The pathology department received a fixed paraffin embedded tissue section with

Question

The pathology department received a fixed paraffin embedded tissue section with a diagnosis of benign uterine fibroids. Slides were prepared for microscopic study. Only benign fibroid cells were observed on all slides, except one. A small malignant process was observed located between the fibroid and normal areas on one slide. As similar tissue was not observed on any other section, it was possible that the process was a contamination from the embedding process. To determine the origin of the malignant cells, DNA was extracted from the malignant area and compared with DNA extracted from normal tissue from the patient. The results are shown below. STR analysis of suspicious tissue discovered on a paraffin section. Eight loci were tested. P, patient; T, tissue section. Were the malignant cells seen in one section derived from the patient, or were they a contaminant of the embedding process? Explain your answer.

Explanation / Answer

A splutter of peaks can be observed at certain loci. An erroneous mutation can alter the frequency of alles and give high peaks. Thus, this STR data clearly displays malignancy.

Example of the 1st graph wherein the peak of the tissue section between 220 and 240 has a peak. This peaks displays cases of malignancy.

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