Convexity Meningiomas in Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 2: Long-Term Outcomes After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

BACKGROUND

Convexity meningiomas are common tumors requiring treatment in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Although different therapeutic options are described for sporadic convexity meningioma, much less is known about these lesions in patients with NF2 despite their distinct biology and need for multiple treatments. We analyzed the value of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) as definitive treatment for convexity meningiomas in patients with NF2.

METHODS

This international multicenter retrospective study was approved by the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation. Patients with NF2 with at least 1 convexity meningioma and 6-month follow-up after primary GKRS were included.

RESULTS

Inclusion criteria were met by 18 patients with NF2. A total of 120 convexity meningiomas (median treatment volume, 0.66 cm3 [range, 0.10-21.20 cm3]) were analyzed. Median follow-up after initial GKRS was 15.6 years (range, 0.6-25.5 years). Median age at GKRS was 32.5 years (range, 16-53 years). Median number of meningiomas per patient was 13 (range, 1-27), and median number of convexity lesions receiving GKRS per patient was 3.5 (range, 1-27). One case of tumor progression was reported 24 years after GKRS, leading to actuarial progression-free survival rates of 100% at 2, 5, and 10 years. No malignant transformation or death due to meningioma or radiosurgery was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

GKRS is safe and effective as definitive treatment of small to medium-sized convexity meningiomas in patients with NF2. Despite concerns about the particular mutational burden of these tumors, no malignant transformation manifested after treatment. GKRS represents a minimally invasive option that offers long-term tumor control to this specific group of patients.

Coexistence of anal malignant melanoma and papillary renal cell cancer: An interesting coexistence

Coexistence of malignant melanoma and renal cell cancer (RCC) is a rare phenomenon, but this issue becomes increasingly popular. The objective of the current study is to present a case with coexistent anorectal melanoma (ANM) and papillary RCC detected. A 61-year-old female admitted to our clinic with complaints of blood in the stool. ANM diagnosed with colonoscopic biopsy and a mass lession with a size of 57 mm × 53 mm suggesting RCC was detected in the left kidney during staging procedure. Transabdominal resection and radical nephrectomy were performed and diagnoses of ANM and papillary RCC were confirmed. Adjuvant radiotherapy was applied for ANM. The patient is still under follow-up for 6 months and no recurrence or progression was detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this interesting coexistency.

Treating synchronous bilateral ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphoma: the consortium for improving survival of lymphoma study

Both-side synchronous involvement has been reported to account for 7-24% of ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphoma (OAML). We conducted a retrospective analysis to identify the clinical features and treatment outcomes of synchronous bilateral OAML (SB-OAML) by treatment modality. We analyzed patients with a histologic diagnosis of SB-OAML, excluding metachronous bilateral involved OAML. We enrolled a total of 95 patients for this analysis, 36 males and 59 females; the median patient age was 42 years (range 16-77 years). Eleven (11.6%) patients had been treated with chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy (eight R-CVP, two CVP, and one R-CHOP). The median number of treatments was 6 (range 6-8); there were 9 complete responses (CRs; 81.8%) and 2 partial responses (PRs; 18.2%). Nearly all patients (88.4%) received radiotherapy in both eyes, and the median radiation dose was 27 Gy (range 20-40 Gy) to each eye; 68 CRs (80.9%) and 14 PRs (16.7%) were achieved. Ten-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 79.8 and 91.1%, respectively. Radiotherapy continued to be an independent prognostic marker, with the hazard of progression (P = 0.036). Eleven patients (13.1%) had surgery for cataract treatment during follow-up, and patients who received low-dose radiation (< 30.3 Gy) experienced fewer cataract operations. SB-OAML was predominantly observed in young females, and they had good response and prognosis regardless of treatment modalities. Low-dose radiotherapy to both eyes showed a tendency of longer PFS than did chemotherapy and could decrease cataract operations.

Tumorectomy plus Radiotherapy in the Management of Breast Cancer

From 1974 to 1982 a total of 58 patients with locoregional breast cancer, judged not suitable for demolitive surgery because of old age, bad general conditions or other reasons, were treated with simple tumorectomy followed by radiotherapy. The median age of the patients was 71 years. Two patients had synchronous bilateral breast cancer, both treated with the same conservative approach. Thirty-three tumors were classified as T1, 24 as T2, 1 as T3, and 2 as T4 of a small size. The median size of the tumor was 2 cm; mean size was 2.24 cm. Radiotherapy was given to the whole breast, followed by a conedown on the tumor bed. The median dose to the tumor bed was 64 Gy, over 7-9 weeks. Thirty-two patients received irradiation on nodal sites too, up to 45-60 Gy. The median follow-up for the whole series was 44 months. Only 4 of 60 treated breasts have presented a local recurrence (6.6%); relapse-free survival at 3 and 5 years is 85.4% and 79%, respectively. Our results confirm that tumorectomy followed by radiotherapy appears to be a very effective alternative to radiotherapy alone and to demolitive surgery. In fact, local control, survival and cosmetic results are quite satisfactory and achievable through a simple therapeutic modality.

Lung adenocarcinoma and pulmonary metastases coexist in a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Multiple primary malignant tumors (MPMTs) are defined as 2 or more independent primary malignancies of different histologies/origins in the same individual. Although the incidence of MPMTs is being increasing, second primary cancer (SPC) is still rare and difficult to distinguish from metastasis. Here, we present a case of thyroid carcinoma with lung metastasis and primary lung cancer.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

The patient was a 66-year-old man diagnosed of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lymph nodes, lung, and skeletons metastases. One of the pulmonary nodules had contrary manifestations, such as, noniodine avid, high uptake of F-fluorodexyglucose (F-FDG) and progress after iodine-131 radioiodine therapy.

INTERVENTIONS

CT guided biopsy and I-125 seed brachytherapy of nodule in right upper lobe were performed.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was diagnosed of PTC with lymph nodes, lung, and skeletons metastases, accompanied by primary lung adenocarcinoma.

OUTCOMES

After 2 years of follow-up, nodules of inferior lobes almost disappeared and the nodule of right upper lobe shrank to only 0.7 cm.

LESSONS

Physicians should be aware of SPC in clinical work, and improve the early diagnosis rate with a variety of examination methods and select the best treatment to improve the prognosis of patients.

Is helical tomotherapy-based intensity-modulated radiotherapy feasible and effective in bilateral synchronous breast cancer? A two-center experience

PURPOSE

This study describes the early clinical results and dosimetric parameters of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using a tomotherapy device in patients with primary bilateral synchronous breast cancer (PSBBC).

METHODS

Fourteen patients with bilateral breast cancer were treated with tomotherapy between January 2011 and October 2014. The treatment planning objectives were to cover 95% of the planning target volume using a 95% isodose, with a minimum dose of 90% and a maximum dose of 107%. The organs at risk (OAR), such as the lungs, heart, esophagus and spinal cord, were contoured. Acute toxicity was recorded during and after radiation therapy.

RESULTS

The advantages included better treatment conformity with lower dosages to minimize the risk to susceptible organs, such as the lungs, heart and spinal cord. There was improved coverage of the planning target volume, including the regional nodes, without any field junction problems. The median homogeneity index was 0.13 and the median conformity index 1.32. The median V20, V15, V10 and V5 for the total lungs were 18.5, 23.3, 24.2 and 60%, respectively. Skin acute toxicity was grade 1 in 72% and grade 2 in 14% of the patients. Esophageal acute toxicity was grade 1 in 43% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Tomotherapy delivers treatment that is well-tolerated, with high homogeneity and coverage indexes and the capability to reduce the irradiation dose received by the lungs and heart in PSBBC patients. This technique is therefore feasible and safe for the treatment of bilateral breast cancer.

Abscopal Effects and Yttrium-90 Radioembolization

We present the case of an 80-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma with bilobar hepatic metastases who underwent targeted Yttrium-90 radioembolization of the right hepatic lobe lesion. Subsequently, there was complete regression of the nontargeted, left hepatic lobe lesion. This may represent the first ever reported abscopal effect in radioembolization. The abscopal effect refers to the phenomenon of tumor response in nontargeted sites after targeted radiotherapy. In this article, we briefly review the immune-mediated mechanisms responsible for the abscopal effect.

Primary Breast Cancer with Synchronous Metastatic Disease - Indications for Local Radiotherapy to the Breast and Chest Wall

AIM

To review literature on local therapy in patients with primary metastatic breast cancer with focus on local radiotherapy (RT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A Medline search using the key words "metastatic breast cancer", "primary resection/radiotherapy", "local therapy", "local radiotherapy" was carried out. All original studies in the English language were included in the present review.

RESULTS

A total of 27 original studies including more than 33,000 patients with metastatic breast cancer were identified, including two large database analyses (n=25,757). All studies were retrospective in nature. Most studies showed a survival benefit with the addition of local therapy in a metastatic situation. The majority of studies focused on the role of surgery. Fourteen studies (52%) mentioned radiotherapy (RT) in 0.3% to 100% of patients. Six of these studies analyzed the effect of RT separately and five found an additional benefit of RT. Two studies showed best outcomes when RT and surgery were combined.

CONCLUSION

Most retrospective studies showed a survival benefit for local therapy in patients with breast cancer with distant metastases. The role of RT remains unclear. Some reports showed improved outcome with the combination of surgery and RT. This approach should be considered in patients with good survival prognosis in whom local control is important. There are several prognostic factors to aid decision-making. Results of prospective randomized studies are pending.

Description of the thyroid hormone resistance syndrome illustrated by such a case, which had two different carcinomas and was mistreated with iodine-131

OBJECTIVE

Hyperthyroidism with increased serum thyroid hormones and also increased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is described as the resistance thyroid hormone (RTH) syndrome. This syndrome may be due to various factors including tumors. We describe the different types of RTH syndrome and mention that this syndrome may be misdiagnosed and mistreated. To illustrate the RTH syndrome we describe such a case which also had two different carcinomas. This case was treated with anti-thyroid drugs, triiodothyroacetic acid and iodine-131 (¹³¹I). In the following 5.5 years after ¹³¹I treatment, TSH progressively increased and was not suppressed by normal doses of L-thyroxine (L-T4). A thyroid nodule was diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed in the nasal septum. Under L-T4 replacement treatment and after ablation of both carcinomas, TSH returned to normal. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas accompanied with PTC, are extremely rare causes of RTH.

CONCLUSION

A description of the resistance to thyroid hormone syndrome is presented and this syndrome is illustrated by a referring case which could be of a selective pituitary type or due to the neuroendocrine tumor.

Treatment of bilateral choroidal malignant melanoma

A history is presented of a 40-year-old male patient suffering from bilateral choroidal melanoma. Both eyes were treated with 106Ru/106Rh beta-irradiation. 2 years later one eye was enucleated because of radiogenic central vein thrombosis with secondary glaucoma. Histologically the tumor cells showed radiogenic damages and there were no signs of a new tumor growth. The other eye, however, is still functioning 6 years later with a visual acuity of 1.0.

Papillary thyroid cancer in a struma ovarii: a report of a rare case

After removal of an ovarian mass in a 43-year-old woman, a struma ovarii was diagnosed. Within this teratoma, a papillary thyroid cancer was found. The tumor was negative for BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA and c-KIT mutations on molecular analysis. Thyroid function and morphology were normal. Thyroidectomy, L-T4 TSH-suppressive therapy and rhTSH-induced radioiodine ablation were performed. So far, the follow-up has been favorable. This is the first case of thyroid cancer in a struma ovarii in which mutations of PIK3CA exons 9 and 20, and c-KIT exons 9, 11 and 13 have been evaluated and the third in which ablation has been performed under rhTSH. The prognosis of patients with thyroid cancer in a struma ovarii is generally poor. In our patient, as in those who undergo ablative radioactive iodine therapy, this was not the case.

Multiple primary liponeurocytoma of the central nervous system

We report a unique case of primary multiple liponeurocytoma. Liponeurocytoma is a rare benign tumor (Grade II) of the posterior cranial fossa with neural- or probably astrocytic-lineage cells; the tumor stroma contains mature adipocytes. This case is the thirty-eighth case of this pathology reported in the world literature and the first case of multiple form of this disease. We have provided a sufficiently thorough neuroradiological and histological picture that allows one to differentiate between a liponeurocytoma and other histological variants. Recommendations for the tactics for managing patients with this rare disease are proposed based on the analysis of treatment of this pathology reported in the world literature.

Intracranial multiple germ cell tumors: a case report and review of literature

Intracranial multiple germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare. In this article, we reported a case of intracranial multiple GCTs in an 18-year-old boy with symptoms of psychosis for 8 months also. Tumors in the pineal, sellar region, corpus callosum, bilateral lateral ventricles and fourth ventricle were confirmed by enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and stereotactic biopsy. Immunohistochemical analysis results demonstrated that the tumor cells were positive for CD117 and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP). The patient was treated by radiotherapy and the prescribed radiation doses were 18 Gy. After near 24 months of follow-up, no local recurrence and distant metastasis has been found.

Proton radiation therapy for the treatment of retinoblastoma

PURPOSE

To investigate long-term disease and toxicity outcomes for pediatric retinoblastoma patients treated with proton radiation therapy (PRT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This is a retrospective analysis of 49 retinoblastoma patients (60 eyes) treated with PRT between 1986 and 2012.

RESULTS

The majority (84%) of patients had bilateral disease, and nearly half (45%) had received prior chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 8 years (range, 1-24 years), no patients died of retinoblastoma or developed metastatic disease. The post-PRT enucleation rate was low (18%), especially in patients with early-stage disease (11% for patients with International Classification for Intraocular Retinoblastoma [ICIR] stage A-B disease vs 23% for patients with ICIR stage C-D disease). Post-PRT ophthalmologic follow-up was available for 61% of the preserved eyes (30 of 49): 14 of 30 eyes (47%) had 20/40 visual acuity or better, 7 of 30 (23%) had moderate visual acuity (20/40-20/600), and 9 of 30 (30%) had little or no useful vision (worse than 20/600). Twelve of 60 treated eyes (20%) experienced a post-PRT event requiring intervention, with cataracts the most common (4 eyes). No patients developed an in-field second malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term follow-up of retinoblastoma patients treated with PRT demonstrates that PRT can achieve high local control rates, even in advanced cases, and many patients retain useful vision in the treated eye. Treatment-related ocular side effects were uncommon, and no radiation-associated malignancies were observed.

Experiences in the treatment of patients with multiple head and neck paragangliomas

PURPOSE

To analyze treatment results in the multidisciplinary management of patients with multiple head and neck paragangliomas (HNPs).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis including all patients with multiple HNPs (VP, vagal paraganglioma; JTP, jugulotympanic paraganglioma; CBT, carotid body tumor) treated between 2000 and 2013 at a tertiary referral center.

RESULTS

Ten patients (three men, seven women) had 25 HNPs (two VPs, eight JTPs, and 15 CBTs). The age range at diagnosis was 31-71 years (mean 40.9 years, median 37 years). Nine tumors (four CBTs, three JTPs, two VPs) were treated only with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT; 50.4-56Gy, mean 55.3Gy) or in one case intensity-modulated radiotherapy (60 Gy). Nine tumors were treated with surgery alone (eight CBTs, one JTP) and three JTPs with subtotal surgery combined with adjuvant SRT. A "wait and scan" strategy was used in three cases (two CBTs, one JTP). The mean follow-up period was 4.3 years (range 0.1-13 years, median 4 years). The rate of tumor control with surgery and/or SRT was 100% (21/21). One patient with a wait-and-scan strategy for CBT had slow asymptomatic progression during a 13-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment results in this series of patients with multiple HNPs show that a very high rate of long-term tumor control with low morbidity can be achieved using tailored and individualized approaches. All of the different treatment strategies available should be discussed with the patient. In particular, the treatment should involve a multidisciplinary team of experts in the fields of nuclear medicine, genetics, pathology, radiology, radio-oncology, and surgery.

t(8;16) AML developed subsequent to breast cancer therapy

We report a breast cancer patient who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) one year following her adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil. Cytogenetic examination of bone marrow samples resulted in t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3), which is a chromosome rearrangement observed in de novo and treatment related AML M4/M5 with a poor prognosis.

Prognosis was not deteriorated by multiple primary cancers in esophageal cancer patients treated by radiotherapy

Esophageal cancer patients are often associated with multiple primary cancers (MPC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of MPC on prognosis in esophageal cancer patients treated by radiotherapy. Between 2001 and 2008, esophageal cancer patients treated by definitive radiotherapy at Gunma Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria were preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy, palliative radiotherapy, follow-up of <6 months, radiation dose of <50 Gy and no information on MPC. We analyzed 167 esophageal cancer patients and 56 (33.5%) were associated with MPC. Gastric cancer was the most frequent tumor (38.2%), followed by head and neck cancer (26.5%). Median follow-up time was 31.5 months (range 6.1-87.3 months). Patients with MPC included more stage I/II esophageal cancer than those without MPC (66.1% vs. 36.9%, P < 0.01). The 5-year overall survival rate for esophageal cancer with MPC was relatively better than those without MPC (46.1% vs. 26.7%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance in univariate analysis (P = 0.09). Stage I/II esophageal cancer patients had a significantly better overall survival than stage III/IV patients (P < 0.01). Among esophageal cancer patients with MPC, there was no difference in overall survival between antecedent and synchronous cancer (P = 0.59). Our study indicated that the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients treated by radiotherapy was primarily determined by the clinical stage itself, but not the presence of MPC.

[Synchronous bilateral breast cancer in a male]

BACKGROUND

male breast cancer is a disease with low incidence, which is further reduced when it comes to bilateral synchronous presentation. There are few published cases in recent years. The aim is to establish guidelines for the management of this disorder that is so rare.

CLINICAL CASE

a 75-year-old with tumors in both breasts, which were completely resected with removal of palpable nodes. The histopathological study reported ductal carcinoma. The indicated treatment was adjuvant tamoxifen and radiotherapy. The patient is currently in a disease-free period.

CONCLUSIONS

this is a rare disease, whose main treatment is surgery, hence the importance of early diagnosis. Most cases require adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy because they are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage.

A prospective study of the utility of magnetic resonance imaging in determining candidacy for partial breast irradiation

PURPOSE

Retrospective data have demonstrated that breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may change a patient's eligibility for partial breast irradiation (PBI) by identifying multicentric, multifocal, or contralateral disease. The objective of the current study was to prospectively determine the frequency with which MRI identifies occult disease and to establish clinical factors associated with a higher likelihood of MRI prompting changes in PBI eligibility.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

At The University of Chicago, women with breast cancer uniformly undergo MRI in addition to mammography and ultrasonography. From June 2009 through May 2011, all patients were screened prospectively in a multidisciplinary conference for PBI eligibility based on standard imaging, and the impact of MRI on PBI eligibility according to National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project protocol B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocol 0413 entry criteria was recorded. Univariable analysis was performed using clinical characteristics in both the prospective cohort and in a separate cohort of retrospectively identified patients. Pooled analysis was used to derive a scoring index predictive of the risk that MRI would identify additional disease.

RESULTS

A total of 521 patients were screened for PBI eligibility, and 124 (23.8%) patients were deemed eligible for PBI based on standard imaging. MRI findings changed PBI eligibility in 12.9% of patients. In the pooled univariable analysis, tumor size ≥ 2 cm on mammography or ultrasonography (P=.02), age <50 years (P=.01), invasive lobular histology (P=.01), and HER-2/neu amplification (P=.01) were associated with a higher likelihood of MRI changing PBI eligibility. A predictive score was generated by summing the number of significant risk factors. Patients with a score of 0, 1, 2, and 3 had changes to eligibility based on MRI findings in 2.8%, 13.2%, 38.1%, and 100%, respectively (P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI identified additional disease in a significant number of patients eligible for PBI, based on standard imaging. Clinical characteristics may be useful in directing implementation of MRI in the staging of PBI candidates.

Parathyroid carcinoma and oxyphil parathyroid adenoma: an uncommon case of misinterpretation in clinical practice

A 46 year-old male presented with persistently high level of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), despite successful resection of an oxyphilic cell parathyroid adenoma of the left lower gland. Renal function and serum calcium were normal, leading to vitamin D deficiency being considered. Tc99m-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy showed no capitation, but a cervical ultrasound demonstrated an increase in the lower parathyroids. Surgery confirmed that the right gland was normal but the left corresponded to parathyroid carcinoma. The patient developed severe hypocalcemia, with PTH values being consistent with hypoparathyroidism for a few months. However, a progressive increase in calcium and PTH serum levels indicated recurrence of disease. Tc99m-sestamibi scintigraphy demonstrated hyperfixation in topography of the left inferior parathyroid and the patient was subjected to a third and more extensive surgery, with removal of lymph nodes and adjacent thyroid tissue. Serum calcium and PTH remained elevated, requiring loop diuretics and intravenous bisphosphonates to control hypercalcemia. Cervical radiotherapy was implemented as adjuvant therapy. After two months the patient complained of dyspnea, and a CT scan of the chest demonstrated areas of parenchymal condensation, suggestive of actinic pneumonitis. At the 2-year follow-up no major issues were evident.

Multiple primary malignancies in patients with prostate cancer: increased risk of secondary malignancies after radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

New treatment strategies for prostate cancer have recently been developed, but multiple malignancies remain a major concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of multiple malignancies and to analyze the risk of secondary malignancies after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2011, 150 patients with prostate cancer were treated with curative radiotherapy in our department. Patient age range was 54-92 years (median, 70 years), and the follow-up period was 4-142 months (median, 48 months). The incidence of multiple primary cancers was compared with the estimated incidence.

RESULTS

A total of 147 patients (98 %) survived more than 12 months (12-142 months; median, 48 months); 20/150 patients (13 %) died within 10 years. Cause of death was recurrent prostate cancer in 11 patients, other primary malignancies in 7 patients, and cardiovascular disease in 2 patients. Multiple primary cancers were present in 26 of 150 patients (17 %), including 16 subsequent malignancies (11 %) with latent periods of 13-83 months (median, 43 months). The subsequent non-prostate malignancies were lung cancer in 4 patients, urinary bladder or ureter cancer in 4, stomach cancer in 3, malignant lymphoma in 2, and other in 3. Analysis of the observed incidence of secondary malignancies compared with the estimated incidence in the general population revealed a higher incidence of ureter cancer and malignant lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

Close attention should be paid to secondary malignancies after radiotherapy for prostate cancer, including malignancies occurring within 5 years, which could be attributable to radiotherapy.

Multinodular neck recurrence of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm of the parotid gland. It is a benign tumor composed of epithelial and myoepithelial cells arranged in various morphological patterns. The most common reasons contributing to a recurrent disease are obvious or underestimated tumor spillage, incomplete excision, and violation of the pseudocapsule of the tumor.

CASE REPORT

This article presents a case of gross multinodular recurrence of a parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma in a 38-year-old female patient. Upon clinical examination of the homolateral neck, multiple, painless, well-defined, palpable, nontender masses and subcutaneous nodules of the right parotid and homolateral neck region were revealed. The patient was treated with surgery and subsequent radiation therapy. Histologic examination of the resected specimen was suggestive of a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma disease. There were no signs of malignant transformation in the specimen. The diagnostic procedure followed, and management of the patient is outlined in the paper.

DISCUSSION

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common tumor of the parotid gland. In spite of being a benign neoplasm, inadequate management of the lesion may lead to problems such as local recurrence or malignant transformation. Management of recurrent tumors is challenging because the probability of subsequent recurrence increases with each recurrent episode, thus making local control increasingly difficult and damage to the facial nerve more likely.

Dopamine-secreting carotid body paragangliomas-biochemical control with radiotherapy

Head and neck paragangliomas that are exclusively or predominantly dopamine-secreting are rare. Surgery and/or radiotherapy are modalities for locoregional tumoral control. Little is known about the efficacy of radiotherapy for biochemical control in such tumors. We report a 62-year-old Chinese man with bilateral carotid body tumors which were exclusively dopamine secreting. The left-sided tumor invaded the skull base and encased the left carotid artery. Surgery was not performed due to high risk of morbidity and mortality. The patient received external beam radiotherapy to bilateral neck regions. Progressive decline and eventual normalization of urinary dopamine excretion was seen together with a slight reduction in tumor size. This is the first report demonstrating the efficacy of radiotherapy for both biochemical and locoregional control of functioning carotid body paragangliomas.

Complete response to chemoradiotherapy in a patient with synchronous double gastric and esophageal cancer

A 77-year-old man with early synchronous double primary gastric and esophageal cancer showed complete response (CR) to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with fluorouracil (5-FU) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) and 60 Gy total dose of radiation. Gastrointestinal endoscopy had revealed type IIc squamous cell carcinoma in the lower oesophagus and type IIc adenocarcinoma in the mid-stomach region. Synchronous double primary early-stage esophageal and gastric cancer was diagnosed. The patient's age and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contraindicated radical esophageal surgery. Therefore, we decided to first administer CRT with 5-FU and CDDP for the esophageal cancer, and subsequently perform partial gastrectomy for the gastric cancer. After the CRT, neither of the tumors recurred. CR to CRT for the esophageal cancer and CR to chemotherapy for the gastric cancer were achieved.

CONCLUSION

CRT with 5-FU and CDDP can produce CR in cases of early esophageal and gastric cancer.

Unexpected synchronous follicular lymphoma of paraaortic and pelvic lymph nodes in a patient with endometrial carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Multiple neoplasms in a patient occur rarely. There has only been one case report about synchronous endometrial carcinoma and follicular lymphoma of the paraaortic and pelvic lymph node (LN) until now.

CASE REPORT

The patient was 64 years old and had vaginal spotting for four months. She was diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma by endometrial biopsy. In intraoperative inspection, the whole paraaortic and pelvic LN had formed into a massive tumor bundle following the aorta and iliac vessels. The diagnosis was endometrial carcinoma FIGO Stage IB with synchronous follicular lymphoma Stage III. We performed adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Currently, the patient has no evidence of recurrence for either carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node dissection was included in the staging and debulking operation of the endometrial carcinoma. An inaccurate result of the frozen section can not rule out metastasis of endometrial carcinoma and surgeons can fall into a dilemma regarding treatment.

Is local radiotherapy still valuable for patients with multiple intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinomas?

PURPOSE

To investigate whether local radiotherapy (RT) is valuable for patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From July 1992 to August 2006, 107 patients with unresectable HCC were treated with local RT after incomplete transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The RT field included a main tumor with or without other tumor nodules, depending on the effectiveness of TACE. The median RT dose was 50.4 Gy in conventional fractionation. Patients were categorized into four groups: Group 1, single tumor (39 patients); Group 2, multiple tumors within the RT field (25 patients); Group 3, controlled tumors out of the RT field (19 patients); and Group 4, tumors that remained viable out of the RT field (24 patients).

RESULTS

Group 1 showed the best survival rate (MST, 35 months; 2-year OS, 60%) and Group 4 the worst (MST, 5 months; 2-year OS, 16%). Group 2 and Group 3 showed similar survival (MST, 13 vs. 19 months; 2-year OS, 35% vs. 46%; p = 0.698). Significantly worse intrahepatic control in Group 4 was observed. The survival in Groups 2 and 3 (MST, 16 months) was significantly different from that in Group 4 (p = 0.004), and was marginally significant compared with that in Group 1 (p = 0.051).

CONCLUSIONS

Local RT to the main tumor could be applicable in well-controlled intrahepatic tumors out of the RT field. Patients with viable intrahepatic tumors out of the RT field showed worse survival. In future clinical trials, these patients need to be excluded.

[A case of double advanced cancer with esophageal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma responding completely to combination chemotherapy of docetaxel/5-fluorouracil and nedaplatin with radiation]

A 69-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. The diagnosis was double cancer with hypopharyngeal and esophageal carcinoma from upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination. Pathological examinations of the double cancer revealed moderately-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography(CT)of the neck and abdomen showed metastases of the right neck and cardiac lymph nodes. Clinical stagings of the double cancer were Stage III (T1, N1, M0)in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and Stage III (T3, N1, M0)in esophageal carcinoma, respectively. He received radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy using docetaxel(DOC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)and nedaplatin(CDGP). After this combination chemoradiation therapy(CRT), the adverse event was grade 2 in leucopenia and grade 2 in gastrointestinal toxicity. Repeated macroscopic and histological examinations after CRT revealed disappearance of the hypopharyngeal and advanced esophageal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis, leading to a complete response(CR). He had maintained CR for the 20 months since undergoing CRT. This combination chemotherapy of DOC, 5-FU and CDGP with radiation may well be effective and tolerable for patients with double cancer of hypopharyngeal and esophageal carcinoma.

[Sinonasal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma in biopsies of inverted papilloma]

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare tumor representing an aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and arising from a common precursor cell. BSCC rarely originates from the sinonasal tract. We report on an 83-year-old woman with BSCC after multiple resections of an inverted papilloma (IP) of the left sinonasal tract. The tumor filled the nasal cavity completely and was infiltrating the ipsilateral frontal skull base and periorbita. Because of the tumor's expansion, the patient's age, and comorbidity, surgery was not performed, but primary radiotherapy was initiated. A possible association between sinonasal BSCC and IP, as implicated by the current case, must be further investigated. In any case, IP requires consequent endoscopic and, if necessary, radiological follow-up in order to detect recurrent disease or malignant transformation.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma: rate and risk factors for local recurrence

PURPOSE

To analyze local recurrence-free rates and risk factors for recurrence following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

One hundred and nine nodules treated by RFA and 173 nodules treated by TACE were included. Hypovascular nodules were excluded from this study. Overall local recurrence-free rates of each treatment group were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The independent risk factors of local recurrence and the hazard ratios were analyzed using Cox's proportional-hazards regression model. Based on the results of multivariate analyses, we classified HCC nodules into four subgroups: central nodules < or =2 cm or >2 cm and peripheral nodules < or =2 cm or >2 cm. The local recurrence-free rates of these subgroups for each treatment were also calculated.

RESULTS

The overall local recurrence-free rate was significantly higher in the RFA group than in the TACE group (p = 0.013). The 24-month local recurrence-free rates in the RFA and TACE groups were 60.0% and 48.9%, respectively. In the RFA group, the only significant risk factor for recurrence was tumor size >2 cm in greatest dimension. In the TACE group, a central location was the only significant risk factor for recurrence. In central nodules that were < or =2 cm, the local recurrence-free rate was significantly higher in the RFA group than in the TACE group (p < 0.001). In the remaining three groups, there was no significant difference in local recurrence-free rate between the two treatment methods.

CONCLUSION

A tumor diameter of >2 cm was the only independent risk factor for local recurrence in RFA treatment, and a central location was the only independent risk factor in TACE treatment. Central lesions measuring < or =2 cm should be treated by RFA.

Carcinomatous meningitis appearing as acoustic neuromas: two cases

BACKGROUND

For acoustic neuromas, stereotactic radiotherapy (radiosurgery or stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy) has been established as an important alternative to microsurgery. In most cases initial symptoms are slow progression of unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus or vertigo or acute hearing loss with vertigo. MRI scan shows a contrast-enhancing tumor within the inner auditory channel. If the patient undergoes primary radiotherapy, diagnosis is usually not verified histologically. Therefore, careful evaluation of the medical history is mandatory despite a typical appearance on the MRI scan. If medical history does not match with acoustic neuroma, further diagnostics are necessary to rule out infectious disease or carcinomatous meningitis.

CASE REPORT

Two patients with hearing loss, vertigo and the diagnosis of acoustic neuromas by MRI scan were referred for radiotherapy. In both cases the symptoms progressed very rapidly, not typical of acoustic neuromas, and in both patients repeated liquor puncture finally revealed carcinomatous meningitis. One patient died during therapy; in the second patient intrathecal chemotherapy and additional radiotherapy of the skull base led to partial remission continuing for several months.

CONCLUSION

Before primary radiotherapy of small intrameatal lesions diagnosis must be reassessed carefully. This is especially true for bilateral lesions suspicious for acoustic neuromas and rapid progression and persistence of clinical symptoms where carcinomatous meningitis has to be taken into account.

[Frequency and distribution pattern of distant metastases in patients with ENT tumors and their consequences for pretherapeutic staging]

PURPOSE

To address the following questions: which parameters influenced the frequency of distant metastases in patients with locally advanced ear-nose-throat (ENT) tumors, which was the distribution pattern of metastases, and what were the diagnostic consequences for pretherapeutic staging?

PATIENTS AND METHODS

600 patients (526 men, 76 women, median age 56 years) with ENT tumors (squamous cell carcinoma histology) were studied retrospectively. The distribution of primary tumor site and stage (AJCC) was as follows: oropharynx: n = 161 (26.8%), hypopharynx: n = 187 (31.2%), oral cavity: n = 89 (14.8%), larynx: n = 118 (19.7%), cancer of unknown origin: n = 13 (2.2%), others: n = 32(5.3%), I: n = 24 (4%), II: n = 49 (8.2%), III: n = 89 (14.8%), IV: n = 438 (73%). 270 patients (45%) received radiochemotherapy, 330 (55%) postoperative radiotherapy. The following parameters were analyzed in association with distant metastases: tumor localization, T- and N-category, primary treatment, local tumor control, and second neoplasms.

RESULTS

114/600 patients (19%) developed distant metastases, 29/600 (4.9%) at presentation, 50% within 9.3 months after diagnosis of the primary tumor. Distant metastases were most frequent in stage IV (24.2%), carcinoma of the hypopharynx (25.7%), local recurrence (24.3%), and second neoplasm (31.7%) with the following distribution pattern: pulmonary 61/114 (53.5%), pleural 15/114 (13.1%), osseous 45/114 (39.5%), hepatic 14/114 (12.3%), cerebral 8/114 (7%), cutaneous 14/114 (12.3%). 34/114 patients (29.8%) presented monotopic, 80/114 (70.2%) polytopic metastases. 82/600 (13.6%) patients additionally had second neoplasms, 20 corresponding with synchronous or metachronous bronchial tumors.

CONCLUSION

With locally advanced ENT tumor stage IVa/b, carcinoma of the hypopharynx, local recurrence or second neoplasms, at least a pretherapeutic CT of the thorax should be performed because every seventh patient (88/600) developed metastases or second primary tumors within the thoracic space during the course of disease. Regarding the side effects and costs of curative therapy, the definition of generally accepted guidelines for the systemic staging of locally advanced ENT tumors should be undertaken.

Proton beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with severe cirrhosis

Background and Purpose:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with severe cirrhosis are usually treated with supportive care because of their poor prognosis. However, the survival of severe cirrhotic patients has recently improved due to advanced treatments. The aim of this study was to define the role of proton beam therapy for HCC patients with severe cirrhosis.

Patients and Methods:

19 HCC patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis received proton beam therapy. The hepatic tumors were solitary in 14 patients and multiple in five, and the tumor size was 25–80 mm (median 40 mm) in maximum diameter. No patient had regional lymph node or distant metastasis. Total doses of 50–84 Gy (median 72 Gy) in ten to 24 fractions (median 16) were delivered to the tumors.

Results:

Of the 19 patients, six, eight and four died of cancer, liver failure and intercurrent diseases, respectively, during the follow-up period of 3–63 months (median 17 months) after treatment. A remaining patient was alive with no evidence of disease 33 months after treatment. All but one of irradiated tumors were controlled during the follow-up period. Ten patients had new intrahepatic tumors outside the irradiated volume. The overall and progression-free survival rates were 53% and 47% at 1 year, respectively, and 42% each at 2 years. Performance status and Child-Pugh score were significant prognostic factors for survival. Therapy-related toxicity of grade 3 or more was not observed.

Conclusion:

Proton beam therapy for HCC patients with severe cirrhosis was tolerable. It may improve survival for patients with relatively good general condition and liver function.

Cerebral necrosis after 25Gy radiotherapy in childhood followed 28 years later by 54Gy radiotherapy

The development of brain necrosis is life-long risk of repeat radiation therapy, even after a long time interval and a moderate radiation dose. We report on a 34-year-old patient who had prophylactic cranial irradiation with 25Gy and adjuvant chemotherapy in childhood for leukaemia and in adulthood, 28 years later, therapeutic radiotherapy with 54Gy for an atypical (WHO grade II) meningioma. About 2 years later he developed a contrast-enhancing lesion on MRI-scan that was indicative of a tumor according to a thallium-201 ((201)Tl) SPECT scan. Histopathology of the operated contrast-enhancing lesion showed extensive radionecrosis. Radiation necrosis is a small but serious risk after repeat radiation therapy, even after a very long-term interval, the delivery of small fractions and an average cumulative total dose. Patients undergoing repeat radiotherapy therefore need to be followed life-long for potential late radiation toxicity.

Phase II trial: concurrent radio-chemotherapy with weekly docetaxel for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck

INTRODUCTION

Standard fractionation radiation therapy (RT) combined with concomitant chemotherapy (CT) based on cisplatin schemes is actually the standard treatment for locally advanced non-resectable squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). The appearance of taxoids has introduced a new kind of treatment with high antitumoral power. The aim of this study is to add more information about the role of this new approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with locally advanced non-resectable SCCHN were recruited at six institutions in Spain, between January 2001 and January 2003. Docetaxel was administered weekly, for 6 weeks, concurrently with RT.

RESULTS

The mean total delivered dose of RT was 70'2 Gy (range 64-74 Gy). The median and mean duration of time were 63 days and 61 days (range 49-103 days) respectively. After a median time control of 19 months (range 3.3-42.2 months), the response rate was 83.4%. The median time to local progression was 16.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]=4.4-28.4 months). The median survival time was 26.9 months, with one- and two-year overall survival of 66.9% (95% CI=48.1-85.7%) and 57.5% (95% CI=37.3-77.7%) respectively. The median duration time response was 15.1 months (95% CI=3.7-26.5 months). The median time until treatment failure was 9.4 months (95% CI=4.7-14.1). Incidence of grade III-IV mucositis was 88%, neutropenia 72% and skin toxicity 92% (24% grade III-IV). The incidence of severe late toxicity (grade III and IV) due to RT/CT was 31.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although therapeutics results are equivalent to cisplatin schemes of concurrent CT-RT, mucositis and cutaneous toxicity registered in this trial must be considered as limiting factors to application of this new approach.

[Intracerebrally localized sarcoma NOS--an interdisciplinary challenge]

BACKGROUND

In the literature, surveys of malignant intracerebral nerve sheath tumors are very rare (Table 1). Therapeutic guidelines do not exist.

CASE REPORT

A 28-year-old female patient presented with a tumor in the postcentral region of the left parietal lobe (Figures 1 and 2). The specimen could not be categorized into a common tumor entity and was classified as sarcoma NOS. Shortly after surgery, a recurrence occurred (Figures 3 to 5) followed by a further excision. Due to the rapid tumor growth irradiation with CT-aided treatment planning (Figure 6) has been started immediately afterwards. A dose of 5,400 cGy in 22 fractions was administered.

RESULT

2 weeks after treatment, the patient presented with a noticeable tumor regression (magnetic resonance imaging; Figures 7 to 9). She developed pulmonary metastases. A partial remission could be achieved by systemic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient died because of an exacerbation of a hepatic encephalopathy.

CONCLUSION

In cases of intracerebrally localized sarcomas NOS, the earliest possible start of radiotherapy after surgery seems useful because of the noticed radiosensitivity of these tumors. In regard of the local control, this tumor entity shows a documented excellent response to radiotherapy. Expectedly, distant metastases cannot be influenced. Interdisciplinary cooperation is mandatory to enhance the diagnostic process, the treatment decisions, and the results.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy performed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is accurate in patients with documented node-positive breast cancer at presentation

BACKGROUND

The optimal strategy for incorporating lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy into the management of breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial. Previous studies of sentinel node biopsy performed following neoadjuvant chemotherapy have largely reported on patients whose prechemotherapy, pathologic axillary nodal status was unknown. We report findings using a novel comprehensive approach to axillary management of node-positive-patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

We evaluated 54 consecutive breast cancer patients with biopsy-proven axillary nodal metastases at the time of diagnosis that underwent lymphatic mapping with nodal biopsy as well as concomitant axillary lymph node dissection after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. All cases were treated at a single comprehensive cancer center between 2001 and 2005.

RESULTS

The sentinel node identification rate after delivery of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 98%. Thirty-six patients (66%) had residual axillary metastases (including eight patients that had undergone resection of metastatic sentinel nodes at the time of diagnosis), and in 12 cases (31%) the residual metastatic disease was limited to the sentinel lymph node. The final, post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy sentinel node was falsely negative in three cases (8.6%). The negative final sentinel node accurately identified patients with no residual axillary disease in 17 cases (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

Sentinel lymph node biopsy performed after the delivery of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with documented nodal disease at presentation accurately identified cases that may have been downstaged to node-negative status and can spare this subset of patients (32%) from experiencing the morbidity of an axillary dissection.

A case with three different synchronous primaries of the female genital system and their treatment

Multiple carcinomas of the genital system are rare in the literature. We report a 43-year-old female patient who presented with 3 different synchronous primary genital system malignancies (cervix, endometrium and ovary). After Wertheim's hysterectomy there was a 4 x 2 cm residual mass for which systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered. The patient rapidly deteriorated and died due to disease progression. Registration of cases with multiple tumors in a single centre using a standardized investigation for predisposing parameters may contribute much to the management of such conditions.

Therapeutic effect of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) on field cancerized tissue: Inhibition of DNA synthesis and lag in the development of second primary tumors in precancerous tissue around treated tumors in DMBA-induced carcinogenesis in the hamster cheek pouch oral cancer model

OBJECTIVE

We previously reported the therapeutic success of different BNCT protocols in the treatment of oral cancer, employing the hamster cheek pouch model. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of these BNCT protocols on DNA synthesis in precancerous and normal tissue in this model and assess the potential lag in the development of second primary tumors in precancerous tissue. The data are relevant to potential control of field cancerized tissue and tolerance of normal tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated DNA synthesis in precancerous and normal pouch tissue 1-30 days post-BNCT mediated by boronophenylalanine (BPA), GB-10 (Na(2)(10)B(10)H(10)) or (BPA+GB-10) employing incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine as an end-point. The BNCT-induced potential lag in the development of second primary tumors from precancerous tissue was monitored.

RESULTS

A drastic, statistically significant reduction in DNA synthesis occurred in precancerous tissue as early as 1 day post-BNCT and was sustained at virtually all time-points until 30 days post-BNCT for all the protocols. The histological categories evaluated individually within precancerous tissue (dysplasia, hyperplasia and NUMF [no unusual microscopic features]) responded similarly. DNA synthesis in normal tissue treated with BNCT oscillated around the very low pre-treatment values. A BNCT-induced lag in the development of second primary tumors was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

BNCT induced a drastic fall in DNA synthesis in precancerous tissue that would be associated to the observed lag in the development of second primary tumors. The minimum variations in DNA synthesis in BNCT-treated normal tissue would correlate with the absence of normal tissue radiotoxicity. The present data would support the control of field-cancerized areas by BNCT.

[Synchronous ENT lymphoepitheliomas. Controversies on their diagnosis and treatment]

Lymphoepithelial carcinomas are characterized by proliferation of undifferentiated malignant epithelial cells together with an infiltrate of mature lymphocytes. They mainly appear in the nasopharynx but can also be encountered in other upper and lower aerodigestive sites such as oropharynx, stomach, trachea, and others. When they occur in the larynx they usually do so in the laryngeal ventricle and are characterized by protrusion of the laryngeal band, visible in laryngoscopy. They mainly metastasize to cervical lymph nodes no matter what size the tumour is and distant non-nodal metastases are not infrequent. Cases of 2 synchronous lymphoepithelial tumours in ENT regions without nodal involvement, albeit theoretically possible, are very uncommonly encountered. The very scant reports of primary laryngeal lymphoepitheliomas or only-laryngeal metastatic tumours make 2 simultaneous ENT lymphoepitheliomas an exceedingly rare form of presentation that may lead to important controversies regarding their diagnosis, staging and treatment. A case of 2 synchronous neoplasms in the larynx and cavum is reported and the most significant aspects of this uncommon feature are discussed.

Trilateral retinoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Trilateral retinoblastoma (TRB) is a syndrome consisting of unilateral or bilateral hereditary retinoblastoma (Rb) associated with an intracranial neuroblastic tumor. Although its incidence is low, the prognosis is very poor. This article reports four cases of TRB and discusses the role of neuroimaging screening for early detection.

PROCEDURE

From January 1986 to December 2003, 470 children with Rb were admitted to the Pediatrics and Ophthalmology Departments, A C Camargo Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.

RESULTS

There were four patients with pineoblastoma, two of whom had a positive familial history. The age at diagnosis of Rb was 4, 6, 10, and 24 months while the age of diagnosis of TRB was 10, 25, 57, and 72 months. One patient presented TRB at initial diagnosis of Rb. Three patients had bilateral disease and all of them had one eye enucleated, followed by chemotherapy and/or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). One child with unilateral disease was only submitted to enucleation. In spite of intensive treatment, all patients died with progressive disease within 7, 8, 12, and 12 months after diagnosis of TRB.

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis as well as new therapeutic approaches are needed to achieve better results.

Ganglioglioma occurring with glioblastoma multiforme: Separate lesions or the same lesion?

The authors report on the first such case of ganglioglioma and a malignant variant in the same individual without prior irradiation. Gangliogliomas are frequently encountered in children and young adults and have a predilection for the temporal lobes. Sporadic cases of malignant degeneration have been reported; however, most cases have undergone radiation or subtotal resection. A 45-year-old female was seen for speech abnormalities and symptoms referable to elevated intracranial pressure. The patient had no significant past medical history and no history of neurocutaneous disorders. Two separate lesions located in the posterior and anterior temporal lobes were found on imaging. At initial surgery, she underwent gross total resection of the anterior temporal tip ganglioglioma and cyst aspiration of the posterior temporal lobe lesion. The anterior temporal lesion was a ganglioglioma and did not recur. However, the posterior temporal lesion was identified as a malignant ganglioglioma/glioblastoma multiforme variant that recurred multiple times requiring several surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. The occurrence of these distinct entities is uncommon in patients without a history of prior radiation treatment. Even rarer, is the occurrence of these separate intracranial lesions in a patient without a history of phacomatosis. For benign gangliogliomas, gross total resection can be curative; however, more aggressive variants may be resistant to multimodal therapies.

Squamous cell nose and a synchronous in-situ vocal cord carcinoma: a case report

Reports indicate that the incidence of multiple primary tumours in head and neck cancers is high. However, most of these tumours are either metachronous primary or secondary tumours of the same histopathological type. The development of a synchronous primary squamous cell skin cancer of the nose and an in-situ vocal cord carcinoma is something unusual. We present the case of a patient with a primary neoplasm along the lateral side of the nose up to the bone of the pyramid, including the skin of the inner side of the nose and an infiltration of the inferior nasal concha on the right side, together with a small synchronous primary lesion of the left vocal cord. To the best of our knowledge the case described is the first in the English medical literature and we discuss the complete management of synchronous head and neck malignancies, emphasising the importance of panendoscopy in the prevention of pitfalls in diagnosis and the therapeutic procedure.