Choriocarcinoma Syndrome: A Rare Complication's Impact on Metastatic Germ Cell Tumor Outcomes.

Choriocarcinoma syndrome is a rare form of tumor lysis syndrome that predominantly occurs in patients with metastatic germ cell tumors, particularly those presenting with extensive lung metastases. We report a case of a previously healthy 37-year-old male who presented with a painless left-sided neck lump and nipples with an increased sensitivity to light touch. Workup revealed a significantly elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, a testicular mass, and innumerable pulmonary metastases, suggesting metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumor. Following the initiation of chemotherapy with etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (VIP), the patient experienced a rapid decline in respiratory function, culminating in acute respiratory distress syndrome and subsequent death from respiratory failure six weeks after starting treatment. This case emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in managing non-seminomatous germ cell tumors and highlights the critical need for awareness of choriocarcinoma syndrome's risks, the challenges of treatment delays for fertility preservation, and the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in this high-risk patient population.

Acupuncture for Chronic Radiation-Induced Xerostomia in Head and Neck Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Patients with head and neck cancer who undergo radiotherapy can develop chronic radiation-induced xerostomia. Prior acupuncture studies were single center and rated as having high risk of bias, making it difficult to know the benefits of acupuncture for treating radiation-induced xerostomia. Objective: To compare true acupuncture (TA), sham acupuncture (SA), and standard oral hygiene (SOH) for treating radiation-induced xerostomia. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized, blinded, 3-arm, placebo-controlled trial was conducted between July 29, 2013, and June 9, 2021. Data analysis was performed from March 9, 2022, through May 17, 2023. Patients reporting grade 2 or 3 radiation-induced xerostomia 12 months or more postradiotherapy for head and neck cancer were recruited from community-based cancer centers across the US that were part of the Wake Forest National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program Research Base. Participants had received bilateral radiotherapy with no history of xerostomia. Interventions: Participants received SOH and were randomized to TA, SA, or SOH only. Participants in the TA and SA cohorts were treated 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Those experiencing a minor response received another 4 weeks of treatment. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patient-reported outcomes for xerostomia (Xerostomia Questionnaire, primary outcome) and quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) were collected at baseline, 4 (primary time point), 8, 12, and 26 weeks. All analyses were intention to treat. Results: A total of 258 patients (201 men [77.9%]; mean [SD] age, 65.0 [9.16] years), participated from 33 sites across 13 states. Overall, 86 patients were assigned to each study arm. Mean (SD) years from diagnosis was 4.21 (3.74) years, 67.1% (n = 173) had stage IV disease. At week 4, Xerostomia Questionnaire scores revealed significant between-group differences, with lower Xerostomia Questionnaire scores with TA vs SOH (TA: 50.6; SOH: 57.3; difference, -6.67; 95% CI, -11.08 to -2.27; P = .003), and differences between TA and SA (TA: 50.6; SA: 55.0; difference, -4.41; 95% CI, -8.62 to -0.19; P = .04) yet did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons. There was no significant difference between SA and SOH. Group differences in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scores revealed statistically significant group differences at week 4, with higher scores with TA vs SOH (TA: 101.6; SOH: 97.7; difference, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.43-6.38; P = .002) and at week 12, with higher scores with TA vs SA (TA: 102.1; SA: 98.4; difference, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.10-6.18; P = .005) and TA vs SOH (TA: 102.1; SOH: 97.4; difference, 4.61; 95% CI, 1.99-7.23; P = .001). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this trial suggest that TA was more effective in treating chronic radiation-induced xerostomia 1 or more years after the end of radiotherapy than SA or SOH. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02589938.

Recurrence of Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma during Pregnancy: Case Report and Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a family of blood vessel tumors originating in blood vessels, bone, brain, kidney, liver, and lung. EHE is more common in women, and chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have brought few successes. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 28-year-old woman whose EHE recurred during pregnancy, suggesting hormonal involvement. We conducted a systematic review to provide analysis and interpretation of the potential significance of her disease recurring, with fatal outcome, during pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Very little research has explored the use of individual hormonal markers. Strongly positive expression of placenta growth factor (PlGF) and 17-beta estradiol receptors have been reported. Expression of PlGF is noteworthy in our case, in that our patient's disease quickly and dramatically flared in the 25th week of pregnancy, near the peak in maternal PlGF production. PlGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor-1 (VEGF-1), and PlGF may accelerate VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Taken together, these factors may explain our patient's EHE recurrence and rapid flare-up during pregnancy. Treatment of EHE with VEGF inhibition, potentially in combination with other antiangiogenic and tumor-inhibiting therapies such as lenalidomide, thalidomide, sorafenib, and sunitinib, may also hold promise.

Phase II trial of irinotecan and carboplatin for extensive or relapsed small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The regimens of weekly irinotecan with platinum have been used for treatment of metastatic small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). We conducted a multi-institution phase II trial to evaluate a novel 21-day schedule of irinotecan and carboplatin in patients with relapsed or extensive SCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients were enrolled with the following characteristics: 39 male patients, 41 female patients; median age, 65 years; and Zubrod performance status, 0 to 1 in 85% and 2 in 15% of patients. Dosing schemas were based on the maximum-tolerated dose derived in a previous phase I study. Chemotherapy-naive patients with extensive SCLC were treated with irinotecan 200 mg/m(2) and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) of 5 (arm A). Patients, who had previously been treated with chemotherapy and had relapsed disease received irinotecan 150 mg/m(2) and carboplatin AUC of 5 (arm B). In each study arm, the treatment was given every 21 days for up to six cycles. RESULTS: The most common grade 3 to 4 toxicities included neutropenia (54%), thrombocytopenia (22%), anemia (13%), diarrhea (22%), and nausea/emesis (11%) in both study arms. There were three treatment-related deaths owing to neutropenic sepsis. Among 72 assessable patients, response rates of 65% and 50% were observed, respectively, for arm A and arm B. The median survival for both study arms was identical at 10 months (95% CI, 6 to 14 months). A response rate of 65% was observed in the intracranial disease of 14 patients with known brain metastases. CONCLUSION: This 21-day regimen of irinotecan and carboplatin seems promising for the treatment of relapsed SCLC.

Capecitabine-associated cerebellar ataxia.

PURPOSE: A case of capecitabine-associated cerebellar ataxia is presented. SUMMARY: A 65-year-old white woman with stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastasis was started on a chemotherapy regimen of capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab, given every three weeks. She tolerated the first two treatment cycles fairly well without major toxicities. The capecitabine dosage was started at 2000 mg daily for 14 days during the first cycle and increased to 2500 and 3000 mg daily during the second and the third cycles, respectively. On day 5 of the third cycle, the patient reported increased nausea, fatigue, and sleepiness, and the dosage of capecitabine was subsequently reduced to 2500 mg daily. On day 12 of the fourth treatment cycle, she reported ongoing lightheadedness and progressive gait disturbance with worsening ataxia over the past 3 days. Her capecitabine dosage was further reduced to 2000 mg daily, and the time between treatment intervals was increased to four weeks. The patient continued to experience intermittent, but less severe, ataxia during the fifth treatment cycle. On the day before the seventh cycle was to begin, she had ataxic gait and could not walk without assistance. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed no evidence of brain metastasis or cerebellar abnormality. The chemotherapy was postponed for a total of six weeks until the ataxia completely resolved. Her chemotherapy was ultimately discontinued due to disease progression. Her neurologic symptoms did not recur. CONCLUSION: A patient receiving capecitabine-containing chemotherapy developed persistent but reversible cerebellar ataxia.