Biomedical subjects

M P Foschini

Publications and source records attributed to M P Foschini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

[Quality control of the "M. Malpighi" Anatomy, Histology, and Pathologic Cytology Section, Oncology Department, University of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital].

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.

Hospitals, University↗

PubMed1999

[Orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in adults. Report of 2 cases].

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent sarcoma of infancy. Embryonal RMS is generally correlated with a better response to chemotherapy. In the present paper two cases of embryonal RMS of the orbit affecting adult patients are reported. Both patients are male, aged 22 and 24 years respectively. In Case 1 the lesion arose primitively in the orbit, in Case 2 the orbit was affected by secondary involvement. Both patients presented a rapid response to chemotherapy, with reduction of the neoplastic mass and regression of symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Carcinomas of the breast showing myoepithelial cell differentiation. A review of the literature.

Myoepithelial cells are normally located between the epithelial cells and the basal lamina of secretory elements of exocrine glands. Their role in the histogenesis of breast tumours has been studied extensively, and a definite differentiation towards myoepithelial cells has been demonstrated in adenoid cystic carcinoma, adenomyoepithelioma, low-grade adenosquamous (syringomatous) carcinoma, pure malignant myoepithelioma and poorly differentiated myoepithelial-rich breast carcinoma. All these tumours are of low malignancy, with the exception of malignant myoepithelioma and poorly differentiated myoepithelial-rich carcinoma. When a low-grade tumour is associated with a spindle cell component, distant metastases must be expected. Pure malignant myoepithelioma shows morphological and clinical features similar to those of monophasic sarcomatoid carcinomas, and it is possible that this last tumour is linked histogenetically to sarcomatoid carcinomas.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Identification of mitochondria in liver biopsies. A study by immunohistochemistry, immunogold and Western blot analysis.

Hepatocytes are rich in mitochondria, which play an important role in hepatic metabolism. In certain pathologic conditions (most often alcoholic liver disease) mitochondria became enlarged; nevertheless, even in these conditions they are hardly detectable on light microscopy. Recently an antimitochondrial antibody (mAM), which recognizes a 60-kDa protein, has been characterized. The purpose of the present study was to study immunoreactivity of this antibody in a series of liver biopsies. We studied 146 liver biopsies using an mAM. In 8 cases an ultrastructural study was also done, and in 2 cases Western blot analysis was performed. Cases were divided as follows: alcoholic liver disease (ALD, 31); steatosis (8); nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, 1); hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatitis (83); hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatitis (6); primary biliary cirrhosis (1); sclerosing cholangitis (1); haemosiderosis (1); sarcoidosis (1); alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (1); nonspecific findings (12). All the patients were investigated for alcohol or drug abuse, pharmacological treatment, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes. Immunoreactivity was diffuse in cases of ALD, NASH and steatosis, and in patients with drug abuse. Electron microscopic immunogold and Western blot analysis confirmed that in the conditions examined the protein recognized by the mAM showed greater expression. Immunohistochemical staining was helpful in demonstrating a toxic or a metabolic insult even in cases in which the histological picture was blurred by viral infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Albumin gene expression in adenocarcinomas with hepatoid differentiation.

Two cases of hepatoid adenocarcinomas were studied with an in situ hybridization technique (ISH) using a RNA probe for human albumin mRNA. In case 1 the urinary bladder of a 67-year-old woman was affected; in case 2 the tumour was located in the gastric antrum of an 80-year-old woman. In neither case had alpha fetoprotein (AFP) been determined preoperatively. Histologically these cases showed adenocarcinomatous features intermingled with hepatoid areas. These latter areas were characterized by cords of polygonal cells, each with an oval nucleus and prominent nucleoli, separated by a fine network of sinusoids. In the hepatoid areas the immunohistochemical profile was similar to that observed in hepatocellular carcinomas, in that the tumour cells were positive with AFP, alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AAT) and albumin antisera and there was a canalicular type of reactivity with polyclonal anti-CEA (pCEA) antibody. ISH revealed albumin mRNA in virtually all hepatoid cells in case 1, and in about 50% of those in case 2. In addition, in case 2 occasional cells in the adenocarcinomatous areas showed albumin transcripts of ISH. Our findings confirm that ISH for albumin mRNA probe is a valuable method of establishing hepatocellular differentiation, and that hepatoid adenocarcinomas are tumours with true extrahepatic hepatocellular differentiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

[Malignant melanoma with pseudoepitheliomatous reaction marker. A case report].

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.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Cavernous angiomas of the spinal district: surgical treatment of 11 patients.

Cavernous angiomas, also called cavernous malformations or cavernomas, are vascular hamartomas accounting for 3-16% of all angiomatous lesions of the spinal district. Although histologically identical, these vascular anomalies may exhibit different clinical behavior and radiological features, depending on their location, hinting at different managements and therapeutic approaches. The authors report 11 cases of symptomatic spinal cavernous angiomas diagnosed and surgically treated over the past 18 years. Age of patients ranged from 15-75 years; males outnumbered females. Three patients had vertebral cavernous malformations, secondarily invading the epidural space; two had pure epidural lesions; two patients had intradural extramedullary lesions, and four intramedullary lesions. Surgical removal was completely achieved in four patients with intramedullary lesions, in two with subdural extramedullary lesions, and in one with a pure epidural lesion. Subtotal excision of another one epidural and three vertebral cavernous angiomas was followed by radiotherapy. There was no morbidity related to surgery; the mean follow-up was 2 years. The outcome was excellent in two cases, good in six, and unchanged in the other three. The authors discuss the different modalities of treatment of these vascular lesions variously placed along the spine.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Gaze-evoked amaurosis heralding orbital angiomyoma. Case report.

The unusual case of a patient presenting with gaze-evoked amaurosis as an early and isolated sign of orbital angiomyoma is reported. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance of the orbits need to be expeditiously performed in patients with gaze-evoked amaurosis in order to identify or rule out the possible presence of an underlying tumor.

Angiomyoma↗

PubMed1997

[Expanding lesions of the orbit: Multicase review].

Different types of neoplastic and non neoplastic lesions can affect the orbit causing ocular damage. Aim of the present study was that to review a series of endoorbital neoplastic and non neoplastic space occupying lesions. All the cases of endoorbital lesions, seen during the period January 1980-September 1996, were retrieved from the files of the Department of Pathology of the Ospedale Bellaria of Bologna (Italy). All the cases were reviewed and reclassified according to the WHO criteria. One hundred-twenty-six cases of orbital lesions were selected; of these 88 were benign, 36 malignant and 2 borderline. The cases were then subdivided into the following categories: benign lesions of soft tissues (37 cases), malignant lesions of soft tissues (5 cases), lymphoid tumors and pseudotumors (12 cases), other primitive endoorbital tumors (18 cases), secondary and metastatic tumors (43 cases), tumors of the optic nerve (6 cases) and non neoplastic lesions (3 cases). A great variety of lesions can affect the orbit, most of which are benign in nature. Thus a correct diagnosis followed by a correct treatment of the patients can avoid severe ocular damage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Malignant myoepithelioma associated with in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma. Description of a case and review of the literature].

A case of malignant myoepithelioma of the breast, associated with in situ and invasive carcinoma NOS is described. Myoepithelial differentiation was demonstrated with immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The tumour affected the left breast of a 72 year old lady. The patient had been treated with quadrantectomy with axillary dissection, followed by radiotherapy. At the time of diagnosis no local or distant metastases were found. Bone, pulmonary and cerebral metastases appeared 28 months after treatment. Malignant myoepitheliomas share histological and immunohistochemical features with monophasic sarcomatoid carcinomas. Comparison and and possible relationship with monophasic sarcomatoid carcinomas is discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

[Sarcoid-like hepatic granulomas, associated with gastric neoplasia. Description of a case].

Giant cell granulomas in liver biopsies is a relative common finding. Among the many causes of granulomatous lesions of the liver primary biliary cirrhosis and sarcoidosis are the most frequently diagnosed. On the other hand sarcoid-like granulomatous reaction can be encountered associated to malignant tumours. Purpose of the present paper is to describe a case of a sarcoid-like reaction of the liver associated to gastric adenocarcinoma. The patient was a 66 yr old man who underwent gastrectomy for a signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma. Pathological anamnesis was unremarkable. Liver function tests were within normal limits. Chest x ray was normal. A liver biopsy was performed during surgery as the liver presented an irregular surface. On histology giant cell granulomas with sarcoid-like features were seen in the hepatic parenchyma. Same reaction was present in the perigastric lymph nodes. The patient died immediately after surgery due to massive pulmonary embolism. No autopsy was performed. Among the possible diagnoses primary biliary cirrhosis, sarcoidosis and paraneoplastic sarcoid-like granulomatous reaction were considered. Primary biliary cirrhosis and sarcoidosis were excluded on the basis of the past clinical history of the patient, that was unremarkable; furthermore liver function tests performed preoperatively were within normal ranges. Thus paraneoplastic sarcoid-like reaction involving the liver was regarded as the most likely diagnosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Microcalcifications in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Thirty cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, showing histological microcalcifications, were studied to clarify their mechanism of formation. Undecalcified sections revealed three types of calcium precipitates: type I and II granular calcifications (GCs) and laminar calcifications (LCs). In type I GCs the core on which the calcium had deposited was constituted mainly by nuclear debris. Type II GCs were predominantly composed by mucosubstances. LCs were the result of calcium deposits on mucoid or proteinaceous material, arranged in concentric lamellae. LCs and type II GCs were mainly present in well and intermediately differentiated DCIS. Type I GCs were observed in only DCIS with necrosis, frequently being present in intermediately and poorly differentiated DCIS.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Comparison of the different methods of grading and staging of chronic hepatitis].

AIM OF THE STUDY: In the recent literature it has been emerged the importance of grading and staging of chronic viral hepatitis. Numerous different methods of grading and staging have been proposed. Purpose of the present paper was to compare the methods proposed by Knodell et al., Scheuer, and Ishak et al. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive cases of chronic viral hepatitis constituted the basis of the study. Each case was graded as mild, moderate and severe activity and staged according to the criteria described in the three methods. In particular portal-periportal activity, lobular activity and fibrosis were evaluated. The final evaluation of the liver biopsy, together with the result of each single feature, were then compared. RESULTS: The three different methods gave grossly similar results in the overall grading of the cases. Analyzing the single features, differences were noted in the evaluation of the lobular activity. This is probably the consequence of the different qualitative and quantitative criteria applied. Comparison of the data obtained by evaluating the extension of fibrosis was quite difficult, owing to the extremely different scales of grading used in each single method. CONCLUSIONS: In this study three different methods of grading and staging of chronic viral hepatitis were compared. The final evaluations of the cases obtained with the different methods were almost superimposable. Comparing the data obtained with long term follow-up of the patients may better clarify which of the different methods can have a prognostic value.

Hepatitis, Chronic↗

PubMed1995

Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast associated with low-grade adenosquamous and sarcomatoid carcinomas.

Six cases of invasive breast carcinoma with unusual morphological features are reported. The ages of the female patients ranged from 46 to 79 years (mean 60.5). All tumours had areas typical of an adenomyoepithelioma. In three cases adenomyoepithelioma gradually merged with low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma. In the other three patients a sarcomatoid carcinoma was associated with adenomyoepithelial areas. A common origin is proposed for these neoplasms, which extends the morphological spectrum of epi-myoepithelial cell tumours.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Myoblastomatoid (histiocytoid) carcinoma of the breast. A type of apocrine carcinoma.

Thirteen carcinomas of the breast having in common neoplastic cells with granular to foamy cytoplasm are described. These cells exhibit apocrine differentiation as demonstrated by immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization studies. These tumors can be easily misinterpreted as either fibrohistiocytic or myoblastomatoid (granular cell) tumors. Therefore, the designation of myoblastomatoid (histiocytoid) invasive carcinomas seems the most appropriate for this specific group of apocrine carcinomas.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Benign regressing histiocytosis of the liver.

A case of benign regressing histiocytosis of the liver is reported. The patient, an adult male, presented with fever and diarrhoea and on abdominal echography multiple nodules were present in the liver. Histologically and immunohistochemically the lesions had features of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. The nodules regressed within four months, without therapy, and the patient is free of disease 29 months after presentation.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder. Study of 4 cases and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory pseudotumour (IPT) of the urinary bladder is a benign proliferative lesion which can simulate clinically and histologically a sarcoma. Aim of this study is to report four new cases and to review the literature. CASES: Two patients were male, aged 2 and 4 years respectively (cases 1 and 2); cases 3 was a 26 year old woman and case 4 was a 40 year old man. Three patients presented with gross haematuria. One patient (case 4) presented with abdominal pain. On cystoscopy all the lesions presented as polypoid masses, ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm. in greatest axis. All patients were treated with conservative surgery. Case 1 died of unrelated causes 7 years later; at autopsy no evidence of residual bladder lesion was found. All the remaining three patients are alive and free of disease 8, 4, and 3 years respectively. RESULTS: On histology all the lesions had similar features. They were characterized by a submucosal growth of spindle cells with little pleomorphism, immersed in abundant myxoid stroma. In all cases immunoreactivity with vimentin was obtained; smooth muscle actin was focally positive in two cases and cytokeratin in one case. Bladder muscular wall was involved in three cases. CONCLUSION: The present four cases showed same histological and immunohistochemical feature of the IPTs previously described in the literature. IPT of the urinary bladder must be differentiated from malignant lesions such as rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, inflammatory fibrosarcoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma. Differential diagnosis is based mainly on the characteristic histological picture of IPT. Immunohistochemistry can be misleading as IPT shares in common with those malignant conditions, positivity with some markers, such as desmin with rhabdomyosarcoma and cytokeratin with sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Long-term follow-up of in situ carcinoma of the breast.

Eighty cases of duct carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast have been investigated by a cohort-retrospective study. These consisted of 8.5 per 1,000 of 9,446 breast biopsies originally diagnosed as benign, between 1964 and 1976, with a mean follow-up of 17.5 years. There were forty-one cases (51%) of DCIS of clinging type (CC); 30 cases (37.%) of CC associated with other types of DCIS; nine cases of DCIS other than CC two of which were DCIS of comedo-type. Invasive duct carcinoma (IDC) subsequently developed in 11 patients (14%), whereas DCIS recurred in 5 (6%). The recurrence was ipsilateral in 12 of these 16 patients. IDC appeared more frequently, with high statistical significance, when the lesion present in the original biopsy showed pleomorphic (P) nuclei (ie, poorly differentiated cyto-nuclear morphology). The Standardized Morbidity Ratio (SMR) was 8.0 (95% CI; 2.9-17.5) with the general population as reference. IDC that developed following a lesion displaying P nuclei also showed a statistically significantly more aggressive behavior. It is suggested that when cases of DCIS are followed-up for a considerable length of time, a two-wave pattern of aggressiveness becomes apparent. IDC that develops after a poorly differentiated DCIS leads to death more precociously than that appearing after other types of DCIS, especially those showing more bland nuclear cytology.

Adult↗