The American journal of surgical pathology
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Am. J. Surg. Pathol. · Dec 1997
The value of antibodies 44-3A6, SM3, HBME-1, and thrombomodulin in differentiating epithelial pleural mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma: a comparative study with other commonly used antibodies.
The distinction between pleural mesothelioma and peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma involving the pleura continues to be a diagnostic problem in surgical pathology. In recent years, the use of various immunohistochemical markers to facilitate this differential diagnosis has become common. In this study, the value of monoclonal antibodies 44-3A6, SM3, HBME-1, and thrombomodulin is compared in the differentiation of these conditions. ⋯ Sixteen (80%) of 20 mesotheliomas and 14 (63.6%) of 22 lung adenocarcinomas reacted with HBME-1, whereas 16 (80%) of 20 mesotheliomas and only three (11.1%) of 27 adenocarcinomas were positive for thrombomodulin. Because thrombomodulin was expressed in most mesotheliomas but in only a few lung adenocarcinomas, this marker may have some diagnostic value when it is included in the standard immunohistochemical panel of markers used in the evaluation of mesotheliomas, especially when a positive marker for mesothelioma is needed. Antibodies 44-3A6, SM3, and HBME-1 have no practical value in discriminating epithelial pleural mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma.
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Am. J. Surg. Pathol. · Oct 1997
Primary melanoma of the lung: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of eight cases.
Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML) is an uncommon neoplasm that may be confused with more conventional types of lung cancer. Although the previously proposed criteria for diagnosis, including the presence of an in situ component, are often difficult to satisfy, this lesion is characterized by a poor prognosis, ultimately leading to patient death. We report eight cases of PMML that presented as solitary, central endobronchial neoplasms, resulting in a picture that closely resembled carcinoid tumor or poorly differentiated non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung. ⋯ Two patients are alive with metastatic disease at 4 and 30 months after surgery, and the eighth patient is alive with no evidence of disease 108 months after surgery at last follow-up. Metastatic melanoma was identified in various sites, including the lungs, adrenal glands, liver, mesentery, brain, and bone. The cases herein presented indicate that PMML should be included in the differential diagnosis of primary bronchial tumors.
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Am. J. Surg. Pathol. · Mar 1996
Case ReportsMultifocal neurocytoma/gangliocytoma with extensive leptomeningeal dissemination in the brain and spinal cord.
This report describes an unusual neuronal tumor detected at the autopsy of a 17-year-old boy. The tumor showed multifocal parenchymal involvement with extensive leptomeningeal dissemination. The intraparenchymal lesions were small and located mainly in the subpial region of the cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord. ⋯ The small round cells appeared to exhibit the features of small, relatively mature neurons rather than those of neuroblasts. Moreover, our results suggested maturation from small round cells to ganglion-cell-like cells. The tumor appears to be related to gangliogliomas or dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors, and we have chosen the term neurocytoma/gangliocytoma for the unusual lesion.
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Am. J. Surg. Pathol. · Sep 1995
Case ReportsRenal thrombotic microangiopathy associated with multicentric Castleman's disease. Report of two cases.
Castleman's disease (also called giant lymph node hyperplasia or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia) is a clinicopathological entity of unknown etiology. Two histologic patterns of lymph nodes are classically recognized: the hyaline-vascular and plasma-cell variants. Recently, multicentric Castleman's disease has emerged as a separate clinical entity manifested primarily by generalized lymphadenopathy and systemic manifestations, such as thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, altered liver function tests, central nervous system alterations, and autoimmune manifestations. ⋯ The renal biopsies, examined by light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy, were diagnostic for renal thrombotic microangiopathy. The simultaneous development of two rather uncommon syndromes, multicentric Castleman's disease and renal thrombotic microangiopathy, suggests a possible link between Castleman's disease and renal thrombotic microangiopathy. Furthermore, we propose that the production of autoantibodies, in particular antiphospholipid antibodies, may lead to the development of thrombotic microangiopathy in some patients with multicentric Castleman's disease.
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Am. J. Surg. Pathol. · Jan 1995
Biography Historical ArticleThe search for Harvey Cushing's patient, Minnie G., and the cause of her hypercortisolism.
The case of Harvey Cushing's historical patient, Minnie G, is now closed. Recent investigation has succeeded in identifying her, locating her death certificate, and finding her family. Information learned about the patient's personality is consistent with Cushing's assertion that her syndrome, although ameliorated, was persistent. The cause of her Cushing's syndrome remains unknown.