovary, micropapillary type. This report expands the existing spectrum of SECs. Serous borderline tumor of ovary like surface epithelial changes could be misleading if present in an endometrial biopsy or curettings. Therefore, knowledge of this morphologic variation is important.

Progressive loss of selenium-binding protein 1 expression correlates with increasing epithelial proliferation and papillary complexity in ovarian serous borderline tumor and low-grade serous carcinoma

Ovarian serous borderline tumor, micropapillary serous borderline tumor, and low-grade serous carcinoma often show a spectrum of histologic components with increasing epithelial proliferation and papillary complexity from flat cyst wall, hierarchical structures (with primary papillae branching into secondary papillae), micropapillae, and invasive carcinoma. Although tremendous research has been carried out to elucidate the causes of these tumors, the pathogenesis remains unclear. Literature has described a relationship between insufficient selenium intake and increased risk of cancer. The anticancer action of selenium has been suggested to be mediated by selenium-binding protein 1 as selenium-binding protein 1 is decreased in several cancers. The aim of the study was to examine by immunohistochemistry the expression of selenium-binding protein 1 in the various histologic components within ovarian serous borderline tumor, micropapillary serous borderline tumor, and low-grade serous carcinoma. Our study consisted of 62 cases of ovarian serous borderline tumor, 11 of micropapillary serous borderline tumor, and 7 of low-grade serous carcinoma. Review of archival slides showed flat cyst wall in 69 cases, primary and secondary papillae of hierarchical structures in 75 cases, micropapillae in 26 cases, microinvasion in 1 case, and frankly invasive carcinoma in 7 cases. The strongest immunoreactivity of selenium-binding protein 1 was seen in epithelial cells of flat cyst wall and primary papillae, followed by secondary papillae of the hierarchical structures. Micropapillae and invasive carcinoma (including microinvasion) exhibited a near complete loss of selenium-binding protein 1 expression. Selenium-binding protein 1 immunoreactivity remained the same regardless of the size of the micropapillae. Similar selenium-binding protein 1 expression was seen in the same histologic components from either ovarian serous borderline tumor or micropapillary serous borderline tumor. The gradual loss of selenium-binding protein 1 associated with increasing epithelial proliferation and papillary complexity indicates that selenium-binding protein 1 is involved in tumorigenesis of ovarian serous borderline tumor, micropapillary serous borderline tumor, and low-grade serous carcinoma. Our findings may provide a basis for future studies concerning the molecular mechanisms of selenium-binding protein 1 in tumorigenesis as well as a possible role of selenium in chemoprevention and treatment of ovarian serous borderline tumor, micropapillary serous borderline tumor, and low-grade serous carcinoma.

Micropapillary Serous Carcinoma

Noninvasive micropapillary serous carcinoma of the ovary is also referred to as the micropapillary variant of serous borderline tumor and displays a characteristic pattern of papillary branching but lacks invasion. In contrast, invasive micropapillary serous carcinoma is the usual form of low-grade invasive serous carcinoma. There is a consensus that peritoneal “implants” associated with serous borderline tumors that display invasive features (“invasive implants”) have a poor prognosis with a 7-year survival of 66%, and can also be referred to as invasive carcinoma. Evidence indicates that noninvasive micropapillary serous carcinoma has a strong association with invasive implants as compared with typical serous borderline tumors (49% vs. 7%, respectively, P < 0.0001). After excluding micropapillary serous borderline tumors and those with invasive implants, the remaining patients with serous borderline tumors have a survival of virtually 100%, thereby obviating the need for the serous borderline category.

K-ras mutation analysis in ovarian serous borderline and malignant tumors

To investigate the roles of K-ras gene in the tumorigenesis of ovarian serous borderline and malignant tumors. Fifty one tissue samples of ovarian serous tumors, including 18 conventional serous borderline tumors, 11 micropapillary serous borderline tumors, 12 invasive micropapillary serous carcinomas, and 10 conventional serous carcinomas were investigated for the presence of K-ras mutation. DNA was extracted after microdissection of the tumor tissue, the exon 1 of K-ras gene was amplified by PCR, and the presence of mutation at the codons 12 and 13 was evaluated by direct sequencing analysis. GGT to GTT mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras gene was found in one conventional serous borderline tumors, resulting in valine to glycine substitution. All other 50 cases showed no K-ras mutation. All tumors had a wild-type codon 13. Mutations of K-ras at codons 12 and 13 in ovarian serous tumors are very rare in this series of patients, suggesting a difference present between the Chinese and Caucasian populations. K-ras mutations may play a less important role in the tumorigenesis of ovarian serous tumor of the Chinese patients.

Ovarian micropapillary serous borderline tumors. Clinicopathologic features and outcome of seven surgically staged patients.

We report the clinicopathologic findings for 7 patients with completely staged ovarian micropapillary serous borderline tumors (MSBTs) to further clarify tumor behavior. None of the MSBTs had microinvasion in the ovarian neoplasm. The MSBT pattern constituted 25% to almost all of the neoplasm. Four were bilateral, and 6 involved the ovarian surface. Five patients had peritoneal implants; 2 were invasive, and 3 were noninvasive MSBTs. Distribution of stages among patients was as follows: IA, 1; IC, 1; IIC, 2; IIIB, 2; and IIIC, 1. Median follow-up was 8.5 years. Four patients were alive and well at the last follow-up visit, including 1 patient with stage IIIC (lymph node metastases) disease who had noninvasive implants (12 years after surgery). One patient who was free of disease died of complications of chemotherapy and abdominal surgery. Two patients died of intra-abdominal neoplastic growth (stages IIC and IIIB) 5 and 9 years after surgery, respectively; both had invasive implants. Without invasive peritoneal implants, MSBTs seem to behave as similar staged nonmicropapillary serous borderline tumors without invasive peritoneal implants. With invasive peritoneal implants, they seem to behave as low-grade carcinomas. Pathologists should recognize MSBT as a neoplasm that can have adverse prognostic features, including invasive peritoneal implants.