Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive and rare neuroendocrine skin cancer with documented metastases to the liver, lungs, and, seldom, the gastrointestinal tract. Metastases to the colon are rare but are seen with primary skin lesions or recurrent disease. Presented is a patient with large bowel obstruction secondary to a large hepatic flexure mass. Pathologic workup revealed Merkel cell carcinoma, and a dermatologic evaluation did not identify a primary cutaneous lesion. This is the first reported case of Merkel cell carcinoma of unknown primary presenting as large bowel obstruction.
BACKGROUND: It was reported that about 60% of the physicians in the USA believed that their Gastroenterology fellowship poorly prepared them for large polyp resection. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) efficacy and complication rates between skilled general gastroenterologists who perform high volume of EMR and advanced endoscopists. METHODS: We identified 140 patients with documented large colonic polyps treated by 4 providers using EMR technique at Carilion Clinic, in Roanoke, Virginia, USA between 01/01/2014-12/31/2017, with follow-up through 10-2018. Information on demographics, clinical and pathological features of high-risk polyps (i.e., size, histology, site, and degree of dysplasia), timing of surveillance endoscopies, tools used during resection, and skills of performing endoscopist's were extracted. The cumulative risks of polyp recurrence after first resection using EMR technique were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: One hundred and forty patients were identified (mean age, 64.1±11.2 years; 47.1% males). Fifty-five polyps (39.3%) were removed by 2 skilled gastroenterologists and 85 (60.7%) were removed by advanced endoscopists. Most of the polyps resected were located in the right colon (63.6%) and roughly half of the polyps were removed in piecemeal fashion. At follow-up endoscopy, the advanced endoscopy group had lower polyp recurrence rates. The median recurrence after polypectomy was significantly different between the groups (0.88 and 1.03 years for skilled gastroenterologists who did not complete and completed EMR hands-on workshops; respectively vs. 3.99 years for the advanced endoscopist who did not complete EMR hands-on workshop, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for additional EMR training since polyp recurrence was significantly different between the groups despite high rates of piecemeal resection in the advanced endoscopy groups.
Colonic Polyps , Endoscopic Mucosal Resection , Male , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Female , Endoscopic Mucosal Resection/methods , Fellowships and Scholarships , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Colonic Polyps/surgery , Colonic Polyps/pathology , Colon/pathology
Although breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, metastasis to the stomach is incredibly rare. Gastric metastasis of breast cancer has been described in the literature, with an estimated median of 6 years from the initial diagnosis of primary breast cancer to metastasis and multiple instances greater than 10 years. In this case, a patient presented with gastric outlet obstruction in the setting of breast cancer metastasis to the pylorus 25 years after the original diagnosis.
Invasive fungal infections are being increasingly identified recently. Scedosporium is a significant cause of non-Aspergillus mold infection. It can cause disseminated disease in an immunocompromised host and localized pulmonary infection in immunocompetent ones, especially in those with preformed lung cavities. We present a case of scedosporiosis in an elderly female with bronchiectasis who presented with refractory pulmonary symptoms and infiltrates. The case emphasizes the need to keep the fungal infection in the differential diagnosis of refractory infiltrates in immunocompetent individuals without preformed cavities if they have bronchiectasis. Voriconazole monotherapy can be used as the first-line in proven cases of scedosporiosis.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of respiratory tract infections in children. Still, it can also cause seasonal outbreaks affecting persons of all ages, especially those with comorbidities or immunocompromised states. Ribavirin is one of the two approved therapies for the treatment of RSV respiratory tract infections. Unfortunately, its aerosolized formulation has been approved only in children, and the oral formulation is not frequently used to treat the infection. However, ribavirin has demonstrated morbidity and mortality benefit in immunocompromised patients. A 70-year-old female had started chemotherapy for a diagnosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). She developed an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) along with positive RSV status. We started her on oral ribavirin therapy, which had to be stopped after five days of treatment due to an acute hemolytic reaction. She was re-initiated on oral ribavirin after cessation of medication for seven days and showed improvement. Therefore, ribavirin can be used in immunocompromised patients with RSV infection under proper supervision.
Despite all the advances in the treatment and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COPD readmissions remain a major challenge nationwide. Increasing evidence suggests that palliative care involvement with a holistic approach towards end-of-life care can significantly improve outcomes related to the quality of life and survival for late-stage cancers and chronic progressive illnesses like COPD, chronic heart failure, and end-stage renal disease. Some studies have attempted to evaluate an association between the involvement of palliative care and readmission reduction, the effect of which remains elusive, especially with regards to COPD readmissions. This review examined the existing literature to analyze the relationship between palliative care involvement for COPD patients and its effect on COPD readmissions.
Background Alcoholic cirrhosis though uncommon in young patients is being reported more frequently and related mortality is also increasing. Study aim To evaluate risk factors associated with mortality among young patients (<40 years) with alcoholic cirrhosis and older patients (> 40 years old) after their first hospitalization in a tertiary referral academic center. Methods Carilion clinic's electronic medical record (EPIC) was queried to identify all alcoholic patients hospitalized for the first time with either a new diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis or a prior diagnosis of this from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through June 2018. Information on demographics, comorbidities, lab values, procedures, and mortality was extracted. The cumulative risks of long-term mortality after the first hospitalization were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared between the two groups; those < 40 years of age and those > 40 years of age. Demographic data, lab values, and comorbidities associated with cirrhosis were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis to determine risk factors associated with long-term mortality. Results We identified 65 young patients out of a total of 325 patients admitted for the first time for alcoholic cirrhosis (mean age: 34.6 ± 4.7 yrs, 72.3% males, 74.4% current alcohol users, 52.3% current smokers, 12.6% current illicit drugs users). The one, three, and five-year cumulative mortality after the first hospitalization was 21.1 %, 31.1%, and 49.7% respectively. The median survival for young patients was longer as compared to the older patients (p<0.001); likely related to high early mortality in older patients who had many other comorbidities. On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, increased age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.05], neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) at first hospital discharge (HR 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04), the presence of encephalopathy (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.06-3.55), and initial MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.19) were associated with increased risk of mortality. Though the majority of patients endorsed current alcohol and tobacco use before the admission, it was not significantly associated with mortality. Conclusions Five-year cumulative mortality for patients < 40 years of age with alcoholic cirrhosis after their first hospitalization is 49.7%. Old age, most recent NLR, hepatic encephalopathy, and MELD score on admission were associated with increased late mortality.
Introduction Identification of gender-specific prognostic factors in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is integral to understanding disease severity and mortality rates. We gathered data on various widely-used laboratory values and comorbid conditions among male and female patients with ALC after initial hospitalization. These individual risk factors were assessed for their relationship with mortality based on gender. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of hospitalized patients with either a new or prior diagnosis of ALC from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through June 2018. The electronic medical record (EMR) was queried for demographics, comorbidities, lab values, and mortality. The cumulative risks of mortality after the first hospitalization were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared among both genders. Demographic data, lab values, and comorbidities associated with cirrhosis were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis to determine risk factors associated with mortality. Results We identified 247 male patients (mean age 54.19 ± 13.14 years) and 78 female patients (mean age 51.10 ± 11.60 years) hospitalized at Carilion Clinic with a diagnosis of ALC. About 70% (male) and 46% (female) endorsed alcohol use at the time of admission, 10% (male) and 13% (female) endorsed illicit drug use, and 56% (male and female) endorsed tobacco use. The one-, three- and five-year cumulative mortality after the first hospitalization was 43.4%, 53.2%, and 61.6%, respectively for males and 24.1%, 59.0%, and 67.2%, respectively for females. Median survival for younger male patients with ALC (age < 40 years old) after the first hospitalization was significantly different compared to the older male patients (age > 40 years) (p=0.0009), but age was not a significant factor for survival of female patients. Multivariate analysis further shows that illicit drug use, creatinine level at the time of admission, and age > 40 years had the highest hazard ratios for risk of mortality in male patients. For female patients, history of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level at the time of discharge were both associated with increased risk of mortality, with a history of HE being associated with a higher hazard ratio for risk of mortality. Conclusion Age, illicit drug use, and creatinine level were risk factors associated with mortality for male patients with ALC but not female patients. Hepatic encephalopathy and BUN were risk factors associated with mortality for female patients. The mortality for male patients was about twice the mortality of female patients at one year, but three-year and five-year mortality was higher in female patients.
Background The presenting symptoms and co-morbidities contributing to mortality in young patients (age < 50 years old) with colorectal cancer (CRC) are poorly understood. We reviewed these features in our patient population with non-hereditary early-onset CRC (EO-CRC). Study aim This study aimed to assess characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of non-hereditary EO-CRC, including presenting symptoms and metabolic disorders contributing to mortality in underserved areas of southwest Virginia. Methods In this retrospective observational study, we selected patients aged 18-50 years with a diagnosis of non-hereditary EO-CRC from 2008 to 2016 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The electronic medical record was queried to identify demographic data, medical history, histopathology results, lab values, and mortality. The cumulative risks of symptoms and co-morbid metabolic disorders was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results We identified 139 patients with non-hereditary EO-CRC (mean age 41.6 ± 6.9 years). Almost half of these patients were obese (BMI > 30), 30.9% had a diagnosis of hypertension, 29% had hyperlipidemia (HLD), and 17.35% had diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). Diagnosis was delayed by 4.5 months from initial presentation, and 17% had advanced disease (stage III/IV). Also, 68.5% of patients were symptomatic with one to three symptoms, most commonly with rectal bleeding (45.3%). The chronicity of HLD (≥5 years) was associated with reduced survival in our patients with EO-CRC. The survival of females with multiple metabolic disorders was reduced compared to females with a single metabolic disorder. Conclusions Multiple symptoms, chronic HLD, and female gender with multiple metabolic disorders were factors associated with poor outcomes in non-hereditary EO-CRC patients.
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory marker which has been investigated as a prognostic indicator in post-therapeutic recurrence and survival of patients with HCC. Our aim was to review all studies that assessed the prognostic value of pre-treatment NLR in predicting patient survival, cancer recurrence, and graft survival in patients undergoing various therapies for HCC. We searched the database of PubMed and Google Scholar to review all studies that have the word "NLR" and the word "HCC." We included all studies that assessed pre-treatment NLR as a prognostic factor in predicting outcomes in HCC patients. We excluded studies that assessed the correlation between post-treatment NLR or dynamic changes in NLR after treatment and HCC outcomes in an effort to minimize the confounding effect of each treatment on NLR. We reviewed 123 studies that studied the correlation between pre-treatment NLR and patient survival, 72 studies that evaluated the correlation between pre-treatment NLR and tumor recurrence, 21 studies that evaluated the correlation between NLR and tumor behavior, and 4 studies that assessed the correlation between NLR and graft survival. We found a remarkable heterogeneity between the methods of the studies, which is likely responsible for the differences in outcomes. The majority of the studies suggested a correlation between higher levels of pre-treatment NLR and poor outcomes. We concluded that NLR is a reliable and inexpensive biomarker and should be incorporated into other prognostic models to help determine outcomes following HCC treatment.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood , Liver Neoplasms/blood , Lymphocyte Count , Neutrophils , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Graft Survival , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Liver Transplantation , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Survival Rate
Objective Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) is reported to be superior to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CMER) for the complete resection of large polyps and may offer increased procedural efficiency. Aims To compare recurrence rates and adverse events between UEMR and CEMR and define risk factors related to recurrence. Also, to assess recurrence rates in piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) based on the number of pieces resected. Methods We identified all patients with large polyps treated using the UEMR technique at Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, USA between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017 with follow-up through October of 2018. We matched the UEMR patients with patients treated using the CEMR technique (1:2 matching, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the cumulative risks of polyp recurrence. The Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to assess risk factors for developing polyp recurrence. Results Sixty-eight patients (mean age: 63.4 ± 12.5 years; 52.9% males) with polyps removed using the UEMR technique (Group 1) were matched with 122 patients (mean age: 64.4 ± 10.0 years; 51.6% males) who had polyps removed using CEMR (Group 2). Polyps resected in fewer pieces (≤ 3) had lower recurrence rates compared to the ones resected in >3 pieces. Right colon polyps removed using UEMR had a lower recurrence rate compared to right colon polyps resected using CEMR. Polyp size and a high degree of dysplasia were associated with a high risk of polyp recurrence after resection. Completing advanced endoscopy training was also associated with a lower risk of recurrence. Conclusion UEMR had a lower recurrence rate compared with CEMR for right colon polyps. Factors associated with recurrence included the degree of training, high-grade dysplasia, and polyp size.
