Hepatocellular carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 64 cases

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common of all liver cancers and is a major worldwide public health problem. The aim of this study was to provide an updated overview on clinicopathological features, treatment and outcome of HCC. In our retrospective study, we reviewed 64 cases of HCC that were diagnosed at the pathology department of Mongi Slim hospital over a fifteen-year period (2000- 2014). Relevant clinical information and microscopic slides were retrospectively reviewed. Our study group included 38 men and 26 women (sex ratio M/F = 1,26) aged between 8 and 83 years (mean = 56,64 years). The presenting clinical symptoms were dominated by abdominal pain (n=34), followed by altered general health (n=25) and jaundice (n=4). Fifty-five patients underwent surgical treatment. Liver transplantation was performed in two cases and transarterial chemoembolization was achieved in seven cases. Histopathological examination of the surgical or biopsy specimen established the diagnosis of conventional HCC in 55 cases, fibrolamellar carcinoma in 6 cases and clear cell HCC in 3 cases. Seven patients with HCC died postoperatively. Local recurrence of the tumour occurred in three cases and two patients had distant metastases postoperatively. The other patients are still being followed-up. Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with a high rate of mortality because of early invasion, widespread metastasis and lack of effective therapeutic modalities. Accurate diagnosis and staging of these tumours is critical for optimal treatment planning and for determining prognosis.Keywords: Liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, cancer, patholog

Peritoneal splenosis mimicking carcinomatosis

Splenosis is an uncommon benign condition resulting from heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissues onto exposed vascularised intra- and extraperitoneal surfaces following splenic trauma and surgeries. Splenosis may be mistaken for carcinomatosis upon standard imaging techniques. A 69-year-old female patient with a past medical history of hypertension and splenic trauma, underwent total esophagectomy with polar gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia. Macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen disclosed a tumour of the cardia measuring 5 cm in greatest diameter and several dark brown nodules of the greater omentum ranging in size between 2 mm and 12 mm. Histological examination of these nodules confirmed the diagnosis of peritoneal splenosis. The authors emphasize that in patients with a previous history of splenic trauma or surgery, clinicians must consider the existence of splenosis.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Primary renal carcinoid metastasizing to distant sites 12 years after the initial diagnosis

Les carcinoïdes primitifs du rein sont rares avec une centaine de cas rapportés dans la littérature. Sur le plan histologique, il s'agit d'une tumeur bien différenciée dont la morphologie rejoint souvent celle des carcinoïdes dans les autres localisations. Nous rapportons un cas de carcinoïde primitif du rein survenant chez un homme de 41 ans, découvert à la suite de métastases hépatiques. La tumeur était particulière par son architecture tubulo-papillaire, suggérant à tort le diagnostic de carcinome papillaire du rein. Ce diagnostic a été redressé 12 ans après, à la suite de l'apparition d'autres métastases hépatiques, osseuses et pulmonaires.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Adult Granulosa Cell Tumours of the Ovary Seven Case Reports

Background:Ovarian granulosa cell tumours are low-grade malignant sex cord-stromal tumours. They represent 2 to 3% of all ovarian cancers and occur mainly within the adult population. Aim:&nbsp; to provide an updated overview on ovarian adult granulosa cell tumours.Patients Methods:in our retrospective study, we reviewed seven cases of adult granulosa cell tumours that were diagnosed at the pathology department of Mongi Slim hospital over a fourteen-year period (2002- 2015). Clinical and pathRIiological characteristics were retrospectively analyzed.Results: The patients of our series ranged in age between 39 and 64 years (mean = 53 years). The&nbsp; most&nbsp; common&nbsp; presenting&nbsp; symptom&nbsp; was&nbsp; abnormal&nbsp; uterine&nbsp; bleeding&nbsp; (n=5)&nbsp; followed&nbsp; by&nbsp; pelvic pain&nbsp; (n=4).&nbsp; All&nbsp; patients&nbsp; underwent&nbsp; surgical&nbsp; treatment&nbsp; including&nbsp; total&nbsp; hysterectomy&nbsp; with&nbsp; bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy&nbsp; (n=4),&nbsp; hysterectomy&nbsp; with&nbsp; right&nbsp; salpingo-oophorectomy&nbsp; (n=1)&nbsp; and&nbsp; salpingo-oophorectomy (n=2). Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of adult granulosa cell tumour in all cases. Conclusions:Adult granulosa cell tumours of the ovary are considered as low grade malignancies with&nbsp; a&nbsp; relatively&nbsp; more&nbsp; favourable&nbsp; prognosis&nbsp; compared&nbsp; with&nbsp; much&nbsp; more&nbsp; commonly&nbsp; encountered epithelial&nbsp; ovarian tumours. A&nbsp; prolonged&nbsp; post-therapeutic&nbsp; follow-up&nbsp; is&nbsp; necessary&nbsp; because&nbsp; of&nbsp; the&nbsp; risk of recurrences.</p