1/4. Distinctive distribution of human papillomavirus type 16 and type 20 dna in the tonsillar and the skin carcinomas of a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis.BACKGROUND: epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare skin disease characterized by disseminated pityriasis versicolor-like or flat wart-like lesions and by the development of skin carcinomas. It is well established that specific cutaneous human papillomaviruses (EV-HPVs) are associated with both benign and malignant skin lesions in EV patients. However, little is known of the relationship between HPV and the mucosal lesions of EV patients. OBJECTIVES: To detect and identify HPV types associated with skin and mucosal lesions of an EV patient. PATIENT/methods: We investigated the skin carcinoma and the coexisting tonsillar carcinoma of a 41-year-old man with EV. Histopathologically, both lesions were squamous cell carcinomas. We analysed these two lesions by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and by molecular virology. RESULTS: Neither skin nor tonsillar lesions exhibited positivity for HPV capsid antigen by immunohistochemistry. By Southern blot hybridization, however, the skin carcinoma harboured 'EV-specific' HPV20 dna, while the tonsillar carcinoma harboured 'genital' HPV16 dna. In addition, in situ hybridization localized the respective viral dna in the corresponding lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that EV-HPV could be responsible for the development of the skin carcinoma, but not the mucosal carcinoma in this patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = hybridization (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Extranodal follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the head and neck region: three new cases, with a review of the literature.Extranodal follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma of the head and neck region is uncommon, with 16 well-documented cases previously reported (four in the tonsil, four in the pharynx, two in the palate, five in the soft tissue, and one in the thyroid). We here report an additional three cases of extranodal FDC sarcoma in the tonsil (two cases) and pharynx (one case). In these new cases, the neoplastic cells were arranged in diffuse, fascicular, and vaguely whorled growth patterns. A background lymphocytic infiltrate was sprinkled throughout the neoplasms, with focal prominent perivascular cuffing. Scattered multinucleated giant cells were present. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were strongly and diffusely positive for follicular dendritic cell markers CD21 and CD35. Tumor cells were diffusely positive for fascin and negative for leukocyte common antigen, S-100 protein, cytokeratin, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (EBV-LMP). EBV was also not detected in the tumor cells by in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNAs. FDC sarcomas are probably an underrecognized neoplasm, especially when they occur in extranodal sites in the head and neck region. Two of the three new cases we report were initially misdiagnosed, and five cases of extranodal FDC sarcoma in the head and neck region reported in the recent literature were initially misdiagnosed. Our aim is to complement the current understanding of this neoplasm and alert pathologists to this rare entity in this region to avoid misdiagnosis. Recognition of extranodal FDC sarcoma requires a high index of suspicion, but this tumor has numerous distinctive histological features that should bring the neoplasm into the differential diagnosis. Confirmatory immunohistochemical staining with follicular dendritic cell markers such as CD21 and/or CD35 is essential for the diagnosis. Correct characterization of this neoplasm is imperative given its potential for recurrence and metastasis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = hybridization (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. NK/T-cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus: an autopsy case.Natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) is very rare. The authors encountered a case of NK/T-cell lymphoma in a 36-year-old man who presented with an ulcerative mass on both tonsils. During assessment, hiv positivity was noted. The EBV was detected by EBV-encoded rna 1 messenger rna in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction for EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1. On immunohistochemical staining, the infiltrated lymphoid cells of the tonsils demonstrated positvity for CD3, CD56, UCHL1, and granzyme, a finding compatible with NK/T-cell lymphoma. The patient received radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but died as a result of opportunistic infection of invasive aspergillosis after tumor recurrence. An autopsy was done with the consent of the patient's family. To our knowledge, this is the first case in an hiv patient of NK/T-cell lymphoma of the tonsils associated with EBV, confirmed by autopsy. NK/T-cell lymphoma should be considered in the hiv-positive patients with an ulcerating tonsillar mass.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = hybridization (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Interferon treatment of multiple pulmonary malignancies associated with papilloma virus.Over a period of four years, beginning in spring 1988, a previously healthy man developed a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, treated with radiotherapy, followed by 10 distinct, primary bronchial squamous cell carcinomas. Four of the cancers were surgically resected, all of which were positive by hybridization for human papilloma virus (type 16). Following the institution of alpha interferon, three smaller lesions disappeared and a larger one shrank in size, facilitating surgical resection. Over the following seven years no new ones have appeared. The finding of papilloma virus in malignancies should prompt consideration of antiviral therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = hybridization (Clic here for more details about this article) |