Radiation-induced localized scleroderma in breast cancer patients.

Radiation-induced scleroderma in breast cancer patients appears to occur in approximately one out of every 500 patients. We report four cases that developed within 3 months of conservative breast surgery and postoperative radiation treatment. The reaction was contained entirely within the treatment field and demonstrated the typical features of this condition where the breast becomes erythematous, violaceous, indurated, retracted, and progressively pigmented. The breast tends to soften and become more comfortable over 1-4 years; however, significant induration, retraction and pigmentary changes remain. There appears to be no predictive factors. Radiation-induced scleroderma must be differentiated from cellulitis and recurrent breast cancer.

Olfactory neuroblastoma--management of a rare tumour at the Queensland Radium Institute and literature review.

Olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma) is an extremely rare tumour arising from the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity close to the cribriform plate. Most institutions will have little experience in recognising the clinical and histological features, or management of this tumour and reliance is placed on researching the literature when the individual patient presents. This study reviews seven patients with olfactory neuroblastoma treated at the Queensland Radium Institute from 1971 to January 1990. The overall local control rate in this series is 57% (four of seven patients) and 43% of patients (three of seven) remain alive. Conservative surgery and post-operative radiotherapy is recommended for early disease and more radical surgery with post-operative radiotherapy for advanced disease.

Haemangiopericytoma--Queensland Radium Institute experience and a review of the literature.

We report the presenting clinical characteristics, management, relapse patterns and survival of 17 patients with haemangiopericytoma treated at the Queensland Radium Institute, Australia from 1962 to 1989. Twelve patients were referred at the time of first diagnosis and were treated with curative intent. Three patients were treated with palliative intent when referred following initial diagnosis, and the remaining two patients were referred at the time of relapse. Disease was metastatic at presentation in 4 patients. Radiotherapy was used as a component of primary treatment of disease in 11 patients, in both patients referred for management of local relapse of haemangiopericytoma, and for palliation of metastatic disease developing in 3 patients. One patient received chemotherapy as part of initial treatment. Nine patients have died with survival from first treatment ranging from 3 to 139 months. All 8 surviving patients remain free of disease at 6 to 94 months from first treatment.