Showing papers in "Československá patologie in 2006"

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases 3, 10 and 11 (stromelysins 1, 2 and 3) and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (matrilysin) by cancer cells in non-small cell lung neoplasms. Clinicopathologic studies.

Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP's) 3, 10 and 11 (also known as stromelysins 1, 2 and 3, respectively), and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (also known as matrilysin), produced by stromal fibroblast-like cells in the vicinity of various malignancies, are suspected to have an ability to degrade components of extracellular matrix, thus promoting spread of the tumor. MMP's also have been found in epithelial tumor cells in various cancers. Tissue sections from 95 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were immunostained with antibodies against MMP 3, MMP 10 and MMP 11 and sections from 99 cases of NSCLC were immunostained with an antibody against MMP 7. Cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in the tumor cells was semiquantitatively scored for intensity and distribution and correlated with tumor type, tumor grade, stage, tumor size, lymph node positivity, metastasis and survival. Overexpression of MMP 10 and MMP 11 correlated with higher grade for NSCLC (p = 0.029 and p = 0.016, respectively), and also in a subset of adenocarcinomas (AC) (p = 0.015 and p = 0.009, respectively). Also, MMP 10 and MMP 11 correlated with lymph node involvement in NSCLC (p = 0.025 and p = 0.027 respectively). No correlation was found for MMP 3. Overexpression of MMP-7 correlated with tumor stage (p = 0.0001) and was associated with adverse clinical outcome (p = 0.0001) in NSCLC and also in separate squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (p = 0.003) and AC (p = 0.004) tumor groups.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the cardiac interatrial septum

Abstract: Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum (LHIS) is a rare lesion of unknown origin usually diagnosed as an incidental finding during autopsy. It can be associated with supraventricular arrhythmias, venous return obstruction and sudden cardiac death. Five necropsy cases (4 females, 1 male) of LHIS were encountered during the last 31 years; only one case from this series was diagnosed ante mortem. The patients' mean age was 68 years; their mean BMI was 28.4. The mean size of the lesion was 31 mm. In three patients the LHIS was asymptomatic, two patients experienced relapsing multifocal atrial tachycardia and sick sinus syndrome, respectively. Histologically, all cases consisted of a mixture of mature and brown adipose tissue with foci of cardiomyocytes. For a pathologist the knowledge of LHIS is important because of an increasing possibility of its ante mortem diagnosis by imaging methods with a following endomyocardial biopsy, and also because it may appear as a cause of sudden cardiac death.

Low grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of tongue: a case report.

Abstract: A case of a 24-year-old woman with a 6 weeks lasting nodule of the right margin of the tongue is described. The nodule was 20 mm in diameter and showed surface ulceration. The diagnosis of low grade myofibroblastic sarcoma was supported by histological, immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopic examination. Although the tumor resection was not complete, the patient is free of disease 1 year after operation. The differential diagnostics of low grade myofibroblastic sarcoma is discussed.

The use of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of thyroid gland tumors with follicular growth pattern

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of galectin-3 (gal3), cytokeratin 19 (CK19), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and E-cadherin (Ecad) in thyroid gland tumors with follicular growth pattern with particular focus on their use in differential diagnosis. A series of 139 cases - 87 follicular adenomas (FAs), 26 follicular carcinomas (FCs), and 26 cases of the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma (FVPC) was studied. Expression of gal3 was found in 29/87 (33%) of FAs, in 13/26 (50%) of FCs, and in 24/26 (92%) of FVPCs. Expression of CK19 was found in 11/87 (13%) of FAs, in 4/26 (15%) of FCs, and in 17/26 (65%) of FVPCs. Expression of NCAM was found in 60/87 (69%) of FAs, in 20/26 (77%) of FCs, and in 7/26 (27%) FVPCs. Expression of Ecad was found in 81/87 (93%) of FAs, in 22/26 (85%) of FCs, and in 17/26 (65%) of FVPCs. The sensitivity and specificity of gal3 for malignancy were 0.70 and 0.85, of CK19 0.48 and 0.98, of NCAM 0.28 and 0.47, and of Ecad 0.48 and 0.20, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in expression of all studied markers between FVPC versus FA and FC was found, in contrast to FA and FC. Therefore, the use of gal3 and CK19 in differential diagnosis of FVPC versus FA and FC can be recommended.

Leiomyoma of the gastrointestinal tract with intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Report of three cases

Abstract: We report three cases of leiomyoma of the gastrointestinal tract with intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies similar to those characteristic of inclusion body fibromatosis (IBF). The first two cases represent leiomyoma of the stomach: one in a 70-year-old female and the other in a 72-year-old female. In both instances inclusion bodies were present in a large amount. In the third case the leiomyoma was located in the esophagus of a 63-year-old male and inclusion bodies in this case were rare. In all three cases an immunohistochemical analysis showed positivity of the tumor cells for muscle specific actin HHF35 (MSA), alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), h-caldesmon and desmin. The first case showed some inclusion bodies with positivity for cytokeratin CAM 5.2 and focal weak positivity for cytokeratin 18. In the second case the inclusion bodies were positive at the periphery with antibodies directed against MSA and SMA. In the third case the inclusion bodies were immunohistochemically entirely negative. Ultrastructurally, the inclusion bodies in the first case were composed of aggregated filaments, some with entrapped cytoplasmic organels and others with finely granular dense cores.

Uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex cord tumor (UTROSCT). Report of case suggesting neoplastic origin of intratumoral myoid cells.

Abstract: We report a case of double uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex cord tumor (UTROSCT). The tumor was composed of sex cord-like cords, nests and tubules, and bundles of myoid cells. The lesion was interesting especially in regard to histogenesis of intratumoral myoid cells. It is not known whether these cells are neoplastic or whether they represent preexisting myometrial smooth muscle cells entrapped into the tumor. In the present case, the sex cord-like epithelioid cells showed immunohistochemically myoid features in addition to features of epithelial, sex cord and endometrial stromal differentiation. The spindle cells expressed myoid, epithelial and endometrial stromal markers, but some of them were positive for sex cord marker calretinin. This immunophenotypic overlap between sex cord-like and myoid spindle elements indicates that the spindle cells of UTROSCT represent divergent line of differentiation of neoplastic cell rather than entrapped myometrial cells. It further expands the spectrum of possible differentiations in this polyphenotypic neoplasm.

Granulomatous myopathy in patients with sarcoidosis and myasthenia gravis

Abstract: Granulomatous myopathies are extremely rare. The finding of epithelioid granulomas in muscle biopsy indicates mostly an involvement of the skeletal muscle in systemic sarcoidosis. In this report we provide description of five patients with previously diagnosed sarcoidosis (pulmonary or cutaneous), in which a clinically significant muscle weakness developed. We aim at demonstrating the value of muscle biopsy for further treatment of the patients, since clinically indistinguishable myopathies can arise not due to the involvement of muscles in the granulomatous process, but due to the corticosteroid-induced changes (chronic steroid myopathy). The demonstration of a selective atrophy of type II muscle fibers can provide the clue for distinguishing the patients, in which the corticosteroid treatment should continue, from those, in which the treatment should be modified. Further, we discuss a rare finding of granulomas in muscle biopsies of two patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with thymoma. Although it is difficult to explain the pathogenesis of this event, MG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous myopathies. Moreover, the finding of granulomas along with lymphocytic infiltration in MG muscle should lead to a search for an underlying thymic neoplasm.

Pyloric gland adenoma-- how to diagnose?

Abstract: The term "pyloric gland adenoma" reflects its etiogenesis from deep mucoid glands in the stomach. The diagnosis can be confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Typically, pyloric gland adenomas are strongly positive for Mucin 6 (deep mucoid gastric glands). These lesions express Mucin 6 over the whole lesion up to the surface often only with a small layer of columnar epithelium expressing Apomucin 5AC. The amount of mucin 5AC which is expressed on normal within the apical foveolar epithelium might vary from case to case. Combination or transdifferentiation with ordinary tubular (intestinal differentiation) adenoma can be observed. The gastric corpus mucosa of elderly female patients with autoimmune gastritis is highly affected. The frequency of pyloric gland adenoma is given in the literature being 2.7% of all gastric polyps. Therefore pyloric gland adenomas are not that rare that one might assume. Only a few publications are available which makes one think that these lesions are frequently misinterpreted. Pyloric gland adenomas can arise in gastric heterotopia and gastric metaplasia in the whole gastrointestinal tract. The clinical significance is given by a 30% rate of malignant transformation. These cases represent for the most well differentiated early adenocarcinomas which are known to have an excellent prognosis after complete polypectomy and limitation to the mucosal layer.

Primitive nonneural granular cell tumor of skin (case report)

Abstract: Primitive nonneural granular cell tumor was recognized in an 82-year-old man, mimicking a granuloma in the scalp. Despite its disturbing cytomorphology, this histogenetically enigmatic tumor with unusual immunoprophile (NK1-C3, CD 68 and NSE positivity; S-100 protein negativity) behaves indolently.

Dedifferentiated mixed stromal-smooth muscle tumor of the uterus. Report of a case.

Abstract: So-called dedifferentiation in mesenchymal neoplasms of the uterus is very rare Among conventional low-grade stromal tumors only three cases of dedifferentiation were reported, whereas in mixed stromal-smooth muscle tumors the dedifferentiation was yet not described Here we present such a case of low-grade mixed stromal-smooth muscle tumor with dedifferentiation The tumor occurred in 52-years-old postmenopausal patient The high-grade component representing a dedifferentiation showed morphology of undifferentiated sarcoma with myxoid change The low-grade component with morphology of mixed stromal-smooth muscle tumor was limited to a few peripheral areas of the lesion Immunohistochemically, the low-grade component showed typical positivity for CD10, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and focal reactivity for myoid markers, whereas the dedifferentiated component expressed only vimentin, CD10 and estrogen receptor This case demonstrates that low-grade mixed stromal-smooth muscle tumor of the uterus can dedifferentiate like a pure stromal tumor It shows that extensive sampling/histological search may be needed for recognition of a minor component in a dedifferentiated tumor

Sessile serrated adenomas of the large bowel. Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study including comparison with common hyperplastic polyps and adenomas.

Abstract: Sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) is a newly characterized type of the large bowel adenoma. It arises in hyperplastic polyp (HP) and represents a precursor lesion of colorectal carcinoma with microsatellite instability. SSAs differ from common HPs by abnormal proliferation of the crypt epithelium and by nuclear atypia. We examined 15 SSAs from 15 patients. The age range was 25-80 years (average 60 years). Six patients were females and 9 were males. For comparison, we examined 10 conventional tubular adenomas and 10 common HPs with vesicular cells. The sites of SSAs were as follows: 8 in rectum, 4 in rectosigmoid colon, 1 in transverse colon, 1 next to mucinous carcinoma of ascending colon, 1 in anastomosis after resection of the transverse colon adenocarcinoma. The diameter of the lesions ranged from 5 to 12 mm. Histologically, SSAs showed asymmetrical proliferation of the epithelium, irregular shape of the crypts with their branching and some crypt dilatations especially in the basal parts of the crypts. Cellular atypia (dysplasia) was usually low. In 5 cases the nuclei were focally stratified and localized in the lower part of the cells. High-grade dysplasia was found only in SSA adjacent to mucinous adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, SSAs showed secretion of gastrointestinal mucin expressing MUC2 and MUC5A. Both MUC2 and MUC5A were also positive in mucinous carcinoma. In previous studies these expressions were considered specific for serrated type of carcinogenesis. However, our study found positivity of MUC2 and MUC5A also in conventional adenomas. Expression of p53 in SSAs was minimal. SSAs have malignant potential comparable with conventional adenomas and for this reason they must be distinguished from HPs.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the breast: report of two cases].

Abstract: Two cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the breast are presented. The first case was a 63-year-old patient with MFH of myxoid type, the second case was a 79-year-old patient with MFH of pleiomorphic type. MFH is one of the most common tumors of the soft tissues, but its primary occurrence in the breast is rare. Immunohistochemical detection of antigens in the cytoplasm of histiocytes by antibdy LN 5 (Anti-Macrophage, BioGenex) can be helpful in rendering of the right diagnosis.

Tumoriform endometriosis of the urinary bladder in advanced pregnancy

Abstract: A case of tumoriform endometriosis of urinary bladder immitating a tumor of the bladder during the first pregnancy of a 25-year-old patient was successfully treated by partial cystectomy allowing continuation of the pregnancy, a normal term delivery and after 5 months a second pregnancy with term delivery

Epithelioid hemangioma of the foot

Abstract: Epithelioid hemangioma (angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, EH/ALHE) is a rare benign angioproliferative lesion which typically occurs in the region of the head and neck. In the literature, occurence on the extremity is only rarely described. A case of multiple occurence of EH/ALHE in the skin of the toes and metatarsal bone with osteolysis is reported. Occurence on the extremity, superficial and deep affection and some "atypical" microscopic features may cause diagnostic dilemma. The key diagnostic features of EH/ALHE are vascular channels lined with epithelioid endothelial cells, surrounding layer of myopericytes, absence of atypia and mitotic activity and characteristic inflammation. Immunohistochemistry may be helpful in settling the diagnosis.

[Isolated lymphadenopathy as the first presentation of systemic mastocytosis--description of two cases].

Abstract: Presented are two cases of systemic mastocytosis in 46- and 63-year-old women, where the correct diagnosis was established in randomly disclosed cervical respectively intraabdominal lymphadenopathy. Both cases lacked characteristic skin and systemic mast-cell mediator symptoms at the time of histologic diagnosis. The first case was classified as a indolent systemic mastocytosis without any proven genetic alteration, the second one met the criteria of aggressive systemic mastocytosis with eosinophilia, where the point mutation asp816val in c-kit gene was confirmed and the patient responded unexpectedly well to Gleevec. Discussed are both conventional morphological differential diagnosis of mastocytosis in lymph nodes and recent advances in genetics of these systemic clonal mast cell proliferations. The latter not only outlines the oncopathogenesis but, in particular, also provides important prognostic and biological implications of this peculiar disease.

[Mammary carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells--report of two cases]

Abstract: Authors describe two cases of a rare type of mammary carcinoma occurring in 47-year and 49-year-old women, characterised by osteoclast-like giant cells, hypervascular stroma, and signs of older and recent haemorrhages on the background of the conventional type of breast carcinoma. In both cases there was diagnosed moderately differentiated ductal invasive carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells, which were present in tumorous stroma as well as scattered between tumorous cells. Immunohistochemical analysis (vimentin and CD68 positivity and negativity of cytokeratins, EMA and S-100 protein) confirmed a histiocytic origin of these giant cells as well as their reactive non-neoplastic nature. Clinical and morphological features of this unusual type of breast carcinoma indicate that it should be regarded as an unique clinical- histomorphological entity with probably better prognosis when compared to ductal invasive carcinoma not otherwise specified and it should not be included among metaplastic breast carcinomas.

Inverse correlation between HLA-DR antigen expression and CD4 positive lymphocytic populations in normal mucosa, tubulovillous adenoma, and invasive carcinoma of the colon.

Abstract: BACKGROUND HLA-A,B,C and HLA-D molecules present antigenic peptides to the antigen-specific receptor of autologous T lymphocytes. T-cell-mediated host-versus-tumor response might therefore depend on the presence of these molecules on tumor cells, although the absence of HLA-A,B,C determinants on a cell has been shown to increase its susceptibility to lysis by natural killer cells. The prognostic role of tumor stage and grade is well- established in colorectal cancer. In this study we used immunohistochemistry to analyse the expression of HLA-DR on epithelial cells of normal colonic mucosa, tubulovillous adenoma, and invasive carcinoma, as well as the magnitude of the stromal T lymphocytes at the relevant sites. HLA-DR expression was correlated to histological grade and Dukes stage in the cases of invasive cancer. Yet, we investigated the association of HLA-DR plus DQ genes and adenoma or carcinoma by PCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS 31 cases of normal colonic mucosa, 12 cases of tubulovillous adenoma, and 39 cases of invasive carcinoma were surveyed for the detection of HLA-DR monoclonal antigen, and the T helper (TH) marker (CD4) in the stroma (lamina propria) of the relevant cases. RESULTS HLA-DR was expressed in 20 of 31 normal colonic mucosas (64.5%), 4 of 12 adenomas (33.3%), and in 10 of 39 invasive carcinomas (25.6%). A strong relation of HLA-DR expression and histological grade was found (p < 0.001), but no association with Dukes stage (p = 0.141). No significant correlation between HLA-DR plus DQ genes and adenoma or cancer of the colon was found. CD4 positive cells were found in 9 of 31 normal colonic mucosas (29%), 5 of 12 adenomas (42%), and in 26 of 39 invasive carcinomas (67%). CONCLUSIONS The results showed an inverse correlation between the expression of HLA-DR and the number of CD4 positive cells as the lesion progressed to malignancy. HLA-DR was significantly associated with tumor grade but not with Dukes stage in colonic cancer hosts. HLA-DR and DQ genes do not contribute to a susceptibility to adenoma or carcinoma.

Diagnostic procedures in skin adnexal tumours

Abstract: From histogenetic, morphologic and immunohistochemical point of view the authors try to make possible algorithms that can be employed in a routine diagnosis of adnexal skin tumours. They stress the importance of knowledge of clinical data necessary for orientation classification of tumour skin lesions after biopsies. The authors translated their obtained data into survey tables to be used as guidelines in a routine bioptic practice.

[Cervical cancer precursors: cytohistologic correlation with the results of HPV testing].

Abstract: Persistence of high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for the development, maintenance and progression of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). Cytohistologic correlation with the results of the HPV testing in 52 patients over a 3year period is presented. Two patients out of the 52 patients presented in this histologic follow up bore the diagnosis high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) with the former cytology ASC-H. Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) were found in eight patients, half of them diagnosed identically on cytology. Another four cases were formerly diagnosed cytologically as ASC-US. All women with the histologically confirmed dysplastic changes were HR HPV DNA positive. Our results indicate that significant histologic lesions may be discovered in patients exhibiting the high-risk HPV DNA positivity in the category of ASC-US (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance) and especially ASC-H (ASC cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion). A combined screening test thus offers the possibility of greater protection and /or longer screening intervals.

Argyrophilic grain disease: case report of the first two cases in the Czech Republic and review of the literature.

Abstract: Argyrophilic grain disease (AgD) is a relatively newly described neurodegenerative disease with late-onset dementia. Morphologically it is characterized by the presence of abundant spindle-shaped argyrophilic grains (ArG) in neuronal processes and coiled bodies in oligodendrocytes. ArG consist of abnormally hyperphosphorylated form of tau protein. AgD is a substrate of at least 5% of all dementia cases with increasing incidence in the old age. Here we report the cases of a 91-year-old woman and an 83-year-old man clinically diagnosed with dementia. Neuropathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical examination of the brain tissue show the changes to be compatible with a definite diagnosis of AgD. This is the first description of two cases of AgD in the Czech Republic.

[Benign mesenchymal stromal tumor of the breast simulating benign schwannoma in an 81-year-old male--a case report].

Abstract: Presented is an unusual case of a benign mesenchymal stromal tumor of the breast in an 81-year-old male. The basic appearance of the lesion simulated benign schwannoma and was misinterpreted as a low-grade myxoid liposarcoma initially. Well-circumscribed, gray-white mass measuring 35 mm in maximum diameter was discovered deep in the parenchyma of the completely removed breast. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of myxoid, richly vascular background where dominated oval or spindle cells with impressive palisading replicating that of benign schwannoma. Rarely, the large multinucleated (floret-like type) cells were visible; no nuclear atypia or mitotic figures were found. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, antigen Bcl2 and also focal desmin positivity. Clinical examinations disclosed no objective reason for possible hyperestrinism; no other therapy followed and the patient is free of disease 19 months after operation. On the background of both detailed review and differential diagnosis of benign, so-called stromal tumor of the female breast, the rarity of this microscopic finding in male is documented.

Human embryonal tissues of all three germ layers can express the CD30 antigen. An immunohistochemical study of 30 fetuses coming after therapeutic abortions from week 8th to week 16th of gestation.

Abstract: Summary Originally, expression of the CD30 antigen was shown to be typical of the tumor cells of Hodgkin disease and of anaplastic large cell lymphomas. In reactive lymphoid tissue, CD30 is expressed only in a small population of activated lymphoid blasts. Since then, several reports have been published describing CD30 expression in non lymphoid tissues and neoplasms, such as embryonal carcinomas, seminomas, cultivated macrophages, histiocytic neoplastic cells, deciduals cells, and mesothelioma cells. In order to gain insight into the functions of CD30, given that it can mediate signals for cell proliferation and apoptosis, we studied the distribution of the antigen in different fetal archival paraffin-embedded tissues from week 8th to 16th of gestation. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of CD30 in 30 paraffin-embedded tissue samples representing all three germ layers, using the monoclonal antibody Ber-H2 CD30 is expressed early in human fetal development (8th–10th week) in a wide variety of tissues, with the exception of the skin and thymus in which it is expressed later on. This is consistent with the observation that these organs are not fully differentiated before 10th and 13th week, respectively. No expression was observed in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The finding of CD30 expression in the terminal period of organogenesis, period, which is highly hormone related, implies that the antigen has an important role in cell development, maturation, and pathway to terminal differentiation in almost all fetal tissues and structures.

Proliferative and apoptotic markers in prostate carcinoma in relation to androgen receptor

Abstract: Prostate carcinoma, one of the most frequent male malignancies, is in certain stages of its development significantly influenced by androgens. Therefore, we carried out a retrospective study on a set of 130 patients with nongeneralized, localized prostate carcinoma (stage T1-T2, PSA up to 25 ng/ml). We determined immunohistochemically the expression of proliferation markers PCNA and Ki67, Bax, p53, Bcl-2, p21waf1, p27kiP1 and compared them with the expression of the androgen receptor (AR). Multivariation statistical analysis of the results using the chi-square test with Pearson's correction and variability analysis using the SPSS 8.0 software program showed a strong correlation of the PCNA and Ki67 proliferation markers with the expression of hormonal dependence and apoptosis markers. The expression of PCNA correlated strongly with p27 kip1 and Bax, while the expression of Ki67 correlated most strongly with p27 kip1 and Bcl-2. The expression of p27 kip1 correlated with the expression of androgen receptor, PCNA, Ki67 as well as Bcl-2. None of the observed markers correlated significantly with Gleason's score. We did not find substantial significant relation between the observed markers and the expression of p53 and p21 waf1. The results indicate a significant role of the expression of p27 kip1 protein in regulating proliferative activity and hormonal responsiveness in the initial stage of prostate carcinoma.

Known pitfalls of the thyroid neoplasm diagnostics in the view of the new (2004) WHO Classification.

Abstract: The new (2004) WHO Classification of Tumours of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland exhibits both formal and contentual changes compared to the previous one from the year 1988. Comparing both texts we have tried to apply the new norm to some recent diagnostic tasks. The classification of poorly differentiated and undifferentiated neoplasms has been successfully solved by employing the immunohistochemical procedures into the daily routine. Nevertheless, some diagnostic problems persist and can not be solved this way. This is true especially for the borderline neoplasm in the FVPTC category and even more for its oncocytic variant. There appeared shift in the criteria for the diagnosis of oncocytic variant of papillary carcinoma. Newly, the obligatory presence of the nuclei with the characteristics of the conventional papillary neoplasms is required. Thorough elaboration of the TNM system has solved the problem of multifocal lesion staging. Moreover, a web consultation source is recommended. The new Classification includes descriptions of the basic cytodiagnostic features. The post aspiration capsular damage consideration in relation to the diagnosis of the minimally invasive follicular carcinoma is one practical profit thereof. In terms of formal logic a criticisable feature of the new classification is the introduction of the so called "Synonyms". These listings include in fact partly real synonyms by definition, but together in one table quite often also subunits or variants of the nosologic units described. In general, the new Classification represents a successful consensus reached. As there are newly also references with varying opinions included, it is presented more like a point of gravity in this field than an undoubted truth. This also makes it a valuable and useful normative text.