Cystic metastasis versus brain abscess: Role of MR imaging in accurate diagnosis and implications on treatment

Intracranial cystic metastases are difficult to differentiate from non neoplastic lesions like a cystic abscess on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences in patients with a known primary cancer. Diffusion weighted MRI sequences can help in differentiating between the two. This carries significant implications on the intent and nature of treatment. We present a case of a forty five-year- old patient of squamous cell carcinoma of larynx who developed an intracranial cystic ring enhancing lesion following chemotherapy. Though routine MRI was equivocal, MR diffusion was highly suggestive of an abscess and this led to surgical excision which confirmed the diagnosis. We discuss this case and review the literature regarding the role of newer MRI sequences and the ramifications on patient treatment

Extramedullary plasmacytoma in the carotid space: Expanding the differential diagnosis

Plasma cell neoplasms have been classified into various types, with a range of clinical and radiological presentations. Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a subset of plasma cell neoplasms which presents as an isolated non-osseous soft tissue mass. Though carotid space neoplasms are commonly encountered, EMP in the carotid space is rare and seldom considered in the initial differential diagnosis of a carotid space mass. These tumors can be treated by surgery or radiotherapy. On the other hand, the commonly encountered tumors in the carotid space are treated surgically. Also, it is mandatory to exclude multiple myeloma in the patients presenting with EMP. Hence, accurate and early diagnosis has therapeutic and prognostic implications. We report a rare case of EMP of the carotid space, describing the imaging features and the differential diagnoses with clues pointing to this rare entity

Does PET–CT scan have a role prior to radical re-resection for incidental gallbladder cancer?

Background. Radical re-resection is offered to patients with non-metastatic, invasive, incidental gallbladder cancer. Data evaluating 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (18F-FDG PET–CT) in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer is sparse. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of integrated 18F-FDG PET–CT in determining occult metastatic or residual local–regional disease in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer. Methods. Patients referred with incidental gallbladder cancer for radical re-resection were evaluated using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and PET–CT. Based on preoperative imaging, 24 out of 92 patients were found suitable for surgery. The two imaging modalities were evaluated with respect to residual and resectable disease. Results. In determining residual disease, MDCT had a sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 42.8%, each, while PET–CT had a sensitivity and PPV of 28.5 and 20%, respectively. In determining resectability, MDCT had a sensitivity, PPV, and accuracy of 100, 87.5, and 87.5%, respectively, as compared to PET–CT (sensitivity=100%, PPV=91.3%, accuracy=91.6%). Conclusions. From our study, it appears that in patients with incidental gall bladder cancer without metastatic disease, PET–CT and MDCT seem to have roles complementing each other. PET–CT was able to detect occult metastatic or residual local–regional disease in some of these patients, and seems to be useful in the preoperative diagnostic algorithm of patients whose MDCT is normal or indicates locally advanced disease

A tertiary care experience with paclitaxel and cetuximab as palliative chemotherapy in platinum sensitive and nonsensitive in head and neck cancers

Background: The combination of paclitaxel and cetuximab (PaCe) has led to an encouraging response rate in Phase 2 setting with limited toxicity. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of this regimen in our setting in platinum sensitive and nonsensitive patients. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of head and neck cancer patients treated with weekly PaCe as palliative chemotherapy between May 2010 and August 2014. The standard schedule of cetuximab along with 80 mg/m2 of weekly paclitaxel was administered till either disease progression or withdrawal of patient's consent. The toxicity and response were noted in accordance with CTCAE version 4.02 and RECIST version 1.1 criteria, respectively. The response rates between platinum sensitive and nonsensitive patients were compared by Chi-square test. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated by Kaplan–Meier survival method and log-rank test was used for comparison. Cox proportional hazard model was used for identification of factors affecting PFS and OS. Results: One Hundred patients with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range: 46–56 years) were included. Forty-five patients (45%) were platinum insensitive, whereas 55 patients (55%) were platinum sensitive. In platinum insensitive patients and sensitive patients, the response rates were 38.5% and 22.2%, respectively (P = 0.104), whereas the symptomatic benefit in pain was seen in 89.5% and 71.7%, respectively (P = 0.044). The median PFS in platinum insensitive and sensitive patients were 150 and 152 days, respectively (P = 0.932), whereas the median OS was 256 days (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 168.2–343.8 days) and 314 days (95% CI: 227.6–400.4 days), respectively (P = 0.23). Nineteen patients (19%) had grades 3–4 adverse events during chemotherapy. Conclusion: Weekly paclitaxel combined with cetuximab has promising efficacy and good tolerability in the palliative setting in advanced head and neck cancer in both platinum sensitive and insensitive patients

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase mutation in neoadjuvant chemotherapy in head and neck cancers: Myth or reality?

Purpose: The docetaxel, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cisplatin (TPF) regimen in India is associated with high percentages of Grade 3-4 toxicity. This analysis was planned to evaluate the incidence of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) mutation in patients with severe gastrointestinal toxicity, to assess whether the mutation could be predicted by a set of clinical criteria and whether it has any impact on postneoadjuvant chemotherapy response. Methods: All consecutive patients who received TPF regimen in head and neck cancers between January 2015 and April 2015 were selected. Patients who had predefined set of toxicities in Cycle 1 were selected for DPD mutation testing. Depending on the results, C2 doses were modified. Postcompletion of two cycles, patients underwent radiological response assessment. Descriptive statistics has been performed. The normally distributed continuous variables were compared by unpaired Student′s t-test, whereas variables which were not normally distributed by Wilcoxon sum rank test. For noncontinuous variables, comparison was performed by Fisher′s exact test. Results: Out of 34 patients, who received TPF, 12 were selected for DPD testing, and 11 (32.4%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 19.1-49.3%) had DPD mutation. The predictive accuracy of the criteria for the tested DPD mutations was 81.3% (95% CI: 62.1-100%). Of the 11 DPD mutation positive patients, except for one patient, all others received the second cycle of TPF. The dose adjustments done in 5-FU were 50% dose reduction in 9 patients and no dose reduction in one patient. The response rate in DPD mutated patients was 27.3% (3/11) and that in DPD nonmutated/nontested was 39.1% (9/23) (P = 0.70). Conclusion: In this small study, it seems that the incidence of DPD mutation is more common in Indian then it′s in the Caucasian population. Clinical toxicity criteria can accurately predict for DPD mutation. Postdose adjustments of 5-FU from C2 onward, TPF can safely be delivered in the majority of patients with DPD heterozygous mutations without decrement in efficacy