Spectrum of incidental tumors in autopsy specimens: A histopathological analysis of 797 cases

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Autopsy supplemented with histopathological examination is important in finding the cause and manner of death. Although not common, neoplastic lesions are encountered in autopsy specimens. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the various incidental tumors (both benign and malignant) in medicolegal autopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 797 medicolegal autopsies done over a period of 2 years (January 2019–December 2020) were analyzed. Cases in which tumors were diagnosed were selected and details including age, gender, death scenario, and other relevant histopathological findings were noted in each of these. RESULTS: We noted 46 tumors out of 797 cases (5.8%). 18 (39.1%) were benign and 28 (60.9%) were malignant. Rare tumors such as central neurocytoma, diffuse astrocytoma, colonic schwannoma, and oligocystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas were noted. CONCLUSIONS: We found 5.8% of neoplastic lesions in this study. Although the histopathological findings of neoplasms in the autopsies may not contribute to identifying the cause of death in most cases, there have been interesting cases that are a prime focus of academic and research data.

Keywords

• adenocarcinoma
• autopsy
• histopathology
• incidental
• leiomyoma