Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast, are there two entities with distinct prognosis? A series of 39 patients.

PURPOSE: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare entity of breast cancer, with a very poor prognosis, and whose pathophysiology is still unwell established. Therapeutic management is very heterogeneous due to its incomplete understanding. Nevertheless, it seems that two histological entities can be distinguished: pure SCC close to the cutaneous origin, and metaplastic squamous breast cancer (MSBC). The aim of this study is therefore to assess the difference in survival according to the histological type (SCC or MSBC) and to describe the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of the two underlying populations. METHODS: Our data came from a monocentric retrospective series of 39 patients treated between 1985 and 2018 at the Gustave Roussy Institute (France) for a breast SCC. RESULTS: Of the 39 patients included, 64% had MSBC and 36% had a pure form. The overall and recurrence-free survival at 3 years [CI 95%] was 72.3% [56.9%; 87.0%] and 67.2% [51.2%; 83.2%], respectively. The overall 3-year survival of patients with MSBC was significantly lower than that with pure SCC: HR [CI 95%] 9.5 [1.2; 73.1], p = 0.008. The 3-year recurrence-free survival of patients with MSBC was also poorer: HR [CI 95%] 11.9 [1.6; 90.7], p = 0.002. Patients with MSBC also tended to be younger, have a large lesion size, and be more metastatic. CONCLUSION: The histological nature of SCC seems to bring fundamental new elements to the therapeutic management as it impacts recurrence and survival. It should therefore be better characterized at diagnosis in order to possibly adapt treatments.

Primary clear cell sarcoma of the tongue and surgical reconstruction: About a rare case report.

Clear cell sarcomas (SCC), also called "soft-tissue melanoma", are rare and aggressive tumors that preferentially affect the lower limbs (tendons and fasciae) and which have also been described in head and neck localizations. Their clinical and immunohistochemical mimicry with melanoma makes it difficult to diagnose sarcomas. SCC treatment is mainly focused on large-scale resection surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy because of their low chemo-sensitivity and extreme lymphophilia. In case of head and neck localization, these treatments may lead to function and aesthetic sequelae thus requiring the use of modern techniques of reconstructive surgery. The authors describe the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of large lingual SCC case using a DIEP free flap reconstruction according to an original technique developed in the department. Given the characteristics of patients with SCC (a high proportion of women between 20 and 40 years old) and its inherent qualities (low morbidity of the donor site, volume delivered and excellent plasticity), the fascio-cutaneous free flap type "DIEP" "taken according to the design of the" Cathedral triptych seems to be a viable choice among the range of reconstruction solutions.

[Assessment of employment's impact on breastfeeding practices]. / Évaluation de l'effet du travail sur la pratique de l'allaitement maternel.

OBJECTIVE: Employment is recognized as a weaning factor in many studies. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of employment on women's breastfeeding (BF) with a duration longer than 6 months in a Moroccan population. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2015 and April 2016 in four hospitals in the region of Rabat-Salé, Morocco. All ages were included with the condition that the woman had at least one living child. A questionnaire-based interview collected data on the duration of BF for each child, breast milk storage practices, woman's opinion on BF, and the perception of work conditions during BF. Factors associated with BF lasting longer than 6 months were analyzed using logistic regression carried out in SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 502 surveyed women were analyzed. The median duration of breastfeeding (exclusive or mixed) in working women was 8 months versus 15 months for those without employment (P<0.001). Only 26 % stored breast milk. For working women, BF practiced due to religious conviction or perceived as mandatory were higher than for unemployed women (18% vs 15% and 11% vs. 7%, respectively; P<0.001). Working conditions during BF were perceived as daunting in 61% of cases. In multivariate analysis, factors correlated with prolonged BF longer than 6 months were: (i) early baby initiation to BF (OR=3; 95% CI [1.9-4.6]), (ii) education level: middle and high school (OR=0.1; 95% CI [0.01-0.5]), and (iii) the social status of working women (OR=0.3; 95% CI [0.1-0.6]). CONCLUSION: Employment has a negative impact on the duration of breastfeeding, work perception, and practices of breastfeeding women.

[Intramedullary schwannoma. A case report]. / Schwannome intramédullaire. A propos d'un cas.

The intramedullary localization of schwannoma is rare, corresponding to 0.3% of all intraspinal tumors. We report a case of intramedullary schwannoma without symptoms suggestive of neurofibromatosis. This patient presented with symptoms of spinal compression. Total removal of the tumor was achieved. The literature is reviewed about of this rare localization of schwannoma.

[Gliosarcomas. A case report]. / Gliosarcome. A propos d'un cas.

Gliosarcomas account for 2% of glioblastomas. We report a case of gliosarcoma in a 65-year-old man, which presented as meningioma, and discuss diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of this particular entity.

Clinical use and efficacy of biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 in people with insulin treated diabetes - a nationwide evaluation of clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the metabolic effects of biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 in routine clinical practice. A total of 229 patients who were ≥18 years old with diabetes, newly treated with biphasic insulin lispro 50/50, were sourced from six secondary care services in England. METHODS: Detailed clinical parameters were compared at baseline, and 3 and 6 months post-initiation. Responders was defined as those with HbA1c <7.5% (58 mmol/mol) and/or an HbA1c reduction of >1% (11 mmol/mol) at 6 months. RESULTS: HbA1c showed significant reduction: -0.93% (-10 mmol/mol) and -1.2% (-13 mmol/mol) at 3 and 6 months respectively, while no significant change was noted for all the other parameters. When analyzed according to frequencies of injections/day, the greatest reduction was observed with the three times a day regimen (-1.0% [-11.0 mmol/mol] and -1.3% [-14.6 mmol/mol] at 3 and 6 months respectively). HbA1c reduction was greatest in the group who previously received a basal-bolus insulin regimen: (-0.8% [-9.0 mmol/mol] and -1.5% [-16.2 mmol/mol] at 3 and 6 months respectively). Reduction in weight was observed at 3 months (-1.8 kg ± 4.3) only for those who were previously on a basal-bolus insulin regimen. Insulin doses increased following conversion to biphasic insulin lispro 50/50, irrespective of the types of insulin used prior to biphasic insulin lispro 50/50, but this was not associated with weight gain. The independent predictors of response to biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 were baseline HbA1c, Caucasian, presence of nephropathy, prior use of basal-bolus insulin and prior use of other premixed combination. CONCLUSION: Biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 is therefore an effective therapeutic option for achieving glycemic control in patients with suboptimal HbA1c levels, especially among those who were previously on a basal-bolus insulin regimen and those who received it three times daily, with a neutral effect on weight parameters. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study of routine clinical practice and is therefore limited by allocation bias and some missing data. Information on rates of hypoglycemia and quality of life are not available.

[Sellar hemangiopericytoma. Report of a case]. / Hémangiopéricytome sellaire. A propos d'un cas.

Authors report spontaneous necrosis of a sellar hemangiopericytoma, in a 44 year old man, revealed by a right cavernous syndrome. The initial CT scan showed a right sellar and parasellar spontaneous hyperdense process, intensely and homogeneously enhanced by contrast-agent. This process invaded the right cavernous sinus and extended to the sphenoid sinus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion in isointense on T1-weighted sequence and slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted sequence, with an intense and homogenous enhancement. The follow-up CT scan performed 6 months later, showed a total necrosis of the lesion. Angiography showed a slightly vascularised process, with mass effect on the carotid and sylvian vessels. The sellar and parasellar localization of hemangiopericytoma is rare. The spontaneous necrosis is exceptional, but it enabled us to distinguish it from meningioma.

[Calcified cerebral hydatid cyst. Report of a case]. / Kyste hydatique cérébral calcifié. A propos d'un cas.

The cerebral localization of the hydatid cyst is still rare (1 to 4% of the cases). The calcified cerebral hydatid cyst is exceptional. We report one case collected in our department. It is about a patient of 28 years old, that the case histories consist in convulsive attacks since the age of 8 years old, hospitalized because of a left hemiparesis with progressive installation. The cerebral computerized tomography showed a right parieto-occipital that is largely calcified. During the operation, a calcified hydatid cyst discovered with various daughter vesicles and a cerebral gliosis, the latter has been extracted entirely. The evolution has been favourable with improvement of the left hemiparesis. The calcified hydatid cyst of brain is still exceptional, its symptomatology is the same as the safe CHC, but it poses some diagnostic and therapeutic problems.

[Malignant schwannoma of the breast. A case report]. / Schwannome malin du sein. A propos d'un cas.

Malignant schwannoma is a very rare sarcomatous tumor of unknown etiology. Primary mammary localization is exceptional. Clinically, the tumor manifests as an isolated painless nodule visualized as a benign nodule on standard radiogram. Positive diagnosis is provided by pathology. Treatment is surgical. The risk of local recurrence imposes a radical treatment. We report one case and review the literature, underlining the difficulties encountered in diagnosis and emphasizing the recurrent nature of this tumor after conservative treatment.

[Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix]. / Mélanome malin primitif du col utérin.

INTRODUCTION: Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix is an extremely rare histological variety of cervical tumor, with only 54 cases reported. OBSERVATION: A 70 year-old woman consulted for metrorrhagia and pelvic pain. Clinical examination revealed a tumefaction on the anterior labium of the cervix. The anatomo-pathological examination of the biopsy led to diagnosis of a malignant melanoma of the cervix. Despite enlarged Wertheim-type colpohysterectomy associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy, pulmonary metastases developed and the patient died six months later. COMMENT: This is a typical case of malignant melanoma of the cervix. All the authors underline the poor prognosis when visceral metastases occur early, as was the case in our patient.

[Epidermoid cyst of the cerebellopontine angle. A surgical series of 10 cases and review of the literature]. / Kyste épidermoïde de l'angle ponto-cérébelleux. Série chirurgicale de 10 cas et revue de la littérature.

Epidermoid cyst or cholesteastoma is a congenital slow growing lesion. It usually arises in the paramedian cisterns of the posterior fossa. Its incidence varies between 0.2 and 1% of all intracranial tumors. The cerebello-pontine angle (CPA) is the most common localization. Our study reports 10 observations of CPA epidermoid cysts, treated in our department between 1989 and 1999. The age of our patients ranged from 20 to 45 years, with male predominance. The patients were admitted with symptoms of cerebello-pontine angle syndrome or signs of posterior fossa tumor. CT-scan was performed in all cases and MRI was performed in 5 patients. The audiometric explorations only provided an orienting contribution. Treatment was exclusively surgical. The retro-sigmoid approach was used in 6 cases, the sub-occipital in 30% and a subtemporal approach in one case. Total resection of the epidermoid cysts was accomplished in 4 cases, and subtotal resection in 4 cases. Two patients underwent partial resection and underwent a revision procedure. The histological examination showed an epidermoid cyst in all cases. The clinical course was controlled in 6 patients: 4 patients recovered and became symptom free. A persisting neurologic deficit was observed in two cases (hearing loss, dysphonia); 4 patients were lost to follow-up. Epidermoid cyst is a benign tumor. Total resection is the ideal treatment, but we have to be aware, taking into consideration the adherence of the tumor to neurovascular structures, of the risks at attempting total resection.

[Cerebellar schistomiasis. A case report]. / La bilharziose cérébelleuse. A propos d'un cas.

Schistomiasis or bilharziosis remains an endemic parasitic disease in many countries world wide. Urogenital, intestinal and hepatic symptoms are common. The brain is exceptionally involved and very few cases have been described in the literature. We report the case of a 35-Year-old male with a history of hematuria and bladder disorders, who developed signs of intracranial hypertension and a cerebellar syndrome over a period of one Month. Brain MRI disclosed a cerebellar lesion and a pelvic CT scan revealed a bladder tumor. Treatment consisted in a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and corticosteroid therapy. Cystoscopy was performed for total resection of the bladder lesion. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of schistomiasis. Surgery was also performed to approach the cerebellar lesion. Histopathology showed the inflammatory nature of the lesion. The patient was given an antiparasitic treatment. Clinical and radiological radiological manifestations regressed.

[Intramedullary tuberculomas. Five cases]. / Les tuberculomes intramédullaires. A propos de 5 cas.

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system is uncommon. The intramedullary localization is exceptional. We report five cases of intramedullary tuberculosis observed in four women and one man with a mean age of 43 years. Two patients had a prior history of tuberculosis. Spinal cord compression was found clinically in all cases. The spinal MRI visualized the tuberculoma in all patients; two had a double tumor. Complete removal of the tuberculoma was possible in only one patient. Outcome was stationary for four patients.

[Sphenotemporal aneurysmal bone cyst. A new case and review of the literature]. / Kyste osseux anévrysmal sphénotemporal. Un nouveau cas et revue de la littérature.

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign tumors of the bones, formed by multiple cysts filled with blood and eroding the bone. They are rarely located at the skull. We report a case of a right temporal ABC in a 5-year-old girl. On admission, the physical examination showed a tough and fixed tumor, with no inflammatory signs nor vascular characteristics. The neurological examination was normal. Imaging studies showed an heterogeneous extracerebral mass, eroding the temporal bone and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. The treatment consisted in an extensive tumor resection, associated with reconstructive surgery. The outcome was uneventful (follow-up 27 months). We underline the pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic features of this condition.

Acute adrenocortical crisis: three different presentations.

The adrenal cortex normally produces three principal steroid hormones: the glucocorticoid cortisol, the mineralocorticoid aldosterone, and a small quantity of sex steroids. In primary adrenocortical insufficiency, there is a deficiency of both cortisol and aldosterone with characteristic clinical and laboratory findings. In contrast, with a pituitary disorder there is isolated hypocortisolism, because its production is dependent on pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), whereas aldosterone production is controlled by extracellular fluid volume, renin and serum potassium. Acute adrenocortical crisis is an absolute medical emergency and its presentation is not always typical. We describe three recent cases of acute adrenocortical crisis in our hospital who presented in three different ways in three different wards.

Long-term amiodarone therapy raises serum cholesterol.

Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured in 12 patients before and 3.6 and 9 months after treatment with amiodarone. In addition, we monitored serum T4, T3, reverse T3 and TSH levels. Amiodarone and its desethyl metabolite levels were measured on each occasion. Serum total cholesterol and T4 levels rose from 5.95 mmol/l, and 102.7 mmol/l respectively at baseline to 6.95 and 115.8 at 6 months and reverse T3 increased at 3, 6 and 9 months from baseline. Serum triglycerides did not change. No relationship existed between cholesterol, T4 and T3 and amiodarone (or its metabolite) levels nor between cholesterol and thyroid hormone levels. These data demonstrate that amiodarone therapy is associated with an elevation in serum cholesterol. This may have clinical implications in view of the current widespread use of the drug.

[Krukenberg's tumors. 9 cases. Review of the literature]. / Tumeurs de Krukenberg. A propos de 9 observations. Revue de la littérature.

The authors report a series of nine cases of Krukenberg's tumor, operated at the university clinic of obstetric gynecology (Professor Chaoui) during a period from 1977 to 1990. They underline the metastatic character of this tumor, whose primitive lesion is very often digestive. In most cases, the diagnosis is set late by histological study of the operatory piece, showing the revealing character of this tumor. All the authors agree upon the very dark prognostic of this tumor. The only hope of improvement lies in an extraction as soon as possible of the primitive tumor, followed by a radical treatment of the ovarian tumor. The contribution of complementary treatment is questionable; however, adjuvant chemotherapy keeps a positive efficacy, according to certain authors. The authors deplore one death in keeping with a late diagnosis.