Primary Effusion Lymphoma: A Rare and Challenging Diagnosis for Recurrent Pleural Effusion.

Primary Effusion Lymphoma is an extremely rare and aggressive subtype of B-cell lymphoma, accounting for only <1% of all cases of this neoplasm. It has a unique clinical presentation because it has a predilection for appearing in body cavities, such as the pleural space, pericardium and peritoneum. It mainly affects immunocompromised individuals and may also affect individuals in the Mediterranean region and in areas endemic for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Herein, we report the case of an 83-year-old immunocompetent male complaining of coughing, fever and progressive dyspnea for 3 days. His past medical history revealed a recurrent pleural effusion for the last three years, as well as losing weight and malaise. A subsequent investigation revealed a PEL diagnosis of the pleura.

Effect of thalidomide on bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma patients

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow angiogenesis is increased in multiple myeloma (MM) patients,prompting the rationale for using antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of these patients.OBJECTIVE: To assess angiogenesis in patients with MM at diagnosis and following treatmentwith an antiangiogenic drug.Patients and Methods: Twenty-three patients with newly diagnosed MM were treated withthalidomide-based regimens. Bone marrow evaluation was made before and following treat-ment and included angiogenesis assessment, which was quantified through microvesseldensity (MVD) determination, by means of anti-CD34 immunohistochemical labeling, andclassified either as high MVD or low MVD, according to the mean CD34 count: above or belowthe median of 12.6.RESULTS: The pre-therapy median MVD was 12 (7.5­18.3) versus 8.7 (5.35­18.5) post-therapy,p = 0.2114.CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no reduction in MVD before and following treatment and,accordingly, we could establish no relationship between MVD and response to therapy inthe sample we studied.

Effect of thalidomide on bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma patients.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow angiogenesis is increased in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, prompting the rationale for using antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess angiogenesis in patients with MM at diagnosis and following treatment with an antiangiogenic drug. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with newly diagnosed MM were treated with thalidomide-based regimens. Bone marrow evaluation was made before and following treatment and included angiogenesis assessment, which was quantified through microvessel density (MVD) determination, by means of anti-CD34 immunohistochemical labeling, and classified either as high MVD or low MVD, according to the mean CD34 count: above or below the median of 12.6. RESULTS: The pre-therapy median MVD was 12 (7.5-18.3) versus 8.7 (5.35-18.5) post-therapy, p=0.2114. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no reduction in MVD before and following treatment and, accordingly, we could establish no relationship between MVD and response to therapy in the sample we studied.

Primary liposarcoma of the pancreas: A review illustrated by findings from a recent case.

Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma and accounts for 15%-20% of all mesenchymal malignancies. The tumor occurs most frequently in limbs and retroperitoneum, with only rare instances of visceral location reported. Pancreas is a very rare site of primary liposarcoma, with a total of seven cases reported since 1979 and only four of those in the English literature. We review the literature specific for primary liposarcoma of the pancreas and discuss radiological and pathological aspects of this rare tumor type as well as emerging options of treatment. The review is illustrated by findings of a recent case of a dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the pancreas coupled with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, including the first description of this rare tumor by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was successfully treated with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At the 5-year follow-up, the patient showed no signs of recurrence.

O comportamento clínico e histológico da pele do rato submetida ao uso tópico e injetável de Mitomicina C / The clinical and histological behavior of rat skin submitted to topical and injected Mitomycin C

OBJETIVO: A Mitomicina C é um quimioterápico que apresenta a capacidade de inibir fibroblastos in vitro. Esta característica a levou a ser usada experimentalmente em animais de laboratório e no ser humano, principalmente em oftalmologia, para inibir o processo cicatricial. Este trabalho visa acompanhar o processo de cicatrizaçäo de feridas cirúrgicas feitas em dorsos de ratos e tratadas topicamente com Mitomicina C, comparando-as com feridas no mesmo local, näo tratadas. Propöe-se também a avaliar a resposta da pele quando injetada com concentraçöes diferentes do medicamento. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram feitas, em 10 ratos, duas feridas cirúrgicas em seus dorsos. Uma delas foi tratada topicamente com Mitomicina C na diluiçäo de 0,5 mg/ml por 5 minutos e outra näo. O processo de cicatrizaçäo destas feridas foi acompanhado clinicamente. Posteriormente, os ratos foram sacrificados em períodos diferentes, e suas feridas estudadas histologicamente quanto ao grau de fibrose por dois anatomopatologistas. Posteriormente, três ratos foram submetidos a injeçöes intradérmicas com concentraçöes diferentes de Mitomicina C, e o comprometimento local foi avaliado clínica e histologicamente, sendo que apenas na concentraçäo de 0,01mg/ml näo se observou necrose tecidual. RESULTADOS: As feridas tratadas com Mitomicina C tiveram seu processo cicatricial retardado, com o desaparecimento das crostas locais 7 dias após o das feridas näo tratadas. Ao exame histológico, observado separadamente por dois anatomopatologistas, observou-se no primeiro mês uma nítida diminuiçäo do grau de fibrose nas feridas tratadas com Mitomicina C em relaçäo às näo tratadas. Este grau de fibrose se iguala, nas duas feridas, no terceiro mês. Quanto às diluiçöes injetadas, notou-se clínica e histologicamente uma necrose tecidual proporcional ao grau de concentraçäo (0,5; 0,1; e 0,05 mg/ml), que näo foi observada na concentraçäo de 0,01mg/ml. CONCLUSÄO: A Mitomicina C usada topicamente em feridas cirúrgicas em ratos retarda seu processo de cicatrizaçäo até a 4ª semana. Na 12ª semana este processo se equaliza. Quando usada intradermicamente, causa necrose tecidual apenas em concentraçöes elevadas. Estas características da Mitomicina C podem ser usadas, em otorrinolaringologia, como coadjuvante no tratamento de estenoses do meato acústico externo, imperfuraçöes coanais, sinéquias nasais, estenoses laríngeas e quelóides