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The large majority of the cases were grade 2 tumors. Most cases (all grades) were T2 or T3, and were axillary lymph node positive. Large majority of cases with nodel metastases showed extra nodal spread. The majority of patients had NPI scores greater than 5.4 indicating poor prognosis. Significant statistical association was found between the number of positive nodes and perinodal extension (P = 0.001). The findings show extensive and advanced disease trends in our patients.

BackgroundFine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a cytodiagnostic method based on morphologic findings of individual and small group of cells aspirated using a fine needle. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the spectrum of salivary gland lesions in our setting and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC for salivary gland lesions.MethodsThe study involved 187 cases of parotid and submandibular swellings of patients who underwent FNAC at our institution. Thirty one (31) patients with a FNAC diagnosis of neoplastic lesion subsequently underwent excision biopsies. The results of FNAC and final histology were compared and accuracy of FNAC was determined.ResultsMean age of patients was 42 (±21) years and male to female ratio was 1:1. Chronic sialadenitis was the most common non-neoplastic lesion (33.8%) followed by acute and chronic sialadenitis (29.7%) and chronic granulomatous inflammation (27.0%). Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign neoplasm and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was the most common malignant lesion (38.9%) followed by acinic cell (27.8%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (16.7%). Total 31 patients subsequently underwent surgical excision, out of which 21 were benign and 9 were malignant, 20 cases (64.5%) were of pleomorphic adenoma, 3 cases (9.6%) of acinic cell carcinoma, 2 cases (6.4%) each of warthin tumor, adenoid cystic carcinoma and non-hodgkin lymphoma and 1 case (3.2%) each of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma. The overall accuracy of FNAC in our study was found to be 83.8% with 77.7% sensitivity and 86.3%, specificity. The revised sensitivity and specificity after adjusting verification bias were 68.5% and 91% respectively. False negative diagnosis was rendered in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma whereas false positive diagnosis was given in cases of pleomorphic adenoma.ConclusionWe found a good concordance between FNAC and histology, however pleomorphic adenoma may impart a diagnostic challenge when inadequately aspirated and therefore we advice either immunohistochemical studies (if cell block material is available) or repeat aspiration in difficult cases.

BackgroundYoung age breast cancers are quite prevalent in our setup, a significant number of which exhibit triple negative phenotype. These cancers behave in an aggressive fashion and unresponsive to targeted adjuvant therapy. We aimed to evaluate clinical and histopathologic features of triple negative cancers in our population.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 1104 cases of primary breast cancers. Immunohistochemical studies for ER, PR and Her2neu followed by Her2neu gene amplification by FISH testing were done to identify 205 (18.6%) cases of triple negative breast cancers.ResultsMean age for triple negative breast cancer patients was 48.4 years (±12.3) and 60% of patients were diagnosed at less than 50 years of age. Although ductal carcinoma was the most frequent histologic type, a meaningful number of cases exhibited metaplastic and medullary like features (10.7% and 5.9% respectively). Similarly geographic necrosis involving more than 40% of tumor and extensive lymphocytic infiltration was a considerable finding. Mean Ki67 index was 45.2% (±25.2) and as a reflection of tumor grade, a significantly higher proportion of cases (66.3%) were under high risk Ki67 category (>30%).ConclusionTriple negative breast cancers typify high grade breast cancers with a higher frequency of atypical medullary and metaplastic histologies. Their prevailing occurrence at a younger age raises question of under lying BRCA mutations in our population. Therefore, we suggest that risk factors including BRCA 1 mutations should be uncovered in reproductive age group breast cancers especially those disclosing basal like phenotype.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/9042440621102239.

IntroductionThyroid swelling is common problem among South Asian women. Although benign nodules far outnumber cancerous lesions, the risk of malignancy needs to be evaluated preoperatively for which fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely used. Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (BSRTC) was introduced to streamline the reporting of thyroid aspirates. We aimed to evaluate the disease spectrum of thyroid cytopathology and correlation of BSRTC with final histopathology in our setup.MethodsThe study was conducted at Histopathology department of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, involving 528 patients with thyroid swelling who underwent FNAC. Out of these 528 cases, 61 patients subsequently underwent surgical excision. Results of final histopathology were correlated with cytologic diagnosis.ResultsMean age of the patients included in the study was 39.7 ± 13(14–84) and male to female ratio was 1:3.6. Out of total 528 cases, 403 cases were diagnosed as benign (Bethesda 2) and 67 were Bethesda 3 (follicular lesion of undetermined significance, FLUS) while 22 cases were categorized as either malignant or suspicious for malignancy (Bethesda 6 and 5). Histopathologic correlation was done in 61 cases. For Bethesda 5 and 6 categories, 100% concordance was found, however for Bethesda 2 category, 5 out of 45 cases were found to have malignant diagnosis on final histopathology. The incidence of malignancy in Bethesda categories 2 through 4 were 11.1%, 33.4%, 25%, 100% and 100% respectively. Overall accuracy of FNA cytology was 80.3% with 64.3% sensitivity and 85.1% specificity.ConclusionOur study validated the accuracy of BSRTC in our setup. Therefore we recommend routine use of BSRTC for reporting thyroid cytopathology for initial workup of patients with thyroid nodule. However, risk of malignancy was found to be significantly high in Bethesda 3 category to warrant further workup including ultrasound/thyroid scan in addition to repeat FNAC.