Jeong H, et al. J Breast Cancer. 2018 Dec;22:e5. https://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2019.22.e5

Collision tumors of the stomach are rare. We report on a case of a collision tumor consisting of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the stomach in a 16-year-old female. A polypoid mass located in the distal body of the stomach was observed on abdominal computed tomography. Laparoscopic wedge resection of the stomach and 4d lymph node biopsy was performed. On gross examination, a protruding submucosal mass, measuring 4 × 3.5 × 2.5 cm in size, was detected. Histological examination showed two distinct GIST and IMT component presenting a collision tumor. The small nodular area, composed of CD117-positive spindle cells, was typical of GIST, and the adjacent larger area, composed of myofibroblastic spindle cells with prominent chronic inflammatory cells infiltrate, mainly lymphocytes and plasma cells, had a characteristic appearance of IMT. The 4d lymph node showed metastatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a collision tumor consisting of a GIST and an IMT arising in the stomach.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland, but primary thyroid MEC has rarely been reported and usually has a good prognosis. Herein, I report a case of thyroidal MEC with a poor prognosis in an 82-year-old woman with an anterior neck mass. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a thyroid mass. The patient initially underwent fine-needle aspiration, was diagnosed with malignancy, and underwent a right lobectomy. On gross examination, a 4.0×3.6×2.6 cm-sized ill-defined, unencapsulated, and infiltrative tan to whitish mass with necrosis was identified. Microscopically, epidermoid tumor cell nests or solid sheets were identified. Mucous cells that were positive for periodic acid-Schiff and mucicarmine stains were also identified within epidermoid cell nests. Frequent mitosis and necrosis were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for p40 and p63 was positive, and that for thyroid transcription factor-1 and PAX8 was focally positive. According to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology grading system for salivary gland MEC, the current case was classified as high-grade MEC. After surgery, the patient suffered from dyspnea due to a remnant neck mass that compressed and obstructed the trachea; therefore, the patient refused further treatment. Thyroidal MECs are considered low-grade with a favorable prognosis, but there are several reported cases of thyroidal MEC with poor prognosis. The current case is a rare presentation of high-grade thyroidal MEC with a poor prognosis.

Lymph node fine-needle aspiration (LN FNA) cytology indicates necrosis in various diseases. Dominant necrotic features make the diagnosis of underlying conditions very difficult. We retrospectively reviewed 460 patients who underwent cervical LN aspiration cytology that revealed necrotic findings at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, Korea, from 2003-2017. Each specimen was evaluated and analyzed in association with the clinical findings, biopsy findings, and/or other ancillary tests, including acid-fast bacilli staining and molecular testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When necrotic features were noted upon cervical LN FNA cytology, the most common pathologic LN FNA category was necrosis alone (31.5%). The second most common category was granulomatous inflammation (31.3%), followed by Kikuchi disease (20.0%) and malignant neoplasm (8.7%). In cases where the cervical LN FNA revealed necrosis alone, the most common final diagnosis was tuberculosis. In young patients, Kikuchi disease should be considered as one cervical LN FNA category, while metastatic carcinoma should be suspected in older patients. Even when necrosis alone is observed in LN FNA cytology, it is important to determine the cause through further evaluation.

The use of a fibula osteocutaneous flap is currently the mainstay of segmental mandibular reconstruction. This type of flap is used to treat tumors, trauma, or osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. However, a fibula osteocutaneous flap may also be a good option for reconstructing the mandible to preserve oropharyngeal function and facial appearance in cases of pathological fracture requiring extensive segmental bone resection. Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the various causes of subsequent pathologic mandibular fractures; however, it is rare, and there have been few reports using free flaps in osteomyelitis of the mandible. We share our experience with a 76-year-old patient who presented with a pathologic fracture following osteomyelitis of the mandible that was reconstructed using a fibula osteocutaneous flap after wide segmental resection.

This study evaluated the correlation between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and long-term oncologic outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). We evaluated TAMs based on the expression of CD68, CD11c, and CD163 as optimal markers via immunohistochemistry in 148 patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection between September 1999 and August 2004. A high proportion of CD68-positive macrophages were associated with the occurrence of distant metastasis. A low proportion of CD11c-positive macrophages were associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival. CD11c-positive macrophages were found to act as independent prognostic factors for OS. An analysis of our long-term data indicated that TAMs are significantly associated with OS and prognosis in CRC.