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Zito F A, Verderio P, Simone G, Angione V, Apicella P, Bianchi S, Conde A F, Hameed O, Ibarra J, Leong A, Pennelli N, Pezzica E, Vezzosi V, Ventrella V, Pizzamiglio S, Paradiso A & Ellis I (2010) Histopathology 56, 720–726 Reproducibility in the diagnosis of needle core biopsies of non-palpable breast lesions: an international study using virtual slides published on the world-wide web Aims: To conduct an internet-based study using virtual slides (VS) of sterotactic core biopsy specimens of non-palpable breast lesions in order to evaluate interobserver reproducibility between pathologists. Methods and results: A total of 18 breast lesions, determined to be histologically complex by two pathologists, were selected. Digitized VSs were then created using QuickTime Virtual Reality technology (Apple, Cupertino, CA, USA) and posted on the world-wide web. In all, 10 pathologists completed the evaluations of 18 VSs using the five diagnostic categories (B1–B5) from the European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Their results were compared with those of every other participating pathologist, and were then individually compared with the results of a highly experienced breast pathologist (referee). Of the 18 cases, 10 (56%) were classified by the referee as borderline (B3 and B4). Comparisons with reference values showed a less than satisfactory level of reproducibility (median κw = 0.60). As regards interobserver reproducibility, results showed that, in general, the level of agreement was not satisfactory (median κw = 0.53). Conclusions: Overall, the findings are comparable to those quality control studies using circulating slides when analysis is done on borderline cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most frequent malignant liver tumor in infancy, and both its biological features and its prognostic behavior are still under investigation. DNA content and proliferative activity of the tumor have been considered as biological parameters related to the tumor's aggressiveness. The present study attempts to investigate the possible association between histologic subtype, DNA content, and proliferative indices in HB. DNA content and the proportion of cells in the S-phase were assessed by flow cytometry in 34 cases of HB (14 prior to chemotherapy, 20 after chemotherapy), using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival samples. The proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and both the flow cytometry (FC) and the immunohistochemical data were correlated with tumor pathology. A significant association was found between histological type, DNA content and the percentage of cells in the S-phase, with aneuploidy and the highest proportions of S-phase cells significantly associated with embryonal tumors. The PCNA labeling index was found to be significantly higher in embryonal than in fetal phenotype. The biological heterogeneity of HB is confirmed by the different nuclear content of the fetal (diploid) and embryonal (aneuploid) epithelial components of the tumor, also ruling out the likelihood of fetal (diploid) clones deriving from the embryonal (aneuploid) neoplastic cells. Since the highly proliferative neoplastic clones (i.e., embryonal) are thought to be more sensitive to antimitotic drugs, further studies are indicated to determine the relationship between ploidy, proliferative indices and chemoresponsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of multilocular renal cyst associated with an intrapelvic small nodule of malignant Wilms' tumour presenting subsequent urothelial metastasis is described. To avoid the possibility of urothelial neoplastic cell implantation the authors suggest more detailed histological examination and removal of the ureter in appropriate cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]