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Tumour growth of vestibular schwannomas is still difficult to predict. The aim of our study was to determine whether any defined histopathological feature was correlated with the clinical course. We did a retrospective study with 69 paraffin-embedded tumours to establish whether the number of vessels, blood cells extravasation or degree of inflammation, all semi-quantitatively assessed, could be indicative of potential of growth. An immunohistochemical study was also performed with an endothelial marker CD34, the leukocyte common antigen CD45 and the estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors. All these parameters were correlated with patient's age, duration of symptoms (d), with a clinical growth index (CLI = tumour size/d). No clinical parameters proved to be predictive of tumour growth. Tumour size was significantly (p = 0.01) related to the number of vessels and we found a significant relationship between the clinical growth index (CLI) and total number of vessels, especially when duration of symptoms lasted less than 1 year (p < 0.001). However, we found no relationship between duration of symptoms or CLI and CD34 index. The degree of inflammation was significantly correlated (p = 0.007) with duration of symptoms when it lasted more than 1 year. The CD45 index and the semi-quantitative evaluation of the inflammation were well correlated (p = 0.001). No estrogen receptors antigenic site was detected and only seven tumours expressed progesterone receptor in a few cells without any significant clinical value. These results suggest that vessel density is determinant for sporadic acoustic neuroma growth especially for a short clinical course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondrosarcomas are primary cancers of cartilaginous tissue with highly contrasting prognoses. These tumors are defined by recurrent mutations in the IDH genes and other genetic alterations including inactivation of CDKN2A and COL2A1; however, these have no clinical value. Here we use multi-omics molecular profiles from a series of cartilage tumors and find an mRNA classification that identifies two subtypes of chondrosarcomas defined by a balance in tumor differentiation and cell cycle activation. The microRNA classification reveals the importance of the loss of expression of the 14q32 locus in defining the level of malignancy. Finally, DNA methylation is associated with IDH mutations. We can use the multi-omics classifications to predict outcome. We propose an mRNA-only classifier to reproduce the integrated multi-omics classification, and its application to relapsed tumor samples shows the progressive nature of the classification. Thus, it may be possible to use mRNA-based signatures to detect patients with high-risk chondrosarcomas.

Chondrosarcomas are rare primary malignant bone tumors that involve the head and neck region in 1% to 12% of cases. Central conventional chondrosarcoma is the most common subtype and is associated with isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) gene mutations in 50% to 60% of cases. We aimed to define the frequency of IDH1 and IDH2 gene mutations in a multicenter series of 88 cases of chondrosarcoma of the head and neck, including tumors involving the base of the skull (n = 30), the facial skeleton (n = 11), and the laryngeal and tracheal cartilages (n = 47). Petrous bone and cricoid cartilage were the most frequently involved sites for chondrosarcomas of the skull base and laryngotracheal tract (43.3% and 31.9%, respectively). Overall, 64.9% of craniofacial chondrosarcomas featured IDH mutations, with a high rate for skull base tumors (85.7%) but no IDH mutations in tumors of the facial skeleton. This different mutational profile could be related to the type of ossification, the bones of the base of the skull mainly resulting from endochondral ossification, and those of the face from intramembranous ossification. Conversely, mutation was infrequent in chondrosarcomas involving the laryngeal and tracheal cartilages (11.8% of 47 cases). Evaluation of IDH mutation status may be a useful diagnostic tool for bone tumors of the skull base, which are most often assessable with only small biopsy samples. The low rate of IDH mutations observed in laryngotracheal chondrosarcomas suggests a different mode of tumorigenesis needing further exploration., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Object: Glioblastomas multiforme (GBMs) grow rapidly and are highly resistant to treatment compared with other glioma types and grades. Consequently, it is of major interest to identify markers of aggressiveness in these tumors that could represent new therapeutic targets. Interleukin (IL)-6 is frequently produced in gliomas and, given its manifold properties, could be considered as a candidate marker. Expression of IL-6 may be involved in cell growth, resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy (via an antiapoptotic pathway), and angiogenesis. This study was conducted to test this hypotheses and to evaluate the suitability of IL-6 as a target in the treatment of GBMs., Methods: The authors studied the relationship between the level of IL-6 gene expression as assessed using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by determining various histological types and grades in a series of 59 gliomas. It was found that GBMs displayed a significantly higher level of IL-6 expression than other types of glioma (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that IL-6 was produced mainly by malignant cells and a few vascular endothelial cells., Conclusions: It can be inferred from these findings that IL-6 gene expression is related to glioma aggressiveness and that IL-6 may play a central role in GBM behavior. Interleukin-6, therefore, could be considered as a new potential target in the treatment of GBMs.

Malignant mullerian mixed tumors of the uterine cervix are rare; <30 cases have been reported. We describe a new case in which the carcinomatous component was predominantly adenoid cystic carcinoma. Only one similar case has been reported.

Lymphocytic mastitis is a non infectious inflammatory disease of the breast with lobulocentric lymphocytic infiltrate of variable intensity, collagenous fibrosis and progressive lobular atrophy. The pathogenesis of lymphocytic mastitis is still unknown but some recent reports have suggested an autoimmune origin. We investigated a series of 10 cases by immunohistochemistry and we collected patients' biologic data. The most striking histologic feature was a prominent lobulocentric stromal or intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltrate. Occasionally, the infiltrate was perivascular and nodular along the lobule border. B and T lymphocytes, both demonstrated by immunophenotypic analysis, were shown with a particular pattern of distribution. Pathologists must be aware of this disease in order to recommend immunological investigation.