Peritoneal papillary mesothelioma in situ: BAP1 mutation with indolent behavior for 15 years.

Papillary mesothelioma in situ (PMIS) is a rare and enigmatic disease. Most instances manifest as lesions of the peritoneal serosa. The pathogenesis and behavior of peritoneal PMIS are still poorly understood, and separation from benign well differentiated peritoneal mesothelial tumors (WDPMT) may be challenging. We describe the 15-year long course of a PMIS in an adult male in which inactivating mutations of BAP1, encoding BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP1), were identified. Tumor samples were obtained on 2 occasions more than 8y apart. In both samples, the tumor cells were bland, with occasional focal infiltration into the stalks of larger papillary lesions. However, no invasion into subserosal adipose tissue was identified. In both samples the tumor cells did not express nuclear BAP1. Comprehensive genomic analysis of the initial tumor sample revealed a somatic inactivating mutation in BAP1 (predicted effect, Y223*) and a somatic variant of IRS2 (A701_V702insAA). An additional inactivating mutation in BAP1 (predicted effect, T69fs*5) was detected in the later sample. The patient did not receive any treatment and is still alive 15 years after initial presentation. Our experience supports the view that peritoneal PMIS may follow an indolent course for many years and prompts the question whether these tumors should uniformly be treated aggressively.

Isolated amyloidosis of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Amyloidosis is a very rare condition, which, due to its rarity, is often missed or diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In this review we describe the existing types of amyloidosis focusing on the gastro-intestinal tract. Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal protein fibrils (amyloid) deposit in the muscularis mucosae. This can cause an array of symptoms ranging from (in order of occurrence): gastro-intestinal bleeding, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, early satiety, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fecal incontinence (1). Treatment is focused on the underlying condition (if any) causing the production and deposition of the abnormal fibrils, in combination of symptomatic treatment.

Diagnostically challenging human papillomavirus-associated primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum with metastasis in both ovaries: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinomas of the rectum are extremely rare and their pathogenesis is still under debate. Their proper diagnosis and treatment may thus be challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old Caucasian woman was transferred to our department with a history of pelvic pain. Colonoscopy revealed a small tumorous lesion of the upper rectum and an endoscopic biopsy showed infiltration of the rectal mucosa by a squamous cell carcinoma. Afterward, tumorous lesions were found on imaging in both her ovaries. A laparoscopy with adnexectomy and anal mapping was performed and revealed tumor masses of squamous cell carcinoma in both ovaries. Based on the large size of the ovarian tumors and the concurrence of extensive, partly ciliated, macrocystic epithelium in one of the ovaries, a diagnosis of ovarian squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mature teratoma was rendered. However, human papillomavirus genotyping analyses were positive for human papillomavirus-16 in both the rectal tumor and ovarian tumors leading to a final diagnosis of a human papillomavirus-associated rectal squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to both ovaries. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy of her rectum, total mesorectal excision, and hysterectomy were performed followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Colorectal squamous cell carcinoma is a rare disease. In cases of colorectal squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic disease at any other location has to be excluded. Human papillomavirus genotyping is essential in this context. Discussion of the treatment strategies should be interdisciplinary and include chemoradiation therapy and radical surgery.

[Heterotopic tissue in the gastrointestinal tract]. / Ektopes Gewebe des Gastrointestinaltraktes.

Heterotopia of the gastrointestinal tract is a common finding. This is due to the complex embryogenesis and the relative ease to detect heterotopic tissue during endoscopy. The reason for biopsy is mostly to rule out neoplasms or to define specific causes of inflammation. Heterotopic tissue can occur in any location of the gastrointestinal tract. The most frequent are gastric heterotopia, pancreatic heterotopia, and heterotopia of Brunner's gland. On rare occasions, heterotopic tissue of salivary gland type as well as heterotopias of apocrine glands, thyroid, and prostatic tissue have been described. The most frequently involved organs are the small intestine, in particular the duodenum, the esophagus, and the stomach. Heterotopia of the large bowel occurs exclusively in the rectum. Most heterotopias do not cause symptoms and are easily diagnosed by biopsy and histology. However, depending on location, size, and the kind of underlying heterotopic tissue, they may cause significant complications, such as inflammation, ulceration and perforation, obstruction, intussusception, and severe life-threatening bleeding. Another rare but significant complication is neoplasia. Gastric heterotopias may give rise to pyloric gland adenomas within the bowel or rarely adenocarcinomas of the esophagus. Pancreatic heterotopia can be complicated by ductal type pancreatic adenocarcinomas, by acinus cell carcinomas, by intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasias, and also by endocrine tumors. The present paper summarizes our current knowledge about heterotopias in a topographic clinico-pathological manner.

[Chronic, refractory ulcer on the ring finger : Manifestation of distal epithelioid sarcoma]. / Chronisches, therapieresistentes Ulkus am Ringfinger : Manifestation des epitheloiden Sarkoms vom distalen Typ.

The epithelioid sarcoma classic, "distal" type was first published in 1970. It is a very rare, malignant, aggressive subcutaneous soft tissue sarcoma that shows characteristic positivity for both epithelial and mesenchymal immunohistochemical markers. It grows very slowly and mostly presents in young men. Clinically the tumor is characterized as a coarse cutaneous or subcutaneous nodular induration that often ulcerates in the course of the disease. An association with trauma is often described and can lengthen time to diagnosis. Most frequently it is found on the flexural side of fingers, the back of the hands, soles of the feet, and extensor sides of arms and legs. Specific for this type of sarcoma is the progression along nerves, tendons, and fasciae. Treatment of choice should be wide excision of the tumor, sentinel node biopsy, and possibly even localized postoperative radiation therapy. Unfortunately the epithelioid sarcoma is very likely to recur and is then associated with metastases in the lung and lymph nodes.

[Incidental finding of a cardiac paraganglioma]. / Zufallsbefund eines kardialen Paraganglioms.

Cardiac paragangliomas are extremely rare neoplasms with an incidence of 1% of all cardiac tumors and can be completely asymptomatic, therefore, diagnosis is difficult. This article reports the case of an 18-year-old man with a heart murmur detected during a routine physical examination. Echocardiography revealed a heart tumor measuring 7 cm in size in the right atrium. Due to the tumor size and the threat of tricuspid valve insufficiency, tumor resection was performed. The histopathological examination revealed a cardiac paraganglioma with positive reactions of the tumor cells for chromogranin A, synaptophysin and CD56. Differentiating a primary cardiac paraganglioma from other more common cardiac tumors and particularly from metastases of neuroendocrine neoplasms from other locations is essential not only for the further clinical treatment but also for the prognosis of the patient.

Early recognition of malignant lactic acidosis in clinical practice: report on 6 patients with haematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Malignant lactic acidosis is a potentially overlooked but life-threatening complication in patients with haematological malignancies. The aim of this study is to describe the features of six patients with malignant lactic acidosis and to discuss how its initial presentation can be differentiated from that of severe sepsis. METHODS: We prospectively collected data of all consecutive patients with haematological malignancies, admitted to the Ghent University Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between 2000 and 2007. RESULTS: Of 372 patients with haematological malignancies admitted to the ICU for life- threatening complications, 58 presented with lactic acid levels > or = 5 mmol/L. Six were diagnosed with malignant lactic acidosis. All patients with malignant lactic acidosis had high-grade lymphoblastic malignancies and were referred with a tentative diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock; lactic acid levels exceeded 9.45 mmol/L and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were at least 1785 U/L. Two patients had hypoglycaemia. All had a pronounced polypnea. In all patients hepatic malignant involvement was suspected. Two of the six patients survived their episode thanks to the early recognition of malignant lactic acidosis and the prompt administration of chemotherapy. One patient was still alive 6 months after initiating chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Malignant lactic acidosis is a rare and often rapidly fatal metabolic complication if not promptly recognized and treated. An elevated lactic acid concentration, in disproportion with the level of tissue hypoxia, together with high serum LDH are cornerstones in the diagnosis. In contrast to septic shock patients, pronounced polypnea (Kussmaul's breathing pattern) rather than the haemodynamic instability is prominent.

Lenalidomide in relapsed refractory myeloma patients: impact of previous response to bortezomib and thalidomide on treatment efficacy. Results of a medical need program in Belgium.

The prognosis of multiple myeloma patients has significantly improved since the introduction of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide. We report the data of a medical need programme with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, conducted in Belgium between August 2007 and March 2008, and including 98 relapsed refractory multiple myeloma patients. In addition to chemotherapy and steroids, all patients had received prior treatment with bortezomib, and 84% of them had been exposed to thalidomide. In 52 patients response data could be retrieved by post-hoc analysis. A partial remission or better was achieved in 52% (49% partial and 3% complete response) of patients, despite a median of 5 previous anti-myeloma treatment lines. Responses were rapid while the majority of patients received lenalidomide with once weekly (also called low-dose) dexamethasone. Treatment with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone did prolong overall survival by nearly half a year in this population with end-stage myeloma. Overall response and quality of response were independent of previous response to thalidomide and bortezomib, although the time to progression tended to be shorter in thalidomide- and bortezomib-refractory patients. It can be concluded that lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is an effective and safe treatment regimen in highly refractory multiple myeloma patients, and that these responses are irrespective of previous exposure or sensitivity to thalidomide and bortezomib.

Myeloma of the central nervous system: report of a single center case series.

BACKGROUND: Neurologic manifestations often complicate the course of multiple myeloma, but direct involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is rare. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course, neurological symptoms, laboratory findings and imaging of patients with CNS myeloma. This additional information may contribute to better recognition and more effective management of this complication in the future. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 6 MM patients with CNS involvement diagnosed at our centre between April 2003 and April 2009. The clinical, biochemical and imaging data were collected and compared with previously reported cases. RESULTS: At time of diagnosis of CNS myeloma, 3 patients had progressive disease and 3 were in good partial remission. The presenting symptoms included diplopia, vision loss, extremity weakness and paresis. All cases showed one or more features of aggressive disease at diagnosis, including high tumour burden, plasmablastic morphology and high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. Prognosis was poor with a median survival of 4.8 months. CONCLUSION: CNS myeloma should be considered in patients with aggressive MM and unexplained neurological symptoms. The prognosis is poor despite intensive therapy.

[Small intestine, pancreas and islet cell transplantation]. / Dünndarm-, Pankreas- und Inselzelltransplantation.

The past decade has seen substantial improvements in patient and graft survival after intestinal transplantation. This improvement has been achieved by advances in donor and recipient selection, patient management, immunosuppression and surgical techniques. Intestinal transplantation is therefore considered a therapeutic option in the treatment of short bowel syndrome. Mile stones include the development of the calcineurin inhibitor Tacrolimus for immunosuppression as well as induction therapy using immune modulating substances like interleukin-2 receptor antagonists and antilymphocyte preparations. In addition to improvements in immunosuppression, antimicrobial prophylaxis and diagnosis of rejection, advances in surgical techniques have been crucial to achieving increased graft survival. Pancreas transplantation, generally with simultaneous kidney transplantation, is now available as a treatment option for patients with labile diabetes mellitus (usually type 1). Allogeneic islet transplantation was developed in the 1990s as a minimally invasive alternative to pancreas transplantation. Pancreatic islets are isolated enzymatically from the donor pancreas, in most cases infused into the portal vein and thus engrafted into the liver. Currently, technical and medical problems as well as high costs prevent the application of islet transplantation as a therapeutic option for a larger number of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Outcome in critically ill patients with allogeneic BM or peripheral haematopoietic SCT: a single-centre experience.

Outcome in haematological patients who develop critical illness has significantly improved over the last two decades, but less so in allogeneic BMT recipients. We prospectively investigated the outcome of 44 haematological patients with allogeneic BM or haematopoietic SCT (ABMT/AHSCT) requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Ghent University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2007. We related outcome to the cause of critical illness, which was categorized as documented or clinically suspected bacterial infection, non-bacterial infection and non-infectious disease. Mechanical ventilation was required in 32 patients, and 12 patients received renal replacement therapy. Overall ICU-mortality, in-hospital mortality and 6-month mortality rates were 61, 75 and 80%, respectively. Hospital mortality rates in patients with bacterial infection (n=14), non-bacterial infection (n=13) and non-infectious disease (n=17) were 43, 85 and 94% (P=0.003). After adjustment for severity of illness sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, bacterial infection (odds ratio 0.06, 0.01-0.36, P=0.002) was associated with significantly lower odds for hospital mortality. On the basis of our experience, ICU referral of ABMT/AHSCT patients is justifiable, as an acceptable fraction of these patients have longer-term survival. Documented or clinically suspected bacterial infection as the cause of critical illness is associated with better prognosis in comparison with other causes.

The Belgian 2010 consensus recommendations for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Since the introduction of novel therapeutic agents including thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib, the prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) has significantly improved. These agents have been incorporated into numerous treatment schedules for newly diagnosed as well as more advanced MM patients. Hence, the therapeutic options for MM have become more complex and subject to rapid changes. The multiple myeloma study group (MMSG) of the Belgian Hematological Society has established recommendations for the treatment of MM as based on an extensive review of the literature which is also summarized in this paper. The recommendations are the result of a consensus opinion between haematologists with experience in the field and representing most haematology centres in Belgium. Where applicable, reimbursement criteria are also taken into account. The consensus recommendations should be a reference for use by clinical haematologists in daily practice.

Adverse effects of polyvinylidene fluoride-coated polypropylene mesh used for laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay repair of incisional hernia.

BACKGROUND: Polyvinylidene fluoride-coated polypropylene meshes have been developed specifically for intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair. They combine a macroporous design with biomechanical characteristics compatible with the abdominal wall and are reported to have favourable antiadhesive properties. This retrospective study reports complications related to one of these materials, DynaMesh. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients underwent intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair with DynaMesh at one of two hospitals. Patients characteristics, surgical procedures and postoperative analgesia were comparable at both sites. RESULTS: Six patients developed DynaMesh-related complications that required surgical reintervention by laparotomy within 1 year of operation. Surgical reintervention was for adhesions in five patients and the mesh had to be explanted in three. One mesh was explanted because of early infection. Adhesions to DynaMesh were found in two patients who had surgery for unrelated reasons. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay DynaMesh repair was associated with a high rate of complications.

Aspiration pneumonia: an underestimated cause of severe respiratory failure in patients with haematological malignancies and severe oral mucositis?

Aspiration pneumonia is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory failure in patients suffering from haematologic malignancies in daily practice. We describe four patients who were admitted with severe respiratory failure in the ICU over a one-year-period prospective survey (a total of 72 patients with haematological malignancies of which 34 presented with respiratory failure). All of these patients had chemotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis (WHO grade ILL-IV) for which three of them received opioids. All had a history of cough after oral rinsing and two of them experienced sudden brief desaturation in the days before ICU referral. Two of these patients, both in allogeneic bone marrow transplant setting, died. With this data, we want to draw the attention to the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia in this group of patients.

Influence of portosystemic shunt on liver regeneration after hepatic resection in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: The minimal amount of liver mass necessary for regeneration is still a matter of debate. The aim of the study was to analyze liver regeneration factors after extended resection with or without portosystemic shunt. METHODS: An extended left hemihepatectomy was performed in 25 domestic pigs, in 15 cases after a portosystemic H-shunt. The expression of Ki-67, VEGF, TGF-alpha, FGF, and CK-7 was analyzed in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. RESULTS: The volume of the remnant liver increased about 2.5-fold at the end of the first week after resection. With 19 cells/10 Glisson fields versus 4/10, Ki-67-expression was significantly higher in the H-shunt group. VEGF- and CK-7-expressions were significantly higher in the control group. No significant change was found in FGF-expression. The expression of TGF-alpha was higher, but not significantly, in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Ki-67, and therefore hepatocyte regeneration, was increased in the shunt group. The expression of CK-7 on biliary epithelium and the expression of VEGF, however, were stronger in the control group.

Adjuvant extension of chemotherapy after neoadjuvant therapy may not improve outcome in early-stage breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is equivalent to adjuvant therapy (AdC) in terms of survival and disease-free interval. Many institutions add AdC after NAC and surgery. However, such extended chemotherapy (ExC) is not evidence based. Study aim was to investigate if ExC improved disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1998 to 2006 356 consecutive patients received NAC (45 pts), AdC (221 pts) or ExC (90 pts). We analysed these 3 groups to determine effects of ExC and to identify patients who might benefit. NAC consisted in 93% of 3-6 cycles of epirubicin+docetaxel, AdC comprised EC+/-taxanes in 72%. Median age in the NAC, AdC, and ExC-groups was 54, 56 and 52 years with follow-up of 30, 57, and 55 months. RESULTS: After NAC, 35% achieved downstaging and 10% pathologic complete remission. Surprisingly ExC seemed to result in reduction of 5-year DFS: compared to 85% and 82% after NAC and AdC, DFS was 61% after ExC (p=0.001). OS was not significantly affected (79, 91, and 78% after NAC, AdC and ExC, p=0.13). In multivariate analysis after correction for age, menopausal status, stage, grading, hormone receptors, her2-status, radiotherapy and surgery, ExC seemed to adversely affect DFS (HR 2.15, p=0.008), loco-regional and distant recurrence-rates (HR 3.0, p=0.03 and HR 2.0, p=0.02). DISCUSSION: In this single-center analysis ExC could not show advantages in terms of DFS and OS. Because multivariate analyses of retrospective data cannot account for all potential biases, these data require confirmation in randomized clinical trials. Until then, extended chemotherapy should be considered carefully. As in previous studies, no differences were found between NAC and AdC groups.

Deguelin inhibits expression of IkappaBalpha protein and induces apoptosis of B-CLL cells in vitro.

We investigated if deguelin, a naturally occurring rotenoid, was able to inhibit nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB)-binding protein (IkappaBalpha) expression and to induce apoptosis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells in vitro. Deguelin-induced cell death in the majority of B-CLL cells and was found to be more toxic toward B-CLL cells than to the normal mononuclear or B-cells, suggesting selectivity towards the malignant cells. Deguelin was found to reduce IkappaBalpha protein expression, and thus interacts with the NFkappaB pathway. The induced apoptosis was characterized by processing of caspase-9 and -3 and poly-(ADP)-ribose-polymerase cleavage. Exposure of B-CLL cells to deguelin resulted in Bcl2-associated protein (Bax) conformational changes and downregulation of the key survival protein myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (Mcl-1), which is associated with response to treatment in B-CLL patients. Deguelin retained its ability to induce apoptosis in B-CLL cells in the presence of interleukin-4, a pro-survival cytokine in B-CLL, and when cultured with 50% human serum. These data indicate that deguelin is able to induce apoptosis in B-CLL cells in the presence of pro-survival signals and thus merits further investigation for clinical application either as a single agent or in combination with other anticancer agents.