Extra-axial ependymoma of the cerebral convexity: A very rare intracranial adult tumor.

Background Ependymomas are rare adult tumors that originate from the ventricular system or the ependymal surface of the central canal. Extra-axial supratentorial ependymomas are extremely rare, and only five cases have been reported to date in the English literature. Case presentation A 46-year-old previously healthy male presented with a gradual painless loss of vision in the right eye. Cerebral MRI showed a right parietal-occipital lesion resembling an atypical meningioma. Surgical resection was performed, and immunohistochemical staining results concluded that it was a very uncommon location of a grade 3 ependymoma. Favorable outcome was observed one year after completion of postoperative radiotherapy. Conclusion Clinical and imaging aspects are misleading in rare brain tumors, and immunohistochemistry is essential to re-address diagnosis.

Associated factors with psychological distress in Moroccan breast cancer patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) in Moroccan breast cancer patients, and to determine clinical and social demographic factors associated with PD. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study where we included all female breast cancer patients that did not have other malignancies. Judgment criteria were based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Distress Thermometer (DT). Threshold values of 15 and 3 were fixed to detect patients on PD by the HADS and the DT, respectively. We analyzed data by calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the reliability of measurements, and by simple and multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: 446 women were enrolled. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.801, 0.669 and 0.639 respectively for the HADS, HAD-A and HAD-D questionnaires. 120 patients (26.9%) had a HADS global score ≥15. HAD-A and HAD-D sub-scores were ≥11 in 25 (5.6%) and 30 (6.7%) patients respectively. In multivariate analysis, adjusted for the education level, marital status, taking analgesic and/or anxiolytic treatment, and current treatment type; we found that the occurrence of a distant metastasis [OR = 14.427 p < 0.001], lack of social family support [OR = 4.631 p < 0.001], living a difficult emotional [OR = 2533 p = 0.034] and/or financial [OR = 2.09 p = 0.037] situation, and younger (<50 years) age [OR = 2.398 p = 0.002], were independent associated factors with PD as assessed by the HADS. CONCLUSIONS: Social family support, emotional and financial difficulties should be investigated in all Moroccan breast cancer patients, especially among younger ones, in order to detect those at risk of PD and offer them appropriate support.

Lumbosacral plexopathy: A rare long term complication of concomitant chemo-radiation for cervical cancer.

Radiation induced Lumbosacral plexophaty (RILP) is a rare but severe complication that has a considerable impact on quality of life. Its occurrence is rare but increasing with improved long-term cancer survival. This entity commonly results in different degrees of sensory and motor deficits. The pathophysiological mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Diagnosis of radiation myelopathy in women with gynecologic malignancies may increase with the use of concomitant chemo-radiation. This report describes the effect of this combination therapy in a 64-year-old woman with cervical carcinoma.