Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: A rare case report

BackgroundSquamous cells are normally not found inside the breast. Therefore, a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is an exceptional phenomenon and the management of this type of disease is still debated.AimClinical outcome assessment of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the breast.Materials and methodsWe report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast (T1cN0M0) in a 51-years-old woman who underwent breast conserving surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT).ResultsWith a follow up of 43 months, the patient is alive with no evidence of local or distant recurrence. The patient had Grade 2 acute skin toxicity. No late skin or respiratory toxicity was observed.ConclusionsPure primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare and aggressive disease, often treatment-refractory. Our case shows that the addition of RT after breast conserving surgery, allows to achieve a high local control without adding severe toxicity. A multidisciplinary approach seems to be the optimal management for early stages in this rare disease.     

Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌患者精确放疗前后血清CEA、SCC、NSE水平变化及与放疗疗效的关系研究

目的:研究Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者精确放疗前后血清癌胚抗原(CEA)、鳞状细胞癌相关抗原(SCC)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)水平变化及与放疗疗效的关系。方法:选择2014年1月到2016年12月在亳州市人民医院肿瘤科就诊的60例Ⅲ期NSCLC患者纳入此次研究,其中鳞癌14例,腺癌26例,腺鳞癌20例。所有患者均实施4周的精确放疗,放疗后肿瘤标记物水平降低43例,升高17例。根据放疗疗效将患者分为有效组39例,无效组21例。对比不同病理类型的Ⅲ期NSCLC患者CEA、SCC、NSE水平,不同疗效组放疗前后CEA、SCC、NSE水平,并分析患者的肿瘤标记物水平变化与放疗疗效的关系。结果:腺癌Ⅲ期NSCLC患者的CEA、NSE水平高于鳞癌及腺鳞癌者,且腺鳞癌者又高于鳞癌者;SCC水平低于鳞癌及腺鳞癌者,且腺鳞癌者又低于鳞癌者(P0.05)。放疗后有效组CEA、SCC、NSE水平均低于放疗前和无效组,而无效组CEA、SCC、NSE水平高于放疗前(P0.05)。肿瘤标记物水平降低者的有效率高于升高者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:在实施精确放疗后治疗有效的Ⅲ期NSCLC患者,其血清CEA、SCC、NSE水平均呈现出明显的下降趋势,且与病理类型密切相关,临床上可重点关注上述指标水平,有助于患者的诊疗过程。     

Successful posaconazole salvage therapy for rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a child with leukemia. Review of the literature

BackgroundMucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by species of the Mucorales order. These microorganisms are angioinvasive, with rapid disease progression and potentially lethal in its rhinocerebral form.Case reportWe present the case of a 12-year-old female with trisomy 21, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diabetes, with fever and neutropenia who developed rhinocerebral mucormicosis. After treatment with amphotericin B lipid complex and extensive surgery, disease progressed and posaconazole was added as salvage treatment with full remission of the infection. Four years after diagnosis the patient continues without relapse of mucormycosis or leukemia.ConclusionsThis case highlights the use of posaconazole as either monotherapy or combined therapy. Although it is still debated, it can be considered an option for salvage treatment in children with non-responding mucormycosis, despite lack of standard dosage in pediatric patients.     

Egr-1和PTEN在皮肤鳞癌中的表达和临床意义

目的:探讨Egr-1和PTEN在皮肤鳞癌中的表达和临床意义。方法:收集2014年1月到2015年12月100例在我院经病理学诊断为皮肤鳞状细胞癌患者以及100例健康对照的组织样本,采用免疫组化法SP法检测在皮肤鳞癌中Egr-1和PTEN的表达,并分析其与患者肿瘤转移的关系。结果:皮肤鳞状细胞癌组织中Egr-1和PTEN的表达明显高于健康对照组织(P0.05);发生远处转移的皮肤鳞状细胞癌组织中Egr-1水平明显高于未转移者(P0.05)PTEN的表达显著低于未发生远处转移的患者(P0.05)。结论:Egr-1和PTEN在皮肤鳞状细胞癌患者中表达明显增高,并与癌组织远处转移密切相关,二者可能作为皮肤鳞癌诊断和预后评估的参考指标。     

Breast metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: a case report

Background

Breast metastases from extramammary tumors are extremely rare, the most common primary tumors being contralateral breast carcinoma, followed by lung, gynecological, gastrointestinal, melanoma, and hematological cancers. Only a few cases deriving from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have been reported in the literature to date.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 47-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to our hospital with a solitary breast lesion in the right upper external quadrant associated with multiple bone and visceral metastases. Two years before, she had undergone radical resection of a squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (stage pT2, pN1), which was followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Breast ultrasound showed a hypoechogenic tumor lesion of 4 cm in the right upper external quadrant that was associated with multiple axillary and infra-/supraclavicular adenopathies. A positron emission tomographic scan documented multiple visceral and bone metastases with a single hypermetabolic lesion of the right breast. The results of histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma. The patient died of acute respiratory insufficiency 1 month after her breast metastasis diagnosis and before starting any systemic antitumoral treatment.

Conclusions

Although breast metastases are extremely rare, they should be considered in any patient with a history of cancer and confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry because they are very difficult to distinguish from other primary breast tumors based only on clinical and radiological features. There are no standardized treatment guidelines for breast metastasis management. Surgery and radiotherapy can play a role in symptom palliation, but they do not have any relevant impact on survival, the prognosis being poor, with an estimated overall survival less than 1 year from diagnosis.

     

Radiodermatitis as a consequence of radiation recall induced by acyclovir: case report

BackgroundRadiation recall dermatitis (RRD) is an inflammatory reaction in an area of the skin previously irradiated for cancer treatment. The reaction usually occurs following the administration of a cytotoxic drug. Manifestations range from mild to severe, resulting in tissue necrosis. It is treated with removal of the probable causative agent, daily dressings and surgical debridement of the necrotic area.Case presentationA 54-year-old woman had a previous diagnosis of intraductal carcinoma in situ, and had been submitted to lumpectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. One year after surgery, sores suggestive of herpes zoster infection developed, and treatment with acyclovir was started. At the same time, there was the onset of pain and fever. In the skin area previously irradiated, there was breast hardening, skin infiltration and serosanguinolent discharge. An incisional biopsy was performed to rule out radioinduced sarcoma. The patient was treated with surgical debridement.ConclusionsThis case report describes acyclovir as a possible trigger of RRD, a rare condition that could have been mistaken for an eruption with other causes. In this case, the dermatitis reaction was confined to the previously irradiated area of the skin, which suggested radiation recall. A better understanding of the condition’s mechanism and about the possible joint effects of drugs and radiotherapy on the skin is necessary.     

Neck emphysema in a HNSCC cancer patient undergoing concurrent radiotherapy and cetuximab

BackgroundLung toxicity in patients undergoing cetuximab and radiotherapy (Cetux-RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been reported in literature and represents a serious side effect of concurrent therapies.MethodsWe report a case of a HNSCC patient that developed neck emphysema during the course of Cetux-RT. The patient was an old male (80 years old) in a good performance status, with an oropharyngeal cancer (T4aN3a).ResultsDuring RT, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) showed bilateral neck emphysema that was confirmed at restaging CT. We decided to stop the treatment and to treat the neck emphysema with conservative strategies. After one week CT was repeated and the neck emphysema had improved, so we decided to complete the RT treatment.ConclusionsPatients undergoing Cetux-RT must be properly selected, whereas IGRT imaging must be viewed carefully in order to permit an early diagnosis and careful management of the patients.     

术前预后营养指数对肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发及死亡的预测价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨术前预后营养指数（PNI）与肺鳞状细胞癌患者预后的关系及对术后复发、死亡的预测效能。方法：纳入2017年1月-2019年1月在我院接受治疗的78例肺鳞状细胞癌患者,所有患者均具有完整的临床资料及病理信息,对其进行门诊复查随访3年,除去失访病例共纳入76例患者资料,期间共有43例患者复发、37例患者死亡;按照复发及死亡情况将该76例患者分别分为复发组（n=43）及未复发组（n=33）,死亡组（n=37）及存活组（n=39）,分别使用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析影响肺鳞状细胞癌患者复发及死亡的独立危险因素;采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分别分析PNI在肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发及死亡的预测效能及最佳截断值。结果：单因素分析显示,TNM分期、吸烟年限、糖尿病、家族史、PNI是影响肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发的相关因素（P＜0.05）;性别、年龄、TNM分期、BMI、吸烟史、吸烟年限及PNI是影响肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后死亡的相关因素（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归模型分析显示,TNM分期为Ⅲ期、吸烟年限较长、家族史是引发肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发的独立危险因素,PNI为保护因素（P＜0.05）;另外男性、年龄较大、TNM分期为Ⅲ期、吸烟年限较长是引发肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后死亡的独立危险因素,PNI为保护因素（P＜0.05）;ROC分析显示PNI在预测肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发的曲线下面积为0.726,敏感度为0.814,特异度为0.667,最佳截断值为48;PNI在预测肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后存活的曲线下面积为0.787,敏感度为0.838,特异度为0.718,最佳截断值为50。结论：PNI对肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发及生存均具有较高的预测效能,提高PNI水平对改善肺鳞状细胞癌患者的预后具有积极作用。     

Serious gastric perforation after second stereotactic body radiotherapy for peripheral lung cancer that recurred after initial stereotactic body radiotherapy: a case report

Background

In recent reports, re-irradiation with stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung tumors in patients previously treated with thoracic radiation therapy resulted in several serious toxicities. Serious non-lung toxicities were observed mostly in patients with central tumors, but we experienced a case of fatal gastric perforation after a second stereotactic body radiotherapy in a patient with a peripheral lung tumor.

Case presentation

An 83-year-old Asian man was diagnosed with T2N0M0 lung cancer in the form of squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lobe of his left lung. He was treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy of 40 Gy in 4 fractions and the tumor decreased in size in partial response. The local tumor recurred 8 months after the first stereotactic body radiotherapy, and he was re-irradiated with a second stereotactic body radiotherapy of 50 Gy in 4 fractions. A Sengstaken–Blakemore tube was inserted below his diaphragm by laparoscopic surgery before the second stereotactic body radiotherapy in order to reduce the stomach dose by keeping his stomach apart from the tumor. Two months after the second stereotactic body radiotherapy, he developed fatal gastric perforation and gastropleural fistula penetrating his diaphragm.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about a gastric perforation after stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung tumors and it warns of serious complication of stereotactic body radiotherapy in not only centrally located but also peripherally located tumors like in this case.

     

NFE2L1在食管鳞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:通过检测食管鳞癌标本中核因子E2相关因子1(NFE2L1)的表达情况,探究NFE2L1在食管鳞癌发生发展中的作用,为食管鳞癌的诊治以及预后评估提供新的思路。方法:收集我校附院2016-2017年经病理组织学检查诊断为食管鳞癌的手术标本40例及其对应的癌旁组织并从NCBI数据库下载GEO测序数据,应用定量PCR、免疫组化和生物信息分析等方法检测分析NFE2L1基因的表达情况。结果:在食管鳞癌组织中,NFE2L1表达阳性31例(77.5%),癌旁组织阳性表达17例(42.5%),两组比较差异显著有统计学意义(P0.001);进一步发现NFE2L1的阳性表达与肿瘤分化程度和淋巴转移相关(P0.05)。但在不同年龄、性别、浸润深度及不同部位之间差异无统计学意义。GEO数据分析结果显示NFE2L1在食管鳞癌组织显著高表达(P0.01),只是未达到显著差异表达的阈值标准(即变化倍数小于2倍)。结论:NFE2L1在食管鳞癌中高表达,表达的高低与食管鳞癌的发生进展密切相关。     

Factors influencing the use of adaptive radiation therapy in vulvar carcinoma

AimWe aim to evaluate the variables affecting the frequency of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) in vulvar cancer.BackgroundART may be needed throughout a definitive RT course for vulvar carcinoma due to changes in patient’s anatomy and tumor response.Materials and methodsCharts of patients charts who had been treated with definitive concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for vulvar carcinoma, between January 2015 and December 2019 were inquired. Radiation therapy was delivered using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). ART was defined as re-simulation and re-planning based on deformation in the irradiated volume by more than 1 cm. Univariate analysis was conducted to study the impact of patient’s demographics as well as tumor characteristics on the frequency of ART.Results22 patients were eligible for analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range 43–82). Radiotherapy dose was 60−66 Gy over 30–35 fractions (fx). Median primary tumor volume was 30cc (9–140). Median Body Mass Index (BMI) was 32 (range 21–40). Thirteen out of 22 patients (59%) required ART, with median timing at 25 fx (19–31). On univariate analysis, larger primary tumor volume (> = 30cc) was associated significantly with increased frequency of ART (p value = 0.0005). There was no significant impact of ART on the frequency with respect to patient’s age, BMI, tumor stage, grade and location.ConclusionChanges in radiation target volume are common among vulvar carcinoma patients who are treated with definitive radiotherapy, especially large primary tumors. This review highlights the importance of ART for patients with vulvar carcinoma treated with definitive radiotherapy.     

A mouse model for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Despite recent advances, the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma is still poor. Therapeutic options such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and the novel treatment option gene therapy are being investigated in animal models. Diverse models have been studied to induce oral squamous cell carcinomas. The carcinogenic 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) model has proven to be successful although until now it is unknown at what time point the established tumor is a representative squamous cell carcinoma and has a suitable volume for scientific treatment. For this end we applied 4NQO 3 times a week during 16 weeks and measured the volume of tumor tissue each week until the end of the experiment at 40 weeks. Concurrent histopathology at different time points up to the end of the experiment revealed that all mice bearing oral tumors were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry with markers cyclin D1 and E-cadherin revealed that the generated mouse oral tumors showed strong similarities with the described immunopathology in human oral tumors. The 4NQO model is a suitable alternative for preclinical gene therapy experiments with primary oral tumors. Future survey of therapeutic options in the carcinogenic 4NQO model should be conducted around 40 weeks after the start of the treatment.     

Survival among clinical stage I–III rectal cancer patients treated with different preoperative treatments: A population-based comparison

BackgroundRadical resection is regarded as the cornerstone of rectal cancer treatment. Preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy are often administered. This population-based study compares the survival in clinical stage I–III rectal cancer patients who received either preoperative radiotherapy, preoperative chemoradiotherapy or no preoperative therapy. As secondary research questions, the association of type of radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy on survival is also investigated.MethodsPatients diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2011 with stage I–III rectal adenocarcinoma were retrieved from the Belgian Cancer Registry database. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to evaluate the association of preoperative treatment, type of radical resection and use of adjuvant chemotherapy with survival, adjusting for the baseline characteristics age, gender, WHO performance status and clinical stage.ResultsA total of 5173 rectal cancer patients were identified. Preoperative treatment was as follows: none in 1354 (26.2%), radiotherapy in 797 (15.4%) and chemoradiotherapy in 3022 (58.4%) patients. The patient group who did not receive preoperative therapy or radiotherapy followed by radical resection had a lower observed survival compared to the patient group receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The patient groups who underwent abdominoperineal excision and those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had a worse observed survival compared to the patient group treated with sphincter-sparing surgery and no adjuvant therapy respectively. These effects were age-dependent. Multivariable analysis demonstrated similar findings for the observed survival conditional on surviving the first year since surgery.ConclusionIn this population-based study among clinical stage I–III rectal cancer patients treated with radical resection, a superior observed survival was noticed in the patient group receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy compared to the patients groups receiving no or preoperative radiotherapy only, adjusting for case mix, type of radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, higher adjusted observed survival was also detected for the patient groups with sphincter-sparing surgery or no adjuvant chemotherapy.     

HIF1-Alpha Expression Predicts Survival of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is an important cause of death and morbidity wordwide and effective prognostic markers are still to be discovered. HIF1α protein is associated with hypoxia response and neovascularization, essential conditions for solid tumors survival. The relationship between HIF1α expression, tumor progression and treatment response in head and neck cancer is still poorly understood.

Patients and Methods

In this study, we investigated HIF1α expression by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays and its relationship with clinical findings, histopathological results and survival of 66 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower mouth.

Results

Our results demonstrated that high HIF1α expression is associated with local disease-free survival, independently from the choice of treatment. Furthermore, high expression of HIF1α in patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy was associated with survival, therefore being a novel prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth. Additionally, our results showed that MVD was associated with HIF1α expression and local disease relapse.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that HIF1α expression can be used as a prognostic marker and predictor of postoperative radiotherapy response, helping the oncologist choose the best treatment for each patient.     

Mechanical methods of reducing blood transfusion in cardiac surgery: randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of two mechanical methods of blood conservation in reducing the need for allogeneic red blood cells or coagulation products during cardiac surgery.DesignRandomised controlled trial.SettingRegional cardiac centre in a teaching hospital in Southampton.Participants263 adults aged 18-80 years undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery entered the study, of whom 252 completed the trial. All patients received routine perioperative care. Patients were allocated to one of three treatment groups: intraoperative cell salvage, intraoperative cell salvage with acute perioperative normovolaemic haemodilution, or no mechanical blood conservation. There were 84 patients in each group.ResultsOf the patients in the intraoperative cell salvage group, 26 were given a transfusion of allogeneic blood, compared with 43 in the control group (odds ratio 0.43 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.80)). The mean number of units of allogeneic blood transfused per patient in the intraoperative cell salvage group was 0.68 units (SD=1.55), compared with 1.07 (1.56) units in the control group. 32 of the patients in the intraoperative cell salvage group were given any blood product, compared with 47 in the control group (odds ratio 0.47 (0.25 to 0.89); P=0.019). Combining acute perioperative normovolaemic haemodilution with intraoperative cell salvage conferred no additional benefits.ConclusionsAn intraoperative cell salvage device should be used in elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Pharmacological strategies may achieve further reductions in blood transfusions. Yet further reductions in blood transfusions could be achieved if the lower safe limit of haemoglobin concentration in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were known.

What is already known on this topic

Patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery often need a blood transfusionRecent meta-analyses have shown that the mechanical blood conservation techniques of intraoperative cell salvage and acute perioperative normovolaemic haemodilution may reduce the need for transfusion, but flawed methods in trials mean that clear evidence in cardiac surgery is lacking

What this study adds

Intraoperative cell salvage significantly reduces the number of patients needing an allogeneic blood transfusionCombining acute perioperative normovolaemic haemodilution with intraoperative cell salvage does not confer any additional benefit     

Giant basal cell carcinoma of the forehead: a case report

Giant basal cell carcinoma (GBCC) is defined as a tumor 5cm or greater in diameter. They present less than 1% of all basal cell carcinomas. We present a case of an 85-year-old male patient with a giant ulcerating tumor of the left forehead (measuring 7x6 cm). Under local anesthesia tumor was surgically excised. No involvement of the underlying periostal or bone structure was noted. Pathohystological exam revealed the giant basal cell carcinoma, with free surgical margins. Giant basal cell carcinomas are rare tumors and are usually result of a long duration and patient neglect. In comparison to the ordinary basal cell carcinoma these tumors have a higher metastatic potential. Surgical resection with negative surgical margin is the best possible treatment option.     

Advanced squamous cell carcinoma involving both upper and lower lips and oral commissure with simultaneous reconstruction by local flap: a case report

Introduction

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors of the skin and oral mucosa. However, squamous cell carcinoma involving near total upper and lower lip and oral commissure is rarely seen in the English literature. Simultaneous reconstruction of the upper and lower lips has been inconclusive and presents a challenge to the surgeon. We report such a case and outline our simultaneous reconstruction with local flaps. To the best of our knowledge this has never been reported.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old Thai woman presented with a large rapidly growing squamous cell carcinoma involving the upper lip, lower lip, left oral commissure and left cheek. En bloc resection of upper lip, lower lip, left oral commissure and buccal region was performed. Left radical neck dissection and right modified neck dissection were performed. Reconstruction of the upper lip with a left nasolabial-cheek cervicofacial rotational-advancement flap and right cheek advancement with perialar crescent flap was performed. The lower lip was reconstructed with bilateral labiomental advancement flaps.

Conclusions

Squamous cell carcinoma can grow rapidly and spread along the orbicularis oris muscle and across the oral commissure to the opposite lip. In advanced cancer, multimodal treatment is necessary. No gold standard in the reconstruction of both upper and lower lips has been established. We report the case of an advanced squamous cell carcinoma involving both the upper lip, lower lip, left oral commissure and buccal area and simultaneous reconstruction with local flap coverage that, to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported.     

DcR3蛋白在人食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨诱骗受体(Decoy receptor 3,Dc R3)蛋白在人食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达和临床意义。方法:通过免疫组化的方法,在人食管鳞状细胞癌组织和正常食管粘膜组织各112例中检测Dc R3蛋白的表达差异,并分析Dc R3蛋白表达与食管鳞状细胞癌临床病理学特征间的相关性。结果:在组织标本中检测发现,Dc R3蛋白在食管鳞状细胞癌组织中的阳性表达为72.3%,在正常食管粘膜组织中的阳性表达为25.9%。卡方检验分析表明,Dc R3蛋白在食管鳞状细胞癌组织中的阳性表达与食管鳞状细胞癌的临床分级(P=0.002)、淋巴结转移(P0.001)、组织学分级(P=0.01)具有显著相关性,而与患者的年龄(P=0.673)、性别(P=0.378)、抽烟史(P=0.392)、饮酒史(P=0.093)等均无关。Spearman相关性分析检测发现,Dc R3蛋白高表达与高临床分级(r=-0.213,P=0.024)、高组织学分级(r=-0.285,P=0.002)、淋巴结转移(r=-0.568,0.001)呈正相关,而与食管鳞状细胞癌患者的年龄、性别、吸烟史、饮酒史等均无相关性(P0.05)。结论:Dc R3蛋白在食管鳞状细胞癌组织中表达更高,且与食管鳞状细胞癌疾病的进展、转移呈正相关。Dc R3蛋白表达可用来检测食管鳞状细胞癌疾病严重程度。