Distinction between AFX and PDS- V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Distinction between Atypical Fibroxanthoma and Pleomorphic dermal Sarcoma; clinicopathological study of 80 cases with immunohistochemical observation.
IRAS ID
221073
Contact name
Paul Craig
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
The purpose of the study is to investigate two similar skin tumours, namely pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) and atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), both seen in sun-damaged skin of elderly patients, and which are difficult to distinguish diagnostically for the pathologist. As pathological conditions they have weak comparable prognostic outcome data; PDS has been said to have a worse prognosis with ability to metastasize (spread) whilst AFX effectively does not cause death.
We plan to assess clinical (age, sex, site) and pathological variables (size, anatomical depth of invasion, growth pattern, proliferative activity, necrosis, immunohistochemical features) with outcome data (local recurrence, distant metastasis, death from disease) for cases diagnosed either as AFX and PDS in order to guide which of these variables are of use in the differential diagnosis between these entities and for prognosis. It is a retrospective study of the previous 11 years of cases (approximately 80-120 cases) retrieved from our files by use of SNOMED (Standardised Nomenclature of Medicine) codes (a coding system devised by the College of American Pathologists for coding pathological conditions) from one non-tertiary referral centre.
This will involve reviewing clinical notes for outcome data. The anonymised reports and the microscope slides will be reviewed by one pathologist to assess the variables above, and further immunohistochemical analysis performed on those cases lacking some of the markers used in the differential diagnosis where not done, including a new vascular marker only available in our laboratory this year, ERG, which has anecdotally been positive in some cases.
The study is inexpensive and does not require pay to participants, and the small amount of funding will be provided by the employing laboratory. The study will last until March 2018.Further information on the project can be found in the attached project proposal.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0518
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion