Objective The indolent nature and expression of progesterone receptor (PR), a well-known estrogen-induced gene, in a subset of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs), raise the possibility of hormonal regulation in these tumors. Methods Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors (ER) α and β and mRNA expression of estrogen-induced genes (PR, EIG121, IGF-1, IGF-1R, sFRP1, and sFRP4) by qRT-PCR were examined in 131 WHO G1-G2 PanNETs and correlated expression with clinicopathologic features. Results 39 PanNETs (30%) showed high positive ERβ staining and 87 cases (66%) had low positive ERβ staining; only 5 cases (4%) had no nuclear staining. PanNETs with small size (P=.02), low WHO grade (P=.02) and low AJCC stage (P=.006) more frequently showed high positive ERβ staining. Among estrogen-induced genes studied, PanNETs had significantly higher expression of PR, EIG121, IGF-1, sFRP1, and sFRP4 compared to normal pancreas, independent of age or gender. High positive ERβ staining was associated with increased expression of PR (P < .001) and EIG121 (P=.02). Conclusions Our study showed that PanNETs with favorable prognostic features have higher ERβ expression, which is associated with upregulated PR and EIG121 mRNA expression. Estrogen regulation in PanNETs could potentially help in risk stratification and provide a rational target for novel treatment strategies.

BackgroundSertoli–Leydig cell tumors are rare sex-cord stromal tumors of the ovary that can present with a variety of histological elements, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment.CaseA 40-year-old female presenting with pelvic pain is found to have a large complex right adnexal mass and elevated alpha-fetoprotein. The mass was diagnosed as a Sertoli–Leydig cell tumor with heterologous elements including carcinoid and hepatoid components. She was treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and remains clear of disease.ConclusionPrognostic indicators for Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors include degree and type of heterologous element differentiation. Thorough characterization of such elements is crucial for adequate diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND:The current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines state that cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21 years, regardless of sexual or obstetric history. However, previous studies have demonstrated that there is a small but significant subset of high-risk adolescents with extensive sexual and obstetric history who harbor a significant squamous cervical lesion. The objective of the current study was to use histologic and demographic data from adolescents (aged <21 years) who received Papanicolaou (Pap) tests to determine whether they benefited from early cervical cancer screening. METHODS: Adolescent girls who had Pap tests between 2000 and 2010 were included in the study. Demographic data, including obstetric history, number of sexual partners, age of first coitus, age at first pregnancy, menarche, smoking history, and Chlamydia and syphilis infection, were analyzed for associations with levels of cervical dysplasia. RESULTS: Of 56,785 adolescent Pap tests, 277 (0.5%) were diagnosed as high-grade squamous HSIL, and 56 of those Pap tests (20%) were from patients who had grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN-3) on subsequent biopsy and/or excision. One patient had microinvasive cervical carcinoma identified on loop electrosurgical excision procedure at age 27 years after an HSIL Pap test. Increased parity was associated significantly with higher rates of CIN-3. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicated that current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines to begin Pap testing at age 21 years are appropriate for the majority of adolescents, because the rate of HSIL is very low, and the risk for invasive carcinoma is minimal. Although higher parity was associated with a significantly increased grade of CIN, the conclusions are questionable because of the significant amount of missing demographic data points. That being said, this study should lead to other similar studies to determine any association of higher grade CIN with adolescent sexual and obstetric history. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:432-9.

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