Letters to the Editor
Pathological features of primary mediastinal neuroendocrine carcinoma Access this article online Website: www.cancerjournal.net
Quick Response Code:
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.131421 PMID: ***
Sir, We read with interest the article titled “Primary neuroendocrine mediastinal tumour presenting with carcinoid syndrome and left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy: Clinico‑radiological and pathological features” by Dwivedi et al., published in April‑June 2013 issue volume 2 pages 278‑280. Authors have thoroughly described clinical and radiological findings in a rare case of the mediastinal neuroendocrine tumour in a young male patient. However, we feel that pathological features of the tumour have not been sufficiently described. Grossly, mediastinal neuroendocrine carcinomas are 2‑cm to 20‑cm in size and show homogenous and rubbery cut surface with foci of haemorrhage and necrosis.[1] Although contrast enhanced CT scan findings of the mediastinal mass have been well written, the gross and microscopic features of radical surgery specimen have not been documented at all. It would be interesting to know about size and grade of the tumour, presence of thymus tissue, presence of necrosis, vascular invasion and immunohistochemical profile of the tumour removed by radical surgery with photographic illustration. Histopathological grading in a neuroendocrine tumour is very important for accurate diagnosis as well as for determining prognosis. Based on mitotic
count, nuclear atypia and presence of necrosis, neuroendocrine carcinomas are divided into low grade, intermediate grade and high grade.[1] Authors themselves have agreed that histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation is mandatory in such cases. Despite this, important histopathological findings such as mitotic count, nuclear atypia, presence of necrosis and vascular invasion in this published case have not been mentioned. Further, neuroendocrine carcinomas are positive for synaptophysin and/ or chromogranin, however, positive immunohisotchemical study for creatinine kinase was a surprising finding. Extensive search of the published literature did not show creatinine kinase positivity in neuroendocrine carcinomas. Finally, we feel that a pathologist should be included as author in such papers where pathological features are described. This practice will ensure dissemination of essential and appropriate information of pathology to the readers. Shashikant C.U. Patne, Jyoti Shukla Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India For correspondence: Dr. Shashikant C.U. Patne, Department of Pathology, IMS, BHU, Varanasi - 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India. E‑mail: [email protected]
REFERENCES 1. Moran CA, Suster S. Neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid tumor) of the thymus: A clinicopathologic analysis of 80 cases. Am J Clin Pathol 2000;114:100‑10.
Psychosomatic complaint during S1 cancer therapy: A case study Access this article online Website: www.cancerjournal.net
Quick Response Code:
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.131422 PMID: ***
Sir, Cancerous patient is an important chronic medical case. The cancerous patient usually suffers from several physical
disturbances. However, the psychological problem of the cancerous patient should not be overlooked and this is an important topic in psycho‑oncology.[1] Apart from the anxiety and depression, there are also other psychological problems among cancerous patients. The important concern is on the psychosomatic manifestation since it is difficult to discriminate from the cancerous symptom and cancer treatment side effects. Here, the authors experience a middle‑aged female cancerous case who gets cancer treatment by combined nimotuzumab and S1 regimen. On 3 months of consecutive treatment course, the patient starts complaints on repeatedly itching sensation
Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics - January-March 2014 - Volume 10 - Issue 1
207
Copyright of Journal of Cancer Research & Therapeutics is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Pathological features of primary mediastinal neuroendocrine carcinoma Access this article online Website: www.cancerjournal.net
Quick Response Code:
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.131421 PMID: ***
Sir, We read with interest the article titled “Primary neuroendocrine mediastinal tumour presenting with carcinoid syndrome and left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy: Clinico‑radiological and pathological features” by Dwivedi et al., published in April‑June 2013 issue volume 2 pages 278‑280. Authors have thoroughly described clinical and radiological findings in a rare case of the mediastinal neuroendocrine tumour in a young male patient. However, we feel that pathological features of the tumour have not been sufficiently described. Grossly, mediastinal neuroendocrine carcinomas are 2‑cm to 20‑cm in size and show homogenous and rubbery cut surface with foci of haemorrhage and necrosis.[1] Although contrast enhanced CT scan findings of the mediastinal mass have been well written, the gross and microscopic features of radical surgery specimen have not been documented at all. It would be interesting to know about size and grade of the tumour, presence of thymus tissue, presence of necrosis, vascular invasion and immunohistochemical profile of the tumour removed by radical surgery with photographic illustration. Histopathological grading in a neuroendocrine tumour is very important for accurate diagnosis as well as for determining prognosis. Based on mitotic
count, nuclear atypia and presence of necrosis, neuroendocrine carcinomas are divided into low grade, intermediate grade and high grade.[1] Authors themselves have agreed that histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation is mandatory in such cases. Despite this, important histopathological findings such as mitotic count, nuclear atypia, presence of necrosis and vascular invasion in this published case have not been mentioned. Further, neuroendocrine carcinomas are positive for synaptophysin and/ or chromogranin, however, positive immunohisotchemical study for creatinine kinase was a surprising finding. Extensive search of the published literature did not show creatinine kinase positivity in neuroendocrine carcinomas. Finally, we feel that a pathologist should be included as author in such papers where pathological features are described. This practice will ensure dissemination of essential and appropriate information of pathology to the readers. Shashikant C.U. Patne, Jyoti Shukla Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India For correspondence: Dr. Shashikant C.U. Patne, Department of Pathology, IMS, BHU, Varanasi - 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India. E‑mail: [email protected]
REFERENCES 1. Moran CA, Suster S. Neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid tumor) of the thymus: A clinicopathologic analysis of 80 cases. Am J Clin Pathol 2000;114:100‑10.
Psychosomatic complaint during S1 cancer therapy: A case study Access this article online Website: www.cancerjournal.net
Quick Response Code:
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.131422 PMID: ***
Sir, Cancerous patient is an important chronic medical case. The cancerous patient usually suffers from several physical
disturbances. However, the psychological problem of the cancerous patient should not be overlooked and this is an important topic in psycho‑oncology.[1] Apart from the anxiety and depression, there are also other psychological problems among cancerous patients. The important concern is on the psychosomatic manifestation since it is difficult to discriminate from the cancerous symptom and cancer treatment side effects. Here, the authors experience a middle‑aged female cancerous case who gets cancer treatment by combined nimotuzumab and S1 regimen. On 3 months of consecutive treatment course, the patient starts complaints on repeatedly itching sensation
Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics - January-March 2014 - Volume 10 - Issue 1
207
Copyright of Journal of Cancer Research & Therapeutics is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
