Intraabdominal hemorrhage with pulmonary large cell carcinoma metastatic to the ovary

Leptomeningeal metastasis of pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and malignant form of lung cancer with a poor prognosis for patients. The common sites of metastases are the liver, adrenal glands, bone and brain. LCNEC rarely metastasizes to the small intestine, ovaries, tonsils, mandible, vulva or spine. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of leptomeningeal metastasis of LCNEC to date. The present case report describes an unusual case of leptomeningeal metastasis from pulmonary LCNEC alongside a review of the literature. Biopsies of pulmonary lesions and cervical lymph nodes confirmed the diagnosis of LCNEC in a 39-year-old male patient. At 2 months after chemotherapy, the patient began to experience hoarseness, epileptic seizures and blurred vision. Furthermore, the patient presented with radiating pain and numbness in his lower left limb. Imaging findings and cytological examination of cerebral spinal fluid supported the diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis. The patient's neurological symptoms were markedly alleviated following receipt of radiation and intrathecal chemotherapy. The patient survived for 4.9 months after diagnosis with leptomeningeal metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, the present case report is the first to describe leptomeningeal metastasis from pulmonary LCNEC confirmed by neuroimaging and cerebral spinal fluid cytology. It suggests that leptomeningeal metastasis does occur in this rare disease, and aggressive treatment may result in improved symptoms and possibly survival times.

Autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue in cancer survivors and the risk of reintroducing malignancy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND The risk of recurrent oncological disease due to the reintroduction of cancer cells via autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue is unknown. METHODS A systematic review of literature derived from MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was conducted. Studies on follow-up after autotransplantation; detection of cancer cells in ovarian tissue from oncological patients by histology, polymerase chain reaction or xenotransplantation; and epidemiological data on ovarian metastases were included. RESULTS A total of 289 studies were included. Metastases were repeatedly detected in ovarian tissue obtained for cryopreservation purposes from patients with leukaemia, as well as in one patient with Ewing sarcoma. No metastases were detected in ovarian tissue from lymphoma and breast cancer patients who had their ovarian tissue cryopreserved. Clinical studies indicated that one should be concerned about autotransplantation safety in patients with colorectal, gastric and endometrial cancer. For patients with low-stage cervical carcinoma, clinical data were relatively reassuring, but studies focused on the detection of metastases were scarce. Oncological recurrence has been described in one survivor of cervical cancer and one survivor of breast cancer who had their ovarian tissue autotransplanted, although these recurrences may not be related to the transplantation. CONCLUSIONS It is advisable to refrain from ovarian tissue autotransplantation in survivors of leukaemia. With survivors of all other malignancies, current knowledge regarding the safety of autotransplantation should be discussed. The most reassuring data regarding autotransplantation safety were found for lymphoma patients.

Hemoperitoneum in a cirrhotic patient due to rupture of retroperitoneal varix

The rupture of retroperitoneal varices is a rare and catastrophic complication of portal hypertension. We describe a case of this nature, the first in Brazilian medical literature, and also reviewing all previous 34 cases. We systematically analyzed all therapeutic approach and propose a management algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of this lethal condition. The majority of the patients presented with abdominal pain, distention and hypotension, and developed hemorrhagic shock. Rupture of retroperitoneal varices can be properly managed if an early diagnosis is made and surgery is performed promptly, which is the only effective treatment. Arteriography should be used when the suspicion is of rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hemopneumothorax and hemoperitoneum in a case with large cell carcinoma of the lung

Hemopneumothorax and hemoperitoneum coincide rarely in nontraumatic cases. Here, a 70-year-old male presented a left axillary lymph node and was diagnosed as having metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Under the same diagnosis, another lesion developed in the right femur and was resected. One year later, computed tomography detected another tumor in the left adrenal gland. Shortly afterwards, left pneumothorax developed and a chest operation revealed hemopneumothorax due to a ruptured cavitary form of large cell carcinoma. The serum showed a human chorionic gonadotropin-beta level of 1,100 ng/ml. At three-months later, he died of hemoperitoneum. The autopsy demonstrated hepatic metastases and a ruptured adrenal metastasis; microscopy showed marked trophoblastic and squamous cell changes in these organs. This patient was unique in that the rupture of the pulmonary and the adrenal lesions caused clinical manifestation.

Squamous cell carcinoma in the ovary of a 14-year-old girl

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), whether primary or metastatic, rarely involves the ovary. All previously reported cases have been in adults. Herein we describe a 14-year-old girl who underwent extensive neurologic and musculoskeletal assessment because of symptoms of generalized muscle weakness and pain. She was found to have SCC that involved the ovary, with widespread metastases. This case illustrates the importance of eliciting a thorough history and evaluating the patient's symptoms. A review of the differential diagnosis of ovarian SCC is included. To our knowledge, our patient is the youngest to be described in the literature with SCC in the ovary.