Interpretation of needle biopsies of the kidney for investigation of renal masses

The development of new therapeutic options for renal tumors has lead to the need of a pretherapeutic diagnosis for an increasing proportion of patients presenting with a renal mass. This need is particularly important for a small, incidentally discovered renal mass (less than 4cm) as it can be a benign lesion in a significant percentage of cases. Recent studies have shown that needle biopsy is an accurate and safe method allowing for a precise histopathological diagnosis of the mass in most cases. The aims of the biopsy are (1) to assess the benign or malignant nature of the lesion, (2) to assess the primary or secondary nature of the lesion, and (3), in case of a primary malignancy, to determine histological prognostic factors, such as the tumor type. This review, based on the most recent literature and our own experience, is intended to provide a practical approach to the diagnosis, relying on appropriate morphologic assessment and the use of immunohistochemistr

Commentary on the 2008 WHO classification of mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms

In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a revised and updated edition of the classification of tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. The aims of the fourth edition of the WHO classification was to incorporate new scientific and clinical information in order to refine diagnostic criteria for previously described neoplasms and to introduce newly recognized disease entities. The recognition that T-cell lymphomas are related to the innate and adaptive immune system, as well as enhanced understanding of other T-cell subsets, such as the regulatory T-cell and follicular helper T-cells, has contributed to our understanding of the morphologic, histologic, and immunophenotypic features of T- and NK-cell neoplasms. The purpose of this review is to highlight major changes in the classification of T- and NK-cell neoplasms and to explain the rationale for these changes

Identification of stromal proteins overexpressed in nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) represents a category of lymphoid neoplasms with unique features, notably the usual scarcity of tumour cells in involved tissues. The most common subtype of classical HL, nodular sclerosis HL, characteristically comprises abundant fibrous tissue stroma. Little information is available about the protein composition of the stromal environment from HL. Moreover, the identification of valid protein targets, specifically and abundantly expressed in HL, would be of utmost importance for targeted therapies and imaging, yet the biomarkers must necessarily be accessible from the bloodstream. To characterize HL stroma and to identify potentially accessible proteins, we used a chemical proteomic approach, consisting in the labelling of accessible proteins and their subsequent purification and identification by mass spectrometry. We performed an analysis of potentially accessible proteins in lymph node biopsies from HL and reactive lymphoid tissues, and in total, more than 1400 proteins were identified in 7 samples. We have identified several extracellular matrix proteins overexpressed in HL, such as versican, fibulin-1, periostin, and other proteins such as S100-A8. These proteins were validated by immunohistochemistry on a larger series of biopsy samples, and bear the potential to become targets for antibody-based anti-cancer therapies

The "classic" triad presentation of mucinous bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma

peer reviewedThe case of a 59-year-old female complaining of cough of recent onset, abundant salty expectoration and lung condensation is presented. This "triad" constitutes a rare but nearly pathognomonic presentation of mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) of the lung

The use of an adapted model allows contributing to the “Reduction” of mice used in experimental protocols: the case of the apoE–deficient (apo E-/-) mice in a model of atherosclerosis control

Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease whose development is influenced by several mediators 1. Among them, the prostanoids large family lipids generated from the metabolism of arachidonic acid by the action of COX includes various types of PGs and thromboxane. Thromboxane A2 and PGI2 are present in abnormally elevated concentration in atherosclerosis 2-3. To exert its effects TXA2 and its precursor PGH2 act at a specific receptor termed TP receptor 4. As a result, TXA2 synthase inhibitors and TP antagonists have been developed to reduce and to prevent TXA2 production and actions, respectively. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate whether BM-573, an original sulfonylurea derivate synthesized in our lab 5, and aspirin would be effective in preventing the progression of atherosclerosis in an apo E deficient mouse model.Evaluation de l’effet de modulateurs originaux du thromboxane A2 (TXA2) dans un modèle murin d’athéroscléros

Commentary on the WHO classification of tumors of lymphoid tissues (2008): “Gray zone” lymphomas overlapping with Burkitt lymphoma or classical Hodgkin lymphoma

The 2008 WHO Classification of Tumors of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues has introduced two new categories of high-grade B-cell lymphomas: entities in which features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) overlap with Burkitt lymphoma (DLBCL/BL) or classical Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL/HL). The DLBCL/BL category encompasses cases that resemble Burkitt lymphoma morphologically, but have one or more immunophenotypic or molecular genetic deviations that would exclude it from the BL category; conversely, some cases have immunophenotypic and/or genetic features of BL, but display cytologic variability unacceptable for BL. Many of the cases in the DLBCL/BL category contain a translocation of MYC as well as either BCL2 or BCL6 (so-called double-hit lymphomas) and have a very aggressive clinical behavior. The DLBCL/HL category encompasses lymphomas that exhibit the morphology of classical Hodgkin lymphoma but the immunophenotype of DLBCL, or vice versa. Most DLBCL/HL cases described present as mediastinal masses, but this category is not limited to mediastinal lymphomas. These new categories acknowledge the increasing recognition of cases that display mixed features of two well-established diseases. Whether the existence of such cases reflects shortcomings of our current diagnostic armamentarium or a true disease continuum in which such hybrid or intermediate neoplasms actually exist remains to be determined

Commentary on the WHO classification of tumors of lymphoid tissues (2008): indolent B cell lymphomas

The 4th edition of the World Health Organization classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues introduces many new items to the classification scheme of the so-called indolent B cell lymphomas. New proposed entities, such as splenic B cell lymphoma/leukemia, unclassifiable, splenic diffuse red pulp small B cell lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia variant, pediatric follicular lymphoma, and pediatric marginal zone lymphoma have been coined, and some definitions of established diseases, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia have been revised. One aspect of major importance is the recent description of small clonal B cell populations, in part with a CLL phenotype, and their relationship to B-CLL. Some new subtypes or variants of follicular lymphoma with distinct clinicopathologic and/or molecular genetic characteristics have been described, including primary follicular lymphomas of the duodenum and pediatric follicular lymphomas. Furthermore, the impact of some probably early, or precursor lesions, such as follicular lymphoma in situ is discussed. Overall, we succinctly discuss the essential elements of the revisions made in the updated classification, and we identify potential opportunities for refinement of new or provisional categories in subsequent classifications

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma with t(6;14)(p25;q11.2) translocation presenting with massive splenomegaly

Recurrent chromosomal translocations associated to peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are rare. Here, we report a case of PTCL, not otherwise specified (NOS) with the karyotype 46,Y,add(X)(p22),t(6;14)(p25;q11) and FISH-proved breakpoints in the IRF4 and TCRAD loci, leading to juxtaposition of both genes. A 64-year-old male patient presented with mild cytopenias and massive splenomegaly. Splenectomy showed diffuse red pulp involvement by a pleomorphic medium- to large-cell T-cell lymphoma with a CD2+ CD3+ CD5− CD7− CD4+ CD8+/− CD30− TCRbeta-F1+ immunophenotype, an activated cytotoxic profile, and strong MUM1 expression. The clinical course was marked by disease progression in the bone marrow under treatment and death at 4months. In contrast with two t(6;14)(p25;q11.2)-positive lymphomas previously reported to be cytotoxic PTCL, NOS with bone marrow and skin involvement, this case was manifested by massive splenomegaly, expanding the clinical spectrum of PTCLs harboring t(6;14)(p25;q11.2) and supporting consideration of this translocation as a marker of biological aggressiveness

Chronic thoracic pain

peer reviewedThe etiological diagnosis of chronic thoracic pain is wide, from benign mechanical disorders to tumors. Reaching the exact diagnosis in often time consuming. Despite the availability of new techniques of imagery, a meticulous clinical history and physical examination remain mandatory. They will lead the exploration. Idiopathic intercostal neuralgia does not exist