Metastatic Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Are There Associated Factors and Best Treatment Modalities?

Giant cell tumors of bone are sometimes locally aggressive and may metastasize, although uncommonly. We attempted to identify associations of clinical and histopathologic parameters with metastasis, the long-term outcome with metastases, and the best treatment. We identified distant metastases in 24 of 470 patients with giant cell tumors during a 20-year period. The median age of these 24 patients at presentation was 26 years (range, 16–76 years), and the male:female ratio was 1.6:1, with no predilection for primary site. Metastasis occurred at a mean of 2 years (range, 4 months–11 years) after initial diagnosis. Sites for distant metastases were the lung (21 of 24 patients), scalp, calf muscle, and regional lymph nodes. The 24 patients had a mean followup of 3.5 years (range, 0–16 years). Thirteen of the 24 patients has local recurrence before or at the time of metastasis. Two patients refused treatment, eight underwent metastasectomy, and 14 were inoperable (four had chemotherapy, 10 were treated symptomatically). We observed disease progression with hemoptysis in one of 14 patients. None of the patients died of their metastatic disease. None of the risk factors we studied was associated with metastasis in giant cell tumors. Although the overall outcome was favorable, metastasectomy is recommended where feasible

Ecos de Resiliencia: Navegando por las corrientes de la vida a través de la hemodiálisis - Experiencia vivida

Chronic Kidney Disease is an emerging Public Health problem impacting the patients overall wellbeing. Prevalence is increasing globally. Hemodialysis being the major treatment modality it imposes great challenges among patients. This study explored the lived experience of Quality of life of patients undergoing Hemodialysis. Phenomenological approach was used among 12 patients undergoing Hemodialysis to explore the experiences of Quality of Life between May 2022 and December 2022. Participants were purposively chosen. Semi structured interview was used to collect the data. Interview was video recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was done. Three major themes emerged from the interviews including Physical, Psychological and Social experiences. Various subthemes were identified ranging from physical exhaustion to financial crisis. The exploration of inner being of patients undergoing hemodialysis and assisting them psychosocial interventions will be beneficial in improving their Quality of Life.La enfermedad renal crónica es un problema emergente de salud pública que afecta al bienestar general de los pacientes. Su prevalencia está aumentando en todo el mundo. La hemodiálisis es la principal modalidad de tratamiento e impone grandes retos a los pacientes. Este estudio explora la experiencia vivida de la calidad de vida de los pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis. Se utilizó un enfoque fenomenológico entre 12 pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis para explorar las experiencias de calidad de vida entre mayo de 2022 y diciembre de 2022. Los participantes fueron elegidos intencionadamente. Se utilizó una entrevista semiestructurada para recoger los datos. La entrevista se grabó en vídeo y se transcribió. Se realizó un análisis temático. De las entrevistas surgieron tres temas principales: experiencias físicas, psicológicas y sociales. Se identificaron varios subtemas que iban desde el agotamiento físico hasta la crisis financiera. La exploración del ser interior de los pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis y la ayuda que se les preste mediante intervenciones psicosociales serán beneficiosas para mejorar su calidad de vida

Rare presentation of Kyrle′s disease in siblings

Background: Kyrle′s disease is a rare variant of primary perforating dermatosis. Its occurrence in a familial setting, especially in children, is extremely uncommon. Similar appearing skin lesions have been described in adults, secondary to metabolic disorders, infective agents as well as exposure to chemicals. We present a rare case of this genodermatosis in two siblings. Materials and Methods: Two siblings of a non-consanguineous marriage came with generalized discrete papular lesions with a central keratotic plug. All biochemical and serological investigations were within normal limits. Serial sections of the biopsy revealed typical epidermal invaginations filled with parakeratotic debris and perforation into the dermis with accompanying granulomatous reaction. Results and Conclusions: A careful history, detailed routine investigations and serial sections of the skin biopsy are required to demonstrate the typical morphology and stages of evolution of Kyrle′s disease. This helps to differentiate the rare primary Kyrle′s disease from other primary and secondary keratotic lesions. Due to the familial occurrence, screening of relatives of an index case is recommended

Parvovirus B19 presenting with persistent pancytopenia in a patient of T-ALL post induction chemotherapy diagnosed on bone marrow examination

Manifestations of parvovirus B19 vary even in the normal host from asymptomatic or subclinical infection to a spectrum of illness with symptoms during viremic and immune complex mediated stage of disease. We report the morphological findings of parvovirus B19 infection (confirmed on serology) in a patient of T-acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-ALL) who underwent induction phase of chemotherapy (MCP 842 protocol). Persistent pancytopenia in the bone marrow aspirate with mild increase in blasts was thought to be due to failure to achieve marrow remission. However, giant pronormoblasts with prominent intranuclear inclusions confirmed on trephine biopsy led to the suspicion of parvovirus B19 infection which was later confirmed on serology. This case is presented to report the rarely seen classical morphological feature of parvovirus infection on bone marrow examination which was incidentally the first investigation to diagnose the viremic phase of the infection, indicating that a high index of suspicion needs to be kept in mind while examining bone marrows of susceptible patients

Head and Neck Histoplasmosis—A Nightmare for Clinicians and Pathologists! Experience at a Tertiary Referral Cancer Centre

Histoplasmosis is a rarely reported deep mycotic infection in the Indian context. Oral or oropharyngeal manifestation can occur as an isolated symptom or as part of a disseminated process associated with immunosuppression especially with HIV and diabetes. Five cases of head and neck histoplasmosis accrued over 6 years in a tertiary referral cancer institute were reviewed. All these patients presented clinically as cancer. In three patients, the marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia led to a mistaken biopsy diagnosis of malignancy following which definitive surgical treatment was performed. The subsequent excision revealed typical features of histoplasmosis. Isolated oral presentation of histoplasmosis can mimic malignancy both clinically as well as pathologically, leading to potentially disastrous consequences. A high index of suspicion in those with overt or hidden immunosuppression and a deep wedge biopsy to demonstrate the organisms in the subepithelial tissue is recommended

Sarcomatoid (Spindle Cell) Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Mucosal Region: A Clinicopathologic Review of 103 Cases from a Tertiary Referral Cancer Centre

Sarcomatoid carcinomas are biphasic tumors proven to be monoclonal dedifferentiated forms of conventional squamous carcinomas. This study evaluates their clinicopathologic characteristics in head and neck mucosal sites and the problems in distinguishing them from other spindle cell tumors. A total of 103 cases with a confirmed diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma accessioned in the pathology department of a tertiary referral cancer centre over a period of 7 years (2004–2010) were studied. An algorithm used for their diagnosis is presented. Ages of the patients were 22–90 years (median 53 years), and male:female ratio was 3.7:1. Site distribution was oral cavity (n = 65, 63.1%), larynx (18, 17.5%), oropharynx/hypopharynx (12, 10.7%), maxilla (6, 5.8%) and metastatic nodes (2, 1.9%). A large number of patients (95%) presented with a mass lesion of less than 1 year duration. Histopathologically, epithelial differentiation was evident on morphology in 48 (46.6%) cases, only on IHC in 34 (33%) cases, and in 21 (20.4%) no epithelial differentiation was seen. Typically, tumors were polypoidal (92, 89.3%) and ulcerated (95, 92.2%) with cells arranged predominantly in fascicles (59, 57.3%) or storiform pattern (17, 16.5%) amidst collagenous (50, 48.5%) or myxoid matrix (35, 34%). Anaplasia (2+/3+) and mitosis >10 per 10 HPF were noted in 96 (93.2%) cases. IHC was done in 82 cases; 55 (66.7%) showed positivity for epithelial markers with aberrant expression of mesenchymal markers in 43 (41.7%). Diagnosis of sarcomatoid squamous carcinoma is challenging because of overlapping histopathological features with other spindle cell tumors. Understanding their clinicopathologic characteristics facilitates their diagnosis and appropriate clinical management