Synchronous colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma with chest wall involvement: Is this a coincidence?

Multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMNs) are rare malignant neoplasms that simultaneously or successively occur in the same patient as 2 or more primary malignancies. Currently, an increasing number of cases are being reported. In general, MPMNs more commonly occur as 2 solid tumors or 2 hematological malignancies. Cases of MPMN that involve a solid tumor and a hematological malignancy are rare. Here, we report a case of synchronous colorectal cancer (CRC) and multiple myeloma (MM) with chest wall involvement. After reviewing the literature, we believe that there may be a distinct syndrome involving CRC and MM. The patient in our case study suffered refractory anemia following surgery and 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Initially, the anemia was considered to be a common manifestation of CRC in this patient. Interestingly, although he received a blood transfusion, his hemoglobin levels remained low. He later developed hematuria, proteinuria, multiple osteoporosis in the costal bones, and thrombocytopenia. These new symptoms drew our attention, and we considered a diagnosis of synchronous primary CRC and MM, with the anemia as a symptom of MM. Based on the results of a bone marrow aspirate, MM was confirmed. Therefore, when CRC is associated with refractory anemia, we should not only assume that anemia is a classical symptom of CRC, a result of chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, or myelosuppression due to chemotherapy, but we should also consider that it may reflect the possibility of a coexisting hematologic malignancy. As the treatment of these 2 malignancies is different, early diagnosis and treatment based on definitive diagnosis as early as possible will be beneficial to overall prognosis.

Advances in the management of low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: Integrating the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a group of hematologic diseases that present unique challenges for oncology nurses, especially because patients with the disorders are being seen more often in oncology practices. An increasing array of therapeutic options are available, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network published its first clinical practice guidelines for MDSs in 2004. This article provides oncology nurses with the most recent data on supportive care as well as emerging therapies for patients with low- to intermediate-risk MDS.

Preliminary results of amifostine administration in combination with recombinant human erythropoietin in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Amifostine is a cytoprotective agent mainly used in cancer therapies, in order to ameliorate the toxic effects of anticancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the past years an intriguing number of applications of amifostine have been identified; one of these is bone marrow cells protection and stimulation. Amifostine was administered in seven patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, four males and 3 females aged between 67 and 78 years old, in order to estimate its efficacy in reducing the need for red blood cells transfusions. Two patients had RAEB, four RA and one RARS. The drug was administered in an outpatient basis in a dose of 300 mgr/m2, three times weekly for at least four weeks. We administered at the same time erythropoietin 10.000 U subcutaneously. All patients received daily supplementation of oral ferrum sulfate and folic acid. Three patients, a woman with RA and two men, one with RA and another with RAEB improved the levels of Hb beyond 12,0 gr/dl and did not receive blood transfusions after the second week of treatment. The drug was well tollerated without any side effects in all of the patients.

Management of hemosiderosis complicated by coexistent anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin and phlebotomy.

Patients with hemosiderosis who also suffer from coexistent anemia may be unable to tolerate frequent phlebotomies needed for depletion of body iron stores. Chelation therapy, an alternative approach, may be unsuitable for some patients due to allergic reactions, poor response or intolerance of long-duration subcutaneous administration. The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in such patients could increase the hematocrit and improve exercise tolerance allowing for more frequent phlebotomies. We report the successful use of this combined approach in two such patients.