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Primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma (PEL-LL) is a rare lymphoma, localized in the body cavity without detectable tumor masses. Tuberculous pleural effusion is a form of extra pulmonary tuberculous. We herein report three cases of PEL-LL in patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite the presentation with lymphocyte predominance and high levels of adenosine deaminase, a notable characteristic of tuberculous pleural effusion, the patients were ultimately diagnosed with PEL-LL. Pleural fluid laboratory tests yield similar results for PEL-LL and tuberculous pleural effusion; therefore, cytological and immunophenotyping examinations are useful for their differential diagnosis and the determination of treatment.

We herein report a rare case of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) complicated by cytomegalovirus enteritis following steroid pulse therapy for interstitial pneumonia. An 86-year-old woman underwent steroid pulse therapy for interstitial pneumonia. She was bedridden with dyspnea and suddenly developed melena. Colonoscopy revealed AHRU, which did not improve with conservative treatment, but did improve with ganciclovir administration for cytomegalovirus enteritis. Pulmonologists administer steroid pulse therapy for interstitial pneumonia; however, this gastrointestinal complication does not receive its due attention. Delayed treatment of this complications can be fatal. Caution should be taken when administering steroid pulse therapy to bedridden patients with interstitial pneumonia.

Primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma (PEL-LL) shows a unique clinical presentation, characterized by lymphomatous effusions in the body cavities. PEL-LL may be associated with hepatitis C virus infections and fluid overload states; and owing to its rarity, no standard therapies have been established. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman who developed PEL-LL during treatment with dasatinib, for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). She presented to our hospital with dyspnea lasting for approximately a month and showed pericardial and bilateral pleural effusions. The pericardial effusion was exudative, and cytopathological and immunophenotypic examinations showed numerous CD 20-positive, large atypical lymphoid cells, which were also positive for the Epstein-Barr virus gene. No evidence of lymphadenopathy or bone marrow infiltration was found. We diagnosed PEL-LL, immediately discontinued dasatinib, and performed continuous drainage of the pericardial effusions. Complete response was achieved, and remission was maintained for 15 months. Two months after discontinuation of dasatinib, she was administered imatinib and a deep molecular response for the CML was maintained. PEL-LL occurring during dasatinib treatment is rare. We compared the results of previous reports with this case, and found that early diagnosis of PEL-LL, discontinuation of dasatinib, and sufficient drainage can improve the prognosis of PEL-LL.

Background Meningiomas are occasionally fed by pial blood supply (PBS). It is postulated that peritumoral flow void (PTFV), peritumoral brain edema (PTBE), and absence of an arachnoid plane (AP) are useful parameters for evaluating PBS. Purpose To determine whether conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a multiparametric scoring system (MSS) is a useful way to predict PBS. Material and Methods Forty-six patients were included and divided: PBS and non-PBS groups. Differences between the groups in six parameters of MR imaging were analyzed: tumor size, tumor location, PTBE grade, AP grade, PTFV, and MIB1 labeling index (MIB1-LI) grade. Cutoff values were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the differentiation of both groups based on statistically significant parameters. All cases were scored as 1 (PBS) or 0 (non-PBS) for each parameter according to set thresholds. Individual scores were totaled for each case, yielding a combined score for each case to obtain a cutoff value using ROC curve analysis for the MSS. Results Peritumoral brain edema grade, AP grade, PTFV, and MIB-LI grade were statistically associated with PBS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that PTBE grade 3 or 4, AP grade 3 or 4, and PTFV positivity had the highest accuracy of 69%, 64%, and 68%, respectively. Regarding the MSS, a cutoff value of 2 had the highest accuracy of 71%; PBS diagnosis was indicated by at least two of the three parameters, namely, PTBE grade, AP grade, and PTFV. Conclusion The MSS is a useful way to predict PBS in intracranial meningiomas on MRI.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a groundbreaking treatment for tumors adjacent to the appendiceal orifice that are difficult to remove by conventional endoscopic mucosal resection, and successful cases are increasingly reported. However, little is known about the subsequent complications, especially long-term complications. A female in her early 70s with a 15-mm cecal tumor adjacent to the appendiceal orifice – discovered incidentally during a screening colonoscopy – underwent hybrid ESD of the lesion. We completely resected the tumor, and she was discharged 5 days later with a pathological diagnosis of high-grade tubular adenoma. Ten months postoperatively, she experienced sudden-onset right lower quadrant pain and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis at another hospital. Due to suspicion that her condition was the result of residual tumor, her surgeon performed an emergency laparoscopic cecectomy. The pathological examination of the resected specimen showed thick scarring adjacent to the appendiceal orifice and no residual tumor. The previous ESD was identified as the cause of the scar, and the scar was the only finding to account for the patient’s appendicitis. This case is significant because the patient required additional surgery due to a complication of ESD. Further, it indicates that acute appendicitis may be a late complication of submucosal dissection near the appendiceal orifice. As ESD becomes more widely used, it is likely that more cecal tumors will be treated endoscopically. It is important to be aware of the late complications of ESD for these tumors.

Distinguishing between IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and hyper-interleukin (IL) -6 syndrome, such as immune mediated conditions, autoimmune diseases, and idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is challenging. Here, we report the case of a 69-year-old man with cervical lymphadenopathy who was admitted to our hospital and histologically diagnosed with hyper-IL-6 syndrome mimicking IgG4-RD phenotypically. Laboratory data detected polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia comprising IgG, including IgG4 (2,350 mg/dl). Computed tomography revealed presence of systemic lymphadenopathy, enlarged bilateral submandibular glands, and infiltrative shadow in the right lower lung. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffusely enlarged pancreas the size of a sausage and hypointense rim on T2, suggesting autoimmune pancreatitis as part of IgG4-RD. Biopsy of the cervical lymph node revealed proliferation of IL-6-positive mature plasma cells in the expanded interfollicular area with an elevated IgG4+/IgG+ cell ratio (approximately 70%). These histological findings were consistent with hyper-IL-6 syndrome rather than IgG4-RD; however, the serum IL-6 level was slightly elevated. Bone marrow aspiration detected both IgG4- and IL-6-positive mature plasma cells. Although this case cannot be diagnosed as IgG4-RD because it failed to meet its diagnostic criteria, administration of oral prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg) resulted in rapidly improved lymphadenopathy, enlarged pancreas, and serological findings. This report can be helpful for the diagnostic assessment of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia conditions.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) has been incorporated into the recent international histological classification of renal tumors. However, to date, there are limited studies describing the clinicopathological features of fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient RCC, including the hereditary (HLRCC) and sporadic forms. Herein, we present a clinicopathological study of seven cases with FH-deficient RCC. The age of patients ranged from 26 to 70 years with mean and median age of 51.7 and 57 years, respectively. The follow-up data of all patients were available. One patient was alive without the disease and five patients were alive with active disease. One patient died of the disease. Family history of RCC, or skin or uterine smooth muscle tumor within second degree of kinship was present in four of seven patients. Metastasis was observed in all tumors. Metastatic sites included bone, lungs, liver, peritoneum, ovaries, tonsils, or lymph nodes. Grossly, the cut surface of the tumor usually showed light brown, brown, or whitish color. Microscopically, the cytoplasm of the tumor cells was predominantly eosinophilic and all tumors displayed various architectural patterns such as papillary, tubular, solid, or microcystic patterns. Furthermore, two tumors demonstrated a tubulocystic pattern. Sarcomatoid change and rhabdoid features were seen in five tumors and two tumors, respectively. Large cytomegaloviral (CMV) inclusion-like eosinophilic nucleoli surrounded by a clear halo were identified in all tumors. All tumors showed negative immunohistochemical reaction for FH protein. False positive results of TFE3 protein were observed in three tumors. Furthermore, a germline mutation of FH gene was identified in one patient with family history of the disease. In conclusion, FH-deficient RCC includes hereditary and sporadic forms. Grossly, this tumor is solitary and occurs unilaterally. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by various patterns such as papillary, tubular, solid, tubulocystic, or microcystic, has eosinophilic cytoplasm and CMV-like high-grade nuclei. FH-deficient RCCs frequently metastasize to other anatomic sites. TFE immunoreactivity may occur in some FH-deficient RCCs, and immunohistochemistry can accurately diagnose these tumors and mutational analysis of FH gene.

A 73-year-old male with melena was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the thickening of the jejunal and ileal walls and swelling of the mesenteric lymph nodes. Type II enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) was diagnosed based on the pathological analysis of the resected specimen. Positron emission tomography and CT scan showed complete remission (CR) after surgery, and he further received CHOP therapy. However, 2 months after the completion of the therapy, the patient's disease relapsed, and he presented with abdominal pain. Ifosfamide, dexamethasone, etoposide, and cytarabine therapy was administered, and the second CR was observed in the patient. Subsequently, the patient was administered high-dose chemotherapy (MCEC) with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). The treatment was well tolerated. Engraftment was performed on day9, and he was discharged on day17 after auto-PBSCT. However, at 6 months after auto-PBSCT, the second relapse of the disease was observed in the patient. He received salvage therapy; however, the patient died because of disease progression. Because of the dismal prognosis of EATL treated with conventional chemotherapy, the feasibility and efficacy of auto-PBSCT have been investigated. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on an elderly patient (age70 years) with EATL who underwent auto-PBSCT. Thus, more data should be collected and analyzed to confirm that this therapy could be a promising treatment option for elderly patients with EATL.

There is limited data regarding the association between the expression of cell cycle-regulating molecules and the response of patients with urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) to bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. To examine the relationship between p16, pRb and p53 expression in bladder CIS and patient response to initial BCG therapy, we performed immunohistochemical studies for 27 patients with bladder CIS. Overexpression of p16, pRb, and p53 was observed in 37%, 41%, and 48% of patients, respectively. Initial BCG therapy was effective in 21 patients (78%). Coexistence of papillary urothelial carcinoma, depth (pTa or pT1) and grade of coexisting papillary carcinoma did not affect the response to BCG therapy. pRb overexpression had a significant relationship to poor response to BCG therapy (P= 0.027). The results of this study indicate that overexpression of pRb in bladder CIS predicts poor response of intravesical BCG instillation and status of p16 and p53 may not be predictive of initial BCG failure.

Vulvar Paget's disease (VPD) is classified into primary and secondary types. Differentiation of these subsets in biopsy specimen is important for appropriate therapy. Expression profile of cytokeratin (CK) 7 and CK20, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and uroplakin III has been reported as a differentiation marker of primary and secondary VPD. To examine the role of p63 immunostaining in differential diagnosis between primary VPD and VPD secondary to urothelial carcinoma (VPD-UC), expression of p63 was examined in nine cases of VPD. Paget cells in seven cases of VPD without UC did not express p63. In two cases of VPD associated with UC, Paget cells and UC cells had identical CK expression profile. UC cells were positive for p63 in both cases. In one case, Paget cells were positive for p63 and examination of the resected specimen showed that VPD was secondary to UC. In another case, Paget cells were negative for p63 and this was diagnosed as primary VPD independent of UC. This indicates that p63 is absent in Paget cells in primary VPD and is therefore useful in differentiating primary VPD from VPD-UC.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related herpesvirus (Si-IIA-EBV) was serially transmitted for 3 passages from rabbit to rabbit of the opposite sex by blood transfusion, which subsequently induced virus-associated rabbit lymphomas. The virus could be transmitted by transfusion with 15-20 ml of whole blood (7/7) or irradiated blood (1/6) from the EBV-related virus-infected rabbits, but there was no transmission with transfusion of cell-free plasma (0/6) from the infected rabbits. Passive anti-EBV-VCA IgG (x 20 approximately x 10) titers decreased during the first 1-2 weeks in the transfused rabbits. The virus-transmitted rabbits showed a gradual increase in antibody titers ranging from peak titers of x 640 to x 2560 after 3 weeks of transfusion. The recipient origin of malignant lymphoma that developed in the first rabbit transfused by infected blood was confirmed by chromosomal analysis. This rabbit model thus shows that EBV-related herpesvirus is serially transmissible by blood transfusion and that transmission can not be completely prevented by irradiation of blood, but removal of blood cells is the best way to prevent transmission of EBV-related virus. Therefore, this animal model provides a convenient in vivo system for studies of the prevention and therapy of transfusion-related transmission of EBV and EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases in immunocompromised human beings.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) is often associated with fatal infectious mononucleosis or T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD). To elucidate the true nature of fatal LPD observed in Herpesvirus papio (HVP)-induced rabbit hemophagocytosis, reactive or neoplastic, we analyzed sequential development of HVP-induced rabbit LPD and their cell lines. All of the seven Japanese White rabbits inoculated intravenously with HVP died of fatal LPD 18 to 27 days after inoculation. LPD was also accompanied by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) in five of these seven rabbits. Sequential autopsy revealed splenomegaly and swollen lymph nodes, often accompanied by bleeding, which developed in the last week. Atypical lymphoid cells infiltrated many organs with a “starry sky” pattern, frequently involving the spleen, lymph nodes, and liver. HVP-small RNA-1 expression in these lymphoid cells was clearly demonstrated by a newly developed in situ hybridization (ISH) system. HVP-ISH of immunomagnetically purified lymphoid cells from spleen or lymph nodes revealed HVP-EBER1+ cells in each CD4+, CD8+, or CD79a+ fraction. Hemophagocytic histiocytosis was observed in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. HVP-DNA was detected in the tissues and peripheral blood from the infected rabbits by PCR or Southern blot analysis. Clonality analysis of HVP-induced LPD by Southern blotting with TCR gene probe revealed polyclonal bands, suggesting polyclonal proliferation. Six IL-2-dependent rabbit T-cell lines were established from transplanted scid mouse tumors from LPD. These showed latency type I/II HVP infection and had normal karyotypes except for one line, and three of them showed tumorigenicity in nude mice. These data suggest that HVP-induced fatal LPD in rabbits is reactive polyclonally in nature.

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of patients with isolated HCC metastases to the heart. A 66-year-old female hospitalized with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranging from the right to the left lobe and with a tumor thrombus in the main portal vein, was treated with intraarterial cisplatin, 5-fluouracil, adriamycin and mitomycin. Computed tomography (CT) one month later revealed that the HCC had progressed with multiple lung metastases and moderate ascites. The patient had no symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography revealed a round, movable tumor with a diameter of 2 cm in the right atrium (RA). The patient succumbed to HCC five months later. An autopsy revealed HCC with portal tumor thrombi and metastases to the lungs, inferior vena cava (IVC) and RA. The metastases in the RA and IVC were not continous with the intrahepatic tumor and were histologically attached to the endocardium and endothelium, respectively. An isolated metastasis of a HCC of the RA and IVC is extremely rare. In conclusion, although the majority of isolated metastases of HCC to the heart were diagnosed by echocardiography and were treated with mainly surgery, they had poor prognosis. The echocardiography should be performed for patients with advanced HCC. A novel treatment including molecular targeted drugs is required.

There is limited data regarding the association between the expression of cell cycle-regulating molecules and the response of patients with urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) to bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. To examine the relationship between p16, pRb and p53 expression in bladder CIS and patient response to initial BCG therapy, we performed immunohistochemical studies for 27 patients with bladder CIS. Overexpression of p16, pRb, and p53 was observed in 37%, 41%, and 48% of patients, respectively. Initial BCG therapy was effective in 21 patients (78%). Coexistence of papillary urothelial carcinoma, depth (pTa or pT1) and grade of coexisting papillary carcinoma did not affect the response to BCG therapy. pRb overexpression had a significant relationship to poor response to BCG therapy (P= 0.027). The results of this study indicate that overexpression of pRb in bladder CIS predicts poor response of intravesical BCG instillation and status of p16 and p53 may not be predictive of initial BCG failure.

We report a 52-year-old patient with a small hepatic mass which was ultrasonographically anechoic with scattered high echoic spots, and appearing slightly hyperattenuating relative to the surrounding parenchyma on unenhanced CT scans. Laparotomy revealed that the lesion was a unilocular cyst containing a mucinous fluid. The histologic diagnosis was ciliated hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC). The CHFC is a rare congenital cystic tumor which derives from the embryologic foregut. Up to 2006, only 24 cases, including our case, had been reported in Japan. The patients were 13 men and 11 women, aged between 41 years and 79 years. All of the lesions were solitary and unilocular. In 22 cases, the CHFC was located in the medial segment of the left lobe, mostly just beneath the hepatic surface. In all 24 Japanese cases, the cystic wall was benign histologically. However, reports of 3 malignant cases overseas indicates we should treat this disease cautiously.

Murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV)-68-infected mice are well-known as models for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoproliferative diseases. MHV-72 may be a relative of MHV-68, but any genetic comparison between the two (except for the M7 gene) has never been reported. The genetic compositions of MHV-72 and MHV-68 were compared and the pathology of MHV-72 infection studied in CB-17 severe combined immunodeficiency (scid/scid; SCID) and CB17 wild-type (CB17+/+) mice. The MHV-72 DNA sequence was almost identical to MHV-68 except for approximately 7000 bp corresponding to the MHV-68 M1-M3 genes. Twenty-seven of 30 MHV-72-infected SCID mice (90%) died from generalized infection with intranuclear viral inclusions for approximately 1 month, while MHV-72-infected CB17+/+ mice recovered from acute infection. Long observation and pathological study of 68 MHV-72-infected mice for up to 24 months revealed that the survival rate (29.4%) and survival time (21.3 months) of MHV-72-infected CB17+/+ mice were significantly lower (P = 0.0127) and shorter (P = 0.0065) than those of the controls (61.1% and 22.9 months), respectively. The malignancy development rate (60.3%) of the infected CB17+/+ mice was also significantly higher (P = 0.004) than those of the controls (22.2%). However, no MHV-72 DNA was detected in the tumors of infected mice. MHV-72 may have some tumor-promoting effects but the tumorigenesis in infected CB17+/+ mice is different from EBV-associated tumors.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) is often associated with fatal infectious mononucleosis or T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD). To elucidate the true nature of fatal LPD observed in Herpesvirus papio (HVP)-induced rabbit hemophagocytosis, reactive or neoplastic, we analyzed sequential development of HVP-induced rabbit LPD and their cell lines. All of the seven Japanese White rabbits inoculated intravenously with HVP died of fatal LPD 18 to 27 days after inoculation. LPD was also accompanied by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) in five of these seven rabbits. Sequential autopsy revealed splenomegaly and swollen lymph nodes, often accompanied by bleeding, which developed in the last week. Atypical lymphoid cells infiltrated many organs with a “starry sky” pattern, frequently involving the spleen, lymph nodes, and liver. HVP-small RNA-1 expression in these lymphoid cells was clearly demonstrated by a newly developed in situ hybridization (ISH) system. HVP-ISH of immunomagnetically purified lymphoid cells from spleen or lymph nodes revealed HVP-EBER1+ cells in each CD4+, CD8+, or CD79a+ fraction. Hemophagocytic histiocytosis was observed in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. HVP-DNA was detected in the tissues and peripheral blood from the infected rabbits by PCR or Southern blot analysis. Clonality analysis of HVP-induced LPD by Southern blotting with TCR gene probe revealed polyclonal bands, suggesting polyclonal proliferation. Six IL-2-dependent rabbit T-cell lines were established from transplanted scid mouse tumors from LPD. These showed latency type I/II HVP infection and had normal karyotypes except for one line, and three of them showed tumorigenicity in nude mice. These data suggest that HVP-induced fatal LPD in rabbits is reactive polyclonally in nature.

A 75-year-old woman with a history of extrapulmonary malignancies (ie, thyroid cancer and colon cancer) underwent a lobectomy for a solitary nodule in the left lung. Pathologic examination showed a lung metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer treated 30 years earlier. Solitary metastasis to the lung from thyroid cancer is unusual, and our case presented the long interval from initial treatment to the identification of metastasis. A careful follow-up is mandatory, and one should keep in mind the delayed metastasis in the patient with differentiated thyroid cancer.