Search

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults and usually has a very poor prognosis. Histologically, UMs have been classified in epithelioid cell type, spindle cell type, and mixed cell type. Balloon cells are large pale cells that contain small, hyperchromatic, central nuclei with vesiculated, clear, and lipid-rich cytoplasm. A balloon cell morphology is infrequently observed in naevi and even less frequently in malignant melanomas of the skin, conjunctiva, ciliary body and choroid. In this regard, UMs that exhibit balloon cell features are generally those previously treated with proton beam irradiation and then enucleated, rather than those that directly underwent primary surgery. To the best of our knowledge, very few cases of primary UM showing extensive balloon cell morphology have been reported in scientific literature to date. We herein present an unusual case of primary UM with diffuse balloon cell changes in a 69-year-old woman.

Medullary carcinoma of the colon is a rare histological variant characterized by a poorly differentiated morphology, an aberrant immunophenotype, and microsatellite instability. Despite the lack of glandular differentiation, medullary carcinoma is reported to have a good prognosis. It is typically located in the right colon and frequently affects older women. Due to its clinical, histological, biological, and genetic peculiarity, medullary carcinoma requires an accurate diagnosis and the awareness of this diagnostic possibility. We describe the morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings of two interesting cases, the first one in the right colon of a patient and the second one in the terminal ileum of a patient with Crohn’s disease. Deeper knowledge of all the biological and clinical features will allow appropriate and specific treatment of this tumor in the future.