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Biomedical subjects

F A Tavassoli

Publications and source records attributed to F A Tavassoli.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Immunohistochemical profile and differential diagnosis of microglandular adenosis.

Twelve examples of microglandular adenosis (MA) were evaluated immunohistochemically using a panel of antibodies directed against actin, S-100 protein, collagen type IV, the c-erb-B2 gene product, and the progesterone receptor, as well as antibodies BER-EP4 and B72.3. The results were compared with the reactions observed in 15 cases of tubular carcinoma and 11 examples of sclerosing adenosis. Three examples of secretory adenosis were also evaluated, but only for S-100 protein and actin. The results confirmed the absence of a myoepithelial cell layer and the presence of basal laminar investiture in MA. Tubular carcinoma lacked a myoepithelial cell layer and basal laminar investiture. Sclerosing adenosis, in contrast, had both a myoepithelial cell layer and displayed basement membrane around the tubules. Secretory adenosis also had a myoepithelial cell layer; the presence of basement membrane could be confirmed easily using periodic acid-Schiff reaction in the three cases of secretory adenosis. An interesting and unexpected finding was the presence of an intensely positive reaction in the epithelial lining cells of the tubules in microglandular adenosis for S-100 protein. A far less intense positivity for S-100 protein was observed sporadically in many normal myoepithelial and some epithelial cells in the adjacent breast lobules. The intensely positive reaction suggests that the proliferating cells in MA correspond to an S-100-positive epithelial cell type that is often present in a small number and in a sporadic manner in the normal breast. The epithelial cells in tubular carcinoma, sclerosing and secretory adenosis were negative for S-100 protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

Etiology of breast carcinoma: no apparent role for papillomavirus types 6/11/16/18.

A recent study has shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 can immortalize normal breast epithelium, and raised the possibility that HPV may be etiologically related to some cases of breast cancer. In order to investigate this possibility, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in 15 papillomas, 15 papillary carcinomas, and 13 infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast. No HPV-related DNA sequences were identified by Southern blotting of the PCR products. It therefore seems unlikely that a significant percentage of human breast carcinomas is etiologically related to infection with one of these HPV types.

Base Sequence↗

Evaluation of basement membrane components and the 72 kDa type IV collagenase in serous tumors of the ovary.

We studied the distribution of the basement membrane components laminin and type IV collagen in 46 serous tumors of the ovary, including a group of low malignant potential tumors with microinvasion. The findings were correlated with the expression of the 72 kDa type IV collagenase, an enzyme that initiates the degradation of type IV collagen and consequently may play a role in the process of invasion. Benign cystadenomas and tumors of low malignant potential without microinvasion showed a continuous basement membrane; whereas invasive carcinomas, peritoneal implants, and lymph node metastasis had frequent disruptions and extensive areas without basement membrane components. Early invasion in tumors of low malignant potential was characterized by focal disruptions in basement membranes and complete absence of laminin and type IV collagen around single or clusters of microinvasive cells. Type IV collagenase was negative or minimally expressed in cystadenomas, whereas in invasive carcinomas and metastasis the reactivity was moderate to intense. Microinvasive cells in tumors of low malignant potential were strongly positive. The collagenase IV was also localized in cell clusters elsewhere in the tumors where the basement membrane was still preserved. These cells had a similar morphology to that of the microinvasive cells. We conclude that detection of basement membrane components may be useful in recognizing early invasion in this group of ovarian neoplasms. The correlation between progressive anomalies of the basement membrane and expression of type IV collagenase suggests that this enzyme functions directly in the degradation of basement membrane components and facilitates the invasive process.

Basement Membrane↗

Interobserver reproducibility in the diagnosis of ductal proliferative breast lesions using standardized criteria.

Although the categorization of proliferative breast lesions provides valuable information regarding subsequent risk of breast cancer, the ability of pathologists to classify such lesions in a reproducible fashion has not been adequately evaluated. To assess further interobserver reproducibility in the categorization of proliferative breast lesions, six pathologists each reviewed 24 proliferative ductal lesions and classified them as either usual hyperplasia (H), atypical hyperplasia (AH), or carcinoma in situ (CIS). Before evaluation of the study slides, all the participants were instructed to use the diagnostic criteria of Page and co-workers and were provided with both a written summary of these criteria and a set of teaching slides with representative examples of each type of lesion. Complete agreement among all six pathologists was seen in 14 cases (58%); five or more agreed in 17 cases (71%); and four or more arrived at the same diagnosis in 22 cases (92%). No pathologist consistently rendered more "benign" or "malignant" diagnoses than any other. After assigning numerical values for each diagnostic category (H = 1, AH = 2, CIS = 3), the scores for the group of 24 cases did not differ significantly by pathologist (p = 0.68; average score range, 1.7-2.0). Our results indicate that with the use of standardized criteria, interobserver concordance in the diagnosis of proliferative ductal breast lesions can be obtained in the majority of cases.

Breast↗

Fibroadenoma and cystosarcoma phyllodes of the male breast.

Five biphasic tumors, four fibroadenomas and one cystosarcoma phyllodes, are reported in the male breast. Gynecomastia and lobular development were present in all five cases. The rarity of fibroadenoma and cystosarcoma phyllodes in men is attributed to the absence of lobules in the normal male breast. We propose that lobular development precedes biphasic tumors in the male breast. The development of lobules apparently requires a certain length and/or intensity of endogenous or exogenous estrogenic stimulation not frequently attained at the levels that commonly induce gynecomastia.

Adenofibroma↗

Myoepithelial lesions of the breast. Myoepitheliosis, adenomyoepithelioma, and myoepithelial carcinoma.

The clinical and pathologic features of 31 breast lesions composed of a prominent proliferation of myoepithelial cells either admixed with epithelial cells or in pure form were studied. The lesions were divided into three categories: myoepitheliosis, adenomyoepithelioma, and malignant myoepithelioma (myoepithelial carcinoma); the latter is the only lesion composed purely of myoepithelial cells. Three multifocal, microscopic lesions located in the peripheral duct system were designated as myoepitheliosis. Twenty-seven solitary, grossly palpable, predominantly centrally located lesions qualified as adenomyoepithelioma. These were further subdivided into spindle-cell, tubular, and lobulated variants. Two lesions in the latter group had a carcinoma arising within them. Only one case, which was characterized by a solitary mass composed of an infiltrative spindle cell proliferation, qualified as malignant myoepithelioma (myoepithelial carcinoma). Two patients with adenomyoepithelioma developed recurrences; one tumor was of the tubular type, the other of the lobulated type. Both of these tumors had irregular margins. One of these patients had two recurrences and is currently well 8.5 years after the initial excision. The second patient developed a recurrence 8 months after initial excision; the recurrence presented as multiple nodules. One of the patients with myoepithelial carcinoma arising in an adenomyoepithelioma also developed a recurrence within 2.3 years. Her initial tumor was located in the axillary tail of the breast, and she had axillary node metastasis at the time of presentation. All remaining patients with follow-up are well without evidence of recurrence up to 17.3 years after the initial diagnosis (average follow-up, 6.1 years); one patient died of unrelated causes.

Actins↗

Immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic aid in the interpretation of unusual mesenchymal tumors of the uterus.

Sixty-three pure mesenchymal tumors of the uterus were studied to explore the value of immunostaining in the diagnosis of unusual mesenchymal tumors encountered in the uterus, some not reported previously. Each tumor was evaluated using a panel of immunostains including actin, desmin, vimentin, S-100 protein, and cytokeratin. The final classification, which incorporated the immunohistochemical findings, resulted in the identification of 33 relatively common pure mesenchymal tumors (13 benign and malignant endometrial stromal tumors and 20 benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors) and 30 uncommon tumors (five leiomyosarcomas with osteoclastic giant cells, two xanthomatous leiomyosarcomas, one melanotic schwannoma, one pure rhabdomyosarcoma, one neurofibroma, five plexiform tumorlets, and 15 combined smooth muscle-stromal tumors). The normal endometrial stroma, present in 14 cases, invariably showed a negative reaction for all antibodies. With rare exceptions, the pure endometrial stromal tumors displayed a negative immunoreaction for all antibodies utilized, while the pure smooth muscle tumors consistently showed a positive reaction for actin. Only the two tumors of neural origin (a neurofibroma and a melanotic schwannoma) reacted with S-100 protein. Immunostaining influenced most the final classification of neoplasms initially interpreted as uterine tumors with a sex-cord stromal pattern, endometrial stromal tumors that diverged from the classic lesions by having a spindle cell component, and intravascular leiomyomas with areas of compact proliferation of small round cells with prominent vascularity. All tumors in these three groups were reclassified as combined smooth muscle-stromal tumors following immunohistochemical studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

A comparison of the results of long-term follow-up for atypical intraductal hyperplasia and intraductal hyperplasia of the breast.

Follow-up information was obtained on 199 women with breast biopsy specimens containing intraductal epithelial proliferation. The proliferations were divided into regular or ordinary intraductal hyperplasia (IDH) (117 cases) and atypical intraductal hyperplasia (AIDH) (82 cases). The average length of follow-up was 14 years for the patients with IDH and 12.4 years for the patients with AIDH. Of the 117 patients with ordinary IDH, carcinoma subsequently developed in six (5%); three of these were invasive carcinomas (2.6%). All three invasive carcinomas were in the ipsilateral breast, but of the three intraductal carcinomas (IDCa), two were in the contralateral breast. Of the 82 patients with AIDH, invasive carcinoma subsequently developed in eight (9.8%); six of these were located in the ipsilateral breast and two in the contralateral breast. One of these six patients died of disseminated carcinoma. The average interval to the subsequent carcinoma (intraductal and invasive carcinoma) was about the same in the two groups (8.3 years for AIDH and 8.8 years for IDH lacking atypia). When considering only subsequent invasive carcinomas, the interval was 8.3 years for the AIDH and 14.3 years for the IDH lacking atypia. Of the 14 patients with IDH and a family history of breast carcinoma, invasive carcinoma subsequently developed in one (7%) as compared with two (2%) of the 91 with a negative family history. Among patients with AIDH, invasive carcinoma subsequently developed in two of the 13 (15%) of those with a family history of breast carcinoma as compared with one of 57 (1.8%) of the women with a negative family history. The presence of atypia in epithelial hyperplasia is a significant factor in increasing the likelihood of the development of subsequent invasive carcinoma (P = 0.03; two-tailed test). Of women with AIDH, invasive carcinoma subsequently developed in 17% of those with sclerosing adenosis (SA) as compared with 4.2% of those without it. Therefore, SA may be a contributing factor to increased risk. A positive family history also appears to increase the likelihood of the subsequent development of invasive carcinoma, particularly in patients with AIDH.

Adolescent↗

Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal Ab B72.3 in benign and malignant breast disease.

A variety of benign and malignant breast lesions were evaluated for their reactivity with the monoclonal antibody B72.3. The lesions included invasive duct carcinoma (15 cases), apocrine carcinoma (18 cases, nine invasive and nine in situ lesions), well-differentiated (tubular) carcinoma (15 cases), invasive lobular carcinoma (10 cases) and lobular neoplasia (10 cases), intraductal hyperplasia (nine cases), atypical intraductal hyperplasia (eight cases), intraductal carcinoma (15 cases), sclerosing adenosis (15 cases), and apocrine metaplasia (24 cases). Only 20% of the invasive ductal carcinomas and 27% of the intraductal carcinomas showed a positive reaction for B72.3. Ten percent of the lobular neoplasias and 25% of the invasive lobular carcinoma reacted with B72.3. None of the 15 tubular carcinomas or the 15 cases of sclerosing adenosis reacted. One of eight examples of atypical intraductal hyperplasia (12.5%) showed a positive reaction, but none of the nine intraductal hyperplasias reacted with B72.3. The most consistently positive results were observed in cases displaying apocrine metaplasia. A positive reaction was observed in 23 of the 24 cases of apocrine metaplasia (96%) and 17 of 18 cases of apocrine carcinoma (94%). Thus we conclude that B72.3 is neither specific nor sensitive for the detection of malignant breast lesions. However, it does appear to be a valuable marker for the presence of apocrine differentiation, which is not a known precursor of carcinoma.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

From the archives of the AFIP. Malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

Malignant germ cell tumors are the most common malignant ovarian neoplasms in girls and young women. The most well known of these neoplasms are dysgerminoma, immature teratoma, endodermal sinus tumor, and a mixture of two or more of these elements. All malignant germ cell tumors, especially immature teratoma, can be associated with mature (benign) teratoma. These tumors are generally large and have a complex but predominantly solid appearance on cross-sectional images. Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin levels can help establish the diagnosis. Cystic areas of calcifications suggestive of mature teratoma do not exclude a co-existing malignant neoplasm.

Female↗

Serous tumor of low malignant potential with early stromal invasion (serous LMP with microinvasion).

Eighteen examples of serous carcinoma arising in a background of a serous tumor of low malignant potential (SLMP with microinvasion) are reported. Nine of the 18 patients were less than 35 yr of age, and 5 were pregnant. In one patient, the microinvasive tumor was bilateral. The contralateral ovary had a serous tumor of low malignant potential (SLMP) in 9 additional women. Twelve patients presented with Stage I tumors, while 6 (33%) had tumors in Stages II and III. The tumors in all patients below the age of 30 were Stage I, and all three patients with Stage III tumors were older than 50. Two cell types were identified in all 18 tumors. The more dominant cell type was similar to those found in the typical SLMP tumors. The second cell type was larger with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, round nuclei, and prominent nucleoli; these were the cells that invaded the stroma of the papillary stalks in every case. Only one patient died of her disease, and she had Stage III tumor with massive ascites at presentation. All other patients are alive and well without evidence of disease from 2.5 to 5.5 yr after the diagnosis.

Adult↗

The morphologic effects of synthetic reproductive steroids on the mammary gland of rhesus monkeys. Mestranol, ethynerone, mestranol-ethynerone, chloroethynyl norgestrel-mestranol, and anagestone acetate-mestranol combinations.

A total of 213 treated and 16 control monkeys comprising 12 experimental groups was evaluated for determination of the long-term (10 years) effects of various dosages of a variety of synthetic oral contraceptive steroids on the mammary glands of rhesus monkeys. The steroid hormones included mestranol, ethynerone, a combination of mestranol and ethynerone, chlorethynyl norgestrel plus mestranol, and anagestone acetate plus mestranol. Various degrees of physiologic lobular hyperplasia and lactational changes were observed in association with all of these steroid hormones; these changes appeared dose-dependent. Mestranol caused a proliferative atypia ranging from a minimal to a moderate degree in 8 of 34 (23%) animals, but it was not dose-related. Eleven of 15 monkeys (73%) administered ethynerone developed proliferative atypia, ranging in degree from minimal to severe, including one invasive carcinoma and 2 lesions resembling intraductal carcinoma in the human. The mestranol and ethynerone combination produced a proliferative atypia in 22 of 52 animals (42%), including five identical to intraductal carcinoma in the human and one identical to lobular neoplasia. Of the 40 monkeys administered anagestone acetate and mestranol, 20 (50%) developed proliferative atypias; the atypias ranged from mild to severe and included five resembling intraductal carcinoma in human breast. The chloroethynyl norgestrel and mestranol combination induced proliferative atypia in 25 of 52 monkeys (49%); six of these atypias were severe and indistinguishable from intraductal carcinoma of the human breast; and one, if in the human breast, would reflect a solid variant of an invasive carcinoma. Only 2 of the 16 control monkeys (12%) developed proliferative atypias, and these were of minimal to mild degree. The occurrence of severe degrees of atypia identical to intraductal carcinoma in the human breast and invasive carcinoma associated with hormone administration suggests a carcinogenic effect.

Animals↗

Multicystic mesothelioma. An analysis of pathologic findings and biologic behavior in 37 cases.

We report the clinicopathologic findings of 37 cases of multicystic mesothelioma. The tumor, which occurs most frequently in young to middle-aged women, affects chiefly the pelvic peritoneum--particularly the cul de sac, uterus, and rectum. It grows along the serosa as multiple, translucent, fluid-filled cysts. Occasionally, it manifests as a solitary or free-floating mass. The tumor is made up of mesothelial-lined cysts embedded in a delicate fibrovascular stroma. The mesothelial cells may be flattened or cuboidal. Adenomatoid change or squamous metaplasia of the mesothelium occurs in one-third of cases. In a significant percentage of cases, the stroma shows marked inflammatory changes that make it difficult to recognize the underlying neoplastic nature. Follow-up information in 25 patients showed that 21 patients were alive, two had died of tumor, and two died of other causes. One of the two patients who died of their tumors was an infant whose tumor showed transition to conventional mesothelioma; the other was a man who had refused therapy. The extent of tumor at the time of diagnosis did not predict survival. The low incidence of previous surgery, the lack of prior abdominal infections, and the documentation of disease-related mortality all support a neoplastic, rather than a reactive, basis for this lesion.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Lactational and clear cell changes of the breast in nonlactating, nonpregnant women.

Secretory changes that occurred in the breasts of 32 women who were not pregnant or lactating were reviewed. These changes took two forms, with partial or complete involvement of one or more lobules. The more frequently occurring focal lactating effect was observed in 23 patients. The second form, a marked clearing of the cytoplasm within acinar cells, occurred in nine patients. Both patterns were present simultaneously in 2 of the 32 patients. Hormonal, anti-psychotic, and anti-hypertensive medications appear to correlate with the lactational change.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Melanotic paraganglioma of the uterus.

Two cases of melanotic paraganglioma of the uterus are reported. Interpreted as a pigmented paraganglioma, both lesions were an incidental finding in uteri removed for unrelated benign conditions. Microscopically, both tumors were circumscribed, and composed of nests of large round or angulated polygonal cells with abundant clear or granular pale, eosinophilic cytoplasm. Large amounts of coarse intracytoplasmic melanin pigment were present in many cells, whereas other cells were completely devoid of pigment. Both lesions contained psammoma bodies. Electron microscopy showed abundant intracellular melanosomes, including many compound melanosomes and few premelanosomes. A lamellar whorled structure was the dominant infrastructure on which melanin pigment was deposited in many cells. The absence of microvilli or dendritic cell processes and basal lamina, as well as the lack of S-100 protein, pointed against a Schwannian or melanocytic differentiation. The presence of abundant pigment and only rare neuroendocrine-like secretory granules in the cytoplasm of a few cells indicated divergence from classic paraganglioma. Architecturally, this lesion is similar to a paraganglioma; but, functionally, instead of neuroendocrine granules, the tumor cells produce melanin pigment.

Adult↗