Medical Cannabis in Cancer Patients: A Survey of a Community Hematology Oncology Population.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer patients are using medical cannabis (MC) to address symptoms; however, little data exist to guide clinicians when counseling patients. We seek to define the patterns of MC use among cancer patients, as well as efficacy and safety of MC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer patients attending oncology office visits at Beaumont Hospital, Michigan from July to December 2018 were anonymously surveyed. The survey included data regarding demographics, diagnosis, treatment, symptom burden, and MC use. Patients who reported MC use since their cancer diagnosis completed a section on patterns of use, efficacy, and safety. RESULTS: The response rate was 188 of 327 (57.5%). MC use was reported by 46 of 188 (24.5%). A median composite baseline symptom score ranging from 8 (best) to 32 (worst) was higher in patients using MC versus nonusers; 17.5 versus 14.4 (P<0.001). Pain was the symptom with the highest frequency of improvement 34/42 (81%), followed by appetite 34/44 (77.3%), and anxiety 32/44 (73%). MC improved the ability to tolerate treatment in 24/44 (54.5%). Cloudy thinking is the symptom that worsened the most 7/42 (16.7%), with decreased energy being experienced by 4/41 (9.8%) of the users. CONCLUSIONS: MC was utilized by a significant portion of cancer patients in this sample, across age, diagnosis, stage, and treatment. Patients with a higher severity of baseline symptoms were more likely to use MC and report a favorable efficacy profile of MC. Minimal toxicity was reported in this cohort. Prospective studies are needed to define the efficacy and safety of MC.

Unexplained pancytopenia in acute myeloid leukemia treatment.

Certain histopathological findings have been described in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients during treatment that define the hematologic outcomes. Such entities as bone marrow necrosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have been reported. These often result in severe pancytopenia.

Predictive and Prognostic Markers in Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Single-Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy with diverse genetic abnormalities, clinical presentations, and outcomes. Known predictive and prognostic factors in AML include age, performance status, comorbidities, cytogenetics, and molecular mutations. Identifying prognostic and predictive factors can inform the choice of induction therapy and outcomes prediction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 137 adult AML patients from 2010 to 2015. Predictors of complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS) were determined for patients treated with 3+7 (3 days of anthracycline and 7 days of cytarabine) or hypomethylating agent. Variables associated with CR or OS were assessed using univariate Cox regression and a multivariate Cox model. RESULTS: The average age was 65 years and 91 patients (66%), sample size is 137 patients had primary AML. Patients in the 3+7 induction group were younger, had a higher bone marrow blast percentage, and more de novo AML compared with those in the hypomethylating agent group (P < .001, P < .001, P = .005, respectively). Univariate logistic regression for CR showed a significant association between age (P < .001), choice of induction (P < .001), and monosomy (P = .015), although only induction with 3+7 (P < .001) and absence of monosomy (P = .042) remained significant in multivariate analysis. Univariate Cox regression indicated that age (P = .003), AML status (de novo or secondary; P = .0277), choice of induction (P = .030), and monosomy (P = .010) had a significant association with OS. Only younger age (P = .018) and absence of monosomy (P = .022) were predictive of OS in multivariate Cox analysis. CONCLUSION: Positive predictors of CR in adult AML include absence of monosomy and induction treatment with 3+7; whereas positive predictors of OS are younger age and absence of monosomy.

Effective Immunotherapy in Bone Marrow Metastatic Melanoma Presenting with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy.

Malignant melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths and is increasing in prevalence. Bone marrow (BM) involvement by melanoma is rare in the absence of widespread visceral disease. Here, we report the case of a 30-year-old female who presented to the hospital with back pain, low-grade fever, and easy bruising. She was found to be bicytopenic and in disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). Surprisingly, BM biopsy showed extensive involvement by metastatic malignant melanoma in the absence of visceral or brain metastasis. The unique presentation of this case and the challenge of management of a potentially treatable cancer in a critically ill patient are discussed, alongside a review of published cases of metastatic melanoma in the BM and an exploration of currently available treatment options. The excellent response of our patient to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors has yet to be paralleled in the available literature.

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma has recently been recognized as an entity, with few reports describing the two common subtypes: in situ (indolent) and infiltrative. Recently, the infiltrative subtypes have been shown to be more aggressive requiring adjuvant chemotherapy. We report a rare case of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in a 65-year-old Caucasian female following silicone breast implantation and multiple capsulectomies. We discuss the rare presentation of this disease, histopathologic features of the indolent and infiltrative subtypes of ALCL, and their clinical significance. We also review the literature for up-to-date information on the diagnosis and clinical management. Treatment modalities including targeted therapy are also discussed. Although BIA-ALCL is rare, it should always be considered as part of the differential diagnosis especially in women with breast implants. Given the increasing rate of breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgeries, we anticipate a continuous rise in incidence rates of this rare disease; thus, caution must be taken to avoid misdiagnosis.

Apixaban for treatment of confirmed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life and limb-threatening condition caused by the binding of platelet-activating antibodies (IgG) to multimolecular platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complexes because of heparin exposure. The by-product of this interaction is thrombin formation which substantially increases the risk of venous and/or arterial thromboembolism. Currently, only one anticoagulant, argatroban, is United States Food and Drug Administration-approved for management of HIT; however, this agent is expensive and can only be given by intravenous infusion. Recently, several retrospective case-series, case reports, and one prospective study suggest that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are also efficacious for treating HIT. We further review the literature regarding current diagnosis and clinical management of HIT. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old male patient developed HIT beginning on day 5 post-cardiovascular surgery; the platelet count nadir on day 10 measured 16 × 109/L. Both the PF4-dependent ELISA and Serotonin-release assay were strongly positive. Despite initial anticoagulation with argatroban (day 6), the patient developed symptomatic Doppler ultrasound-documented bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis on day 14 post-surgery. The patient was transitioned to the DOAC, apixaban, while still thrombocytopenic (platelet count 108) and discharged to home, with platelet count recovery and no further thrombosis at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We report a patient with serologically confirmed HIT who developed symptomatic bilateral lower limb deep vein thrombosis despite anticoagulation with argatroban. The patient was switched to oral apixaban and made a complete recovery. Our patient case adds to the emerging literature suggesting that DOAC therapy is safe and efficacious for management of proven HIT.

Primary Extranodal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Prostate: A Case Report.

We report a case of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the prostate in a 54-year-old Caucasian male who presented with urinary retention and benign prostatic hyperplasia. We discuss the rare presentation of this disease and its clinicopathologic features and review the literature for up-to-date information on the diagnosis and clinical management. Despite the low incidence of lymphoma involving the prostate gland, it should always be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in cases of prostate gland enlargement with urinary tract obstructive symptoms resistant to medical therapy. Treatment modalities for this rare disease are also discussed.