Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of HER2 protein expression in different degrees in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative breast cancer and the factors related to the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer with low HER2 expression. Methods The clinicopathological data of 161 patients with HER2-negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from March 2019 to March 2022 were retrospectively collected. The difference of clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with different levels of HER2 protein expression were analyzed, and the factors influencing the pathological complete remission (pCR) rate of breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with unconditional logistic regression model were analyzed. Results Among 161 HER2 negative breast cancer patients, 108 cases were low HER2 expression, accounting for 67.1%. Compared with those with zero expression of HER2 [immunohistochemistry (IHC) 0], the patients with low HER2 expression had higher axillary lymph node metastasis rate (P=0.048), lower histological grade (P=0.006), and higher proportion of positive hormone receptor expression (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in pCR rate among the HER2 IHC 0, IHC 1+ and IHC 2+ / in situ hybridization (ISH)– (P=0.099) , and the pCR rate of low expression of HER2 was lower than that of zero expression of HER2 in the general population and Luminal subgroup, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in triple negative breast cancer subgroup (P=0.814). The logistic regression analysis showed that age, histological grade and estrogen receptor expression status were independent influencing factors for pCR rate after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with low HER2 expression (P<0.05). Conclusions Different degrees of HER2 protein expressions in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer have unique clinicopathological characteristics. The pCR rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with low HER2-expression breast cancer is lower than that in patients with zero HER2-expression breast cancer. Age, histological grade and estrogen receptor expression status are independent factors influencing the pCR rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with low HER2-expression breast cancer.
Objective To investigate differential points of clinical symptoms and pathology of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) and islet cell tumor (ICT). Methods Fifteen cases of SPTP and twelve cases of ICT were studied in this retrospective research. Clinical symptom, pathologic feature and computed tomography (CT) image of patients with both tumors were analyzed, and the imaging features were compared with pathological results. Results The mean age of SPTP patients was 22.4 year-old. Twelve patients with SPTP presented a palpable abdominal mass as the initial symptom. It was observed that the tumor cells were located in a pseudopapillary pattern with a fibro-vascular core histologically. On the CT images, a mixture of solid and cystic structures could be seen in all the tumors. After taking enhanced CT scan, the solid portion was slightly enhanced in the arterial phase and the contrast intensity increased in the portal venous phase. On the other hand, the mean age of ICT patients was 39.3 year-old. The major symptom was due to the function of islet cell tumor, which was typical in 8 patients, presenting as Whipple triad. Histologically, cells demonstrated in trabecular, massive, acinar or solid patterns, and the blood supply of the tumor was abundant. On the CT images, most small tumors were difficulty to be detected. ICT could be markedly enhanced in the arterial phase and slightly enhanced in the portal venous phase on post-contrast CT scan. Conclusion Clinical symptom, pathologic feature and CT scanning are helpful to differentiate SPTP from ICT.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of villoglandular carcinoma of the uterine cervix. MethodsThe clinical data of a 34-year-old patient diagnosed with villoglandular carcinoma of cervix on April 6, 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. Surgical excision samples were analyzed by means of hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining. ResultsThe gross appearance of the tumor mass showed cauliflower-like pattern of growth. Histologically, it was similar to colorectal villoglandular adenoma, and was composed of branching papillae shaped like villous glandular tube structure, and the surface was coated with pseudostratified or stratified columnar cells which showed mild atypia and uncommon mitotic figures. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for carcinoma embryonic antigen, CK7 and CA125, and negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, P16, p53 and vimentin. This patient was subjected to a follow-up of 48 months, and was alive without recurrence or metastasis. ConclusionsVilloglandular carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare and has a favorable prognosis. The diagnosis of villoglandular carcinoma depends on pathological morphology, and meanwhile, it is necessary to distinguish villoglandular carcinoma from other benign and malignant tumors which exhibited papillary growth pattern.
Objective To investigate the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) of the lung. Methods Clinical and pathological data of one patient with PLELC of the lung were reviewed. PLELC of the lung was analyzed through review of literatures. Results A mass in the upper lobe of the left lung and atelectasis were detected by CT in a 36 year old nonsmoker male. He presented with cough, expectoration, fever and shortness of breath for one month. Neoplasm in left main bronchus was observed through bronchoscopy. Histological study showed cohesive clusters of comprising syncytial-appearing cells with vesicular nuclei and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed positive expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded small nuclear RNA. Nasal CT scan was negative for suspicious nasopharyngeal mucosal lesion or tumor. Then he was diagnosed as PLELC. The patient received docetaxel+nedaplatin regimens for 6 cycles with stable disease, but one month later after the end of chemotherapy, he was readmitted to hospital for dyspnea. CT scans showed progression of the lesion with massive pericardial effusion and pleural effusion. The patient could not tolerate chemotherapy, then received supportive treatment and died soon. Totally 18 Chinese articles and 25 foreign articles were screened out. Literature review suggested that patients with PLELC of the lung usually occurred in young nonsmokers and without gender difference. PLELC of the lung was closely associated with EBV infection. Its clinical manifestations were not specific, so that histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were the main method of diagnosis. PLELC of the lung may respond to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery-based multimodality treatment was recommended. Patients with early or resectable disease had better prognosis, but patients with unresectable disease had poor prognosis. Conclusions PLELC of the lung may be closely associated with EBV infection. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis is the main method of diagnosis. Surgery-based multimodality treatment should be recommended because of its high response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients with early or resectable disease have better prognosis.
Objective To compare the differences in clinicopathological features, molecular phenotypes, and prognosis between atypical type A thymoma (AAT) and classic type A thymoma (TAT), and to clarify the aggressive nature of AAT. Methods The data of AAT patients (AAT group) and classic TAT patients (TAT group) who underwent surgical resection for thymoma at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2016 and November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Comparisons on the clinical data, histopathology, immunohistochemistry (CD20, Ki67), GTF2I mutation status, and survival outcomes were performed between the two groups. Results A total of 53 patients were enrolled, including 22 in the AAT group and 31 in the TAT group. There was no significant difference in age, sex, or initial presenting symptoms between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the TAT group, the AAT group had larger tumors [(5.6±2.7) vs. (4.1±2.0) cm, P=0.043], a lower proportion of Masaoka stage Ⅰ (31.6% vs. 61.3%, P=0.041), and worse survival outcomes [progression-free survival: hazard ratio (HR)=0.046, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.23, 0.89), P=0.004; overall survival: HR=0.36, 95%CI (0.19, 0.69), P=0.013]. Pathologically, the AAT group showed more mitotic figures (mean 6/2 mm2), and tumor necrosis was observed in 45.5% of cases. There was no statistically significant difference in the CD20 expression rate (20.0% vs. 41.9%), Ki67 index [(11.0±6.0)% vs. (8.0±6.9)%], or GTF2I mutation rate (86.7% vs. 92.3%) between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions AAT is a subtype of TAT with distinct aggressive pathological features, including higher mitotic activity, a tendency for necrosis, and a greater propensity for recurrence and metastasis. Pathological diagnosis should integrate morphology and molecular testing to guide more aggressive treatment and follow-up strategies.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, therapeutic methods, and prognostic factors of patients with rectal stromal tumor. Methods The clinicopathological data of 33 patients with rectal stromal tumor who treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2008 to November 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, and the therapeutic methods and prognostic factors of these patients were further analyzed. Results The major clinical manifestations of 33 patients included abdominal discomfort in 21 patients, changes of defecation habit and fecal property in 15 patients, bloody stool in 13 patients, and anal pain in 9 patients. CT and MRI examination showed a mass in the pelvic with the clear boundary, growed through the wall of rectum, with the heterogeneous density and signal, sometimes with necrosis, calcification, and haemorrhage. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that, 31 patients were strongly positive for CD117, 28 patients were strongly positive for CD34, 15 patients were positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA), 13 patients were positive for vimentin, and 3 patients were positive for soluble acid protein (S-100). The therapeutic methods of 33 patients included local excision in 13 patients, low anterior resection in 11 patients, abdominal pelvic resection in 5 patients, and conservative treatment in 4 patients. A total of 26 patients underwent surgery combiend with imatinib therapy. The follow-up time was 10–102 months and the median time was 58 months. During follow-up period, there were 8 patients suffered from recurrence or metastasis, and 15 patients died. The results of Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that, postoperative relapse and metastasis were prognostic factors for survival〔RR=19.338, 95% CI was (2.821, 132.568), P=0.003〕. The survival situation of the patients suffered from postoperative relapse and metastasis was poor. Conclusions CD117 and CD34 could serve as valuable diagnostic indexes for rectal stromal tumor. Surgery is an effective treatment for rectal stromal tumor.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinicopathological characteristics of 94 patients with pure mucinous breast carcinoma (PMBC), and to retrospectively analyze the prognosis and the prognostic factors. MethodsNinety four patients who were pathologically diagnosed with PMBC from November 1996 to October 2011 were retrieved from the database of breast cancer in West China Hospital. The clinicopathological and long term follow-up data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results① Clinicopathological characteristics:These patients accounted for 1.48% (94/6 330) of all breast cancer patients who treated in our hospital during the same period. They were all female,with a median age of 45 years old (29-85 years)and median duration of 90 d (5-2920 d). A proportion of 63.83% (60/94) of these patients were premenopausal women. Ninety three patients had unilateral lesion, one patient had bilateral lesions, totally 95 lesions. A proportion of 85.29% (58/68) tumors were in T1-T2 staging, and 82.80% (77/93) tumors were node-negative. A proportion of 1.05% (1/95) tumors had metastasized at diagnosis. A proportion of 92.54% (62/67) tumors were in Ⅰ-Ⅱ staging, 84.34% (70/83) tumors were estrogen receptor (ER) positive, 74.70% (62/83) were progesterone receptor (PR) positive, and 20.25% (16/79) were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) positive. A proportion of 6.32% (6/95) of tumors had breast-conserving surgery. ② Preoperative diagnosis:The detection rate of malignance were 60.87% (14/23), 83.33% (40/48), and 100% (18/18), respectively for patients who were examined with mammography, ultrasonography, and mammography+ultrasonography, and there was significant difference between the three groups (P=0.006). ③ Prognosis and prognostic factors:The follow-up rate was 80.85% (76/94). Two cases had bone metastasis respectively in 14 and 26 months after operation, one of whom died. Both five-year and ten-year overall survival rate (OS) were 98.50%, both five-year and ten-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) were 95.80%. There was no lymph node involvement in patients of T1 phase, and no recurrence, metastasis or death occurred during the follow-up. The univariate analysis showed that the disease course, T staging, TNM staging, and HER-2/neu status were statistically significant prognostic factors for DFS situation (P<0.050). ConclusionsCases in this group displayed indolent behavior and favorable prognosis which are similar to western populations. The disease course, T staging, TNM staging, and HER-2/neu status appear to be significant predictors of worse prognosis. The combination of mammography and ultrasonography could largely improve the diagnostic accuracy, and breast-conserving therapy may be recommended for patients with no contraindications.
Objective To explore the clinicopathological features of bilateral primary breast cancer (BPBC) at different ages. Methods Clinical data of 105 BPBC patients admitted to the Department of Breast Surgery in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to January 2020 were collected and divided into young group (≤40 years old) and middle-old group (>40 years old) according to age. The characteristics and differences of bilateral tumor lesions in pathological type, molecular type, tumor diameter, histological grade, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, recurrence or distant metastasis, immunohistochemical indexes expression characteristics, consistency and difference, and overall prognosis between the two groups were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the size of the first primary cancer, lymph node metastasis, the high expression rate of Ki-67 in the second primary cancer, clinical stage of double primary cancer and recurrence or distant metastasis (P<0.05). In the young group, the proportion of the first primary cancer with T3–T4 stage was higher, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was higher, the proportion of high expression of Ki-67 in the second primary cancer was higher, and the proportion of patients with double primary cancer at first diagnosed as stage Ⅳ were higher than those in the middle-old group, and were prone to recurrence or distant metastasis. The expression of immunohistochemical indexes in bilateral cancer foci was consistent between the two groups (P<0.05). The expression consistency of ER and Ki-67 in the young group was better, and the expression consistency of PR and HER-2 in the middle-old group was better. The histological grade of the first primary cancer, TNM stage of bilateral primary cancer and recurrence or metastasis were independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients (P<0.05). Conclusions The BPBC patients of different ages have different clinicopathological features, and the expression of immunohistochemical indexes in bilateral cancer foci is consistent. Tumor histological grade of the first primary cancer may affect the prognosis of patients with BPBC, and the prognosis of patients with early bilateral TNM stage is better.
Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of proximal gastric cancer (PGC). MethodsThe clinical course and pathologic feature of 118 PGC patients were analyzed, and compared with those of 310 distal gastric cancer (DGC) patients. ResultsThe incidence of PGC was lower than DGC, the percentage of Ⅲ,Ⅳ stages and undifferentiated type in the PGC group were significantly higher than in DGC. For the surgical procedure, patients in the PGC had significantly higher percentages of total gastrectomy and other organ resection than in DGC. The percentage of patients with positive margin and lymph node metastasis in PGC was also significantly higher than in DGC. Esophageal invasion and lymph node metastasis were much more in PGC. The 5year survival of patients with PGC was significantly lower than that with DGC. No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to the mortality rates and complications. Conclusion The relatively poor prognosis associated with PGC is mainly from advanced cases and esophageal invasion. Early detection and treatment is the most important strategy to improve the survival of patients with PGC.
Objective To investigate the clinical features, treatment, and influence factors of prognosis in patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (GNENs). Methods From March 2011 to January 2016, the clinicopathological data of 44 patients with GNENs who treated in The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed to summarize the choice of treatment plan and analyze influence factors of prognosis. Results A total of 44 patients enrolled in this study. The major clinical manifestation included abdominal pain in 18 patients (40.9%), abdominal distension in 16 patients (36.4%), loss of appetite in 4 patients (9.1%), acid regurgitation and belching in 4 patients (9.1%), nausea and vomiting in 1 patient (2.3%), eating after choking sense in 3 patients (6.8%), gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 patients (4.5%), diarrhea in 1 patient (2.3%), and palpitations with weakness in 3 patients (6.8%). The treatment of 44 patients included radical resection in 26 patients (59.1%), endoscopic resection in 13 patients (29.6%), local excision in 1 patient (2.3%), and 4 patients had distant metastasis before operation were conducted of palliative treatment〔palliative resection in 2 patients (4.5%) and conservative treatment in 2 patients (4.5%)〕. Univariate analysis showed that the gender, the age, the tumor size, and the N staging (lymph node metastasis) were not associated with prognosis (P>0.050), but the tumor location and the depth of tumor invasion were related to the prognosis (P<0.050). The tumors located in the upper part of the stomach and the serosal infiltration indicated poor prognosis. However, neither of them can be used as independent factor to evaluate the poor prognosis of GNENs patients (P>0.050). Conclusions GNENs has nonspecific clinical manifestation. Radical surgery and endoscopic resection are the main treatment methods, but the influence factors of prognosis in GNENs patients need further study.