A novel (Leu183Pro-)mutation in the HFE-gene co-inherited with the Cys282Tyr mutation in two unrelated Dutch hemochromatosis patients.

We describe a novel heterozygous mutation in exon 3 of the HFE-gene that was co-inherited with Cys282Tyr in two unrelated Dutch men both presenting a classical form of hereditary hemochromatosis. Heterozygosity for this mutation was also found in one out of 100 healthy controls of Dutch descent. This c.548T>C mutation converts a leucine to a proline residue at position 183 in the alpha2-helix of the HFE-protein (Leu183Pro). Standard bioinformatics analysis shows that the mutation is likely to disturb the HFE interaction with TfR1. This disrupting role of the mutation in the iron regulatory pathway is further corroborated by the familial co-occurrence of the observed compound heterozygosity with increased serum iron parameters. Haplotype analysis strongly suggests that this novel mutation arose from a common ancestor in the distant past. These findings may have implications for HFE-testing of iron overloaded heterozygous Cys282Tyr-patients of Northern European origin and their relatives.

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma in women with breast implants.

CONTEXT: Recently, we identified 2 patients with anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma (ALCL) negative for tyrosine kinase anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK-negative) in the fibrous capsule of silicone breast prostheses, placed for cosmetic reasons. Similar cases have been reported in the literature. Although an increased risk of ALCL in patients with breast prostheses has been speculated, no studies have been conducted so far. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ALCL risk is associated with breast prostheses. DESIGN: A search for all patients with lymphoma in the breast diagnosed in The Netherlands between 1990 and 2006 was performed through the population-based nationwide pathology database. Subsequently, we performed an individually matched case-control study. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the relative risk of ALCL associated with breast prostheses. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Eleven patients with breast ALCL were identified in the registry. For each case patient with ALCL in the breast, we selected 1 to 5 controls with other lymphomas in the breast, matched on age and year of diagnosis. For all cases and controls (n = 35), pathological and clinical information was obtained with special emphasis on the presence of a breast prosthesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Association between breast implants and ALCL of the breast. RESULTS: The 11 patients with ALCL of the breast were diagnosed between 1994 and 2006 at a median age of 40 years (range, 24-68 years). In 5 of these patients, bilateral silicone breast prostheses had been placed 1 to 23 years before diagnosis. All received prostheses for cosmetic reasons. Lymphoma classes of 35 eligible control patients were 12 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, including 1 T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma; 5 Burkitt lymphomas; 10 mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphoma; 3 follicular lymphomas; 3 peripheral T-cell lymphomas; and 2 indolent B-cell lymphomas, unclassified. One of 35 control patients had a breast implant placed before diagnosis of lymphoma. The odds ratio for ALCL associated with breast prostheses was 18.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-156.8). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest an association between silicone breast prostheses and ALCL, although the absolute risk is exceedingly low due to the rare occurrence of ALCL of the breast (11 cases in The Netherlands in 17 years). These findings require confirmation in other studies.

[Patients with superior vena cava syndrome: pitfalls in recognition]. / Patiënten met het vena-cava-superiorsyndroom: valkuilen bij de herkenning.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) may be the presenting sign of malignancy. SVCS may be difficult to recognize due to its usual slow development or possible temporary regression. We discuss the pitfalls in recognizing SVCS by presenting two cases. In a 45-year-old man, facial swelling diminished after he was administered intraarticular steroids to treat brachialgia. During the same period, collateral veins appeared on his chest wall. Only a few weeks later he was diagnosed with SVCS due to lung cancer. A 31-year-old man with a swollen face was treated with glucocorticoids, allegedly for an allergic reaction. When symptoms recurred after one week, it was discovered that SVCS was caused by lymphoma. These cases illustrate that the first manifestations of SVCS may be subtle and that development of collaterals or the use of glucocorticoids may relieve symptoms. Importantly, late diagnosis of SVCS results in delay of treatment of the underlying cause, which is often malignant.

[Recurrent isolated angioedema as a result of acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency]. / Geïsoleerd angio-oedeem door verworven C1-esteraseremmerdeficiëntie.

Isolated angioedema may be the presenting symptom of acquired C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency. C1-INH deficiency is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. Treatment of the underlying disease can result in a complete reversal of clinical and complement abnormalities. We describe a 41-year-old woman who was referred to our emergency department with recurrent episodes of isolated angioedema. Initially, her angioedema was linked to the use of angiotensin receptor blockers. However, after discontinuation of this drug angioedema recurred. Additional investigations revealed the presence of acquired C1-INH deficiency caused by an indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatment with rituximab resulted in complete clinical and biochemical remission of the acquired angioedema.

[Castleman's disease, a fatal cause of lymph node enlargement and fever]. / De ziekte van Castleman: een fatale oorzaak van lymfkliervergroting en koorts.

A 71-year old Turkish man with fever, night sweats and generalized lymphadenopathy was diagnosed as having multicentric Castleman's disease. This is a rare and often fatal cause of lymph node enlargement and fever. Histological investigation confirms the diagnosis, but the morphological features closely resemble reactive lymphadenopathy or lymphoma. Infection with human herpes virus 8 is associated with Castleman's disease, in both hiv-positive and hiv-negative patients. An interleukin-6 mediated immune response against HHV-8 seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the multicentric form of Castleman's disease. The disease is usually rapidly progressive, but can have a milder course. There is no standard treatment: usually systemic chemotherapy in combination with steroids is applied..Recently, promising results have been obtained using rituximab and anti-IL-6-receptor antibodies.