Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Article

The Automatable Activity–Based Approach to Complexity Unit Scoring as a task-specific model approach to monetizing outcomes of pathology artificial intelligence solutions: Stavros Pantelakos, Martha Nifora, Georgios Agrogiannis; Received November 16, 2024 Accepted April 15, 2025 Published online July 3, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2025.04.15 [Epub ahead of print]

79 View
5 Download

Abstract PDF: Background
Cost-containment policies are increasingly affecting decision-making in healthcare. In this context, the need for monetization of digital health interventions has been recently emphasized. Previous studies have attempted to extrapolate cost containment in conjunction with the implementation of digital pathology solutions mostly on the basis of operational cost savings or diagnostic error reduction. However, no study has attempted to link a wider spectrum of potential diagnostic tasks performed by artificial intelligence algorithms to financial figures.
Methods
Herein, we employ a workload measurement tool for the purpose of monetizing particular outcomes associated with the implementation of a pathology artificial intelligence solution. A hundred and thirty-two prostate core biopsy samples were encoded for workload using the Automatable Activity–Based Approach to Complexity Unit Scoring. Subsequently, avoided workload, full-time equivalent gains, and corresponding cost savings were calculated assuming full clinical deployment of a well-developed prostate cancer screening tool.
Results
For a fixed percentage of negative cores and a steady yearly workload of prostate core biopsies, the estimated total avoided workload amounted to 4,291 complexity units per year, with an average avoidance of 16.25 complexity units per ascension number. The calculated full-time equivalent gains were 0.12, whereas projected cost savings were as high as €2,402.34 per year or €0.55 per complexity unit, which in turn would yield an average of €8.93 per ascension number.
Conclusions
The Automatable Activity–Based Approach to Complexity Unit Scoring appears to be a suitable economic evaluation tool for assessing the possible implementation of task-specific artificial intelligence solutions in a given histopathology laboratory or group of laboratories, considering it is a task-specific workload measurement tool per design.

Case Study

Cytological features of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma in situ of the lung: a case report: Misa Takahashi, Seiya Homma, Chisato Setoguchi, Yoko Umezawa, Atsuhiko Sakamoto; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(3):195-200. Published online May 9, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2025.04.09

806 View
94 Download

Abstract PDF: Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) are generally treated as different lesions, depending on the differences in lesion size and histological findings. However, these differences are not absolute; thus, AAH and AIS are often difficult to distinguish. Moreover, whether AAH and AIS can be regarded as different lesions remains unknown because cytological specimens, especially those of AAH, are rare. In this study, we examined these uncommon cytological specimens and compared the cytological findings between AAH and AIS. We observed many common cytological features with no obvious differences between AAH and AIS. These findings suggest that these two distinct lesions can be grouped into a single category. Therefore, we propose creating a new cytological category.

Original Articles

Primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the salivary gland: a clinicopathologic study of four cases with a review of literature: Gyuheon Choi, Joon Seon Song, Hee Jin Lee, Gi Hwan Kim, Young Ho Jung, Yoon Se Lee, Kyung-Ja Cho; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(3):171-179. Published online April 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2025.03.25

1,071 View
112 Download

Abstract PDF: Background
Primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the salivary gland is currently not listed in the World Health Organization classification. However, cases of Merkel cell type neuroendocrine carcinomas of the salivary gland with perinuclear cytokeratin 20 positivity have been intermittently reported. We here investigated the clinicopathologic features of additional cases.
Methods
Data of four cases of Merkel cell type small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the salivary gland were retrieved. To confirm the tumors’ primary nature, clinical records and pathologic materials were reviewed. Optimal immunohistochemical staining was performed to support the diagnosis.
Results
All tumors were located in the parotid gland. Possibilities of metastasis were excluded in all cases through a meticulous clinicopathological review. Tumor histology was consistent with the diagnosis of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Tumors’ immunohistochemical phenotypes were consistent with Merkel cell carcinoma, including Merkel cell polyomavirus large T antigen positivity in two of the four cases.
Conclusions
Merkel cell carcinomas can originate in salivary glands and are partly associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus infection as in cutaneous Merkel cell carcinomas.

Characteristics of RET gene mutations in Vietnamese medullary thyroid carcinoma patients: a single-center analysis: Van Hung Pham, Quoc Thang Pham, Minh Nguyen, Hoa Nhat Ngo, Thao Thi Thu Luu, Nha Dao Thi Minh, Trâm Đặng, Anh Tu Thai, Hoang Anh Vu, Dat Quoc Ngo; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(2):125-132. Published online March 14, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2025.01.18

1,673 View
133 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

Case Study

Mucocele of the rectal stump: mucinous cystic neoplasm with low-grade dysplasia simulating low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm: Hasan Basri Aydin, Maria Faraz, A. David Chismark, Haiyan Qiu, Hwajeong Lee; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(2):139-146. Published online February 26, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.12.27

1,001 View
132 Download

Abstract PDF: Mucoceles, commonly observed in the appendix, are mucin-filled, dilated structures arising from a range of etiologies. Cases associated with dysplastic or neoplastic epithelium can rupture and disseminate within the abdominopelvic cavity. Similar lesions in other parts of the colon are exceedingly rare, with only 16 colonic mucoceles having been reported. The first case of a colonic mucinous neoplasm with dysplasia resembling a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm involving rectal stump was described in 2016. Here, we present the second such case arising in the rectal stump, identified in a 44-year-old male with extensive surgical history. Microscopic examination revealed low-grade dysplastic epithelium lining the cyst and mucin dissecting into the stroma, without evidence of rupture or extramural mucin. The patient was followed for 16 months without recurrence or peritoneal disease. The exact etiology and outcome of these rare lesions remain unknown, requiring close follow-up.

Original Articles

Association study of TYMS gene expression with TYMS and ENOSF1 genetic variants in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response of gastric cancer: Khadijeh Arjmandi, Iman Salahshourifar, Shiva Irani, Fereshteh Ameli, Mohsen Esfandbod; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(2):105-114. Published online February 25, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.11.05

1,207 View
118 Download

Abstract PDF: Background
The present research was designed to study the associations between genetic variants of TYMS and ENOSF1 genes with TYMS and ENOSF1 gene expression in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response among patients with gastric cancer. Methods: Formalin-embedded and paraffin-fixed matched tumor and normal gastric cancer tissue samples from patients who received neoadjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment were obtained. DNA and RNA were extracted for all samples. A 28-bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) at the 5' untranslated region of TYMS gene and rs2612091 and rs2741171 variants in the ENOSF1 gene were genotyped for normal tissue samples. The real-time polymerase chain reaction method was used to study the expression of ENOSF1 and TYMS genes in both normal and tumor tissues. Data were analyzed using REST 2000 and SPSS ver. 26.0 software programs. Results: A significant association between TYMS 2R3R VNTR genotypes and 5-FU therapy was found (p = .032). The 3R3R and 2R2R genotypes were significantly associated with increased and decreased survival time, respectively (p = .003). The 3R3R genotype was significantly associated with TYMS overexpression (p < .001). Moreover, a significant association was found between the rs2612091 genotype and treatment outcome (p = .017). Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of TYMS and ENOSF1 genes as predictive indicators for survival and response to 5-FU–based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients.

Categorizing high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma into clinically relevant subgroups using deep learning–based histomic clusters: Byungsoo Ahn, Eunhyang Park; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(2):91-104. Published online February 18, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.10.23

1,530 View
185 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) exhibits significant heterogeneity, posing challenges for effective clinical categorization. Understanding the histomorphological diversity within HGSC could lead to improved prognostic stratification and personalized treatment approaches. Methods: We applied the Histomic Atlases of Variation Of Cancers model to whole slide images from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset for ovarian cancer. Histologically distinct tumor clones were grouped into common histomic clusters. Principal component analysis and K-means clustering classified HGSC samples into three groups: highly differentiated (HD), intermediately differentiated (ID), and lowly differentiated (LD). Results: HD tumors showed diverse patterns, lower densities, and stronger eosin staining. ID tumors had intermediate densities and balanced staining, while LD tumors were dense, patternless, and strongly hematoxylin-stained. RNA sequencing revealed distinct patterns in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and energy metabolism, with upregulation in the HD, downregulation in the LD, and the ID positioned in between. Survival analysis showed significantly lower overall survival for the LD compared to the HD and ID, underscoring the critical role of mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism in HGSC progression. Conclusions: Deep learning-based histologic analysis effectively stratifies HGSC into clinically relevant prognostic groups, highlighting the role of mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism in disease progression. This method offers a novel approach to HGSC categorization.

PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Ranran Feng, Yilin Guo, Meilin Chen, Ziying Tian, Yijun Liu, Su Jiang, Jieyu Zhou, Qingluan Liu, Xiayu Li, Wei Xiong, Lei Shi, Songqing Fan, Guiyuan Li, Wenling Zhang; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(1):68-83. Published online January 15, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.11.27

1,407 View
116 Download
2 Web of Science
2 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear.
Methods
We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP).
Results
We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin.
Conclusions
PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

The Potential Role of SP-G and PLUNC in Tumor Pathogenesis and Wound Healing in the Human Larynx
Aurelius Scheer, Lars Bräuer, Markus Eckstein, Heinrich Iro, Friedrich Paulsen, Fabian Garreis, Martin Schicht, Antoniu-Oreste Gostian
Biomedicines.2025; 13(5): 1240. CrossRef
Role of DEAD/DEAH-box helicases in immunity, infection and cancers
Rex Devasahayam Arokia Balaya, Saptami Kanekar, Shreya Kumar, Richard K. Kandasamy
Cell Communication and Signaling.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Review

Next step of molecular pathology: next-generation sequencing in cytology: Ricella Souza da Silva, Fernando Schmitt; J Pathol Transl Med. 2024;58(6):291-298. Published online November 7, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.10.22

1,955 View
278 Download

Abstract PDF: The evolving landscape of precision oncology underscores the pivotal shift from morphological diagnosis to treatment decisions driven by molecular profiling. Recent guidelines from the European Society for Medical Oncology recomend the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) across a broader range of cancers, reflecting its superior efficiency and clinical value. NGS not only updates oncology testing by offering quicker, sample-friendly, and sensitive analysis but also reduces the need for multiple individual tests. Cytology samples, often obtained through less invasive methods, can yield high-quality genetic material suitable for molecular analysis. This article focuses on optimizing the use of cytology samples in NGS, and outlines their potential benefits in identifying actionable molecular alterations for targeted therapies across various solid tumors. It also addresses the need for validation studies and the strategies to incorporate or combine different types of samples into routine clinical practice. Integrating cytological and liquid biopsies into routine clinical practice, alongside conventional tissue biopsies, offers a comprehensive approach to tumor genotyping, early disease detection, and monitoring of therapeutic responses across various solid tumor types. For comprehensive biomarker characterization, all patient specimens, although limited, is always valuable.

Original Articles

Fine needle aspiration cytology diagnoses of follicular thyroid carcinoma: results from a multicenter study in Asia: Hee Young Na, Miyoko Higuchi, Shinya Satoh, Kaori Kameyama, Chan Kwon Jung, Su-Jin Shin, Shipra Agarwal, Jen-Fan Hang, Yun Zhu, Zhiyan Liu, Andrey Bychkov, Kennichi Kakudo, So Yeon Park; J Pathol Transl Med. 2024;58(6):331-340. Published online November 7, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.10.12

2,337 View
231 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
This study was designed to compare diagnostic categories of thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and incidence of thyroid tumors in the multi-institutional Asian series with a special focus on diagnostic category IV (suspicious for a follicular neoplasm) and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs). Methods: Distribution of FNAC categories, incidence of thyroid tumors in resection specimens and cytologic diagnoses of surgically confirmed follicular adenomas (FAs) and FTCs were collected from 10 institutes from five Asian countries and were compared among countries and between FAs and FTCs. Results: The frequency of category IV diagnoses (3.0%) in preoperative FNAC were significantly lower compared to those in Western countries (10.1%). When comparing diagnostic categories among Asian countries, category IV was more frequent in Japan (4.6%) and India (7.9%) than in Taiwan (1.4%), Korea (1.4%), and China (3.6%). Similarly, incidence of FAs and FTCs in surgical resection specimens was significantly higher in Japan (10.9%) and India (10.1%) than in Taiwan (5.5%), Korea (3.0%), and China (2.5%). FTCs were more commonly diagnosed as category IV in Japan (77.5%) than in Korea (33.3%) and China (35.0%). Nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear crowding, microfollicular pattern, and dyshesive cell pattern were more common in FTCs compared with FAs. Conclusions: Our study highlighted the difference in FNAC diagnostic categories of FTCs among Asian countries, which is likely related to different reporting systems and thyroid cancer incidence. Cytologic features such as nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear crowding, microfollicular pattern, and dyshesive cell pattern were found to be useful in diagnosing FTCs more effectively.

Diagnosis of invasive encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma by protein-based machine learning: Truong Phan-Xuan Nguyen, Minh-Khang Le, Sittiruk Roytrakul, Shanop Shuangshoti, Nakarin Kitkumthorn, Somboon Keelawat; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(1):39-49. Published online October 24, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.09.14

1,879 View
289 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Although the criteria for follicular-pattern thyroid tumors are well-established, diagnosing these lesions remains challenging in some cases. In the recent World Health Organization Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors (5th edition), the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma was reclassified as its own entity. It is crucial to differentiate this variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from low-risk follicular pattern tumors due to their shared morphological characteristics. Proteomics holds significant promise for detecting and quantifying protein biomarkers. We investigated the potential value of a protein biomarker panel defined by machine learning for identifying the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, initially using formalin- fixed paraffin-embedded samples.
Methods
We developed a supervised machine-learning model and tested its performance using proteomics data from 46 thyroid tissue samples.
Results
We applied a random forest classifier utilizing five protein biomarkers (ZEB1, NUP98, C2C2L, NPAP1, and KCNJ3). This classifier achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 1.00 and accuracy rates of 1.00 in training samples for distinguishing the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from non-malignant samples. Additionally, we analyzed the performance of single-protein/gene receiver operating characteristic in differentiating the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from others within The Cancer Genome Atlas projects, which yielded an AUC >0.5.
Conclusions
We demonstrated that integration of high-throughput proteomics with machine learning can effectively differentiate the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from other follicular pattern thyroid tumors.

Histopathologic classification and immunohistochemical features of papillary renal neoplasm with potential therapeutic targets: Jeong Hwan Park, Su-Jin Shin, Hyun-Jung Kim, Sohee Oh, Yong Mee Cho; J Pathol Transl Med. 2024;58(6):321-330. Published online September 12, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.07.31

2,262 View
353 Download
1 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Background
Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is the second most common histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma and is considered a morphologically and molecularly heterogeneous tumor. Accurate classification and assessment of the immunohistochemical features of possible therapeutic targets are needed for precise patient care. We aimed to evaluate immunohistochemical features and possible therapeutic targets of papillary renal neoplasms
Methods
We collected 140 papillary renal neoplasms from three different hospitals and conducted immunohistochemical studies on tissue microarray slides. We performed succinate dehydrogenase B, fumarate hydratase, and transcription factor E3 immunohistochemical studies for differential diagnosis and re-classified five cases (3.6%) of papillary renal neoplasms. In addition, we conducted c-MET, p16, c-Myc, Ki-67, p53, and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) immunohistochemical studies to evaluate their pathogenesis and value for therapeutic targets.
Results
We found that c-MET expression was more common in pRCC (classic) (p = .021) among papillary renal neoplasms and Ki-67 proliferation index was higher in pRCC (not otherwise specified, NOS) compared to that of pRCC (classic) and papillary neoplasm with reverse polarity (marginal significance, p = .080). Small subsets of cases with p16 block positivity (4.5%) (pRCC [NOS] only) and c-Myc expression (7.1%) (pRCC [classic] only) were found. Also, there were some cases showing STING expression and those cases were associated with increased Ki-67 proliferation index (marginal significance, p = .063).
Conclusions
Our findings suggested that there are subsets of pRCC with c-MET, p16, c-MYC, and STING expression and those cases could be potential candidates for targeted therapy.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Tissue-Based Biomarkers Important for Prognostication and Management of Genitourinary Tumors, Including Surrogate Markers of Genomic Alterations
Leonie Beauchamp, Shreeya Indulkar, Eric Erak, Mohammad Salimian, Andres Matoso
Surgical Pathology Clinics.2025; 18(1): 175. CrossRef

Case Study

Colorectal cancer with a germline BRCA1 variant inherited paternally: a case report: Kyoung Min Kim, Min Ro Lee, Ae Ri Ahn, Myoung Ja Chung; J Pathol Transl Med. 2024;58(6):341-345. Published online September 5, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.08.14

2,601 View
286 Download

Abstract PDF: BRCA genes have well-known associations with breast and ovarian cancers. However, variations in the BRCA gene, especially germline variations, have also been reported in colorectal cancer (CRC). We present the case of a rectal cancer with a germline BRCA1 variation inherited from the paternal side. A 39-year-old male was admitted with rectal cancer. The patient underwent surgical resection and the pathologic diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. Next-generation sequencing was performed and a BRCA1 variant was detected. Reviewing the public database and considering the young age of the patient, the variant was suggested to be germline. The patient’s father had had prostate cancer and next-generation sequencing testing revealed an identical BRCA1 variant. In the BRCA cancer group, there is relatively little attention paid to male cancers. The accumulation of male CRC cases linked to BRCA variations may help clarify the potential pathological relationship between the two.

Original Article

Liquid-based cytology features of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma: comparison with other non-ductal neoplasms of the pancreas: Minji Kwon, Seung-Mo Hong, Kyoungbun Lee, Haeryoung Kim; J Pathol Transl Med. 2024;58(4):182-190. Published online July 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.06.25

1,627 View
228 Download

Abstract PDF: Background
Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant epithelial neoplasm, which shares many cytomorphological features with other non-ductal pancreatic neoplasms such as pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PanNEN) and solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN). Due to the relative rarity of these tumors, pathologists are less familiar with the cytological features, especially on liquid-based cytology (LBC) which has been relatively recently introduced for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration specimens.
Methods
We evaluated the detailed cytological features of 15 histologically confirmed ACC (7 conventional smears [CS], 8 LBC), and compared them with the LBC features of SPN (n = 9) and PanNEN (n = 9).
Results
Compared with CS, LBCs of ACC demonstrated significantly less bloody background. All ACCs demonstrated prominent nucleoli and macronucleoli on LBC. On comparison with the LBC features of SPN and PanNEN, most ACCs demonstrated a necrotic background with apoptotic debris while PanNEN and SPN did not show these features. Acinar structures were predominantly observed in ACC, while frequent pseudopapillary structures were seen only in SPN. Prominent nucleoli and macronucleoli were only seen in ACC.
Conclusions
ACC had characteristic cytological features that could be observed on LBC preparations, such as high cellularity, necrotic/apoptotic background, nuclear tangles, acinar arrangement of cells, and macronucleoli. These findings also help distinguish ACC from PanNEN and SPN on LBC. It is important to be familiar with these features, as an accurate diagnosis on endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine needle aspiration cytology would have impact on the management of the patient.

Case Study

Concurrent intestinal plasmablastic lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a clonal relationship: a case report and literature review: Nao Imuta, Kosuke Miyai, Motohiro Tsuchiya, Mariko Saito, Takehiro Sone, Shinichi Kobayashi, Sho Ogata, Fumihiko Kimura, Susumu Matsukuma; J Pathol Transl Med. 2024;58(4):191-197. Published online June 25, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2024.05.14

2,323 View
213 Download

Abstract PDF: Herein, we report a case of plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that occurred concurrently in the large intestine. An 84-year-old female presented with a palpable rectal tumor and ileocecal tumor observed on imaging analyses. Endoscopic biopsy of both lesions revealed lymphomatous round cells. Hartmann’s operation and ileocecal resection were performed for regional control. The ileocecal lesion consisted of a proliferation of CD20/CD79a-positive lymphoid cells, indicative of DLBCL. In contrast, the rectal tumor showed proliferation of atypical cells with pleomorphic nuclei and abundant amphophilic cytoplasm, with immunohistochemical findings of CD38/CD79a/MUM1/MYC (+) and CD20/CD3/CD138/PAX5 (–). Tumor cells were positive for Epstein-Barr virus– encoded RNA based on in situ hybridization and MYC rearrangement in fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. These findings indicated the rectal tumor was most likely a PBL. Sequencing analysis for immunoglobulin heavy variable genes indicated a common B-cell origin of the two sets of lymphoma cells. This case report and literature review provide new insights into PBL tumorigenesis.

First
Prev
Page of 68
Next
Last

Search