Giant locally advanced and metastatic squamous cell skin carcinoma of head and neck region: case report

IntroductionAt the present time, the skin tumors are among the most common cancers. Optimal therapy is based on the extent of the disease and the age of the patient. The need for radiotherapy occurs for inoperable locally advanced tumors and in the event of failure, salvage surgery is applied.Materials and methodsWe provided a case report of an older patient with giant squamous cell skin carcinoma and a review of published articles.ResultsWe present a rare case of giant squamous cell skin carcinoma with metastatic satellite tumors that was primarily treated with curative radiotherapy. Five months after radiotherapy, a recurrent tumor was detected at the site of origin and the treatment was completed by salvage surgery. Full remission was achieved for four years.ConclusionDespite the seemingly incurable finding it is always necessary to consider radical treatment regardless of the patient´s age. Curative treatment could achieve long term remission in the group of older patients.     

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.     

血清HE4、VEGF、MCP-1及CCL20与乳腺癌患者保乳术后局部复发的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清人附睾蛋白4（HE4）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、单核细胞趋化因子-1（MCP-1）及CC趋化因子配体20（CCL20）与乳腺癌患者保乳术后局部复发的关系。方法：选择2015年7月~2018年7月期间本院收治的乳腺癌患者312例作为研究对象,均符合保乳术手术指征,成功实施乳腺癌保乳术,所有患者均随访3年。检测两组血清HE4、VEGF、MCP-1、CCL20水平情况,单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析影响术后局部复发的因素。使用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析HE4、VEGF、MCP-1、CCL20水平单独及联合检测对保乳术后局部复发的预测价值。结果：随访过程中失访6例,剩余的306例患者根据随访结果,分为局部复发组27例、无局部复发组279例,局部复发率为8.82%。局部复发组的血清HE4、VEGF、MCP-1、CCL20水平均高于无局部复发组（P<0.05）。单因素分析结果显示,乳腺癌患者保乳术后局部复发与年龄、淋巴结转移、切缘状态、人表皮生长因子受体2（Her-2）、细胞增殖相关抗原（Ki-67）、术后规范化疗、术后足程放疗有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示术后规范化疗、年龄偏高、术后足程放疗是保乳术后局部复发的保护因素,HE4、VEGF、MCP-1、CCL20水平偏高,切缘状态、Her-2、Ki-67阳性以及淋巴结转移是保乳术后局部复发的危险因素（P<0.05）。HE4、VEGF、MCP-1、CCL20联合应用预测乳腺癌患者保乳术后局部复发的效能高于单一指标应用。结论：乳腺癌保乳术后局部复发患者体内HE4、VEGF、MCP-1、CCL20水平高表达,四指标联合检测可辅助预测保乳术后局部复发。且乳腺癌患者保乳术后复发还受到切缘状态、Her-2、Ki-67等多种因素的影响。     

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.

     

Three synchronous primary carcinomas in a patient with HNPCC associated with a novel germline mutation in MLH1: Case report

Background

Adnexal masses are not uncommon in patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer and ovarian malignancies are known to be associated. In patients with breast cancer and co-existing pleural effusions, ascites and adnexal masses, the probability of disseminated disease is high. Nevertheless, benign ovarian masses can mimic this clinical picture when they are associated with Meigs' syndrome making the work-up and management of these patients challenging. To our knowledge, there are no similar reports in the literature and therefore we present this case to highlight this entity.

Case presentation

A 56-year old woman presented with a 4 cm, grade 2, invasive ductal carcinoma of her left breast. Pre-treatment staging investigations showed a 13.5 cm mass in her left ovary, a small amount of ascites and a large right pleural effusion. Serum tumour markers showed a raised CA125 supporting the malignant nature of the ovarian mass. The cytology from the pleural effusion was indeterminate but thoracoscopic biopsy failed to show malignancy. The patient was strongly against mastectomy and she was commenced on neo-adjuvant Letrozole 2.5 mg daily with a view to perform breast conserving surgery. After a good response to the hormone manipulation, the patient had breast conserving surgery, axillary sampling and laparoscopic excision of the ovarian mass which was eventually found to be a benign ovarian fibroma.

Conclusion

Despite the high probability of disseminated malignancy when an ovarian mass associated with ascites if found in a patient with a breast cancer and pleural effusion, clinicians should be aware about rare benign syndromes, like Meigs', which may mimic a similar picture and mislead the diagnosis and management plan.     

Management of squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with dominant-type epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica: a surgical challenge

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica is a rare congenital skin disease inherited either as a recessive or dominant form, the latter form being less common and much less severe. Squamous cell carcinoma is a rare complication in the dominant form of the disease, only three such cases being reported before, making this case the fourth known case. Although the squamous cell carcinoma is well-differentiated by histopathology, it has a poor prognosis owing to its invasiveness, distant metastases, and multicentricity. Its management also poses a great challenge to the surgeon and personnel involved in patient care. A complete outline of the total management of such a case is described with some interesting observations not mentioned previously in the literature. All the previous three patients are deceased, and this is the only known surviving patient.     

Incidental Finding of Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

ObjectiveTo report on the management of a patient with the rare concurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism and incidentally found metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in an adjacent lymph node.MethodsWe present a case report, including scintigraphic and histologic documentation, and a summary of the related literature.ResultsPrimary hyperparathyroidism with concomitant occurrence of nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma is rare, occurring in less than 4% of patients. We report a case of a 53-year-old woman with no prior history of endocrine disease with primary hyperparathyroidism and an incidental finding of a concurrent thyroid carcinoma. In this patient, technetium 99m scintigraphy revealed a parathyroid adenoma beneath the inferior pole of the left thyroid bed. Parathyroidectomy was performed successfully with no complications. The final pathology examination showed a large parathyroid adenoma with an incidental finding of a small adjacent lymph node containing metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy, and the pathology evaluation revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular variant.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this case of concomitant primary hyperparathyroidism and papillary thyroid cancer is unique in the way in which the diagnosis of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer was made. The presence of parathyroid adenoma should not exclude the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma; therefore, careful thyroid evaluation should be considered for all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:380-383)     

Total skin electron beam therapy for primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: clinical characteristics and outcomes in a Mexican reference center

AimThe aim of this study was to assess treatment modalities, treatment response, toxicity profile, disease progression and outcomes in 14 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (PCTCL) treated with total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT).BackgroundPrimary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas originating in the skin without evidence of extracutaneous disease at diagnosis. Despite advances in systemic and local therapy options, the management of advanced stages remains mostly palliative.Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective study of patients with PCTCL, diagnosed and treated in a reference center in Mexico City, analyzing treatment modalities, response to treatment, long-term outcome, and mortality.ResultsEight males (57%) and 6 (43%) females were identified. Most patients were stage IVA (n = 5, 36%) followed by stage IB and IIB (28.5% and 21.4%, respectively). Eleven patients received the low-dose RT scheme (12 Gy), 1 patient, the intermediate-dose RT scheme (24 Gy), and 2 patients, the conventional-dose RT scheme (36 Gy). Mean follow-up time was 4.6 years. At first follow-up examination, 6–8 weeks after radiotherapy, the overall response rate (ORR) for the cohort was 85%. The median PFS for the whole cohort was 6 months.ConclusionThis study reinforces the role of TSEBT when compared with other treatment modalities and novel agents. Low-dose TSEBT is now widely used because of the opportunity for retreatment.     

Radiation-induced breast angiosarcoma: report of two patients after accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and review of the literature

BackgroundAngiosarcoma may rarely complicate radiotherapy of breast cancer. This so-called radiation-induced angiosarcoma (RIAS) occurs in less than 0.3% of patients that underwent breast conservation surgeries, usually years after completion of radiotherapy.Case presentationwe introduce two cases of invasive ductal carcinoma who underwent lumpectomy and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) as an alternative protocol to whole breast irradiation (WBI). They received adjuvant partial breast radiotherapy on tumor cavity for a total dose of 38.5 Gy in 10 fractions in 5 days using 3D-external-beam RT. In both cases, RIAS occurred eight years after radiotherapy, in the sub-cicatricial area in one patient and outside the irradiated area in the other one. They both underwent radical surgery and chemotherapy was performed in one patient.DiscussionThe underlying mechanism for development of RIAS is not well known, but its incidence seems to be increasing. RIAS after partial breast irradiation is very rare and has been reported in two cases so far. As it may be suggested in case 2, it is still a matter of debate if the risk of radiation-induced sarcoma is radiation-dose dependent. Although mastectomy is considered as a standard treatment, choice of treatment should be made according to the patient’s specifications.ConclusionThere are very few studies in the literature that report RIAS after APBI. Present study is the only one reporting two cases after the external 3D technique APBI. Prognosis of RIAS remains poor. Only a careful evaluation in a multidisciplinary context can offer to the patients the best result in terms of local control and survival.     

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Thyroid Gland

ObjectiveTo examine the presentation, diagnosis, and appropriate management of renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to the thyroid gland.MethodsWe describe a clinical case of solitary thyroid metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma and present a comprehensive review of the related English-language literature. Common patterns of presentation and generalized overall management recommendations are evaluated and summarized.ResultsEight years after nephrectomy for renal carcinoma at age 61 years, a man presented with a thyroid mass. Cytology and histopathologic surgical findings were consistent with a solitary metastasis most compatible with metastatic clear cell carcinoma from his previous renal carcinoma. After left thyroid lobectomy and isthmusectomy, the patient remains disease-free 5 years later. Although uncommon, nearly 150 cases of clinically recognized metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid have been reported in the English-language literature. Metastatic disease from the kidney to the thyroid gland can occur more than 20 years after nephrectomy with the average time interval being 7.5 years. Obtaining a full clinical history in any patient who presents with a thyroid nodule is essential to allow consideration of possible metastatic disease from previous primary tumor. Metastatic disease to the thyroid gland can be correctly diagnosed preoperatively. If metastatic renal cancer is limited to the thyroid gland only, prompt, appropriate surgical intervention can be curative.ConclusionMetastatic renal carcinoma to the thyroid should be considered in any patient presenting with a thyroid mass and a medical history of renal cell carcinoma. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:1040-1046)     

HDR-plesiotherapy for the treatment of anogenital extramammary Paget's disease

BackgroundExtramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare condition that most commonly affects the anogenital region in the elderly. It may be associated with an underlying invasive carcinoma. Surgical excision is nowadays considered a standard treatment for extramammary Paget's disease, although this approach might not be suitable for all patients. Good rates of local control and cosmetic outcome have been achieved by using high-dose-rate (HDR) plesiotherapy in the treatment of skin tumors arising in different locations.Material and methodsWe present the results observed in a patient with EMPD treated by HDR plesiotherapy with a custom-made mold up to a final dose of 54 Gy in 12 fractions of 450 cGy over 4 weeks.ResultsAfter a follow-up of 18 months, the patient is alive and without evidence of local or distant relapse. Acute toxicity was acceptable and cosmetic result was considered as excellent.ConclusionThis technique represents an attractive alternative for those patients who are not candidates for surgical procedures because of unacceptable risk of disfigurements or functional impairment, medical contraindications or patient preference.     

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor with poor prognosis and is found in the literature only as case reports. The optimal management course remains poorly defined. We present a case of primary basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas metastatic to the liver, which was treated with surgery and systemic chemotherapy. Our patient survived for 15 months: the longest survival reported in the literature to date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old Caucasian man presented to hospital with a three-month history of weight loss, pruritus and icterus. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of an operable mass lesion in the head of the pancreas. Following a pancreaticoduodenectomy, histology results led us to make a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Postoperative restaging showed multiple metastases in the liver. He underwent palliative systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil achieving partial response and an excellent quality of life. He then went on to start second-line chemotherapy, but unfortunately died of sepsis soon thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: This case report emphasizes that achievement of a worthwhile objective and symptomatic palliative response is possible using platinum-based chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas.     

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。     

Hürthle cell Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting as A “Hot” Nodule

ObjectiveTo report an unusual clinical scenario and a rare histopathologic finding of Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma in a patient with an autonomous thyroid nodule.MethodsWe describe the presentation and clinical course leading to the surprising histopathologic diagnosis of Hürthle cell carcinoma in a pediatric patient who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism presenting as a solitary toxic nodule.ResultsA 13-year-old white girl presented with a recent history of a palpable thyroid nodule during a routine primary care clinic visit. She was asymptomatic, and thyroid function tests revealed a suppressed thyrotropin concentration, high-normal free thyroxine concentration, and elevated triiodothyronine concentration. The patient underwent dedicated thyroid ultrasonography revealing a 3.5-cm complex mass in the left lobe with increased central vascularity. Iodine 123 imaging of the thyroid demonstrated homogenous, hyperintense activity in the left lobe. The right lobe was not visualized. A solitary toxic nodule was diagnosed, and, considering her age, she was referred for surgical management. The patient underwent a left lobectomy with isthmusectomy. Pathologic examination revealed a 5-cm, encapsulated, well-differentiated Hürthle cell carcinoma with negative margins and no lymphovascular invasion. The patient underwent subsequent completion thyroidectomy with no evidence of residual carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe.ConclusionsMalignancy in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules is rare. Most of the thyroid nodules presenting as “hot” on radioiodine scintigraphy are benign follicular adenomas. However, this case represents a rare clinical entity, and it highlights the need for clinicians to be vigilant and aware that occasionally carcinomas can masquerade as scintigraphic “hot” nodules. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:e68-e72)     

A clinical case of diagnosis of breast cancer in patients with family history of BRCA mutations 1

BackgroundThe incidence of breast cancer is growing rapidly worldwide (1.7 million new cases and 600,000 deaths per year). Moreover, about 10% of breast cancer cases occur in young women under the age of 45. The aim of the study was to report a rare case of BRCA 1-mutated breast cancer in a young patient with multiple affected relatives. Breast cancer is due to a genetic predisposition with BRCA1 and BRCA2 representing a significant proportion of families with a very high risk of developing the disease over a lifetime of up to 50–80%.Case presentationIn this paper we report a case of a 29-year-old woman with a confirmed diagnosis of left breast carcinoma.ConclusionsMutations of the BRCA1 gene were revealed in the patient, in two of her sisters, brother and brother’s daughter.     

Isolated jejunal metastasis in a patient with cervical cancer: A case report

Background

In approximately 8% of cervical carcinoma patients, gastrointestinal tract is involved, most commonly the rectosigmoid portion, because of local extension. Isolated metastases to small bowel are exceedingly rare.

Case report

We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with cervical cancer who developed isolated jejunal metastasis 8 months after postoperative chemoradiotherapy. The patient was alive with no evidence of disease 6 months after resection of metastasis. Very few cases have been reported concerning squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with documented metastases to the small bowel. There is only one published case report of cervical cancer with multiple metastases to the small intestine and jejunum. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cervical cancer with isolated jejunal metastasis, which was initially demonstrated with positron emission tomography and confirmed histopathologically.

Conclusion

Although the exact mechanism underlying the isolated metastasis is unknown, hematogenous spread or tumor seeding during surgery may play a role.     

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.     

Asymptomatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma masquerading as a rare primary pancreatic carcinoma. Diagnosis by percutaneous fine needle aspiration

An unusual case of asymptomatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus metastatic to the pancreas, mimicking a rare primary pancreatic neoplasm, is reported. Percutaneous fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of a pancreatic lesion showed squamous cell carcinoma, which in the pancreas is virtually always metastatic in origin. This prompted a search for an occult primary elsewhere, resulting in the discovery of an esophageal neoplasm, which in itself is one of the least likely sources of pancreatic metastases. FNA biopsy was thus a useful and accurate diagnostic tool in establishing the true nature of the pancreatic neoplasm, sparing the patient unnecessary pancreatic surgery, with its attendant morbidity and hospital costs.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of three cases of squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a thyroid mass: cytological findings and differential diagnosis

M. Rosa and K. Toronczyk Fine needle aspiration biopsy of three cases of squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a thyroid mass: cytological findings and differential diagnosis Objective: Primary squamous cell carcinomas of the thyroid gland are extremely rare, comprising about 1% of thyroid malignancies. Although squamous cell carcinomas are readily identified as such on aspiration cytology in the majority of cases, the differentiation of primary versus metastatic tumour might not always be easy. Herein, we report three cases of squamous cell carcinomas involving the thyroid gland. Methods: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed in three patients with a thyroid mass using standard guidelines. Smears were stained with Diff‐Quik and Papanicolaou stains. Results: Two patients were male and one was female, aged 59, 45 and 35 years, respectively. In all three patients a thyroid mass was present. FNAC smears in all cases showed cytological features of squamous cell carcinoma including keratinization and necrosis. After clinical and cytological correlation, one case appeared to be primary, one case metastatic, and in the third case no additional clinical information or biopsy follow‐up was available for further characterization. Conclusions: Because primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare finding, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma should always be excluded first. Metastatic disease usually presents in the setting of widespread malignancy, therefore a dedicated clinical and radiological investigation is necessary in these cases. In both clinical scenarios the patient’s prognosis is poor.