Iatrogenic Kaposi's Sarcoma: A Unique Case Unraveling Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Therapeutic Implications.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), linked to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), manifests in various clinical forms with iatrogenic KS uniquely tied to immune dysregulation induced by medical interventions. This study describes a 58-year-old male of sub-Saharan origin with a medical history of segmental and focal hyalinosis treated with methylprednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. The patient developed skin lesions on both thighs, accompanied by post-prandial vomiting and abdominal pain. Clinical examination revealed flesh-colored nodules on the thighs and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of KS, exhibiting positive nuclear labeling to anti-HHV8 and negative HIV serology. Additionally, radiological findings from the thoracic-abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan significantly contribute to our understanding of the multiorgan involvement associated with KS in this case, providing valuable insights for diagnosis and therapeutic considerations. This case highlights the iatrogenic subtype of KS, linked to immunosuppression from prior medical interventions. Notably, gastrointestinal involvement was evident, with lesions in the stomach and small intestine. Intravenous paclitaxel administration resulted in a positive clinical response. This study underscores the importance of clinical vigilance, endoscopic evaluation, and early intervention in the nuanced diagnosis and management of iatrogenic KS.

Pure squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas: a rare and challenging diagnosis (case report).

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is a rare exocrine ductal tumour with unknown pathophysiology and poor treatment options. We present a case of SCC in a 59-year-old male patient who presented with epigastric pain, vomiting, anorexia, asthenia, and weight loss. Abdomino-pelvic CT revealed a pancreatic mass with adenopathy satellites. Surgical biopsies were negative, and a trans-duodenal gastric endoscopy showed suspicious lymphadenopathies and a hypoechoic lesion invading the portal vein. An anapathological study confirmed SCC at the site of intense necrotic and inflammatory changes. The patient received radio-chemotherapy, but ultimately developed peritoneal carcinoma.

Chondrosarcoma of the parapharyngeal space: Case report and literature review of an extremely rare location.

Chondrosarcoma of the head and neck region is a rare disease, representing approximately 0.1% of all head and neck neoplasms. Parapharyngeal location is extremely rare and low-grade ones are even rarer. Surgery alone or followed by adjuvant radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. In this article, we report a case of a 67-year-old male with low-grade parapharyngeal chondrosarcoma who presented with a 3-month history of dysphagia. A cervical magnetic resonance imaging was performed that shows a well-defined mass located at the right parapharyngeal space, causing medial deviation of the mucosal space. Surgical resection of the tumor without neck dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy was undertaken with a favorable response. The purpose of this article is to add our case to the limited literature for good management of parapharyngeal chondrosarcomas.

Challenges posed by COVID -19 to patients with cancer: lessons from a Moroccan experience.

Outbreaks of infectious etiology, particularly those caused by a novel virus that has no known treatment or vaccine may result in the interruption of medical care and the life-threatening event among patients with cancer. Oncologists in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are worried about how COVID-19 is expected to disproportionately affect cancer patients, how can they best care for cancer patients in an uncertain and dangerous healthcare environment. This article discusses some strategies that oncologists from low- and middle-income countries can take to keep cancer patients and staff safe while continuing to provide compassionate, high-quality care under circumstances we've never had to face before. The approach is taken toward managing this high-risk situation could be easily adopted by health care organizations. We hope that, with those simple steps, we will continue to provide compassionate, high-quality care under circumstances we've never had to face before.

Sarcoid-like granulomatosis and testicular germ cell tumor: the 'Great Imitator'.

OBJECTIVES: Only a few case reports and small case series of patients with sarcoidosis or sarcoid-like reaction and testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) have been reported in the literature. We performed a retrospective study of patients with testicular GCT managed at the Centre Léon-Bérard, who presented granulomatosis. METHODS: We performed a computerized search to identify all male patients with both a diagnosis of sarcoidosis or granuloma and testicular tumors seen at the Centre Léon-Bérard between 1992 and 2008. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were identified among the 1,182 patients with testicular tumors. The median age at diagnosis of testicular GCT was 25.5 years. Six patients had stage I disease, 2 patients had stage IIb and 5 patients had stage III. Sarcoid-like granulomatosis was found in 9 patients at the time of initial diagnosis and in 4 patients during follow-up. Sarcoidosis presented mainly as pulmonary disease without severe organ involvement, with a benign evolution. CONCLUSION: We advise caution in the interpretation of clinical and histological findings in these patients. Sarcoid-like granulomatosis, a condition that can be combined with testicular cancer, should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic testicular tumors.

Outcome of recurrent and metastatic small cell carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: Bladder small cell carcinoma is an uncommon tumour. Through a retrospective study we will present the evolution of recurrent and metastatic disease and outcome of patients treated at Léon-Bérard Cancer Centre. METHODS: Only 15 patients having recurrent or metastatic bladder small cell carcinoma were treated at Léon-Bérard Cancer Centre between 1996 and 2007. The patients were divided in two groups: a mixed small cell carcinoma group (9 patients) and a pure small cell carcinoma group (6 patients). All the records and informations related to treatment and outcome of the 15 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Various characteristics of small cell carcinoma were investigated. RESULTS: The median age of the 15 patients having recurrent or metastatic bladder small cell carcinoma and treated at Léon-Bérard Cancer Centre was 63 years and the disease was at stage IV for all cases. Nine patients were treated by chemotherapy. Four patients were treated by local radiotherapy (3 with radiotherapy without previous surgery and 1 with surgery followed by radiotherapy) and chemotherapy. One patient was treated by whole brain radiotherapy. And one patient died before treatment. After 52.4 months median follow up, 12 patients died. Median overall survival was 7.6 months. Survival probability at 1 year was 33%. Median overall survival was 9.9 months in the mixed small cell carcinoma group, and was only 4.6 months in the pure small cell carcinoma group. Survival probability at 1 year in the mixed small cell carcinoma group was 44% as compared to 17% in the pure small cell carcinoma group (Log-rank test: p = 0.228). CONCLUSION: Recurrent and metastatic bladder small cell carcinoma is associated with very poor prognosis. The pure bladder small cell carcinoma appears to have poorer outcome than the mixed bladder small cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy using platinum drugs is a mainstay treatment.