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Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a relevant prognostic factor in germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTT) and it has been included in the AJCC staging system. Nevertheless, its histological assessment is challenging, with low/moderate interobserver agreement also among expert uropathologists. Few studies focused on the potential role of immunohistochemistry to solve this critical issue; as result, in current guidelines there is no indication for additional staining to detect this histological feature. In the present study, we investigated the detection of LVI invasion in a small cohort of GCTT with double staining for OCT4/CD34. Although our results need to be validated in larger case series with follow-up data, they suggest as OCT4/CD34 could be a useful tool for the histological assessment of these tumors, helping to identify some histological mimickers of LVI and modifying the pT/stage in a significant percentage of patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Mixed endometrial carcinoma (MEC) is defined as a tumor composed of two or more spatially distinct subtypes, at least one of which is serous or clear cell carcinoma. In this study, the clinicopathological features of 15 MEC cases containing a clear cell component (MEC-C) were investigated. The ages of patients ranged from 32 to 83 years (median, 61 years). The combinations of carcinoma components observed were endometrioid and clear cell in ten patients; endometrioid, clear cell and serous in three; and clear cell and serous in two. Immunohistochemically, nine had DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein deficiency (MMR-d), nine had loss of ARID1A and three cases had aberrant p53 expression. MMR-d and loss of ARID1A showed a strong correlation. Only one case showed both MMR-d and aberrant p53 expression. The patients with MMR-d were younger than those without MMR-d (median; 58 years vs. 71 years). Loss of ARID1A also showed significant predilection for younger women than ARID1A intact cases. In conclusion, MMR-d was observed in 60 % of MEC-C, showed predilection for young women, and was associated with ARID1A loss. In contrast, non- MMR-d MEC-C occurred in elder women and some tumors may associate with TP53 mutation. These findings suggest that MEC-C develop via two different molecular mechanisms and they are age-related events., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is currently included in the category of neuroendocrine carcinomas but the therapeutically management is not yet defined., Aims: To present the immunohistochemical (IHC) features of the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MANEC., Materials and Methods: The clinicopathological features of 13 consecutive cases of MANEC (6 gastric and 7 colorectal) were correlated with the IHC expression of the biomarkers E-cadherin, β-catenin, N-cadherin, vimentin, maspin, CD44 and S100. In all of the cases open surgery was performed., Results: All of the cases showed microsatellite stable status, expressed E-cadherin and membrane β-catenin in both components (neuroendocrine and adenocarcinoma) and were negative for N-cadherin, vimentin and S-100. The colorectal MANECs were negative for maspin. In gastric MANECs, maspin showed cytoplasm positivity in the neuroendocrine component and nuclear translocation in the adenocarcinoma cells. CD44 was positive in all of the cases, in both components. No tumor buddings were identified. Three of the 13 patients survived for at least 32 months, all of them showing lymphatic emboli but not lymph node metastases. Pure neuroendocrine lymph node metastases were seen in only four of the cases: one from stomach, two of the ascending colon and two cases of the upper rectum., Conclusions: Gastrointestinal MANEC is a microsatellite stable tumor with nodular growth, which components might originate from a CD44-positive stem-like precursor cell. Lymph node status remains the most reliable prognostic parameter and agressivity seems to not be influenced by tumor budding degree or EMT-related features. The histologic aspect of metastatic component (neuroendocrine versus adenocarcinoma) should be included in the histopathological reports and might be used for establishing the proper-targeted therapy of MANEC., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Primary liver sarcomatous carcinomas (PLSCs) are very aggressive tumors. They are characterized by a fast clinical course, and therefore need a prompt histological diagnosis. Here, we report two cases of PLSC. One arises in a non-cirrhotic liver and the other in cirrhosis, with differences in onset and histological features. Special emphasis is put on the expression of albumin and HCC markers, and their possible usefulness in the diagnosis. The English literature of the last 20 years was revised (92 cases). Immunohistochemistry was performed manually or automatically; in situ hybridization (ISH) technique for albumin mRNA detection was carried out. The sarcomatoid components in both cases were immunoreactive for K8/18, Glutamine Synthetase and EZH2, and negative for Glypican 3, SMA, caldesmon, desmin, DOG-1, CD34, CD31, CD117, CD56, and alpha-fetoprotein. The detection of albumin mRNA by ISH was negative in the sarcomatoid component in both cases. PLSC represents a diagnostic challenge for pathologists, especially in its "pure" form: neither albumin mRNA detection nor HCC markers are useful for the diagnosis: positivity for K8/18 and the negativity for the mesenchymal markers seem to represent the main tools for the histological diagnosis., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Benign mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MEST) is a new, rare entity. These tumors are composed of two components: a stromal and an epithelial one. Clinical outcome is usually good, no specific cytogenetic alterations have been described up to now. We describe for the first time a case with translocation t (1; 19).