CD8+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma successfully treated with bexarotene: a case report and review of the literature.

CD8+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a relatively rare subset of the non-Hodgkins lymphomas. Bexarotene has been FDA-approved for the treatment of CTCL, but previous studies have been conducted on CD4+ CTL and there have been no reports about its use in CD8+ CTCL. Herein, we report on a patient whose CD8+ CTCL completely responded to treatment with bexarotene.

Granulocytic sarcoma in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Granulocytic sarcomas (GS) are uncommon extramedullary tumors composed of immature cells of the granulocytic or myeloid series. Treatment for GS should be directed toward the underlying hematologic disorder. There is no standard treatment.

Acute leukemic appendicitis in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Leukemic and lymphomatous infiltration of the appendix is a rare complication. We present the case of a 31-year-old male with acute promyelocytic leukemia who developed acute abdomen on day 11 of induction chemotherapy with idarubicin and cytarabine. After appropriate work-up, a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made. Despite severe pancytopenia, he successfully underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. The final pathology revealed leukemic infiltration of the appendix. It is hypothesized that the leukemic infiltration may play a role in the development of acute appendicitis. Further, this case demonstrates the need to maintain a high index of suspicion and prompt surgical intervention for surgical pathologies in neutropenic patients.

Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study.

Cell signaling by a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been shown to play a critical role in cell proliferation. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of mTOR, pmTOR and bcl-2 in 55 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and correlated it with clinical parameters and clinical outcomes. On univariate analysis, higher expression of mTOR was associated with male gender, older age, and higher IPI score. Patients with a high total mTOR score showed a trend toward shorter survival. Based on our results we propose that use of targeted therapy with mTOR inhibitors, in a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients may help improve patient survival.

Recurrent renal cell cancer presenting as gastrointestinal bleed.

We present an unusual case of renal cell cancer (RCC) which relapsed with duodenal metastasis and unveiled itself by gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. An 80-year old Caucasian gentleman with history of renal cell cancer status post nephrectomy 11 mo previously, presented with syncope and melena. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed heterogeneous soft tissue mass in the right nephrectomy bed invading the duodenum. Upper GI endoscopic biopsy confirmed the presence of recurrent renal cell cancer. However, due to extensive metastatic disease, the patient was placed on palliative chemotherapy as surgical options were ruled out. Our case report reiterates the fact that renal cell carcinoma can recur with gastrointestinal manifestations and, although a rarity, it should be considered in a patient with a history of malignancy who presents with these symptoms.