Jejunal metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma: case report

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is a rare but aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine-derived malignancy that predominantly affects elderly white males. The presence of distant nodal metastases significantly impacts survival. Typical metastatic sites of MCC are liver, bone, brain and skin. Gastrointestinal metastases are uncommon and small bowel is the most common site followed by stomach. We report a case of symptomatic MCC jejunal metastasis.

An unusual presentation of metastatic malignant melanoma causing jejuno-jejunal intussusception: a case report

BACKGROUND

Small bowel intussusception in adults is rarely encountered. In most cases small bowel intussusception is caused by benign neoplastic lesions, but metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma causing small bowel intussusception is rare. We present such a case of jejuno-jejunal intussusception with an intraluminal metastatic lesion acting as a lead point.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 71-year-old Caucasian man who presented with small bowel obstruction. His medical history revealed that he had had a cutaneous malignant melanoma excised 7 years earlier and underwent total laryngectomy due to a metastasis 6 years later. The disease was classified as stage IV and he was receiving immunotherapy. An emergency abdominal computed tomography scan demonstrated small bowel obstruction, most probably caused by an intraluminal lesion. An emergency laparotomy revealed an intraluminal metastatic lesion causing jejuno-jejunal intussusception. Metastasectomy of the lesion was performed and 13 days later he was discharged.

CONCLUSIONS

Jejuno-jejunal intussusception with a malignant melanoma metastasis acting as a lead point is very rare. With the gastrointestinal tract being a common location of distal metastases, a medical history of malignant melanoma treatment in cases of small bowel obstruction should raise a suspicion of possible metastatic disease. A computed tomography scan is the diagnostic modality of choice and surgery still remains the standard of care.

[Lung Adenosquamous Cell Carcinoma in which the Administration of Nivolumab Became Untenable due to Bleeding from Small Intestine Metastasis]

A 59-year-old man who had postoperative recurrence of lung adenosquamous cell carcinoma was administered nivolumab as 3rd-line chemotherapy. Although nivolumab was considered effective, bleeding from a metastatic lesion at the jejunum was recognized by double-balloon enteroscopy, and partial resection was performed. Although the re-administration of nivolumab was planned, the patient died of acute respiratory failure 6 days postoperatively.

Small bowel intussusception due to malignant melanoma: primary lesion or metastases? A case report

Intussusception is a rare condition in the adult population: it is responsible for 1% of all bowel obstructions. In most of intussusceptions a malignant tumor is involved; a lot of studies show that approximately 50% of malignant metastases causing small bowel intussusception are metastatic melanomas. In present paper a case of a small bowel intussusception probably due to metastases of an occult melanoma, in a 69-year-old patient, is presented. Surgery resection, careful research of possible primitive neoplasms and an accurate follow-up program has been the treatment of choice. All the investigations carried out did not allow to identify a possible primitive neoplasm. The last whole body PET carried out 44 months after surgery resulted disease-free.

Junctions of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Virus like Intranuclear Inclusions in Amelanotic Melanoma Metastatic to the Jejunum

Antemortem diagnosis of amelanotic metastatic melanoma to jejunum was made in a 35-year-old white man, who is still alive and healthy. Electron microscopy, in addition to finding premelanosomes, revealed virus-like intranuclear inclusions. Nuclear pockets and junctions of endoplasmic reticulum were also observed.

Jejunal Metastasis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A 76-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with alcoholic cirrhosis was hospitalized for lightheadedness and melena. He had undergone multiple surgeries and had been treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and sorafenib. Neither upper nor lower gastrointestinal endoscopy detected the source of bleeding. Oral double-balloon enteroscopy revealed a mass lesion in the upper jejunum, 20 cm from the Treitz ligament on the anal side, which was identified as the source of bleeding. Subsequently, a biopsy was performed. A histopathological examination detected a hepatocellular carcinoma, and a final diagnosis of jejunal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma was established.

[A Case of Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma That Invaded and Filled the Jejunal Lumen]

A jejunal tumor was found with computed tomography in a 79-year-old man with a history of gastrectomy reconstructed with Billroth II method for gastric ulcers. The tumor with contrast effect extended into the afferent loop and invaded the retroperitoneum in the dorsal side. The tumor occupied the jejunal lumen in endoscopic examination. Malignant spindle cells were found in the biopsy specimen. An increase of MDM2 and CDK4 signals were observed in fluorescence in situ hybridization( FISH). Given the preoperative diagnosis of jejunal liposarcoma, we performed a resection of the tumor with partial jejunectomy and partial gastrectomy. In the pathological examination of the surgical specimen, the majority of the tumor was dedifferentiated sarcoma; relatively highly differentiated sarcoma cells were observed in the retroperitoneal lesion. Therefore, it was suspected that the retroperitoneal-derived liposarcoma had invaded the jejunal lumen.

[A Case of Perforative Peritonitis Due to Intestinal Metastasis from Lung Cancer]

We here describe a case of an acute peritonitis due to perforation of a small intestine tumor metastasized from a lung cancer. A 66-year-old man who had undergone a bladder cancer procedure 2 years ago and was hospitalized for the second operation, complained sudden abdominal pain. An enhanced abdominal CTrevealed a small amount of free gas and ascites in the abdominal cavity. On the same day, emergency exploratory surgery was performed with the diagnosis of perforative peritonitis. A laparotomy revealed a jejunal tumor with perforation 40 cm distal from the Treitz ligament. After surgery, the patient confessed that he had got a notice of the recurrence of lung cancer which had been treated 9 years ago. The pathological result indicated the lesion was metastasis from lung cancer. Although small intestinal metastatic tumor from lung cancer is rare, it should be considered when acute abdomen is observed.

Long-term survival after sporadic and delayed metastases of conventional osteosarcoma: A case report

Histologically conventional osteosarcoma, once metastasized to the lung, generally causes a rapid and fatal outcome. Osteosarcoma metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare.We report herein a case of osteoblastic osteosarcoma with exceptionally unique features: sporadic lung metastases and delayed metastases to the stomach and the jejunum with long-term survival. She received multiple operations and chemotherapies, but consequently died of peritoneal dissemination. A review of the literature on osteosarcoma metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract is presented.This patient was very unusual in terms of a long-term survival and metastatic sites, suggesting the importance of vigilance and thorough follow-up for patients with conventional osteosarcoma.

Metachronous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Jejunum Presenting with Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) is a rare cause of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). We report a 51-year man who underwent left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 6 years ago. presenting with massive LGIB. Preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed small bowel mass. Exploration of the abdomen revealed jejunal mass. Resection of the mass along with the jejunal segment with end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Histopathology of the jejunal mass confirmed MRCC. MRCC should be expected as a source of massive LGIB in a patient with history of RCC. Surgical intervention should not be delayed in a hemodynamically unstable patient and persistent bleeding.

Jejunal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma

A 71-year-old female presented with melena and anemia. She had a past medical history of renal cell carcinoma diagnosed six years earlier and treated with left nephrectomy. Gastroscopy and colonoscopy showed no abnormalities. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third commonest urological malignancy, and approximately 25-50% of patients develop metastatic disease after surgery of the primary tumor. The most common sites of metastasis involve lung, lymph nodes, liver, bone and adrenal glands.

[Jejunal perforation secondary to pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma metastasis. Case report and review]

BACKGROUND

The first reported case of intestinal perforation secondary to metastatic lung carcinoma was reported in 1957. Intestinal metastases are present in up to 1.8% of the cases, with small bowel obstruction as the most common clinical presentation.

CLINICAL CASE

An 89 year-old male, who was diagnosed with a high-grade pulmonary mucoepidermoid tumour 2 months previously. The patient was admitted to the hospital for 3 days due to diffuse colic abdominal pain of moderate to severe intensity, accompanied by nausea and gastric vomiting, as well as 2 episodes of bloody bowel movements. On physical examination, the patient was noted to have tachycardia and tachypnoea, as well as clinical signs of acute abdomen. He had white cells of 24,900 per mm³, and 87% neutrophils. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, which showed a bowel perforation associated with a tumour mass 15cm beyond the angle of Treitz. Bowel resection and primary anastomosis were performed. The histopathological analysis reported the diagnosis of a high-grade mucoepidermoid tumour with small bowel and mesentery with disease-free surgical margins. Unfortunately the patient had a fatal outcome secondary to hospital-acquired pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

The cases of metastases to small bowel are extremely rare, and to our knowledge this is first case reported in Mexico. The patient described went to the emergency room with gastrointestinal bleed and intestinal perforation that required urgent surgical intervention with small bowel resection and primary anastomosis. Unfortunately the patient died secondary to hospital acquired pneumonia.

[A case of lung cancer with small intestine metastasis with perforative peritonitis as the initial symptom]

Herein, we report a case oflung cancer with metastasis to the small intestine, with perforative peritonitis as the initial symptom. An 82-year-old man who had undergone subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis for gastric cancer 8 years previously was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain. We diagnosed the patient with gastrointestinal perforation, and a chest computed tomography(CT)scan showed a mass in the right lung. A laparotomy revealed a 4×3 cm sized intestinal tumor and intestinal perforation in the immediate vicinity ofthe anastomotic site. Segmentectomy ofthe small intestine was performed. Histological examination indicated that the tumor specimen was squamous cell carcinoma. Four months later, an abdominal CT scan showed multiple liver metastases, and the patient died 6 months after the operation because ofcachexia. At autopsy, a diagnosis ofsmall intestine metastatic tumor originating from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung was made. Although small intestine metastasis from lung cancer is rare, it should be considered when progressive abdominal symptoms are observed.

[A case of postpancreaticoduodenectomy local recurrence successfully treated with extended resection]

A 68 -year-old man underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy after being diagnosed with primary duodenal cancer. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was tub2, SE, ly1, v1, panc3, pn+, N0. Although adjuvant chemotherapy was administered, local recurrence in the portal region was detected 18 months later. The recurrent tumor pressed against the region of the bile duct anastomosis, which caused obstructive jaundice. After serum bilirubin levels were reduced, resection of the recurrent tumors was performed. This required resection of the transverse colon, parts of the portal vein, and the inferior vena cava. The bile duct anastomotic region, which had been infiltrated by the tumor, was excised and rebuilt. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was tub2. The patient continued to receive adjuvant chemotherapy and showed no signs of recurrence 9 months after surgery. Extended resection for local recurrences of primary duodenal cancer may be an effective means of disease control.

[Small intestinal perforation due to metastasis from pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma; report of a case]

A 63-year-old male patient was referred to our department for an abnormal shadow in the left middle lung field. The patient underwent trans bronchial lung biopsy and pathological finding was adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography( CT) showed mass in the left lower lobe, nodules in the bilateral adrenal glands, liver, pancreas and lumbar bone. When he was admitted to our hospital for chemotherapy, chest X-ray showed left pneumothorax and a chest tube was placed. Several days later, he complained of sudden abdominal pain and abdominal CT revealed free air around small intestine. Emergency operation was done and the perforation of the small intestine due to metastasis was found. He underwent partial resection of small intestine and left lower lobectomy. Pathological diagnosis was pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma and small intestine metastasis.

[A case of cancer in the dilated jejunal pouch after total gastrectomy]

We report a case of cancer in the dilated jejunal pouch after total gastrectomy, in which we resected the jejunal pouch. The patient was a man in his 60s and had a history of total gastrectomy with jejunal pouch ρ-interposition for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in 1994. In late July 2012, he presented to the emergency department with a protracted ileus-like symptom and was admitted to the gastroenterological department after the diagnosis of a dilated jejunal pouch. He was managed conservatively; however, the same symptom recurred. Examinations showed a duodenal carcinoma and cancer in the jejunal pouch; therefore, he was referred for digestive surgery in early August. Endoscopic mucosal resection( EMR) was performed on the duodenal carcinoma, and we resected the jejunal pouch with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for the jejunal cancer. He recovered from postoperative wound infection and was discharged 15 days after the second operation.

[A case of metastatic small intestinal tumor from primary lung cancer with hemorrhage and a high G-CSF serum level]

A 83-year-old man presented at our hospital with hemosputum, and Stage III B(T4N3M0)lung cancer was diagnosed after thorough examinations. Although systemic chemotherapy was performed and kept the disease stable, anemia progressed. The fecal occult blood was recognized, and the enhanced abdominal CT scan revealed a 8 cm enhanced small intestinal tumor. Laboratory data indicated the presence of an inflammatory reaction(WBC 17, 970/mm3, CRP 1.38 mg/dL), and the serum granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF)was elevated(104.0 pg/mL). A small intestinal tumor with hemorrhage and G-CSF production was diagnosed, and laparoscopy-assisted partial resection of the small intestine was performed. On histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings, the intestinal tumor was diagnosed as a small bowel metastasis originating from a primary lung cancer. After surgery, anemia progression stopped and WBC kept at a normal range. Although systemic chemotherapy was resumed because of performance status improvement, the disease progressed gradually. The patient received best supportive care and died about 9 months after the diagnosis of small bowel metastasis.

Metastatic melanoma to the gastrointestinal tract: role of surgery as palliative treatment

BACKGROUND

Malignant melanoma is an uncommon metastatic tumor found in the gastrointestinal tract but most commonly involves the small bowel. Less than 5% of patients with metastases to the gastrointestinal tract are diagnosed antemortem. Clinical presentation could be an acute abdominal emergency such as a bowel obstruction, intussusception, bleeding and perforation or chronic symptoms with weight loss, abdominal pain and anemia.

METHODS

We report two unusual cases with acute gastrointestinal complications related to metastatic melanoma. Case 1 developed acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and was diagnosed with gastric mass. Biopsy revealed metastatic melanoma. The patient died of his advanced disease. Case 2 with unknown primary melanoma presented with acute abdomen secondary to small bowel perforation. He underwent laparotomy and small bowel resection with palliative intent. The patient remains alive and free of symptoms at 4 year follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract should be suspected in any patient with history of cutaneous melanoma and new gastrointestinal symptoms. Surgical interventions for symptomatic patients with melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract significantly relieve pain and improve quality of life and may confer a survival advantage.

Metastatic malignant melanoma of the small bowel--report of two cases

CASE REPORT

We report two cases of malignant melanoma metastasizing to the ileum and jejunum in a 48-year-old female and 62-year-old male, respectively. The female patient was a known case of vaginal melanoma who on follow-up developed pain abdomen 4 years after excision of the primary, whereas the male patient who was initially referred as pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma of the groin presented with complaints of bleeding per rectum and melena 6 years later.

RESULTS

After preliminary investigations both underwent laparotomy and resection of segments of ileum and jejunum with tumor. Histopathological examination with immunohistochemistry showed features suggestive of metastatic malignant melanoma.

DISCUSSION

Metastasis should be suspected in patients with malignant melanoma who develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, anemia, melena, fatigue, constipation, small bowel obstruction, or perforation. This helps in avoiding a delay in the diagnosis and complications that arise due to metastatic disease.

CONCLUSION

Our first patient with primary vaginal melanoma died of multiple metastases 11 months following surgery for the ileal metastasis while the second patient with jejunal metastasis developed recurrent disease in the small bowel and iliac lymph nodes 10 months after surgery. However, in a patient with isolated gastrointestinal metastasis, diagnosed early, with good general condition surgical management should be encouraged when a complete resection of the disease is feasible as no other treatment option is as good for relief of symptoms and prolongation of life.

[Small intestinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: a case report]

A 52-year-old man who had been treated with sorafenib for lung metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presented to our hospital with iron-deficiency anemia. He had undergone right nephrectomy for RCC (clear cell carcinoma, pT1bN0M0) 11 years ago and lung metastasis developed 6 years after the surgery. Although upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed on suspicion of gastrointestinal bleeding, no abnormality was detected. Capsule endoscopy and single balloon small bowel endoscopy disclosed a hemorrhagic submucosal tumor in the jejunum. Laparoscopic partial jejunectomy was performed, and pathological examination indicated metastatic RCC to the small intestine. After the operation, anemia improved but he died 8 months later because of intrabronchial bleeding from the metastatic lesion of the lung. Metastatic RCC of the small intestine is relatively rare, its diagnosis is difficult. Recently, new diagnostic tools such as capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted endoscopy have been developed, and they are useful in diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) which can not be detected by traditional enteroscopy. If patients with advanced RCC show gastrointestinal bleeding of uncertain etiology, we should perform aggressive examination of the digestive tract with these diagnostic tools.

Small bowel metastases from melanoma: does videocapsule provide additional information after FDG positron emission tomography?

Finding small bowel metastases of melanoma can be important because surgical removal of unique small bowel metastasis of melanoma could improve survival. In this study, we evaluated if capsule endoscopy provides additional information after Pet CT has been performed. In this series of 9 patients collected from 3 university centers, capsule endoscopy influenced the therapeutic decision (to perform or not a surgical segmental resection) in 2/9 patients. All metastatic lesions were found in the proximal bowel. Capsule identified jejunum metastases in one case while Pet CT was negative, and identified metastases while Pet CT result was not conclusive. In one case PET CT identified mesenteric metastases while capsule was negative. SBCE influenced therapeutic decision in 2/9 patients concerning the decision of performing small bowel resection or not. In 1 patient SBCE changed the stage of the disease without affecting medical therapeutic strategy. The prognosis of patients with positive PET and/or capsule findings is very limited (2/3 died within the year). In selected patients, capsule endoscopy can provide complementary information once PET CT has been performed.

[Jejuno-jejunal intussusception as presentation of a primary lung carcinoma: a case report]

Intestinal metastases from lung cancer are exceptional and even more rare is their manifestation before the primary tumor. The clinical manifestation may require surgical resection because of intestinal perforation, hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction or partial blockage as in the case that we report. Survival in the few cases reported, is low and generally does not exceed 20 weeks, regardless of the treatment performed. We report the case of a jejuno-jejunal intussusception manifested by occlusive syndrome and gastrointestinal bleeding due to the metastasis of an adenosquamous lung carcinoma.

A rare case of intussusception associated with metastasized small cell carcinoma of lung

Intussusception is common cause of bowel obstruction in the paediatric age group compared to the elderly population. Many times, the diagnosis may be difficult because of asymptomatic nature of this bowel disorder. We hereby describe the case of a 75-year-old male who presented with lethargy, weakness, loss of movement in the joints and was found to be anemic. The haemoglobin level was low so he was transfused with packed cells. On gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, upper GI bleed was observed. A mass was observed beyond ampulla at the 2nd and 3rd part of the duodenal junction. Computerized tomography (CT) scan also showed a mass at the head of pancreas and the lesion at the left lung. In view of persistent bleed, 'Whipple's procedure' was performed. Histopathological examination showed small cell carcinoma of the lungs with metastasis to the pancreas and the jejunum. We here discuss the case of intussusception with intestinal metastasis which presented with gastrointestinal bleeding.

[An operated case of metastasis to the small intestine from lung cancer]

We report a rare case of a 68-year-old man with long-term survival after a surgical treatment of solitary metachronous small intestinal metastasis from lung cancer. He underwent a right upper lobectomy for primary lung adenocarcinoma. Thirty -four months after the operation, a tumor of small bowel was detected by computed tomography. The tumor was resected and diagnosed as a metastasis from lung cancer. Eighteen months after resection of metastasis, a tumor located at mesentery of the jejunum was pointed out. The tumor was resected and also diagnosed as a metastasis from lung cancer. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient is still alive without recurrence for 3 years after the last operation. We reviewed of 222 Japanese cases that underwent a resection of small intestinal metastasis from lung cancer. Although the prognosis was extremely poor for those who underwent a resection of the primary lung cancer and who had no remnant metastatic lesion at the time of metastasectomy, they seem to have a longer survival time.

Surgical treatment of metastases from cutaneous melanoma to the small intestine and the spleen. Case reports and review of the literature

Cutaneous melanoma is found in the head and neck in 15% of patients, in the limbs in 22%, in the trunk in 40% and in occult sites in 16%. There is usually an interval of at least 3 years between the diagnosis of primary melanoma and the identification of metastases. Primary melanoma metastasizes most frequently to the lymph nodes (73.6% cases) and the lungs (71.3% cases). The small intestine and the spleen are the sites of 36.5% and 30.6% respectively of the gastrointestinal metastases from melanoma. The cases reported provide evidence of the effect radical resection in patients with gastrointestinal metastases can have on survival. The cases and a review of the literature suggest that a careful and multidisciplinary follow-up is of crucial importance since it is the only means of identifying metastases when they can be still cured with surgical treatment.

Small bowel metastasis from lung cancer: a possible cause of acute abdomen. Case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer represents the leading cause of tumor death in the world with 50% of patients presenting metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Gastrointestinal (GI) lung cancer metastasis were thought to be extremely rare, but a much higher incidence has been noted in several autoptic reports. Clinical relevance of GI metastasis is low, but can increase with the higher number of newly diagnosed patients and with the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in advanced stages. Prognosis of complicated GI lung cancer metastasis seems to be worse than the natural course of the disease and acute bleeding or perforation of metastatic site can be accelerated by chemotherapy.

CASE REPORT

We describe the clinical case of a patient presenting with acute abdomen due to small bowel perforation from GI lung cancer metastasis. A review of the most recent published literature on GI lung cancer metastasis was performed.

DISCUSSION

GI metastasis from lung cancer may occur within the clinical course of the disease and require surgical treatment followed by a poor outcome. Percentage of lung cancer patients with GI metastasis can reach level of 14%. Large cells carcinomas causing kidney and adrenal metastasis are more likely associated with GI localization of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications of GI metastases, although rare, must be considered as possible cause of acute abdomen in patients with lung cancer. Identification of clinical indicators of GI metastasis may help in the therapeutic strategy.

[Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung with multiple metastases to the small bowel]

The authors describe a case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung with multiple metastases to the small bowel. An immunohistochemical study has been conducted.

[A case of multiple metachronous metastases of colon cancer to the small intestine preoperatively diagnosed by double balloon enteroscopy and radically resected]

The patient was a 75-year-old woman who had undergone resection of a transverse colon cancer two years before. She had anemia and intestinal obstruction, and a diagnosis of multiple metastases to the small intestine was made by double balloon enteroscopy. Eleven metastatic foci were resected by partial resection of the jejunum and ileum. Adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy was given, achieving a 26-month disease-free survival. The double balloon enteroscopy was useful in the definitive diagnosis of this case, and aggressive resection with adjuvant chemotherapy contributed to the good outcome.

[Solitary metachnonous jejunum and duodenum metastasis after surgical resection of lung cancer]

We report a rare case of a 58-year-old man of long-term survival after surgical treatment of solitary metachnonous jejunum and duodenum metastasis from lung cancer. He underwent right upper lobectomy with a diagnosis of lung cancer which was histologically diagnosed as large cell carcinoma (pT4-MONO, stage IIIB). One month after the operation, he suffered from ileus caused by metastasis in the jejunum. Partial resection of the jejunum and postoperative chemotherapy were performed. Two years after the 2nd surgery, another metastatic tumor was found in the duodenum, and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful without recurrence 6 years after surgical resection of lung cancer.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting as an acute surgical abdomen due to metastatic jejunal perforation

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in June 2008 presenting abnormal tumor lesions along the left pleura on chest X-ray. The needle-biopsied specimen of the left pleura proved the biphasic type of malignant mesothelioma. However, he complained of acute abdominal pain 7 days after the diagnosis. Chest X-ray revealed free air below the right diaphragm. Emergency surgery revealed a 4-cm perforating jejunal tumor with peritonitis. Histopathology of the resected jejunum demonstrated a metastatic tumor of malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is the first reported case of malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting as an acute surgical abdomen due to jejunal metastasis with perforation.

[Acute abdomen due to jejunal perforation secondary to metastatic lung carcinoma]

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer metastases of small bowel are rare (1,1%), often with few or not symptoms. This aspecific onset and the difficult physical-instrumental approach to small bowel, led often to diagnosis at autopsy. This is not true for intestinal metastases that cause complications (haemorrhage, obstruction, perforation); in this cases emergency surgery leds to the diagnosis.

CASE REPORT

We describe a case of a male 56 years old patient with acute abdomen due to perforation (X-ray and CT). He refers, about 6 months before, an upper right lobectomy for lung cancer, followed by adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, because the presence of brain and bone metastases. During the emergency surgery we found out a perforation of the Treitz tract, treated with intestinal resection and immediate end-to-end anastomosis with manual suture. Histological examination shows the perforation of the intestinal wall tract with lung cancer metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case shows that any acute abdomen in patient with lung cancer can be considered as expression of intestinal metastases. Negative prognosis of this complication imposes to surgeons only a local treatment.

[Establishment of a highly-metastatic model of human primary melanoma of the small intestine orthotopically transplanted in the small intestine of nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To provide an useful animal model for exploring metastatic biology and anti-metastatic therapy of primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine.

METHODS

A 49-year old male patient with malignant melanoma was treated by surgery, and the primary tumor in the small intestine and a metastatic tumor in the liver were removed. The diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed by histopathology. Fresh melanoma tissue fragments taken from the primary intestinal tumor and hepatic metastatic tumor were orthotopically implanted into the mucosal layer of small intestine in nude mice, respectively. The tumor growth rate, invasion and metastasis of the transplanted tumors were observed. Light and electron microscopy, immunophenotype analysis, flow cytometry and karyotype analysis were carried out.

RESULTS

Fragments of the primary and liver metastatic malignant melanoma were successfully implanted in nude mice. After continuous passages in nude mice, an highly-metastatic model of human primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine (from the primary lesion) in nude mice (termed HSIM-0602) and a liver metastatic model of human primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine (originally from the liver metastatic lesion) in nude mice (termed HSIM-0603) were successfully established. Histological examination of the transplanted tumors revealed a high-grade melanoma of the small intestine. Immunohistochemical stainings of S-100 protein and HMB45 were positive. Many scattered melanosomes and melanin complex were seen in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. Chromosomal modal number was between 55 and 59. DNA index (DI) was 1.59 - 1.71, representing a heteroploid. The HSIM-0602 and HSIM-0603 tumor models had been maintained for 21 and 23 passages in nude mice, respectively. 227 nude mice were used for transplantation. Both the growth rate after transplantation and resuscitation rate from liquid nitrogen cryopreservation were 100%. The HSIM-0602 model exhibited 84.8% lung metastasis, 65.7% liver metastasis and 63.8% lymph node metastasis. However, HSIM-0603 displayed 100% liver metastasis, 46.7% lung metastasis and 71.3% lymph node metastasis. The transplanted tumors actively and invasively grew in the small intestine of nude mice and showed hematogenous and lymphatic metastases.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge it is the first time that two strains of spontaneous highly-metastatic nude-mouse model of human primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine have been successfully established in our department. The models are very closely mimic the natural clinicopathologic course of primary small intestinal melanoma in humans and provide ideal animal models for the researches on metastasis biology and anti-metastatic experimental therapy of malignant melanoma of the small intestine.

[A case of stenosis of the reconstructed jejunum due to recurrent cancer after total gastrectomy in which stent-in-stent placement was effective]

OBJECTIVES

We report one case of stenosis of the reconstructed jejunum due to recurrent cancer after total gastrectomy in which stenting was effective and good QOL was achieved.

CASE

The patient was a 70-year-old woman. In July 2000, the patient underwent total gastrectomy.Roux-en Y reconstruction with a diagnosis of gastric cancer. The pathological diagnosis was U-Post, Type 3, por 1, T3, N1, H0, P0, CY0, M0, and Stage IIIA. From 9 months after the operation, aphagia occurred and stenosis of the reconstructed jejunum was noted. Based on a biopsy of the stenosis, a diagnosis of post-operative recurrent gastric cancer was made. Although the patient received two cycles of low-dose FP therapy, complete response was not obtained, and the patient stayed at home under the IVH control for about 4 months. In June 2001, the patient was hospitalized for a stent placement due to the patient's request.

METHOD

After a guide wire was endoscopically inserted and a good passage on the anal side of the stenosis was confirmed, a stent was placed. Self Expandable Metallic Stent (SEMS) was used.

CLINICAL COURSE

Following the stent placement, the patient was able to ingest orally, but 6.5 months later, stenotic symptoms developed and another stent was deployed (stent in stent).

CONCLUSION

Stenting is relatively simple and less invasive, which is useful for the improvement of QOL and in recurrent cases as well.

Neuroendocrine tumors: characterization with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to characterize the ultrasonographic features of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and their metastases with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and to compare this to clinical data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During a period of 5 years, 82 patients with 83 histologically proven NET were prospectively examined using conventional US and pulse inversion US with a second generation contrast agent (SonoVue, Contrast Pulse Sequencing) focusing on the arterial (10-20 s p. i.), capillary (20-25 sec p.i.), portal venous (25-120 sec p.i.), and late phases (>120 sec p.i.). 69 patients had metastases in the abdominal tract, including eight patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas with high-grade behavior. In 31 patients the proliferation index (MIB-1) of the NET was < or = 2%, in 46 patients > 2%, in 6 patients > or = 20%. Thirteen patients had one primary lesion without metastases.

RESULTS

In NET of the lung, stomach, and colon we found only hypoechoic or isoechoic liver metastases. NET of the small intestine and pancreas represented hypoechoic, isoechoic, and/or hyperechoic liver lesions, sometimes combined. Insulin producing tumors (6) had hypoechoic metastases. Necrotic areas (25/83) were detected after interferon therapy, embolization, systemic chemotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases, but did not develop after somatostatin receptor radionuclide therapy. In large NET (> 3 cm) with a proliferation index of > 2%, necrotic areas appeared spontaneously. In 93% (77/83) of the cases the NET and their metastases showed an early arterial influx of microbubbles. Rim-like contrast enhancement occurred during the capillary phase in 78% (65/83) of all lesions, and hypervascularization occurred during the arterial phase and at the beginning of the capillary phase in 95% (79/83). The hypervascularized tissue was found in the primary lesions, in liver, lymph node metastases and any kind of abdominal metastases. In liver metastases with a proliferation index >2%, tumor arteries showed a chaotic growth pattern. In 93% (77/83) the NET lesions appeared as dark "defects" at the beginning of the late phase.

CONCLUSION

CEUS with CPS demonstrates typical NET imaging characteristics. Differences in imaging features may depend on their primary lesion, size, proliferation marker, and extent of the degenerative changes. In most cases real-time CEUS may replace other imaging techniques.

[Jejunal intussusception with gastrointestinal bleeding caused by metastatic lung cancer]

Intestinal intussusception caused by metastatic tumor is uncommon. Symptomatic small bowel metastases from lung cancer have been rarely reported. Here we report a case of intussusception with gastrointestinal bleeding induced by jejunal metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer with a review of the literature. A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of melena. He had underwent right pneumonectomy and received systemic chemotherapy with radiotherapy for squamous cell lung cancer. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy failed to reveal bleeding focus. Abdominal CT scan revealed jejunal intussusception and histologic examination of resected jejunum showed metastatic mass from lung cancer. In patients with small bowel obstruction and history of malignancies, possibility of small bowel metastatic tumor should be considered.

Jejunal perforation secondary to metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung

The Authors present the third case of small-bowel perforation of a metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. A 62-year-old man underwent a right upper lobectomy because of a lung tumour infiltrating the posterior thoracic wall. The histology showed pleomorphic subtype of a sarcomatoid carcinoma (pT3 pN0 cM0). The postoperative course was uneventful and thus the patient received 5 000 cGY over five weeks. After 5 months the patient was admitted to the Surgical Department for acute abdomen. At laparotomy an advanced fibrinous, bile-stained peritonitis secondary to a solitary perforation of the jejunum 50 cm distal to the Treitz were observed. The microscopical examination showed that the perforated mass consisted of infiltration of dischoesive malignant giant cells, highly pleomorphic multi and mononucleated. The immunohistochemistry, performed with multiple keratin antibodies, revealed epithelial differentiation of malignant cells, compatible with a metastatic carcinoma, consistent to the lung primary. In conclusion, according with literature, the small-bowel perforation is a rare presentation of a metastatic lung carcinoma, and particularly of a sarcomatoid carcinoma. It should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with acute abdominal symptoms especially in those with a previous treated lung cancer. The surgeons should be aware of the poor outcome of these patients and choose a palliative treatment.

[Jejunal perforation from metastatic choriocarcinoma. Case report and review of the literature]

Choriocarcinoma is a rare malignant genital tract tumor, arising in the uterus or in the testis. Primary or metastatic choriocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract are infrequent. We report a case of a testis choriocarcinoma presenting as jejunal metastasis with perforation. Histology revealed the origin of this metastatic tumor, allowing us to recognize the primary neoplasm of the testis. A review of literature with PubMed since 1964 and of the references of the papers retrieved was performed. Since 1933 only 30 cases of jejunal choriocarcinomas have been described in literature. In 13 cases jejunal choriocarcinoma presented gastrointestinal hemorrhage, in 4 intestinal intussusception and in 1 case upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Only 5 cases of jejunal perforation have been described. The case presented is the first in literature of jejunal perforation from a metastatic choriocarcinoma of the testis.

Bowel metastases from primary leiomyosarcoma of the gluteal region

Metastases to the stomach and small bowel from primary tumours in extraabdominal sites are uncommon. The usual primary tumours are breast, lung and malignant melanoma. Bowel metastasis from sarcoma is very rare. We present an unusual case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the gluteal region in a 62-year-old man, who developed stomach and small bowel metastases seven and half years after surgical excision of a primary tumour.

An unusual presentation of testicular cancer

We report two rare cases of patients presenting with unusual symptoms, which led to the diagnosis of a germ cell tumor. Metastatic germ cell tumor of testis involving the gastrointestinal tract and causing the occult gastrointestinal bleeding is described in the first case. The second patient is reported to have limbic encephalitis with positive serum for Ma2 antibodies (antibodies against neuronal proteins) and parallel malignant germ cell tumor diagnosis (Fig. 4, Scheme 2, Ref. 12). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.