Solitary fibrous tumor of the inguinal region: a clinicopathological, light-microscopic, immunohistochemical, electron microscopic and flow-cytometric DNA study.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare neoplasms with a probable mesenchymal origin that were first reported in the pleura but can occur in different sites. We report a case of SFT arising in the inguinal region of a 55-year-old woman. The patient presented with a mass in the left groin; she underwent wide excision of the lesion which was well-circumscribed and without evidence of adjacent soft tissue involvement. The histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic criteria for SFT were found. She had an uneventful recovery and she is alive without evidence of disease five years after operation. To our knowledge, this neoplasm has never been reported in this location.

Preliminary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of adjuvant postoperative RT vs. postoperative RT plus 5-FU and levamisole in patients with TNM stage II-III resectable rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Two-hundred eighteen patients with TNM stage II-III resectable rectal cancer, enrolled into a randomized clinical trial, were assessed for efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy (RT) vs. those of combined RT and chemotherapy (CT), with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus levamisole. End points were overall survival, disease-free survival, the rate of loco-regional recurrence, and treatment-related toxicity. METHODS: Patients in arm I underwent RT (50 Gy) in daily fractions of 2 Gy, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. Patients in arm II began with 5-FU (450 mg/m(2)/day intravenous bolus, days 1-5) plus levamisole (150 mg/day orally, days 1-3); postoperative RT was delivered during week 2 at the same dosage and schedule as in arm I. The other five cycles of CT (5-FU every 28 days and levamisole every 15 days for the length of 5-FU administration) continued after the end of RT if clinical and hemato-biochemical parameters were normal. RESULTS: RT was completed or modified in 170 (90%) of 189 evaluable patients undergoing RT (both treatment groups). Only 44 (59%) of 75 evaluable patients of arm II completed or had an adjustment of the CT schedule; the remaining 31 patients (41%) had to stop or never started the CT regimen. Patients undergoing combined RT and CT had more severe toxicity (enteritis, P = 0.03). There was one CT-related death (gastrointestinal bleeding) in this subset. No significant difference was observed in outcome of patients in the two study groups, nor for pattern of recurrence (heterogeneity chi(2) = 4.82; d.f. = 2; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest a similar efficacy, coupled with less morbidity, of postoperative RT alone compared with a combined regimen of postoperative RT and CT in patients undergoing radical surgery for stage II-III rectal cancer.

Mapping the sentinel lymph node in malignant melanoma by blue dye, lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe.

Eighty-eight consecutive patients (48 men and 40 women; mean age, 58.9 years; range, 16-84 years) with clinically localized cutaneous melanoma involving the trunk, extremities or head and neck underwent lymphatic mapping at our institution. The primary melanoma had a mean thickness of 2.74 mm (range, 0.95 to 9 mm). Patients were divided into two groups: group A (39 patients) underwent only vital blue dye (VBD) mapping, while group B (49 patients) underwent lymphatic mapping with VBD and radio-guided surgery (RGS) combined. In all patients 1-1.5 mL of VBD was injected subdermally around the biopsy scar 10-20 min before surgery. In group B 37 MBq in 150 microL of 99mTc-HSA nanocolloid was additionally injected intradermally 18 h before surgery (3-6 aliquots injected perilesionally). In all lymphatic basins where drainage was noted the sentinel lymph nodes (SNs) were identified and marked with a cutaneous marker. Final identification of the SN was then performed externally by a hand-held gamma probe. After the induction of anesthesia 0.5-1-0 mL of patent blue V dye was injected intradermally with a 25-gauge needle around the site of the primary melanoma. SNs were examined by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Patients with histologically positive SN(s) underwent standard lymph node dissection (SLND) in the involved lymph node basin. The SN was identified in 37/39 patients (94.9%) of group A and in 48/49 patients (98.0%) of group B. Blue dye mapping failed to identify the SN in 5 of the 88 patients (5.8%), while the radioisotope method failed in only 1 of 49 patients (2.0%). Similar results were obtained with the combined use of the two probes. The average number of SNs harvested was 1.9 per basin sampled, which does not differ significantly from the numbers reported by other authors. The SN was histologically positive in 18 patients (20.5%). None of the 12 patients with a Breslow thickness less than 1.5 mm had positive SNs, whereas 18 of the 77 patients (23.4%) with a Breslow index exceeding 1.5 mm showed metastatic SNs with H&E or immunohistochemistry. The latter all underwent SLND of the affected basin. In 10 patients (55.6%) the SN was the only site of tumor invasion; eight patients (44.4%) with positive SNs had one or more metastatic lymph nodes in the draining basin.

Selective lymph node dissection in patients with intermediate thickness melanoma: our experience.

The role of elective lymph node dissection (ELND) for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma has been debated for many years. Actually, the value of ELND is seriously questioned because an increasing of overall survival rates has not been demonstrated. The lymphatic mapping technique, initially performed by an intradermic injection of vital blue dye, subsequently improved by the use of radioguided surgery (RGS), proved effective for the detection of clinical occult lymph node metastasis. We performed a sentinel node biopsy on 71 patients with stage pT2/T3N0M0 melanoma. Vital blue dye mapping alone was performed on 39 patients; the remaining 32 patients had a combined lymphatic mapping with both blue dye and RGS. The sentinel node (SN) was complexively identified in 69/71 (97.2%) patients. Sixteen patients (23.2%) were found to have metastatic melanoma cells in their SN(s); all these patients underwent lymph node dissection of the affected basin. Our experience confirmed that the intraoperative detection of sentinel nodes using both blue dye and radio-guided surgery is an effective and reliable technique for selecting patients to be submitted to lymph node dissection.

Malignant melanoma of soft tissues (clear cell sarcoma) of the foot. Is MRI able to perform a specific diagnosis? Report of one case and review of the radiological literature.

The magnetic resonance (MR) findings in malignant melanoma of soft tissues, also called clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses, have been described as a focal abnormality with a specific MR pattern of increased signal intensity (relative to normal muscle) on T1 weighted sequences and variably decreased signal intensity on T2 weighted sequences (relative to surrounding fat). We have reported here a case of malignant melanoma of soft tissues of the foot, studied with ultrasonography (US) and MR, in which MR showed T1-hypointensity, T2-hyperintensity and marked gadolinium uptake. We have described the relationship between the intracytoplasmic melanin amount of and these atypical MR findings.

Adoptive immunotherapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and subcutaneous recombinant interleukin-2 plus interferon alfa-2a for melanoma patients with nonresectable distant disease: a phase I/II pilot trial. Melanoma Istituto Scientifico Tumori Group.

BACKGROUND: On the basis of our previous experience, we designed this study to determine the activity and toxicity of outpatient treatment with autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) together with intermediate-dose recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and low-dose recombinant interferon alfa-2a (rIFN-alpha2a), for patients with metastatic melanoma. METHODS: Between April 1992 and October 1994, we processed 38 melanoma samples derived from 36 patients with metastases. Proliferative cultures of expanded lymphocytes (TIL) were infused only once into patients with metastatic melanoma. rIL-2 was administered subcutaneously for 1 month, starting on the day of TIL infusion, at an escalating dose of 6-18 x 10(6) IU/m2/day for the first week and at the maximum-tolerated dose for the subsequent 3 weeks and then, after a 15-day interval, for 1 week/month for 3 months. rIFN-alpha2a was administered subcutaneously at 3 X 10(6) IU three times each week until progression. RESULTS: Of 38 melanoma samples, 19 (50%) resulted in proliferative cultures and were infused. The median number of expanded lymphocytes was 18 x 10(9) (range, 1-43 x 10(9)), and the median period of culture was 52 days (range, 45-60). rIL-2 was administered at doses ranging between 6 and 18 x 10(6) IU/m2/day. Toxicity was mild or moderate, and no life-threatening side effects were encountered. Two of 19 treated patients experienced complete responses of their metastatic sites (soft tissue), 10 had stable disease, and 7 showed progressive disease. The response rate was 11% (95% confidence interval, 2-35%). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient treatment with TIL plus rIL-2 and rIFN-alpha2a is feasible, although, within the context of the small sample size, the activity of the combination was no different from the reported activity of any of the components used alone.

Role of tumor-associated antigen expression in radioimmunoguided surgery for colorectal and breast cancer.

One hundred thirty-six patients with colorectal and breast cancer were enrolled in a retrospective study using radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) with Iodine-125 (I125) radiolabeled B72.3 (Group A, 73 patients) and F023C5 (Group B, 63 patients) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The correlation between intraoperative tumor-to-normal tissue (T/NT) gamma-detecting probe (GDP) counts ratio and the expression of tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG)-72 (GroupA patients) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; Group B patients) tumor-associated antigens (TAA) expression of 209 resected or biopsy tumor specimens was assessed. Ex vivo radioimmunolocalization index (R.I.) was carried out on the same specimens as a control of intraoperative GDP ratio values. RIGS positive definition of tumor occurred in 80/113 (70.8%) tumor sites of Group A patients and in 84/96 (87.5%) tumor sites of Group B patients. Mean percent B72.3 TAA expression of 113 tumor sites of Group A patients was 62.74 +/- 28.79% vs. 73.00 +/- 26.28% of 96 tumor sites of Group B patients (P < 0.05). The higher incidence of positive RIGS results was observed in tumor sites with the higher expression of the relative TAA. A statistically significant correlation between RIGS ratios and B72.3 and CEA expression was observed in the 113 tumor sites of Group A (P < 0.05) and in the 96 tumor sites of Group B (P < 0.01), respectively. The role of a preoperative evaluation of TAA expression in patients undergoing RIGS is discussed. Its assessment, whenever possible, may help to select those patients who will benefit more from this immunodiagnostic technique.

Radioimmunoguided surgery benefits in carcinoembryonic antigen-directed second-look surgery in the asymptomatic patient after curative resection of colorectal cancer.

Radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) has been reported as useful in second-look colorectal cancer procedures to improve surgical decision-making by helping avoid needless extensive surgery and expanding curative resection to sites of recurrence that have been missed previously. Sixteen asymptomatic patients with an history of colorectal cancer surgery underwent second-look surgery using the RIGS system, solely on the basis of rising serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). All patients were injected preoperatively with the anti-tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG) 125I-labeled MoAb B72.3. Both traditional and RIGS exploration were used to determine the extension of a possible recurrence and its resectability for cure. Recurrent disease was observed in 14 of the 16 patients as the result of this combined exploration. Exploration alone showed the presence of recurrent disease in 9 of 16 patients (56.2%). Thus, RIGS found overlooked tumor in five patients (31.2%). All the additional RIGS-detected tumor sites were locoregional recurrences resectable for cure; conversely, no diagnostic improvements were shown in patients with liver metastases. Resection for cure was obtained by this approach in 9 of 16 patients (56.2%). Two patients without disease at the exploratory laparotomy recurred within 2 months at sites away from the abdomen. RIGS improved the results of colorectal cancer CEA-guided second-look procedures in asymptomatic patients by recruiting one-third of patients to curative resections.

Sentinel node biopsy in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

The role of elective lymph node dissection (ELND) for treatment of cutaneous melanoma is still debated. Initially, lymphatic mapping technique was performed by an intradermic injection of vital blue dye; subsequently, it was improved by the use of radioguided surgery (RGS). Preliminary experience with this technique proved effective for detection of clinical occult lymph node metastasis; it may also enable the surgeon to perform a selective lymph node dissection (SLND) to concentrate on pathologic node-positive patients for the same potential benefits that have been provided by ELND. We performed sentinel node biopsy on 48 patients with stage pT3N0M0 melanoma. Vital blue dye mapping only was carried out on 39 patients; the remaining nine patients had a combined lymphatic mapping with both blue dye and RGS. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) was identified in 46 of 48 patients (95.8%). Ten patients (20.8%) were found to have metastatic melanoma cells in their SLN(s); all these patients underwent SLND of the affected basin. Our findings confirm that the intraoperative lymphatic mapping of the SLN using both blue dye and radiodetection is an appropriate and simple technique for selecting patients who are more likely to benefit from lymph node dissection.

Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin. Treatment of primary, recurrent and metastatic disease: review of clinical cases.

The clinical features of 10 cases of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (Merker cell tumor) are reported. This cancer arises in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues of elderly individuals. Natural history is characterized by local recurrences (30%), regional lymph node metastases (65%) and distant metastases (40%). Surgery is elective treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulted only to short-term palliative response.

Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin. Treatment of primary, recurrent, and metastatic disease: review of clinical cases.

The clinical features of 10 cases with the adjunct of a literature review of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (Merkel cell tumor) are reported. This cancer arises in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of elderly individuals. Natural history is characterized by local recurrences (40%), regional lymph-nodes metastases (50%), and distant metastases (60%). Surgery is the elective treatment of primary and locoregional disease and subsequent radiotherapy prevents local recurrences and prolong disease-free survival in literature reports. Chemotherapy and radiotherary resulted in only a short-term palliative response in the metastatic setting.

Analysis of the proliferative and phenotypic properties of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes expanded in vitro in the course of the clinical trial of adoptive immunotherapy of metastatic melanoma.

Adoptive immunotherapy with in vitro expanded tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) is a recent option in the treatment of advanced melanoma resistant to conventional chemotherapy. In the course of a protocol of treatment of advanced melanoma with in vitro expanded TIL and rIL-2, we obtained 38 samples from 27 different patients. Lymphocytes derived were cultured in the presence of rIL-2 in vitro for a 4-6 week period and 23 resulted in proliferative cultures. Eighteen samples were infused in the course of the clinical trial. The median number of lymphocytes obtained was 18x10(9) (range 1-43x10(9)) cells. Phenotypic analysis showed that all samples contained a pure population of T cells. These data confirm that lymphocytes can be expanded from advanced metastatic sites, have peculiar characteristics and are suitable to be infused in vivo.

Pseudomixoma peritonei: a case report.

Pseudomixoma peritonei is a rare neoplasm characterized by mucinous ascites and the mucinous involvement of peritoneal surfaces, omentum and bowel loops. Usually pseudomixoma peritonei is associated with benign or malignant mucinous tumor of the appendix or ovary. The diagnosis of pseudomixoma peritonei is difficult because laboratory and radiology results are frequently nondiagnostic. We report a case that was initially mistaken for carcinomatosis of unknown origin and that underwent cytoreductive procedure and omentectomy as the treatment of choice.

Radiation-associated angiosarcoma: diagnostic and therapeutic implications--two case reports and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Angiosarcoma (AS) accounts for 1 to 2% of all soft tissue sarcoma. Both primary and secondary AS may occur, the latter being reported in the upper extremity with lymphedema after extended radical mastectomy for breast cancer (postmastectomy AS) or following radiotherapy of the breast, the thoracic wall, or other sites (radiation-associated AS). The authors report two cases of cutaneous radiation-associated AS and review literature regarding treatment planning and follow-up data to define the most appropriate therapy for cutaneous and noncutaneous radiation-associated AS. METHODS: The clinical records of two patients with radiation-associated AS were analyzed and previously reported cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Case 1: a female age 67 years developed cutaneous AS in the residual breast 27 months after breast-conserving therapy and conventional external beam radiotherapy (EBR). She underwent chemotherapy followed by simple mastectomy and chemotherapy with the same regimen but developed early recurrence that was treated with hyperthermia and EBR, wide excision, and second-line chemotherapy. She died 30 months after primary diagnosis of AS with multiple metastases. Case 2: a male age 59 years developed cutaneous AS in the left groin, 10 years after conservative surgery and EBR for a penile carcinoma. Early recurrence following wide excision was treated with chemotherapy, re-excision, and immunochemotherapy but the patient died 24 months after the primary diagnosis of cutaneous AS with local progression and distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of radiation-associated AS is dismal, due mostly to its poor differentiation and frequent diagnostic delay. Simple mastectomy is advised for patients with cutaneous AS after breast-conserving surgery with wide tumor-free margins. If primary surgery fails, survival is seriously compromised because adjuvant or palliative treatments are not effective.

[Upper digestive hemorrhage. Comparison of terlipressin and octreotide]. / Emorragie digestive alte. Confronto fra Terlipressina e Octreotide.

The efficacy and tolerability of both Terlipressin and Octreotide in the treatment of upper digestive haemorrhage (oesophagus, stomach and duodenum) have been compared, at random, on 30 adult patients. Terlipressin dosage was 2 mg/4 hours i.v. during the first 24 hours, 2 mg/6 hours during the following 24 hours. Octreotide dosage was 50 micrograms i.v. and infusional therapy, 25 micrograms/hours, followed. Haemostasis was obtained in 100% of patients treated with Terlipressin and in 73% of patients treated with Octreotide. Rebleeding occurred in 3 patients treated with Terlipressin and 4 patients treated with Octreotide. Side effects occurred in 4 patients treated with Terlipressin and 8 patients treated with Octreotide. Terlipressin proved to have a better efficacy in comparison with Octreotide, and had less side effects.

[Osteosclerotic micromolecular plasmacytoma]. / Plasmocitoma micromolecolare osteosclerotico.

We describe a patient with a k light-chain myeloma revealed by an apparently solitary mixed lytic and sclerotic rib lesion. This rare manifestation may be explained by a still balanced bone remodeling in the early phases of the disease.