The recent availability of molecular data on renal tumors has resulted in a clinically useful World Health Organization (WHO)-driven classification system including several new and intriguing subtypes such as translocation-associated renal cell carcinoma (t-RCC) and inherited renal neoplasms.
RCCs with melanogenesis-associated transcription factor (MITF) aberrations demonstrate a wide morphologic spectrum, highlighting the need to consider these entities within the differential diagnosis of renal tumors encountered in clinical practice. Although immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MITF family proteins TFE3 and TFEB is specific for t-RCC, there is poor reproducibility of TFE3 or TFEB IHC, and the sensitivity is not high enough to exclude the possibility of false-negative results. Fluorescence in situhybridization (FISH), however, has been robustly validated for the accurate diagnosis of these renal tumor subtypes and exhibits a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.
Dr. Rohit Mehra and colleagues have developed clinical FISH assays to detect TFE3 and TFEB translocations that are offered through UM genitourinary FISH service (at MLabs). Information about these tests can be found in the Pathology Handbook:
Additionally, Dr. Mehra recently led a study where they applied clinical FISH assays for the detection of TFE3 and TFEB gene aberrations in a large consecutive cohort of cases clinically, morphologically, and/or immunophenotypically suspicious for t-RCC. Results demonstrated that 37% of tumors were confirmed to demonstrate MITF aberrations (21 TFE3 translocation, 4 TFEB translocation, and 6 TFEB amplification cases). They described six new genotypically proven TFEB-amplified renal cell carcinoma cases and found morphologic features that may aid in the identification of renal cell carcinomas with MITF aberrations. Overall, FISH imaging of TFE3 and TFEB enabled accurate classification of renal cell carcinomas with MITF aberrations, including TFEB-amplified renal cell carcinoma, which may demonstrate aggressive behavior. The results of this study were published in Modern Pathology (Mod Pathol. 2017 Aug 25).
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Breast team reviewing a patient's slide. (From left to right) Ghassan Allo, Fellow; Laura Walters, Clinical Lecturer; Celina Kleer, Professor. See Article 2014Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Autopsy Technician draws blood while working in the Wayne County morgue. See Article 2016Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Sriram Venneti, MD, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow, Chan Chung, PhD investigate pediatric brain cancer. See Article 2017Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Director of the Neuropathology Fellowship, Dr. Sandra Camelo-Piragua serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. 2018Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Residents Ashley Bradt (left) and William Perry work at a multi-headed scope in our new facility. 2019Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Kristine Konopka (right) instructing residents while using a multi-headed microscope. 2020Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Patient specimens poised for COVID-19 PCR testing. 2021Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Pantanowitz demonstrates using machine learning in analyzing slides. 2022Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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(Left to Right) Drs. Angela Wu, Laura Lamps, and Maria Westerhoff. 2023Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Illustration representing the various machines and processing used within our labs. 2024Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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MLabs, established in 1985, functions as a portal to provide pathologists, hospitals. and other reference laboratories access to the faculty, staff and laboratories of the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Pathology. MLabs is a recognized leader for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, helpful consultants and exceptional customer service.