Serum galactomannan levels in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this study, the sensitivity-specificity of galactomannan-enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) with a cut-off value of 0.5 for a single, two, or three consecutive positivity in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancy was investigated. METHODS: IPA was classified as "proven," "probable," or "possible" as described in the guidelines prepared by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group." Serum samples were collected from the patients twice a week throughout their hospitalization. A total of 1,385 serum samples, with an average of 8.3 samples per episode, were examined. RESULTS: Based on the 165 febrile episodes in 106 patients, 80 (48.5%) were classified as IPA (4 proven, 11 probable, 65 possible) and 85 (51.5%) as non-IPA. The sensitivity/ specificity was 100%/27.1% for a single proven/probable IPA with the cut of value of GM-EIA > or = 0.5, 86.7%/71.8% for two consecutive positive results, and 73.3%/85.9% for three consecutive positive results. CONCLUSIONS: With the galactomannan levels measured twice a week, consecutive sensitivity decreased and specificity increased. Therefore, an increase may be obtained in sensitivity-specificity by more frequent monitoring of GM-EIA starting from the first day of positivity is detected.

A New Approach to the Treatment of Metastatic Paraganglioma: Sorafenib / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Paragangliomas are relatively rare chromaffin cell tumors which may be cured through resection. Patients with paragangliomas may develop metastatic diseases. There is no consensus regarding refractory chemotherapy for treatment of metastatic disease. In this report, we presented a case of a 43-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with a history of episodic headaches, diaphoresis, and weakness. Elevated plasma catecholamine levels and a right paraaortic mass were observed on computed tomography. The mass was excised, and a diagnosis of paraganglioma was confirmed. After 20 months of follow-up, local recurrence and metastases were detected in the thorax, abdomen, and skeletal system. Plasma and urinary catecholamine levels were high. Chemotherapy was administered, and no improvement was observed. Therefore, following this palliative conventional chemotherapy, sorafenib was administered for three months, and, finally, positron emission tomography showed that the patient's lesions had completely regressed.

Coexistence of tuberous sclerosis complex and malignant melanoma

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder characterised by widespread hamartomas in organs such as the skin, brain, heart, lung, liver and kidney. Although associations of TSC with hamartomas, angiomyolipomas and fibromas have been reported, there has been no report of its association with malignant melanoma. Herein, we describe a 31-year-old man with malignant melanoma associated with TSC. The patient had a history of epilepsia, multiple hypomelanotic macules, periungual fibromas and multiple hepatic lesions. Malignant melanoma was diagnosed by hepatic biopsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of malignant melanoma coexisting with TSC in the literature. We also present and discuss the imaging findings, prognosis, underlying mechanisms and practical approaches in relation to the disease.