Treatment of metastatic urachal adenocarcinoma in a young woman: a case report

A 30-year-old woman with a history of smoking presented with abdominal pain and haematuria. On physical examination, she had a palpable pelvic mass. Imaging revealed a large pelvic mass located on the dome of the bladder, extending from the urachus, with pulmonary metastases. After open biopsy, urachal adenocarcinoma was histologically confirmed. The patient received six cycles of palliative chemotherapy combination 5 fluorouracil and irinotecan with complete response on the pelvic mass and partial response estimated to more than 80% on pulmonary metastasis

Maladie de hodgkin et cancer colique secondaire: à propos d'un cas

La maladie de HODGKIN (MDH) survient le plus souvent chez les enfants, adolescents et jeunes adultes. Elle représente une des tumeurs malignes les plus curables. Grâce aux progrès thérapeutiques actuels, plusieurs patients ont pu obtenir des réponses complètes durables, mais les tumeurs solides malignes, secondaires au traitement, demeurent la complication tardive la plus redoutable chez les longs survivants. Il s'agit d'un patient de 28 ans, sans antécédents pathologiques notables, suivi depuis l'age de 13 ans pour une MDH scléro-nodulaire stade IV (à localisation pulmonaire). Le patient a reçu initialement 06 cures de chimiothérapie, suivies d'une radiothérapie externe sus et sous-diaphragmatique. L’évolution a été marquée par la survenue de 02 rechutes, pour lesquelles, 02 autres lignes thérapeutiques ont été administrées. Puis, survenue d'une progression, pour laquelle il a été mis sous Cyclophosphamide par voie orale. Après 02 ans d'un bon contrôle clinique et radiologique sous cette dernière drogue cytotoxique, le patient a fait apparaître une hématurie macroscopique et parallèlement, un adénocarcinome (ADK) colique, survenant 15 ans après le début du traitement initial du lymphome, ayant nécessité une hémicolectomie droite élargie. Les modalités thérapeutiques de la MDH chez les adolescents et jeunes adultes ont subit des modifications remarquables ces dernières décennies. L’évaluation du risque de cancers secondaires chez les longs survivants, reflète souvent l'effet de modalités anciennes plus agressives. La plupart des études rapportant des cas de cancers secondaires, tiennent en compte la 1ère ligne thérapeutique et les traitements de rattrapage de la MDH. En effet, les jeunes patients traités par chimiothérapie et plus particulièrement par radiothérapie, sont à haut risque de développer des cancers secondaires. La radio-chimiothérapie parait par ailleurs, augmenter de façon plus significative ce risque. L'estimation du risque de cancers secondaires à long terme demeure alors essentielle, afin de minimiser les complications tardives, et ceci à travers des mesures de prévention et de dépistage chez les jeunes patients potentiellement à risque

Rare recurrence of a rare ovarian stromal tumor with luteinized cells: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary are uncommon. They behave unpredictably and often have a late recurrence, making counseling, management, and prediction of prognosis challenging.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 52-year-old Moroccan woman with an sex cord-stromal tumors underwent a bilateral oophorectomy. The histology was unusual but was likely to be a luteinized thecoma with suspicious features for invasion. Seven years later, after a gastrointestinal bleed, a metastasis within the small bowel mucosa was detected. This represents probable isolated hematogenous or lymphatic spread, which is highly unusual, especially in the absence of concurrent peritoneal disease.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of an sex cord-stromal tumors recurring in small bowel mucosa and mimicking a primary colorectal tumor. This highlights the diverse nature and behavior of these tumors.</p

Metastatic collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney treated with sunitinib

Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) of the kidney is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor arising from the distal collecting tubules which has been shown to have a poor response to several kinds of systemic therapy. We present a case of metastatic CDC that responded favorably to a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sunitinib, achieving a partial response in both lung and skeletal metastases. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing therapeutic activity of sunitinib against CDC. Considering these findings, it would be worthwhile prospectively investigating the role of multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors, particularly sunitinib, in the management of metastatic CDC

Male breast cancer: a report of 127 cases at a Moroccan institution

Background: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease representing less than 1% of all malignancies in men and only 1% of all incident breast cancers. Our study details clinico-pathological features, treatments and prognostic factors in a large Moroccan cohort. Findings: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were collected from 1985 to 2007 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat, Morocco. Median age was 62 years and median time for consultation 28 months. The main clinical complaint was a mass beneath the areola in 93, 5% of the cases. Most patients have an advanced disease. Ninety-one percent of tumors were ductal carcinomas. Management consisted especially of radical mastectomy; followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and hormonal therapy with or without chemotherapy. The median of follow-up was 30 months. The evolution has been characterized by local recurrence; in twenty two cases (17% of all patients). Metastasis occurred in 41 cases (32% of all patients). The site of metastasis was the bone in twenty cases; lung in twelve cases; liver in seven case; liver and skin in one case and pleura and skin in one case. Conclusion: Male breast cancer has many similarities to breast cancer in women, but there are distinct features that should be appreciated. Future research for better understanding of this disease at national or international level are needed to improve the management and prognosis of male patients

Diagnostic challenge for ovarian malignant melanoma in premenopausal women: Primary or metastatic?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the ovary, metastatic malignant melanoma may be confused with primary malignant melanoma and presents a diagnosis challenge. Most cases are associated with disseminated diseases and poor prognosis. We present this case report of a metastatic ovarian malignant melanoma simulating primary ovarian cancer.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>A 45-year-old premenopausal woman was incidentally found to have an abdominal mass, 3 years after removal of a cutaneous melanoma lesion. Ultrasound and CT scan revealed left two solid masses, which were found to be an ovarian tumor at laparotomy. Left oophorectomy was performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry showed melanoma metastasis to the ovary. Nine months later, the patient developed epilepsy and confusion. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed unique Wright frontal lobe lesion. She underwent stereotactic radio surgery and dacarbazine monotherapy. For months later, the patient is died from disseminate disease progression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ovarian metastasis is an unusual presentation of cutaneous melanoma and the prognosis was dismal. As illustrated by this case report, a differential diagnosis of a metastatic malignant melanoma must be considered.</p

Symptomatic hypopituitarism revealing primary suprasellar lymphoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The most common cause of hypopituitarism is pituitary adenoma. However, in the case of suprasellar masses different etiologies are possible. We report an unusual case of primary suprasellar lymphoma presented with hypopituitarism.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 26 year old woman presented with amenorrhea, galactorrhea and neurological disorders. Also, the laboratory work-up revealed partial hypopituitarism. The magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a suprasellar mass. A presumptive diagnosis of granulomatous processes was made and the patient was given steroid therapy. Repeated brain MRI detected new lesions in the brain with regression of the suprasellar mass. Stereotactic biopsy of the paraventricular lesion revealed the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case presentation reports a rare cause of hypopituitarism. Primary suprasellar lymphoma is extremely rare and represented a real diagnostic challenge. Besides, suprasellar masses are varied in aetiology and can present diagnostic problems for a radiologist. Also, because of the increased incidence of PCNSL, lymphoma must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of lesions in the suprasellar region.</p

Small-Cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of nasopharynx: A case report

Extra pulmonary small cell carcinomas are extremely rare, accounting for 0.1-0.4% of all malignancies and 2.5-4% of small cell carcinomas. In the head and neck region, the most common primary sites are the larynx, salivary gland, nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, tonsil, and oral cavity. Small cell carcinomas occurring in nasopharynx are extremely rare, to our best knowledge, only four cases of primary nasopharyngeal small cell carcinoma has been described in English literature. We report another case of nasopharyngeal small cell carcinoma arising in a 46-year-old woman. She accused, for five months, nasal blockage, right hypoacousia, exophthalmos and reduced visual acuity. Cerebral and facial magnetic resonance imaging showed an extensive mass of the nasopharynx with the invasion of sphenoidal body, the diagnosis of disseminated small cell carcinoma of nasopahrynx was established. The patient received three courses of systemic chemotherapy; unfortunately, she died after the third course. The prognosis of such entity is poor and is similar to that for patients with extensive small cell lung cancer

INVASIVE PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS FOLLOWING BEVACIZUMAB TREATMENT FOR NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor; it is actually approved for the treatment of unresectable, locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in association with chemotherapy and as maintenance therapy. Infection risk due to use of bevacizumab is a very rare event. Several cases of aspergillosis in patients treated with monoclonal antibodies have been reported, mostly following treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers. We present a case of a 60 year-old patient treated for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, who has been diagnosed with invasive aspergillosis following bevacizumab treatment, and, we postulate that bevacizumab may contribute to this infection