Evolving targeted therapy on Janus Associated Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway, especially pertaining to STAT-3 protein in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), provides new treatment strategies. STAT-3 protein also relates to the prognostication of NHL. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the expression of STAT-3 protein in NHL cases diagnosed in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).A retrospective cross sectional study using formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks of 95 NHL cases were obtained. STAT-3 immunostaining was performed and evaluated. The proportion and association between the expression of STAT-3 protein with subtypes of NHL were statistically analyzed.The majority of the cases (78.9%) had positive STAT-3 protein expression. 64.2% were among aggressive B cell NHL, whilst 20.0% of them were diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a non-germinal center B subtype (DLBCL-NGCB). There is also an association between STAT-3 protein expression with DLBCL subtypes (p = 0.046).Our study demonstrated a remarkable expression of STAT-3 protein in NHL, in which DLBCL subtypes had significant association. A larger scale study with a combination of JAK protein evaluation should be undertaken in the future.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a nasopharyngeal epithelial neoplasm that has distinct aetiological, epidemiological and biological characteristics compared to other head and neck malignancies. Patients usually present late due to non-specific symptoms and deep location of the tumour in the nasopharynx.We would like to highlight a case of advanced NPC presenting with generalised lymphadenopathy, without the presence of an obvious nasopharyngeal mass that masqueraded as lymphoma in the initial stage.NPC may share clinical features with other sinonasal pathologies or other malignant lymphoproliferative disorders that lead to a delay in diagnosis. NPC should be one of the differential diagnoses for any cases presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy, especially in adult male patients originating from East or Southeast Asia. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial because early-stage NPC has an excellent chemoradiotherapy response and high survival rate.
Urethral neoplasms are relatively rare, considering the diversity of pathological diseases in the urethral region. From the perspective of a urologist or a pathologist, benign urethral lesions may mimic cancer. However, due to the rarity of urethral neoplasms, it can be challenging to finalise the definitive diagnosis. We presented the case of a 53-year-old gentleman, a chronic smoker with a history of painless haematuria for three weeks associated with incomplete voiding and urinary frequency. Cystoscopy revealed fluffy, polypoid tissues over the prostatic urethra. Clinically, urothelial carcinoma cannot be excluded. Interestingly, the histopathological assessment revealed a case of urothelial papilloma. An illustration of the diagnostic approach based on solitary polypoid lesions and papillary neoplasms from the urethra was elaborated. The salient features of each disease spectrum were also highlighted. A pathological approach in conjunction with clinical and radiological findings may help correctly recognise urethral pathology.