University of Colorado residents show up in force for CAP16
Left to right: Drs. Robinson, Greer, Roberts, Klein, and Graham (with me kneeling)Five PGY2 pathology residents, the most from a single class in the history of the institution, are presenting posters today and tomorrow at the annual meeting of the College of American Pathologists. Most are neuropathology related. Here are the titles:Caleb Graham,et al. Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Diagnostic Consideration in Lateral Ventricular TumorsAshley Greer,et al. BRAF Mutational Status in Desmoplastic Infantile Astrocytoma/GangliogliomaColleen Klein,et al. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Discovered Clinically and at Autopsy: A Dual-I...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 26, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts meetings Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - BRAF Mutational Status in Desmoplastic Infantile Astrocytoma/Ganglioglioma
Conclusions:Five of 6 classic DIA/DIGs were negative for BRAF mutation. Previous publications found mutation in 2 of 18 and 1 of 14 cases; 2 of 3 reportedly mutated cases were unusual in that they were in atypical anatomic locations (suprasellar, fourth ventricle), and 1 was in an older child (24-month-old). DIA/DIGs with unusual features may be more likely to show BRAF mutation similar to ganglioglioma. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - September 21, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - Astrocytoma With a Distinct Molecular Signature: MYB Rearrangement and EGFR Amplification
We report the first case of a pediatric astrocytoma with both MYB rearrangement and EGFR amplification. A 3-year-old boy was found to have a T2 hyperintense, nonenhancing mass in theleft temporal lobe after minor head trauma. Histology showed a diffuse astrocytic tumor with low cell density and bland cytology. Mitotic figures were present, albeit focally, prompting a diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma. No necrosis or microvascular proliferation was identified. The Ki-67 labeling index, while generally low, rose to approximately 20%, corresponding to regions of mitotic activity. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridizatio...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 20, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts molecular studies neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights -- Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Diagnostic Consideration in Lateral Ventricular Tumors
Conclusions: Lateral ventricle PAs are uncommon but should be considered when encountering lateral ventricular tumors. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - September 13, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
A 60-year-old man presents with acute confusion, aggressive behavior, and aphasia
T2-weighted FLAIR MRI A 60-year-old man presents with acute confusion, aggressive behavior, and aphasia. Imaging reveals a heterogeneously enhancing mass (5 x 2 x 2 cm) in the left medial temporal lobe with extensive peripheral edema (image above), but no significant contrast enhancement. A subtotal temporal lobectomy was performed on suspicion of a low-grade glioma.High-power view of biopsy from left temporal lobeThe diagnosis is herpes simplex encephalitis. PCR amplification of DNA from the specimen more specifically identified the causative agent as herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV1). The most common identifiable ...
Source: neuropathology blog - July 18, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: infectious disease Source Type: blogs
" Incipient " microvascular proliferation in an anaplastic astrocytoma
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Source: neuropathology blog - July 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: neoplasms Source Type: blogs
"Incipient" microvascular proliferation in an anaplastic astrocytoma
At my institution, we require endothelial cells to be layered at least three cells thick to qualify as true microvascular proliferation. This example from an anaplastic astrocytoma, with plump endothelial cells circled, does not meet that criterion. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - July 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: neoplasms Source Type: blogs
Best Post of May 2016 -- MYB-QKI fusion: A novel alteration that may define and drive pediatric angiocentric glioma
The next in our "Best of the Month" series comes from May 12, 2016Angiiocentric gliomaAngiocentric glioma is a rare form of pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGG), first described in 2005, that arises in the cerebral cortex and shares histological features of astrocytomas and ependymomas. Until now, nothing was known of the genetic events underlying this tumor type. In a recent study published in Nature Genetics, Bhandopadhayay et al (see reference below) used whole genome sequencing and/or RNAseq to show that all seven angiocentric gliomas in their sample set harbored rearrangements in MYB, the most common bein...
Source: neuropathology blog - June 28, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: Best of the Month series neoplasms Source Type: blogs
2016 WHO Classification Brain Tumours
WHO brain tumour classification has been updated in 2016. The 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System is both a conceptual and practical advance over its 2007 predecessor. For the first time, the WHO classification of CNS tumors uses molecular parameters in addition to histology to define many tumor entities, thus formulating a concept for how CNS tumor diagnoses should be structured in the molecular era. 2016 CNS WHO presents major restructuring of the diffuse gliomas, medulloblastomas and other embryonal tumors, and incorporates new entities that are defined by both hist...
Source: Sumer's Radiology Site - June 25, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Sumer Sethi Source Type: blogs
Summary of the Major Changes in the 2016 WHO Classification of CNS Tumors
Major restructuring of medulloblastomas, with incorporation of genetically defined entitiesAddition of brain invasion as a criterion for atypical meningiomaRestructuring of solitary fibrous tumor and hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) as one entity and adapting a grading system to accommodate this changeExpansion and clarification of entities included in nerve sheath tumors, with addition of hybrid nerve sheath tumors and separation of melanotic schwannoma from other schwannomasExpansion of entities included in hematopoietic/lymphoid tumors of the CNS (lymphomas and histiocytic tumors)Addition of the following newly recognized e...
Source: neuropathology blog - May 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: neoplasms Source Type: blogs
Cancer quackery, Republican presidential candidates, and political influence
Yesterday, I wrote about how pediatric neurosurgeon turned presidential candidate Ben Carson is an excellent example demonstrating how the vast majority of physicians and surgeons, even highly accomplished ones admired as being at the top of their professions, are not scientists and how many of them are disturbingly prone to buying into pseudoscience. In Dr.… (Source: Respectful Insolence)
Source: Respectful Insolence - September 25, 2015 Category: Surgery Authors: Orac Tags: Cancer Clinical trials Medicine Politics Quackery Science Skepticism/critical thinking anaplastic astrocytoma antineoplastons Ben Carson brain cancer Charles Robinson Smith III David Axelrod Elizabeth Fago-Smith Eric Merola f Source Type: blogs
I’m all about that bass, no treble
Months ago I visited the doctor to investigate a weird little symptom that came up. A small section of hair had fallen out on the left side of my head. It wasn’t much, about the size of a coin. Complete hair everywhere else but that one spot. No biggie. I hid it easily with my other hair. Turned out after some blood work that I had/have hypothyroidism, which means my thyroid gland is under producing its hormones (thyroid hormones control metabolism/how food converts to energy in different parts of the body). One of its symptoms can sometimes show up as hair loss.
My hair is all grown back now, and I have been taking ...
Source: Cancer, life, and me - December 31, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Chris Tags: General Source Type: blogs
I ’ m all about that bass, no treble
Months ago I visited the doctor to investigate a weird little symptom that came up. A small section of hair had fallen out on the left side of my head. It wasn’t much, about the size of a coin. Complete hair everywhere else but that one spot. No biggie. I hid it easily with my other hair. Turned out after some blood work that I had/have hypothyroidism, which means my thyroid gland is under producing its hormones (thyroid hormones control metabolism/how food converts to energy in different parts of the body). One of its symptoms can sometimes show up as hair loss.
My hair is all grown back now, and I have been taking ...
Source: Cancer, life, and me - December 31, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Chris Tags: General Source Type: blogs
Relationship between Hamartoma and Cancer
In June, 2014, my book, entitled Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs: Keys to Understanding and Treating the Common Diseases was published by Elsevier. The book builds the argument that our best chance of curing the common diseases will come from studying and curing the rare diseases. The book has an extensive glossary, that explains the meaning and relevance of medical terms appearing throughout the chapters. The glossary can be read as a stand-along document. Here is an example of one term, "hamartoma", excerpted from the glossary.Hamartoma - Hamartomas are benign tumors that occupy a peculiar zone lying between neoplasi...
Source: Specified Life - July 15, 2014 Category: Pathologists Tags: cancer types carcinogenesis common cancers disease genes genetic disease hyperplasia orphan disease orphan drugs rare cancers rare disease tissue overgrowth tumor biology tumor types Source Type: blogs
Laura M.
Seven years ago I had a grand mal seizure and it was discovered I had a brain tumor (astrocytoma grade 3). It was so large that my entire right parietal lobe had to be removed in order to get the whole tumor.
One year later I suddenly developed what was diagnosed as reactive hypoglycemia. I was told I had to eat every two hours and, in fact, if I didn’t I got the shakes very quickly. I was having to eat so often that I no longer enjoyed eating.
I saw you on my local PBS station, bought the book and haven’t turned back since. I can go for 5 hours without eating and now I can actually be hungry and eat. In fact, ...
Source: Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN - March 25, 2014 Category: Neurologists Authors: gbadmin Tags: Success brain tumor grand mal grand mal seizure hypoglycemia Source Type: blogs
