Anaplastic oligodendroglioma metastasizing to the bone marrow: a unique case report and literature review.

Oligodendrogliomas are a rare type of primary brain tumor. They are genetically defined as diffuse gliomas carrying mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase type 1 (IDH1) or type 2 (IDH2) and codeletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q. The WHO grading system distinguishes two histopathologic grades of ODs: grade II (low-grade) and grade III (anaplastic oligodendroglioma or AO). These tumors rarely metastasize outside of central nervous system with only few cases reported in the literature. Here we present a case of an AO, which metastasized to the bone marrow and other sites within a year of diagnosis despite aggressive treatment measures. Our patient eventually succumbed to his disease, raising many questions about this rare condition, its natural course and optimal management strategy.

Advances in the management of metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Over the last century, advances in the management of men with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC), the type of prostate cancer that has continued to grow after androgen withdrawal or castration, have been slow. Patients with metastatic AIPC usually undergo a cascade of palliative radiation therapy and chemotherapy with modest impact on their inevitable deterioration and death. Currently, there is no therapy capable of achieving a cure for men with AIPC. In the past, chemotherapy was only used for symptomatic patients. Recently there has been a paradigm shift after two landmark studies demonstrated an improvement in survival for men with AIPC treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy. This review focuses on the management principles and systemic chemotherapy options against AIPC. A good understanding of the prognosis, treatment options and scientific advances is of utmost importance for the physician advising men suffering from AIPC. Research to improve survival and quality of life for our patients should be strongly supported.

Fixed-dose every-other-week capecitabine and oxaliplatin for refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

AIMS: To maximize the palliative benefits of capecitabine and oxaliplatin for patients with refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). METHODS: Patients received fixed-dose capecitabine (1500 mg orally twice a day) on days 1 to 7 and oxaliplatin (85 mg/m) days 1 and 14. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with refractory SCCHN were enrolled. All patients had relapsed after surgery and had failed radiation therapy. Eighty-seven percent (13) had progressed after chemotherapy. The most common toxicities were grades 1 or 2 fatigue and anemia. There was a 13% partial response rate and 33% stable disease rate for a clinical benefit of 46% by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed-dose capecitabine and oxaliplatin combination on an every-other-week schedule showed activity in refractory SCCHN. The simplicity and toxicity profile of this regimen compares favorably with other commonly used chemotherapies and should be tested in larger studies.