甲状腺未分化癌临床病理观察

目的探讨甲状腺未分化癌的临床病理特征。方法回顾性分析浙江省肿瘤医院2010年1月-2018年7月共8例甲状腺未分化癌的临床病理资料并进行相关文献复习。结果8例中男5例,女3例,其中4例瘤体最大径≥5cm。8例均有被膜侵犯,其中7例出现甲状腺外侵犯,3例有淋巴结转移,3例可见残存甲状腺乳头状癌成分,2例对侧见甲状腺微小乳头状癌。患者总生存期为2~10个月,中位生存时间7个月。镜下可见梭形细胞、上皮样细胞及巨细胞区域混合存在,细胞异型性大,病理性核分裂多见,局灶见坏死。免疫组化显示上皮源性标记角蛋白(CK)、上皮膜抗原(EMA)、Vimentin均阳性,Ki67高表达,2例PAX8和TTF1阳性,1例甲状腺球蛋白(TG)散在阳性。结论甲状腺未分化癌侵袭性强,预后较差,诊断需结合形态学及免疫组化。

Extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features

AIM： Minimal deviation carcinoma of the uterine cervix, otherwise known as extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma （EWDA）, is characterized by its benign microscopic appearance in contrast to its aggressive behavior. In order to elucidate the clinicopathological features and biological behavior of the gastric counterpart of EWDA, we, using immunohistochemistry, analyzed nine lesions for the phenotypic expression, proliferative activity, and the expression of oncogene-associated products. METHODS： Clinicopathological features, including preoperative biopsy diagnosis, were reviewed. Using immunohitstochemistry, Ki-67 labeling index and expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein in the gastric lesions were detected.RESULT： Locations in the middle or upper third of the stomach and polypoid macroscopic features are characteristic of EWDA of the stomach. Although 4 of the 9 lesions showed only focal lymphatic or venous invasion, lymph node metastasis was not present and none of the patients died of the lesions （mean follow-up period, 56 too）. All 9 cases of EWDA could be classified into gastric phenotype （5 lesions） and intestinal phenotype （4 lesions）. The former resembled gastric foveolar epithelium, mucous neck cells or pyloric glands, but their papillary structures were frequently elongated and the tumor cellsand their nuclei were slightly larger and more hyperchromatic compared to normal epithelium. The latter resembled intestinal metaplasia with minimal nulcear atypia and irregular glands; two of these lesions demonstrated complete intestinal phenotype, while two demonstrated incomplete intestinal phenotype. Ki-67 labeling index was low and none of the cases revealed over-expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein. CONCLUSION： Unlike minimal deviation carcinoma of the cervix, these findings suggest that EWDA of the stomach is a lesion of low-grade malignancy. This favorable biological behavior is supported by the data of a low Ki-67 labeling index and a lack of p53 or c-erbB-2 protein over-expression. Because of its resemblance to normal gastric mucosa or mucosa with intestinal metaplasia, EWDA is often misdiagnosed. To prevent the misdiagnosis of such lesions, the clinical and pathologic characteristics should be taken into consideration.

Intraductal neoplasm of the intrahepatic bile duct: Clinicopathological study of 24 cases

AIM: To investigate the clinicopathological features of intraductal neoplasm of the intrahepatic bile duct (INihB). METHODS: Clinicopathological features of 24 cases of INihB, which were previously diagnosed as biliary papillomatosis or intraductal growth of intrahepatic biliary neoplasm, were reviewed. Mucin immunohistochemistry was performed for mucin (MUC)1, MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6. Ki-67, P53 and β-catenin immunoreactivity were also examined. We categorized each tumor as adenoma (low grade), borderline (intermediate grade), and malignant (carcinoma in situ , high grade including tumors with microinvasion). RESULTS: Among 24 cases of INihB, we identified 24 tumors. Twenty of 24 tumors (83%) were composed of a papillary structure; the same feature observed in intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB). In contrast, the remaining four tumors (17%) showed both tubular and papillary structures. In three of the four tumors (75%), macroscopic mucin secretion was limited but microscopic intracellular mucin was evident. Histologically, 16 tumors (67%) were malignant, three (12%) were borderline, and five (21%) were adenoma. Microinvasion was found in four cases (17%). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that MUC1 was not expressed in the borderline/adenoma group but was expressed only in malignant lesions (P = 0.0095). Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was significantly higher in the malignant group than in the borderline/adenoma group (22.2 ± 15.5 vs 7.5 ± 6.3, P < 0.01). In the 16 malignant cases, expression of MUC5AC showed borderline significant association with high Ki-67 LI (P = 0.0622). Nuclear expression of β-catenin was observed in two (8%) of the 24 tumors, and these two tumors also showed MUC1 expression. P53 was negative in all tumors. CONCLUSION: Some cases of INihB have a tubular structure, and are subcategorized as IPNB with tubular structure. MUC1 expression in INihB correlates positively with degree of malignancy.

Expression of pituitary homeobox 1 gene in human gastric carcinogenesis and its clinicopathological significance

AIM： To investigate the effect of pituitary homeobox 1 （PITX1） expression in cases of human gastric cancer on cancer differentiation and progression, and carcinogenesis. METHODS： Using polyclonal PITX1 antibodies, we studied the expression of PITX1 in normal gastric mucosa, atypical hyperplasia, intestinal metaplasia, and cancer tissue samples from 83 gastric cancer patients by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, semi-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （semi-RT-PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA level of PITX1 in three gastric cancer cell lines and a normal gastric epithelial cell line. Subsequently, somatic mutations of the PITX1 gene in 71 gastric cancer patients were analyzed by a combination of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography （DHPLC） and DNA sequencing. RESULTS： Immunohistochemistry showed that PITXl was strongly or moderately expressed in the parietal cells of normal gastric mucosa （100%）, while 55 （66.3%） out of 83 samples of gastric cancers showed decreased PITXl expression. Moreover, PITXl expression was reduced in 20 out of 28 cases （71.5%） of intestinal metaplasia, but in only 1 out of 9 cases （11%） of atypical hyperplasia. More importantly, PITXl expression was significantly associated with the differentiation, position and invasion depth of gastric cancers （r = -0.316, P 〈 0.01; r = 0.213, P 〈 0.05; r = -0.259, P 〈 0.05, respectively）. Similarly, levels of PITXl mRNA were significantly decreased in 2 gastric cancer cell lines, BGC-823 and SGC-7901, compared with the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 （0.306 ± 0.060 vs 0.722 ± 0.102, P 〈 0.05; 0.356 ± 0.081 vs 0.722 ± 0.102, P 〈 0.05, respectively）. Nevertheless, no somatic mutation of PITX1 gene was found in 71 samples of gastric cancer by DHPLC analysis followed by sequencing. CONCLUSION： Down-regulation of PITX1 may be a frequent molecular event in gastric carcinogenesis. Aberrant levels of PITXl expression may be closely correlated with the progression and differentiation of gastric cancer,

Histological origin of pseudomyxoma peritonei in Chinese women:Clinicopathology and

AIM： To investigate the myxoma peritonei （PMP） histological origin of pseudo- n Chinese women. METHODS： The clinical and pathological data were reviewed for 35 women with PMP, and specimens of the peritoneal, appendiceal and ovarian lesions of each patient were examined using the PV-6000 immunohistochemistry method. Antibodies included cytokeratin （CK）7, CK20, mucin （MUC）-1, MUC-2, carbohydrate antigen （CA）-125, estrogen receptor （ER）, and progesterone receptor （PR）. RESULTS： Abundant colloidal mucinous tumors were observed in the peritoneum in all 35 cases. Thirty-one patients had a history of appendectomy, 28 of whom had mucinous lesions. There was one patient with appendicitis, one whose appendix showed no apparent pathological changes, and one with unknown surgical pathology. Ovarian mucinous tumors were found in 24 patients. The tumors were bilateral in 13 patients, on the right-side in nine, and on the left side in two. Twenty patients had combined appendiceal and ovarian lesions; 16 of whom had undergone initial surgery for appendiceal lesions. Four patients had undergone initial surgery for ovarian lesions, and relapse occurred in these patients at 1, 11, 32 and 85 mo after initial surgery. Appendi-ceal mucinous tumors were found in each of these four patients. Thirty-three of the 35 patients showed peritoneal lesions that were positive for CK20 and MUC-2, but negative for CK7, MUC-1, CA125, ER and PR. The expression patterns in the appendix and the ovary were similar to those of the peritoneal lesions. In one of the remaining two cases, CK20, CK7 and MUC-2 were positive, and MUC-1, CA125, ER and PR were negative. The ovaries were not resected. The appendix of one patient was removed at another hospital, and no specimen was evaluated. In the other case, the appendix appeared to be normal during surgery, and was not resected. Peritoneal and ovarian lesions were negative for CK20, MUC-2, CK7, MUC-1, CA125, ER and PR. CONCLUSION： Most PMP originated from the appendix. Among women with PMP, the ovarian tumors were implanted rather than primary. For patients with PMP, appendectomy should be performed routinely. The ovaries, especially the right ovaries should be explored.

Clinicopathological Significance of E-cadherin and PCNA Expression in Hunman Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to assess E-cadherin (E-cad)and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)expression as well as their clinicopathological significance in hunman non- small cell lung cancers(NSCLCs).Possible molecular mechanisms of differentiation and metastasis of NSCLCs are discussed. METHODS Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence double staining were performed to examine the expression of E-cad and PCNA in 68 primary NSCLCs cases. RESULTS The E-cad expression in squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas showed no significant difference.E-cad expression had a positive correlation with the histological- differentiated grade.A significant difference of E-cad expression was found between metastatic and non-metastatic groups.PCNA expression in squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas showed no significant difference.The PCNA expression had a reverse correlation with the histological-differentiated grade.A significant difference of PCNA expression was found between metastatic and non-metastatic groups.The E-cad and PCNA expression presented a reverse correlation. CONCLUSION E-cad expression is not associated with the histological type of NSCLC,but is associated with differentiation and metastasis of the cancer.Down-regulation of E-cad expression affects the proliferation of cancer cells.Conjoint analysis of E-cad and PCNA expression is a good way to evaluate tumor biological behavior.

Relationship Between Programmed Death-ligand 1 and Clinicopathological Characteristics in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Objective To evaluate the correlation between programmed death-ligand 1 （PD-L1） expression in primary lung cancer cells, tumor associated macrophages （TAM） and patients＇ clinicopathological characteristics. Methods From 2008 to 2010, 208 non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgery or CT-guided biopsy were recruited from Huadong Hospital, Fudan University. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate the PD-L1 expression in both primary lung cancer cells and CD68 positive TAM.

Expression and significance of Tie-1 and Tie-2 receptors, and angiopoietins-1,2 and 4 in colorectal adenocarcinoma:Immunohistochemical analysis and correlation with clinicopathological factors

AIM: There is strong evidence that tyrosine kinases are involved in the regulation of tumor progression, cellular growth and differentiation. Recently, many kinds of tyrosine kinase receptors have been reported, among them Tie-1 and Tie-2 receptors constitute a major class.Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 is known as a ligand ofTie-2 tyrosine kinase receptor. The objective of this study was to establish a comprehensive Tie-1 and Tie-2 and Ang-1, 2 and 4expression profile in human colorectal adenocarcinomas.METHODS: We examined 96 cases of surgically resected human colorectal adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry and investigated the statistical correlation between the expressions of Ties and Angs and clinicopathological factors.RESULTS: Among the 96 cases of adenocarcinoma, 87(90.6%), 92 (95.8%), 83 (86.5%), 89 (92.7%), and 76cases (79.2%) showed positive staining in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells for the Tie-1 and Tie-2 and Ang-1, 2and 4 proteins, respectively. Histologically, the expressions of Ties and Angs were variable. The expressions of Ties and Angs were correlated with several clinicopathological factors, but did not correlate with the presence of lymph node metastasis. Ties and Angs were highly expressed in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the Tie-Ang receptor-ligand complex is one of the factors involved in the cellular differentiation and progression of human colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Expressions of claudin-4 and claudin-1 in endometrial cancer and their significance

Objective:To observe the expressions of claudin-4 and claudin-1 in endometrial cancer and explore their correlations with clinicopathological parameters of endometrial cancer.Methods:Immunohistochemical methods(SP) were used to detect the expressions of claudin-4 and claudin-1 in 52 tissue samples of endometrial cancer,24 of atypical hyperplasia,20 of pericancerous endometrium,and 19 of endometrium at proliferative phase.And then the expressions were analyzed statistically to find out the correlations with clinicopathological parameters of endometrial cancer.Results:Positive rate of claudin-4 was 36.8%,70.8% and 90.4% in endometrium at proliferative phase,atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer,respectively,with significantly differences between them(P<0.05),and it was statistically different between pericancer endometrium and endometrial cancer(P<0.05).Positive rate of claudin-1 was 89.5%,66.7% and 63.5%,respectively showing a descending tendency and significantly differences between endometrium at proliferative phase and endometrial caner(P<0.05),and it was also statistically significantly different between pericancer endometrium and endometrial cancer(P<0.05).The high expression rate of claudin-4 was related to invasion depth,but not to histological grading,pathological staging or lymph node metastasis of endometrial cancer,and the low expression of claudin-1 in endometrial cancer was not associated with histological grading,pathological staging,invasion depth or lymph node metastasis.Conclusion:The expression levels of claudin-4 and claudin-1 are correlated with onset and development of endometrial cancer.

Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Study of Low-Grade Myofibroblastic Sarcoma of the Liver One Case Report

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma is a recently characterized tumor showing features of myofibroblastic differen-tiation that is part of the spectrum of malignant mesenchymal tumors. This extremely rare type of tumor occurs most commonly in superficial locations. The case we describe herein is that of a 60- year-old man with two large hepatic masses. The patient＇s tumor was removed radically through an incision due to the inconclusive imaging findings. Follow-up computed tomography showed no recurrence and metastasis after 37 months, suggesting that enucleation was adequate for tumor eradication. To our knowl-edge, this is the first reported case of low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma in the liver in the English language literature.

Ileal angiomyolipoma manifested by small intestinal intussusception

Angiomyolipomas(AMLs),a form of benign mesenchymal hamartoma,arise primarily in the kidneys of patients with or without tuberous sclerosis.Extra-renal AMLs are very rare and are most commonly found in the liver. AMLs of the small intestine are exceedingly rare.Here, a case of a 28-year-old man,who presented with ileal intussusception caused by ileal AML is reported.The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings of ileal AMLs are discussed and the literature on small intestinal AMLs is reviewed.

Clinical pathology of nodal micrometasteses in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： To explore whether the conventional pathologic stages of some non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients were underestimated. Methods： 195 lymph node samples were taken from 25 NSCLC patients during the operations. Firstly, each resulting tissue block was processed for routine paraffin embedding. Then the 6- 10 serial sections were chosen, each 5/am thick, from every paraffin block of the lymph node. Finally, the first and the second last sections of each lymph node were stained by hematoxylin eosin （HE）, and the other serial sections were used for the immunohistochemical （IHC） staining examination with the monoclonal antibody against cyokeratin 19. Results： With HE staining, 30 of the 195 regional lymph nodes revealed dominant nodal metastases, and none showed micrometastases. IHC staining was performed on 135 lymph nodes that were identified as free of metastases by HE staining, 31 showed micrometastases; none showed gross nodal metastases. There was a significant difference between HE staining staging and IHC staining staging （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Conventional HE staining can accurately detect gross nodal metastases in the lymph nodes of NSCLC patients, but is unfit for detecting lymph nodal micrometastases. IHC staining analysis can significantly facilitate the detection of occult micrometastatic tumor cells in lymph nodes, and its assessment of nodal micrometastases can provide a refinement of TNM stage for NSCLC patients. Our results provide a rationale for extensive lymph nodes sampling

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of pilomyxoid astrocytoma: a report of six cases

Objective： The aim of this study was to study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of pilo- myxoid astrocytoma （PMA）. Methods： The clinical and pathologic features in six cases of PMA were analyzed. Immunohisto- chemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）, synaptophysin （Syn）, Chromogranin A （CgA）, cytokeratin （AEI/AE3）, epithelial membrane antigen （EMA） and Ki67 was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. Results： Among the six cases, five occurred in female patients, one was male, the age at diagnosis ranged from 2 to 15 years. Four cases were located in the hypothalamic area and optic pathway, one case in the third ventricle, and one case in left parietal lobe. On imaging, PMAs often appears as well-circumscribed mass. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of monomorphous bipolar （piloid） cells setting in a prominent myxoid background with an angiocentric radiating growth pattern in some areas. PMA lacked biphasic pattern, Rosenthal fibers and eosinophilic granular bodies which were usually typical in a classic pilocytic astrocytoma （PA）. Immunohistochemcal study showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for GFAP. Syn positive staining was observed in one case. The Ki67 labeling index measured less than 5%. Conclusion： PMA is a distinct aggressive variant of pilocytic astrocytoma with special histological and immunohistochemical features. It is typically a rare tumor of early childhood. Im- munohistochemical staining for GFAP and Syn is helpful in differential diagnosis.

A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of gastrointestinal stromal tumors based on 122 cases

Objective:The aim of the study was to review the clinical records of 122 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) and analyze their clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics.Methods:The medic records of 122 patients with GISTs during the periods from January 2002 to May 2010 were reviewed.All tumors were confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical analyses.Results:The tumors occurred in 59 males and 63 females,ranging from 25 to 77 years.Of all cases,46 cases originated from stomach,42 from small intestine,17 from colon and rectum and 9 from retroperitoneal cavity and 4 cases from extra-gastrointestinal site.Liver was the most common organ that tumors metastases involved.Immunohistochemically,there were 114 tumors being positive for CD117 while 8 tumors negative for it.The frequencies of CD34 positive were higher in the stomach and rectum(89.1% and 86.7% respectively) than in the small intestine(64.3%,P < 0.05).Higher expression of SMA was in the tumors located in small intestine(54.8%) while the expressions of SMA in the gastric and rectal tumors were relatively low(21.7% and 20.0% respectively,P < 0.05).Conclusion:Gastrointestinal stromal tumors can occur in the gastrointestinal tract as well as in the extra-gastrointestinal sites.The frequencies of CD34 and SMA expression vary significantly with different locations.

Prognostic relevance of ALDH1 in breast cancer: a clinicopathological study of 96 cases

Objective： The aim of the study was to investigate the expression and clinical significance of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 （ALDH1） in breast cancer patients. Methods： The expression of ALDH1 protein was examined by immunohistochemical staining in 96 breast cancer tissues. The disease-free survival analysis of patients was evaluated based on the clinical follow-up data. Results： Expression of ALDH1 protein had significant correlations with ER, PR, and HER2 proteins （P 〈 0.05）, but had no significant correlations with age, tumor size, clinical stage, P-glycoprotein, and lymph node status （P 〉 0.05）. The 2-year disease-free survival rate of ALDHl-positive patients was lower than that of ALDHl-negative patients （P 〈 0.05）. ALDHl-positive patients undergoing chemotherapy and hormonal therapy had lower 2-year disease-free survival rate than ALDHl-negative patients （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： ALDH1 expression might play an important role in drug resistant, and ALDH1 may be used as a prognostic marker.

Expression of Hpa and CD222 in bladder carcinoma and analysis of clinico-pathologic correlation

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between the clinico-pathologic features and the heparanase(Hpa) and CD222 expressions in bladder carcinoma. Methods: The expressions of Hpa and CD222 in 95 bladder carcinoma specimens and 20 paraneoplastic bladder tissues(controls) were assessed using the immunohistochemical staining method. Results: The positive expression rates of Hpa and CD222 in bladder carcinoma were 68.42% and 61.05%, respectively. The positive rate of Hpa was significantly higher in the carcinoma specimens than in the control specimens(P < 0.01). Similarly, the Hpa expression in the invasive bladder carcinoma was significantly higher than that in the non-invasive bladder carcinoma(P < 0.01). A positive correlation was observed between the expressions of Hpa and CD222(P < 0.05). The expressions of Hpa and CD222 were significantly correlated with lymphatic invasion and TNM staging(P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in negative expression of the Hpa group than that in the positive expression group(P < 0.05). Compared with the non-co-positive expression group, the 5-year survival rate in the co-positive expression of Hpa and CD222 group was significantly lower(P < 0.05). Conclusion: High Hpa and CD222 expressions in tumor tissues were associated with the occurrence and development of bladder carcinoma. Our results provide helpful information for the further diagnosis and therapy of bladder carcinoma.

The relationship between Bag-1 and gastric cancer clinicopathologic characteristic

Objective： The aim of our study was to investigate Bcl-2 antanogene-1 （Bag-l） expressions in gastric cancer and evaluate their clinical significance. Methods： Bag-1 expressions were studied by the immunohistochemical streptavidin- perosidase （S-P） method in 62 samples of gastric cancer tissues, 11 normal gastric tissues, and their clinical significance was analyzed. Results： The positive rate of Bag-1 expression in the gastric carcinoma tissues was 41.94% （26/62）, while it was 9.09% （1/11） in the normal gastric tissues （P = 0.046）. Though Bag-1 was positively related to the tumour pathological grade, lymph node metastasis and prognosis （P 〈 0.05）, it was not related to the sex, age, location, tumour diameter, depth of invasion （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： There are over expression of Bag-1 gene protein in gastric cancer, it is significance in prognosis of gastric cancer.

Clinical pathology analysis of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma

Objective： The purpose of this study was to study the clinical, imaging characters and pathological characteristics of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma. Methods： We reviewed 23 cases of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma from Janu ary 2006 to December 2013 in four hospitals. The data of patients who were esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma operated were retrospectively analyzed. All cases had completed upper gastrointestinal barium images materials and 14 of these cases had completed CT images materials. Upper gastrointestinal barium images and CT imaging features include tumor location, size, shape, and strengthen, etc. The biological parameters of lesions including the express of cytokeratin AE1/AE3, 34E12,, Vimentin, desmin, Actin, S100 and Ki67 detected by immunhistochemical UltraSensitiveTM SP method （n = 23）, and the patients＇ data of contrastographic picture （n = 23）, imaging characters of CT scan （n = 14）, and their relationship were studied. Results： Upper gastrointestinal barium images, CT imaging and gastrointestinal fiberscopy revealed Iobulated intraluminal filling defect 0.4 cm to 5.7 cm x 3.5 cmx 1.3 cm （mean = 3. 7 cm） in the mid （n = 14）, lower （n = 7） and upper （n = 2） intrathoracic esophagus. Among 23 cases of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma, 19 patients were of mushroom type, 2 patients was of ulcer type, and 2 patients were of medulla type; 19 patients were pedunculated, and 4 patients were no pedunculated （2 patients was of ulcer type）. The tumor surface was relatively smooth and esophageal compliance was maintained. The pathological changes of esophagus such as lightly locked, rigid wall nomanifest partly, esophageal lumens expand partly, major filling sublobe defect could be shown through contrast medium. Normal esophagus was no unpack obviously over pathological changes. Enhanced computed tomography showed tumors in the intrathoracic esophagus and 8 lymph nodes metastases in 3 cases. Histologically, carcinomatous and sarcomatous components coexist. Microscopically, the tumor comprised poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and spindleshaped cells resembling leiomyosarcoma. Immu nohistochemically, spindleshaped sarcomatous cells displayed weekly positive reaction to cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Transitional zone was seen between sarcomatous and carcinomatous elements in 5 cases. The 17 lymph nodes metastases in 5 cases （53 lymph nodes） among 23 cases esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma （187 lymph nodes） were observed. Conclusion： The clinical and radiologic features of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma overlap with those of other esophageal neoplasms. There are the radiologic imaging changes such as a large, intraluminal, polypoid mass, major filling sublobe defect and pedicle skin flap tumor in esophageal lumen, esophageal lumen extension partly, dissepiment rigidity wall no obviously, etc. Histologically, carcinomatous and sarcomatous components coexist and the biphasic pattern is the key diagnostic feature. However, esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma has a more favorable prognosis than other malignant esophageal neoplasms. Immunohistochemical staining seems necessary to distinguish these lesions from other esophageal neoplasms.

The expression of Twist in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and its clinicopathological significance

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of Twist in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) and the relations between Twist expression and the clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: The expression of Twist was examined immunohistochemically in 48 cases of SACC, 18 of pleomorphic adenoma and 10 of normal parotid gland. The relationship between Twist expression in SACC and the clinicopathological factors was analyzed. Results: Twist expression was significantly higher in SACC tissues compared with pleomorphic adenomas and normal parotid gland tissues (P<0.05). Twist expression levels in SACC were significantly associated with histological type, perineural invasion, postoperative recurrence, and distant metastasis (P<0.05), rather than age, gender, tumor site, tumor size, or clinical staging (P>0.05). Conclusion: Twist expression may be associated with tumor cell differentiation, perineural invasion and metastasis of SACC. Twist expression is a potential prognostic factor for disease survival of SACC.

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region in MIB-1 positive cells in non-small cell lung cancer: clinicopathological significance and survival

Objective： To evaluate the relation between argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region （AgNOR）-associated proteins and clinicopathological parameters and survival in non-small-cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： A total of 207 surgical specimens diagnosed as NSCLC were included in this study. Double-staining procedures were performed using antigen Ki-67 （clone MIB-1） and silver nitrate by immunohistochemical and AgNOR-staining methods. Results： The AgNOR area in MIB-l-positive cells of NSCLC is related to clinicopathological parameters under the TNM （tumor, node, and metastasis） system. The survival of patients with small AgNOR area in MIB-1-positive cells is better than that of patients with large AgNOR area. Molecular, biological （AgNOR area in MIB-l-positive cells）, and clinicopathological （greatest tumor dimension, metastases to regional lymph nodes, histology, and differentiation） parameters are independent prognostic factors of NSCLC.Conclusion： The AgNOR area in MIB- 1-positive cells is related to clinicopathological parameters and survival in NSCLC.