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ABSTRACT: The methylation status of the MGMT gene promoter, considered of prognostic significance by enhancing chemosensitivity to alkylating drugs in gliomas and melanomas, was evaluated in a series of primary melanomas and metastases of patients treated with different therapies, to identify any correlation with the patients' outcome or response to different therapeutic regimens.
Twenty-nine primary melanomas and 74 metastases, collected from 52 patients, were assessed for MGMT gene promoter methylation using a standard methylation specific PCR-based method. All materials were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded.
One of 29 primary melanomas (3.4%) and 22 of 74 metastases (29.7%) showed MGMT gene promoter methylation. MGMT methylation was more frequent in visceral (17/40, 42.5%) than in cutaneous/lymph node metastases (5/34, 14.7%) (p = 0.019). Both disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in patients with methylated metastases (p = 0.009 and p = 0.007, respectively). No correlations were found among methylation, therapeutic regimens and DFS or OS.
MGMT methylation appears to be a late event in the biological history of melanoma and is more frequently seen in visceral metastases. The MGMT gene promoter methylation in metastatic disease is associated with longer survival, irrespective of therapy. Thus it could be considered a prognostic factor in metastatic melanoma.
Pathology 04/2012; 44(4):313-7. · 2.38 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A case of skin metastases of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a 78-year-old patient is reported. This case is characterized by two rare features: uncommon type of prostate carcinoma that metastatized to the skin.
Pathologica 04/2011; 103(2):50-1.
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ABSTRACT: We report the case of a 27 year-old woman who had a pigmented lesion in her left leg in 2004. The lesion, which was diagnosed as a congenital compound nevus, recurred four years later as an obvious melanoma.
Pathologica 06/2009; 101(3):112-4.
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Pathologica 07/2008; 100(3):206.
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ABSTRACT: Preoperative identification of the aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by fine needle aspiration (FNAC) has been suggested and different systems for distinguishing them from classical variant of PTC have been employed, including a point-based cytology grading system as suggested by Damiani et al., that we currently use in our Institution. The aim of this paper is to verify if distinction of PTC in aggressive or nonaggressive variants impacts on surgical treatment. In 7 years, from 1998 to 2005, 13586 cases of FNAC of thyroid have been performed; among them 156 PTC. The cytological material of thirty complete thyroidectomies with histology proven papillary thyroid carcinoma were reviewed. 11/30 cases were correctly stratified into the appropriate low or high-grade category. The cytological grading system was discordant with the final histopathological diagnosis in 9/30 cases while in 10 cases the grade was not assessed. Eight cases were downgraded and therefore the low grade papillary carcinoma diagnosed at cytological level turned to be high grade at histology. When those cases were reviewed, the histology of seven cases diagnosed as tall cell variant of PTC failed to show a percentage of tumour cells higher than 50% and therefore it would be better to diagnose them as classical variant of PTC. One case was under-graded at FNAC. The case that was cytologically upgraded was a follicular variant of PTC in Hashimoto thyroiditis with a focus of tall cells. All patients underwent thyroidectomy or thyroidectomy plus lymphadenectomy and from our results the pre-operative diagnosis did not effect the surgical treatment. No patient died of the disease.
Pathologica 07/2007; 99(3):65-8.
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ABSTRACT: A case of ganglioneuroma arising within a cystic mature teratoma of the ovary in a 34-year-old woman is reported. Patient underwent right adnexectomy. The ovary was completely replaced by a bilocular cystic lesion, measuring 8 cm in diameter and filled with adipose tissue and pilosebaceous material. Microscopically the cyst was composed by a mature cystic teratoma containing skin with dermal appendages, fatty tissue and bronchial epithelium. Furthermore a nodule (0.5 cm in size) composed of mature ganglion cells, axons and Schwann cells, was identified. Ganglion cells were positive for NSE and synaptophysin, while Schwann cells stained positively with S100 protein and GFAP. To the best of our knowledgment this is the first reported cases of ganglioneuroma arisen within a cystic mature teratoma of the ovary.
Pathologica 03/2006; 98(1):41-3.
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Histopathology 11/2004; 45(4):414-5. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The quality assurance scheme in use at the Section of Anatomic Pathology of the University of Bologna-Bellaria Hospital is described. Since 1992 a quality assurance (QA) scheme has been set up in this Institution. The scheme and results have been reported in this same Journal previously 1-3: here are reported the changes to the scheme that have intervened in the last four years. All data collected from January 1999 to December 2002 have been reviewed for monitoring the laboratory performance. Emphasis has been given to changes that have been introduced recently to improve QA.
Pathologica 08/2003; 95(4):171-8.
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ABSTRACT: We describe a previously unrecognized pigmented tumour of the skin and suggest a possible relationship with the follicular bulb.
A pigmented epithelial neoplasm clinically simulating a malignant melanoma of the skin was present in a 92-year-old woman, on her left leg. It was composed of three cell types: squamous cells with trichilemmal keratinization, basaloid cells and dendritic melanocytes. The presence of three cell types was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.
The tumour showed differentiation towards the hair follicular bulb and the descriptive term of follicular baso-squamous melanocytic tumour is suggested.
Histopathology 11/2002; 41(4):337-41. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Atypical mycobacteria are important human pathogens. Although they often cause systemic disease, mycobacterial infection may present solely as cutaneous lesions. It is not easy to detect nontuberculous mycobacteria by the traditional histochemical Ziehl-Neelsen stain, or by culture on specific media. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be used to identify nontuberculous mycobacteria in skin lesions. We report a 40-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, both of whom were immunocompetent and kept fish, who had skin lesions on the backs of their right hands. Ziehl-Neelsen staining and culture on Lowenstein-Jensen media were negative. Mycobacterial DNA was detected by amplification of 16S ribosomal DNA. In both cases, PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a positive signal when probes for Mycobacterium (universal probe) and M. chelonae were used, and in one patient M. fortuitum was also discovered. Antibiotic therapy with clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily was begun. After 6 months of treatment, the skin lesions were cured.
British Journal of Dermatology 11/2002; 147(4):781-4. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We describe a 69-year-old man with a non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, stage III B, who developed bilateral multiple erythematous lesions in the abdominal-inguinal area following treatment with gemcitabine. Histologically, the lesion was characterized by a heavy lymphocytic infiltrate with large CD30+ cells. The lesion was highly suggestive of cutaneous involvement by malignant lymphoma, but complete regression was observed after cessation of gemcitabine. Although rarely reported, gemcitabine therapy can induce skin lesions. Pathologists should be aware of this possibility in order to avoid a misdiagnosis.
British Journal of Dermatology 11/2001; 145(4):650-2. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Three (propositus) cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) showing endocrine differentiation at the immunohistochemical level were studied using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine the presence of mRNA of chromogranin A. Moreover, 20 (consecutive) cases of BCC were studied with immunohistochemistry alone using chromogranin A, synaptophysin, S100 protein, cytokeratin 20, and neuron-specific enolase antibodies (NSE). The three propositus cases of BCC showed positive results when RT-PCR for mRNA of chromogranin A was performed. Eleven out of 20 consecutive cases of BCC were focally positive for chromogranin A antibody. These results confirm the presence of endocrine differentiation in BCC, demonstrated both with immunohistochemistry and with RT-PCR.
Pathologica 07/2001; 93(3):208-12.
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ABSTRACT: A case of hyperkeratosis follicularis et parafollicularis in cutem penetrans Kyrle's disease in a 41-year-old woman is described. It was a recurrence of a lesion surgically removed and originally diagnosed as invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Kyrle's disease is a rare dermatosis and should not be confused with neoplastic conditions i.e. squamous cell carcinoma. Pathologists should be aware of such conditions in order to avoid misdiagnosis, which can imply over treatment for the patient.
Pathologica 07/2000; 92(3):195-7.
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ABSTRACT: We report three cases of desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) rich in smooth muscle actin. They occurred in two men (Cases 1 and 3) and in one woman (Case 2). Cases 1 and 2 were recurrent lesions from common melanomas excised, respectively, 3 and 1 years previously. In Case 3, DMM was associated with lentigo maligna at the time of presentation. Morphologically, DMMs were composed of spindle neoplastic cells organized in haphazardly orientated long fascicles separated by collagen bundles. Perineural invasion was present and mitotic activity was prominent in all cases. The neoplastic spindle cells were intensely positive with S100 protein and smooth muscle actin antisera and negative with HMB45 and Melan-A (Mart-1) antibodies. Double staining for smooth muscle actin and S100 protein revealed no definite coexpression of the two antigens. Follow-up was available for patients 1 and 2 who had local recurrences and are still alive. It is possible that actin rich elements differentiate toward mesenchymal elements, paralleling the phenotypic changes seen in sarcomatoid carcinomas. Therefore, multidirectional differentiation may explain the mesenchymal (sarcomatoid) differentiation of neoplastic melanocytes and may be responsible for the different biologic behavior of DMMs, which is closer to mesenchymal tumors than to conventional melanomas.
American Journal of Dermatopathology 12/1999; 21(6):537-41. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The quality control scheme in use at the Department of Anatomic Pathology of the University of Bologna-Bellaria Hospital Since 1993 a quality assurance (QA) scheme has been set up in our Department, modified from the protocol in use at the Department of Pathology of Yale University and published by J. Rosai in his textbook. A QA committee has been appointed and each member is responsible for a specific branch of the total workload; the areas involved are: 1. review of frozen section diagnoses with the final diagnoses 2. randomized review of biopsies (1:25) 3. quality control of cytological cases 4. quality control of specimen adequacy 5. quality control of immunohistochemistry and in situ Hybridization 6. quality control of the cytogenetics laboratory 7. quality control of autopsies All data collected from january 1996 to february 1999 have been reviewed and analyzed in order to provide references for other laboratories and for the purpose of monitoring our laboratory' performance.
Pathologica 09/1999; 91(4):268-75.
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ABSTRACT: A new process that combines the excellent morphology control of Ti-based catalysts with the unique features of polyolefins from mettalocenes has been devised. First, propylene is polymerized with the Ti-based catalysts, having spherical form; then, activated mettalocene catalysts are introduced into the porous PP spheres, through an in situ impregnation and drying process, once the Ti has been deactivated. Then, the olefins polymerization, catalyzed by the mettalocene, is carried out in gas phase. This step, as well as the morphology of the as-polymerized polymer particles, has been investigated in detail. New heterophasic copolymers (PP/EPR) having free-flowing spherical form have been achieved, and the morphology of the copolymer spheres pointed out that the rubber is well dispersed inside the polymer granule. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1831–1837, 1997
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 12/1998; 66(9):1831 - 1837. · 1.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Four cases of trichoblastoma rich in Merkel cells (MCs) are reported. They occurred in two men and two women, with ages ranging from 58 to 76 years (mean 67.5 years). MCs were detected immunohistochemically with antibodies to keratin 20, chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). In an attempt at better definition of the nature and role of MCs in trichoblastoma, the distribution of MCs in normal adult and fetal skins obtained at autopsy was studied. In addition, ten cases of sebaceous naevus of Jadassohn (NSJ) were evaluated along similar lines. MCs made up 2-20% of the tumour cells in trichoblastomas; they were present in normal fetal skin and were rare in normal adult skin. All but one of the cases of NSJ showed numerous positive cells in the epidermal component of the lesion with all three antibodies. Six basal cell carcinomas and one syringocystadenoma papilliferum associated with NSJ were negative with keratin 20, chromogranin A and NSE antibodies, whereas a minute trichoblastoma arising against the same background was positive for these markers. Hair follicle cell tumours may recapitulate the skin embryogenesis, as numerous MCs are present in fetal follicles, but only occasional such cells are seen in adult skin.
Archiv für Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für Klinische Medicin 11/1998; 433(4):291-6. · 2.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia or pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia (PEH) is characterized by a downward expansion of the epidermis, which can simulate a squamous cell carcinoma (SC). It is usually associated to chronic inflammatory conditions, but rarely it can hide a tumour. In the present paper a case of melanoma (M) associated with a prominent PEH is described. The patient is a 79-year old woman who presented a polypoid, ulcerated lesion of the left thigh. The lesion was entirely removed. The patient is free of disease 5-years after surgery. On histology, the malignant melanomatous proliferation was closely admixed to sheets of squamous cells. The possibility of SC was excluded as the squamous component did not show architectural disarray, prominent nucleoli and atypical mitoses. Siringomatous metaplasia was observed in the deeper portion of the lesion. On the basis of these findings the diagnosis of melanoma (M) associated to prominent PEH was considered the most likely.
Pathologica 09/1998; 90(4):397-402.
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ABSTRACT: We report a case of syringoid eccrine carcinoma, a rare syringomatous tumor of the skin, occurring in a 70-year-old woman. Histological and immunohistochemical criteria are given to differentiate this neoplasm from other primary carcinomas of the skin as well as from skin metastases of internal malignancies.
American Journal of Dermatopathology 11/1997; 19(5):533-5. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We report a case of neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma (NC) of the skin, associated with a trichilemmal cyst, showing pagetoid spread into the trichilemmal epithelium. The association of the two lesions may strengthen the hypothesis that NC originates from pluripotent stem cells of adnexal epithelium.
American Journal of Dermatopathology 11/1997; 19(5):545-8. · 1.20 Impact Factor
