Primary spinal oligodendroglioma with intracranial extension: a case report.

Introduction: Primary spinal cord oligodendrogliomas (PSO) are sporadic tumors that arise from oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). They can affect adults and children and make up about 2% of all intramedullary (IM) spinal tumors. Here, the authors present the second case in the literature of a primary spinal oligodendroglioma with intracranial extension. Presentation: A 28-year-old right-handed female presented to our emergency room severely malaised with left-sided hemiparesis, numbness, tingling, and urinary retention with positive Babinski and negative Hoffmann. MRI showed a widespread heterogeneous mass extending from the medulla to C7 with syringomyelia inferior to the mass. The mass was removed surgically, and her neurological condition improved rapidly. The gross, pathological exams, and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma. Discussion: Up until 2017, there have been 60 documented cases of PSO in the literature and we have found two more cases in our search between 2017 and 2023. Also, there has been only one case recorded with an intracranial extension, making our case the 63rd PSO case and the second one with cranial extension. Conclusion: The golden standard for imaging is MRI. Surgical excision is the main treatment in the literature. Single-stage laminectomy showed promising results and surgical resection was the critical intervention to which the patient responded. This matches what was stated in the literature that surgery is the primary mode of treatment in PSO patients.

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma arising from substernal goiter: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas represent a rare heterogeneous group of malignant tumors that constitute ~2-4% of all thyroid neoplasms. Substernal goiter (SG) is defined as an enlargement of the thyroid gland that is located below the thoracic inlet. Malignant neoplasms arising from a SG were reported in only 2-3% of cases.This case report has been reported in line with the Surgical CAse REport (SCARE) Criteria.21. Case presentation: This article presents a 54-year-old Syrian female who presented at our institution due to dysphagia, dyspnea, cervical swelling, and loss of appetite. Following clinical and radiological examinations, total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. Microscopic examination revealed an infiltrative growth pattern of insular, trabecular, and solid formations of epithelial cells with scant eosinophilic cytoplasm, hyperchromatic nuclei, and bizarre mitotic figures with areas of necrosis. Subsequently, the final diagnosis was confirmed as a multifocal poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma arising from a SG. Clinical discussion: The heterogeneity of histologic features of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma represents a diagnostic challenge. Diagnosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas is based on the Turin Criteria, which highlights histopathological features. Computed tomography plays a major role in SG for further evaluation. Conclusion: In this manuscript, the authors aimed to present a unique case report with challenging diagnostic features including the rapid development of an infiltrative poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma from a SG highlighting the importance of a detailed histopathological examination of thyroid nodules in the absence of significant medical history.

Secondary neoplasm to non-hodgkin lymphoma treatment manifesting as a cancer of unknown primary: the first case in literature.

Introduction: Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a tumour metastasis with no detectable primary origin. A secondary neoplasm (SN) is defined as a tumour secondary to a prior tumour treatment and has no histological relation to that primary tumour. Case presentation: The authors report a case of a 72-year-old female patient who presented with back pain and had a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treated with RCHOP 12 years ago. MRI showed a compression fracture in T5 and T7 vertebrae, while the PET/computed tomography (CT) only showed hypermetabolic lytic bone lesions in these vertebrae. Pathological examination of a biopsy of these lesions suggested metastatic breast cancer, but the mammography was normal. The above clinical description indicates that our case is a SN to RCHOP treatment manifested as a cancer of unknown origin. Discussion: CUP is diagnosed when all screening procedures fail to find the original tumour. On the other hand, the literature showed that RCHOP treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has a 0.68% chance of causing a SN. After an extensive literature search, we found that our case, which has the combination of both CUP and SN, is the first documented case. Conclusion: This case suggests that cancer patients who received chemical or radiological treatment should be screened more carefully on the long term as it is possible to developed secondary neoplasms without a primary tumour in areas difficult to diagnose with traditional screening tools.

A case report of coexisting breast cancer with peritoneal, cutaneous tuberculosis, and potential Pott's disease: therapeutic and diagnostic challenges.

Introduction: Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lifetime; it may coincide with other diseases due to its high prevalence. Different pathologies that occur simultaneously with breast cancer, or later during its course, lead to multiple interactions with cancer and have a significant impact on its management. Presentation of case: A 58-year-old Syrian female was admitted to our hospital for compliant of abdominal distension. Following complete examination, obtained biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis. At a subsequent time, she suffered back pain and the computed tomography showed vertebral lesion with breast mass that was diagnosed as invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the left breast. Vertebral lesion that appeared on radiologic assessment was diagnosed as cancer metastasis. However, the interaction of this metastasis with the proposed management diverted the attention towards its non-cancerous entity. Five months after completing the chemotherapy, biopsies revealed the recurrence of triple-negative (ER-, PR-, HER2- neu-) ILC of the breast. Ultimately, the patient was followed up for an overall duration of 4 years. Discussion: Latent tuberculosis infections may be activated by chemotherapy regimens that suppress immunity. Therefore, initial management of tuberculous infection is preferred when it coexists with cancer. Conclusion: Breast cancer is common and may co-present with other diseases, which, in some cases, produce mimicking lesions that alter its diagnosis. Pott's disease, albeit a rare entity, has shown a resurgence in developed countries and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vertebral lesions in patients with breast cancer.

Secondary amenorrhea as the first presentation of Krukenberg tumor arising from the gastroesophageal junction in a 34-year-old woman: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Krukenberg tumors account for 9 % of metastatic ovarian tumors, they usually originate from the stomach and colon and are microscopically characterized by the presence of mucus-filled signet-ring cells. Krukenberg tumor originating from the gastroesophageal junction is extremely rare, which limits establishing proper diagnosis and management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 34-year-old women presented with a complaint of amenorrhea, ultrasonography showed bilateral ovarian masses, pathological studies revealed Krukenberg tumor, immunohistochemistry of the tumor was positive for (CK1, and CK20). Upper GI endoscopy revealed the primary lesion located at the inferior esophagus and extending to the cardia. Despite marked improvement after introducing a chemotherapy regimen of oxaliplatin, calcium folinate and fluorouracil, the patient refused to complete her therapeutic course and died 5 months after discontinuation. DISCUSSION: Krukenberg tumor may be asymptomatic but may also manifest as pelvic pain, bloating, and menstrual cycle abnormalities. Immunohistochemistry of Krukenberg tumor is mandatory to determine the primary tumor. Positivity of CK1, CK20 and negativity of CK7 indicates the gastrointestinal origin of the tumor. Different choices are available for the management of Krukenberg tumor but it still has a poor prognosis with an average survival rate of 14 months. CONCLUSION: Krukenberg tumor from the esophagus is rare and still enigmatic in terms of management. In this article, we aim to draw attention into possible presentations of the tumor by providing the first case in Syria of Krukenberg tumor originating from the esophagus and presenting as secondary amenorrhea and bilateral adnexal masses.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the central nervous system: Clinicopathological features of two challenging cases.

INTRODUCTION: Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT) is a rare aggressive neoplasm that mainly affects the pediatric population with a peak incidence in the first two years of life and a slight male predominance, whereas presentation of this neoplasm in older ages is extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present two cases of AT/RT. In the first case, a 9-year-old female presented with diplopia, dizziness, headache, and morning vomiting. CT Scan of the head demonstrated a heterogeneous mass in the left frontal-parietal region with vasogenic edema and midline deviation. In the second case, a 57-year-old female presented with severe generalized headache, numbness, and tingling in the right hand. MRI revealed a lobulated cystic mass in the right occipitotemporal region, with surrounding edema compressing the left lateral ventricle and causing a midline shift to the left, and enlargement of the right lateral ventricle. In both case, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed the diagnosis of Atypical teratoid/Rhabdoid tumors. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Microscopic examination demonstrated the proliferation of medium-sized to large cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, large vesicular eccentric nuclei, and conspicuous nucleoli with areas of necrosis and hemorrhage, thus confirming the diagnosis with adequate immunohistochemical staining. The first patient developed signs of recurrence and passed away six months later, whereas in the second case, the 57-year-old female received radiotherapy for 6 weeks before being put on chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenges facing the diagnosis of this aggressive neoplasm, we managed to present our cases with detailed histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations.

The correlation between gut microbiota and both neurotransmitters and mental disorders: A narrative review.

The gastrointestinal tract is embedded with microorganisms of numerous genera, referred to as gut microbiota. Gut microbiota has multiple effects on many body organs, including the brain. There is a bidirectional connection between the gut and brain called the gut-brain-axis, and these connections are formed through immunological, neuronal, and neuroendocrine pathways. In addition, gut microbiota modulates the synthesis and functioning of neurotransmitters. Therefore, the disruption of the gut microbiota in the composition or function, which is known as dysbiosis, is associated with the pathogenesis of many mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. This review aims to summarize the modulation role of the gut microbiota in 4 prominent neurotransmitters (tryptophan and serotonergic system, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate), as well as its association with 4 psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorder). More future research is required to develop efficient gut-microbiota-based therapies for these illnesses.

Clival chordoma presenting with isolated unilateral cranial nerve XII palsy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Chordomas are rare malignant neoplasms that can originate anywhere along the cerebrospinal axis. However, they are most commonly found in the spine, cranium, and sacrococcygeal region. Chordomas can manifest differently depending on their location and most symptoms are a result of local invasion. We present a rare case of intracranial clival chordoma that manifested as isolated unilateral cranial nerve XII (CN XII) palsy. PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old male presented to the neurosurgical clinic with headaches, dysarthria, and pharyngeal pain. Neurological examination showed left-sided atrophy of the tongue. MRI scan showed an infiltrative lesion in the clivus which was hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2. The lesion was treated surgically however full resection was not achieved. Pathological examination and subsequent immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of chordoma. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, there have been only two reported cases of clival chordoma that presented with isolated CN XII palsy which manifested clinically as dysarthria and unilateral atrophy of the tongue. This makes our case the third reported case of clival chordoma that presented with isolated CN XII palsy. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of clival chordoma that presented with isolated left CN XII palsy. Physicians should consider clival chordomas in their differential diagnoses when faced with isolated unilateral CN XII palsy. Surgical resection combined with adjuvant radiotherapy remains the preferred treatment protocol.

Spinal intradural extramedullary cavernoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernomas are rare vascular lesions that can occur anywhere along the neuraxis. However, they are most commonly found in the cerebral hemispheres. Spinal cavernomas are more uncommon and intradural extramedullary cavernomas are the most uncommon as they constitute only 3 % of spinal cavernomas. PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old female presented to our neurosurgical clinic with a history of back pain radiating to the left side of the chest with left lower extremity paresthesia and ataxia without urinary disturbance. Neurological exam showed left-sided hypoesthesia below the T9 dermatome in addition to increased patellar and Achilles reflexes on the left side. MRI showed a homogeneous intradural extramedullary mass which was hyperintense on T1 and hypointense on T2 and it was surgically resected. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of intradural extramedullary cavernoma. DISCUSSION: Intradural extramedullary cavernomas are extremely rare lesions that arise within the area located between the inner surface of the dura and the pial surface of the spinal cord. Up until 2022 only 40 cases of intradural extramedullary cavernomas were reported in the literature. MRI is the preferred imaging modality and pathology is the golden standard for diagnosis. Surgical resection showed very promising results and it is considered the golden standard for treating this condition. However, surgery should be performed urgently to give an optimal outcome. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider this condition in their differential diagnoses when faced with progressive spinal root compression symptoms, sudden onset myelopathy, or progressive subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Novel immunotherapeutic options for BCG-unresponsive high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) presents a challenge to many physicians due to its ability to resist Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravesical therapy and the substantial rate of progression into muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Patients who are BCG-unresponsive have worse prognosis and thus require further management including radical cystectomy (RC), which significantly impacts quality of life. Moreover, the ongoing worldwide shortage of BCG warrants the need for policies that prioritize drug use and utilize alternative treatment strategies. Hence, there is a significant unmet need for bladder preserving therapy in this subset of patients. METHODS: To address this issue, we searched the relevant literature in PUBMED for articles published from 2019 through May of 2023 using appropriate keywords. All clinical trials of patients with HR-NMIBC treated with immune-related agents were retrieved from clinicaltrials.gov. FINDINGS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES: Exploratory treatments for BCG-Unresponsive HR-NMIBC included immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), oncolytic viral therapy, cytokine agonists, and other immunomodulators targeting TLR, EpCaM, FGFR, MetAP2, and IDO1. Some combination therapies have been found to work synergistically and are preferred therapeutically over monotherapy. Three drugs-pembrolizumab, valrubicin, and most recently, nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg-have been FDA approved for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC in patients who are ineligible for or decline RC. However, all explored treatment options tend to postpone RC rather than provide long-term disease control. Additional combination strategies need to be studied to enhance the effects of immunotherapy. Despite the challenges faced in finding effective therapies, many potential treatments are currently under investigation. Addressing the landscape of biomarkers, mechanisms of progression, BCG resistance, and trial design challenges in HR-NMIBC is essential for the discovery of new targets and the development of effective treatments.

Cholera: An Overview with Reference to the Syrian Outbreak.

Cholera is an acute type of diarrheal disease caused by intestinal infection with the toxin-producing bacteria Vibrio cholerae. The disease is still endemic in almost 69 countries, accounting for around 2.86 million cases and 95,000 deaths annually. Cholera is associated with poor infrastructure, and lack of access to sanitation and clean drinking water. The current cholera outbreak in Syria is associated with more than 10 years of conflict, which has devastated infrastructures and health services. There were 132,782 suspected cases reported between August 25, 2022 and May 20, 2023 in all 14 governorates, including 104 associated deaths. The recent earthquake in the region has complicated the situation, with an increase in cholera cases, and hindrance to a response to the disease. Climate change has driven a number of large cholera outbreaks around the world this year. The World Health Organization prequalifies three oral cholera vaccines. Cholera treatment mainly depends on rehydration, with the use of antibiotics in more severe infections. This review gives an overview of cholera bacteriology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, and prevention in light of global climate change and the ongoing outbreak in Syria, which poses a significant public health threat that requires urgent attention.

Recurrent pulmonary infections as the first manifestation of cow milk intolerance: a rare case report from Syria.

Cow milk protein intolerance is a common gastrointestinal condition in the first year of life. It is mainly manifested as gastrointestinal and dermatology symptoms. It rarely presents as a respiratory manifestation only without other accompanying symptoms. We report a case of a 5-month-old Syrian boy who presented with a history of recurrent acute bronchitis symptoms (cough, wheezing, tachypnea) for 3 months with no significant personal or family history. Hematological and radiographic investigations were normal. The diagnosis of cow milk intolerance was confirmed by clinical, endoscopically, and histological findings. The child was placed on amino acid hydrolysate milk with restricted cow products. The child improved significantly, and chest symptoms improved within a week of the treatment. Despite the rarity of cow milk intolerance in children with only respiratory symptoms, it should be kept in mind when the patient has recurrent pulmonary infections that are not improving on appropriate therapy.

Breast cancer awareness among women in the Syrian Coast: a cross-sectional study.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and represents a leading cause of cancer-related mortalities. Females' awareness toward breast cancer is essential for the early diagnosis and detection especially in low and middle-income countries. This study aims to assess the awareness of breast cancer risk factors among females in the Syrian Coast. Methodology: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Syrian females during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire used in the study was derived from the Cancer Research UK questionnaire and modified to fit the perspective of the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The independent samples t-test and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied to determine whether there is statistical evidence or any statistically significant differences between the variables. Results: A total of 1305 females participated in the study. The majority aged between 18 and 25, (28.8%) of the participants obtained their information related to breast cancer from internet, (36.7%) of were smokers and (82.8%) had a family member with breast cancer. These results suggested a significant correlation between smoking, family history of cancer, marital status, and breast cancer awareness. Conclusion: This study showed which factors are significantly related to women's awareness of breast cancer risk factors. These results can contribute in the implementation of awareness programs and campaigns, thus raising the level of awareness among women.

Coexistence of a huge Brenner's tumour and mucinous cystadenoma in a 62-year-old female: a case report from Syria.

The coexistence of a benign Brenner tumour and a mucinous cystadenoma is rare, and their relationship and origin are still enigmatic and challenging. Case presentation: In this manuscript, the authors report a case of a 62-year-old nulliparous Syrian woman who presented with severe abdominal distension, which was followed by laparotomy and the excision of a 25×20 cm-cyst; its pathological examination confirmed a benign Brenner's tumour and mucinous cystadenoma. Clinical discussion: Ovarian Brenner and mucinous are usually benign and can rarely grow asymptomatically to very big sizes. Herein, the authors aim to emphasize the importance of excluding malignancy by pathology examination. Conclusion: Walthard cell nests undergo metaplasia to give rise to different kinds of Brenner and mucinous neoplasm formations according to their genetic alterations. This paper adds to the available literature, which is still poor, by providing evidence of the first case of this rare combination from Syria with a review of different theories of origin and differential diagnoses. More studies directed towards exploring this combination's genetic origin are needed to boost our understanding of ovarian tumours in general.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis and three common neurological disorders: a mini-review.

Neurological disorders are an important cause of disability and death globally. Recently, a large body of research shows that the gut microbiome affects the brain and its conditions, through the gut-brain axis. The purpose of this mini-review is to provide a brief overview of the relationship between the microbiota-gut-brain axis in three neurological disorders: epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and migraine. The authors chose these three disorders because of their burdensome and great effect on health care. We live on a microbial planet. Before humans, microorganisms existed for a hundred million years. Today, there are trillions of these microbes living in our bodies, it is called human microbiota. These organisms have a crucial role in our homeostasis and survival. Most of the human microbiota live in the gut. The number of gut microbiota is much more than the number of body cells. Gut microbiota has been regarded as a crucial regulator of the gut-brain axis. The discovery of the microbiota-gut-brain axis is described as a major advancement in neuroscience because it influences the pathophysiology of several neurological and psychiatric disorders. From this, more studies of the microbiota-gut-brain axis are needed in the future, to provide a better understanding of brain disorders and so that better treatment and prognosis.

An unusual association between Burkitt's lymphoma and a Carcinoid tumor in a Syrian boy: a rare case report.

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), an aggressive kind of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. On the other hand, appendiceal carcinoid tumors are uncommon neuroendocrine neoplasms. Case presentation: The authors report a case of a 15-year-old Syrian adolescent who was admitted to our hospital due to a persistent, severe generalized abdomen pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and inability to pass stool or gas. An abdominal radiograph revealed dilated intestinal loops with air-fluid levels. The patient underwent emergency surgery through which a retroperitoneal mass was removed as well as part of the ileum and the appendix. The final diagnosis was consistent with intestinal BL associated with an appendiceal carcinoid tumor. Discussion: The correlation between gastrointestinal carcinoids and other types of tumors was frequently reported. However, there have been few reports of carcinoid tumors being associated with lymphoreticular system cancers. BLs were classified into three variants: endemic, sporadic, and acquired immunodeficiency-associated BL while appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors were classified as the following: well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors with benign or uncertain malignant potential; well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with low malignant potential; and mixed exocrine-neuroendocrine carcinoma. Conclusion: Our article demonstrates an unusual association between BL and an appendiceal carcinoid tumor that highlights the significant role of histological and immunohistochemical staining in confirming the diagnosis, as well as the role of surgery in treating the complications of intestinal BLs.

A localized sinusoidal lesion of granulomatosis with polyangiitis with extranasal involvement in a Syrian female: a rare case report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare, immunologically mediated systemic vasculitis that presents as an aseptic necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the small and medium vessels. Case presentation: The authors report the case of a 47-year-old Syrian female smoker who was admitted to the hospital due to painless palpable masses in her left cheek and left upper lip. Her medical and family histories were unremarkable. Physical examination demonstrated facial asymmetry and bulging in the left cheek and left suborbital region, with marked limitation of the mouth opening and notable oozing from the maxillary sinus seen within the area of the extracted second premolar, in addition to swelling in the parotid gland region, which caused facial nerve weakness. Lab findings were significant for an elevated neutrophil count (16 400/mm3) and positivity of Cytoplasmic- Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody (c-ANCA). Microscopic examination revealed noncaseating necrotizing granulomas surrounded by histocytes and multinucleated giant cells. The disease kept its local invasion going despite the treatment with cyclophosphamide. Thus, surgical debridement was considered a notable improvement. Discussion: GPA is a systemic disease that usually affects multiple organs, especially the kidneys and the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The diagnosis of GPA is made based on a biopsy and the presence of c-ANCA. The treatment of GPA is patient-adjusted, and it usually consists of two major phases: induction and maintenance. However, surgery is preferred for patients who do not respond to pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: This article demonstrates a rare case of GPA in the head and neck region; that highlights the significant role of c-ANCA and histological exam in confirming the diagnosis as well as the importance of surgery when the disease is intractable.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis mimicking renal cell carcinoma: a case report.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN) is a rare, serious, and chronic inflammatory disorder of the kidney characterized by a destructive process that invades the renal parenchyma, which is most commonly associated with urinary tract obstruction and infection. It affects women more often than men. Case presentation: Herein, the authors report a case of a 48-year-old male presented to their hospital with complaints of malaise, fever, chills, left flank pain, and a history of a staghorn calculus in the renal pelvis, which was removed by surgery 7 years ago. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scans showed an enlarged left kidney with cystic formation and pelvicalyceal system dilation with the presence of multiple large stones. The renogram showed a dysfunctioning left kidney. An open radical left nephrectomy was performed. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was suspected in both the gross and microscopic examinations. The immunohistochemistry was the decisive factor in confirming the diagnosis of XGPN. Clinical discussion: Preoperative and postoperative diagnosis of XGPN can sometimes be difficult due to diverse differential diagnoses. The misinterpretation of 'foam cells' as 'clear cells' consistent with RCC is the most important diagnostic challenge for pathologists. Conclusion: The unusual findings of this case report suggest a careful evaluation of patients with a renal cystic mass, that can be misdiagnosed as a RCC. A combined computed tomography scan evaluation together with histopathology and immunohistochemistry are essential for a correct diagnosis of this rare renal entity.

Late recurrence of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma to unusual sites after 12 years of radical nephrectomy and radiotherapy: a rare case report from Syria.

In 2020, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) had an incidence of 73 750 new cases. This cancer is well known for its ability to give early and late metastases to some usual and unusual sites. The term 'late recurrence' is widely used to indicate a period exceeding 10 years from curative nephrectomy. This not-understood behaviour is almost specific to RCC, and it happens in a range between 4.3 and 11% of cases of RCC. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 67-year-old nonalcoholic smoker Syrian male presented with a 2-month painful mass located at the left upper posterolateral abdominal wall's region. He has had a history of left chromophobe cell RCC treated with radical nephrectomy with adjuvant radiotherapy for 12 years. In light of computed tomography's findings, a surgical biopsy was performed, and a pathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of chromophobe RCC. Clinical Discussion: Malignant cells seeding the surgical cut path and staying dormant for 12 years is the best theory of many to explain our case. Conclusion: We reported evidence for the potential of a relatively indolent histologic type of RCC (i.e. chromophobe cell carcinoma) to cause late recurrence after 12 years to a very rare site (i.e. abdominal wall's superficial muscles). Research should focus on addressing late recurrence to determine the best surveillance protocols; investigating malignant cells seeding during surgery to improve surgical oncology's outcomes; and studying late recurrence's genetics to boost our targeted therapy options.

Primary anorectal melanoma mimicking polyp in a scleroderma patient: a case report.

Primary anorectal melanoma is an extremely rare malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with a very poor prognosis. Due to the late presentation, most patients with primary anorectal melanoma are diagnosed at advanced stages. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. There is an increased risk of developing cancer in scleroderma patients. Case Presentation: A 57-year-old Syrian female diagnosed with localized scleroderma complained of a sensation of a mass in her anal area. She was diagnosed with primary rectal melanoma and was put on neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Following the radiotherapy, the endoscopy revealed several black lesions in her anal canal, and thus abdominoperineal resection was conducted. Discussion and Conclusion: Malignant melanoma can occur in unsuspected locations such as the anal canal. Novel therapies like anti-CTLA4 drugs have proven efficient in controlling the disease. The lack of data in the literature on this malignancy and the absence of guidelines make it challenging for an optimal approach.