[Cutaneous melanoma: About 200 cases]

To analyze the clinical and pathological aspects of cutaneous melanoma and to determine the prognostic factors. This is a retrospective study about 200 cases of cutaneous melanoma collected in Salah Azaiz Institute over a period of 36 years [1969-2005]. The mean age was 55.4 years, with a slight female predominance. The tumour was developed on a pre-existent lesion in 31.5% of cases. The average delay of consultation was 18 months. The mean tumor size was 37 mm [10-180 mm]. The ulcero exophytic appearance represented 45% of the cases. The tumor was metastatic in 19.5% of cases. Hands and feet represented 53% of the tumour localizations. The treatment was curative in 71% of cases and palliative in 13% of cases. The lymph node dissection was performed in 59% of the patients. Histologically, nodular melanoma and Grade V of Clark represented 43.5 and 35% of the cases, respectively. The mean tumoral thickness was 14 mm. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy were performed in 5.5%, 3.5% and 5.5% of cases respectively. The lymph node recurrences were noted in 43.6% of the patients treated with curative intent. The mean recurrence free survival was 76 months. Tumour size > 2 cm, the localization on the leg, Clark level invasion IV and the involvement of the tumour margin were significant prognostic factors for the recurrence free survival. The prognostic factors for the metastasis free survival were: tumour size, tumour localization, type of resection and finally the lymph node dissection. The 5-year overall survival was 28.5% and was influenced significantly by the tumour size, tumour localization, type of resection, involvement of the tumour margins, Clark grade, tumour thickness and finally the lymph node involvement. The dismal prognosis can be improved by early diagnosis and especially the prevention based on the photo protection and surveillance of patients at high risk

Borderline tumors of the ovary

Borderline tumors of the ovary [BOT] were described for the first time by Taylor in 1929. These lesions have a more favorable outcome than do other ovarian cancers. Their prognosis and treatment are still subject of discussion since they occurred more often in young women where the sparing fertility surgery is always considered primarily. Evaluate the management of patients with borderline ovarian tumors. A retrospective study was conducted in 40 patients with borderline ovarian tumors treated between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 2004. Median follow-up was 43 months, mean age was 44 years. Initial surgery was conservative in 17 patients and radical in 23 cases. Six patients had residual disease. Serous, mucinous and mixte tumors were observed in 18, 21 and 1 cases respectively. Staging was I, II, III in 26, 5, and 9 cases respectively with two pseudomyxomas. Adjuvant Chemotherapy was given in 3 patients. There was a recurrence in 13 patients and seven died. The 5-year overall survival rate was 78 %. Prognostic factors with an impact on survival rate were age, stage of the disease, histological subtype and residual tumor. Factors with a negative impact on recurrence were age, type of surgery and residual disease. With Cox multivariate analysis, residual tumor is an independent factor for overall survival, on the other hand age and type of surgery were significant for recurrence free survival. Careful staging followed by complete and radical surgery is mandatory. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with omentectomy and multiple peritoneal biopsies and washing could be indicated in patients with child bearing age. Radical surgery after pregnancy is advised

Breast carcinoma arising within fibroadenomas. Report of four observations

Fibroadenoma is a frequent benign breast tumor affecting young woman. The incidence of a carcinoma within adenofibromas is estimated at 0,1 to 0,3%

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with breast carcinoma arising within adenofibroma and to determine the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of this rare entity

Observations: We retrospectively report on four cases of carcinomas arising in mammary fibroadenomas

The mean age was 41 years [26-53]. In two cases, fibroadenomas was complex, containing cysts, adenosis and apocrine metaplasia. The adjacent parenchyma contained fibrocystic dystrophy lesions associated in one case to intralobular neoplasia lesions. The treatment consisted of a conservative treatment in two cases and a mastectomy plus axillary node dissection in the two others. Radiotherapy was indicated in all cases and chemotherapy done in three cases. All patients are alive with a mean follow up of 4.25 years [3-7] without any sign of recurrence

Conclusion: Every benign mammary nodule must necessarily be verified surgically to avoid misdiagnosing any carcinomatous area because at this stage its prognosis is better

[Recurrent obstructions after resonance stent placement in the treatment of ureteral compression from malignant disease]

Background: The Resonance ureteral stent is a newly developed all-metallic double-pigtail ureteral stent allowing a palliative diversion on a patient with malignant ureteral obstruction

Aim: To define selection criteria of good candidates for Resonance stent

Case: A 62-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with complaining of severe right flank pain and anuria. Twelve days earlier, we had placed retrogradely a ureteral metallic Resonance stent [Resonance: Cook Ireland Ltd, Limerick, Ireland] for the treatment of a ureteral compression from pelvic recurrence of an appendical colloid mucosal carcinoma in a solitary functionning right kidney. A percutaneous nephrostomy catheter was placed, and an antegrade nephrostogram demonstrated complete distal ureter obstruction. The patency of the ureteral stent was restored spontaneously and then, nephrostomy catheter was removed. Two weeks later, she presented with obstructed ureteral stent. Percutaneous nephrostomy was performed and Resonance stent was removed definitively. Ureteroscopy with biopsy confirmed the tumor extension into the ureteral lumen

Conclusion: The risk of subsequent obstruction after Resonance metallic ureteral stent placement is real. Patients with intra-ureteral tumour extension are presumably not good candidates for Resonance stent management

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Breast

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a superficial mesenchymal cutaneous tumor of essentially local malignancy, located more often in the trunk and extremities. This tumor is usually diagnosed after multiple recurrences. We report two cases of rare mammary localisations of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in 2 patients aged 39 and 43 years respectively, the two lesions sized 35 x 45 mm were treated by wide excision and reconstruction with a dorsal flap; in the second case