Simultaneous occurrence of cerebellar medulloblastoma and pituitary adenoma: A case report

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Diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma in parotid gland

SummaryParotid gland is an extremely rare location for primary malignant melanoma and the majority of reported melanoma cases in parotid appear to represent metastasis from the skin of head and neck areas. We describe a rare case of a malignant melanoma of the oral cavity which had metastasized in parotid gland and we present the microscopic and immunohistochemical findings in parotid gland metastasis. Metastatic infiltrations were observed in peri- and intraparotid lymph nodes and the characteristic microscopic appearance together with the immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells for vimentin, S-100 protein and HMB-45 established the final diagnosis

Carcinosarcoma of the parotid gland: Immunohistochemical analysis with emphasis in cell cycle mitotic activity and cell adhesion molecules expression

SummaryCarcinosarcoma is a rare salivary gland neoplasm consisting of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous component. It may arises de novo or on a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma. We present a case of parotid carcinosarcoma, exhibiting features of salivary ductal adenocarcinoma (carcinomatous element) and fibrosarcoma/osteosarcoma (sarcomatous element). Immunohistochemical analysis with Ki67, p53, p27, C-KIT, bcl2, cerbB2, SMA, VIM has performed and cell adhesion molecules’ expression, E-cadherin, beta4-integrin, desmoglein-2, CD44s and ICAM-1 has been detected. In conclusion carcinosarcoma is an aggressive tumor, with a biphasic malignant neoplastic component showing characteristic immunohistochemical profile and reduced or extremely alternative CAMs expression

Macrophage Infiltration and Smooth Muscle Cells Content Associated With Haptoglobin Genotype in Human Atherosclerotic Carotid Plaques

We assessed the association between the haptoglobin (Hp) genotype and 2 common indicators of atherosclerotic plaque instability: macrophage infiltration and the smooth muscle cell (SMC) content. A total of 70 consecutive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were included in the study. For immunohistochemical study the anti-CD68 and anti-a-actin antibodies were used on adjacent serial sections; 36 plaques from patients with the Hp 1-1 or 2-1 genotype and 34 plaques from patients with the Hp 2-2 genotype were analyzed. The macrophage content (CD68+) was significantly higher in the Hp 2-2 group compared with that in the Hp 1-1 or 2-1 group ( P &lt; .001). In plaques from patients with diabetes, the SMC content was significantly lower in the Hp 2-2 group ( P = .034). Carotid plaques from diabetic patients with Hp 2-2 genotype had higher macrophage infiltration and lower SMC content. Both parameters are indicators of atherosclerotic plaque instability. </jats:p

Differential Immunohistochemical Expression of CD44s, E-Cadherin and β-Catenin among Hyperplastic and Neoplastic Lesions of the Prostate Gland

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Introduction:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; CD44s, E-cadherin and β-catenin are cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and appear to influence organ development, inflammation, cancer invasion and metastasis. We studied the expression of these CAMs in prostate cancer (PCa), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and nodular adenomatous hyperplasia (NH). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; 135 paraffin blocks of radical prostatectomy specimens were assessed. CAMs were determined by immunohistochemistry. All sections included PCa, HGPIN and NH. The expression was semiquantitatively evaluated in three scores (1+, 2+, 3+). The markers’ immunopositivity was statistically investigated with Gleason score and TNM stage. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results and Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; CD44s had score 3+ in 41.5, 46.7 and 37.8% of areas with NH, HGPIN and PCa, respectively. E-cadherin immunostaining was highly detected in 71.1, 78.5 and 63.0% of NH, HGPIN and PCa areas while β-catenin score 3+ was exclusively membranous in 80.7% of NH and nuclear/cytoplasmic in 70.4 and 48.9% of HGPIN and PCa areas. No marker related to the Gleason score (p = 0.352). CD44s and E-cadherin expression was inversely associated with TNM stage (p = 0.021 and p = 0.042, respectively); no such association was observed for β-catenin (p = 0.556). The decreased expression of CD44s and E-cadherin is probably associated with the invasive potential of PCa. The β-catenin staining pattern in neoplastic lesions, either preinvasive or invasive, differs from that in non-neoplastic prostate lesions.</jats:p