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INTRODUCTION: Whole body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) is a promising emerging imaging technology for detecting bone and soft tissue pathology, especially in the onco-hematological field. This study aims to evaluate cancer patients' experience of WB-MRI performed on a 3T scanner compared to other diagnostic total body examinations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this prospective committee-approved study, patients completed a questionnaire in person (n = 134) after undergoing a WB-MRI scan to collect data on their physical and psychological reactions during the scan, the global satisfaction level, and preference for other types of MRI or computed tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET/CT). Of all patients who had performed a CT or PET/CT the previous year, 61.9% had already undergone an MRI. The most common symptoms reported were: 38.1% perceived a localized increase in temperature and 34.4% numbness and tingling of the limbs. The scan time averaged 45 min and was well tolerated by most patients (112, 85.5%). Overall, WB-MRI was appreciated by the majority (121/134-90.3%) of patients who said they would probably undergo the procedure again. Patients preferred the WB-MRI in 68.7% of cases (92/134), followed by CT in 15.7% of cases (21/134) and by PET/CT in 7.4% (10/134), with 8.4% (11/134) of patients without any preference. The preference for imaging modalities was age-dependent (p = 0.011), while (p > 0.05) was independent of sex and a primary cancer site. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a high degree of WB-MRI acceptance from a patient's point of view.
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Neoplasias , Radiologia , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons combinada à Tomografia Computadorizada/métodos , Estudos Prospectivos , Imagem Corporal Total/métodos , Neoplasias/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Assistência Centrada no Paciente , Fluordesoxiglucose F18 , Estadiamento de NeoplasiasRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Bone metastases (BM) are still the main cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, not only because of their complications, defined as skeletal-related events (SREs), but also because of the negative impact bone pain has on quality of life (QoL) and survival, especially when opioid analgesics and locoregional treatments fail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center prospective study was carried out on 12 patients with symptomatic BM treated with MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU). The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of MR-HIFU in reducing current and breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) scores. The main secondary aims were the evaluation of circulating markers at different time-points and their relation to pain and procedure efficacy. Other secondary objectives included temporal evolution of pain response, evaluation of QoL, and side effects of the treatment. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate primary and secondary endpoints. Questionnaires on pain and QoL completed at baseline and at 30 days were compared using appropriate statistical tests with exploratory intent. RESULTS: MR-HIFU was successfully completed in all 12 patients enrolled between September 2015 and December 2018. On day 30, 6 (50.0%) patients showed a complete response of current pain and 6 a partial response, while 5 (41.7%) obtained a complete BTCP response. A partial response of BM evaluated by MD Anderson criteria was obtained in 9 (81.8%) patients. Only one patient progressed in the target lesion after MR-HIFU. No treatment-related adverse events were recorded. Bone turnover markers CTX/RANK-L (P) do not demonstrate any significant change with the pain or BM response. CONCLUSION: In our patients, targeted therapy of painful BM with MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation was safe and showed encouraging early-onset and functional results.
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Neoplasias Ósseas , Qualidade de Vida , Neoplasias Ósseas/secundário , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Dor/complicações , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
PURPOSE: Bone metastases (BMs) are responsible for high morbidity in patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving a team of specialists offers an effective therapeutic strategy based on disease characteristics, medical history, and performance status. We evaluated the impact of our 10-year multidisciplinary experience on the management of patients with BM. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 2194 medical reports of 1628 patients referred to our Osteoncology Center from 2005 to 2015. Cases were discussed weekly by a multidisciplinary team. RESULTS: Eight hundred thirty-eight (38.2%) of the 2194 visits were requested because of a risk of complications from BM. Antiblastic treatment and bone-targeted therapy were modified in 709 (66.3%) and 309 (31%) of cases, respectively. Radiotherapy was scheduled in 220 (20%) of the 1099 patients for whom information was recorded. Patients completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) during their first visit, 1296 (59.1%) reporting pain (median intensity 4), and 537 (41.4%) experiencing a level that interfered substantially with daily activities. New ortheses and/or antalgic therapy was prescribed accordingly. After 7 days, 208 (16%) patients were re-evaluated and a new BPI administered. A significant improvement in the worst (p < 0.0001) and current pain (p = 0.03) was seen, together with a favorable impact on daily activities (p = 0.02). Two thousand fifty-one patients completed an anonymous questionnaire on the quality of the service, the majority (69.4%) expressing high satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our 10-year osteoncology experience confirms the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to optimize BM management. Further evaluations are needed in relation to quality of life, outcome, and costs.
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Analgésicos/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Ósseas/secundário , Medição da Dor/métodos , Dor/tratamento farmacológico , Satisfação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Neoplasias Ósseas/mortalidade , Neoplasias Ósseas/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor/etiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Radio-ligand therapy (RLT) with177Lu-PSMA-617 is a promising option for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate-cancer (mCRPC). A prospective phase-II study (EUDRACT/RSO,2016-002732-32) on mCRPC is ongoing at IRST (Meldola, Italy). A total of 9 patients (median age: 68 y, range: 53â»85) were enrolled for dosimetry evaluation of parotid glands (PGs), kidneys, red marrow (RM) and whole body (WB). Folic polyglutamate tablets were orally administered as PGs protectors and 500 mL of a 10% mannitol solution was intravenously infused to reduce kidney uptake. The whole body planar image (WBI) and blood samples were acquired at different times post infusion (1 h, 16â»24 h, 36â»48 h and 120 h). Dose calculation was performed with MIRD formalism (OLINDA/EXM software). The median effective half-life was 33.0 h (range: 25.6â»60.7) for PGs, 31.4 h (12.2â»80.6) for kidneys, 8.2 h (2.5â»14.7) for RM and 40.1 h (31.6â»79.7) for WB. The median doses were 0.48 mGy/MBq (range: 0.33â»2.63) for PGs, 0.70 mGy/MBq (0.26â»1.07) for kidneys, 0.044 mGy/MBq (0.023â»0.067) for RM and 0.04 mGy/MBq (0.02â»0.11) for WB. A comparison with previously published dosimetric data was performed and a significant difference was found for PGs while no significant difference was observed for the kidneys. For PGs, the possibility of reducing uptake by administering glutamate tablets during RLT seems feasible while further research is warranted for a more focused evaluation of the reduction in kidney uptake.
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Dipeptídeos/administração & dosagem , Ácido Glutâmico/administração & dosagem , Compostos Heterocíclicos com 1 Anel/administração & dosagem , Lutécio/administração & dosagem , Manitol/administração & dosagem , Neoplasias de Próstata Resistentes à Castração/tratamento farmacológico , Radioisótopos/administração & dosagem , Administração Oral , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Medula Óssea/química , Dipeptídeos/química , Dipeptídeos/farmacocinética , Ácido Glutâmico/uso terapêutico , Meia-Vida , Compostos Heterocíclicos com 1 Anel/química , Compostos Heterocíclicos com 1 Anel/farmacocinética , Humanos , Infusões Intravenosas , Rim/química , Lutécio/farmacocinética , Masculino , Manitol/uso terapêutico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Glândula Parótida/química , Estudos Prospectivos , Antígeno Prostático Específico , Doses de Radiação , Radioisótopos/farmacocinética , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/administração & dosagem , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/farmacocinética , Comprimidos/administração & dosagemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To investigate early changes in tumour perfusion parameters by dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (D-CEUS) and to identify any correlation with survival and tumour response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with bevacizumab (B). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients randomized to either chemotherapy (C) plus B or C alone were considered for this study. D-CEUS was performed at baseline and after the first treatment cycle (day 15). Four D-CEUS perfusion parameters were considered: derived peak intensity (DPI), area under the curve (AUC), slope of wash-in (A) and time to peak intensity (TPI). RESULTS: In patients treated with C plus B, a ≥22.5 % reduction in DPI, ≥20 % increase in TPI and ≥10 % reduction in AUC were correlated with higher progression-free survival in the C+B arm (p = 0.048, 0.024 and 0.010, respectively) but not in the C arm. None of the evaluated parameter modifications had a correlation with tumour response or overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: D-CEUS could be useful for detecting and quantifying dynamic changes in tumour vascularity as early as 15 days after the start of B-based therapy. Although these changes may be predictive of progression-free survival, no correlation with response or overall survival was found. KEY POINTS: ⢠D-CEUS showed early changes in liver metastasis perfusion in colorectal cancer. ⢠A decrease in tumour perfusion was associated with longer progression-free survival. ⢠The decrease in perfusion was not correlated with higher overall survival.
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Bevacizumab/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , Meios de Contraste , Aumento da Imagem/métodos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Ultrassonografia/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Antineoplásicos Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Área Sob a Curva , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Feminino , Humanos , Fígado/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Hepáticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Hepáticas/secundário , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor with a demonstrated activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is currently used for the treatment of these pathologies. Ongoing clinical trials are studying its activity in other malignancies, such as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, no biological marker is known to define either the sensitivity or resistance to the drug. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a case of a patient with two synchronous tumors, HCC and NSCLC, with metastases in the contralateral lung and bone. The patient was treated with gemcitabine as first line, with a resulting progressive disease after two months, and then with sorafenib at standard dosage in the second line setting. After 6 months of treatment CT scan showed a partial response in the primary lesion of the lung, complete response of the metastasis in the contralateral lung, and stability of HCC. The patient had progression in the lung, liver and bone after 13 months of therapy. A molecular characterization of NSCLC and HCC lesions was performed, revealing a BRAF exon 11 mutation (G469V) only in NSCLC. We hypothesize that the response observed in NSCLC lesions could be due to the presence of BRAF mutation, and that this alteration could be responsible in determining sorafenib sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Results observed in this case encourage further research on the activity of sorafenib in both HCC and NSCLC, based on the presence of BRAF mutation. This could lead to a selection of HCC patients to be treated with this drug, and could help identify a novel treatment strategy for BRAF-mutated NSCLC patients.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamento farmacológico , Niacinamida/análogos & derivados , Compostos de Fenilureia/administração & dosagem , Idoso , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/genética , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Masculino , Mutação , Neoplasias Primárias Múltiplas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Primárias Múltiplas/genética , Niacinamida/administração & dosagem , Niacinamida/uso terapêutico , Compostos de Fenilureia/uso terapêutico , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/genética , Sorafenibe , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma derived from smooth muscle cells typically of uterine, gastrointestinal or soft tissue origin. The prognosis for this tumor is poor, with survival rates among the lowest of all soft tissue sarcomas. Surgery is the best approach for localized disease. The principal role of chemotherapy is prevalently in the treatment of metastatic disease. Trabectedin, a promising new DNA-damaging agent with a mechanism of action that differs from that of traditional alkylating agents, has been approved in Europe for the treatment of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma after failure of anthracyclines and ifosfamide, CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with metastatic well differentiated uterine leiomyosarcoma refractory to multiple treatments who underwent 22 cycles of trabectedin over 30 months, obtaining a partial response according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria, with good tolerability, and maintaining the response for 10 months after trebectedin withdrawal. CONCLUSION: This very prolonged response, which persisted after drug discontinuation, suggests that trabectedin exerts an oncostatic effect rather than the cytotoxic one produced by other chemotherapeutic agents. Our experience also raises the question of the best way to evaluate trabectedin efficacy.
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Antineoplásicos Alquilantes/uso terapêutico , Dioxóis/uso terapêutico , Leiomiossarcoma/tratamento farmacológico , Tetra-Hidroisoquinolinas/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Uterinas/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Trabectedina , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare malignancies characterized by c-kit and PDGFR-α mutations targeted by imatinib. Pleural effusion is a very rare side effect of imatinib treatment. A 65-year-old female with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor developed electrolyte imbalance, severe peripheral edema and progressively worsening dyspnea 2 months after starting imatinib. Having excluded cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, imatinib was discontinued and prednisone 25 mg orally daily was begun. The patient's condition improved substantially over the next 48 h with a progressive decrease in dyspnea and a reduction in pleural effusion and peripheral edema. All side effects had resolved within 1 month. In view of the partial response obtained, the patient re-started imatinib after a 1-week interruption. Prednisone was maintained and there was no further toxicity.
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Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Benzamidas/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/diagnóstico por imagem , Tumores do Estroma Gastrointestinal/diagnóstico por imagem , Piperazinas/uso terapêutico , Derrame Pleural Maligno/diagnóstico por imagem , Pirimidinas/uso terapêutico , Idoso , Feminino , Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/patologia , Tumores do Estroma Gastrointestinal/tratamento farmacológico , Tumores do Estroma Gastrointestinal/secundário , Humanos , Mesilato de Imatinib , Derrame Pleural Maligno/tratamento farmacológico , Radiografia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Malignant tumors of the lacrimal gland are rare, and single bone metastases from lacrimal gland carcinoma are an exceptional event. We present the case of a 71-year-old man with a history of lumbar pain and left exophthalmos. Surgical resection of the lacrimal lesion and a bone biopsy gave a final histopathological diagnosis of primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland with bone metastasis. The pathological tissue from both procedures was positive for androgen receptor expression. The patient underwent embolization and radiotherapy in association with total androgen blockade. After 20 months, the patient is still asymptomatic and has maintained the partial response at L1 with no progression to other sites. Our patient would appear to have a better prognosis and the disease a more indolent clinical course than the other cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland reported in the literature.
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Adenocarcinoma/patologia , Neoplasias Ósseas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Ósseas/secundário , Neoplasias Oculares/patologia , Aparelho Lacrimal/patologia , Idoso , Biópsia , Neoplasias Ósseas/radioterapia , Humanos , Vértebras Lombares/patologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Resultado do Tratamento , Carga TumoralRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare disease with a high mortality rate. This syndrome is characterised by generalised edema, hypotension, hemoconcentration, and hypoproteinemia. The cause is the sudden onset of capillary hyperpermeability with extravasations of plasma from the intravascular to the extravascular compartment. We present the case of a patient who experienced two episodes of systemic capillary leak syndrome and pulmonary hypertension; the first after gemcitabine in an adjuvant setting and the second three years later after treatment with nab-paclitaxel for metastatic disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old patient underwent a pancreatectomy in January 2010 for ductal carcinoma (pT3 N0 M0, stage IIa), followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven days after the last cycle, she developed dyspnea associated with orthopnea and cough. A transthoracic cardiac ecocolordoppler was performed, with evidence of pulmonary hypertension (58 mmHg). Blood tests showed an increase in creatinine, pro-BNP and D-Dimer. She began high-dose diuretic therapy combined with cortisone. After a month, the patient was eupneic and the anasarca had resolved. We decided gradually to reduce the steroid and diuretic therapy. After ten days of the reduction, the patient began to re-present the same symptoms after treatment with gemcitabine. Corticosteroid therapy was restored with rapid clinical benefit and decreased pro-BNP after a week of treatment. After two years, the disease returned. As a first line treatment, it was decided to use nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 weekly. After two doses, followed by approximately 14 days of treatment, the patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. The clinical suspicion was a relapse of capillary leak syndrome and treatment with a high-dose diuretic (furosemide 250 mg daily) was started combined with cortisone (40 mg methylprednisolone). The patient showed a progressive clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel who experience a sudden onset of diffuse edema with respiratory distress, capillary leak syndrome should be suspected. Immediate treatment with corticosteroids may be life-saving.
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Albuminas/efeitos adversos , Síndrome de Vazamento Capilar/etiologia , Desoxicitidina/análogos & derivados , Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Paclitaxel/efeitos adversos , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/complicações , Idoso , Albuminas/administração & dosagem , Albuminas/uso terapêutico , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Síndrome de Vazamento Capilar/diagnóstico , Quimioterapia Adjuvante , Desoxicitidina/administração & dosagem , Desoxicitidina/efeitos adversos , Desoxicitidina/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Humanos , Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Paclitaxel/administração & dosagem , Paclitaxel/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/patologia , Fatores de Tempo , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Ultrassonografia Doppler , GencitabinaRESUMO
The gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon site of metastasis in melanoma. However, when the primary melanoma cannot be found, the diagnosis of gastric melanoma by endoscopic biopsy is problematic mainly because some tumors are amelanotic and do not contain melanin granules detectable by microscopy. A 56-year-old Caucasian man with melanoma was referred to us following an initial histopathological diagnosis via gastroscopy of poorly differentiated primary gastric carcinoma. A computerized tomography (CT) scan showed metastatic disease and on the basis of this information we started palliative chemotherapy. However, the atypical presentation of the disease with subcutaneous metastases prompted us to make a more in-depth evaluation. Immunohistochemical evaluation modified the diagnosis to melanoma. After only one cycle of chemotherapy, treatment was changed to dabrafenib + trametinib, which was better tolerated and initially induced a partial response. The patient is currently in good clinical condition 20 months after diagnosis. Our case report highlights the difficulty in diagnosing melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract and indicates the need for pathologists and clinicians to consider such a possibility when they are faced with a diagnosis of poorly differentiated gastric cancer and unusual sites of metastasis.
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BACKGROUND: NTRK (neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase)-rearranged spindle cell neoplasms are a new group of tumors included in the new 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas. These tumors are characterized by NTRK gene fusions and show a wide spectrum of histologies and clinical behavior. Several targeted therapies have recently been approved for tumors harboring NTRK fusions, including STS. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old male with advanced, pretreated NTRK rearranged spindle cell neoplasm and liver, lung and bone metastases was treated with larotrectinib on a continuous 28-day schedule, at a dose of 100 mg twice daily. An 18FDG-PET/CT scan performed after 7 days of treatment showed tumor shrinkage in both visceral and bone lesions. There was no drug-related toxicity. Subsequent evaluations confirmed continued tumor regression in disease sites. The patient is well and continues treatment. CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological response of our patient with an uncommon TPM4 (exon 7)-NTRK1 (exon 12) gene fusion tumor treated with a first-generation TRK inhibitor could contribute to a better understanding of the biology of this new STS entity and help to improve patient management.
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Immunotherapy directed at the programmed cell death-1 receptor (PD-1) or its ligand PD-L1 has proven effective in solid malignancies such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), urothelial cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and head and neck cancer. Compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or molecular targeted agents, immunotherapy is an innovative strategy for treating malignancies, with durable clinical responses and manageable adverse events. Thymic carcinomas are extremely rare, constituting only 0.06% of all malignancies, are much more aggressive tumours than thymomas and have a worse prognosis. Nowadays, first line platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic tumours are the cornerstone of treatment. However, the results of further therapeutic lines for metastatic or relapsed thymic carcinoma are unsatisfactory, with no regimen showing a consistent benefit. Moreover, the rarity of these tumours makes it difficult to carry out clinical trials. Herein we report a remarkable result of 1 year stable disease with good quality of life and no side effects obtained from the use of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab in a case of heavily pre-treated squamous cell thymic carcinoma and cardiac impairment. We also include a literature review of clinical trials on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for the treatment of thymic epithelial cancers, taking a close look at cardiac toxicity.
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OBJECTIVES: Alterations in lung perfusion are a well-known feature of pulmonary hypertension (PH) seen on nuclear medicine studies. Abnormal radiotracer distribution in patients with PH may be caused by arterial thromboembolic occlusion, like in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, by parenchymal destruction as in interstitial lung disease and pulmonary emphysema or by distal arteriopathy, like in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and other nonembolic forms. The different imaging pattern on radionuclide perfusion studies represents an important element for differential diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate minimum intensity projection (minIP) images as an alternative to perfusion scintigraphy. We compared lung parenchyma attenuation patterns as depicted in minIP reconstructions with scintigraphic findings of lung perfusion in patients affected by pulmonary hypertension from various etiologies. METHODS: One hundred and seven consecutive patients affected by PH of different etiology (37 of those had chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) who had undergone both multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography and 99mTc-MAA perfusion scan were included. Five-millimeter thickness contiguous axial, coronal, and sagittal minIP images were reconstructed from the contrast enhanced computed tomography datasets. Two radiologists evaluated the images and qualitatively graded pulmonary attenuation as homogeneous, inhomogeneous with nonsegmental patchy defects, or inhomogeneous with segmental defects. The presence of parenchymal and pleural alterations was recorded. MinIP perfusion grading results were then compared with those of perfusion scintigraphy. RESULTS: In 87 of 107 patients (81.3%), the attenuation pattern seen on minIP images (39 homogeneous patterns, 13 with nonsegmental patchy defects, and 39 with segmental defects) correlated with the nuclear medicine scans. In the remaining 20 patients (18.7%), the imaging pattern was discordant because of 7 false-positive and 2 false-negative thromboembolic patterns at minIP and 11 false-positive thromboembolic patterns at perfusion scan. Air-trapping and parenchymal disease caused false-positive findings at minIP and perfusion scans, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of minIP in detection of a chronic thromboembolic perfusion pattern were 94.5% and 90%, whereas perfusion scan had 100% sensitivity and 84% specificity. CONCLUSION: MinIP reconstructions can identify different patterns of pulmonary parenchymal attenuation, which show high concordance with perfusion patterns seen on radionuclide studies in patients with pulmonary hypertension. MinIP is a promising technique to evaluate lung perfusion in PH and may be used as an alternative to scintigraphy in the diagnostic work-up of these patients.
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Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada de Emissão/métodos , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Angiografia/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Iopamidol/análogos & derivados , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Interpretação de Imagem Radiográfica Assistida por Computador , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Agregado de Albumina Marcado com Tecnécio Tc 99mRESUMO
Bone metastases are a frequent event in patients with solid tumors. Although great advances have been made in the treatment of these patients, the identification of novel, accurate indicators of bone response would greatly facilitate the clinical management of the disease. The receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) signaling pathway is significantly involved in bone metastasis formation. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of circulating RANK, RANKL and OPG levels in predicting bone response. Marker accuracy was also compared with that of the conventional tumor marker N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX). A prospective study was performed on 49 patients with bone metastases from breast, lung and prostate cancer, who were undergoing treatment with zoledronic acid. Patients were monitored for 1 year with blood tests, clinical evaluation and instrumental exams according to the response evaluation criteria of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX, USA) and the Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria in Solid Tumors. Circulating RANK/RANKL/OPG transcripts and NTX levels were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immune enzymatic assay, respectively. The baseline RANKL levels differed significantly between responders and non-responders, whereas no differences in NTX levels were observed between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve evaluation for all markers revealed that RANKL was the most accurate marker, with an area under the curve of 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.93). In addition, RANKL, which is the target of the novel monoclonal antibody denosumab, was the most accurate predictor of bone response in the present series of patients with bone metastases. Thus, the use of RANKL as a marker could potentially improve clinical practice, as current bone response evaluation is still somewhat problematic.
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Hypocalcemia is an uncommon clinical symptom of patients with malignant tumors, and a number of factors may be involved in its development. The present study describes the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian female, presenting with severe refractory hypocalcemia and heart failure. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer and bone metastases. The paraneoplastic origin of the syndrome was confirmed by its complete resolution once the tumor responded to specific antineoplastic treatments, comprising weekly paclitaxel and aromatase inhibitor administration. The present case report suggested the need for greater awareness of the possibility of paraneoplastic hypocalcemia in breast cancer patients, and suggested that this condition may also contribute to the occurrence of heart failure. The mechanisms potentially responsible for this event were discussed and a brief review of the literature presented.
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BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have shown that several chemotherapeutic agents at low doses may affect the vascular system. Here we report the case of a patient with long-term cancer control by metronomic chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old woman with breast cancer underwent a left mastectomy in July 2007. For a liver metastasis she was given first-line chemotherapy with doxorubicin plus paclitaxel every 21 days. A CT scan after the sixth cycle showed a partial response. It was decided to stop the treatment with doxorubicin and paclitaxel, and start metronomic therapy with cyclophosphamide 50 mg daily orally and methotrexate 2.5 mg twice daily, 2 days a week. After 6 months of this maintenance treatment, CT scan showed a complete response. We examined the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in histological sections of the primary tumor of our patient, finding evidence of overexpression of the receptor. The metronomic treatment is still ongoing, and after 60 months the patient maintains a complete response. CONCLUSION: This clinical case highlights how suitable metronomic chemotherapy can be used as maintenance therapy, allowing long-term treatment with no significant toxicity. This case suggests that the level of VEGFR2 is predictive of best response to antiangiogenic therapy.
Assuntos
Administração Metronômica , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/secundário , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/patologia , Receptor 2 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/análise , Administração Oral , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama/secundário , Ciclofosfamida/administração & dosagem , Doxorrubicina/administração & dosagem , Feminino , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Neoplasias Hepáticas/diagnóstico , Quimioterapia de Manutenção , Mastectomia Radical Modificada , Metotrexato/administração & dosagem , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Paclitaxel/administração & dosagem , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Resultado do Tratamento , Regulação para CimaRESUMO
The azygos venous system represents an accessory venous pathway supplying an important collateral circulation between the superior and inferior vena cava. The aim of this article is to revise the wide spectrum of changes ranging from normal to pathological conditions involving the azygos system. Teaching points ⢠The azygos vein is a collateral venous pathway, becoming a vital shunt if major pathways of venous return are obstructed. ⢠In azygos continuation, the azygos vein becomes significantly enlarged due to inferior vena cava interruption. ⢠Fibrosing mediastinitis is an underestimated acquired disorder. ⢠Fibrosing mediastinitis induces a variable engorgement of collateral veins. ⢠Fibrosing mediastinitis leads to superior vena cava syndrome.
RESUMO
We present the first documented case of hemangioblastoma located in the left colon. A 75-year-old woman undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer experienced rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed a roundish mass covered with normal mucosa in the sigmoid colon. Endoscopic ultrasound showed an isoechoic lesion originating from the third layer of the intestinal wall; underlying layers were normal. Endoscopic ultrasound features were not suggestive of either cancer or malignant stromal tumor. Left hemicolectomy was subsequently performed due to repeated episodes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Grossly, a circumscribed submucosal yellowish nodule (13 mm) was observed, which was not attached to any peripheral nerve. Histologically, the lesion was composed of large, atypical cells traversed by a network of blood vessels. Immunohistochemically, the cells showed positivity for inhibin and NSE and weak positivity for S-100. A diagnosis of hemangioblastoma was made. This case highlights that hemangioblastoma of the gastrointestinal tract can also occur.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/patologia , Hemangioblastoma/patologia , Idoso , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Feminino , Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/metabolismo , Hemangioblastoma/metabolismo , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Segunda Neoplasia Primária/patologiaRESUMO
The aim of this review is to describe the multimodal imaging (ultrasound, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and nuclear medicine) of primary hyperparathyroidism and its correlation to the pathological findings. In the last decades, imaging science has progressed a great deal. Accurate preoperative localization of the involved glands is essential for surgical success.