[Thrombocytopenia and thromboses in a young woman]. / Thrombopenie und Thrombosen bei einer jungen Frau.

This article reports the case of a 34-year-old female patient with multiple thrombotic events (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, ischemic duodenitis) with simultaneous thrombocytopenia (ca. 70/nl). A paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria without detectable hemolysis and with simultaneous myelodysplastic syndrome was causative for these symptoms. This rare disease is important to consider in the differential diagnosis of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and vasculitis.

[New aspects of current therapeutic strategies in oropharyngeal carcinoma: highlights of the 2012 ASCO meeting]. / Neue Aspekte zur aktuellen Therapie von Oropharynxkarzinomen: Highlights vom ASCO-Kongress 2012.

Beside the surgical treatment of head and neck cancer, the concept of organ and function preserving therapy of locally advanced HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) especially of oropharyngeal origin is becoming increasingly important. The comparison of induction chemotherapy plus chemoradiation and primary concomitant chemoradiation has recently been the subject of randomized clinical trials. New combinations of different (chemo)radiation regimens and targeted therapies are also under investigation for HNSCC. Molecular markers predicting treatment efficacy as well as new potential targets are also being evaluated in several clinical trials. The good prognosis of HPV-associated HNSCC has sparked efforts to deintensify treatment to minimize therapy-related toxicities. The impact of specific therapies is growing due to the increasing incidence of young patients with HPV-positive carcinomas.

[New aspects in the therapy of recurrence and metastasis of head and neck cancer: highlights from the 2012 ASCO meeting]. / Neue Therapieaspekte bei Rezidiv und Fernmetastase des Kopf- und Hals-Karzinoms: Highlights vom ASCO-Kongress 2012.

The majority of patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (HNSCC) initially present in a locally advanced stage of the disease. Despite aggressive protocols in first-line treatment, some of these patients develop locoregional recurrences or metastases and are, in particular, extraordinarily challenging for the multidisciplinary treatment team. Therefore, among resectability and prior therapy, age, performance status and individual expectations of the patient have to be taken into account. Apart from surgical options like salvage surgery, chemotherapy and target therapy as well as reirradiation are possible treatment concepts. Unfortunately, most treatment options offer only little to no survival benefit.

[A 22 year old woman with fever, night sweats, weight loss and hepatomegaly]. / 22-jährige Frau mit Fieber, Nachtschweiss, Gewichtsverlust und Hepatomegalie.

A 22 year old female patient presented with fever, night sweats, weight loss and hepatomegaly associated with elevated inflammatory parameters and liver enzymes. Computer tomography revealed a mass located between the inferior vena cava and the psoas muscle as well as enlarged celiac, retroperitoneal and retrocaval lymph nodes. Biopsies of the retrocaval mass led to the diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis. Within a few days of treatment with corticosteroids clinical presentation improved and imaging studies detected complete regression of the retrocaval mass after 6 months.