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Correlation of Proliferation Index and Microvessel Density in Glial Tumors with WHO Tumor Grades

Correlation of Proliferation Index and Microvessel Density in Glial Tumors with WHO Tumor Grades

 *Begum A,¹ Kamal M²

Abstract

This study was carried out to find the association of proliferative index (PI) and microvessel density (MVD) in different histo-morphological grades of glial tumor according to WHO criteria. Paraffin embedded tissue blocks of 42 patients with glial tumors were included in this study. Ki-67 and CD 34 immunostaining were done in all cases and was compared with the WHO grade. Proliferation indix was detected by Ki-67 immunostaining and micro vessel densitywas detected by CD 34 immunostaining in glial tumors. Glial tumor was common in 3rd decade with male predominance. Most common location of glial tumor was frontal lobe 19.0%. Anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) in 21.4% cases and glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) in 21.4% cases was diagnosed commonly. Glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) had mean proliferative index 24.3±8.7%, anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) had 25.1±12.4%, diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma, (WHO grade II) 4.5±3.7% and pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) had 2±0.8%. The mean proliferative index difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) in different WHO grades. Glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) had mean MVD 100.11±46.62, anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) had 57.13±20.14, diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma (grade II) had 32.0±12.01 and pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) had 47.75±19.91. The microvessel density difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) in different WHO grades. A weak positive correlation was found between proliferative index and microvessel density in the 42 patients of glial tumors. Patients of low grade glial tumor with increased proliferative index and microvascular proliferation are at risk of progressing to higher grade tumor.

[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2017 Jul; 1 (2):91-101]

Key words: Glial tumors, Tumor grades, Proliferation index, Ki-67 Labeling index, CD34, Microvessel density (MVD)

 

  1. *Dr. Afroza Begum, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Anwer Khan Modern Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. afroza.mithila@gmail.com
  2. Mohammed Kamal, Professor, Department of Pathology, Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka.

 

*For correspondence

 

Introduction

Glial tissue neoplasm is the most common intracranial tumors. Worldwide incidence of primary brain tumors is approximately seven per 100,000 individuals per year, accounting for 2% of all primary tumors1 40% of all primary Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors are Gliomas. 75% of which are Astrocytomas. Ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas and other subtypes includes the rest 25 %.2  Pathologic diagnosis of gliomas depends on established histopathologic criteria after examination of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides of sampled tissue and grading on the basis of cellularity, nuclear atypia, mitotic activity, pseudopalisading necrosis and/or microvascular proliferation according to WHO classification of CNS neoplasms.3

Prognosis depends on several factors like age, preoperative status, extent of resection, and histopathological WHO grades along with mitotic count and necrosis in glial tumor. Prediction of clinical outcome in individual patient on the basis of grade alone is impossible as same tumor grade may behave differently. A continuous search for auxillary diagnostic and prognostic markers resulted for this limitation. Increased proliferative activity of tumor cells and micro vascular proliferation in tumor are associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and immunohistochemical techniques have been employed to quantitatively assess proliferative activity and micro vessel density in tumor tissue. The most reliable method to assess cell proliferation in gliomas is the antibody against Ki-67 antigen. The MIB-1 antibody identify a non-histone nuclear matrix protein associated antigen Ki-67 present in the nuclei of cells in the G1, S, G2 and M phases of the cell cycle, but is not expressed in the resting  G0 phase.4

Proliferation indices less than 1.5% were associated with longer survival and higher then 1.5% had shorter survivals. Proliferation index was particularly useful in WHO grade II and III tumors, as it identifies aggressiveness.5   However, a significant positive correlation between Ki-67 indices and histologic grade have demonstrated in many investigations and observed higher Ki-67 proliferation indices associated with shorter survivals. So, both the WHO grade and proliferation index have prognostic predictive value.4

CD 34 is used as an endothelial cell marker in order to study vascular proliferation in glial tumor; specially astrocytomas.6 Microvascular density is a measure of microvascular proliferation, which is also an independent prognostic factor for adult glioma.7  Angiogenesis is rate limiting for tumor growth, and therefore a rational therapeutic target.1.

The association of PI and MVD with different WHO grade of glial tumors has not been studied till now in Bangladesh. Results of studies by various authors in different countries show proliferation index and MVD correlate with different WHO grades of glial tumors and also in some cases, can predict progression of tumor from lower grade to higher grades. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of proliferative index measured with Ki-67 and microvessel density measured by CD34 with different histo-morphological grades of glial tumor according to WHO.

 Methods

Paraffin embedded tissue blocks of primary brain tumor diagnosed at the department of Pathology, BSMMU and other private pathology of Dhaka city were collected from the archive from the year 2012 to 2013. Forty two cases were selected for the study. Clinically suspected glial tumor but subsequently proved to be non-neoplastic conditions like demyelinating disease or reactive gliosis on histological examination, any CNS tumor other than glial tumor or metastatic tumor to CNS and samples without clinical data were excluded.

 Collection of clinical information

Detailed clinical information was obtained by taking history recorded in clinical proforma of departmental archives. Filling up of the clinical proforma was performed in all cases.

 Sectioning and staining of paraffin embedded tissue blocks for routine histopathological examination: The sections  were  cut and  stained  with  haematoxylin  and  eosin (H&E) staining method by using auto-stainer (Varistain 24-4 Automatic Slide Stainer, Thermo  Scientific,  USA) following  standard  protocol.  PAS staining of the slides were done according to the standard protocol followed at BSMMU and was used for the detection of three hot spots (area showing maximum vascularity) in the tissue sections. Slides of all cases were examined in light microscope after mounting in DPX.

 Methods used for immunohistochemistry (IHC)

For  IHC  stain,  2-3  µm  thick  tissue  sections  were  taken  from  the  paraffin  blocks  on coated  slide  (DAKO,  codeK8020). DAKO EnVision™+/HRP (Horseradish peroxidase) system which is based on advance Labeled Streptavidin-biotin (LSAB) method was used for visualizing the section. These methods were carried out manually.

 Scoring of Ki-67

It is done by the percentage of tumor cell nuclei allowing Ki-67 staining per total of 1000 neoplastic cells. One thousand tumor cells were counted in several areas of tissue where positively stained nuclei were evenly distributed. But in those cases with uneven distribution of positive nuclei, the tumor cells were counted in the areas with highest density of positive nuclei by visual analysis.8  In this study, 500 neoplastic cells were calculated and percentages of Ki-67 stained neoplastic cells were determined. Usually proliferative index of glial tumor with WHO grade-I has 0 to 3.9%, WHO grade-II has up to 4%, WHO grade-III has 5 to 10% and WHO grade-IV has 15 to 20% (WHO classification of tumors of the CNS, IARC, Lyon, 2007).

 MVD calculation

Brown staining of cytoplasm of endothelial cells with CD 34 was considered positive reaction. MVD were calculated according to Weidner’s method. At first the sections were scanned at low power (X10) looking for hot spots. Hot spot is an area with the most dense vessels growth. Only hot spots close to the tumor cell clusters in viable areas (non-necrotic and non-sclerotic areas) were included. When the hot spots were defined, microvessel count (MVC) was performed by counting the individual stained microvessels (at power X20) representing a field size of 0.74mm² (20X objective, 10X ocular; equivalent to 0.7386 mm² per 200X field.9 First three hot spots were chosen. In each hot spot, MVC was performed at power X20. Finally MVD was calculated as the mean of the total number of microvessels in these three hot spots.

 Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by windows based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social sciences (SPSS-17). The qualitative data were presented as numbers and percentages while the quantitative data were presented as mean, standard deviations and ranges. The results were calculated by using statistical formulae Chi-square test and and Fisher exact test was used only when the expected count in any cell found less than 5. Also the comparison between two groups with quantitative data was done by using Independent t-test and the comparison between three groups with quantitative data was done by using One Way ANOVA. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the relations between the studied parameters.

 Results

The mean age was found 35.38±17.55 years with range from 4 to 82 years, highest occurrences observed in 3rd decade (31.0%) and almost three fourths 31 (73.8%) patients were male. Male female ratio was 2.8:1. Frequent site of involvement were frontal lobe 8 (19.0%) cases, parietal lobe 6 (14.3%) cases and temporal lobe 6 (14.3%) cases. (Table I)

 

Table I: Age, sex and tumor location in study cases

 

Clinical Variables Results
Age in years  
Mean±SD 35.38±17.55
Range (min-max) 4-82
Gender N (%)
Male 31(73.8 %)
Female 11(26.2 %)
Location of tumors  
Frontal lobe 8(19.0 %)
Parietal lobe 6(14.3 %)
Temporal lobe 6(14.3 %)
Temporoparietal lobe 4(9.5 %)
Frontoparietal lobe 2(4.8 %)
Frontotemporal lobe 2(4.8 %)
Parieto-occipital lobe 2(4.8 %)
Cerebral 4(9.5 %)
Spinal 2(4.8 %)
Ventricle 2(4.8 %)
Corpus callosum 1(2.4 %)
Cerebellum 1(2.4 %)
Posterior fossa 2(4.8 %)

 

9 (21.4%) patient had anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO grade III and glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV respectively and 6 (14.3%) cases had diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma WHO grade II. According to WHO grading majority 17 (40.7%) patients had grade II lesion followed by 12 (28.6%) had grade III lesion, 9 (21.4%) had grade IV lesion and 4 (9.5%) had grade I lesion. Anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO grade III had mean mitotic count 6.56±2.3 /10HPF ranging from 4 to 11 /10HPF. The glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV had mean mitotic count 8.11±2.76 /10HPF ranging from 5 to 12 /10HPF. Other results are depicted in this table. The mean difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The findings are shown in table II.

 

All (100.0%) patients with glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV had necrosis and necrosis was not found in the remaining cases. Four patients had pilocytic astrocytoma WHO grade I among them 3(17.6%) had mild and 1(10.0%) had moderate nuclear pleomorphism. Nine patients had anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO grade III among them 1(5.9%) had mild, 5(50.0%) had moderate and 3(21.4%) had marked nuclear pleomorphism. Nine patients had glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV among them 2(20.0%) had moderate and 7(50.0%) had marked nuclear pleomorphism. Other results are depicted in this table VI. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between three groups (Table: II).

Table II: Histopathological findings in different glial tumors of different grades

Histopathological Diagnosis WHO grades N (%) Nuclear pleomorphism Cellularity
(No. of cells/ HPF)		 Mitoses/

10HPF
Mild
(n=18)		 Moderate
(n=10)		 Marked
(n=14)
N (%) N (%) N (%) Mean±SD Mean±SD
Pilocytic astrocytoma I 4(9.5) 3(17.6) 1(10.0) 0(%) 159.5±75.2 1.67±0.58
Diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma II 6(14.3) 5(29.4) 0(0.0) 1(7.1) 325.2±102.14 2.17±0.75
Ependymoma 5(11.9) 5(29.4) 0(0.0) 0(0.0) 249.0±97.58 2.80±1.10
Gemistocytic astrocytoma 2(4.8) 1(5.9) 0(0.0) 1(7.1) 234.5±31.82 6.0±1.41
Oligoastrocytoma 2(4.8) 2(11.8) 0(0.0) 0(0.0) 188.3±104.07 2.50±0.71
Oligodendroglioma 2(4.8) 1(5.9) 1(10.0) 0(0.0) 182.0±25.46 2.00±1.41
Anaplastic astrocytoma III 9(21.4) 1(5.9) 5(50.0) 3(21.4) 602.67±44.06 6.56±2.30
Anaplastic ependymoma 3(7.1) 0(0.0) 1(10.0) 2(14.3) 385.11±167.27 6.00±2.00
Glioblastoma multiforme IV 9(21.4) 0(0.0) 2(20.0) 7(50.0) 503.89±130.92 8.11±2.76
P     0.003s 0.001s 0.001s

Anaplastic astrocytoma WHO grade III had mean proliferative index 25.1±12.4% ranging from 8.8% to 40% (fig 1 and 2). The glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV had mean proliferative index 24.3±8.7% ranging from 15% to 40%. The gemistocytic astrocytoma WHO grade II had mean proliferative index 10.8±10.3% ranging from 3.5% to 18%. The anaplastic ependymoma WHO grade III had mean proliferative index 18.0±7.6% ranging from 10% to 25%. The mean difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Anaplastic astrocytoma WHO grade III had mean MVD 57.13±20.14 ranging from 35 to 87. The glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV had mean MVD 100.11±46.62 ranging from 38 to 197 (fig 3 and 4). The oligoastrocytoma WHO grade II had mean MVD 110.5±68.59 ranging from 62 to 159. The mean difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) (Table III).

A positive correlation was found between proliferative index and microvessel density. The value of Spearmen’s correlation coefficient was 0.244 and it is not significant (p=0.119). Therefore, there was a weak association between proliferative index and microvessel density in the study population but not statistically significant (fig 5).

Table III: Proliferative index with histological diagnosis and WHO grades of different glial tumors

 

Histopathological Diagnosis WHO grades N (%) Proliferative index, Ki67 (%) Microvessel density,CD34
Mean±SD Mean±SD
Pilocytic astrocytoma I 4(9.5) 2.0±0.8 47.75±19.91
Diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma II 6(14.3) 4.5±3.7 32.0±12.01
Ependymoma 5(11.9) 3.0±3.1 41.0±19.58
Gemistocytic astrocytoma 2(4.8) 10.8±10.3 32.0±18.38
Oligoastrocytoma 2(4.8) 1.6±0.6 110.5±68.59
Oligodendroglioma 2(4.8) 1.0±0.0 52.0±5.66
Anaplastic astrocytoma III 9(21.4) 25.1±12.4 57.13±20.14
Anaplastic ependymoma 3(7.1) 18.0±7.6 51.0±25.94
Glioblastoma multiforme IV 9(21.4) 24.3±8.7 100.11±46.62
P-value     0.001s 0.002s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 1. Photomicrograph of a diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma, WHO grade II (Ki67 immunosatin, x220)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 2. Photomicrograph of  anaplastic astrocytoma WHO grade-III.  Many Ki67 positive cells are present (Ki-67 immunostain, x220)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 3.  Photomicrograph of a diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma WHO grade-II (CD34  immunostain x210)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 4. Photomicrograph shows glioblastoma multiformi WHO grade-IV (CD34 immuno stain, x210)

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 5. Scatter diagram showing Spearmen’s positive correlation (r=0.244; p=0.119) between proliferative index and microvessel density

Discussion

In this series it was observed that most of the patients (31.0%) having glial tumors were in the 3rd decade and their mean age was 35.38±17.55 years with age range from 4 to 82 years. Similarly, Chaloob et al.6 and Arshad et al.10 showed the mean age of the glial tumor patients was 35.98 years (age range 2-68 years) and 35 years (age range 5 – 67 years) respectively. Regarding the sex distribution of glial tumors, a number of investigators reported predominance of male. Gender distribution of astrocytoma cases showed slight male preponderance with 53.0% cases compared to female with 47.0% cases obtained by Chaloob et al.6  In another study Arshad et al.10 observed 70.0% and 30.0% were male and female respectively. Similarly, in this study almost three fourths (73.8%) of the patients were male and 26.2% were female. Male female ratio was 2.8:1, which is consistent with the study by Giannini et al.11 study, where they found male 61.6% and female 38.4% with a male to female ratio was 1.6:1.

 

The most common location of tumor of the patients in the present study was frontal lobe (19.0%) followed by parietal lobe (14.3%), temporal lobe (14.3%) and the temporoparietal and cerebral lobe (9.5%). Chaloob et al found that 33.3% cases were frontal, 31.4% cerebellar, 25.5% parietal and 9.8% temporal lobe.6

In case of WHO grades of glial tumors it was observed in this present series, most 9 (21.4%) patients had anaplastic astrocytoma, (WHO grade III) and glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) respectively and 6 (14.3%) patient had diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma (WHO grade II) and 4 (9.5%) patient had pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I). Chaloob et al.6 found that 13.2% cases were pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I), 43.1% cases were diffuse fibrillary astrocytomas (WHO grade II), 11.8% cases were anaplastic astrocytomas (WHO grade III) and 31.4% cases were glioblastomas (WHO grade IV), unlike the current study.

 The association between cellularity and WHO grades of glial tumor were also assessed in the present study. The mean cellularity was 503.89±130.92 cells/HPF ranging from 208 to 618 cells/HPF in glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). In anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III), mean cellularity was 385.11±167.27 cells/HPF ranging from 189 to 600 cells/HPF. In ependymoma (WHO grade II), mean cellularity 325.2±102.14 cells/HPF ranging from 200 to 478 cells/HPF and in pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) 159.5±75.2 cells/HPF ranging from 100 to 268 cells/HPF. In this study there is a trend of little increasing of cellularity with WHO grades and the mean difference of cellularity significantly (p<0.05) differ with different WHO grades. Schiffer et al.12 stated that after multivariate analysis on the histologic parameters, cell density was more significant than number of mitoses. Cell density is categorized as follows: low (<400 cells X high-power field (HPF); medium (400 to 800 cells X HPF); or high (>800 cells nuclei in the most cellular regions of the section. In this study maximum value of cellularity is 648/HPF found in anaplastic ependymoma which is greater than GBM WHO grade-IV. Size of the specimen, representative biopsy and presence or absence of necrosis may affect the cellular density in various grades of glial tumors.

Nuclear pleomorphism alone is considered as an important factor for the recognition of malignancy.13  However, Schiffer et al.12 suggested caution because pleomorphic nuclei can be found in well-differentiated astrocytoma. It was observed in the present study that the association was significant. The current study found four patients had pilocytic astrocytoma, WHO grade I. Among them three (17.6%) had mild and one (10.0%) had moderate nuclear pleomorphism. Nine patients had anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO grade III. Among them one (5.9%) had mild, five (50.0%) had moderate and three (21.4%) had marked nuclear pleomorphism. Nine patients had glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV. Among them, two (20.0%) had moderate and seven (50.0%) had marked nuclear pleomorphism (WHO grade I and grade II) are consistent with mild nuclear pleomorphism, (WHO grade III) is regular with moderate and WHO grade IV, with marked nuclear pleomorphism. The association of WHO grades differ significantly (p<0.05) with nuclear pleomorphism.

Regarding the association between mitoses and WHO grades in glial tumors, it was observed in this current study that the mean mitotic count was 8.11±2.76 /10HPF ranging from 5 to 12 /10HPF in glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV), 6.56±2.3 /10HPF with range 4 to 11 /10HPF in anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III), 6.00±2.0 /10HPF ranging from 4 to 8 /10HPF in anaplastic ependymoma (WHO grade III), 6.00±1.41 /10HPF with range 5 to 7 /10HPF in gemistocytic astrocytoma, (WHO grade II), 2.80±1.1 /10HPF ranging from 2 to 4 /10HPF in ependymoma (WHO grade II), 2.50±0.71 /10HPF ranging from 2 to 3 /10HPF in oligoastrocytoma, (WHO grade II), 2.17±0.75 /10HPF ranging from 1 to 3 /10HPF in diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma, (WHO grade II), 2.00±1.41 /10HPF ranging from 1 to 3 /10HPF in oligodendroglioma, (WHO grade II) and 1.67±0.58 /10HPF ranging from 1 to 2 /10HPF in pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I). The above result indicates that there is a linear increase of mitotic count with increasing WHO Grades.

In the present study it was observed that all (100.0%) patients with glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) had necrosis but no necrosis was found in other WHO grades. The mean difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). According to WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system, IARC: Lyon 2007, necrosis may be of any type is one of the major histologic features of WHO grade IV glial tumors. Peri necrotic pallisading of tumor cells need not be present. Giannini et al.11 stated that proliferation index was not an independent marker of prognosis when grade IV tumors were considered. The presence of necrosis was a very statistically powerful predictive marker for grade IV tumors. Limited blood supply and hypoxia due to sluggish blood flow and interstitial oedema has been identified as important causes of necrosis.1

Many investigations have demonstrated a significant positive correlation between Ki-67/MIB-1 indices and WHO grades. It was observed in this study that the mean proliferative index was 24.3±8.7% ranging from 15 – 40% in glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV), 25.1±12.4% ranging from 8.8 – 40% in anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III), 18.0±7.6% ranging from 10–25% in anaplastic ependymoma (WHO grade III), 10.8±10.3% ranging from 3.5-18.0 in gemistocytic astrocytoma, (WHO grade II). 4.5±3.7% ranging from 1.0 -10.0% in diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma, (WHO grade II), 3.0 ± 3.1% ranging from 1.0- 8.0 in ependymoma (WHO grade II), 1.6±0.6% ranging from 1.1 -2.0% in oligoastrocytoma, (WHO grade II), 1.0±0.0% in oligodendroglioma, (WHO grade II) and 2.0±0.8% ranging from 1.1 -3.0% in pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade-I). There is a linear increase of proliferative index with increasing WHO grades. The mean Proliferative index significantly (p<0.05) differed with different WHO grades. Proliferation marker is helpful in cases where clinical or histopathologic factors are ambiguous. As part of a larger study of proliferation and prognosis, Giannini et al.11 studied the MIB-1 index as an independent prognostic factor in 140 diffuse astrocytomas, including 45 grade II, 50 grade III and 45 grade IV. MIB-1 indices were higher in grade III than in grade II (P = 0.001) and were higher in grade IV than in grade III (P = 0.014). Giannini et al.11 also mentioned that the MIB-1 proliferation index was particularly useful in grade II and III because it identifies aggressive tumors in the grade II category.

The study revealed that MVD by CD34 is significantly different between astrocytomas. MVD is increased with the progression of the pathological grade of astrocytoma. Significant differences of MVD were found among astrocytomas of different grades. Regarding the association between diagnosis and WHO grades with microvessel density it was observed that oligoastrocytoma (WHO grade II) had mean microvessel density 110.5±68.59 ranging from 62 -159, oligodendroglioma, (WHO grade II) 52.0±5.66 ranging from 48 – 56, ependymoma (WHO grade II) 41.0±19.58 ranging from 21 – 72, diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma, (WHO grade II) 32.0±12.01 ranging from 17 – 50, gemistocytic astrocytoma, ( WHO grade II) 32.0±18.38 ranging from 19 – 45, glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) 100.11±46.62 ranging from 38 – 197, anaplastic astrocytoma, (WHO grade III) 57.13±20.14 ranging from 35 – 87, anaplastic ependymoma (WHO grade III) 51.0±25.94 ranging from 30 – 80, pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) had mean microvessel density 47.75±19.91 ranging from 26 – 70. The mean microvessel density was higher in WHO grade II and WHO grade IV. The mean microvessel density difference was significantly (p<0.05) differ with different WHO grades.

Spearmen’s positive correlation (r=0.244; p=0.119) was found between proliferative index and microvessel density but not significant (p>0.05). Cavalcante et al.14 stated that association between SPECT-MIB1 and the MVD of low grade astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme cases were not significant. But Safy et al.15 showed significant correlation between Ki67 (PI) and CD34 (MVD) which is consistent with my study.

 Conclusion

The prognostic utility of proliferative indices among the gliomas (WHO grades I to IV) has been debated and evaluated that the proliferative index is an independent prognostic marker for survival. The determination of a proliferation index is not a routine part of the evaluation of all gliomas, due to limitations associated with tumor heterogeneity and sampling, as well as differences in staining methodology, index determination, and the degree of inter-observer variability. It may be prognostically helpful in histologically borderline cases, such as those that are at the grade II–III and III–IV border. Raised proliferation index indicates a more aggressive neoplasm or tumor progressing to higher grade. Like in this study, six patients out of nine with anaplastic astrocytmas WHO grade-III, had proliferation index >10% indicating progression toward GBM. Among WHO grade II glial tumors in the study, one case of gemistocytic astrocytoma, one case of ependymoma and one case of diffuse fibrillary astroytoma  had proliferation index >4% suggesting progress to a higher grade gliomas. Moreover it correlates with the WHO grades. The transition from low-grade to anaplastic astrocytomas or anaplastic astrocytomas to secondary GBM is a dramatic increase in microvascular proliferation. An equivalently robust microvasculature proliferation phenotype is observed also in primary GBM. Vredenburgh et al.16 stated that the combination of anti angiogenesis therapy (bevacizumab) and cytotoxic therapy (irinotecan) is an active regimen for recurrent grade III-IV glioma with acceptable toxicity. Thirty-two patients were assessed (23 with grade IV glioma and 9 with grade III glioma). The median progression-free survival was 23 weeks for all patients. So it can be said that addition of anti-angiogenesis drugs would be beneficial for patients with increased microvessel density in glial tumors. This study may also help the oncologist to select anti angiogenesis therapy along with conventional treatment of glial tumor which show increased MVD. More over, patients of low grade glial tumor with increased proliferative index and microvascular proliferation are at risk of progressing to higher grade tumor. This cases can be detected and predicted as risk group for close monitoring and follow up.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge contribution of

  1. Shabnam Akhter, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, in preparing the manuscript
  2. Tasmina Anam, Medical Officer, Department of Pathology for immunohistochemical staining

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  15. Safy HME, Hamied HEA, Hassan RA, Rezk HM, Ahmed EM, Farag The role of immunohistochemical markers in diagnosis and prognosis of diffuse astrocytoma. Life Science Journal, 2013:12(10): 365-371.
  16. Vredenburgh JJ, Desjardins A, Herndon JE, Dowell JM, Reardon DA, Quinn JA, et al. Phase II trial of bevacizumab and irinotecan in recurrent malignant glioma. Clinical cancer research. 2007;13(4):1253-9.

 

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Histomorphological Pattern of Radiologically Detected Osteolytic Lesions of Bone – A Study of Eighty Cases

Histomorphological Pattern of Radiologically Detected Osteolytic Lesions of Bone – A Study of Eighty Cases

*Runa NJ,1 Khan JB,2 Kaizer N,3 Dewan MR,4 Sharmin S,5 Ahmed SS,6 Hasan AM,7 Haque N,8 Hussain M9

 

Abstract:

To determine the spectrum of lesions and to correlate them with age, sex of patients and also anatomical site a histomorphological study of radiologically detected osteolytic lesions of bone was done. Eighty cases of radiologically detected lytic lesions of bone were studied over a period of two years from January 2014 to December 2015. Out of 80 cases of lytic lesion of bone, 18 cases were of inflammatory, 32 cases were of benign tumors, 20 cases of primary malignant bone tumors and 10 cases of metastatic lytic lesions were found. Most of the patients belonged to the middle age group with the age incidence varying with the type of lesion. Out of the 80 cases, 46 were males and 34 were females. Most of the bone diseases occurred more commonly around the knee joint and in the males within the age group of 11-20 years. Conclusion: Benign tumors are more common amongst all lytic lesions with giant cell tumor ranking first. Tuberculous osteomyelitis is more common in this study than pyogenic osteomyelitis. Osteosarcoma and secondary metastasis were more common among malignant bone tumors.

 [Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2017 Jul; 1 (2):83-90]

Key words: Bone, Osteolytic lesions, Histopathology, Radiology

 

 

 

  1. *Dr. Nusrat Jahan Runa, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Central International Medical College, Dhaka. njruna03@gmail.com
  2. Zubaida Bahroon Khan, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.
  3. Nahid Kaizer, Assistant Professor of Pathology, MH Samorita Medical College, Dhaka.
  4. Md. Rezaul Karim Dewan, Professor of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.
  5. Shegufta Sharmin, Resident of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.
  6. Syed Salauddin Ahmed, Associate Professor of Pathology, National Institute of Traumatic and Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Dhaka.
  7. AZ Mahmudul Hasan, Assistant Registrar, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka
  8. Nazmul Haque, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.
  9. Maleeha Hussain, Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.

 

*For correspondence

Introduction
 Lesion of bone is a frequently found radiological presentation of patients seen in orthopedic practice. Osteolytic lesions are evident radiologically where the destructive processes outstrip the laying down of new bone. The spectrum of pathological conditions causing osteolytic changes can be inflammatory to neoplastic lesions.1-3 Within benign lesions, the common differential diagnosis of lytic lesion includes simple bone cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, osteochondroma (exostosis), enchondroma, non-ossifying fibroma and brown tumor of the bone. Among the malignant tumors the most common are Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma and multiple myeloma.4 Primary bone cancer is much rarer than bone metastasis.5,6 Bone is the third most common site of metastatic disease. Metastatic tumor that produces osteolytic lesions, detected in X-ray when the lesion is greater than 1.0 cm and 30% – 50% of the bone density have beendestroyed.4 As far as secondary tumors are concerned primary sites like lung, kidney, thyroid, breast, gastrointestinal and melanomas produce mainly lytic lesion while others elicit mixed lytic and sclerotic reaction.7 Carcinomas are much more likely to metastasize to bone than sarcomas.

It is difficult to determine radiologically with plain film imaging whether a lytic lesion is benign or malignant. It is important to remember, however that some benign processes such as osteomyelitis can mimic malignant tumors and some malignant lesions such as metastases or myeloma can mimic benign. The osteolytic lesions of tuberculosis may closely mimic those due to multiple myeloma or secondary malignant deposits.8 The histopathologist is the final person to guide an orthopedic surgeon for the treatment of patients with lytic lesions.

 Methods

This study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from January 2014 to December 2015. The criterion for the selection of the patient was radiologically detected osteolytic lesions of bone. Total 80 cases were selected. Detailed history was taken. Biopsy for histopathology was performed in all patients for the diagnosis of lytic lesions of bone. Biopsy was taken mainly by incision and excision method.

In laboratory soft tissue were fixed in 10 % formalin while for bone 3 to 5 mm thick sections were made and adequately fixed in 10% buffered formalin and then decalcification was achieved by placing the specimens in 5% nitric acid for 2 days. After that all tissue were processed by increasing concentrations of alcohol and paraffin blocks were prepared. Sectioned were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. After that all slides were examined under microscope, the final diagnosis was made into inflammatory, benign and malignant lesion accordingly.

 Results

In this study 18 cases of inflammatory, 32 cases of benign, 20 cases of primary malignant and 10 cases of secondary malignant lytic lesions were found out of total 80 cases. Benign neoplastic lesions of bone comprises the highest number (32 cases, Table I).

Table I: Distribution of frequency of study patients by histological diagnosis (n=80)

Lesions Number %
             Inflammatory 18 22.5
Neoplasm
Benign 32 22.5
Malignant primary 20 25.0
Malignant Secondary 10 12.5
Total 80 100%

From different age group, the most common age group was 11-20 years, in which total 32 cases of lytic lesion were found. Benign neoplastic lesions (18 cases) were most common in this group. In age group 21-40 years, total 25 cases of lytic lesion were found, of which benign lesion (12 cases) was most common. In age group of above 40 years, total 19 cases of lytic lesion were found, in which 12 malignant lesions were found. In below 10 year group only 4 cases were found, which were of malignant type (Table II).

Table II: Showing distribution of the study patients by age

 

 

Lesions

 Age groups (in years)
0-10 11-20 21-40 Above 40
Inflammatory Pyogenic Osteomyelitis 0 4 2 2
Tuberculous osteomyelitis 0 1 6 3
Neoplasm Benign 0 18 12 2
Malignant primary 4 9 3 4
Malignant secondary 0 0 2 8
         Total 4 32 25 19

 

Out of 80 patients, 46 (57.50%) were male and 34 (42.50%) were female. In male patients 19 cases were of benign neoplastic lesion, 8 cases were inflammatory lesion and 19 cases were malignant lesion. Where as in female, 13 cases were benign lesion, 10 cases were inflammatory lesion and 11 cases were malignant lesion. So, benign neoplastic lesions were the most common among both the sex (Table- III).

 

Table III: Types of leions with sex distribution of the study patients

 

               Lesions                    Male                Female
        Inflammatory Pyogenic osteomyelitis                     02 (2.5%)                   06 (7.5%)
Tuberculous osteomyelitis                     06 (7.5%)                   04 (5.0%)
 

 

Benign

 Giant cell tumor                     06 (7.5%)                   09 (11.25%)
Enchondroma                     04 (3.75%)                   01 (1.25%)
Simple bone cyst                     02 (2.5%)                   01 (1.25%)
Fibrous dysplasia                     02 (2.5%)                   01 (1.25%)
Aneurymal bone cyst                     03 (3.75%)                   01 (1.25%)
Hemangioma                     02 (1.25%)                   —
 

 

Malignant

      Primary
Osteosarcoma                     05 (6.25%)                  03 (3.75%)
Ewing sarcoma                     03 (3.75%)                  04 (5.0%)
Chondrosarcoma                     02 (2.5%)                  01 (1.25%)
Multiple myeloma                     01 (1.25%)                  —
          MFH                     01 (1.25%)                  —
    Secondary                     07 (8.75%)                 03 (3.75%)
                                           Total                    46 (57.50%)                 34 (42.50%)

Out of 80 cases, 24 patients had osteolytic lesion in the tibia. Among them 17 lesions were in the upper end. The second most common site of lesion was femur [Table IV].

 

Table IV: Distribution of the study patients according to anatomical site (n=80)

 

Diagnosis Femur
Upper		 Femur

Lower

 Tibia

Upper

 Tibia

Lower

 Fibula Humerus Radius Meta-carpal Phalanges Total
Tubercular osteomyelitis – 2 3 3 – – – 1 1 10
Pyogenic osteomyelitis – 2 2 2 – 1 1 – – 8
Giant cell tumour of bone – 6 3 2 1 1 1 – – 15
Enchondroma – – – – – – – 1 4 5
Hemangioma – – – – 1 1 – – – 2
Benign cystic lesion – – – – 1 1 1 – – 3
Aneurysmal bone cyst – – 1 1 – 2 – – – 4
Fibrous dysplasia – – 2 1 – – – – – 3
Ewing sarcoma 1 2 1 – 1 1 1 – – 7
Osteosarcoma 3 5 – – – – – – 8
Chondrosarcoma 1 – – – – 2 – – – 3
Multiple myeloma 1 – – – – – – – – 1
MFH – 1 – – – – – – 1
Metastatic adenocarcinoma – – 1 – 2 – – – 3
Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma 1 – – – – – – – – 1
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma 2 – – – – – – – – 2
Metastatic follicular variant of papillary carcinoma – – – – 2 1 – – 3
Metastatic Prostatic carcinoma 1 – – – – – – – – 1
Total 6 15 18 10 4 14 5 2 5 80

 

MFH – Malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Out of total 18 inflammatory lytic lesions, 8 cases were of pyogenic osteomyelitis and 10 cases were of tuberculous osteomyelitis (fig 1 and 2). So, tuberculous osteomyelitis was slightly more common than pyogenic osteomyelitis in inflammatory lytic lesions (Table V). From total 32 benign neoplastic lytic lesions, 15 cases were of giant cell tumor, 5 cases were of enchondroma. Giant cell tumour shows a higher incidence than other benign lytic lesion (Table VI).

Table V: Distribution of inflammatory lesion

 

Histologically diagnosed Inflammatory lesion   Number %
Pyogenic osteomyelitis          08 10
Tuberculous osteomyelitis          10 12.5

 

Table VI: Distribution of frequency of benign lesion by histopathological diagnosis

 

Histologically diagnosed Benign lesion No of cases %
   Giant cell tumor       15 18.75
   Enchondroma       05   6.25
   Simple bone cyst       03   3.75
   Fibrous dysplasia       03   3.75
  Aneurysmal bone cyst       04   5.0
  Hemangioma       02   2.5
            Total       32 40.0

While in 30 malignant lesions, 20 cases were primary and 10 cases were secondary malignant lesions. Primary malignant lesions were more common than metastatic lytic lesions in the present series  (Table VII).

 

Table VII: Distribution of frequency malignant lytic lesion by histological diagnosis

 

          Malignant lesion No of cases Percentage (%)
Primary Osteosarcoma 08 10
Ewing sarcoma 07 8.75
Chondrosarcoma 03 3.75
Multiple myeloma 01 1.25
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma 01 1.25
Secondary Metastatic follicular variant of papillary
carcinoma of thyroid in bone		 03 3.75
Metastatic adenocarcinoma of lung in bone 03 3.75
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in bone 02 2.5
Metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostate in bone 01 1.25
Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of lung in bone 01 1.25
                    Total 30 37.5

 

Osteosarcoma and metastatic tumours from lung were common in the primary and secondary malignant tumour groups (fig 3 and 4).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 1. X-Ray photograph showing lytic area in the right upper tibia. Subsequent biopsy revealed tubercular osteomyelitis (case no 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 2. Photomicrograph of the case in fig 1 showing epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, a giant cell and bone, consistent with tubercular osteomyelitis (ase No: 16, H & E stain ´200)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 3. X-ray photograph showing lytic lesion with destruction of the overlying cortical bone with ‘sunburst’ appearance in lower end of femur (Case no. 42)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 4. Photomicrograph showing Osteosarcoma (Case No: 42, H&E stain ´400)

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 5. X-ray photograph showing a lytic lesion in upper end of femur (Case no. 17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 6. Photomicrograph showing metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (Case No: 17, H&E stain´400)

Discussion

This study was carried out to determine various histomorphologic pattern of lytic lesions of bone. Of total 80 cases, 18 cases of inflammatory, 32 cases of benign neoplastic lesion, 20 cases of primary malignant bone tumors and  10 cases of secondary tumors were found. One of the important point to be considered is the age of the patient. Some of the lytic lesions are most probably confined to certain age groups such as: metastatic neuroblastoma in the infant and young child, metastasis and multiple myeloma in the middle-aged and elderly, lymphomas affecting only bone usually occur during adult life. Ewing sarcoma mostly affecting children and young teenagers while giant cell tumor in the young to middle aged adults.9,10 In our study, the most common age group of bone lesions was in second decade. Among 32 cases of benign osteolytic lesion, 18 cases were belonging to age group 11-20 years. In age group 21-40 years, total 25 cases of lytic lesion were found, in which benign (12 cases) were the commonest. In age group above 40
years, a total of 19 cases were found, in which malignant lesion was the most common diagnosis. In below 10 years age group only 4 cases were found to be Ewing’s sarcoma (Table II).In our study, osteomyelitis was found in all age groups above ten years. The diagnosis of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is essentially one of exclusion. Infective osteomyelitis and malignancy are the main differential diagnoses.11 The osteolytic lesions of tuberculosis at multiple sites need to be differentiated from multiple myeloma, secondary metastasis and bacterial osteomyelitis.

 

In this study, more than half (57.50%) of the patients were male and  42.50% were female; male to female ratio was 1.4:1, which indicates that osteolytic lesion are predominant in male subjects, which closely agrees with available literature.12,13

 

The bone around the knee joint that is, the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia, were found to be the commonest sites for osteolytic lesions comprising 38.7% in this series. The lower end of the femur was affected in 17.5% of cases and the upper end of the tibia in 21.2% of cases that has matched with other literature.14

In our study, out of 80 cases of lytic bone lesions, most common were benign neoplastic lesions making 32 cases. Among them, 15 cases were giant cell tumour of bone having female predominance (Table III).  In present study, the most common site of giant cell tumor was lower end of femur and upper end of tibia [Table IV]. Characteristic radiologic findings demonstrate the lesion is most often eccentrically placed lytic lesion with no periosteal reaction to the long axis of the bone. Total 5 cases of enchondroma has been reported with an incidence of 6.26% of total cases and an incidence of 15% of all benign tumors, mostly seen in patients younger than age 20 years (3/5 cases) in the current study.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in young and adolescents. It occurs most frequently in the second decade, occurring in the metaphysis, mostly in lower end of femur followed by upper end of tibia.15,16 In the present study, we observed a similar finding. Ewing sarcoma is a highly malignant, undifferentiated, peripheral primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor occurring most commonly at the diaphysis of long bones, in the 0-20 years age group, with female predominance.15,16 Our study has matched with the available literature. Pain, pathological fractures and hypercalcemia are the major sources of morbidity with bone metastasis. Pain is the most common symptom found in 70% patients with bone metastases.17 Pain is caused by stretching of the periosteum by the tumor as well as nerve stimulation in the endosteum. Pathological fractures are most common in breast cancer due to the lytic nature of the lesions.18 In our study ten cases of metastatic lytic lesion were found, which included Follicular Variant Of Papillary Carcinoma of thyroid metastasize to upper end of the humerus, Carcinoma of kidney with metastasis to upper end of femur, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of Lung metastasize to upper end of femur and humerus.  In case of follicular variant of papillary carcinoma of thyroid lytic lesion over humerus was the first noticeable sign and even the patient & clinician were unaware of thyroid malignancy.

Among the various diagnoses, benign tumors form the largest group (40%) of patients presenting with a lytic lesion on radiological findings. There is a male preponderance with 57.5% of the patients being males. Also, majority of the patients fall into the second decade with 40% of the patients in the age group of 11- 20 years. The common diagnoses among the benign lesions were giant cell tumors, while there were a slightly higher number of cases of tuberculous osteomyelitis as against bacterial osteomyelitis in the inflammatory conditions. Among the malignant lesions, primary tumors were a commoner diagnosis as opposed to the secondaries. The metastatic tumors tend to occur more commonly in the elderly population. The commonest primary malignant lesion that showed up was osteosarcoma. Overall, giant cell tumor is the commonest diagnosis presenting with a lytic lesion on radiological finding. Occult malignancy can be presented as lytic lesion of bone in the form of secondary. All lyticlesions may have osteoclastic giant cells and they should not be misinterpreted as Giant cell tumor.

 Conclusion

Lytic lesion of bone is a very used to radiological finding for orthopedic surgeon in many patients. Even an orthopedic surgeon and radiologist together won’t be able to reach to the precise conclusion and further treatment. Histopathology is the gold standard for the precise diagnosis from a very large number of conditions leading to lytic lesion.

 References

  1. Bommer KK, Ramzy I & Mody D. Fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis and management of bone lesions: A study of 450 cases. Cancer, 1997; 81:148-156.
  2. Kreicbergs A, Henrik C, Bauer F, Brosjo O, Lindholm J & Skoog L. Cytological Diagnosis of Bone Tumors. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1996; 78(2):258-263.
  3. Ackerman LV & Del Regato JA 1954, Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, and prognosis. 2nd edition, Louis, Mosby, p. 1028.
  4. Popat V, Sata V, Vora D, Bhanvadia V, Shah M & Kanara L. Role of Histopathology In Lytic Lesions of Bone. The Internet Journal of Orothopedic surgery, 2010; 19(1):1-7.
  5. Bhattacharya P, Chowdhury AR, Bhaskar M & Biswanath P. Clinico pathological correlation of Primary Malignant Bone Tumors. Open Journal of Orthopedics, 2015; 5:100-108.
  6. Wedin R, Henrik C, Bauer F, Skoog L, Soderlund V & Tani E. Cytological diagnosis of skeletal lesions. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2000; 82(5):673-678.
  7. Adler O & Rosenberger A. Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Osteolytic Metastatic Lesions. AJR, 1979; 33:15-18.
  8. Chawla KP, Pandit, AA, Jaiswal PK & Ahuja A. 1990, ‘Ostearticular tuberculosis with involvement of multiple sites (a case report)’, J Postgrad Med,1990;36:171-72.
  9. Manaster BJ. Tumors. In: Manaster BJ, Disler DG, May DA, eds. Musculoskeletal
    Imaging: The Requisites.2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002:1-104.
  10. Resnick D. Tumors and tumor-like lesions of bone: Imaging and pathology of specific lesions. In: Resnick D, ed. Bone and Joint Imaging.2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1996:991-1063.
  11. L P Robertson, P Hickling. Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is a differential diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2001; 60:828-831.
  12. Chakrabarti S, Datta AS & Hira M. Critical Evaluation of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology as a Diagnostic Tecnique in Bone Tumors and Tumor-like lesions. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2012; 13: 3031-4
  13. Wahane R. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Bone Tumors. ACTA, 2007; 51(%):711-720.
  14. Mahajan S, Saoji AA & Agarwal A. Utility of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Diagnosis Bone Tumors. Cancer Transl Med, 2015; 1(5):166-169.
  15. Bone RJ. Ackerman’s Surgical Pathology. In: Rosai J, editor. St. Louis: Mosby; 1996. pp. 1917–2020.
  16. Rosenberg AE. Bones, joints and soft tissue tumors. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, Aster JC, editors. Robbins and cotran; Pathologic Basis of disease. 8th ed. Gurgaon: Elsevier Reed Elsevier India private limited; 2010. pp. 1205–56.
  17. Vinholes J et al., Effects of Bone Metastases on Bone Metabolism: Implications for Diagnosis, Imaging and Assessment of Response to Cancer Treatment, Cancer Treatment Reviews, 1996; 22:289-331.
  18. Stoll B and Parbhoo S, Bone Metastasis, Raven Press Books, Ltd.: New York NY, 1983, p. 14. 3 Vinholes, et al. 1/14/98 8:46 AM 1.

 

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Pathology-Based Cancer Registry in Bangladesh: The Need of Our Time


Editorial
Pathology-Based Cancer Registry in Bangladesh:  The Need of Our Time

 Kamal M*

 *Professor Mohammed Kamal, Professor, Department of Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh. kamalzsr@yahoo.com

Cancer is a public health concern both in the developed and developing countries and is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2012, there were 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide. The number of new cancer cases estimated to rise to 22 million within the next two decades.  More than 60% of the world’s new cancer cases occur in developing and resource constrained countries of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.  70% of the world’s cancer deaths also occur in these regions.1  Bangladesh is not spared from this problem. Cancer is the sixth leading cause of death in Bangladesh. The magnitude of cancer in Bangladesh is getting alarming because of abundance of environmental carcinogens, malnutrition, lack of awareness and screening facilities. Poverty, ignorance and illiteracy have compounded the problem. The magnitude of the problem from cancer is often unrecognized by health and general policy makers alike due to other overwhelming and more visible competing health problems and natural calamities. Therefore, appropriate prevention and surveillance of cancer deserves urgent attention.2

Tumour registries are systems for collection, storage, analysis and interpretation of data from cancer patients.  It involves recording of personal particulars of cancer patients and the clinical and pathological characteristics of the cancers, collected continuously and systematically from various data sources.  Ideally the key source of information on cancers in any country is through a population-based cancer registry. About 200 population-based cancer registries exist in various parts of the world.3   However, because of the costs for maintaining a population-based cancer registry and lack of necessary infrastructure, Bangladesh, like many other developing countries, has not been able to establish any such registry to date. In spite of having high morbidity and mortality from many cancers (e.g., lung, head and neck, cervix, liver, colon, stomach etc.), there are no reliable data for the incidence, prognosis, morbidity and mortality from cancers in Bangladesh. Data sources and methods used for Bangladesh statistics are estimated from national incidence estimates using modeled survival and mortality based on reports from a few tertiary care hospitals and from neighboring countries.4

To overcome this, an effective alternative is ‘Pathology Based Cancer Registry’ which is efficiently going on in many parts of the world. The basis of this approach is documentation of cancers through hospital and/or pathology laboratories where the cancer patients attend for their diagnosis and follow-up. Although not perfect, this method is proving to be an effective in some developing countries.5.6,7  Though an accurate picture of cancer situation depends on the establishment of a population based cancer registry, data derived from pathology based cancer registry would be able to measure levels of cancer burden in the community by recording all cases of cancers (and non- cancer) in given laboratories  with emphasis on pathological diagnosis and clinical Information of the patients. In the absence of population based cancer registry, pathology based cancer data can be utilized as a reflection of the patterns of cancer in the population.

To establish a pathology based cancer registry in Bangladesh, the practical approach will be to start a collaborative network of all pathologists based at academic institutions, hospitals, and private clinics and laboratories. It can be done phase wise, starting from the Dhaka city and gradually expanding throughout the country. The collected data can provide estimation of cancer incidence and prevalence, patterns, epidemiology and other valuable information. Collaborative between government and non-government institutions, pathologists, epidemiologists, practitioners and relevant national and international policy makers is needed for smooth functioning.

References

  1. Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Ervik M, Dikshit R, Eser S, Mathers C et al. GLOBOCAN 2012 v1.0, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC Cancer Base No. 11
  2. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2013.
  3. Rahman A, Zaman M, Hossain A and Karim ABMF. National Cancer Control Strategy and Plan of Action 2009-2015, Directorate General of Health Services. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2008; 1-37.
  4. Wagner G. History of cancer registration. In Jensen OM, Parkin DM, MacLennan R, Muir CS, and R.G. Skeet RG, editors. Cancer Registration: Principles and Methods. IARC Scientific Publications No. 95. Lyon, France.IARC.1991. p. 3-6.
  5. Kalam MA and Ahmed T. Cancer, Cancer Control and Bangladesh, Editorial. Bangladesh Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2012; 3(1): 1-2.
  6. Jensen OM, Whelan SL. Planning a cancer registry. . In Jensen OM, Parkin DM, MacLennan R, Muir CS, and R.G. Skeet RG, editors. Cancer Registration: Principles and Methods. IARC Scientific Publications No. 95. Lyon, France.IARC.1991.p. 22-28.
  7. Bhurgri Y. The role of cancer registration in national cancer control, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc. 2004 Aug; 54(8). P. 402-404.
  8. Etemadi AI, Sadjadi A, Semnani S, Nouraie SM, Khademi H, Bahadori M. Cancer registry in Iran: a brief overview. Arch Iran Med. 2008 Sep;11(5):577-80.