Background: Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a critical complication in patients with cancer. However, the pathological findings of VTE are limited. Here, we investigated the histopathological features of cancer-associated VTE in human autopsy cases. Methods: We clinically examined the autopsy cases of VTE with (n=114) and without cancer (n=66) and immunohistochemically analyzed the expression of prothrombotic factors in intrathrombus cancer cells, the thrombus contents of erythrocytes, fibrin, platelets, citrullinated histone H3, and degree of organization. Results: Vascular wall invasion or small cell clusters of cancer cells was observed in thrombi in 27.5% of deep vein thrombosis and 25.9% of pulmonary embolism cases. The majority of the cancer cells in deep vein thrombi appeared to be invading the vessel wall, whereas the majority of pulmonary thrombi had cancer cell clusters, consistent with embolization via blood flow. These cancer cells were immunohistochemically positive for TF (tissue factors) or podoplanin in up to 88% of VTE cases. The frequency of TF-positive monocyte/macrophages in thrombi was higher in cancer-associated VTE than that in VTE without cancer. Citrullinated histone H3 was predominantly observed in the early stages of organizing thrombi. There was no significant difference in thrombus components between VTE with cancer and without cancer groups. Conclusions: Vascular wall invasion or cancer cell clusters in thrombi might influence thrombogenesis of cancer-associated VTE. TF and podoplanin in cancer cells and in monocyte/macrophages may induce coagulation reactions and platelet aggregation. Neutrophil extracellular traps may play a role in the early stages of VTE, regardless of cancer status.

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Placental inflammatory lesions are important findings that lead fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and can be divided into two broad subcategories, acute inflammation caused by microorganisms and chronic inflammation caused by host immune responses. Recently, a diagnostic framework for these lesions has been established, and uniform diagnostic criteria have been recommended by the Amsterdam International Consensus Group. Chorioamnionitis is representative of the acute inflammatory lesion, and is the most frequent pathological diagnosis in placental pathology. The hallmark of chorioamnionitis is neutrophil infiltration in the membrane/chorioamnionic plate and fetal vessels. The inflammatory response can be both maternal (inflammation in the membrane or chorioamnionic plate) and fetal (inflammation in the fetal vessels-umbilical vessels or chorionic vessel). Recent studies have shown that the fetal inflammatory response is associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, chronic inflammatory lesions, such as villitis of unknown etiology and chronic histiocytic intervillositis, are also important. Although their etiology remains unknown, the maternal immune response against paternal antigens has been considered a possible factor. These inflammatory lesions are associated with fetal demise and fetal growth restriction. Inflammatory lesions in the placenta are useful for understanding intrauterine conditions, guiding treatment, and predicting complications.

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