Primary ectopic axillary breast cancer: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic breast tissue is present in 2-6% of women. Ectopic breast cancer represents an uncommon disease accounting for about 0.3% of all breast neoplasms, limiting the available evidence. Thus, we aim to report long-term outcomes in five cases treated at our institution. CASE SERIES: Our Tunisian patients' median age was 48 years (33-60 years), and the median follow-up was 8 years (4-10 years). The ectopic breast tissue was located four times in the right axilla. The median tumor size was 25 mm (15-55 mm). Four of the patients underwent a wide local excision and axillary lymph node dissection. Three of those women had positive lymph nodes; thus, they received adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. The patient with a negative lymph node (case 5) had adjuvant radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. One of the patients (case 1) had a positive supraclavicular lymph node and received radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. The latter developed a locoregional relapse after 4 years and was treated with mastectomy and chemotherapy. One patient (case 4) had a distant metastasis after 2 years of follow-up and received chemotherapy. The three other patients were free of relapse during their follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Primary axillary breast carcinoma is a rare entity. Despite the paucity of literature, our findings and authors' recommendations suggest that local excision can be performed safely with promising outcomes in this subset of patients.

Multiple cutaneous metastasis of synchronous urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and the renal pelvis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous metastatic disease arising from urinary tract carcinoma is rare and associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of metastatic disease occurring in a patient treated for synchronous urothelial tumor of the bladder and left renal pelvis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old Caucasian man was treated for a synchronous urothelial tumor of the bladder and left renal pelvis. He had an en bloc radical cystectomy and left ureteronehprectomy associated with a cutaneous transileal urinary diversion and lymph node dissection. He was scheduled for chemotherapy but was lost to follow-up. He consulted 1 year later with growing skin tumors that were confirmed to be metastatic disease, and he was referred to the oncology department for palliative chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous metastatic disease is a rare entity with poor prognosis. The main treatment remains chemotherapy; however, single-site metastasis should be considered for metastasectomy.

Is the systematic circumferential tumor cavity shaving a representative sample for the remaining mammary gland? About 75 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The conservative surgery is more and more indicated for breast cancer. However, we still fear local recurrence which is mostly due to residual tumors?. Several techniques have been used to minimize theses residual tumors; one of them is the systematic circumferential tumor cavity shaving (SCTCS). METHODS: We sampled 75 female patients who had conservative surgery with positive shaved margins in the anatomopathology examination and to whom a complementary treatment with mastectomy have been decided. RESULTS: The median age was 48 years old. The median tumor size was 23 mm. In the histological examination of the tumors, 93% were invasive ductal carcinoma associated in 50% of the cases to the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) where all the lumpectomies had clear margin. For the SCTCS, 62,2% were DCIS and in 17,6% of the cases were invasive ductal carcinoma. A complementary treatment with mastectomy was indicated to all the patients. A residual tumor was detected in the remaining mammary gland in 47,7% of the cases out of which 50% were DCIS. Local recurrence happened in three patients (4,6%) after a median of follow up of 36 months. The overall survival and the disease free survival at five years were respectively 83,6% and 75,5%. CONCLUSION: Standardized lumpectomy cavity shaving provides a backup to lumpectomy margins in conservative breast surgery but it can also be used as a sample for the remaining breast, helping to detect the residual tumor, and decreasing the rates of local recurrence after BCT.

[Primary breast sarcomas: About 30 cases treated at Salah-Azaiez institute in Tunisia]. / Sarcomes mammaires primitifs : à propos de 30 cas traités à l'institut Salah-Azaiez de Tunis.

PURPOSE: To identify retrospectively prognostic factors of primary breast sarcoma and review its treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive study on 30 cases of primary breast sarcoma. We carried out a univariate and multivariate analysis correlating clinical, pathological and therapeutic parameters with disease-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.8 years. The mean tumour size was 10cm. The 30 cases were 18 phyllodes sarcomas, eight angiosarcomas, three liposarcomas and a case of granulocytic sarcoma. Sixteen patients had adjuvant radiotherapy and only seven patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 64 months. Overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 49.1% and 33.7%. Disease-free survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 22.8% and 15.2% respectively. The analytical study of the following parameters: tumour size and presence or absence of node or distant metastases, showed no correlation with overall survival nor with disease-free survival. Furthermore, adjuvant radiotherapy did not improve overall survival (P=0.298; hazard ratio [HR]=1 [0.982-1.04]) nor disease-free survival (P=0.61; HR=0.942 [0.862-1.029]). By univariate analyses, we identified a correlation between overall survival, surgical margins (>1cm) (P=0005; HR=3.4 [1.217-9.919]) and tumour necrosis (P=0.028; HR=0.099 [0.014-0.682]). We did not find any independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of primary breast sarcoma seems to depend essentially on optimal surgical excision (margin over 1cm). The only potential histological parameter correlated with the prognosis is the presence of tumour necrosis. The histological subtype should not be considered as a prognostic marker for overall or disease-free survival in patients with primary breast sarcoma.

[Dirofilariasis of the breast: Two new cases in Tunisia]. / Dirofilariose mammaire: à propos de deux nouveaux cas en Tunisie.

Dirofilariasis is an endemic animal parasitic disease in the Mediterranean basin. Its occurrence in humans is rare; when it occurs, it is most often in cutaneous locations. We report two new cases of dirofilariasis of the breast in two Tunisian women, aged 32 and 45 years old. Both came from northern Tunisia and consulted for breast lumps. Clinical examination and imaging findings suggested benign tumors. After surgical excision, the pathology examination confirmed the diagnosis, based on the presence of Dirofilaria repens in the specimen. Dirofilariasis prevalence is probably underestimated because of its non-specific clinical presentation. Breast locations are rare and frequently consist of tumors with benign features. Surgical resection confirms the diagnosis and is the only treatment.

Elastofibroma dorsi.

Elastofibromas are rare benign soft tissue tumours that are usually located between the scapula and the rib cage deep in the serratus anterior muscle. Their anatomical location, distinctive clinical symptoms and radiological characteristics set them apart from malignant soft tissue tumours. Although they are rare, it is necessary to be aware of this benign tumour to avoid unnecessary biopsies; surgical resection may, however, be recommended to obtain a differential diagnosis from malignant sarcomas. We report three cases of elastofibroma dorsi in a 48-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man.

[Sentinel node in breast cancer. Experience of the Salah-Azaïz Institute of Tunis]. / Le ganglion sentinelle dans le cancer du sein. Expérience de l'institut Salah-Azaïz de Tunis.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer screening increased the ratio of small tumours. These tumours have a low lymph node metastatic potential. Sentinel node detection allows detecting axillary lymph node invasion without the morbidity of complete axillary lymph node dissection. OBJECTIVES: In this study we report the results of the learning curve of sentinel node detection in the Institut Salah-Azaïz of Tunis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective study between January 2004 and December 2005 in which 115 patients were included with breast cancer less than 3 cm without antecedents of breast surgery. All these women had sentinel node dissection by a colorimetric method and 30% had a combined method (colorimetric and isotopic). RESULTS: The rate of detection was 97.3% (n = 112). An extemporaneous examination was performed in 91 patients. The rate of negative forgery of the extemporaneous examination was 4.3% and the sensitivity of 95.7%. There are no false positive with the extemporaneous exam. The sentinel lymph node was the only node invaded in 15 patients (44%). In 3 patients, the sentinel node was healthy whereas the axillary dissection was positive, so the false negative rate is about 2.6%. CONCLUSION: Sentinel node dissection is a reliable and feasible technique. It however requires a training of the surgeon, the pathologist and the nuclear doctor. It allows to reduce the morbidity of the treatment of the breast cancer by avoiding "useless" axillary dissection out in patients without node invasion. The increase in the number of the small cancers discovered during screening makes it possible to increase the number of patients who can profit from this technique.

Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: clinical and histological aspects.

According to the WHO-EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas, primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma are now well characterized. We report here a case of primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma in a 51 year-old man in which the diagnosis was made using both histology and immunopathology. The patient had no remarkable medical history, no history of either acute inflammation or insect bite, and presented with a 5 cm solitary asymptomatic erythematous firm, multinodular and infiltrated plaque on the back for 12 months. Histological examination and immunohistochemical study of a cutaneous biopsy provided a differential diagnosis between B cell lymphoma and lymphocytoma cutis. Full body work up revealed no signs of extracutaneous dissemination. The patient underwent surgical excision of the nodule. Histological examination showed a histological and immunophenotyping profile typical of primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. The lesion was completely excised with clear margins and no recurrence occurred after a 12 month-follow-up period. Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma are low-grade lymphomas that have an indolent course and a high tendency to recur. They should be differentiated from lymphocytoma cutis and from the other types of cutaneous B cell lymphomas that have a different course and prognosis.

[Typical medullary carcinoma of the breast: a retrospective study about 33 cases]. / Carcinome médullaire typique du sein : étude rétrospective à propos de 33 cas.

OBJECTIVE: Typical medullary carcinoma of the breast is a rare histological form of breast carcinoma. It represents less than 5% of all breast cancer. It is known for its favourable prognosis. Considering the rarity of the series we could retrieve, we aimed at underlining the particularities of this pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study about 33 cases of typical medullary carcinoma managed at the Salah-Azaïz Institute during a period of six years between 1994 and 1999. RESULTS: The mean age was 47.5 years. The left breast was concerned in about 55% of cases. Mean tumoral size was 46mm. Sixty-one percent of our patients were treated by radical surgery. Seventy-three percent undergo radiotherapy, 57% chemotherapy and 42% hormonotherapy. The five-year free-disease survival was about 85%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Typical medullary carcinoma of the breast is a rare histological form of breast carcinoma. Its treatment is similar to the other breast cancers. Our results agree with the different published studies and confirm its favourable prognosis.

[Necrotizing fasciitis complicating transthoracic biopsy]. / Fasciite nécrosante compliquant une ponction-biopsie transthoracique.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive and often fatal infection of the soft-tissue fascia deep to the skin but superficial to the muscles. We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior chest wall complicating a percutaneous needle biopsy. CASE: A 49-year-old diabetic patient, presented persistent excavated right pulmonary opacities. A percutaneous biopsy was obtained and complicated by a necrotizing fasciitis. The patient underwent surgery for total resection of the necrotic tissues followed by antibiotic treatment. Outcome was favorable after 30 days of antibiotic therapy. DISCUSSION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening complication of transthoracic percutaneous biopsy. Prognosis depends on rapid diagnosis and treatment.

[Secondary breast cancer after treatment for Hodgkin's disease. About seven cases]. / Cancer du sein secondaire après traitement pour maladie de Hodgkin. A propos de sept cas.

OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic results of Hodgkin disease (HD) have improved by the use of combined radio-chemotherapy. However, this association can increase the risk of on-term effects including secondary cancers. In a retrospective study, we collected secondary breast cancer (BC) in patients previously treated with chemoradiotherapy for Hodgkin disease at Salah-Azaïz institute of Tunis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1975 and 2003, seven patients (six women and one man) treated for HD subsequently developed BC. Mean age at diagnosis of HD was 21 years (12-29). The first treatment was combined chemotherapy (MOPP-ABVD) and radiotherapy for all patients. Radiotherapy was delivered with cobalt 60 with large fields. The median dose was 41.3 Gy (2 Gy/fraction in 6 patients and 3.3 Gy in one). RESULTS: The breast tumours occurred after a median delay of 204 months (132-276). According to the TNM classification, we showed two stage T2, one stage T3, two stage T4b and two stage T4d. The mean clinical size was 47 mm (25-80 mm). All patients had infiltrating carcinoma. Axillary node histological involvement was found in 6 cases. All patients were treated by mastectomy and chemotherapy. Only one patient had a locoregional irradiation. Median survival was 26.5 months (12-48). Four patients died and three are still alive at respectively 24, 31 and 144 months. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: According to the previous data, breast cancer represents 6.3 to 9% of all second cancers occurring after HD treatment. We conclude that especially young women and girls treated for HD should be carefully monitored. We suggest that secondary BC be sometimes treated by conservative radiosurgical approach.

[Benign schwannoma of the breast: about two cases]. / Schwannome mammaire bénin: à propos de deux cas.

Schwannoma is a rare nervous tumor developed on schwan cells. Only 22 cases of breast schwannoma have been published since 2005. It usually appears as a breast lump having clinical and radiological characteristics suggestive of kindness. Its diagnosis is histological. Its treatment is surgical. Through two observations and a review of the literature we would try to remind the characteristics of this tumor.

[Epidemiological features and complications of central venous catheters in pediatric oncology: prospective study about 125 cases]. / Profil épidémiologique et complications des voies veineuses centrales en oncologie pédiatrique: à propos de 125 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To report the indications and early and late catheter-related complications in a Tunisian unit of paediatric oncology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study has been performed in a paediatric oncology unit of the Salah Azaïz Institute between 1989 and 2005. It concerns 58 girls and 57 boys with a median age of 7.9 years(4 months to 18 years) treated for cancer disease predominantly lymphoma (22%), sarcoma (23.2%) or leukaemia (8.5%) proposed for insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC). RESULTS: Excluding 2 insertion failures (1.6%), we placed 123 CVC (double for 10 patients), 43 (35%) exteriorised (EC) and 80 (65%) connected to an implantable site (IS). Catheters were placed in the subclavian vein in 59.2% of cases vs 32% for internal jugular vein and 8.8% for femoral vein. Early complications included 15 cases of multiple punctures (12%), 4 cases of pneumothorax (3.2%) and 6 of arterial punctures (4.8%) originating a cervical subcutaneous haematoma in 1 patient (0.8%). Late complications were represented by infection in 7 cases (5.7%). We observed 2 cases of intracardiac catheter migration due to catheter disconnection from the IS (1.6%) and 2 cases of thrombosis (1.8%). The mean life of CVC was longer for IS (305.2 days) than for EC (64.4 days). CONCLUSION: Implantable sites are effective progress for venous access in children with cancer. They improved the quality of care in pediatric oncology.

[Mammary tuberculosis: a retrospective study of 65 cases]. / Tuberculose mammaire: étude rétrospective de 65 cas.

OBJECTIVES: Remember the clinical, morphologic and histological particularities of mammary tuberculosis. Discuss clinical and radiological diagnostic problems caused by this localization, as far as breast cancer is concerned. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study concerning 65 women suffering from mammary tuberculosis, diagnosed at Salah Azaiez Institute between January 1980 and December 2001. RESULTS: In this series, mammary tuberculosis represents 0.2% of the declared tubercular localizations and 0.3% of the mammary pathologies treated at the institute. The mean age of our patients was 36 years (19 to 79). Clinical findings were misleading. In 60% of cases the aspect was of a malignant tumor, in 24.6% of cases of a benign nodule and in 16.4% of cases of an abscess. The mammography concluded to a malignant lesion in 49% of cases. The fine needle aspiration achieved at 8 patients was negative in 6 cases and brought back the caseum in the 2 others. The diagnosis has been made, for all our patients, after histological study when we found typical tuberculosis lesions on pieces of tumorectomy, or biopsy. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was established; all patients had an anti-tuberculosis medical treatment in a department of infectious diseases out of the institute. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Clinical and radiological features of mammary tuberculosis are very confusing and cause a diagnostic problem with breast cancers. In front of symptoms evoking tuberculosis, biopsies must be done to eliminate an eventual cancer.

[Pelvic pseudotumoral actinomycosis with multisegmental lumbosacral root failure. A case report]. / Actinomycose pelvienne pseudotumorale avec atteinte multiradiculaire lombosacrée. A propos d'un cas.

We report a case of pseudotumoral pelvic actinomycosis with lumbosacral spinal involvement in a 21 year-old woman. The radiological work-up showed a pseudotumoral left ovarian lesion extended to sacral spine, which involved the fifth lumbar vertebra. Diagnosis of actinomycosis was established in histopathological examination of the tubo-ovarian mass under laparotomy. After four months of treatment with ofloxacin and rifampicin evolution was marked by improvement of general health and infection, associated to a progressive recovery of motricity of the lower limbs. Early diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis may prevent the occurrence of rare but severe neurological complications of this disease.