Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Soo Kee Min

13 Articles

The Analysis of Indeterminate Category in Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration.: Soo Kee Min, Jinwon Seo, Sun Young Jun, Kwangseon Min, Hye Rim Park; Korean J Pathol. 2010;44(6):657-661.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2010.44.6.657

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BACKGROUND
Descriptive diagnosis reports have been causing some problems in communication. Our institution decided to use the category diagnosis system since June, 2008. So we evaluated the effectiveness of this change.
METHODS
The category system is composed of unsatisfactory, suboptimal for diagnosis but suggestive of, most probably benign, indeterminate, suspicious for malignancy and malignancy. We evaluated 1,525 cases from June, 2008 to September, 2009. We analyzed 159 cases of the indeterminate category.
RESULTS
Among the 159 cases, 21 were re-aspirated and 63 underwent an operation. The diagnoses of the re-aspirated cases were 2 positive for malignancy, 5 indeterminate, 13 most probably benign, and 1 unsatisfactory. The surgical diagnoses were 39 malignancies, 2 follicular adenomas and 1 Hurthle cell adenoma, and 21 benign lesions. Re-aspiration for the indeterminate cases could help decide whether the lesions need to be operated or not at above 70%. The indeterminate category could predict the surgical diagnosis of the thyroid nodule with statistical significance when the subcategories were indicated (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The category diagnosis is replacing the descriptive diagnosis for the thyroid fine needle aspiration. The indeterminate category is useful and effective for making the decision to operate and especially when the indeterminate subcategories are used.

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Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Thyroid Follicular Neoplasm: Cytohistologic Correlation and Accuracy
Changyoung Yoo, Hyun Joo Choi, Soyoung Im, Ji Han Jung, Kiouk Min, Chang Suk Kang, Young-Jin Suh
Korean Journal of Pathology.2013; 47(1): 61. CrossRef

The Expressions of Tyrosine Kinase Receptors, EphA2, c-met and c-erbB-2 in the Human Breast.: Soo Kee Min, Hyun Deuk Cho, Seong Jin Cho, Hye Rim Park, Hyung Sik Shin, Young Euy Park, Bom Woo Yeom; Korean J Pathol. 2005;39(1):15-22.

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Tyrosine kinase receptor (TKR) is an important protein for normal-development, growth and tumorigenesis in human tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TKR in the progression of breast cancer.
METHODS
The expressions of EphA2, c-met and c-erbB-2 were examined, by using immunohistochemical methods and RT-PCR, in samples of breast tissue that included 111 samples of normal epithelium, 34 samples of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 109 samples of invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC). The results were compared with the prognostic parameters of breast cancer including the tumor grade, growth pattern, lymph node metastasis and the expressions of ER, PR, p53 and Ki-67.
RESULTS
The protein expressions of the three TKRs were higher in DCIS and IDC than in normal epithelium. The protein expression of EphA2 was correlated with a tumor grade, a labeling index of Ki-67, and the protein expression of c-met. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 was correlated with lymph node metastasis. The mRNA levels of the three TKRs were correlated with each other in normal tissue and IDC. The level of c-met mRNA was higher in the low grade tumors.
CONCLUSIONS
The three TKRs may play roles in the tumorigenesis of human breast cancer. The overexpressions of EphA2 and c-erbB-2 may be a poor prognostic parameter in breast cancers.

Diagnostic Sensitivity of Sputum and Bronchial Washing Cytology in Bronchogenic Carcinomas Confirmed by Bronchoscopic Biopsy .: Joon Mee Kim, Soo Kee Min, Young Chae Chu, Chul Ho Cho; Korean J Cytopathol. 2001;12(1):17-23.

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Abstract PDF: To evaluate the role of sputum and bronchial washing for the diagnosis of lung carcinoma, we studied the sensitivity of both cytologic techniques using the biopsy confirmed cases from 228 patients. Among them, 123 cases were squamous cell carcinomas, 42 cases were adenocarcinomas, 48 cases were small cell carcinomas, one case was large cell carcinoma, and 14 cases were other types of carcinoma including poorly differentiated carcinomas. Three hundreds and ninety two sputa and 173 sputa were obtained in the pre- and post- bronchoscopic periods. Bronchial washing had been taken once in each patient. The overall sensitivity of the sputum cytology was 0.52 and that of the bronchial washing 0.63, while it increased to 0.83 when a combination of both techniques. Squamous cell carcinomas were diagnosed to the great extent in which sensitivities were 0.59 and 0.74, in sputum and bronchial washing, respectively. The post-bronchoscopic sputa showed higher sensitivity (0.44) than pre-bronchoscopic sputa (0.30). The sensitivity of sputa increased from 0.34 to 0.49 when three samples were examined compared to the single examination. The accuracy of cell typing was 94.0% in sputa and 93.8% in bronchial washing. Repeated sputum examination including post- bronchoscopic sputa is warranted to improve sensitivity and a complementary role of both cytologic techniques can be postulated by these data.

Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Transurethral Resection Specimens On serum PSA and histologic findings.: Joon Mee Kim, Soo Kee Min, Young Chae Chu, Tae Sook Hwang, Young Bae Kim, Jee Young Han, Tae Sook Kim, Hye Seung Han; Korean J Pathol. 2000;34(5):349-357.

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Abstract PDF: Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), which is divided into low and high grade, has different clinicopathologic significance. We reviewed 158 prostatic tissues, which consisted of 144 cases of nodular hyperplasias and 14 cases of adenocarcinomas, to evaluate incidence of PIN, its histologic finding, and its clinical significance. Ten cases of PIN, 4 low grade and 6 high grade, were found. Four cases of low grade PIN (LPIN) and five cases of high grade PIN (HPIN) were associated with nodular hyperplasia. Only one case of HPIN occurred in carcinoma. The constant histologic findings of LPIN were nuclear stratification and nucleomegaly. The most prominent characteristics of HPIN were hyperchromasia and prominent nucleoli. Anisonucleosis was not so helpful for differential diagnosis between LPIN and HPIN. Basal layer disruption was present in one case of high grade PIN associated with adenocarcinoma, and important for the differentiatial diagnosis of cribriform HPIN from the cribriform adenocarcinoma. There was no significant difference in age incidence between the two groups with the mean age of 70.9 years in nodular hyperplasia and 69.4 years in adenocarcinoma. Serum PSA level was significantly different between the two group with the mean PSA value of 11.03 ng/ml in nodular hyperplasia and that of 73.76 ng/ml in carcinoma (p=0.000). However, PSA values between "nodular hyperplasia only" group and "PIN associated nodular hyperplasia" group were not significantly different. PIN association changed neither age distribution nor serum PSA level. During the follow up period, no adenocacinoma has occurred in the cases having PIN although serum PSA level has elevated in some cases. One case of adenocarcinoma associated with HPIN developed in the nodular hyperplasia patient. Although PIN did not increase the possibility of subsequent prostatic adenocarcinoma in transurethral resection specimens, it could not be excluded that PIN was a precursor of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Association between the Expresson of MMP-2 and TIMP-2, and Growth Pattern of Tumor Border, Lymph Node Metastasis, and Estrogen Receptor in the Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast.: Soo Kee Min, Joon Mee Kim, Young Chae Chu, Young Up Cho, Bom Woo Yeom; Korean J Pathol. 2000;34(5):366-373.

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Abstract PDF: The most important prognostic factor of breast cancer is the status of lymph node or distant metastasis, which is resisted by basement membrane and stromal matrix. MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-2 is a 72-kilodalton type IV collagenase/ gelatinase and degrades the type IV collagen which is a main component of the basement membrane. Therefore, MMP-2 is believed to be one of the key molecule for cancer invasion and metastasis. Enzymatic activity of MMP is inhibited by TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase). TIMP-2 forms a complex with latent pro-MMP-2 and inhibits the active forms of MMP-2. The balance of MMPs and TIMPs is suspected as the important factor of invasion and metastasis of the tumor cells. We studied the association between the expression of MMP-2/TIMP-2 and growth pattern of tumor border, lymph node metastasis, and estrogen receptor expression in the 57 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast using immunohistochemical staining methods. The results revealed increased expression of MMP-2 in the infiltrating tumor border and tumors with positive lymph node metastasis and negative estrogen receptor with no statistical significance (p>0.05). But the expression of TIMP-2 was increased in expanding tumor border and tumors with positive lymph node metastasis and negative estrogen receptor without statistical significance (p>0.05).

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Diffuse Sclerosing Variant of Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid: A Case Report.: Joon Mee Kim, Soo Kee Min, Young Chae Chu, Mi Rim Kim, Kyung Rae Kim; Korean J Cytopathol. 2000;11(1):47-52.

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Abstract PDF: Diffuse sclerosing papillary carcinoma(DSPC), a variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, is characterized by diffuse involvement of one or both thyroid lobes, and histologic features such as prominent sclerosis, intense lymphocytic infiltrate, num erous psammoma bodies, and squamous metaplasia together with the charac teristic cytoarchitectural pattern of classical papillary carcinoma. We experienced a case of fine needle aspiration cytologic(FNAC) findings of DSPC, which was con firmed by histologic examination of the thyroidectomy specimens. The patient was 26 years old female who presented with diffuse firm enlargement of the thyroid gland with enlargement of many cervical lymph nodes. FNAC smears showed numerous psammoma bodies, many lymphocytes, metaplastic squamous cells, absence of stringy colloid, and epithelial cells showing classical features of papillary carcinoma, such as nuclear grooves, intranuclear inclusions, and ground glass chromatin pattern.

Granulosa Cell Tumor Arising in the Paratesticular Area: A case report.: Soo Kee Min, Tae Jin Lee, Joo Ryung Huh, Tae Han Park, Jae Yoon Ro; Korean J Pathol. 1999;33(5):380-384.

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Abstract PDF: Granulosa cell tumor of the testis is extremly rare in adult males and granulosa cell tumor occurring in the paratesticular area has not been reported. We report a paratesticular granulosa cell tumor in a 34-year-old man who presented with a 5.5 cm sized scrotal mass. The tumor was present in the paratesticular area near the head of epididymis. It was located in the tunica and completely separated from the testis by thick fibrous tissue. Microscopically, the tumor exhibited solid, microfollicular, and trabecular patterns. The tumor cells had ovoid to elongated nuclei with longitudinal intranuclear grooves and one or two nucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. Mitoses were relatively frequent with an average number of 9/10 HPFs. The tumor extended into the visceral tunica vaginalis and showed multiple lymphatic tumor emboli. Immunohisto chemical stains revealed diffuse strong positivity for inhibin, vimentin, and keratin and diffuse weak positivity for estrogen and progesteron receptor. Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) were negative. On electron microscopic examination, tumor cells were polygonal and had large indented nuclei. The cytoplasm contained a moderate number of small round mitochondria, abundant rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula, and a few lipid droplets. Small aggregates of intermediate filaments and intercellular junctions were observed. The patient was alive and well 5 months after orchiectomy. This is the first case of adult granulosa cell tumor arising in the paratesticular area.

Morphometric Study on Fine Needle Aspirates from Follicular Adenoma and Follicular Carcinoma of the Thyroid.: Young Chae Chu, Hee Jung Cha, Soo Kee Min, Joon Mee Kim, Tae Sook Hwang; Korean J Cytopathol. 1998;9(1):63-68.

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Abstract PDF: Fine needle aspiration cytology of "cold" nodules of the thyroid has proved to be of great value in their preoperative diagnosis. Most types of thyroid tumors are readily recognizable from characteristic cellular patterns in the smears of needle aspirates. But follicular neoplasms present some problems because the cytomorphology of the adenomas frequently is same as in carcinoma. For differentiation of benign from malignant follicular neoplasms of the thyroid we tested the usefulness of two objective parameters - nuclear area and perimeter - by morphometry. This study was made on fine needle aspirates from 30 cases with cytologic diagnosis of follicular neoplasm of thyroid. The histologic classification was follicular adenoma in 22 cases and follicular carcinoma in 8 cases. As a reference group we used seven caes with nodular hyperplasia. The smears of aspirates were stained by Papanicolaou method. On each slide 200 randomly selected cells with intact nuclei were measured. The mean value of nuclear area are 25.32+/-5.50 micrometer2, 34.08+/-7.50 micrometer2 and 39.97+/-6.63 micrometer2 in nodular hyperplasia, follicular adenoma, and follicular carcinoma, respectively. The mean value of perimeter are 19.48+/-2.26 micrometer, 22.95+/-2.65 micrometer and 24.78+/-2.23 micrometer in nodular hyperplasia, follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma, respectively. The mean nuclear areas and perimeters of cells from follicular adenoma were significantly larger than those from nodular hyperplasia (p<0.05). The mean nuclear areas and perimeters of cells from follicular carcinoma were larger than those from follicular adenoma but the differences are not significant statistically(p<0.05). Therefore, morphometric assessment alone is inadequate to predict malignancy in thyroid aspirates.

Angiodysplasia Arising in the Bowels: Two cases report.: Soo Kee Min, Hee Jeung Cha, Joon Mee Kim, Young Chae Chu; Korean J Pathol. 1997;31(12):1308-1313.

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Abstract PDF: Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is a distinct disease entity which causes frequent gastrointestinal bleeding. It predominantly arises at the stomach and duodenum in the upper gastrointestinal tract and cecum and ascending colon in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The general histological finding of the angiodysplasia is a submucosal vascular ectasia and tortuosity. We have experienced two cases of the intestinal angiodysplasia. The first case occurred on a jejunum in a 22-year-old woman who had anemia. The second case occurred on a sigmoid colon in a 59-year-old man who had constipation. In addition to the general histologic finding of the angiodysplasia, the microscopic findings of the first case revealed some capillary hemangioma-like areas; and in the second case, there was a marked ischemic change and the thickening of the wall.

Clear Cell Meningioma.: Hee Jeung Cha, Soo Kee Min, Joon Mee Kim, Young Chae Chu; Korean J Pathol. 1997;31(8):782-787.

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Abstract PDF: Clear cell meningioma is a recently recognized morphologically unique entity. It shows no sex predilection, affects primarily the lumbar region, and the cerebellopontine angle. Despite its benign appearance, it may be aggressive, particularly in intracranial cases. All lesions are moderately cellular, with the exception of stromal hyalinization. The tumor consists largely of a sheet- like or somewhat lobular pattern of polygonal cells, the cytoplasm of which is clear. No close association is noted between the recurrence or the clinical outcome and factors such as mitotic activity, the PCNA index, and the DNA ploidy status. But the MIB-1 proliferation index is appreciably higher in recurrent tumors. We experienced a case of clear-cell meningioma showing a characteristic histologic finding. A 39-year-old man was admitted due to the recent onset of right-sided, facial-nerve palsy, left hemiparesis and general weakness. A CT scan of the head showed a well defined mass in the petroclival area. After surgical resection, the patient was in good condition, but 1 year later symptoms recurred. A CT scan of the head showed a huge, recurrent petroclival tumor with adhesion to the surrounding brain parenchyme.

Achondrogenesis Type 2: An autopsy case.: Joon Mee Kim, Young Chae Chu, Soo Kee Min, Hee Jeung Cha, Je Geun Chi; Korean J Pathol. 1997;31(5):482-488.

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Abstract PDF: Achondrogenesis type 2 is a lethal form of congenital skeletal dysplasia characterized by severe short-limbed dwarfism, decreased vertebral ossification and normal ossification of the skull. We report an autopsy case of achondrogenesis type 2 in a female fetus terminated at 29 weeks of gestation. External morphology revealed a relatively large head, short upper and lower extremities, short neck, and distended abdomen. The x-ray finding showed normal calvarial ossification, hypoplastic ilium and unossified ischium, and metaphyseal flares of the femur and tibia. Histologically, chondrocytes were large and irregular with increased vascularity.

Cytologic Findings of Rheumatoid Pleuritis in Pleural Effusion: A Case Report .: Hee Jeung Cha, Soo Kee Min, Joon Mee Kim, Young Chae Chu; Korean J Cytopathol. 1997;8(1):47-51.

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Abstract PDF: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis of any degree of severity or duration may develop necrotizing granulomatous pleuritis, a morphologic replica of the inflammatory reaction characteristic of rheumatoid synovitis and rheumatoid nodules. The principal feature is the background composed of granular, amorphous, particulate material or debris of various hues. The material is sometimes eosinophilic, sometimes more cyanophilic, or even green in the Papanicolaou stain. Within this background are elongated, fibroblast-like epithelioid cells, numerous multinucleated giant cells and degenerating leukocytes. The combination of the debris, spindle epithelioid cells, and multinucleated giant cells in fluid is pathognomonic for rheumatoid pleuritis. We experienced a hcase of rheumatoid pleuritis showing these characteristic cytologic findings. The patient was a 63 year-old man with positive rheumatoid factor. The pleual fluid specimen revealed elongated epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells in a background of amorphous granular material.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytologic Findings of Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Case Report.: Soo Kee Min, Hee Jeung Cha, Joon Mee Kim, Young Chae Chu; Korean J Cytopathol. 1996;7(2):202-206.

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Abstract PDF: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a morphologically heterogenous group of neoplasms characterized by ductal adenocarcinoma with extensive squamous differentiation, a spindle-cell pattern of growth, and/or heterologous mesenchymal elements. We experienced a case of metaplastic carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration(FNA) and confirmed by radical mastectomy in a 46 year-old woman. The FNA cytologic findings included atypical squamous cells with kertinization lying singly and in clusters in a necrotic background. In addition, scattered spindle cells with pleomorphic large nuclei and prominent nucleoli were present in a hemorrhagic and necrotic background. The histopathologic findings showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and highly pleomorphic sarcoma with chondroid component. The immunohistochemical stain revealed focal positive reaction for cytokeratin as well as diffuse reactivity for vimentin in the sarcomatous area.

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