Est. 2014 · Chișinău, MoldovaPeer-Reviewed · Open Access · QuarterlyISSN 2345-1467 · e-ISSN 1857-4696
Peer-reviewed
Open access

Since MMXIV
MJHSMoldovan Journal of Health Sciences
Nicolae Testemițanu
State University of

Medicine & Pharmacy
MJHS
Author

Eugen Melnic

2 articlesLatest affiliationPathology Department, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

Morphological and histopathological characteristics of primary colon neoformations

Alexandr Ursu · Andrei Dolghii · Mihaela Cozma · Eugen Melnic · Gheorghe Rojnoveanu
doi 10.52645/MJHS.2025.1.05pp. 25-34

Introduction

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) has become one of the top three causes of death from neoplasms. CRC represents a heterogeneous group of tumors, manifested both by clinical signs and the pathogenesis of its development. Most colorectal carcinomas develop from preexisting adenomas. The aim of this article is to assess the histopathological aspects and variants of primary colon neoformations in correlation with their location and morphological characteristics.

Material and methods

Prospective clinical study based on the analysis of treatment outcomes in 255 patients with colonic and rectal neoformations, treated in the Nicolae Anestiadi Surgery Department No.1, Institute of Emergency Medicine, between 2018 and 2022. The mean age was 61.3±1.05 years. There were 145 (56.9%) men and 110 (43.1%) women, with a male to female ratio of 1.31:1. The following qualitative nominal variables were analyzed: location, number, dimensions, tumor appearance, histopathological type, and degree of tumor extension.

Results

Through imaging, colonoscopy, and intraoperative methods, 255 patients with colonic neoformations were identified. Upon analyzing these subjects, 77 (30.2%) patients were diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the colon or rectum with various histological types, and 178 (69.8%) patients were diagnosed with precursor lesions of malignancy.

Conclusions

The detailed analysis of the morphopathological characteristics of the tumor formations, in addition to confirming the malignancy, provides important information for establishing the therapeutic attitude.

Oral lichen planus – an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) of the oral cavity

Irina Ivasiuc · Eugen Melnic · Daniela-Elena Costea · Diana Uncuța
doi 10.52645/MJHS.2024.1.09pp. 58-65

Introduction

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by recurrent lesions, presenting as reticular lesions, sometimes accompanied by atrophic, erosive, and/or ulcerative areas. Despite being one of the most common conditions affecting the oral mucosa, oral lichen planus remains an ailment with undefined etiology and unclear pathogenesis, imprecise management, and uncertain premalignant potential.

Materials and methods

A narrative literature review study was conducted. A bibliographic search was carried out in databases such as PubMed, Hinari, SpringerLink, the National Center of Biotechnology Information, and Medline. Articles published from 1990 to 2023 were selected using various combinations of keywords: “oral lichen planus,” and “epidemiology,” “etiology,” “pathogenesis,” “symptoms,” “management,” “histopathology,” and “malignant transformation.” After processing the data from these databases, 475 full articles were found. The final bibliography comprised 50 relevant sources, considered representative of the materials published on the topic of this synthesis article.

Results

Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory condition associated with T-cell-mediated immune dysfunction. Triggers include autoimmune responses to local antigens, microorganisms, and stress. The disease results from a complex interplay of host factors, lifestyle, and environmental factors leading to T-cell-mediated immune dysregulation. Diagnosis of oral lichen planus is based on clinical features (multiple, bilateral, symmetrically distributed lesions, occurring most commonly on the buccal mucosa, dorsal tongue surface, and gingiva), histopathological findings (predominantly lymphocytic band-like infiltrate in the lamina propria, presence of apoptotic cells in the basal cell layer, absence of epithelial dysplasia), and immune-related changes (deposition of fibrinogen along the basement membrane zone, presence of granular fluorescent deposits containing IgA, IgG, and IgM in colloid bodies).

Conclusions

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition mediated by T-cells in response to various extrinsic antigens, modified autoantigens, or superantigens, with periods of remission and relapse and the potential for malignant transformation. The etiology and pathogenesis of this condition are complex, diagnosis relies on clinical features, histopathological findings, and immunological data, patient treatment is symptomatic, and the potential for malignant transformation varies. Nevertheless, prospective studies with large sample sizes, adequate treatment duration, and long-term follow-up are needed.