Current issue
Volume 39, Issue 2, 2025
Online ISSN: 3042-3511
ISSN: 3042-3503
Volume 39 , Issue 2, (2025)
Published: 12.11.2025.
Open Access
All issues
Contents
01.04.2018.
Plenary oral presentation
Immunohistochemistry and “in situ” hybridisation as complementary methods in molecular subtyping of breast carcinomas: a 10 months period, single institution experience
Aim: The aim of the study is to classify tumors into four main molecular subtypes using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation methods, as well as to determine frequency of different carcinoma subtypes. Introduction: Four molecular subtypes of breast carcinoma can be identified: Luminal A and Luminal B (hormone receptors positive), HER2 enriched (HER2 overexpression) and Triple Negative / Basal-like (absence of HER2 amplification and steroid receptors expression). Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study, conducted in Institute of pathology, Medical Faculty, University in Belgrade, during the ten months period in 2017, included 337 patients with diagnosed breast carcinoma. Using the methods of immunohistochemistry, all four markers (estrogen, progesteron, HER2, and Ki67) were evaluated on breast carcinoma tissues. As additional methods, “in situ” hybridisation (FISH, SISH) was used in cases if HER2 oncoprotein results on immunohistochemistry were equivocal. Results: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 enriched, and Triple Negative carcinomas were present in 133 (39,45%), 147 (43,62%), 22 (6,5%), 34 (10,08%) cases, respectively. For 55 (16,35%) cases, in situ hybridisation had been done in order to classify carcinomas in proper molecular subtype. Conclusion: Frequency of molecular subtypes of breast carcinomas in our study are similar to literature data for European countries. Breast carcinoma subtyping has prognostic and predictive values for further patient treatment, and should be done in institutions with adequately trained personnel and equipment, in order to achive best results in the shortest time.
Dusko Dunderovic, Svetisla Tatic, Jasmina Markovic Lipkovski, Sanja Cirovic, Martina Bosic, Emilija Manojlovic Gacic
01.04.2018.
Plenary oral presentation
Alterations of hormone receptors and HER2 receptors status in HER2 amplified locally advanced breast carcinomas after neoadjuvant therapy with Trastuzumab
Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate status of estrogen and progesteron hormone receptors (ER and PR), and HER2 receptors in diagnostic core biopsy specimens, compared to surgical resection specimens of the same patients after NAC regimens all including trastuzumab. Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is associated with phenotypic alteration in breast carcinoma, especially with the change of molecular phenotype through the modulation of hormone and HER2 receptors expression. Material and Methods: The study included 35 patients with HER2-amplified locally advanced breast carcinoma that were treated with NAC regimens that included trastuzumab, and which had receptors status determined on pre-NAC core biopsy, and on surgical specimen after the completion of the therapy. Results: Pathological complete response (pCR) was observed in 4 cases (11.4%), while partial response to therapy was noted in 31 cases (88.6%). Invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (NST) was the most common histological type in 27 cases (87.1%), while the most common histological grade (HG) was HG3 in 27 cases (87.1%). There were no noted changes in histological type or grade of the carcinoma. The rates of ER and PR receptors positivity on diagnostic core biopsy compared to post-NAC surgical resection specimens were 61.29% to 67.74% and 48.39% to 64,52%, respectively. HER2 receptors status changed from positive to negative in 2 cases (6,45%). Conclusion: Changes in status of the receptors in breast carcinoma after NAC is significant due to implications in tailored therapy approach, and subsequent modification of adjuvant therapy regimens.
Bojan Radovanovic, Tijana Vasiljevic, Nenad Šolajic, Zoran Nikin, Dragana Tegeltija, Vladimir Zecev, Tatjana Ivkovic-Kapicl
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia vs. Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma: case report
Aim: Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia is very rare, differential diagnostic difficult entity, which often mimics more aggressive endocervical lesions, with worse prognosis. Introduction: Lobular glandular endocervical hyperplasia(LEGH) is benign lesion with lobular proliferation of endocervical glands and endocervical epithelium without or with minimal nuclear atypia. Lobular structure can be deep into the cervical tissue without stromal invasion, which is important difference between adenocarcinoma of minimal deviation(MDA), well-differentiated endocervical type of adenocarcinoma, similar to LEGH. Case report: The patient is 50 years, with demarcated, nodular, multicystic tumor, localized deep in cervical tissue. Microscopic analysis shows numerous cystically dilated endocervical glands with lobular presentation, surrounded by hyperplastic fibrous stroma. Glandular acini are diffusely localized, with centrally dilated acinus and peripheral smaller tubular structures. Glands are without the presence of architectural changes and cytonuclear atypia, with uniform, endocervical epithelium.Immunochemical analysis showed:CEA- /CA125focal /p16 focal /Er and Pr focal epithelium, diffusely in stroma. Because structures were described deep in the cervical tissue, MDA is considered diagnostically differential. However, glands do not show signs of distortion(architectural atypia), which is important feature of this entity, as well as no pronounced surrounding desmoplastic stromal reaction. Macroscopic tumor is well demarcated, and the CEA marker is negative, which also suggested LEGH. Conclusion: LEGH and MDA show a quiet clinical and histological similarity. Association of LEGH(50%) with MDA and 40% with cervical adenocarcinoma has been demonstrated, suggesting the possible precancerous potential of LEGH. Research of the lesion microenvironment could be an interesting subject for further research.
Ljubiša Jovanović, Simić Ljubica, Stefanović Radomir, Vrtikapa Jelena, Pajević Mila, Atanacković Jasmina, Milenković Svetlana
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Pathohistological evaluation of tumor regression at breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy
Aim: Evaluation of pathological estimation results of therapeutic response of primary breast carcinoma to applied neoadjuvant therapy. Introduction: Breast carcinoma is heterogeneous disease, that could be classified into several molecular subtypes by using immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization. Neoadjuvant therapy is applied in cases of locally advanced breast carcinoma and for tumor chemosensitivity evaluation, which is very significant for disease prognosis. Material and Methods: The research was conducted on 35 female patients, that were treated with radical mastectomy in 2017, after IV cycle of neoadjuvant therapy, in Clinical Centre of Montenegro. Before treatment, all patients underwent core biopsy (confirmed invasive breast carcinoma, molecular subtype determined).Pathohistological response of primary tumor to applied therapy was estimated as complete response (pCR), partial response (pPR) and no response (pNR). Results: Average age in examined group of patients was 59,25 years.In 68,58% of cases it was invasive ductal, in 17,14% invasive lobular and in 14,28% mixed invasive carcinoma. Representation of molecular subtypes was (without change in respect to the core biopsy): 34,28% Luminal A, 42,85% Luminal B Her2 negative, 5,71% Luminal B Her2 positive, 8,58% Her2 positive and 8,58% triple negative. In 6 patients (17,15%) pCR was obtained, in 21 (71,42%) pPR, and in 4 (11,43%) no response. In group of patients confirmed for pCR, it was Her2 positive or triple negative carcinoma. Conclusion: Applying of neoadjuvant therapy leads to tumor response to applied therapy. Most commonly it is partial response, while complete response most commonly occurs in Her2 positive or triple negative carcinomas.
Tatjana Culafic, Mirjana Miladinovic, Ljiljana Vuckovic, Mileta Golubovic, Filip Vukmirovic, Ivana Jelicic, Tanja Lakic, Janja Raonic
01.04.2018.
Poster session
A rare localization of pediatric gastrointestinal stromal tumor - a case report
Aim: We present a rare case of gastrointestinal tumor in a boy. Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent rare mesenchymal tumors in pediatric population. Most of these tumors originate in the stomach and very rarely in the oesophagus. They are more frequent in young girls. As opposed to adult GISTs, those that occur in childhood show mutations in PDGFRA receptors or so called “Wild type” mutations. Case report: A fifteen years and 2 months old boy with symptoms of dysphagia and stenocardia for the last six months. Endoscopy showed nodular solid lesion at the distal part of the thoracal oesophagus, later surgically removed. Dimensions of the lession were 35x25x20mm with whitishPOSTER SESIJA 57 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. yellow cut surface and areas of hemorrhage. Histology showed predominant spindle cell pattern with minor epithelioid component, with pronounced cellular and nuclear pleomorphism, rare areas of necrosis and hemorrhage, with the mitotic count more than 18 per 50 high power fields and numerous atypical mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical studies were CD117 and DOG-1 negative, but positive for PDGFRA. Tumor expressed focal alpha-SMA and CD34 positivity. Conclusion: Informations regarding pediatric gastrointestinal stromal tumors are still insufficient. Even though these tumors are rare in childhood, when analysing mesenchymal neoplasms potential GISTs should be considered.
Jovana Radakovic, Jelena Sopta, Radmila Jankovic, Jovan Jevtic
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Choristoma of the stomach: A case report
Aim: To present a case report of choristoma of the stomach. Introduction: Ectopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue outside its normal location without anatomic or vascular connections with the pancreas. It mostly occurs in upper gastrointestinal tract, predominantly in the stomach. It s likely to occur in men, at the age of 30-50 years. Case report: A thirty-year old male patient presented to the hospital for evaluation of epigastric symptoms. After clinical examinations, he underwent an esophago-gastroduodenoscopy which showed intramural tumor located along the greater curvature. The biopsy was taken which revealed normal gastric mucosa so it was suspected for gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient was submitted to laparoscopic partial gastrectomy and the material was received for pathohistological analysis. Macroscopically, there were several fragments, gray-pink coloured and lined with pink mucosa. In the largest fragment it was noticed irregular, oval gray-white node, measured 4x2.5x0.5cm. On serial cutting it was yellow. Histologically, described fragments revealed normal fundic mucosa and irregular node was consisted of pancreatic tissue localized in submucosa and lamina muscularis. It was formed of normal acini and Langerhans islets, with focally dilated pancreatic ducts and presence of mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Dysplasia wasn t found in the pancreatic tissue. The POSTER SESIJA 58 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. established diagnosis was Ectopic pancreatic tissue in stomach Choristoma of the stomach. Conclusion: Choristoma is rare condition and usually incidental finding important to be diagnosed because of the serious complications depending on which tissue is present in the organ, such as inflammation, bleeding and mailignant transformation.
Aleksandra Ilic, Tanja Lakic, Mirjana Zivojinov, Matilda Djolai
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Clinical and morphological characteristics of the cardiac tumors
Aim: To analyze age and sex distribution of the cardiac tumors, the most common clinical symptoms, POSTER SESIJA 70 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. pathohistological types, tumor localization and compare the echocardiographic with the pathohistological size of the tumor. Introduction: The incidence of primary cardiac tumors are very rare and amounts to about 0.02%. Incidence of secondary cardiac tumors are significantly higher. Primary malignant cardiac tumors are very rare and represent to the rarest tumors in the human organism. Materials and Methods: The study covered 49 patients who were operated in the period from 2008 to 2017. Patients data are obtained from the history of the disease, the information system and pathohistological findings. Results: The average age of the patients is 53.9 years. The most common symptoms were light fatigue, heart palpitations, vertigo, dizziness, dyspnea, exhaustion, cough and stenocardia. The most commonly diagnosed are myxomas (67.3%), papillary fibroelastomas 28.6%, cavernous hemangiomas 4.1%, and metastatic tumors 2.04%. The most common tumor localization is in the left atrium 63.3%, aortic cusps 16.3%, right atrium 8.2%, mitral valve 8.2%, left ventricle 2.04% and interventricular septum 2.04%. The difference in mean echocardiographic tumor size and tumor size after surgical extirpation was not statistically significant (p = 0.706). Conclusion: Although, cardiac tumors are rare, they have a large clinical importance, primarily because of the potential for severe complications such as embolization of the arteries of the brain with the development of cerebral infarction and even the appearance of sudden death. However, timely diagnosis and surgical removal of tumors lead to patient curing in most cases.
Golub Samardzija, Iva Bosic, Lazar Velicki, Milenko Rosic, Dragana Tegeltija, Aleksandra Lovrenski, Bojana Visnjic Andrejic
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Giant bilateral vertebral artery aneurysms: a case report
Aim: We present an illustrative autopsy case of thrombosed giant bilateral vertebral artery aneurysms. Introduction: A 61-year-old male died at Department of Infective disease with a clinical diagnosis for bilateral bronchopneumonia, cerebral aneurism, fibro muscular dysplasia, CVI, HTA, chronic CMP, cardiac arrest. Material and Methods: Standard autopsy technic with neuropathology brain dissection and standard procedure of paraffin embedded section routinely stained with HE was performed. Results: Gross examination of the brain at the autopsy showed saccular giant bilateral vertebral artery aneurysms that measured 58 mm on the right and 40 mm on the left artery. They were tumor-like and compressed the medulla and pons. Both were thrombosed. The right was ruptured with subacute subarachnoid bleeding. Sections of the cerebral vessels exhibited minimal atherosclerotic plaques, with mild stenosis (focally up to 10%) of the left internal carotid artery. We found mild dilatation on ventricles and minimal cortical atrophy of the brain. During the microscopic examination angiodysplasia with abnormally dilated blood vessels on visceral organs, predominantly on brain and heart was detected. The cause of death was central type of cardiopulmonary insufficiency with pulmonary edema. Conclusion: We presented an extremely rare case with bilateral giant vertebral aneurysms. Giant cerebral aneurysms are ones that measure >25 mm in greatest dimension and account for ~5% of all intracranial aneurysms. They occur in the 5th-7th decades and are more common in females. Vertebral artery aneurysms constitute 0.5 to 3% of intracranial aneurysms and 20% of posterior circulation aneurysms.
Boro Ilievski, Ivan Domazetovski, Gordana Petrushevska
01.04.2018.
Abstracts
What have I learned about lung transplantation?
Lung transplantation remains the definitive treatment for end-stage lung diseases and an option when
medical and surgical care has been exhausted. The first human single lung transplant was performed in
1963, and the patient, survived for 18 days. From 1963 to 1978, multiple attempts at lung transplantation
failed because of rejection and problems with anastomotic bronchial healing. It was only after the invention of the heart-lung machine, coupled with the development of immunosuppressive drugs, that organs
such as the lungs could be transplanted with a reasonable chance of patient recovery. The first clinically
successful long-term single lung transplant was performed in 1983, and since then over 25,000 lung transplants performed worldwide.
Aleksandra Lovrenski
01.04.2018.
Abstracts
Learning Pathology in the “R’n’R Capital of the World
The presentation will reflect on a one-month period of education that the author spent with the Cleveland Clinic soft tissue pathology team. Cleveland is a US city in the state of Ohio. One of its nicknames is
“The Rock and Roll Capital of the world”, due to the fact that the term R’n’R was coined in the 1950s by
a Cleveland-based disc jockey Alan Freed. The city hosts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, established in
1983. It is also home to the Cleveland Clinic, a multispecialty academic hospital currently ranked as the
#2 hospital by U.S. News & World Report1. In 2014, Cleveland Clinic had a total revenue of $11.63 billion, making it the #2 hospital in US on the Becker’s Hospital Review revenue list2. The author spent one
month on a UICC ICRETT fellowship in November 2016 with the Cleveland Clinic soft tissue pathology
team. The main strength of the soft tissue team is the presence of several internationally known experts
with diverse interests within the field of soft tissue and beyond, with team philosophy highlighting the
synergy of team work and individual reputation. Among various topics that were covered during the
one-month fellowship, certainly one of the most interesting was differentiation among different fibrohistiocytic neoplasms. Fibrohistiocytic tumors are among the most frequent soft tissue tumors and they
are most commonly encountered in the skin. “Fibrohistiocytic” is in fact a merely descriptive term for
cells that resemble both normal fibroblasts and histiocytes, and not a true line of differentiation3. Like
other soft tissue tumors, fibrohistiocytic neoplasms are divided into benign, intermediate and malignant
categories. In presentation, the author will reflect on the key points in the pathology diagnosis within this
category of tumors, and these are:
- being able to give a common denominator to numerous variants of benign fibrous histiocytoma
- awareness of the pitfalls in the diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- discrimination of malignant fibrohistiocytic skin-based tumors from other, more adverse cutaneous
malignancies.
Zlatko Marušić