Background: Localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is primarily treated with surgical resection with or without radiotherapy (RT), while the role of chemotherapy (CT) as a radiosensitizer remains unclear. We report our single-institution experience with combined chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in treating localized STS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with localized STS treated at Mayo Clinic with mitomycin, cisplatin, and doxorubicin (MitoAP) concurrently with RT between 1/1/85 and 12/12/19. Results: We identified 179 patients (median age 58 years; median tumor size 9.5 cm), with 83.8% of tumors located in the extremities or trunk. Among them, 77.1% received perioperative CT in addition to CCRT, with 95% of those treated in the neoadjuvant setting. Median RT dose was 50 Gray. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 77.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: 70.8–83.4%). The addition of perioperative CT to CCRT was associated with improved DSS compared with CCRT alone (p = 0.01, Hazard Ratio, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27–0.85). Median post-CCRT tumor viability was 30% and did not differ by CT use (p = 0.39), but varied significantly by histology (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our institutional protocol utilizing two cycles of MitoAP with RT was well tolerated. DSS in our cohort was similar to historical data using perioperative RT alone, suggesting no clear benefit from CCRT. However, the majority of patients in our cohort were classified as high risk, which may have attenuated a potential survival benefit in the absence of appropriate comparative controls. Furthermore, additional perioperative CT to CCRT was associated with improved DSS and differential histology-specific responses in tumor viability, suggesting that a more aggressive neoadjuvant and perioperative approach may be beneficial in selected patients.
Utilization of an artificial intelligence–enhanced, web‐based application to review bile duct brushing cytologic specimens: A pilot study
Abstract Background The authors previously developed an artificial intelligence (AI) to assist cytologists in the evaluation of digital whole‐slide images (WSIs) generated from bile duct brushing specimens. The aim of this trial was to assess the efficiency and accuracy of cytologists using a novel application with this AI tool. Methods Consecutive bile duct brushing WSIs from indeterminate strictures were obtained. A multidisciplinary panel reviewed all relevant information and provided a central interpretation for each WSI as being “positive,” “negative,” or “indeterminate.” The WSIs were then uploaded to the AI application. The AI scored each WSI as positive or negative for malignancy (i.e., computer‐aided diagnosis [CADx]). For each WSI, the AI prioritized cytologic tiles by the likelihood that malignant material was present in the tile. Via the AI, blinded cytologists reviewed all WSIs and provided interpretations (i.e., computer‐aided detection [CADe]). The diagnostic accuracies of the WSI evaluation via CADx, CADe, and the original clinical cytologic interpretation (official cytologic interpretation [OCI]) were compared. Results Of the 84 WSIs, 15 were positive, 42 were negative, and 27 were indeterminate after central review. The WSIs generated on average 141,950 tiles each. Cytologists using the AI evaluated 10.5 tiles per WSI before making an interpretation. Additionally, cytologists required an average of 84.1 s of total WSI evaluation. WSI interpretation accuracies for CADx (0.754; 95% CI, 0.622–0.859), CADe (0.807; 95% CI, 0.750–0.856), and OCI (0.807; 95% CI, 0.671–0.900) were similar. Conclusions This trial demonstrates that an AI application allows cytologists to perform a triaged review of WSIs while maintaining accuracy.
Revisiting the cytologic features of autoimmune pancreatitis: An institutional experience
AbstractBackgroundAutoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a known mimicker of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma both clinically and radiologically. In this study, the authors present their institutional experience in diagnosing AIP on cytology and correlate results with the histologic findings.MethodsA 14‐year computerized search for patients who had histologically confirmed AIP with concurrent or prior cytology was performed. Clinical data, cytology findings, and surgical pathology results were reviewed for analysis.ResultsEighteen patients were identified. The patients showed a male predominance, with a mean age of 59 years. Jaundice, weight loss, and abdominal pain were the most common clinical presentation. Five of 12 patients who were tested for serum immunoglobulin G4 had elevated levels. Cytologic findings of 16 cases that were available for review showed markedly inflamed fibrous stroma (54%) and cytologic atypia (50%). The final cytologic diagnoses were suspicious for adenocarcinoma (n = 1), atypical (n = 8), and benign/negative (n = 9). The corresponding surgical pathology diagnoses were classified as type 1 (n = 10), type 2 (n = 6), and AIP, not otherwise specified (n = 2). All type 2 AIP cases had at least atypical cytologic diagnoses, with one called suspicious for adenocarcinoma and another called adenocarcinoma at the time of rapid on‐site evaluation. In contrast, eight of 10 type 1 AIP cases were negative/benign, and two of 10 were atypical. In these two atypical cases, the possibility of AIP was raised because of the presence of inflamed stroma.ConclusionAIP is a pitfall in cytology because moderate‐to‐marked atypia can be present, especially in type 2 AIP. Because atypia can be severe, the presence of cellular fibrous stroma with lymphocytic stromal infiltrates and the integration of serum immunoglobulin G4 levels could be helpful in avoiding diagnostic overcall in AIP.
Oil Red O Staining of Pulmonary Macrophages in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Specimens Is Not Specific for Vaping-Associated Lung Injury
Abstract Objectives Oil Red O (ORO) positivity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid macrophages in the setting of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated acute lung injury (EVALI) has been frequently requested by clinicians based on rare reports and subsequent US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine the specificity of ORO staining in BAL specimens with disease states other than EVALI. Methods Consecutive BAL specimens (October-December 2019) were stained with ORO. The lipid-laden macrophage index (LLMI) was calculated for each case. Results We studied BAL samples from 50 patients. Indications for BAL were surveillance bronchoscopy for lung transplantation (27/50), suspected infection (12/50), sarcoidosis/suspected sarcoidosis (3/50), nodules or ground-glass opacities (3/50), hemoptysis (2/50), asthma or eosinophilic pneumonia (2/50), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (1/50). ORO staining was seen in BAL fluid macrophages in 45 of 50 cases (focal in 18, moderate in 23, diffuse in 4); LLMI ranged from 0 to 218. Using a threshold of LLMI of 85 or higher as positive, ORO was positive in 7 of 50 (14%) cases (range, 85-218). Conclusions ORO staining in BAL fluid macrophages is not specific for EVALI. Even when an LLMI of 85 or higher is used as a threshold for positivity, ORO positivity occurs in a significant subset of non–vaping-related cases.
Atypical Lipomatous Tumor/Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma With Features Mimicking Spindle Cell Lipoma
Atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL) and spindle cell lipoma are lipomatous tumors with distinct clinical, molecular, and prognostic features. Although histological and immunophenotypic features can overlap between ALT/WDL and spindle cell lipoma, the oncogenesis and clinical behavior are markedly different. In borderline cases, molecular analysis for MDM2 or CDK4 amplification can aid in distinguishing ALT/WDL from spindle cell lipoma. Although dedifferentiated liposarcoma has been reported to harbor both MDM2 amplification and loss of the RB1 region, we are not aware of a reported RB1 loss in well-differentiated ALT/WDL. In this article, we present a 69-year-old woman with a lipomatous tumor in the gluteal region that histologically, immunohistochemically, and molecularly mimicked spindle cell lipoma (with positive immunohistochemical staining for CD34 and loss of the RB1 gene region), yet harbored amplification of MDM2 and CDK4 confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, supporting classification as ALT/WDL. This case strengthens the argument that in atypical clinical contexts, molecular studies for MDM2/CDK4 should be considered in tumors resembling spindle cell lipoma.