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Introduction Intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) evaluation is the standard of care in patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer. The most common histological subtype of breast carcinoma is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), followed by invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Alternatively, histological grades vary from grades G1 to G3. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of frozen section (FS) for detecting breast cancer metastasis to SLNs with respect to histological subtypes and grades. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Pakistan, from January 2013 till December 2020, over a duration of eight years. A total of 540 cases of primary breast cancer, undergoing upfront breast surgery were included in the study. Intraoperatively, SLNs were identified and sent for FS. After FS reporting, the remaining tissue was submitted for final (paraffin) section examination after formalin fixation, and results of FS and final (paraffin) sections were compared. Results The mean age of the patients included in the study was 52.05±12.42 years, and the median number of SLNs was three (ranging from one to 14). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative FS were 88.2%, 100%, 100%, 92.5%, and 95.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of FS for IDC was 88.3%, whereas it was 85.7% for ILC. Alternatively, the sensitivity of FS for grade G1, G2, and G3 tumors was 78.3%, 91.5%, and 90.2%, respectively. The false-negative rate for grade G1 tumors was 21.7%, which was higher than G2 and G3 tumors (8.5% and 9.8%, respectively). Similarly, the false-negative rate for cases where the number of SLNs was more than three was only 5.4%, which was lower than cases with a single and two to three SLNs sent on FS (23.1 and 14.7%, respectively). Conclusion The sensitivity of intraoperative FS for detecting ILC metastasis to axillary SLNs was not substantially different from IDC; however, histological grade affects the sensitivity of FS diagnosis, with lower-grade tumors having low sensitivity. Moreover, increasing the number of SLNs sent intraoperatively on FS improves the sensitivity of FS for detecting breast cancer metastasis to axillary SLNs.

Introduction Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is one of the rare special subtypes of breast carcinoma associated with poor prognostic features compared with invasive ductal carcinoma. Moreover, therapeutic options are limited in MBC owing to frequent triple-negative profiles of these tumors. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a proto-oncogene that is overexpressed in many human cancers, and is a potential therapeutic target. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the expression of EGFR in MBC by immunohistochemistry, and its association with clinicopathological and prognostic parameters. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study in the Department of Histopathology at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Pakistan, over a period of seven years. A total of 61 cases with a histopathological diagnosis of MBC were included in the study. All slides were reviewed by histopathologists for diagnostic confirmation. Histopathological parameters, such as tumor size, grade, and nodal metastasis, were recorded. The representative tissue blocks were also retrieved and immunohistochemical studies were performed for cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), Ki67, and EGFR. Results The mean age of the patients was 44.48 ± 13.01 years. The mean tumor size was 5.72 ± 2.72 cm, with most of the cases belonging to tumor (T)-stage T3. Axillary metastasis was present in 57.4% cases, and the perinodal extension was present in 11.5% cases. Most tumors were grade III (85.2%), with a mean Ki67 index of 39.67% ± 20.38%. Most of the cases were nonbasal (83.6%), owing to the absent CK5/6 expression. Tumor recurrence was noted in 14.8% cases, with a median follow-up of 43 (13-83) months and median disease-free survival of 36 (12-60) months. Positive EGFR expression was noted in 52.5% cases. A significant association of EGFR expression was noted with tumor grade, mean Ki67 index, axillary metastasis, and nodal (N)-stage. Cases with positive EGFR expression were found to have higher grade (grade III), with higher Ki67 index, higher frequency of axillary metastasis, and higher N-stage. Moreover, cases with positive EGFR expression had lower disease-free survival compared to cases with negative EGFR expression. Conclusion We found that a significant proportion of triple-negative MBC expressed EGFR. Moreover, EGFR overexpression was associated with poor pathological parameters and lower disease-free survival. Therefore, EGFR can be considered a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in triple-negative MBC; however, the correlation between gene amplification and protein overexpression is required to better uncover the role of EGFR as a therapeutic target.

Introduction Breast phyllodes tumor’s (PT) clinical behavior is difficult to predict on histology. There is limited amount of data available on the role of biological markers. The objective of this study was to assess the expression of CD117 (c-KIT) in PT of the breast and its relationship with morphology and clinical outcome. Methods A total of 78 patients having available clinical records between 2004 and 2014 with breast PT were retrieved from the cancer registry at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore and were followed up. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on all the cases using mono­clonal antibody CD117 (DAKO A4502) using Leica Bond-Max automated biosystem (Leica Biosystems, Melbourne, Australia). Staining proportion and intensity of both epithelial and stromal elements were analyzed. Evaluation of the protein expression was determined and scored. Results Patients’ mean age was 45.13 ± 11.4 years. Thirty-nine (50.0%) patients had tumor on right side, 38 (48.7%) had on left and only one (1.3%) was bilateral. Thirty-two (41.0%) patients had benign PT, 21 (26.9%) had borderline and 25 (32.1%) had malignant PT. Negative CD117 expression was observed in 20 (62.5%), eight (38.0%) and 12 (48.0%) of benign, borderline and malignant PTs, respectively. Positive CD117 expression was observed in 12 (37.5%) benign, 13 (61.9%) borderline and 13 (52.0%) malignant PTs. There was insignificant association between CD117 expression with respect to tumor sub-type, patient’s age and clinical behavior (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion CD117 expression was not found to be associated with tumor type and was not associated with increased risk of recurrence in this sample of patients. Further work is needed to better understand the prognostic value of CD117 expression in breast PTs.

Introduction A vesiculobullous lesion of the skin encompasses a group of dermatological disorders with protean clinicopathological features. They usually occur as a part of the spectrum of various infectious, inflammatory, drug-induced, genetic, and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of these lesions is essential for appropriate management and to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. The conventional skin punch biopsy is the mainstay in the diagnosis of dermatological diseases, especially when combined with confirmatory tests, such as direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Our study evaluated the clinicopathological spectrum of vesiculobullous lesions. Methods We studied 150 cases of vesiculobullous lesions at the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College Karachi, Pakistan. Written and informed consent was taken from the patients followed by skin punch procedure in which three biopsies were obtained, which included one biopsy from the lesion and two peri-lesional biopsies. One peri-lesional biopsy was sent in cryomatrix for DIF studies, whereas the other two were sent in formalin to follow the standard tissue-processing protocol. Results Our results showed that most patients belonged to the geriatric age group of more than 50 years (44.7%), and 54.7% of the patients were females. Total 74.7% of the patients had generalized lesions, followed by lower limbs (9.3%) and trunk (7.3%) involvement. Most patients were diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid (31.3%), followed by pemphigus vulgaris (27.3%), dermatitis herpetiformis (15.3%), Darier's disease (14.7%), pemphigus foliaceus (4.7%), epidermolysis bullosa (2%), linear immunoglobulin A dermatosis (2%), paraneoplastic pemphigus (0.7%), and drug reactions (0.7%). DIF studies were applied on 60 cases, out of which complement protein C3c was the most commonly deposited protein (53.3%). Conclusion Our study emphasized the diagnostic role of skin punch biopsy in the proper evaluation of vesiculobullous skin lesions. Histopathology is the cornerstone diagnostic tool in this regard, with DIF being a useful adjunct.

Introduction Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a special type of breast cancer that is most commonly triple-negative and has the worst outcome compared to other breast tumors. p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in many human cancers. The association of mutant p53 immunohistochemical expression with clinical and prognostic parameters has not been widely studied in triple-negative MBC. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the expression patterns of p53 in triple-negative MBC and its association with clinical and prognostic parameters. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Pakistan, for a duration of 11 years. A total of 101 cases of triple-negative MBCs were included in the study. p53 immunohistochemistry was performed on the representative tissue blocks. Cases with diffuse strong positive p53 expression were labeled mutant phenotype, while cases with weak patchy p53 expression were termed wild-type. Results The mean age of the patients was 48.33±11.47 years, and the mean tumor size was 3.98±2.07 cm. The mean Ki67 index was 48.98±22.97%. The median disease-free survival of the patients was 24 (three to 68) months, with a median follow-up of 37 (13 to 77) months. Most of the cases were tumor (T)-stage II (51.5%). Axillary metastasis was present in 36.6% of cases, with the perinodal extension in 16.8% of cases. Most cases were non-basal subtype (91.1%), and the majority of cases were grade III (85.1%). Recurrence was observed in 17.8% of cases. Among 101 cases, 52.5% cases showed mutant phenotype p53 expression. A significant association of p53 expression was noted with tumor grade, Ki67 index and disease-free survival. Cases with mutant phenotype p53 expression had a higher tumor grade, higher Ki67 index, and poorer disease-free survival than cases with wild-type p53 expression. Conclusion A substantial proportion of triple-negative MBC expressed diffuse strong expression (mutant phenotype) of p53 in our study, signifying a potential role of p53 as a therapeutic target in triple-negative MBC. Moreover, association of p53 with poor prognostic parameters, such as higher tumor grade and Ki67, and poor disease-free survival underscores the prognostic significance of p53 in triple-negative MBC.

Introduction Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are benign neoplasms and most common suprasellar tumors. They are more frequent in children, contributing to a significant number of intracranial tumors in the pediatric population and are thought to be arising either from the epithelial remnant cells of the craniopharyngeal duct or from the adenohypophysis epithelium. Two subtypes of CPs exist, namely, adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) and papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP). ACP is more common in children with a relatively aggressive clinical course and more frequent relapses than PCP. The study objective was to evaluate the clinicopathological features of CP in our population. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study in the Department of Histopathology at Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, over a period of 15 years, from January 2001 to December 2015. All CP cases were included in the study. A total of 207 cases were diagnosed during this period by histopathologists based on histologic features. All slides were retrieved, and diagnosis was confirmed after a reexamination of slides. Results We found that the mean age of diagnosis was 25.59±14.71 years, and the median follow-up time was 7 (3-19) years. The number of male patients was 136 (65.7%) and the number of female patients was 71 (34.3%). The most common tumor site was suprasellar (71.5%) followed by the sellar and temporal lobe (12.1% and 6.8%, respectively). The most common complaints were headache (21.7%), followed by loss of vision/decreased vision (16.4%) and vomiting (5.3%). The overall survival rate was 95.2% with a recurrence rate of 5.8%. A significant association of survival was noted with tumor recurrence. Conclusion CP is a rare brain tumor with good overall survival. We found a low recurrence rate of CP in our study. However, recurrence was found to be the most important factor determining survival in patients with CP.

Introduction Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is defined as breast cancer with a heterologous non-glandular component. MBC is considered a special type of breast cancer with a prognosis that is worse than invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. MBC is the most common breast cancer with a triple-negative profile. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological parameters, recurrence and survival of MBC in our population. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study in the Department of Histopathology at Prince Faisal Oncology Centre, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia, over a period of five years. All cases diagnosed as MBC were included in the study. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on representative tissue blocks. Results Total 183 cases of MBCs were included in the study, out of which 120 cases were excision specimens. The mean age of the patients was 48.84±12.99 years, and the most common age group was between 36 and 50 years of age. Most of the cases were tumor (T) stage T3 (50%), and nodal metastasis was present in 40% of cases. Most cases were grade III (78.7%). ER, PR and HER2/neu positivity was noted in 15.8%, 13.1%, and 9.8% cases, respectively. Follow-up data were available for 70 cases, with a median follow-up period of 4 (1-7) years. Tumor recurrence was noted in 31.4% cases, with a survival rate of 71.4%. Squamous, chondroid, spindle cell differentiation, and matrix production were noted in 70.5%, 7.1%, 13.7%, and 2.2% cases, respectively. A significant association of squamous differentiation was noted with HER2/neu positivity. An inverse association of spindle cell differentiation was seen with axillary metastasis. Survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier revealed a significant association of survival with tumor recurrence. Conclusion MBC is an important subtype of breast cancer, histopathological identification of which is challenging, owing to varied histological differentiation. We found squamous differentiation to be the most common in MBC, which was associated with HER2/neu positivity. A high recurrence rate of MBC was also observed in our study that was significantly associated with survival.

Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma and is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of hematopoietic tumors has recognized three morphological variants of DLBCL: centroblastic, immunoblastic, and anaplastic. Some studies have shown that the anaplastic variant of DLBCL is associated with aggressive clinicopathological features. Anaplastic DLBCL is rare, and the clinicopathological characteristics of this subtype of DLBCL are not widely studied in our population. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the frequency of the anaplastic variant of DLBCL and its association with other clinicopathological parameters. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology at the Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College over a period of six years, from January 2015 to December 2020. All cases diagnosed as DLBCL based on morphology and immunohistochemical (IHC) profile were included in the study. The diagnosis of anaplastic DLBCL was rendered based on morphology (large bizarre pleomorphic cells in a cohesive or sheet-like growth pattern), combined with CD30 IHC expression. Results The mean age of the patients was 52.90 ±16.42 years, and the mean Ki67 index was 73.18 ±16.52%. Of the 220 cases of DLBCL, 47.3% cases were germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype, and 59.1% cases were nodal. BCL-2, BCL-6, MUM1, c-MYC, and CD10 positivity were noted in 60%, 45.5%, 40.9%, 44.1, and 38.6% cases, respectively. Only 14 cases (6.4%) were recognized as anaplastic variants of DLBCL according to the previously defined criterion. The only significant association of anaplastic-variant DLBCL was noted with a lack of BCL-2 expression. No significant association of anaplastic-variant DLBCL was noted with age, gender, Ki67 index, DLBCL subtype, or any other IHC marker expression. Conclusion We found a low frequency of the anaplastic variant of DLBCL in our study. No significant association of this DLBCL variant was noted with any of the clinicopathological parameters, except for the lack of BCL-2 expression. Alternatively, from a pathological perspective, it is important to recognize this variant of DLBCL as it often mimics other CD30-positive lymphoma and undifferentiated carcinoma.

Introduction Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common histological subtype of breast cancer. Conversely, many special types of breast carcinoma were described with varying prognosis and hormone receptor status. Mucinous carcinoma (MC) is a rare special subtype of breast cancer, and only a few studies have evaluated the clinicopathological and hormone receptor profile of this type of breast cancer. Therefore, in this study, we compared the clinicopathological characteristics of MC with IDC in our population. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, from January 2013 till December 2020, for eight years. During this period, 38 cases of MC were diagnosed and 1268 cases of IDC were identified. All specimens were grossed according to standard protocols and representative sections were submitted from tumors, resection margins, and lymph nodes. Slides were examined by histopathologists to determine tumor type and grade. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains were applied to evaluate estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki67, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) statuses. Results The mean age of the patients with MC was 56.47±13.90 years, and most of the patients were above 50 years of age. The mean tumor size was 34.89±19.70 mm. Most tumors were grade 1 (68.4%) with a low mean Ki67 index (15.21±14.06%). Axillary metastasis was present in 31.6% of cases and all of them were nodal (N)-stage N1. ER, PR, and HER2/neu positivity were noted in 94.7%, 78.9, and 10.5% cases, respectively. Compared with IDC, a significant association of MC was noted with age, Ki67 index, tumor (T)-stage, N-stage, and tumor grade. MC cases had a higher mean age than IDC cases. Comparative analysis revealed that MC had a lower frequency of axillary metastasis, a lower mean Ki67 index, and a lower tumor grade than IDC. About biomarker status, MC was noted to have a higher frequency of ER and PR expression, and a lower frequency of HER2/neu expression than IDC. Conclusion MC is a rare subtype of breast cancer. However, it is important to recognize this subtype of breast cancer as it is associated with a prognostically better pathological profile, such as lower tumor grade and Ki67 index, lower frequency of axillary metastasis, higher expression of ER and PR, and lower expression of HER2/neu.

Introduction Papillary neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of breast lesions, ranging from benign to in situ and invasive malignant tumors. The term invasive papillary carcinoma (IPC) is reserved for rare invasive breast tumors showing greater than 90% papillary morphology. The clinical, epidemiological and pathological characteristics of IPC are not widely described in the existing literature; therefore, in this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological features and biomarker profile of IPC and compared it with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) diagnosed in the same study duration. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, from January 2013 to December 2020. During the study period, 44 cases of IPC and 1,268 cases of IDC were diagnosed. Slides and blocks of all cases were retrieved and histopathological diagnosis was reviewed. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), and Ki67 immunohistochemical (IHC) stains were applied on representative tissue blocks. Results The mean age of the patients with IPC was 58.77±8.38 years, and the mean Ki67 index was 19.95±21.12%. The mean tumor size was 32.41±17.39 mm, and most tumors (59.1%) were tumor (T)-stage T2. Axillary metastasis was present in 13.6% cases, and 86.4% cases had nodal (N)-stage N0. ER and PR expression was noted in 72.7% cases, and HER2/neu positivity was seen in 13.6% cases. IPC cases had a higher mean age than IDC. Conversely, IPC had a lower mean Ki67 index than IDC. Similarly, IPC cases were found to have a lower frequency of axillary metastasis than IDC. IPC was noted to have a lower frequency of T3-stage and lymphovascular invasion than IDC. A higher expression of PR and lower frequency of HER2/neu expression was noted in IPC than IDC. Conclusion IPC is a rare malignant papillary breast tumor with a wide differential diagnosis and therefore poses a significant diagnostic challenge. We found that IPC had a favorable pathological profile than IDC, in terms of T-stage, Ki67 index, axillary metastasis, PR and HER2/neu expression.

Introduction The two broad subcategories of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (WDNETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (PDNECs), based on tumor architecture and cytology. Grade 3 WDNETs are a subset of WDNETs that not only are high grade by mitotic activity or proliferative index but exhibit a well-differentiated histology. In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological features of primary neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI)/pancreatobiliary tract with emphasis on high-grade WDNETs, as it is a newly defined entity. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study, including a total number of 122 cases of primary GI and pancreatobiliary tract NENs. Slides and blocks of all cases were retrieved from the departmental archives. Immunohistochemical stains including Ki67 were applied to selected tissue blocks of all cases. Tumors were then evaluated for their histological differentiation and tumor grade. Results Our results showed that the mean age of patients was 46.8 ± 17.1 years. Majority of the NENs were GI tract origin (86.9%). The most common site of tumor in gastroenteropancreatic tract was the small bowel (31.1%), followed by the stomach (26.2%). Ninety five percent of the tumors were WDNETs, of which the most common grade was G2. The mean Ki67 index was 15.8 ± 23.8. Grade 3 WDNETs were noted to have an older mean age than grades 1 and 2 WDNETs. Ten out of 102 (9.8%) WDNETs of GI tract were grade 3, compared with four out of 14 (28.6%) of pancreatobiliary tract. Conclusion In this study, we found that high-grade (grade 3) WDNETs were more frequent in pancreatobiliary tract than GI tract. Moreover, high-grade WDNETs were associated with a higher mean age than low-grade (grade 1-2) WDNETs. It is extremely important to recognize this subset (high grade) of WDNETs and to distinguish it from PDNECs, as the latter are known to be associated with a worse overall survival. Despite high mitotic rate/proliferative index, high-grade WDNETs are characterized by organoid architecture and monomorphic cell population.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of microneedling in patients with atrophic post-acne scars. Methodology A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Patel Hospital for a duration of six months. Patients who were diagnosed with moderate to severe-grade atrophic acne scars were enrolled in the study. Patients with a history of photosensitivity, systemic lupus erythematosus, and xeroderma pigmentosum were excluded from the study. Goodman and Baron's acne scar-grading system was used to evaluate the degree of atrophic scarring. A total of three sessions divided into four weekly intervals were conducted. The scar-grading was done before the procedure and after three treatment sessions using Goodman and Baron's acne scar grading system. Results A total of 50 patients were included in this study; 36 (72%) were females and 14 (28%) were males, with a mean age of 30.92±6.19 years. A decrease in the acne scar-grade was noted from grade III to grade II after three sessions of treatment. A significantly higher number of patients were in grade II after three-month sessions compared with before treatment (p=0.009), and a significantly lesser number of patients were in grade III (p=0.045). A significantly higher proportion of patients with moderate acne scars, as compared to severe, were in grade II (77.3% vs. 22.7%; p

Objective This study aimed to compare the mean operative time, total analgesic required, and the mean number of drainage days in harmonic scalpel versus electrocautery in breast cancer patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Methodology This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC). The duration of the study was six months, from January 2018 until July 2018. A total of 194 females with biopsy-proven breast cancer undergoing MRM were included in the study. They were divided into two groups. In group 'A', a harmonic scalpel was used, and in group 'B', electrocautery was used for hemostasis. Results The mean age of the participants was 48.68 ±10.04 years. The mean operative time was 102.13 ±2.04 minutes. The mean number of days of drainage was 1.27 ±2.63. The mean analgesia amount was 30.72 ±3.25 mg. In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean operative time was 100.43 ±0.89 minutes, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was 103.86 ±1.12 minutes with a significant difference (p=0.001). In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean number of drainage days was 8.90 ±0.42, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was 13.58 ±1.26 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean analgesia amount was 1,800.5 ±353.55 mg, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was noted to be 2,006.25 ±289.43 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). Conclusion This study concludes that compared with standard electrocautery, harmonic scalpel dissection is associated with significant benefits in decreasing postoperative drainage and blood loss during operations after MRM for breast cancer.

Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma. The 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) update on hematopoietic tumors suggested that all DLBCL cases should be subtyped into germinal and non-germinal center phenotypes. Ki67 immunohistochemistry is a maker of cell proliferation and thus is used as a prognostic and predictive marker in various tumors of human body. Only a few studies evaluated the proliferative index of DLBCL subtypes in our population. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the frequency of subtypes of DLBCL in our population and K67 index in each subtype. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, from January 2018 till December 2020, over a period of three years. A total of 101 cases with a histopathological diagnosis consistent DLBCL were included in the study. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains CD10, B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), and multiple myeloma oncogene 1 (MUM1) were applied for the further sub-categorization of DLBCL into germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subtypes according to the Hans algorithm. The Ki67 index was interpreted in hot spots of the tumor and reported as an average percentage. Results Out of 101 DLBCL cases, 47.5% of DLBCL were GCB, while 52.5% were non-GCB subtypes. Bcl-2, Bcl-6, MUM1, c-Myc, CD10, and CD30 expression were noted in 62.4%, 45.5%, 42.6%, 44.6%, 39.6%, and 7.9% cases, respectively. The mean Ki67 index was 72.94±16.69%. The mean Ki67 index in non-GCB-type DLBCL was 77.67±14.80%, which was significantly higher than the mean Ki67 index in GCB-type DLBCL (67.70±17.22%) with a significant p-value (p=0.002). Cervical lymph node was the most common site of DLBCL, while the stomach was the most common extra-nodal site. A significant association of Ki67 index was noted with subtypes of DLBCL. A higher proportion of non-GCB-type DLBCL exhibited greater than 80% Ki67 index than GCB subtype DLBCL. Moreover, a significant association Ki67 index was noted with c-Myc positivity. A higher proportion of c-Myc-positive DLBCL had greater than 80% Ki67 index. Conclusion We found that non-GCB-type DLBCL had a higher Ki67 index than GCB subtype DLBCL, portending a poor prognostic significance of non-GCB subtype of DLBCL. Moreover, c-Myc expression was associated with a higher Ki67 index.

Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease, the spectrum of which is increasing with time. The 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) update on hematopoietic tumors recognized a prognostic subgroup of DLBCL called double-expressor DLBCL. Double-expressor DLBCL is defined by the co-expression of c-MYC and BCL-2 by using immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. To our knowledge, very few studies have looked into the pathological features of this newly defined prognostic category of DLBCL; therefore, in this study we evaluated the frequency of the double-expressor phenotype of DLBCL and its association with other clinicopathological parameters. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study in the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, from November 2017 till December 2020. Pathological and clinical records were retrieved from departmental archives. All cases diagnosed as DLBCL were included in the study. More than 40% c-MYC expression in the presence of more than 50% BCL-2 expression was defined as double-expressor DLBCL. Results The mean age of the patients was 52.1±16.9 years. The mean Ki67 index was 73.0±17.0%. A total of 48.6% cases were of germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) subtype, and 59.6% cases were nodal. Double-expressor phenotype was noted in 35.8% of DLBCL cases. A significant association of double-expressor phenotype was noted with age, gender, Ki67 index and subtype of DLBCL. Double-expressor DLBCL had a higher mean age than non-double-expressor DLBCL. Similarly, double-expressor DLBCL had a higher Ki67 index. Moreover, double-expressor phenotype was associated with non-GCB subtype DLBCL. Conclusion We found a high proportion of double-expressor phenotype DLBCL in our population. Moreover, double-expressor phenotype DLBCL was associated with female gender, higher age, higher Ki67 and non-GCB subtype. The association of double-expressor DLBCL with a high Ki67 index and non-GCB subtype confers a poor prognostic significance of this variant of DLBCL, requiring more aggressive therapy.

Introduction The intraoperative frozen section is a recommended method to detect breast cancer metastasis to axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs); however, frozen section is not widely available and requires an experienced staff. Alternatively, touch imprint cytology (TIC) is a simple and cost-effective technique to detect metastasis. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of TIC for detecting SLN metastasis and compared it with intraoperative frozen section evaluation. Methodology A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, for a duration of two years. A total of 114 patients undergoing surgery for primary breast cancer were included in the study. All patients had clinically and radiologically negative axillary lymph nodes. SLN sampling was done using radioactive dye and sent for intraoperative consultation. The SLNs were sliced at 4-mm intervals and two TIC slides and three step-levels for frozen section were prepared, and the results were compared with final (paraffin) section histology. Results The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of TIC was 83.7%, 98.5%, and 92.1%, respectively. Alternatively, the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of frozen section was 93.9%, 100%, and 97.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of TIC and frozen section for detecting micrometastasis was 14.3% and 57.1%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 90.3% and 95.8%, respectively. Alternatively, with respect to macrometastasis, the sensitivity and specificity of TIC were 95.2% and 98.5%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of frozen section were 100%. Conclusion TIC is a quick and effective technique for detecting breast cancer metastasis in axillary SLNs. Although frozen section had an overall higher sensitivity than TIC, the sensitivity of TIC for detecting macrometastasis was comparable to the frozen section. Therefore, we conclude that TIC is a good alternative to the frozen section in facilities where the frozen section is not available.

Objective This study aimed to determine the association of Apgar score with meconium staining of amniotic fluid in labor. Methodology A retrospective observational study was carried out through the non-probability convenient sampling technique at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for a duration of six months. Only those women were selected who had more than 24 weeks of gestation period. The women were excluded on the basis of risk factors for fetal distress and breech in late labor. Results A total of 216 pregnant women were selected from the labor room in this study. The mean age of the women was 26.57±4.28 years. The gestational age of the women was 36.09±4.11 weeks. Moreover, the mean parity of pregnant women was 1.68±2.53. It has been observed that the women who had meconium staining, the neonates of 144(77.4%) women showed the Apgar score of less than six at one minute. However, for the women without meconium staining, the neonates of only 15(50%) women showed the Apgar score of less than six at the one-minute interval with a significant association (p=0.02). With respect to age groups, a significant association of meconium staining with Apgar score was noted in the 21-30 years age group, whereas, no significant association was seen in other age groups. Similarly, a significant association of meconium staining and Apgar score was noted in primiparous women, whereas, no significant association was noted in multiparous women. No significant association of Apgar score and meconium staining was seen with respect to the mode of delivery. Conclusion The study has found a relation between the Apgar score and meconium staining of amniotic fluid and reported that the Apgar score of less than six at one minute was significantly associated with meconium staining of amniotic fluid.

Introduction After the introduction of cervical cancer screening program with cervical cytology, a marked decline in deaths secondary to cervical cancer was observed in developed countries. Two methods are used for cervical cytology. The first one is the conventional Papanicolaou (PAP) and the second one is liquid-based cytology (LBC). Although various studies in western countries established the role of LBC in cervical cancer screening, no large-scale study was conducted in our population to compare the two techniques for cervical cancer screening. Therefore, in this study, we compared the diagnostic utility of these two techniques for detecting cervical epithelial lesions. Methods A total of 3,929 patients, who presented to the Gynecology Clinic, Liaquat National Hospital, for cervical cancer screening from January 2015 until December 2019, over a period of five years, were included in the study. A total of 1,503 specimens were prepared by LBC, and 2,426 specimens were prepared by a conventional PAP smear method. All smears were interpreted using the Bethesda System of Reporting Cytopathology. Results The mean age of the patients was 39.46±11.14 years. For cytological evaluation, 98.7% of specimens were adequate. The inadequacy rate was 1.3% for conventional PAP smear and 1.2% for LBC. While 97.2% of specimens were reported as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, 1.1% of specimens showed squamous epithelial lesions. There was a significant difference in the detection rate of squamous epithelial lesions using the two techniques. The detection rate of squamous intraepithelial lesions using LBC was 2.1%, which was higher than that of the conventional PAP smear (0.6%). The detection rates of glandular lesions using LBC and conventional PAP smear were 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. Conclusion We found a higher disease detection rate of squamous epithelial lesions using LBC compared to conventional PAP smear. Therefore, we recommend a widespread use of LBC for mass cervical cancer screening in our population.

Introduction The Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampin (MTB/RIF) assay is a qualitative nested real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on the GeneXpert instrument system. Although, the utility of this technique for detecting tuberculosis (TB) in sputum and pus samples is well established, however, the usefulness of GeneXpert on biopsy samples is still a matter of debate. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the utility of GeneXpert for detecting MTB in biopsy specimens diagnosed with TB. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College. The data collection period was between January 2016 and December 2018 over a period of three years. Specimens included trucut/incisional biopsies and lymph node excisions. Cases with a favoured histopathological diagnosis of TB were included in the study. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay was performed on the samples obtained from paraffin-embedded biopsy tissue material, and comparison of histological features with Xpert MTB/RIF assay was performed. Results A total of 114 cases were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 40.53±16.83 years, and 57.9% of patients were male. 68.4% of cases were extra-nodal with the lung being the most common extra-nodal site. On histopathological analysis, caseation necrosis, epithelioid granulomas and Langhan's giant cells were present in 64.9%, 70.2%, and 59.6% cases, respectively. On GeneXpert PCR assay, MTB was detected in 26.3% cases. A significant association of MTB detection on Xpert PCR assay was noted with the presence of necrosis on histopathology. Conclusion In our study, we noted that the MTB detection rate by GeneXpert assay on histopathologically diagnosed cases of TB was only 26.3%, and the detection rate was significantly increased in the presence of caseation necrosis on a biopsy tissue sample. Despite the low detection rate due to rapid turnover time, GeneXpert assay is an excellent adjunctive tool for detecting MTB in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a quick, effective and relatively inexpensive technique to evaluate the visibly accessible superficial masses. As cervical, axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathies are commonly encountered clinical problems, in this study, we evaluated the utility of FNAC for assessment of lymphadenopathy. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Cytopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, over the duration of three years. A total of 559 cases were included in the study that underwent FNAC. After palpation, two to three passes were performed with a 22-23 gauge needle along with a plunger for FNAC. The obtained material was spread on three slides that were then stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Papanicolaou (PAP), and Diff-Quik methods. The remaining material was used for cell block preparation. Results The mean age of the patients was 37.05±18.03 years. In 98.7% of cases, the material was adequate for a satisfactory cytological examination. The most common site of FNAC was the cervical lymph node and tuberculous lymphadenitis (37%) was the most common diagnosis on FNAC, followed by reactive lymphadenitis (27.2%). Reactive lymphadenitis was seen more frequently in the younger age group (50 years). Tuberculous lymphadenitis was noted more frequently in the middle age group (16-35 years). Moreover, tuberculous lymphadenitis was noted more commonly in cervical lymph nodes, while metastatic carcinoma was more frequently observed in axillary and inguinal lymph node FNACs. Conclusion FNAC is a quick and reliable method to categorize the cause of lymphadenopathy into reactive, inflammatory/infectious, metastatic, and lymphoproliferative, avoiding the necessity of an incisional/trucut biopsy. Moreover, age, gender, and site of involvement are useful predictors of the cause of lymphadenopathy. We noted that in the younger age group, reactive lymphadenitis was more common, whereas tuberculous lymphadenitis and metastatic carcinoma were more frequent in middle and older age groups, respectively. On a similar note, tuberculous lymphadenitis was more frequent in cervical lymph nodes than axillary and inguinal lymph nodes, while metastatic carcinoma was more common in these latter two sites.

Objective In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence of hearing loss in the pediatric population through otoacoustic emission (OAE) and brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) and to analyze the possible etiological factors responsible for it. Material and methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Otolaryngology (ENT) and Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and National Institute of Child Health in Karachi, Pakistan between July 2019 and October 2019. The convenient sampling technique was used to select the patients. The final sample size consisting of newborns and children was 108. Initially, screening procedures were undertaken for newborns to detect permanent or fluctuating, bilateral or unilateral, and sensory or conductive hearing loss, averaging 30-40 dB or more in the frequency region, which indicated potential issues related to speech recognition (approximately 500-4,000 Hz). The screening of newborns involved the use of non-invasive, objective physiologic measures that included OAEs and/or auditory brainstem response (ABR). The children with hearing impairment then underwent BERA; thereafter, further investigations were performed to confirm the defects found on BERA testing. Results Of the 108 cases, 96 had normal hearing on OAE screening, and 12 were found to have hearing loss on the OAE test. Further testing was carried out on BERA for 12 cases that had been detected to have hearing loss on OAE, and BERA showed normal hearing for five cases whereas seven were found to have hearing loss. Of the seven patients with hearing loss on the BERA test, five were diagnosed with cochlear deafness, and two had retrocochlear deafness. Conclusion Our present study concludes that in order to avoid any hearing problems in infants, OAE hearing screening and diagnostic BERA screening programs should be carried out in all the hospitals of Pakistan to assess newborn hearing at an early age.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate different factors of social stressors among people with type II diabetes versus non-diabetics by using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Methodology This case-control study was done for one year at Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Diagnosed patients with type II diabetes between 25 and 60 years were included as cases and age-related healthy individuals as controls. Participants on any psychotropic medications, neurodegenerative disorders, or on chemotherapy were excluded. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRDS-17) was used for recording depressive symptoms. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis. The frequency was calculated for descriptive statistics and depression scores (HRDS-17). A significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results A total of 272 patients were divided into two groups, with 136 patients in the group with diabetes and 136 participants in the control group. The mean age among people with diabetes was 55.13±9.10 years and among non-diabetics was 43.25±12.97 years (p

Introduction The Killip classification system was introduced for clinical assessment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). It stratifies individuals according to the severity of their post-MI heart failure. This system provides effective stratification of long-term and short-term outcomes in patients with acute MI and influences the treatment strategies. Revalidation of Killip class in our local population is mandatory. We planned this study to increase cardiologist's readiness to tackle the risks associated with increased mortality in each class post ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). Objectives were to determine the frequency of Killip classes I, II, III, and IV and in-hospital mortality in each Killip class in patients with left ventricular failure secondary to STEMI. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, over a period of three years. Patients with STEMI were stratified using Killip classification, and validation was performed by determining the within 15 days in-hospital mortality in each Killip class. Results The frequency (percentage) of patients with STEMI in each Killip class from I to IV was 395 (81.4%), 46 (9.5%), 27 (5.6%), and 17 (3.5%), respectively, while the in-hospital mortality in each Killip class came out to be 39 (9.9%), 4 (8.7%), 25 (92.6%) and 17 (100%), respectively. The presence of diabetes, history of smoking, and body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m2 were significant contributors to mortality, along with higher Killip class and age of presentation. Conclusions It is concluded that the Killip classification system is a valid tool for risk stratification for patients after STEMI, especially in resource-limited countries.

Myoepithelial carcinomas are rare malignant salivary gland tumours encountered most commonly in the parotid gland and are amenable to surgical resection. However, when they occur at complex anatomical locations, complete resection becomes difficult due to their locally aggressive nature. Here we describe a case of a large myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the floor of the mouth and involving major structures at the skull base. A 30-year-old female presented with a slow-growing mass in the oral cavity. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a heterogeneous appearing lesion in the mouth floor measuring 6.7 x 5.8 x 7.3 cm. Superiorly, the lesion was extending up to the skull base, laterally extending up to the parotid gland and inferiorly up to the submandibular gland. This lesion was also encasing the internal carotid artery. Incisional biopsy under local anaesthesia was performed, and the specimen was sent for histopathological analysis. Microscopic examination showed a neoplastic lesion composed of sheets of cells with oval nuclei and clear cytoplasm with a myxoid background. Immunohistochemical expression of pan-cytokeratin (CKAE1/AE3), p63, anti-smooth muscle actin (ASMA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) supported the diagnosis of myoepithelial neoplasm. The patient then underwent excision of the mass followed by histological analysis, which further showed microscopic evidence of infiltration into the surrounding tissue along with areas of atypia and significant mitoses. These morphological findings supported the diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma. The excised tumour was reaching up to the excision margin. Myoepithelial carcinomas are rare malignant tumours with diverse histomorphological patterns frequently present as a diagnostic challenge. The mainstay of treatment is complete surgical excision with disease-free margins, which can be challenging due to local aggressiveness and large size of these tumours. When these tumours occur in complex anatomical locations, complete excision becomes difficult, resulting in a dismal prognosis.

Objectives Hypertension is strongly related to body mass index (BMI). Obesity has been the single main contributor to hypertension. Furthermore, the clinical manifestations are normally associated with BMI in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between clinical features and BMI among hypertensive patients in both males and females. Methodology A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 296 patients having a self-reported history of hypertension and on anti-hypertensive medication. The study was conducted in the medical outpatient department of a secondary care hospital in Karachi during six months (January 2020 to June 2020). A detailed history was taken from each patient about hypertension-related symptoms, and clinical examination was performed. Blood pressure was measured using a sphygmomanometer with a stethoscope. Results Of the 296 patients, 156 (52.2%) were males and 140 (47.3%) were females; 16 (5.4%) of them were underweight, 91 (30.7%) were normal weight, 129 (43.6%) were overweight, and 60 (20.3%) were obese; in addition, 106 (35.8%) reported edema and 71 (24.0%) reported nausea and so on. As far as the association of clinical features and BMI was concerned, our study results showed that only edema (p=0.017) and nausea (p=0.044) were significantly associated with the BMI of the patients. Patients with edema were more likely to be obese than those without edema (29.2% vs. 15.3%), whereas patients with nausea were more likely to be overweight than those without nausea (57.7% vs. 39.1%). Conclusions Our study showed that among the clinical features, edema and nausea were significantly associated with the BMI of the patients, whereas the relationship with others was insignificantly related to BMI of the patients in both male and female patients.

Objective To determine the frequency of hepatitis B and C in patients with prolonged hemodialysis suffering from chronic renal failure. Methods A retrospective study was conducted from January to August 2017 at Tabba Kidney Institute, Karachi. A total of 255 patients on hemodialysis were included in the study by using convenient sampling technique. All the relevant data such as gender, age, duration of hemodialysis and presence of hepatitis B and C were recorded. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) while binary logistic regression was applied to develop a risk assessment model for the study outcomes. Results The study results showed that 134 (52.5%) patients were on hemodialysis for five years or more, 173 (67.8%) of them suffered from hepatitis B while 124 (48.6%) of them suffered from hepatitis C. The study results further revealed that after controlling for the effects of age and gender, the duration of hemodialysis was significantly associated with both hepatitis B (AOR 1.917, 95% CI 1.111-3.306, p=0.019) and hepatitis C (AOR 2.323, 95% CI 1.395-3.870, p=0.001) among the patients studied. Conclusion The study concluded that longer duration of hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure was significantly associated with both hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections in the study population. A myriad of patient and environmental factors can contribute to this finding in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Therefore, periodic monitoring of liver function tests and routine surveillance for viral hepatitis can help establish an early diagnosis of infection, potentially improving patient outcomes improving patient outcome.

Objective An inguinal hernia is a common condition associated with advanced age, male gender, smoking, connective tissue disorder, and factors responsible for increased intra-abdominal pressure. This study aimed to observe the relationship of body mass index with the development of inguinal hernia in males and females. Methodology This cross-sectional descriptive study using a non-probability convenient sampling technique was carried out at Al-Tibri medical college and hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 82 patients were selected: 78 males and four females. The ethical approval for the study was taken from Institutional Research and Ethical Committee. Inclusion criteria based on the patient age above 40 of either gender with complaints of pain in the groin region with clinical findings like swelling and tenderness. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, USA). Results The mean age of 82 patients diagnosed with an inguinal hernia on a clinical basis was 47.41 ± 15.49 years. The mean height was 67.09 ± 3.95 inches. The mean weight was 63.5 ± 6.77 kg. The mean BMI was 22.07 ± 2.17 kg/m2. Seventy-eight (96.06%) were males, and four (5.9%) were females. Thirty-four (41.5%) patients were diagnosed with right inguinal hernia, 34 (41.5%) - with a left inguinal hernia, and 14 (17.1%) - with a bilateral inguinal hernia. BMI was normal in 68 (86.3%) and low in 14 (20.55%) patients. Our study indicated that patients with normal BMI were more likely to suffer from inguinal hernia than patients with low BMI. Conclusion This study concluded that the normal body mass index was associated with a high occurrence of inguinal hernia among the genders. The normal body mass index in males exhibits more inguinal hernia chances than a low body mass index. It was observed that the frequency of unilateral right inguinal hernia is higher than bilateral. Similarly, males are more affected than females.

Introduction The most important factor determining survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a disease recurrence. A high rate of recurrence was noted in previous studies conducted in Pakistan; however, these studies did not consider margin status as inadequate margin clearance leads to disease recurrence. In this study, we determined cancer recurrence in patients with HNSCC after nullifying this factor. Methods This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) for a duration of three years. Data collection period was from January 2015 to December 2017. A total of 150 patients that underwent surgery at LNH for HNSCC with margin-free frozen sections were included in the study. Pathological tumor characteristics such as tumor type, size, depth of invasion and nodal status were determined. Results The mean age of the patients was 50.31±12.90 with mean tumor size of 3.38±1.76. Nodal metastases were present in 45.3% cases with 17.3% showing extranodal extension. Recurrence was observed in 66% of cases with median disease-free survival of 12 months and perineural invasion was noted in 12% cases. We found a significant association of disease recurrence with larger tumor size, depth of invasion and extranodal extension. Moreover, younger age (50 years) groups showed higher rates of recurrence than the middle age group (30-50 years). Similarly, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that tumors with ≥1 cm depth of invasion and the presence of extranodal extension were more likely to have disease recurrence than tumors with

Introduction Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with histological features varying from well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (WDNETs) to poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (PDNECs). In this study, we investigated the clinicomorphological spectrum of NENs including tumor grade, site of origin, and metastasis. Methods We retrospectively studied 125 cases of NENs (at the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi) between the years 2014 and 2020. Slides of these cases were retrieved from the departmental archives and were evaluated for the tumor type, grade, and site of origin. Results The mean age of the patients was 51.25±16.10 years. Overall, the liver was the most common site of the tumor (27.2%), followed by the small bowel (15.2%). Grade 2 was the most common tumor grade (40.8%), and most of the tumors were primary (68.8%). A total of 84.8% of the tumors were WDNETs/carcinoids, while 15.2% were PDNEC. The small bowel was the most common site of primary NENs, followed by the stomach and lung. Among primary neuroendocrine tumors, patients with PDNEC were significantly noted to have a higher mean age than WDNET/carcinoid. Similarly, PDNEC had a higher ki67 index than WDNET/carcinoid. For metastatic NENs, the liver was the most common site of metastasis (71.8%) with the GI/pancreatobiliary tract being the most common primary site of origin (51.3%). Tumors with primary lung origin were found to have a higher tumor grade than primary GI/pancreatobiliary tract origin NENs (p

Introduction Encapsulated papillary carcinoma (EPC) is a rare malignant papillary breast tumor that, despite a lack of distinct myoepithelial layer, is considered an in situ carcinoma unless associated with a frank invasive component. Data regarding clinicopathologic features of rare breast tumors like EPC are especially scarce. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the clinicopathologic features of EPC and performed a clinicopathological comparison with conventional invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Methods It was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, from January 2013 to December 2019 over a period of seven years. During this period, 16 cases were diagnosed as EPC, and 634 cases were labeled as IDC. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) immunohistochemical (IHC) stains were performed on both EPC and IDC cases. Moreover, myoepithelial IHC stains were performed on all cases of EPC. Clinicopathologic features of EPC were compared with IDC. Results The mean age of the EPC patients was 51.81±13.94 years, with a mean tumor size of 2.97±2.46 cm. The majority of cases were grade II, and axillary metastasis was present in 18.8% of cases. About 56.3% of cases were in situ, and 43.8% showed foci of invasion in the form of IDC. Recurrence was noted in 12.5% of cases with a survival rate of 93.8%. ER, PR, and HER2/neu positivity was noted in 81.3%, 75%, and 12.5% cases, respectively. EPC was significantly noted to have lower tumor grade and pathological T-stage than IDC. Similarly, a lower frequency of axillary metastasis was noted in EPC than IDC. Conclusion EPC is a rare distinct subtype of papillary breast tumors with overall good survival and low recurrence rate. Compared to IDC, we found EPC to be associated with better prognostic parameters such as lower tumor grade and T-stage and lower frequency of axillary metastasis.

Introduction Solid papillary carcinoma (SPC) is a distinct rare subtype of breast tumour that often exhibits a neuroendocrine differentiation. Due to the rarity of these tumours, few studies have assessed the clinicopathological features of these tumours. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the clinical and pathological profiles of SPC and compared the pathologic features with conventional invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in our population. Methods It was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College from January 2013 until December 2019 over seven years. Cases with histological diagnosis of SPC and IDC were included in the study, and clinicopathological characteristics were compared. Results We included 39 cases of SPC in our study diagnosed during the study period. During the same timeline, 634 cases of IDC were reported and therefore included in the study for comparison. The mean age of the patients with SPC was 53.97 ± 12.15 years, and the mean tumour size was 3.42 ± 1.87 cm. Axillary metastasis was noted in 15.4% of cases. 94.9% of cases of SPC were invasive. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) and synaptophysin positivity was seen in 84.6%, 87.2%, 10.3%, and 59% respectively. Recurrence was noted in 10.3% of cases with 94.9% survival rate. Cases of SPC had significantly lower grade (grade I + II), tumour (T) and nodal (N) stage than IDC. Moreover, the frequency of hormonal receptor expression (ER and PR) was higher, and the frequency of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) expression was lower compared to IDC. Conclusion SPC is a distinct variant of malignant papillary breast tumours with overall better prognostic parameters than IDC. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the histological features of this rare breast tumour.

Introduction Endometrial cancers (ECs) are the most common gynecological malignancies. Based on morphology and pathogenesis, ECs are segregated into type 1 and 2 ECs. Types 1 ECs are those tumors that are estrogen-driven, whereas type 2 ECs are more aggressive and are independent of hormonal status. In the proposed study, we evaluated the clinicopathological parameters of type 2 ECs and its comparison with type 1 ECs. Methods We retrospectively analyzed seven-year data from archives of pathology, Liaquat National Hospital, from January 2013 to December 2019. All patients underwent radical surgeries for diagnosed EC on endometrial biopsy. All specimens were of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and peritoneal sampling, along with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Records regarding tumor type, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, and ovarian, omental, nodal, and parametrial involvement were assessed. Results A total of 129 cases of ECs were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 57.6 ± 9.3 years. Majority of the cases were type 1 ECs (82.2%). The most common histological type of EC was endometrioid (82.2%) followed by serous carcinoma (10.1%). Most of the tumors were grade 1 (42.6%) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I (72.8%). Nodal metastases were present in eight cases (6.2%) and adnexal involvement was present in 12 cases (9.3%). We found a significant association of the type of EC with lymphovascular invasion, nodal metastasis, and adnexal involvement, whereas no significant association of EC type was seen with other clinicopathological characteristics. Conclusions Type 1 EC was the most frequent subtype of EC in our study. On the other hand, type 2 EC was significantly associated with nodal metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, and adnexal involvement, signifying the poor prognostic significance of this group of EC.

Objective Blood pressure (BP) has been found to rise among populations due to the high body mass index (BMI). Overweight and persons who have high BP are prone to develop heart diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between BMI and BP among hypertensive patients in both males and females aged 18 years and above. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out among patients with a self-reported history of hypertension and anti-hypertensive medication. After taking ethical approval, a total of 337 patients aged 18 or above were selected by using convenience sampling. The duration of the study was six months. A detailed history was taken from each patient about hypertension associated symptoms with the help of a self-designed questionnaire. The BMI of the patients was assessed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used to analyze the collected data. Spearman correlation was used, and p-value

Introduction Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common bladder cancer. The most censorious pathological aspect of UC is deep muscle invasion and tumor grade. In this study, we assessed the prognostic implications of tumor grade and deep muscle invasion in UC. Methods It was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital, from July to December 2019. The data were collected over five years from January 2014 till December 2018. Records from archives of the anatomic pathology were searched, clinical characteristics were recorded, and histopathological slides were reviewed. Histological parameters, including tumor grade and muscle invasion, were evaluated. Records of patient follow-up were assessed by reviewing clinical records. Recurrence of UC and overall survival was also recorded. Multivariate binary logistic regression was applied for variables that were significant on univariate logistic regression. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The mean age of the patients was 63.39 ± 14.1 years. More than half (53%) cases were of low-grade papillary UC. Disease recurrence was observed in 53 (39.1%) patients, whereas the mortality rate was 16.6%. In our study, 49 (32.5%) patients were found to have deep muscle invasion. By multivariate analysis, we found that the deep muscle invasion was significantly associated with male gender and grade. In addition, a significant association of high-tumor grade with survival status of the patients was noted. Conclusions A high proportion of UC cases in our study were found to have deep muscle invasion and high-tumor grade. Moreover, a significant association of deep muscle invasion with tumor grade and an association of tumor grade with survival signify the prognostic value of these factors in UC.

Introduction Papillary breast lesions are segregated into benign and malignant based on the presence or absence of myoepithelial cells in the papillary cores. Papillary breast lesions are further classified into: intraductal papilloma, papilloma with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)/ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), papillary DCIS, solid papillary carcinoma in situ, solid papillary carcinoma with invasion, invasive solid papillary carcinoma, encapsulated papillary carcinoma and encapsulated papillary carcinoma with invasion. In this study, we evaluated the spectrum of papillary breast lesions in resection specimens of the breast according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification of breast tumors. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study, and was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital for a period of six years, from January 2012 till December 2017. Data of patients that underwent surgeries for breast tumors were included in the study. All specimens were grossed, according to defined protocols, and representative sections were taken after inking resection margins. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were examined by experienced histopathologists, and myoepithelial stains (p63 and myosin) were done in selected sections of all tumors. Histopathological classification of papillary tumors was performed according to WHO classification of breast tumors. Results The study involved 190 excision specimens of papillary breast lesions. Mean age of the patients was 45.6±17.1 years. Most of the lesions were between two and five centimetres (69.1%). For invasive carcinomas (n = 76), the most frequent grade was II (52.6%). For in situ and invasive carcinomas (n = 129), lymphovascular invasion and axillary metastasis were noted in 5.4% and 9.3% cases, respectively. Among papillary breast lesions, 36.8% were benign (intraductal papilloma, solitary or multiple) while 63.2% harbored ADH, DCIS, or invasive carcinoma. Invasive papillary carcinoma was the most frequent malignant papillary lesion (20%), followed by solid papillary carcinoma with invasion (12.6%). We found significant associations between patient's age and tumor size with histological type of papillary lesion as benign papillary lesions had smaller size and younger age compared to malignant papillary lesions. Conclusion We noted a high frequency of malignancy in papillary breast lesions. Moreover, malignant papillary lesions were significantly associated with higher age and larger tumor size.

Introduction Ewing sarcoma (ES) family of tumors is one of the most common groups of malignancies arising in children, adolescents, and young adults. Although characteristic histology with immunohistochemical expression of CD99 and FLI1 after exclusion of other small round blue cell tumors is considered diagnostic of ES, frequency of typical ES translocation, i.e., t(11;22)(q24;q12) is not known in our population. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of this translocation in histologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed cases of ES along with its association with other pathological parameters. Methods A total of 43 morphologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed cases of ES were included in the study. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on representative paraffin blocks to identify t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation. Association with various clinicopathological characteristics was determined. Results Mean age of the patients was 18.23±9.57 years. Bone was the most commonly involved site (22; 51.2%) followed by soft tissue (17; 39.5%) and parenchymal organs (4; 9.3%). A total of 88.4% of cases were found to be FISH-positive for t(11;22)(q24;q12). No significant association of translocation positive cases was noted with tumor size or disease-free survival. Similarly, no significant association of tumor size with disease-free survival was found. Conclusions A significant proportion of cases of histologically diagnosed cases of ES exhibited characteristic t(11;22)(q24;q12). This signifies that histology along with immunohistochemistry is reliable for the diagnosis of this tumor; however, in difficult cases, FISH can be performed to detect characteristic translocation. Moreover, we did not find tumor size to be a significant prognostic indicator of survival in ES.

Objectives There are several factors that may affect the length and height of the infant. Maternal factors include a wide array of factors (anthropometric, hematological, or genetic), which can affect newborn health determinants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of normal birth length and its determinants in newborns. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Department of Hamdard Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from March 1, 2019, to August 31, 2019. The relevant data were gathered by trained data collectors with the help of a structured questionnaire designed specifically for the study after taking written informed consent from all the participants. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 20. Binary logistic regression was applied to develop a risk assessment model for the study outcome. Results Out of 195 pregnant mothers, 57 (29.2%) had low birth weight infants. Mean age of mothers was 29.29±5.22 years, 142 (72.8%) had BMI of 25.0 or more, 102 (52.3%) had hemoglobin between 10 to 11 mg/dL, 172 (88.2%) used to take vitamin C and iron during pregnancy, 136 (69.7%) consumed extra meals during pregnancy, and only 5 (2.6%) were tobacco smokers/chewers. Hundred (51.3%) newborns had normal birth length, i.e., >48 cm. The mother's mid-arm circumference > 22 cm (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.719; 95% CI: 2.337-9.527; p 11 mg/dL (AOR: 4.314; 95% CI: 1.779-10.463; p=0.001), and adequate rest during pregnancy (AOR: 3.798; 95% CI: 1.464-9.848; p=0.006) were significantly associated with normal birth length of the infants, i.e., >48 cm. Conclusions Mother's mid-arm circumference > 22 cm, consumption of extra meals during pregnancy, hemoglobin > 11 mg/dL, and adequate rest during pregnancy were found to be significant predictors of normal birth length of the infants.

Introduction Lupus nephritis is one of the most important secondary glomerulopathy and a significant cause of chronic renal failure. Early diagnosis is key to improved prognosis. The International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) classification stratifies renal biopsy evaluation in different classes that correlates with clinical renal outcome. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the proportion of patients in each class of lupus nephritis in our population. Methods We evaluated renal biopsies of 128 patients that fulfilled the clinical and serologic criteria of lupus nephritis. The histologic classification was done according to the ISN/RPS classification, and immunofluorescence studies were performed. Active and chronic lesions were assessed on renal biopsy, and association of different histopatholgic parameters with lupus classes was done. Results The mean age was 28.85±12.24 years. Most of the patients were from age group ≤25 years (48.4%). Active lesions were seen in 66 (51.6%) patients, with endocapillary hypercellularity being the most common active lesion type, i.e. 81.8%. Chronic lesions were noted in 42 (32.8%) patients, with glomerular sclerosis being the most common chronic lesion type, i.e. 69%. Majority of the patients belonged to class IV (46.9%). Females were more likely to present at advanced lupus stage compared to males, and older patients (>50 years) had a higher chance to present at a late stage (class IV and higher). Active lesions were significantly found more frequently in classes III and IV, while chronic lesions were more likely to present in classes III to V. Conclusion We found that a significant proportion of patients of lupus nephritis in our population presents at an advanced stage as more than 60% patients were of class IV or higher. This signifies lack of appropriate clinical surveillance of patients and assessment of renal functions early in disease course. This also necessitates revision of our locoregional protocols to manage lupus nephritis patients and a need to perform a renal biopsy early in disease course.

Introduction Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) formation is a prominent complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Accurate and prompt detection of the condition is important as it poses a high risk for thromboembolic events that can be arrested by systemic anticoagulation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the frequency of LVT formation in thrombolyzed and non-thrombolyzed patients with AMI to ascertain the current magnitude of the problem in the local population. Methods The study was conducted at the Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology in Multan, Pakistan. A total of 281 patients of either gender aged between 30-65 years with anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI; both thrombolyzed and non-thrombolyzed) were included in the study. Once they were enrolled in the study, all the relevant baseline investigations were performed. A detailed history was taken and examinations were done; serial ECG and echocardiography were performed till discharge from the hospital on the third day of hospitalization to record the final outcome of the study, i.e., LVT formation. Results The mean age of the patients was 55.54 ± 7.26 years. Overall, LVT formation was noted in 65 cases (23.1%), of which 11 (16.9%) were thrombolyzed patients and 54 (83.1.1%) were non-thrombolyzed. A significant association of LVT was noted with age, hypertension, family history, and duration of symptoms. Conclusion We found a high frequency of LVT formation among patients with AWMI who have not undergone thrombolytic therapy. It was observed that LVT was notably associated with advanced age, hypertension, and other comorbidities. Early presentation to the hospital and thrombolysis reduce the risk of developing LVT, which in turn can reduce morbidity and mortality in such patients.

Introduction Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is becoming more common than ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and data regarding presence of underlying multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD) in these patients is consistent in locoregional population that leads to lethal delays in proper management. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of MVCAD in NSTEMI with markedly raised troponin T levels. This will help to identify patients that should be labeled as high risk and must be referred for coronary revascularization on priority basis, so that clinical outcomes can be improved in these patients. Methods This cross-sectional research study was carried out at Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology, Multan over a period of one year. A total of 326 patients with history of chest discomfort within past 48 hours of presentation or angina equivalent symptoms and cardiac troponin T more than 500 ng/l were included in the study. Coronary angiography was done within 72 hours of same hospital admission. The outcome variable i.e. MVCAD was determined. Results Mean age of patients was 50.74 ± 7.75 years with range of 30 to 60 years. MVCAD was found in 107 (32.82%) patients, whilst there was no MVCAD in 219 (67.18%) patients. Moreover, no significant association of MVCAD was noted with age or smoking. Conclusion We found presence of MVCAD in a considerable number of patients presenting with NSTEMI. The key to detect the underlying presence of MVCAD in these patients is lifted troponin T levels. Therefore, we conclude that any patient with elevated troponin T levels, even in the absence of ST segment elevation, should undergo cardiac catheterization to detect presence of MVCAD as this subset of patients can benefit from early revascularization including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Background p16 is a tumor suppressor gene, over expression of which is considered as a surrogate marker of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Moreover, p16 over expression correlates with good prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of p16 overexpression in HNSCC in our setup and its association with clinicopathologic parameters. Methods We performed p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 144 cases of HNSCC. Association of p16 overexpression with various clinicopathologic parameters including T-stage, N-stage, grade, recurrence status, and risk factors was evaluated. Results p16 over expression was noted in 22.9% (33 cases), while 21.5% (31 cases) were focal positive and 55.6% (80 cases) were negative for p16 over expression. On the basis of percentage of expression; > 70% p16 expression was noted in 4.9% (7 cases), 9% (13 cases) showed 51% - 70% p16 expression, 9% (13 cases) revealed 11%-50% p16 expression, while 77.1% cases revealed no expression or < 10% p16 expression. Significant association of p16 expression was noted with nodal metastasis and extranodal spread while no significant association of p16 was noted with other prognostic parameters and risk factors. Conclusion Our data revealed that high expression (> 50%) of p16 is low in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in our setup. These finding suggest a low prevalence of HPV as a cause of HNSCC in our population. Moreover, p16 expression was found to be associated with some good prognostic parameters like lack of nodal metastasis, however, no significant association was noted with overall disease-free survival.

Papillary urothelial carcinoma (PUC) is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary bladder. Urothelial tumors are notorious for frequent recurrences and follow a chronic relapsing course in most of the patients. In Pakistan, the incidence of PUC is showing a rising trend. Various immunohistochemical (IHC) markers including androgens have been studied as prognostic and predictive markers in PUC with conflicting results. Androgen is a steroid-based sex hormone and plays an important role in different body organs such as urinary bladder, prostate, muscles, and brain. We aimed to investigate the role of the IHC expression of androgen receptor (AR) as a predictor of recurrence in papillary urothelial carcinoma patients. Eighty-four patients were included in the study. Tissues from the biopsy specimens of these cases were stained with antibodies against AR; 17% of the cases demonstrated a positive AR IHC expression. The expression was slightly more common in low-grade carcinoma. The AR expression was not significantly associated with clinicopathological features. Recurrence was observed in 49% of the cases, and it was significantly more common in AR-negative cases (p-value: 0.025). Eighteen out of 19 patients who died of disease were AR- negative, but no statistical significance was observed. We conclude that the IHC expression of AR can be used as a predictive marker for PUC as it correlates with the recurrence rate.