Management of cervical cancer during the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) era.

COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on the society, economy and heath-care system all over the globe with virus showing no signs of losing potency. As the situation appears to worsen, extra burden on other specialities like oncology seems to increase. Specific recommendations are necessary for management of cervical cancer in the current context. All concerned specialities must work together in the best interest of the patient. Attempts should be made at managing cervical cancer while limiting the viral spread among the patients and health-care workers without the loss of opportunity. Surgical intervention for early cervical cancer should be postponed or alternative modalities be considered. In a locally advanced disease, concurrent chemoradiation is the treatment of choice. In addition, the following under mentioned suggestions aim to discuss ways of minimizing infection spread, workload rationalization and providing guidance for management of cervical cancer in the presence of COVID-19 infection.

Dosimetric impact of variable bladder filling on IMRT planning for locally advanced carcinoma cervix.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the dosimetric impact of variable bladder filling on target and organ at risk (OARs) in cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation. Forty consecutive patients with cervical cancer underwent radiotherapy planning as per the departmental protocol. All patients were asked to empty their bowel and bladder before simulation and catheterization was done. Normal saline was instilled into the bladder through Foleys till the patient had a maximal urge to urinate. Pelvic cast fabrication and CT simulation was done. Then, 30%, 50%, and 100% of the instilled saline was removed and rescans taken. Planning was done on full bladder (X) and the same plan applied to the contours with bladder volumes 0.7X (PLAN70), 0.5X (PLAN50), and empty (PLAN0). A dose of 50 Gy/25# was prescribed to the PTV and plans evaluated. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy plans with full bladder were implemented for each patient. Shifts in the center of mass (COM) of the cervix/uterus with variable bladder filling identified were noted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Bladder volume in 70%, 50%, and empty bladder planning was 78.34% (388.35 + 117.44 ml), 64.44% (320.60 + 106.20 ml), and 13.63% (62.60 + 23.12 ml), respectively. The mean dose received by 95% PTV was 49.76 Gy + 1.30 Gy. Though the difference in target coverage was significant between PLAN100 and other plans, the mean difference was minimal. A decrease in bladder filling resulted in an increase in OAR dose. Variation in the increase in dose to OARs was not significant if bladder filling was > 78.34% and > 64.44% of a full bladder with respect to the bowel and rectal/bladder doses, respectively. Inconsistent bladder filling led to a maximal shift in COM (uterus/cervix) in the Y- and Z-axis. CONCLUSION: Bladder filling variations have an impact on cervico-uterine motion/shape, thereby impacting the dose to the target and OARs. It is recommended to have a threshold bladder volume of at least 70-75% of optimally filled bladder during daily treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Institutional review board (IRB) registered by Drug Controller General (India) with registration number ECR/10/Ins/DC/2013. Trial Registration number - RGCIRC/IRB/44/2016, registered and approved on the 14th of May 2016.

Carcinosarcoma prostate with osteosarcomatous differentiation: a rare de novo presentation.

Carcinosarcoma is a rare histological event in the history of prostatic malignancies. Historically aggressive tumours with dismal outcomes reported in scarce literature available so far. Very few recent studies suggest good outcomes with modern era surgery and radiotherapy techniques in localised disease. The case presented here had no history of known risk factors like prior adenocarcinoma or prior radiation therapy. This case presented with obstructive urinary symptoms with no prostate-specific antigen elevation, diagnosed with imaging, managed aggressively with robotic surgery. Detailed immunohistochemistry and pathological review suggested diagnosis as carcinosarcoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation. Very rare such cases were reported in the past with complete clinical, radiological, pathological details and managed aggressively with good outcomes. The patient is disease free after 6 months of follow-up.

A Case of Occipital Rudimentary Cephalocoele.

We report a case of a 1-month-old boy with a cystic swelling in the occipital region without intracranial communication, called atretic cephalocoele. We discuss clues to the diagnosis of atretic cephalocoeles. We also discuss common clinical findings and a possible mechanism by which these lesions develop.

Primary glottic malignant melanoma of the larynx (PGMML): a very rare entity.

Primary glottic malignant melanoma of the larynx (PGMML) is a very rare clinical entity with less than 20 cases reported in the literature so far. The most frequently reported subsite in primary malignant melanomas of the larynx is the supraglottic larynx. The vocal cord as a subsite for primary malignant melanoma is very rare. The present case is a primary glottic malignant melanoma involving both vocal cords. PGMML may present early due to associated hoarseness of voice, unlike other non-cutaneous melanomas in the head and neck. Non-cutaneous malignant melanomas in the head and neck are historically very aggressive in nature and known for poor outcomes and survival. Most non-cutaneous melanomas described in the literature have been superficial spreading or ulcerative in nature, unlike the present case, in which proliferative, polypoidal growth was seen. No associated risk factor was present in this case. Every reported case of this rare entity further adds to the better understanding of tumour biology and expression.

Into the wild world of eosinophilic granuloma.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a group of relatively rare disease processes of reticuloendothelial system with an abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells or their precursors. A wide spectrum of treatment modalities is available for LCH which includes surgery, curettage, steroids, radiation, various chemotherapy regimens, either in combination or alone have so far been adopted. There are several case reports of eosinophilic granuloma but for recurrent cases very few have discussed on treatment of LCH in adults. We report a case of a 21-year-old man presented with eosinophilic granuloma with recurrence of the lesions after 6 years of the initial treatment. Patient was treated with combination chemotherapy with three weekly CHOP regimen and the patient is disease free after 6 months of follow-up. Contrary to other reports, this case demonstrates that a good response with standard therapy is possible.

Giant sublingual epidermoid cyst - An unusual case report.

Epidermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth represent <0.01% of all oral cysts. Only few cases have been reported so far. We report a case of a 24 years man with a large sublingual swelling for 17 years, unable to take solid meals. The swelling was approximately 13 × 13 cm, non-tender, non-transilluminant, with doughy consistency and with patent visible Wharton's duct openings on both the sides. Initial decompression of the lesion was done to facilitate nasotracheal intubation followed by partial excision of the cyst with marsupialization. Histopathological examination revealed a thick wall cyst lined with pseudostratified squamous epithelium without any evidence of dermal appendages suggestive of epidermoid cyst. Postoperative care included extraction of the loose infected dentures and physiotherapy of the ankylosed temporomandibular joints. Clinical progress was uneventful and cosmetic appearance was acceptable on 6 month and 2 years follow up with normal mastication function.