Skin metastasis of head and neck carcinoma predictive for dismal outcome.

A 64-year-old female with locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma presented with an innocuous appearing macule on the abdomen. The lesion rapidly enlarged over 2 weeks into an inflammatory 5 cm fleshy nodule that was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and was found to overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). A fatal outcome occurred 3 months after the initial diagnosis of cancer, in spite of chemotherapy and treatment with EGFR inhibitors (cetuximab). Cutaneous metastases occur in 10 percent of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Contiguous cutaneous metastases in the head and neck areas are by far the most common. Conversely, isolated infradiaphragmatic cutaneous metastases are exceedingly rare and are associated with an aggressive clinical course. In a patient with cancer, the possibility of distant skin metastasis should be considered whenever new cutaneous nodules appear.

[Sinonasal hemangiopericytomas]. / Hémangiopéricytomes nasosinusiens.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report on the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of hemangiopericytomas, and to discuss our experience with their treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors reexamined two recent cases of patients presenting with sinonasal hemangiopericytomas (semiology, CT and MRI results, treatment and follow-up). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There was substantial variability of hemangiopericytoma presentation depending on location. Hemangiopericytomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses are considered a distinct entity with a good prognosis. Treatment is based on endoscopic sinus surgery. The histological approach requires the use of immunohistochemistry. Recurrences vary in the literature depending on the initial resection quality. Metastases are rare.

[Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma in perimenarche]. / Léiomyosarcome primitif de l'ovaire en périménarche.

Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor, which is thought to arise predominantly in postmenopausal women. We report the second case in a perimenarchal adolescent. Diagnosis was grounded on light microscopic and histochemical findings. In our case, the treatment was exclusively surgical. As there was no tumoral residue, and according to the low-grade tumor, no adjuvant treatment was performed.

[Masseter oncocytoma of parotid origin]. / Oncocytome massétérin d'origine parotidienne.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors developed in a salivary ectasia of the parotid gland are very rare. The authors describe a case of oncocytoma developed in such an ectopy. OBSERVATION: The tumor located in the parotid region was observed in a 79-year old man. There was no facial palsy, no pain, and no cervical adenopathy. MRI was the most helpful to localize and characterize the tumor. Surgical resection was performed after a parotidectomy. Histology confirmed the diagnosis. DISCUSSION: The physiopathology of this rare entity is discussed with a literature review. It might correspond to a mitochondrial anomaly.

Absorbable Adams-DeWeese caval clip: an experimental study.

Adams-DeWeese caval clips have been shown to be effective in preventing pulmonary embolism. However, the use of Teflon clips constitutes a permanent solution for this transient risk. We tested an absorbable caval clip made of currently available synthetic biodegradable polymers in five female beagle dogs. The polymer used was PLA 96 containing 96% L lactic acid and 4% D lactic acid. After placement through a laparotomy, clips were routinely inspected and samples of the material were collected at regular intervals between 3 and 19 months postoperatively. The characteristics of absorption of PLA 96 in the retroperitoneal space were the same as those previously described in the literature. The clip retained its shape, rigidity, and effectiveness for 7 months. Complete degradation of the clip took between 18 and 19 months. Absorption did not cause a major inflammatory reaction and had no thrombogenic effect. Given the small number of animals studied, these results must be considered preliminary.

[Expression of blood group antigens in 30 patients with transitional-cell carcinomas of the bladder]. / Etude de l'expression des antigènes de groupe sanguin chez 30 malades porteurs de carcinomes transitionnels de vessie.

From the follow up of 30 patients whose bladder tumours were repeatedly resected over a period ranging from several months to 18 years, we carried out a study of AGS Antigen expression using an A B O histokit. We were able to establish that this histokit is reliable and very easy to use. We also observed in the urothelial tumours a modification in AGS expression tending towards frequent loss. The AGS staining coincides with the grade of the tumour. Tumours totally stained are always of low grade. However, in this short group of patients, we were unable to draw any interesting correlation between the immunological profile and the clinical course of the transitional bladder carcinomas. In the case of patients with superficial tumours whose histological aspect and clinical course are comparable, the immunological aspect differs. It must be emphasised that in subsequent studies necessary to establish the prognosis of bladder tumours the A B O histokit is easy to use in conjunction with the histological study.