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Chin-Chen Pan

Publications and source records attributed to Chin-Chen Pan.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Expression of calretinin and other mesothelioma-related markers in thymic carcinoma and thymoma.

Thymic carcinoma and thymoma are primary neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum that can involve the lung and pleura in advanced stages or, in rare instances, occur as primary pleural tumors. Thus these tumors may be encountered in thoracic and pleural biopsy specimens. Recognizing the immunohistochemical patterns of calretinin and other mesothelioma-related markers in thymic carcinoma and thymoma may be helpful in avoiding confusion with malignant mesothelioma and pulmonary carcinoma, both of which are major differential diagnoses in this location. Accordingly, in the present study we examined the expression of calretinin, mesothelin, cytokeratin (CK) 5/6, thrombomodulin, HBME-1, Wilms' tumor-1 (WT-1), Ber-EP4, MOC-31, BG-8, B72.3, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD15, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), p63, and CD5 in 22 thymic carcinomas and 35 thymomas, and compared the results with those of malignant mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Around 1/3 of thymic carcinomas were positive for calretinin and/or mesothelin. Both thymic carcinomas and thymomas were frequently positive for CK 5/6. Immunoreactivity for HBME-1 was seen in 4 thymic carcinomas and 10 thymomas. Except for 1 thymic carcinoma being positive for WT-1, all other thymic carcinomas and thymomas were negative for WT-1 and thrombomodulin. None of the thymic carcinomas and thymomas expressed TTF-1. More than 70% of the thymic carcinomas were positive for Ber-EP4, BG-8, and CD15. The positive rates of MOC-31, B72.3, and CEA in thymic carcinomas were in the middle between those in mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma. All thymic epithelial tumors revealed nuclear immunoreactivity for p63. Nine thymic carcinomas (41%) expressed CD5. We found that a panel of positive p63, negative thrombomodulin, WT-1, and TTF-1 is most discriminatory for thymic epithelial tumors. Other mesothelial (calretinin and mesothelin) and epithelial (Ber-EP4, BG-8, and CD15) markers are less contributory in discerning thymic epithelial tumors due to their overlapping expression with malignant mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Given the complexity of the staining patterns among the different entities, proper immunohistochemical stainings should be selected and interpreted with caution, and correlated with clinicopathologic findings in the differential diagnoses of thoracic biopsy specimens.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Clear cell myomelanocytic tumor of the urinary bladder.

Clear cell myomelanocytic tumors are a recently described neoplastic growth considered to be a member of the family of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor. These tumors have a predilection for falciform ligament/ligamentum teres. We report an additional case arising from the muscularis propria of the urinary bladder in a 33-year-old woman. The tumor consisted of clear to eosinophilic, epithelioid, and spindled cells arranged in fascicles or packets. A delicate vascular stroma was found among the nests. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were typically positive for HMB-45 and smooth muscle actin but negative for S-100 protein, Melan-A, desmin, and pan-cytokeratin. The patient has been free of the disease since the excision of the tumor 6 years ago. This case, in association with the expanding list of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor reported in different sites, suggests that this type of neoplasm may be ubiquitous.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed2003

Malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumor involving the prostate.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a neoplasm chiefly composed of HMB-45-positive epithelioid cells with clear-to-granular cytoplasm and a perivascular distribution. We describe such a tumor involving the prostate and seminal vesicle in a 46-year-old man. The tumor had characteristic histologic features of PEComa. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for HMB-45 but negative for epithelial markers, Melan-A, and S100 protein. The tumor behaved in a malignant fashion, and the patient died of the disease 4 years after diagnosis.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2003

Primary adrenal lymphoma manifestating as adrenal incidentaloma.

Although involvement of the adrenals by malignant lymphoma is common, primary adrenal lymphoma is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of a 59-year-old woman with bilateral adrenal glands enlargement found incidentally on abdominal imaging. Despite of the huge size of the tumor, her adrenal function was intact. Ultrasound-guided biopsy disclosed a picture of malignant lymphoma, diffuse large B cell type. The patient received bilateral adrenalectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy, but succumbed 6 months later. We suggest that, although rare, primary adrenal lymphoma should be considered as a possible cause of bilateral adrenal incidentalomas.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Ganglioneuroma presenting as an asymptomatic huge posterior mediastinal and retroperitoneal tumor.

Ganglioneuroma is a rare, differentiated, benign and slow-growing tumor that commonly arises from sympathetic ganglion cells. Most of them are asymptomatic and found incidentally. We here report a quite rare case of silent huge ganglioneuroma growing in both posterior mediastinum and retroperitoneum occurring in a 3.5-year-old girl. The patient was relatively well before and incidentally found to have a huge chest mass by chest X-ray film at an episode of respiratory tract infection. Computed tomography showed a huge tumor extending from bilateral posterior mediastinum to the level of the adrenal gland in the retroperitoneum. Initially, neuroblastoma was highly suspected and 24-hour urine vanillyl mandelic acid was slightly elevated. Cytology by bone marrow aspiration revealed no tumor nests or clumps. Biopsy and pathology proved it as ganglioneuroma (GN). Due to too extensive involvement of the tumor and compression of the vital vessels, surgical removal became difficult. The family of the patient refused surgery due to there being no significant symptoms. Because of the potential for growth of unresectable GN and because the component of neuroblasts could not be completely excluded, the patient was still in dangerous status. The only thing we can do is to keep the family alert and continue regular follow-up.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2003

Malignant renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma with aggressive behavior and distant metastasis.

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a common renal tumor and mostly benign in entity. Malignant AML is extremely rare and most of them are found to be epithelioid AML histopathologically. We report the imaging features of a malignant epithelioid AML in a 58-year-old patient with liver and nodal metastases, and review the literatures. We have observed that AML of epithelioid subtype with tumoral necrosis may suggest the malignant change.

Angiomyolipoma↗
PubMed2002

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus genome within thymic epithelial tumours in Taiwanese patients by nested PCR, PCR in situ hybridization, and RNA in situ hybridization.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be associated with a variety of tumours, including Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and some carcinomas of other organs with similar lymphoepithelioma-like features. The association between EBV and thymic epithelial tumours is inconclusive, as reports in this regard are not entirely consistent and the methods employed are of different sensitivity and specificity. This study examined 78 thymomas and 21 thymic carcinomas in Taiwanese patients, to detect the viral genome at both DNA and RNA levels. The tissue blocks were first screened by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting on the first tandem internal repeats. The positive cases were further submitted for viral localization by in situ PCR insitu hybridization (ISH) and Epstein-Barr-encoded RNA-1 (EBER-1) ISH. None of the thymomas showed a detectable EBV genome. Eight thymic carcinomas were positive for EBV by nested PCR, of which six displayed nuclear signals within the tumour cells by in situ PCR ISH and/or RNA ISH, one displayed signals within the lymphocytes, and one showed no discernible in situ signals. Most of them exhibited a lymphoepithelioma-like morphology. These results show that nested PCR is a sensitive method for screening the EBV genome in thymic epithelial tumours. In situ PCR ISH is reliable for localization of the virus, in addition to EBER-1 RNA ISH. Thymomas are not related to EBV, even in this endemic area. Thymic carcinomas, especially the lymphoepithelioma-like thymic carcinomas, are more often associated with the virus.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Risk of oral cancer associated with human papillomavirus infection, betel quid chewing, and cigarette smoking in Taiwan--an integrated molecular and epidemiological study of 58 cases.

BACKGROUND: The association between oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) 6, 11, 16 and 18 is uncertain. Past reports varied in the methodology and results. We conducted this study using in situ PCR in situ hybridization (ISH) assay which was considered as the most sensitive method for detection of viral DNA. We undertook an epidemiologic survey about the history of betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking, since these habits are common in Taiwan. METHODS: In situ PCR ISH was performed on the tumor specimens from 29 patients with OSCC and the oral mucosal specimens from 29 patients without OSCC. Their betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking histories were also reviewed. RESULTS: HPV16, HPV18, betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking were statistically significant risk factors in univariate analysis. HPV6 and 11 were not. Multivariate analysis showed that HPV16 infection (adjusted Odds ratio = 11.20) and betel quid chewing (adjusted Odds ratio = 17.06) remained to be independent factors for OSCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that HPV16 and betel quid chewing were two major risk factors for OSCC in Taiwan, indicating that they act through different mechanisms in the pathogenesis of OSCC.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Diagnosing minimal adenocarcinoma on prostate needle biopsy by real-time dynamic telepathology through the internet: evaluation of an economic technology for remote consultation.

Computer-aided telepathology was introduced about 10 years ago, but has not yet met with worldwide acceptance. Recently, the internet has been used for image transmission in telepathology. We set up an easily assembled system comprising a common microscope, a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a personal computer, and a commercial internet surveillance program with internet accessibility. The consultant then views the real-time images using a common web browser at the remote site. The purpose of the study was to assess the ability of the system to transmit images of sufficient quality to achieve high concordance between the diagnoses made at the home base and at the remote site. We chose cases of minimal adenocarcinoma on prostate needle biopsy, because these lesions are liable to be overlooked and, even if discovered, are subject to differences in interpretation due to their limited size and subtle histologic changes. One hundred prostate needle biopsy specimens, including 45 minimal adenocarcinoma, 11 atypical small acinar proliferation, and 44 benign lesions, were tested. Two pathologists, unaware of the final diagnoses, were recruited to provide intra- and interinstitutional consultation. The overall concordance rates between telepathology diagnoses and final diagnoses were 97% and 94% for the two pathologists, respectively. Our results demonstrate that this method is effective for teleconsultation. Similar systems using the internet can be easily set up by ordinary pathology laboratories to facilitate remote consultation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Mosaic or chimera? Revisiting an old hypothesis about the cause of the 46,XX/46,XY hermaphrodite.

OBJECTIVES: A cell lineage in a hermaphrodite infant showing a 46,XX/46,XY karyotype was analyzed to determine the genetic contribution from both parents and identify the underlying mechanism. STUDY DESIGN: Genotype analysis was performed by using 57 microsatellite markers, 39 distributed on 9 autosomes and 18 on the X-chromosome. Two X- and Y-specific markers were analyzed to confirm the presence and percentages of cells containing a Y-chromosome. RESULTS: The proband revealed a single maternal and paternal allele for all of the informative autosomal and X-chromosome markers. Analysis of the X- and Y-specific markers confirmed that approximately 20% of the patient's peripheral blood cells contained the Y chromosome. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the patient's hermaphroditism was the result of a mosaic embryo and not a chimera. The most likely mechanism involved 2 separate nondisjunction events, resulting in the loss of 47,XXY cells during early embryonic development.

Chimera↗