摘要:

Large cell transformation (LCT) in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is estimated to occur up to ≈20% of patients. This morphologic change is associated with aggressive behavior and shortened survival. Our purpose was to identify morphologic and/or immunophenotypic features in CTCL skin biopsies that are predictive of transformation. We analyzed 12 cases of CTCL (three cases of mycosis fungoides and nine cases of Sezary syndrome) that underwent LCT and for which sequential biopsies before and after transformation were available. Eight of 12 cases had pre-LCT marker studies performed on frozen tissue. The histologic and immunophenotypic features of CTCL and LCT were reviewed. Morphologically, CTCL biopsies showed the following: Pautrier microabscesses (five cases), epidermotropism of single lymphoid cells (three cases), and nonspecific histology (four cases). Immunophenotyping prior to transformation showed aberrant loss of T-cell markers (CD5, CD7, CD5 and CD7) in three of eight cases. CD4:CD8 ratios were increased in all cases. Expression of CD25 by the neoplastic lymphoid cells was detected in six of seven cases. LCT immunophenotyping showed additional loss of CD7 in one of five cases and of CD25 in three of five cases. In conclusion, expression of CD25 in CTCL may identify a subset of patients at risk of undergoing LCT.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The etiologic role of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) remains controversial. This polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship of HHV8 in KS from our geographical region and to determine its utility in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens. Forty-two biopsy specimens were studied, including nine AIDS-associated cases and four from classic KS. Of the 39 patients included, 21 were HIV+ and 18 had no clinical evidence of HIV infection. Only a single (internal) primer pair was used in the PCR. All PCR products were tested with an HHV8 specific probe by dot blot analysis. Seven of the nine AIDS KS specimens were positive for HHV8 on electrophoresis, and all nine were positive after dot blot. Two of four specimens from classic KS were positive for HHV8 on the gel electrophoresis, and three of four were positive on blot confirmation. Non-KS specimens from 15 HIV+ patients yielded one positive venous hemangioma from a man with HHV8-positive KS at another site. Specimens from HIV-unrelated controls with a variety of diagnoses were negative by PCR with blot. The predominant negativity for HHV8 in non-KS lesions suggests that HHV8 is not widespread in our patients. These results demonstrate yet another series linking KS with HHV8 and show that paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens are satisfactory for this technique.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Metastasis from thin melanomas is rare and unpredictable. In order to assess the prognostic value of the proliferation marker, MIB-1, immunohistochemical staining was evaluated in a retrospective case-control study of 11 thin melanomas with documented metastasis and 11 control tumors that failed to metastasize. Tumors selected were <1-mm thick and were individually matched for tumor thickness, date of excision, and patient age and sex. Analysis of MIB-1 expression as both a mean and a maximum level for the case and control groups revealed no association with metastasis. Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-rank test had p-values of 0.45 for the maximum values and 0.79 for the mean values. For the 11 thin melanomas that metastasized, there was a weak, yet statistically insignificant, correlation between the proportion of cells positive for MIB-1 and the length of the relapse-free period [Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.20 for the maximum level (p = 0.56) and 0.19 for the mean level (p = 0.58)]. These results suggest that MIB-1 expression may be of limited value as a prognostic marker for increased risk of metastasis in patients with thin melanomas. MIB-1 immunohistochemistry was also performed on 25 benign and 70 malignant paraffin-embedded melanocytic tumors to evaluate the level of MIB-1 expression at different stages of tumor progression. A progressive increase in MIB-1 expression was seen from benign tumors through to primary melanomas, with the highest level seen in metastatic melanomas. Within the group of primary melanomas, the MIB-1 score was shown to correlate significantly with tumor thickness and Clark's level of invasion (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.71 for level and 0.77 for thickness).

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We examined a total of 13 xanthogranulomas in order to examine the mechanism by which these lesions grow. Six xanthogranulomas from children <2 years of age were compared with lesions from seven patients >10 years of age. All lesions were stained with antibodies directed against Ki-67 andbcl-2 protein. There were no significant differences between the two groups. There was a slight trend toward higher rates of proliferating histiocytes within lesions from children (p< 0.18). It is unclear from our data whether this higher rate is correlated more with the age of the patient or with the duration of the lesion. Inhibition of cellular apoptosis, as demonstrated by expression ofbcl-2, appears to play a minor role in the growth of xanthogranulomas in either children or adults. Xanthogranulomas appear to be tumors that grow by proliferation of "histiocytes," independent of the age of onset.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

N-methyl-2,2′-dichlorodiethylamine (HN2)is a topical chemotherapeutic agent used as therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Di(2-chloroethyl)sulfide (SM), and less often HN2, have been used as chemical weapons, with the skin being a principle target. The mechanisms by which these chemicals produce their therapeutic and toxic effects in skin, however, are not clearly defined. We exposed human skin explants to two doses of HN2and SM. At 18 hours after exposure, histopathologic features were compared. In addition, immunohistochemical markers to basement membrane proteins were used to evaluate the effects of both chemicals on the basement membrane zone. Gross vesication was not seen. Pyknotic nuclei with or without dyskeratotic changes within epidermal keratinocytes were present at both doses. These changes varied more between skin specimens than they did between doses. Ballooning degeneration was more marked after SM exposures. Diffuse dermal-epidermal separation was present only at highdose exposures and did not appear to correlate with the degree of changes locally in the overlying epidermis. Antibodies to laminin-5 showed decreased immunoreactivity after exposure to HN2and SM. Immunoreactivity for laminin- was decreased to a lesser extent, and immunoreactivity for collagen IV and VII was unchanged. HN2and SM produce similar histopathologic and immunohistochemical features after cutaneous exposure. These features suggest that part of mechanism of action of HN2and SM is a direct effect on the basement membrane zone. Understanding the effects of HN2and SM separate from their effect on DNA may be important in designing therapies and in advancing our understanding of the pathophysiologic changes induced by these chemicals when delivered topically.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Eosinophils are variably present in biopsy specimens of granuloma annulare (GA). A retrospective study of 77 biopsy specimens from 73 patients with GA was performed to quantitate eosinophils and correlate the findings with both histologic and clinical features. Specimens were divided into absent, low (10 > x ≥1 eosinophils per 3 sections), and high (x ≥10 eosinophils per 3 sections) eosinophil groups and evaluated for eight histologic and 11 clinical features. Eosinophils were identified in 66% (51/77) of biopsy specimens, with 51.9% (40/77) and 14.3% (11/77) in the low and high eosinophil groups, respectively. Clinically, patients in the high eosinophil group were found to be significantly younger with a propensity towards nonannular, localized disease. These patients also did not have diabetes or use systemic medications. Histologically, the presence of eosinophils was strongly associated with palisaded architectural pattern and the presence of necrobiosis. Eosinophils were not present in areas of necrobiosis but were found predominantly perivascularly. A moderate to marked lymphocytic infiltrate at the periphery of the granulomas and reactive vessel changes were common in all three groups, but vasculitis was not identified. In summary, this study showed eosinophils to be commonly present in GA but was unable to correlate their presence with specific clinical or histologic features supportive of an allergic precipitant. A cell-mediated immune mechanism is likely involved in GA, with eosinophils recruited nonspecifically by mediators released during granuloma formation.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Three cases of cutaneous mixed tumor with atypical features are described. These biphasic tumors comprise cords and nests of often plasmacytoid cells with areas of tubule formation, set in a chondroid stroma. The tumor cells show immunohistochemical positivity for both CAM 5.2 and S-100 and ultrastructural features of myoepithelium. The atypical histological features of an infiltrative margin, satellite tumor nodules, and tumor necrosis, which were present in these cases, have been described in malignant chondroid syringoma; however, a review of the small number of previous case reports demonstrates that histological appearances did not always correspond with apparent malignant potential in this tumor. The termatypical mixed tumoris recommended for tumors in which there are histological features of malignancy, especially local invasion, without proven metastases. Complete excision of the tumor and careful follow-up are advised, as at present the malignant potential of these tumors cannot be reliably predicted from their histological appearance.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Cutaneous mucinoses are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the focal or diffuse dermal deposition of glycosaminoglycans. The histopathologic examination of many cutaneous mucinoses reveals that the collagen fibers are fragmented. We wanted to characterize the type I (COL1) and type III (COL3) collagen distribution in skin biopsy specimens of patients with cutaneous mucinosis. The diagnosis of mucinosis was based on a modification of the classification by Rongioletti and Rebora: four patients had familial papulonodular mucinosis; four had papular mucinosis, one of which was associated with myxedema and one had scleromyxedema; and one had focal mucinosis. We performed anti-type I and type III collagens immunolabeling on frozen sections. Immunofluorescence for COL1 was increased in the superficial dermis of 2/4 familial papulonodular mucinosis, in 5/5 of papular mucinosis, and in scleromyxedema and focal mucinosis cases. The mid-dermis showed intense staining for COL1 at the periphery of collagen bundles and, in three cases of familial papulonodular mucinosis and two cases of papular mucinosis, a lacy appearance. The superficial dermis of familial papulonodular mucinosis specimens and of papular mucinosis + myxedema, scleromyxedema, and focal mucinosis specimens had decreased COL3 staining. The mid-dermis showed a more prominent fibrillar staining at the periphery of the collagen bundles, and two cases of papular mucinosis showed intense labeling for COL3. Both COL1 and COL3 distributions are altered in cutaneous mucinosis. An intense labeling with COL1 is predominantly found in the superficial layer of cutaneous mucinosis. Cases of FTP revealed decreased COL3 reactivity at the superficial layer.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We present a case of leukemia cutis associated with a prominent giant cell component. This lesion was initially diagnosed as chronic granulomatous inflammation 1 year before the definitive diagnosis of leukemia cutis was made. Skin biopsy specimens showed numerous Langhans-type giant cells occurring singly and as poorly formed granulomas. However, the majority of the infiltrate consisted of immature myeloid cells, positive for chloroacetate esterase, lysozyme, and CD 68. Subsequent peripheral blood and bone marrow examinations confirmed the progression of the disease to acute myeloid leukemia.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We report a case of cutaneous mixed tumor (CMT) composed of tubular branching structures lined by cells with apocrine characteristics. In addition, an apocrine duct in the outer sheath of an hair follicle was connected to the mixed tumor, a previously unreported finding. Follicular and sebaceous differentiation have been described in CMT, leading some observers to suggest the existence of an apocrine type of CMT and its presumed differentiation toward the folliculo-sebaceous-apocrine unit (FSAU). Our case demonstrated continuity of an apocrine duct in the FSAU and lends support to the previous speculations about the histogenesis of apocrine type of CMT.

ISSN:0193-1091    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID