Role of the bHLH transcription factor TCF21 in development and tumorigenesis

Transcription factors control, coordinate, and separate the functions of distinct network modules spatially and temporally. In this review, we focus on the transcription factor 21 (TCF21) network, a highly conserved basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein that functions to integrate signals and modulate gene expression. We summarize the molecular and biological properties of TCF21 control with an emphasis on molecular and functional TCF21 interactions. We suggest that these interactions serve to modulate the development of different organs at the transcriptional level to maintain growth homeostasis and to influence cell fate. Importantly, TCF21 expression is epigenetically inactivated in different types of human cancers. The epigenetic modification or activation and/or loss of TCF21 expression results in an imbalance in TCF21 signaling, which may lead to tumor initiation and, most likely, to progression and tumor metastasis. This review focuses on research on the roles of TCF21 in development and tumorigenesis systematically considering the physiological and pathological function of TCF21. In addition, we focus on the main molecular bases of its different roles whose importance should be clarified in future research. For this review, PubMed databases and keywords such as TCF21, POD-1, capsulin, tumors, carcinomas, tumorigenesis, development, and mechanism of action were utilized. Articles were selected within a historical context as were a number of citations from journals with relevant impact.

Huge recurrent gastric neuroendocrine tumor: a second-line chemotherapeutic dilemma

Chemotherapy is considered "state of the art" for the treatment of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms. Unfortunately, there is no standard effective post-first-line treatment for relapsing high-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. We report the case of a patient with a gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma stage IV, with massive gastrointestinal bleeding at diagnosis. After the first line of platin-based chemotherapy a major tumoral response was documented, but the patient relapsed after 4 months. A second line of chemotherapy treatment was given, with the FOLFOX regimen, and the patient has been free of progression for almost 2 years. There is no second-line standard treatment accepted for this type of carcinoma, but 5-fluorouracil combined with oxaliplatin showed interesting antitumor activity.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Metastatic Brain Tumors with Exophytic Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic brain tumors (MBTs) often present with intracerebral hemorrhage. Although Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) is a valid treatment option for hemorrhagic MBTs, its efficacy is unclear. To achieve oncologic control and reduce radiation toxicity, we used a radiosurgical targeting technique that confines the tumor core within the hematoma when performing GKS in patients with such tumors. We reviewed our experience in this endeavor, focusing on local tumor control and treatment-associated morbidities. METHODS: From 2007 to 2014, 13 patients with hemorrhagic MBTs were treated via GKS using our targeting technique. The median marginal dose prescribed was 23 Gy (range, 20–25). GKS was performed approximately 2 weeks after tumor bleeding to allow the patient’s condition to stabilize. RESULTS: The primary sites of the MBTs included the liver (n=7), lung (n=2), kidney (n=1), and stomach (n=1); in two cases, the primary tumor was a melanoma. The mean tumor volume was 4.00 cm³ (range, 0.74–11.0). The mean overall survival duration after GKS was 12.5 months (range, 3–29), and three patients are still alive at the time of the review. The local tumor control rate was 92% (tumor disappearance 23%, tumor regression 46%, and stable disease 23%). There was one (8%) instance of local recurrence, which occurred 11 months after GKS in the solid portion of the tumor. No GKS-related complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that GKS performed in conjunction with our targeting technique safely and effectively treats hemorrhagic MBTs. The success of this technique may reflect the presence of scattered metastatic tumor cells in the hematoma that do not proliferate owing to the inadequate microenvironment of the hematoma. We suggest that GKS can be a useful treatment option for patients with hemorrhagic MBTs that are not amenable to surgery.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Metastatic Brain Tumors with Exophytic Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic brain tumors (MBTs) often present with intracerebral hemorrhage. Although Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) is a valid treatment option for hemorrhagic MBTs, its efficacy is unclear. To achieve oncologic control and reduce radiation toxicity, we used a radiosurgical targeting technique that confines the tumor core within the hematoma when performing GKS in patients with such tumors. We reviewed our experience in this endeavor, focusing on local tumor control and treatment-associated morbidities.METHODS: From 2007 to 2014, 13 patients with hemorrhagic MBTs were treated via GKS using our targeting technique. The median marginal dose prescribed was 23 Gy (range, 20–25). GKS was performed approximately 2 weeks after tumor bleeding to allow the patient’s condition to stabilize.RESULTS: The primary sites of the MBTs included the liver (n=7), lung (n=2), kidney (n=1), and stomach (n=1); in two cases, the primary tumor was a melanoma. The mean tumor volume was 4.00 cm³ (range, 0.74–11.0). The mean overall survival duration after GKS was 12.5 months (range, 3–29), and three patients are still alive at the time of the review. The local tumor control rate was 92% (tumor disappearance 23%, tumor regression 46%, and stable disease 23%). There was one (8%) instance of local recurrence, which occurred 11 months after GKS in the solid portion of the tumor. No GKS-related complications were observed.CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that GKS performed in conjunction with our targeting technique safely and effectively treats hemorrhagic MBTs. The success of this technique may reflect the presence of scattered metastatic tumor cells in the hematoma that do not proliferate owing to the inadequate microenvironment of the hematoma. We suggest that GKS can be a useful treatment option for patients with hemorrhagic MBTs that are not amenable to surgery.

Effect of tumor number on the survival of patients of colorectal cancer liver metastases undergoing hepatic resection / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To analyze the effect of tumor number on the survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) undergoing hepatic resection and the definition of oligometastases.Methods Clinicopathological data of patients with colorectal liver-only metastases undergoing liver resection from our database were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of all 377 patients,the median number of hepatic tumor was 2.The 5-year disease free survival rate was 24.1％.The 5-year overall survival rate was 39.8％.Survival of oligometastatic patients was not significantly different from non-oligometastatic patients (x2 =3.037,P =0.081).Survival of patients with 6-10 hepatic tumors was similar to patients with 1-5 tumors.However,survival of patients with more than 10 tumors was significantly worse than patients with liver tumor less than 10(x2 =5.386,P =0.020).In multivariate analysis,number of liver tumor,primary node status,largest hepatic tumor and gender are independent predictors of overall survival.Conclusions The number of liver tumor was an independent predictor of overall survival.The cut-off number of oligometastatic disease should be 10.

3.0T magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with lymph node metastasis / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 3.0T MR diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) for metastatic lymph nodes in pancreatic cancer.Methods Thirty patients who were pathologically diagnosed as pancreatic cancer with metastatic lymph nodes were enrolled and all underwent preoperative routine MR DWI examination.TNM staging version 5.0 by JPA in 2002 was used as the grouping criteria for lymph node,and the location of metastatic lymph nodes was analyzed.Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and maximum short axis diameter (MSAD) of lymph nodes were measured,and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADC and MSAD for pancreatic cancer with metastatic lymph nodes.Results The number of lymph nodes was 108 detected by DWI including 54 metastatic lymph nodes and 54 non-metastatic lymph nodes.The metastatic lymph nodes most commonly occurred in group 13,16 and 17 in pancreatic head cancer and group 16 in pancreatic body and tail cancer.The ADC value of metastatic lymph nodes was lower than that of non-metastatic lymph nodes [(1.51 ± 0.28) × 10-3 mm2/s vs (2.08-± 0.35) × 10-3 mm2/s].The MSAD of metastatic lymph nodes was longer than that of non-metastatic lymph nodes [(7.03 ±-2.49) mm vs (4.40 ± 0.97) mm].There were statistically significant differences (all P ＜ 0.001).The areas under the ROC curve of ADC values was 0.894,the best threshold was 1.78 × 10-3mm2/s,and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity was 85.2％ and 85.2％.The areas under the ROC curve of MSAD was 0.876,the best threshold was 5.65 mm,and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity was 68.5％ and 90.7％.Conclusions 3.0T MR DWI had a relatively high diagnostic value for metastatic lymph nodes in pancreatic cancer.

Bevacizumab in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases / 国际肿瘤学杂志

The occurrence of brain metastases in lung cancer affects the prognosis of patients.Following surgery,whole brain radiotherapy,stereotactic radiotherapy and chemotherapy,anti-angiogenesis therapy has become a new treatment option for lung cancer patients with brain metastases.As an anti-angiogenic drug,bevacizumab has a better effect of controlling peritumoral edema.Studies have shown that bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy,radiotherapy to treat non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis has a good efficacy and safety.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of different chemotherapy regimens for progressive patients with brain metastasis of small cell lung cancer after radiotherapy / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of different chemotherapy regimens for treatment of progressive patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) brain metastasis after radiotherapy. Methods 96 SCLC brain metastasis patients with progressive intracranial lesions after radiotherapy were divided into four groups: carmustine group (Group A, 28 cases), temozolomide group (Group B, 19 cases), topotecan group (Group C, 24 cases) and no chemotherapy group (Group D, 25 cases). Results In terms of brain metastases, there were no complete response cases in the whole groups. The rates of partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progression of disease (PD) in Group A were 17.8%(5/28), 53.6%(15/28) and 28.6 % (8/28), respectively, the response rate (RR) of intracranial lesions was 17.9 % (5/28), and disease control (CR+PR+SD) rate was 71.4%(20/28). The rates of PR, SD and PD in Group B were 15.8%(3/19), 63.2 % (12/19) and 21.1 % (4/19), respectively, the RR of intracranial lesions was 15.8 % (3/19), and disease control rate was 78.9 % (15/19). The rates of PR, SD and PD in Group D were 8.3 % (2/24), 54.2 %(13/24) and 37.5 % (9/24), respectively, the RR rate of intracranial lesions was 8.3 % (2/24), and disease control rate was 62.5 % (15/24). In Group D, there was no response case, and 20 patients with PD (80.0 %) were found. The median progression-free survivals (PFSs) were (3.64 ±0.43) months, (4.68 ±0.49) months,(3.58 ±0.50) months, (2.60 ±0.31) months in Group A, B, C and D, respectively, and the median overall survivals (OSs) were (18.80±1.74) months, (18.76±1.85) months, (19.10±1.64) months and (9.64±0.84) months, respectively. The median OS of Group A, B or C was longer than that of Group D (P=0.002). The differences of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳhematologic toxicities among the four subgroups were not statistically different. Patients in Group B had better tolerance to nausea and vomit. In Group D, the central nervous system symptoms such as fatigue and headache occurred frequently. Conclusions The response rate and OS of SCLC brain metastasis patients with progressive intracranial lesions after radiotherapy are improved after chemotherapy, however, PFS is not significantly prolonged. The efficacies of carmustine, temozolomide and topotecan are similar in short and long term, besides, temozolomide shows less adverse events and a higher disease control rate. The application of chemotherapy that could penetrate the blood-brain barrier can improve the efficacy on SCLC brain metastasis patients with progressive intracranial lesions after radiotherapy with well tolerance.

Clinical observation of radiotherapy combined with temozolomide in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the recent curative effect and adverse reactions of radiotherapy combined with temozolomide in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases.MethodsThe clinical date of 51 NSCLC patients with brain metastases were retrospective analyzed in Department of Radiation Oncology of Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University.Patients were divided into experimental group (n=26) and control group (n=25) according to the different treatment methods.The experimental group underwent whole brain and local tumor radiotherapy plus temozolomide.The control group only received whole brain and local tumor radiotherapy.The recent curative effect and adverse reactions of the two groups were analyzed.Results The Karnofsky performance status score of patients in the experimental group was obviously improved than that in the control group (76.2±6.4 vs.72.8±5.3), with a significant difference (t=2.06, P=0.04).The total effective rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (80.8% vs.64.0%), but there was no statistically significant difference (χ2=1.80, P=0.18).Compared with the control group, the incidences of nausea and vomiting (80.8% vs.28.0%) and bone marrow suppression (84.6% vs.24.0%) in the experimental group were significantly higher, with significant differences (χ2=14.33, P=0.00;χ2=18.91, P=0.00).There were similar incidences of headache (69.2% vs.60.1%), liver and kidney damage (73.1% vs.64.0%) in the two groups, with no significant differences (χ2=0.47, P=0.49;χ2=0.47, P=0.49).Conclusion Radiotherapy combined with temozolomide can improve the quality of life in NSCLC patients with brain metastases, which has controllable and tolerable adverse reactions.

Meningeal Solitary Fibrous Tumors with Delayed Extracranial Metastasis

BACKGROUND: The term solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is preferred over meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC), because NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion has been observed in both intracranial and extracranial HPCs. HPCs are now considered cellular variants of SFTs. METHODS: This study analyzes 19 patients with STAT6-confirmed SFTs, who were followed for over 11 years in a single institution. Ten patients (10/19, 56.2%) had extracranial metastases (metastatic group), while the remainder (9/19) did not (non-metastatic group). These two groups were compared clinicopathologically. RESULTS: In the metastatic group, the primary metastatic sites were the lungs (n = 6), bone (n = 4), and liver (n = 3). There was a mean lag time of 14.2 years between the diagnosis of the initial meningeal tumor to that of systemic metastasis. The median age at initial tumor onset was 37.1 years in the metastatic group and 52.5 in the non-metastatic group. The 10-year survival rates of the metastatic- and non-metastatic groups were 100% and 33%, respectively. The significant prognostic factors for poor outcomes on univariate analysis included advanced age (≥45 years) and large initial tumor size (≥5 cm). In contrast, the patients with higher tumor grade, high mitotic rate (≥5/10 high-power fields), high Ki-67 index (≥5%), and the presence of necrosis or CD34 positivity showed tendency of poor prognosis but these parameters were not statistically significant poor prognostic markers. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with SFTs, younger patients (<45 years) experienced longer survival times and paradoxically had more frequent extracranial metastases after long latent periods than did older patients. Therefore, young patients with SFTs require careful surveillance and follow-up for early detection of systemic metastases.

Efficacy of cryoablation combined with zoledronic acid sequential therapy for bone metastases pain / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of cryoablation combined with zoledronic acid sequential therapy for bone metastases pain. Methods Twenty-four patients from our depart-ment suffering from malignant tumors with moderate to severe pain due to bone metastases were enrolled in this study. Those patients with 28 metastatic bone tumors were successfully treated with cryoablation operations under CT-guided. Three days after cryoablation they were offered zoledronic acid(4 mg added in 100 ml normal saline,dripping for more than 15 min),once 4 weeks. Pain level and life quality were respectively evaluated by NRS(Numerical rating scale)and KPS(Karnofsky performance status),before cryoablation,3 days after cryoablation,2 weeks and 12 weeks after zoledronic acid sequential therapy. Results Without serious compli-cations,all of 24 patients were successfully punctured to tumor lesions. Patients’pain scores were 7. 70 ± 0. 86 (before cryoablation),3. 29 ± 0. 95(3 d after cryoablation),2. 54 ± 0. 83(2 weeks after zoledronic acid sequential therapy)and 2. 17 ± 0. 76(12 weeks after zoledronic acid sequential therapy),with a significant sta-tistical difference between pretherapy and post-treatment(F = 530. 64,P < 0. 001);during observation period after treatment,the effective rate in pain was 91. 67% . KPS scores were 45. 83 ± 6. 54(before cryoablation), 49. 58 ± 6. 24(3 d after cryoablation),61. 67 ± 7. 01(2 weeks after zoledronic acid sequential therapy)and 78. 33 ± 8. 68(12 weeks after zoledronic acid sequential therapy),with a significant statistical difference between pretherapy and post-treatment(F = 418. 99,P < 0. 001);during observation period after treatment, the effective rate in KPS was 75. 00% . Six months after the treatment,there were 10 cases of CR,11 cases of PR,and the effective rate was 87. 50% . Conclusion Cryoablation combined with zoledronic acid may be an effective therapeutic method with good safety in the treatment of patients with bone metastases pain.

Breast Metastasis of Thymic Carcinoma.

Aims: To enforce the concept that the breast is a possible site of metastases from other organs. Presentation: We describe a case of a 70 year old woman diagnosed with thymic carcinoma which developed, ten months after, a single breast nodular lesion. Case Discussion: The breast lesion was biopsied and it turned out to be a metastasis of thymic carcinoma, the patient underwent chemotherapy and currently is stable and on treatment with Paclitaxel. Conclusion: Breast could be a site of metastases from other tumours, even from rare tumours, as in the case reported. Histological characterization of each breast lesion is mandatory for the right diagnosis and treatment.

Application of stereotactic body radiotherapy in extracranial metastases / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been applied in extracranial metastases effectively,with the characteristics of concentrated dose distribution in target region,great dose gradient change in surrounding region and low dose in normal tissue beside target region.The radiation biology characteristics of SBRT,therapeutic mechanism,integration of SBRT into standard systemic therapy regimens have been studied further.

Research progress of bone-modifying agents in the treatment of bone metastases / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Bone-modifying agents (BMA) is a series drugs to alleviate the pain,pathological fractures,spinal cord compression,hypercalcemia,bone-related events which induced by bone metastases.Bisphosphonate drugs and denosumab are two dominant kinds of BMA at present.It has been proved that BMA is used in bone metastases patients with bone destruction,as adjuvant therapy for chemotherapy and radiotherapy,which can significantly improve the efficacy and prolong the survival of patients.In addition,some traditional Chinese medcine can effectively relieve a series of related symptoms caused by bone metastases and improve prognosis.Choosing right medication in clinical work can maximize the reduction of pain caused by bonerelated events and improve the quality of life of patients.

Research progress of bone metabolic markers / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism are some of the final product which are released into the blood during the process of bone resorption or bone formation.Accumulative evidence shows that biochemical markers of bone metabolism through enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) are more sensitive and specific than imaging examination.Moreover,biochemical markers of bone metabolism also display their superiorities on the early diagonosis,monitoring efficacy and prognosis evaluation in patients with bone metastases.Applications of biochemical markers of bone metabolism combined with imaging examination are more value for the early diagonosis,monitoring efficacy and prognosis evaluation in patients with bone metastases.

Surgical treatment for pulmonary carcinoid tumors: a single-center analysis of 62 patients / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate prognostic factors and the surgical results of pulmonary carcinoid tumors.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 62 patients who were diagnosed as pulmonary carcinoid tumors between January 2000 and October 2010 at Department of Thoracic Surgery,Shanghai Chest Hospital.The following information was available for each of the 62 patients:age,sex,pathological type,and TNM stage.ResultsThere were no operative death.The 3-year and 5-year survival rates after surgery were 92.1％ and 77.8％,respectively.Of the 62 patients,42 were diagnosed as typical carcinoid tumor,and among them,4 patients (8.3％) had lymph node metastases.Their 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 97.8％ and 94.7％,respectively.The remaining 20 patients were diagnosed as atypical carcinoid tumor,and among them,6 patients (37.5％) had lymph node metastases.Their 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 84.4％ and 58.8％,which were statistically significant compared with typical carcinoid tumor( P =0.0047 ).There was significant difference in survival rate between the patients with lymph node metastases and the patients without lymph node metastases (P =0.0048).CondusionThe main risk factors affecting survival rate of those patients who were diagnosed as pulmonary carcinoid tumors were pathological types and lymph node metastases.

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for preoperative detection of colorectal liver metastases-compared with histopathologic results / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for preoperative detection of colorectal liver metastases.Methods 42 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases confirmed by histopathology after surgery were recruited in the study.They all had undergone preoperative CEUS examination with contrast agent SonoVue.The number,location and size of the hepatic lesions found by CEUS were correlated with postoperatively histopathologic results on a lesion-by-lesion basis.Results 96 liver metastases in 42 patients with colorectal cancer had been resected and confirmed by histophathology.The size of the metastatic lesions ranged from 0.3～8.5 cm [average (2.6 ± 1.8)cm].From one to eight metastatic lesions were detected in one patient.21 (21.9％) metastatic lesions were equal to or less than 1.0 cm.86 of 96 metastatic lesions were correctly depicted by CEUS,with a sensitivity of 89.6％.And the sensitivity for metastatic lesions equal to or less than 1.0 cm was 71.4％ (15 of 21 tumors) by CEUS.35 metastatic lesions were found between the portal venous phase and late phase by CEUS and 19 (54.3％) metastatic lesions among them could not be detected at conventional ultrasound.The curative resection was performed in 37 (88.1％) of 42 patients.With 3 - 39 months follow-up,the intrahepatic recurrence rate within two years was 32.4％ (12 of 37 patients) and the one-year survival rate was 90.0％.Conclusions CEUS is highly sensitive for detecting liver metastases resulted from colorectal cancer,especially for small metastatic lesions.CEUS is helpful to choose reasonable therapeutic strategies and can be regarded as one of the most importantly and noninvasively preoperative imaging modalities.

Study on risk factors of brain metastases of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To evaluate the prognostic factors in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) for selectively carrying out prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).Methods 114 patients with LA-NSCLC between Jun 2006 and Oct 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Related risk factors and features about brain metastases were analyzed.Results The 2-year incidence rate of brain metastases was 31.58 ％ (36/114),the first brain metastases was 20.18 ％ (23/114),and sole brain metastases was 9.65 ％(11/114),respectively.Variables involved in the equation of binary logistic regression analysis were pathology (OR =5.892) and treatment mode(OR =2.888).The incidence rate of brain metastases in patients of non-squamous carcinoma and single treatment mode was higher than others (P ＜ 0.01) Model fitting is better (P ＞ 0.05).Overall accuracy rate of predicting brain metastases is 67.7 ％.The increased rate of lactate dehydrogenase in the patients with brain metastases or death was 17.54 ％, which was higher than that in the survival patients without brain metastases (P ＜ 0.01).At the same time,the station number and the number of mediastinal lymph node metastases were positively correlated (r =0.716, P ＜ 0.01).The incidence rate of brain metastases or mortality rate was higher in the adenocarcinoma cases than that in the squamous carcinoma cases (P ＜ 0.01,P ＜ 0.05),with more frequent occurrence of mediastinal metastases.The mean diameter of squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 5.8 cm and 3.9 cm, respectively (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The incidence rate of brain metastases was higher in patients with single treatment.Large primary tumors, high lactate dehydrogenase, non-squamous carcinoma, multiple stations, and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes metastases can be regarded as risk factors of brain metastases to perform PCI.

Metástasis de neuroblastoma de glándula suprarrenal en mandíbula / Metastases of adrenal glands’ neuroblastoma in mandible

Los neuroblastomas son tumores que se originan a partir de una alteración en las células del sistema nervioso simpático. La mayoría de estas variaciones ocurren en la infancia, con foco primario usual en glándulas suprarrenales y metástasis a nódulos linfáticos cercanos o médula ósea; su diseminación a mandíbula es bastante infrecuente. La detección temprana de las metástasis es uno de los elementos más importantes para mejorar la rehabilitación, funcionamiento y calidad de vida del paciente, ya que produce deformidades faciales y afecta la autopercepción, además dado que el tratamiento en estos casos es por lo general agresivo. Se presenta un caso de neuroblastoma de origen suprarrenal con metástasis a región mandibular, que a pesar del adecuado tratamiento primario, ocasionó el fallecimiento del paciente a causa de la sepsis generada al intentar realizar un trasplante preventivo de medula ósea, posterior a la hemimandibulectomía realizada para la exéresis de lesión metastásica mandibular...

The neuroblastomas are caused by an alteration of sympathetic nerve system formation. These tumors are more usual in childhood. Most of the neuroblastomas are found at the adrenal glands and their metastases are usually found in nearby lymphatic nodes or the bone marrow. Mandibular metastases are extremely rare. Detecting early stage metastases is one of the essential factors for improving treatment, rehabilitation and functionality of the patient of mandibular neuroblastoma’s patients. A young age patient is reported with adrenal glands’ neuroblastoma and metastases to mandibular angle. Regarding primary adequate treatment, the patient died due to sepsis while a bone marrow transplant was made, as a preventive measure to stop new spreads after hemimandibulectomy made for mandibular metastasic excision...

Whole-body MRI for detecting osseous metastases:comparison with bone scintigraphy / 中华放射学杂志

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of whole-body MRI(WBMRI)in detecting osseous metastases.Methods Thirty patients verified with malignant tumor by histology were enrolled.All the patients underwent WB-MRI and bone scintigraphy(BS)with a two week interval.Clinical information,conventional MRI and CT images,and follow-up data were collected as gold standard for the diagnosis of bone metastases.The data of 30 patients and 270 segments as study unit respectively were analyzed.The sensitivity and specificity between WB-MRI and BS were compared with McNemar test.Resuits Bone metastases were confirmed in 27 of 30 patients by gold standard.Twenty-five patients with bone metastases were detected by WB-MRI and no false-positive cases.Twenty-seven patients with bone metastases were Nund by BS but having two false-positive oases.With patients as study unit,the diagnostic sensitivity of WB-MRI and BS were both 92.6%(25/27)and the specificity were 100%(3/3)and 33.3%(1/3),respectively.The area under ROC curve of WB-MRI and BS were 0.9630 and 0.6296,respectively(P>0.05).With segments as study unit,119 bone metastases segments were confirmed.The diagnostic sensitivity of WB-MRI and BS were 90.8%(108/119)and 70.6%(84/119)(P<0.01),while the specificity were 98.0%(148/151)and 90.7%(137/151),respectively(P<0.01).The area under ROC curve of WB-MRI and BS were 0.9438 and 0.8066.The former was obviously higher than the latter(P<0.01).Meauwhile.by WB-MRI,3 cases coexisting with brain metastases,4 cases with lung metastases,and 4 cases with hepatic metastases were found.Conclusion WB-MRI was a good tool for screening osseous metastases.