dissertation Protocol

1. A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF
SOFT TISSUE TUMOURS
NAME OF THE INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Shameera Begum
1st
Year Post Graduate
Department of Pathology
GUIDE:
Dr. G. Koteeswaran
Professor
Department of Pathology
CO-GUIDE:
Dr. Dhananjay S Kotasthane
Professor and Head
Department of Pathology

2. INTRODUCTION
“Soft tissue” is a non epithelial extra skeletal tissue of the body exclusive of the
reticuloendothelial system, glia and supporting tissue of the various parenchymal
organs.
Soft tissue tumours are uncommon and their clinical diagnosis is difficult. Biological
activity of these tumours varies from benign localized, to benign locally aggressive,
to malignant metastatic types.
Soft tissue tumours show wide variation in their histological patterns.
Special stains and immunohistochemistry are applied to increase diagnostic
accuracy.
This rarity, variability and diversity have interested me to take up the study on soft
tissue tumours

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Vahini (2015) – Clinicopathological study of soft tissue tumours in correlation with
immunohistochemistry was done. Out of 105 cases, 92 were benign and 13 were
malignant.
Ramnani.et.al (2014) – conducted a study on clinicopathological profile of benign
soft tissue tumours in a hospital in Western India. Out of 120 benign tumours, 50%
were lipoma, followed by haemangioma (17%), neurofibroma, angiofibroma and
schwannoma.
Venkatraman J.et.al (2014) - Out of 109 cases of soft tissue tumors studied (2008 to
2012), benign soft tissue tumors constituted 79% with a peak age occurrence in the
fifth decade and showed predilection for upper extremities and lower extremities.
Immunohistochemistry was advised for some malignant soft tissue tumours to
support the diagnosis.

4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. To study the clinicopathological profile of soft tissue tumours in our institution
2. To find out the relative incidence of benign and malignant soft tissue tumours
3. To study the frequency of age, sex and site distribution of these cases
4. To study the histopathological pattern for understanding the classification and type of
soft tissue tumours
5. To correlate the histopathological findings with immunohistochemistry wherever
necessary

5. METHODOLOGY
Sample size: Approximately 150
Type of study: Descriptive study (retrospective and prospective)
Inclusion criteria:
a) Patients of any age group
b) Patients with benign and malignant tumours of various soft tissues
Exclusion criteria
a) Tumour like lesions will be excluded
Period of study: January 2013 to December 2017 (5 years)
Site of study: Department of Pathology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research
Institute

6. METHODOLOGY
For retrospective study
Detailed information will be collected from histopathology records of
institution of all histologically diagnosed cases of soft tissue tumours
from January 2013 to Nov 2016
↓
Relevant data will be collected from clinical case sheets
↓
Haematoxylin and Eosin stained slides will be retrieved
↓
Identity of slides will be made anonymous and slide will be re-examined
↓
Special stains and Immunohistochemistry will be carried out wherever
necessary

7. METHODOLOGY
For prospective study
Operated specimens or biopsies of soft tissue tumours received in department of
Pathology from Dec 2016 to Dec 2017
↓
Clinical information of patients will be obtained from histopathology requisition forms and
deficient relevant information will be procured from clinical case sheets and the
concerned clinician or patient
↓
Informed consent of patient will be obtained
↓
Specimen will be fixed in 10% neutral formalin for 24 hours
↓
Gross findings will be noted and tissue processing of sections will be done
↓
Haematoxylin and Eosin stains will be prepared and examined
↓
Special stains and immunohistochemistry will be carried out wherever necessary

8. STATISTICAL METHODS
Collected data will be analysed using descriptive statistics.
ETHICAL ISSUES
For retrospective cases, slides will be retrieved from the archives of the Pathology
Department and re-numbered to conceal the identity of patient and then the slides
will be reviewed. For prospective cases, informed consent will be obtained from
patient to collect clinical details and to preserve and perform histopathological
examination, special stains and immunohistochemistry on specimens