Histopathologic Review of Previously Negative Prostatic Core Needle Biopsies Following a New Diagnosis of Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate by Core Needle Biopsies: Implications for Quality Assurance Programs

Programs for quality assurance are increasingly important in surgical pathology. Many quality assurance (QA) techniques for surgical pathology were adopted from procedures introduced in cytopathology. Surgical pathology specimens have diminished in size such that the majority of diagnostic biopsies of prostatic lesions are now core needle biopsies. These specimens raise issues similar to those of cytology specimens, including concerns regarding adequacy and the representative nature of the biopsy. Due to sample size, some neoplasms may not be diagnosed on initial biopsy, raising concerns regarding false negative results. Cytopathologists have instituted QA procedures including review of all previously negative slides received within five years prior to the new diagnosis of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or gynecologic malignancy. No such requirement exists in surgical pathology for review of core biopsies

Classification, Molecular Characterization, and the Significance of Pten Alteration in Leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant smooth muscle neoplasm with a complicated histopathologic classification scheme and marked differences in clinical behavior depending on the anatomic site of origin. Overlapping morphologic features of benign and borderline malignant smooth muscle neoplasms further complicate the diagnostic process. Likewise, deciphering the complex and heterogeneous patterns of genetic changes which occur in this cancer has been challenging. Preliminary studies suggest that reproducible molecular classification may be possible in the near future and new prognostic markers are emerging. Robust recapitulation of leiomyosarcoma in mice with conditional deletion of Pten in smooth muscle and the simultaneous discovery of a novel role for Pten in genomic stability provide a fresh perspective on the mechanism of leiomyosarcomagenesis and promise for therapeutic intervention

Prognostic Markers in Chondrosarcoma: Evaluation of Cell Proliferation and of Regulators of the Cell Cycle

Purpose. The prognosis, treatment principles and prediction of clinical outcome of patients with chondrosarcoma currently rest on histologic grading which is somewhat ambiguous due to difficulty in pathologic interpretation of this neoplasm. Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and oncogene/tumor suppressor gene expression have been examined as alternative indices to predict the biologic behavior of these tumors. Because of partial successes obtained with flow cytometry and because of the improvement in predicting recurrence offered by examining the S-phase fraction, we undertook the current study to determine if expression of specific regulators of the cell cycle would act as prognostic indicators for these patients

Utilization of ancillary studies in the cytologic diagnosis of respiratory lesions: The papanicolaou society of cytopathology consensus recommendations for respiratory cytology

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134863/1/dc23549.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134863/2/dc23549_am.pd

Post-thyroid FNA testing and treatment options: A synopsis of the National Cancer Institute Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration State of the Science Conference

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored the NCI Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) State of the Science Conference on October 22–23, 2007 in Bethesda, MD. The 2-day meeting was accompanied by a permanent informational Web site and several on-line discussion periods between May 1 and December 15, 2007 ( http://thyroidfna.cancer.gov ). This document addresses follow-up procedures and therapeutic options for suggested diagnostic categories. Follow-up options for “nondiagnostic” and “benign” thyroid aspirates are given. The value of ultrasound examination in the follow-up of “nondiagnostic” and “benign” thyroid aspirates is discussed. Ultrasound findings requiring reaspiration or surgical resection are described as are the timing and length of clinical and ultrasonographic surveillance for cytologically “benign” nodules. Options for surgical intervention are given for the diagnostic categories of “atypical/borderline,” “follicular neoplasm,” “suspicious for malignancy” and “malignant” ( http://thyroidfna.cancer.gov/pages/info/agenda/ ). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:442–448. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58659/1/20832_ftp.pd