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Maria P Foschini

Publications and source records attributed to Maria P Foschini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Breast tumor resembling the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: report of 4 cases with evidence of malignant potential.

A new type of breast carcinoma resembling the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma has recently been described. To date, rare cases are on record. Here, 4 new cases of the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma of the breast are described in women aged from 45 to 80 years old. All patients presented with palpable breast nodules and were treated with quadrantectomy. One patient presented with a long clinical history and a metastatic intramammary lymph node. The patient is alive and well 3 months after surgery. The remaining 3 patients are disease free at mean 7.5 months (range, 5 to 10 months) after surgery. These data suggest that papillary thyroid-like carcinomas of the breast show malignant potential.

Aged↗
PubMed2007

Oncocytic meningioma: report of a case with progression after radiosurgery.

Oncocytic meningioma is an uncommon variant of meningioma, characterized histologically by cells rich in mitochondria. This subtype of meningioma needs to be distinguished from other types of meningioma because of its more aggressive behavior. A case of oncocytic meningioma showing rapid clinical progression with diffuse intracranial dissemination after radiosurgery is described. Resistance to radiotherapy has been previously reported in oncocytic tumors of various body sites. This new case is a further example of the greater aggressiveness of oncocytic meningioma, suggesting that radiation therapy might worsen the course of disease.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗
PubMed2006

Genetic similarities and differences between lobular in situ neoplasia (LN) and invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

One of the most controversial issues in breast pathology is whether lobular neoplasia (LN) is a risk factor or a precursor lesion of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). This is consequent to the fact that no conclusive data on the biology of LN exist. Molecular studies of LN and ILC are scanty, variable, and not consistent. Clonality of 12 cases of LN and ILC present simultaneously in the same block has been studied. Cells from both lesions were obtained by microdissection and were studied for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), D-loop sequencing, and neighbor-joining trees. Eight of the same cases were studied with comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array to have additional data consistent with mtDNA. In all cases, loss of heterozygosity was studied for D16S496,locus 16q22.1 related to e-cadherin. It appears that no fewer than eight cases were genetically very similar (clonal) with mtDNA. Seven of these cases appeared also clonal with CGH array. It is concluded that in the present series, LN and ILC are genetically related lesions in the majority of cases and that LN might be the precursor of ILC.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Chromogranin A in gastric neuroendocrine tumours: an immunohistochemical and biochemical study with region-specific antibodies.

The aim of the present study was to investigate ECLomas and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell hyperplasia in gastric human mucosa regarding the immunohistochemical expression of chromogranin A (CgA) epitopes and to measure the same CgA epitopes in plasma samples. Eight gastric biopsies from ECLomas, seven of type I and one of type III, and biopsies from one patient showing only ECL cell hyperplasia were included in the study. Our results revealed a varying expression of region-specific CgA epitopes in the ECLomas regarding both the frequency of immunoreactive cells and intensity of immunoreactivity. CgA284-301 (pancreastatin) was not revealed in any neoplasm, whereas CgA361-372 (catestatin) was expressed in all ECLomas. However, the number of immunoreactive cells to vesicular monoamino transporter 2 (VMAT 2) or the commercial monoclonal CgA (CgA250-284) antibodies were generally higher. The plasma concentrations of the region-specific CgA radioimmunoassays differed considerably, with highest concentrations of CgA1-17 and CgA116-130 epitopes and the lowest with the CgA17-37, CgA63-76, CgA238-247 and CgA441-424 epitopes. No relationship was found between tissue expression and plasma concentration of CgA epitopes. In conclusion, this study shows that VMAT 2 and the commercial CgA antibodies seem more useful for histopathological diagnosis of ECLomas than the antibodies to the other CgA regions.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Merkel cells in the oral mucosa.

Ninety-eight consecutive surgical biopsies of oral mucosa from 96 patients were evaluated immunohistochemically with an anti-cytokeratin 20 (CK 20) anti-body to evidence Merkel cells (MC). Fifteen cases, showing the highest number of MC, were additionally studied with chromogranin A, S-100 protein, neuro filaments, epithelial membrane antigen, and double immunostaining for CK 20 and Ki67 antibodies to evaluate MC proliferation. Electron microscopy was performed in 2 cases. MC were observed in 58 cases. The highest number of MC was found in the gingival, buccal, and palate mucosa, especially in chronically damaged oral mucosa (lichen and chronic aspecific inflammation) as well as in the mucosa overlying tumors rather than in normal or acute inflammation. MC were not observed in dysplastic or neoplastic epithelium. MC showed evidence of proliferation, as demonstrated by Ki67 positivity, in 3 cases. In conclusion, MC appear to play a role in the reparative processes of oral mucosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Oncocytic modifications in rectal adenocarcinomas after radio and chemotherapy.

The purpose of the study is to highlight oncocytic modifications in rectal adenocarcinomas and evaluate a possible correlation with preoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT). Twenty-eight cases of advanced rectal carcinoma, treated preoperatively by 5-fluorouracil (200-225 mg/m(2)) and 44-46 Gy in 22-23 fractions, were studied. All patients underwent biopsy before RCT. Surgery was performed within 6 weeks after RCT. In all cases oncocytic modifications were searched for on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and at immunohistochemistry using an antimitochondrial antibody. In addition, in two cases, both pre- and post-RCT tissues were examined at electron microscopy. All tumors were adenocarcinomas. In pre-RCT biopsies, oncocytic changes were difficult to find on H&E, while the antimitochondrial antibody strongly stained numerous neoplastic cells (mean 48.4%). In post-RCT surgical specimens, oncocytic changes were detected in 24 out of 28 cases on H&E and the antimitochondrial antibody stained most of the residual neoplastic cells (mean 76.7%). Ultrastructural examination revealed large and bizarre mitochondria inside tumor cells both in pre- and post-RCT tissues. In conclusion, the present data suggest that rectal adenocarcinomas are "mitochondrion-rich" tumors. After preoperative RCT, residual neoplastic cells acquire a definite oncocytic phenotype.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

The impact of large sections and 3D technique on the study of lobular in situ and invasive carcinoma of the breast.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the type of intraglandular spread of lobular neoplasia (LN) and its relationship with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) through three-dimensional (3D) stereomicroscopy and analyses of large histological sections (histological macrosections, HM). Fifteen cases showing multiple foci of in situ LN and/or ILC (1 pure LN, 12 LN+ILC, and 2 pure ILC) constituted the basis of the present study. Thirteen cases were treated with mastectomy (including the case of pure LN), and two cases were treated with quadrantectomy. In all cases, large parallel 5-mm-thick sections were embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Selected large paraffin blocks were investigated with stereomicroscopy. The H&E-stained HM were then compared with the corresponding tissues examined using stereomicroscopy. (1) LN was multicentric in nine cases. (2) The average maximum distance among LN foci was 37.9 mm, while the average maximum distance among ILC areas was 58.2 mm. (3) On 3D examination, LN-filled acini and ducts appeared dilated. When "Pagetoid spread" was present, the ducts were lined by a continuous layer of neoplastic epithelium. (4) No anastomoses between lobes were observed in the two cases where glandular trees were visualized. (5) In 12 cases, ILC areas enveloped ducts and acini affected by LN-an association that was more than coincidental. (6) Multicentric ILC areas not associated with LN indicated vascular spread. It is concluded that the information given in LN and ILC, obtained by analyses of large histological sections, is far superior than that obtained by analyses of conventional histological sections, which underestimate multiple distant small foci of invasion. 3D sections are useful in understanding the architecture of specific lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the breast. Report of three cases.

We report three cases of polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PLA) of the breast in 37-, 55- and 74-year-old women, respectively. The patients have no evidence of previous malignancy. The tumours consist of monotonous cells showing a wide spectrum of growth patterns: solid nests, trabeculae, tubules, cribriform structures, strands and fascicles reminiscent of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of salivary glands. To our knowledge, PLA has never been reported in the breast; therefore, this tumour should be added to the list of neoplastic lesions of the breasts that have the same features as those of the salivary glands.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

The fast-track biopsy (FTB): description of a rapid histology and immunohistochemistry method for evaluation of preoperative breast core biopsies.

Thirty-six core breast biopsies from 32 patients were paraffin embedded by use of an automated microwave processor. In addition, a quick immunohistochemical method was used in selected cases. The quality of the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides was very satisfactory, as were also the immunohistochemical stains for ER, PR, and Ki67 when compared to those obtained with the use of a conventional automated immunostainer. The time required to process the tissue to the final H&E stage averaged 2 hours 52 minutes, and the immunohistochemical method required 90 to 100 minutes. This procedure, which we named "fast-track biopsy'' (FTB), is quick enough to be competitive with FNAC (fine-needle aspiration biopsy) in terms of turnaround-times. The superiority of core biopsy over FNA in terms of the morphologic information provided is widely acknowledged, the only major argument currently mentioned in favor of FNAC being the shorter duration of the procedure. With the advent of FTB, it would appear that even this last remaining advantage has been erased.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Pigmented mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity: a case report.

Melanocytes are normally present in the oral mucosa, but unlike the skin, melanocytic colonization and pigmentation of nonmelanocytic tumors rarely occur. A case of pigmented mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) in a 36-year-old woman is reported. On H&E-stained sections, brownish granules were seen in intermediate and epidermoid neoplastic elements and in elongated or dendritic cells showing histologic and immunohistochemical features of melanocytes. Ultrastructurally numerous epithelial cells contained large aggregates of melanin granules, a feature suggestive of phagocytosis. In addition small individual melanin granules were observed at the external border of the epithelial cell membrane. These features suggest that melanocytes colonized the MEC and that neoplastic cells may phagocytose the granules, similarly to what occurs with epidermal melanocytes. The phenomenon of melanocyte colonization of nonmelanocytic tumors should be taken into consideration in dealing with pigmented lesions of the oral cavity.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

p63 expression in salivary gland tumors: role of DeltaNp73L in neoplastic transformation.

To illustrate the role of p63 and its truncated variants in salivary gland tumors, 23 consecutive tumors and 6 normal salivary glands were studied immunohistochemically with anti-p63 antibody and by reverse transcriptase (RT) and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect p63 isoform expression. Normal salivary glands: p63 antibody-stained basal and myoepithelial cells; by RT and nested PCR, the 2 main isoforms were present, whereas DeltaNp73L was absent. Tumors: p63 antibody was positive in the following: Warthin tumor (WT) (3/3), oncocytoma (OC) (1/1), pleomorphic adenoma (PA) (7/7), polymorphous-low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) (3/3), adenoid-cystic carcinoma (ADCC)(3/4), epithelial-myoepithelial-cell carcinoma (EMC) (1/1), and myoepithelial-cell carcinoma (MCC) (1/1). By RT and nested PCR all tumors expressed p63 irrespective of their morphologic differentiation. The DeltaNp73L isoform was present in tumoral tissue but absent in normal salivary gland. These data suggest that p63, particularly its splice variant DeltaNp73L, is involved in the neoplastic transformation of salivary glands.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Three-dimensional reconstruction of vessel distribution in benign and malignant lesions of thyroid.

In order to better understand the spatial distribution of thyroid vessels, a series of benign and malignant thyroid lesions were studied with three-dimensional (3D) histological stereomicroscopic reconstruction. Cases consisted of normal autoptic thyroids (n=6), colloid goitres (n=6), Basedow's disease (n=2), follicular adenoma (FA) (n=4) one of which with Hurthle cells (HC), minimally invasive, well-differentiated follicular carcinoma (FTC) (n=1), well-differentiated FTC with HC (n=1), poorly differentiated FTC (n=13) with extensive angioinvasion, papillary carcinoma (PTC) (n=8) and medullary carcinoma (MTC) (n=1). From each selected nodule, parallel sections were obtained for 3D reconstruction and for histological and immunohistochemical studies. In normal thyroid, large vessels were located at the periphery of the gland with smaller branches present within the thyroid parenchyma that encircled follicles. The same pattern of vascularisation is maintained in lesions showing a follicular architecture as colloid goitre, Basedow's disease, FA, well-differentiated FTC and the follicular variant of PTC. Neoplastic lesions, at variance with non-neoplastic lesions, contained rare anastomoses. Poorly differentiated FTC and MTC contained large intratumoural vessels surrounding avascular areas corresponding to solid neoplastic cellular sheets with necrosis. PTC were more vascularised and contained numerous vascular anastomoses. In conclusion, the present data indicate that the vascular distribution is related to the follicular, papillary or solid type of growth. Vascular anastomoses and intratumoural vessels surrounding solid avascular areas are signs of malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pattern of p63 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

P63 is a recently discovered gene harbouring different isoforms by alternate splicing. The two main isoforms, TAp63 and Delta Np63, have opposite functions, being responsible for cell-cycle arrest and cell proliferation, respectively. In addition, new isoforms have been described with the same sequence as TAp63 and Delta Np63, but lacking exon 4 (Delta 4Tap63 and Delta Np73L). P63 as detected using immunohistochemistry is present in squamous cell carcinomas. To better define the role of p63 in squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity (OSCC), 39 patients were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis with a monoclonal antibody recognising all p63 isoforms and an anti-Ki67 antibody. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR were also performed using isoform-specific primers to evaluate the p63 mRNA expression pattern. Using immunohistochemistry, p63 was always present in OSCC, and its distribution was similar to that of Ki67. The percentage of positive cells increased from normal to neoplastic mucosa, but there was no relationship between the number of p63 positive cells and prognosis. P63 mRNA was found in all patients. The truncated isoforms Delta 4TAp63 and Delta Np73L were more frequently expressed in patients presenting with metastases. Delta Np73L was found in 66.6% of tumours with lymph-node metastases, but in only 33.3% of those devoid of lymph-node metastases at presentation. An impaired expression of the p63 isoforms might favour cell proliferation and indirectly enhance the metastasising capacity of OSCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cytogenetic analysis of myoepithelial cell carcinoma of salivary gland.

Myoepithelial cell carcinoma (MCC) of the salivary gland is a rare entity. Here, we describe the karyotype of MCC. The patient was a 53-year-old man, with a rapidly growing lesion of the palate. Despite complete surgical excision, radio- and chemotherapy, the lesion rapidly harboured local and distant metastases leading to the death of the patient, 4 months after the diagnosis. On histological and ultrastructural examination, the primary tumour and the related metastases were composed of oval and spindle cells, with features of myoepithelial cell differentiation reported in the literature. Cytogenetic analysis showed a composite karyotype in the primary tumour: 45-46,XY, +3[cp3]/ 44-45,XY, -17[cp4]/ 46,XY[5]. The lymph-node metastasis was near-triploid and showed a complex karyotype. Our cytogenetic data differ from those described in benign or slowly growing salivary gland tumours showing myoepithelial cell differentiation. It is suggested that highly aggressive tumours might follow a different pathway of malignant transformation.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗
PubMed2003

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast.

Five cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the breast are reported. All patients were women ranging in age from 29 years to 80 years. As histological grading is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast invasive carcinomas, MEC was graded using the Auclair et al. [1] grading system specific for MEC of salivary glands and the Elston and Ellis [4] grading method, a widely employed grading system in breast cancer. It was found that the two different grading systems appear to be interchangeable in assessing the grade of MEC of the breast. Accordingly, three cases were regarded low grade (G. 1), one intermediate (G. 2) and one high grade (G. 3). The cases were studied with immunohistochemistry and were found to have the same keratin pattern shown by their salivary gland counterpart. It was found that there are more similarities than differences between MEC of the breast and of salivary glands.

Actins↗