Evaluation of tumor response three months after concomitant chemoradiotherapy with high dose rate brachytherapy as a definitive treatment modality for locally advanced cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Radiotherapy remains an essential part of the management of locally advanced cervical cancer. Post-treatment surveillance allows for tumor response assessment and early detection of progressive prosecutions or local recurrences that may benefit from salvage treatment. The objective of this work is to assess the effectiveness of this therapeutic modality.

MATERIALS METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 69 patients treated with concomitant radiation chemotherapy followed by high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy. The tumor response was assessed by gynecologic physical examination at three months after the end of treatment.

RESULTS

Median age of patients is 54.9 years (33-78 years). The most common histological type is squamous cell carcinoma (89.9%). The average dose received during external radiotherapy is 52.2Gy (46-60Gy). The average dose received during brachytherapy is 27.5Gy (18-28Gy). Three months after completion of treatment, 95.6% of patients had complete tumor remission, and only 4.4% had a tumor residue of 1cm.

CONCLUSION

Radiation chemotherapy with brachytherapy allows for improved short-term local control in cervical cancer.

Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma: report of an unusual case with literature review

Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinomas are rare, aggressive orbital tumors characterized by poor overall prognosis, tendency for local recurrence and metastasis despite aggressive treatment. Treatment continues to be controversial. Many authorities today will often initiate surgery (orbital exenteration with or without bone removal vs. globe-sparing resection) and adjuvant radiotherapy (external beam or proton beam therapy). We introduce a case of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma treated with orbital exenteration and adjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy, and discuss the related literature.

Can Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance Improve Nasopharyngeal Cancer Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Reporting the First Phase of a Prospective International Atomic Energy Agency Study

PURPOSE

Most new nasopharyngeal cancer cases occur in low-income and middle-income countries, and these patients experience poorer overall survival than that of new nasopharyngeal cancer cases in high-income countries. The goal of this research project is to determine whether the introduction of a radiation therapy quality assurance program can ultimately improve outcomes for nasopharyngeal cancer patients in lower-income and middle-income countries. This study reports the results of the first phase of the International Atomic Energy Agency Coordinated Research Project (325-E3-TM-47712).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This prospective study has 2 phases. Phase 1 is a survey of radiation therapy resources, patient characteristics and treatment, and results of radiation therapy quality assurance performed by the expert panel. An educational workshop reviewing phase 1 results for each center was completed before accrual of patients for phase 2. The ultimate aim of the study is to compare the first and second cohort of patients to see if quality assurance can result in fewer major protocol deviations and a 15% improvement in patients' 3-year progression-free survival.

RESULTS

Of 14 participating centers, 13 (93%) had computed tomography simulators and linear accelerators (LINAC) with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) capacity, median 3 LINAC (range, 1-13), and median 10 radiation oncologists (range, 5-51). The annual number of nasopharyngeal cancer cases irradiated was median 54 (range, 10-627). Five of 14 centers (36%) had no local radiation therapy quality assurance. For the current phase 1 study, 134 patients were evaluated, 82.1% had MRI staging, 99.3% had metastatic workup, 65.6% undifferentiated histology, 51% stage 3 and 49% stage 4. Radiation therapy quality assurance revealed 81 (60.4%) of 134 patients had major protocol violations in gross tumor volume and high dose planning target volume contours and/or dosimetry, 28.4% patients had borderline plans, 15 (11.2%) acceptable, and only 6 (4.2%) had inevitable compromise due to tumor extent.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first International Atomic Energy Agency study to address the fundamental issue of treatment quality rather than altered treatment regimens. The high rate of unacceptable radiation therapy plans is a major concern, and we hope phase 2 will show a significant reduction and improved patient outcomes.

Verrucous Carcinoma of the Vulva

Introduction:

Vulvar verrucous carcinoma (VC) is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of vulvar cancer cases. Effectively, it is characterization by a slow growing, no metastasis or lymph node involvement. The aim of this study was to report our experience with this disease

Material and Methods:

This is a retrospective study of patients with vulvar VC who were treated at National Institute of Oncology between 2013 and 2018. Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and follow-up were extracted from the medical records.

Results:

Three cases were identified in the National Institut of Oncology. The average age at diagnosis was 66 years (± 10.02). The average time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 17 months (± 12,7). All patients complained of a vulvar mass or nodule, accompanied by vulvar pruritus and/or pain, which was the reason for consultation. A preliminary pathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was made in two cases. Surgical treatment included wide local excision, radical vulvectomy with lymph node dissection in the groin. Tumor size and invasion depth ranged from 50 to 105 mm and 17 to 35 mm respectively. In the final histology, VC of the vulva staged IB (2 cases) and staged III (1 case) with marginal limits in two cases. The concurrent radiochemotherapy was performed in one case, exclusive radiotherapy in one case and only surgery in one case. Regarding toxicity after concurrent radiochemotherapy and exclusive radiotherapy we had observed respectely grade 2 proctitis with renal toxicity and grade 2 radiodermatitis. The mean follow-up was 43 months with no recurrence in all cases. The prognosis is good, with low recurrent rate if wide local excision is performed.

Conclusions:

Vulvar VC is a distinct type of slow-growing, tumor with unclear etiology. Surgery is the most effective treatment. Concurrent radiochemotherapy indicated depending on disease stage and risk factors.

Intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Parathyroid carcinoma is an uncommon endocrine malignancy comprising 0.5%–2% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The probability of an intrathyroidal location is low (0.2%) and make preoperative suspicion and diagnosis challenging. Less than 20 cases of intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma have been reported. We introduce a case of intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma mimicking a suspicious thyroid nodule, and review the literature, with a focus on the role of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Apocrine Carcinoma of Breast in a Male Patient: Case Report

Introduction:

Apocrine carcinoma of breast is a rare type of malignant tumor, the incidence of which varies between 0.3 - 0.4 % of all female breast cancers.Apocrine carcinoma is exceptional in male patients and very few cases have been described in literature. This tumor shows distinct microscopic and immunohistological features. We report an exceptional observation of apocrine carcinoma of breast in a man.

Patient and observation:

He’s a 54 years old man who had for 2months a painless nodule at the left axillary..The patient had family history of breast and prostate cancers. Physical examination revealed a left axilary lymphadenopathy movable relative to superficial and deep plans with no evidence mass of breasts. MRI of the breast was performed and revealed a mass that was 38 x 10 mm in size.A biopsy of the lymphadenopathy was performed. It objectified a carcinomatous proliferation. An immunohistochemical study showed that tumor cells express Her 2, but do not express estrogenic and progesterone receptors. A tumorectomy of the left breast was performed and didn’t show any malignant lesion of the breast. The axiler dissection of 13 lymphnodes showed 11 metastatics ones with 3 breaking capsular. The diagnosis of apocrine carcinoma of the breast was made in despite of the result of the tumorectomy. The CT did not indicate metastasis. The patient was administered adjuvant chemotherapy then he received radiation therapy on left susclavicular, axila and breast with a total dose of 42Gy,15 fractions of 2.8 Gy on 21 days with no late effects. 1 year of trastuzumab was administrated. There was no recurrence or metastasis approximately 2 years after radiation therapy. Then the patient presented a susclavicular lymphnode that was comfirmed on the pet-scanner with multiple mediastinal lymphnodes. A biopsy of the susclavicular lymphnode comfirmed the progression of the disease. The patient started chemotherapy in association with pertuzumab and trastuzumab.

Discussion:

Apocrine carcinoma of the breast is a rare malignant tumor whose incidence varies between 0.3% and 4% of all female’s breast cancer and represents 0.5 % of all invasive breast cancers. This tumor is exceptional in men. Indeed, only a dozen cases have been described in the literature . Most neoplasms are slowly progressive, small in size, and are most frequently seen in the axilla. They can be recurrent and metastasize to the lymph node, lung, and bone. Male patients have been advanced disease at presentation compared to women which may be due to lack of public awareness of breast cancer in male. Histologically, it has glandular structures with apocrine features and decapitation secretions. There is cytoplasmic PAS positivity of the tumor cells. The presence of neoplastic glands high in the dermis and immediate subepidermis favors the primary origin of tumor cells from apocrine sweat glands. Apocrine adenocarcinomas are positive for cytokeratins, carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) . Usually, these tumors do not express the estrogen receptor-alpha, progesterone receptors and bcl-2. Apocrine adenocarcinoma has poor prognosis and the prognostic factors include size, histological type, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis. The 10-year disease free survival rate in the absence of metastasis to the lymph nodes is 56%. Treatment protocols of apocrine carcinoma are similar to non apocrine carcinoma of breast. However studies involving the use of anti androgens are in progress. The treatment of choice is wide local excision with clear margins, with or without regional lymph node dissection. The role of radiation therapy also remains uncertain in the absence of clinical trials. No clear correlation between treatment modality and recurrence in apocrine carcinoma was apparent, and survival rates of apocrine carcinoma were not different from other breast carcinomas.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, male apocrine carcinoma is a very rare, unique and morphologically-distinctive, invasive ductal carcinoma.. Although immunohistochemical staining might show differences in males, the prognosis is not different from other breast carcinomas. It has different hormonal profile, androgen receptor positivity makes patient with apocrine carcinoma eligible for targeted therapy.

Patient satisfaction in Ambulatory Radiochemotherapy: a study based on the Out-Patsat35 questionnaire

Objective:

The aim of our study is to define the main factors contributing to the satisfaction of patients undergoing radiochemotherapy in outpatient setting.

Materials and Methods:

100 Patients undergoing ambulatory concomitant radiochemotherapy in National Institute of Oncology at Rabat in Morocco were invited to complete the OUT-PATSAT35 questionnaire, evaluating perception of doctors, nurses and aspects of care organization, translated on Arabic language. The data were collected from different patients, over a period of three months. Statistical analysis was performed to determine which parameters had the greatest influence on overall satisfaction.

Results:

Overall satisfaction with the provided care was high with a mean satisfaction score of 3.19. Significant correlations were found between overall satisfaction and each of the following survey items: professional skills provided by doctors, behavior of doctors towards patients (patients support), behaviors of nurses towards patients, human qualities of nurses (politeness, respect, kindness and patience), care information provided by nurses, waiting time to get a medical consultation appointment, speed of execution of radiological examination and treatment and service organization. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that service organization, behavior of doctors and nurses towards patients, and care information provided by nurses were the strongest predictors for overall satisfaction, followed by waiting time to get a medical consultation appointment, speed of execution of radiological examination and treatment.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that the majority of our patients are satisfied with the level of our service, but the waiting time to get a medical consultation appointment, and speed of execution of radiological examination and treatment needs to be developed.

COVID-19, Brachytherapy, and Gynecologic Cancers: a Moroccan Experience

The treatment of gynecological cancers is the main activity of brachytherapy units. However, during COVID-19 pandemic, precautions should be done in order to reduce the spread of the virus while maintaining all chances to recovery for all patients (Radiother Oncol 148, 227-228, 2020). Despite the extent of the pandemic in our country, limited data are available to establish recommendations with a sufficient level of evidence (Radiother Oncol 148, 227-228, 2020). More recently, the American Brachytherapy Society published some clarifications in this regard and international expert consensus recommendations of radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic were published (https://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/about-abs/abs-news/abs-statement-on-coronavirus/, Gynecol Oncol 15, 2020). In this commentary, we sought to share the procedures adopted for the management of gynecological cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic in our brachytherapy unit.

[An analysis of breast cancer treatment waiting times: Experience of a tertiary referral center in Morocco]

Measuring waiting times is a good indicator of quality and performance of cancer care. However, no detailed evaluation of these deadlines has been carried out in Morocco. The aim of this study was to determine the waiting times of medical care of breast cancer in a national tertiary referral center. The study was carried out by retrospective analysis of 373 cases of patients randomly selected among the cases recruited during the year 2015. Twelve delays of the care pathway were evaluated. The mean age was of 50,7 years. The deadline of access to this center was 9±8days. The deadline of access to the diagnosis was 33.5±21.2 days. The deadlines of access to multidisciplinary team meeting pre-therapeutic was 20.4±16.9 days. The access to the first treatment was 51.1±34.3 days for the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 75.5±34.8 days for surgery. The deadline of access to the postoperative therapeutic proposal was on average 49.2±25.2 days. The deadline of access to the postoperative chemotherapy was 83.7±28.8 days and 284±43.8 days for postoperative radiotherapy in case of adjuvant chemotherapy. The global deadline mammography-radiotherapy was 372±66.5 days. Many of our deadlines were long compared to international recommendations. The factors associated with these delays must be analyzed in order to introduce improvement measures to control these indicators.

Adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland: a case report

BACKGROUND

Primary ductal adenocarcinomas of the lacrimal gland are very rare. This neoplasm shares some histological and immunohistochemical similarities with salivary duct carcinoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old Moroccan man with lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma. He underwent orbital exenteration with lymph nodes dissection and ipsilateral parotidectomy. After surgery, he was lost to follow-up and died 13 months later.

CONCLUSIONS

Lacrimal gland tumors are rare but highly aggressive salivary gland tumors. Complete excision with adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended.

HPV and cofactors for invasive cervical cancer in Morocco: a multicentre case-control study

Background

Limited national information is available in Morocco on the prevalence and distribution of HPV-sub-types of cervical cancer and the role of other risk factors. The aim was to determine the frequency of HPV-sub-types of cervical cancer in Morocco and investigate risk factors for this disease.

Methods

Between November 2009 and April 2012 a multicentre case-control study was carried out. A total of 144 cases of cervical cancer and 288 age-matched controls were included. Odds-ratios and corresponding confidence-intervals were computed by conditional logistic regression models.

Results

Current HPV infection was detected in 92.5% of cases and 13.9% of controls. HPV16 was the most common type for both cases and controls. Very strong associations between HPV-sub-types and cervical cancer were observed: total-HPV (OR = 39), HPV16 (OR = 49), HPV18 (OR = 31), and multiple infections (OR = 13). Education, high parity, sexual intercourse during menstruation, history of sexually transmitted infections, and husband’s multiple sexual partners were also significantly associated with cervical cancer in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results could be used to establish a primary prevention program and to prioritize limited screening to women who have specific characteristics that may put them at an increased risk of cervical cancer.

High frequency of the recurrent c.1310_1313delAAGA BRCA2 mutation in the North-East of Morocco and implication for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer prevention and control

Background

To date, a limited number of BRCA1/2 germline mutations have been reported in hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer in the Moroccan population. Less than 20 different mutations of these two genes have been identified in Moroccan patients, and recently we reported a further BRCA2 mutation (c.1310_1313delAAGA; p.Lys437IlefsX22) in three unrelated patients, all from the North-East of the country. We aimed in this study to evaluate the frequency and geographic distribution of this BRCA2 frameshift mutation, in order to access its use as the first-line BRCA genetic testing strategy for Moroccan patients. We enrolled in this study 122 patients from different regions of Morocco, with suggestive inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancers. All subjects gave written informed consent to BRCA1/2 genetic testing. According to available resources of our lab and enrolled families, 51 patients were analyzed by the conventional individual exon-by-exon Sanger sequencing, 23 patients were able to benefit from a BRCA next generation sequencing and a target screening for exon 10 of BRCA2 gene was performed in 48 patients.

Results

Overall, and among the 122 patients analyzed for at least the exon 10 of the BRCA2 gene, the c.1310_1313delAAGA frameshift mutation was found in 14 patients. Genealogic investigation revealed that all carriers of this mutation shared the same geographic origin and were descendants of the North-East of Morocco.

Discussion

In this study, we highlighted that c.1310_1313delAAGA mutation of BRCA2 gene is recurrent with high frequency in patients from the North-East region of Morocco. Therefore, we propose to use, in public health strategies, the detection of this mutation as the first-line screening tests in patients with breast and ovarian cancer originated from this region.

[Pain flare following palliative external beam radiotherapy: Prospective study of 41 cases]

PURPOSE

Radiotherapy plays a major role in relieving pain caused by bone metastases; paradoxically initial flare of symptom is common. Our objectives were to assess prospectively the incidence, and to identify predictor's factors of this acute complication.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Forty-one patients treated with analgesic external beam radiotherapy were followed prospectively. Patients recorded pain severity and analgesic intake was documented. Pain flare was defined as an increase of two points in the intensity of pain on the numerical scale with no reduction in analgesic intake and/or 25% increase of the analgesic intake without decreasing pain intensity.

RESULTS

Primary cancer was the breast, lung and prostate in 49%, 29% and 22% of patients respectively. Twelve patients (29%) had a pain flare. No factor was significantly associated with the occurrence of this complication. A favorable analgesic response was observed in 27 patients. The pain flare was not related to subsequent analgesic response.

CONCLUSION

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment of pain related to bone metastasis, but with a high incidence of painful exacerbation.

[Role of radiotherapy in stage I testicular seminomas: about 25 cases]

Notre travail se proposait de rapporter les résultats d’une étude rétrospective, descriptive, portant sur 25 séminomes testiculaires de stade I et de préciser la place de la radiothérapie dans la prise en charge de cette entité. Entre janvier 2001 et décembre 2009, 25 patients atteints d'un séminome testiculaire de stade I ont été pris en charge au service de radiothérapie de l’institut national d’oncologie de Rabat. L’orchidectomie première a été réalisée par voie inguinale. Le bilan d’extension initial comportait un dosage de bHCG totale, d’alphafoetoprotéine, et une exploration des aires ganglionnaires sus- et sous-diaphragmatiques par une tomodensitométrie. L’irradiation adjuvante a été délivrée au moyen d’un accélérateur linéaire. L'âge médian est de 33 ans (18-52 ans). La tumeur testiculaire siégeait à droite chez 16 malades et à gauche chez les 9 autres. La radiothérapie était délivrée dans les aires ganglionnaires lomboaortiques pour 18 patients, lomboaortiques et iliaques homolatérales pour les 7 autres et ceci par deux faisceaux antéropostérieurs, délivrant une dose de 20 à 25 Gy en 10 à 14 fractions. La tolérance immédiate était excellente. La durée médiane de surveillance était de 73 mois. Vingt trois patients sont actuellement vivants, en situation de rémission complète. Un patient a rechuté au niveau pulmonaire 22 mois après la fin de sa radiothérapie. Un patient a été perdu de vue. Il n’a pas été observé de toxicité à long terme, en particulier gastro-intestinale. Aucune tumeur ou pathologie hématologique secondaire n’a été rapportée. La radiothérapie prophylactique reste le traitement adjuvant de référence des séminomes de stade I. La tolérance immédiate est satisfaisante et l’augmentation du risque de cancer secondaire est négligeable par rapport au bénéfice thérapeutique. Toutefois une surveillance armée ainsi qu’une chimiothérapie adjuvante avec un cycle de carboplatine sont aussi efficaces.

Merkel cell carcinoma occurring in a black woman: a case report

BACKGROUND

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, very aggressive neuroectodermal tumor of the skin. It is typically located on sun-exposed skin and frequently found in white men aged between 70 and 80 years.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 58-year-old black woman diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma of the posterior face of the right elbow. She had biopsy excision and was lost to follow-up. Four months later, she presented with recurrent disease on the inferior third of the right arm with three ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastases. Amputation of the right arm and ipsilateral axillary lymph node dissection were performed, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Six months later, the patient died as a result of respiratory failure caused by lung metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, no specific studies have been done comparing the course and the characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma in white and black populations, and no similar case has been reported in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

The Merkel cell carcinoma is very rare in black people. As described elsewhere in the literature, our patient had a poor outcome despite radical management. To date, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no comparison of the prognosis of this tumor in white and black populations.

Extra-axial ependymoma of the cerebral convexity: A very rare intracranial adult tumor

Background Ependymomas are rare adult tumors that originate from the ventricular system or the ependymal surface of the central canal. Extra-axial supratentorial ependymomas are extremely rare, and only five cases have been reported to date in the English literature. Case presentation A 46-year-old previously healthy male presented with a gradual painless loss of vision in the right eye. Cerebral MRI showed a right parietal-occipital lesion resembling an atypical meningioma. Surgical resection was performed, and immunohistochemical staining results concluded that it was a very uncommon location of a grade 3 ependymoma. Favorable outcome was observed one year after completion of postoperative radiotherapy. Conclusion Clinical and imaging aspects are misleading in rare brain tumors, and immunohistochemistry is essential to re-address diagnosis.

Radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base after radiation therapy in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Radiation-induced osteosarcomas are a recognized complication of radiation therapy. Owing to the fact that it is rare, publications on radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base are limited to a small series and some case reports.

Case presentation

We describe a rare case of a patient with a skull base radiation-induced osteosarcoma treated 11 years before with ionizing radiation for an undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharynx. The patient was treated with chemotherapy alone, but he died after the third cycle.

Conclusions

Radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base after treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a very rare but very aggressive complication with a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy gives bad results, and regular follow-up of treated patients should be considered.

Hypofractionated Regional Nodal Irradiation for Women With Node-Positive Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) of the breast/chest wall and regional nodes on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control and on treatment-related toxicity in patients with breast cancer and nodal involvement.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Two hundred fifty-seven patients treated between October 2009 and June 2011 with hypofractionated locoregional radiation therapy (42 Gy in 15 fractions) were retrospectively reviewed, 51 (19.8%) after breast-conserving surgery and 206 (80.2%) after radical surgery. Patients treated with breast-conserving surgery received a boost dose to the tumor bed (delivered by photons, electrons, or interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy). Two hundred fifty-six (99.6%) patients underwent chemotherapy, 209 (81.3%) had hormonal treatment, and 65 (25.3%) had anti-HER2 targeted therapy.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 64 months (range, 11-88 months). The rates of 5-year OS, DFS, locoregional recurrence (LRR)-free survival, and distant metastasis (DM)-free survival were 86.6%, 84.4%, 93.9%, and 83.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis (MVA), lymph node ratio >65%, lymphovascular invasion, and negative hormone receptor status predicted for OS, DSF, and DM. T3 to 4 stage was also associated with worse DFS and DM. Finally, for LRR the independent prognostic factors on MVA were N2 to 3 stage and grade 3. Hyperpigmentation was observed in 19.2% of patients, telangiectasia in 12.3%, and fibrosis in 30.7%. Grade ≥2 lymphedema was recorded in 5.8% of cases. During the study follow-up, no cardiac or symptomatic pneumonitis was observed, nor were plexopathy or rib fractures.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings from this retrospective study, HFRT seems to be an acceptable alternative for patients with breast cancer who need regional nodal irradiation. However, prospective randomized trials are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

[Survival rate for breast cancer in Rabat (Morocco) 2005-2008]

Introduction

Le cancer du sein représente un problème de santé publique au Maroc. L’objectif de ce travail était d’estimer le taux de survie au cancer du sein chez les patientes habitant la ville de Rabat.

Méthodes

Etude pronostique réalisée chez les patientes diagnostiquées pour cancer du sein de 2005 à 2008, habitant la ville de Rabat et enregistrées au registre des cancers de Rabat. La date d’inclusion dans l’étude correspondait à la date de confirmation histologique du cancer. L’estimation de la survie a été réalisée par la méthode de Kaplan Meier, et la comparaison entre les différentes classes d’une variable a été réalisée par le test de log rank. L’étude des facteurs associés à la survie a été effectuée par le modèle de Cox.

Résultats

Durant la période d’étude 628 cas de cancer du sein ont été collectés. Le pourcentage de décès était de 19,9%. La survie globale à un an était de 97,1%, elle était de 89,2% à 3 ans et de 80,6 % à 5 ans. En analyse multivariée la survie au cancer du sein était statistiquement moins bonne chez les patientes âgées de plus de 70 ans (p<0,001), ayantune grande taille de tumeur (p<0,001), un stade avancé d’adénopathies (p=0,007), présentant des métastases (p<0,001) et non traitées par hormonothérapie (p=0,002).

Conclusion

Une grande taille de la tumeur et la présence de métastases sont des facteurs de mauvais pronostic du cancer du sein d’où la nécessité de renforcer les programmes de dépistage.

Skin metastases of cervical cancer: two case reports and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Although cervix carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in women, hematogenous metastases are relatively not common. Cutaneous metastases, in particular, are unusual even at an advanced stage of disease. Their presence is a predictor of poor prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

Case 1: A 63-year-old postmenopausal Moroccan woman was diagnosed as having cervical squamous cell carcinoma. She was treated with radical concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by low-dose brachytherapy. Six months after finishing the therapy, multiple skin nodules appeared on her abdomen and chest wall. An excision biopsy was performed and showed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Her disease progressed and she died before completing her fourth course of palliative chemotherapy. Case 2: A 48-year-old Moroccan woman was diagnosed as having cervical squamous cell carcinoma; she was treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Before a planned high-dose brachytherapy, she noticed many nodular lesions on her arms, thighs, and chest wall. An excision biopsy was performed and showed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. She then underwent a series of imaging examinations, including computed tomography of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and a whole body bone scan that showed disseminated disease involving her lungs and bones. She died after two courses of palliative chemotherapy, 2 months after the appearance of the skin lesions.

CONCLUSION

We report two cases to illustrate a rare localization of metastasis from cervical carcinoma that is highly aggressive requiring early detection and aggressive management.

Unusual evolution of leiomyosarcoma of the rectum: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Leiomyosarcoma of the rectum is a rare entity that comprises less than 0.1 % of all rectal malignancies. Given the uncommon nature of this tumor and the controversy about its treatment we report one case and review the literature in an attempt to report a particular evolution and to discuss the most appropriate treatment.

Case presentation

This case report describes the presentation of leiomyosarcoma of the rectum. A 30-year-old man from the north of Morocco presented with rectorrhagia and constipation. On physical examination we found a mass in his rectum approximately 6 cm from his anal margin. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a rectal mass with a parietal attachment that invaded the fascia and his perirectal tissue. Before any treatment he defecated spontaneously the tumor. On histopathological examination a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was made. An anterior resection of his rectum was performed with adjuvant radiotherapy at a dose of 50 Gy. After 1 year of surveillance, he has not presented any clinical symptoms and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging was normal.

Unfortunately, histological analysis of a superficial biopsy of a rectal leiomyosarcoma may not be reflective of the entire tumor mass, and a diagnosis is based essentially on postoperative pathological examination. The optimal treatment modality in patients with rectal leiomyosarcomas is controversial. Prognosis is also poor; tumor size, histological grade, mitotic index, and local staging are the most known prognosis factors.

Conclusion

The prognosis of rectal leiomyosarcoma is poor; more investigations are necessary to understand the progression of these tumors and to define an optimal treatment modality.

Epidemiology and outcome of cervical cancer in national institute of Morocco

Background

On behalf of the medical staff of the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat, we conducted a retrospective study to report epidemiology and 5-year outcomes of cervical carcinoma in Moroccan women.

Methods

We reviewed all women diagnosed with invasive cervical carcinoma in our institute between January 2006 and December 2006. Outcomes and prognoses are analyzed in patients who received at least one treatment.

Results

The analysis included 646 women. Median age was 50 years (23–85 years). Bleeding was the most frequent symptom (95 %). The most predominant histology was squamous cell carcinoma (94 %). The majority of patients were diagnosed at locally advanced stages (88 %). Among patients who received treatment (n = 550), the management was based on concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 69.7 % of cases. The median duration of follow-up was 60 months (range 2–78 months). Overall survival, progression free survival, and locoregional recurrence free survival were 63.2, 60.7 and 79.1 % respectively. Significant poor prognostic factors in univariate analysis included stage, tumor size, lymph node involvement, anemia and absence of response to radiotherapy. The prognostic significance of response to radiotherapy and stage were retained in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer in our Institute is diagnosed at locally advanced stages. Two third of patients were treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Outcome of Moroccan patients are comparable to that of western countries. Significant prognostic factors were stage, tumor size, lymph node involvement, anemia, and response to radiotherapy. The way to reduce the global burden of cervical cancer in our country continues to be the development of vaccination and screening programs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-016-0342-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the vulva in an immunocompetent patient

The primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the vulva is a very rare pathological entity. We report a case of 37-year-old patient that presented a germinating ulcerating tumor in the small right vulva. The histology objectified a B lymphoma with a positive CD20 reaction. The patient underwent three typical chemotherapy sessions by rituximab-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, followed by external radiotherapy on the pelvis and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes areas with an excellent answer and survival without particular events within 36 months of recession. Through this case report, we discuss the diagnostic features of this pathological entity, considering diagnosis and treatment are different compared to other tumors that are commonly found in the vulva.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare malignancy primarily with aggressive growth affecting the cutaneous tissues of the periocular region. Sebaceous carcinoma of the parotid gland is exceedingly rare, with only 32 cases reported in the literature. Our case brings this total to 33.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 57-year-old Moroccan woman with a firm, painless, slowly enlarging swelling at her left parotid area, with normal overlying skin and no palpable neck nodes. Parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation was performed, and microscopic examination showed sebaceous carcinoma. Then, she underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. With a follow up of 20 months, head and neck computed tomography revealed no recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal treatment is unclear. With more cases reported, clinicopathological characteristics and histogenesis are increasingly understood. Therefore the treatment for this rare tumor continues to evolve.

[Radiotherapy for endometrial cancer: experience of the national institute of oncology with 52 cases]

Le cancer de l'endomètre est le cancer gynécologique le plus fréquent en occident. Il concerne principalement les femmes ménopausées. L'objectif de notre travail est de rapporter l'expérience du service de radiothérapie à l'Institut National d'Oncologie (INO) dans la prise en charge du cancer de l'endomètre. Nous avons analysé rétrospectivement 52 cas de cancer de l'endomètre traités dans le service de radiothérapie de l'INO entre 2007 à 2009. Les données collectées à partir des dossiers médicaux de nos patientes concernaient les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs de ce cancer. La médiane d’âge des patientes était de 57 ans, 87% étaient ménopausées. Le délai moyen de consultation était de six mois. Le maitre symptôme était des métrorragies chez 51 patientes. Le diagnostic histologique a été porté sur un curetage biopsique de l'endomètre dans 51% des cas. L'examen anatomopathologique a montré un adénocarcinome endométrioïde dans 92% des cas. Après le bilan, 27% des patientes étaient stade I, 30% stade II, 20% stade III et 1% stade IVA selon la classification de la Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie Obstétrique (FIGO). Après la chirurgie, 51% des patientes ont reçu une radiothérapie externe. La dose délivrée était de 46 Gray (Gy). Une curiethérapie du fond vaginal a été délivrée chez toutes les patientes. Sur le plan évolutif, 83% des patientes étaient toujours suivies en situation de bon contrôle de leur maladie, 8% ont eu une récidive locorégionale et 4% avaient des métastases à distance. Ainsi, le cancer de l'endomètre est un cancer dont le traitement repose sur la chirurgie. La radiothérapie est le traitement adjuvant principal.

Factors influencing diagnosis delay of advanced breast cancer in Moroccan women

BACKGROUND

Delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer in symptomatic women of 3 months or more is associated with advanced stage and low survival. We conducted this study to learn more about the extent and reasons behind diagnosis delay of advanced breast cancer in Moroccan women.

METHODS

A group of patients with advanced breast cancer were interviewed at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat during the period from February to December 2014. Diagnosis delay was devised into patient delay and system delay. Patient delay was defined as time from first symptoms until first medical consultation. System delay was defined as time from first presentation to a health care provider until definite diagnosis or treatment. Prospective information and clinical data were collected on a form during an interview with each patient and from medical records.

RESULTS

In all, 137 patients were interviewed. The mean age of women was 48.3 ± 10.4 years. The median of consultation time was 6[4,12] months and the median of diagnosis time was 1[1,3] months. Diagnosis delay was associated to a personal reason in 96 (70.1 %) patients and to a medical reason in 19 (13.9 %) patients. A number of factors predicted diagnosis delay: symptoms were not considered serious in 66 (55.9 %) patients; traditional therapy was applied in 15 (12.7 %) patients and fear of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment in 14 (11.9 %) patients. A use of traditional methods was significantly associated with rural residence and far away from basic health center (p = 0.000). Paradoxically, a family history of breast cancer was significantly higher in who report a fear of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment to diagnosis delay (p < 0.001). Also, a significantly higher risk of more than 6 months delay was found among rural women (P = 0.035) and women who live far away from specialized care center (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis delay is very serious problem in Morocco. Diagnosis delay was associated with complex interactions between several factors and with advanced stages. There is a need for improving breast cancer information in our populations and training of general practitioners to reduce advanced breast cancer by promoting early detection.