Plasmablastic Lymphoma of the Endometrium: A Rare Site for Primary Presentation.

Global incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is 3% of which 1% occurs in extranodal lymphoma. Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and aggressive variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is usually seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. PBL occurring in extranodal site, particularly female genital tract, is very rare, and only few case reports have been reported. Here, we report a unique rare case of uterine PBL in an HIV/Epstein-Barr virus-negative patient that was initially diagnosed as endometrioid carcinoma.

The dogma of Cetuximab and Radiotherapy in head and neck cancer - A dawn to dusk journey.

Since the introduction of Cetuximab as a biological molecule against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), its use in the cancers of head and neck region is widely explored. With the recognition that EGFR expression is associated with radioresistance and poor prognosis, incorporation of an anti-EGFR agent along with Radiotherapy (RT) is a logical and attractive option. Cetuximab in combination with RT as Bio-Radiotherapy (BRT) is considered one of the standard treatment modalities in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancers (LA-HNSCC). Many important phase-III clinical trials were undertaken simultaneously, where the use of Cetuximab BRT was tested in various clinical scenarios with different hypothesis. With the studies still ongoing and the results awaited, its use was continued in clinical practice. Today the results are out and definitely not encouraging. After the initial success, Cetuximab has miserably failed to win over cisplatin based chemoradiation which is the current standard of care in LA-HNSCC. Hence, it is the need of the hour to re-evaluate and define the present role of Cetuximab in the definitive management of LA-HNSCC in the light of the latest clinical evidence..

Drug-induced Capillary Leak Syndrome.

Capillary leak syndrome is a disease with a high mortality rate. Its signs and symptoms are nonspecific. Generalized edema, hypotension, hypoproteinemia, and hemoconcentration are the characteristics of capillary leak syndrome. Here we report three cases of capillary leak syndrome developed after being treated with gemcitabine and paclitaxel. Immediate treatment with corticosteroids may be life-saving.

Concurrent Weekly Cisplatin and Simultaneous Integrated Boost-IMRT in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma-An Institutional Experience.

Introduction Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) is widely practiced in India. Radiation with simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) has the advantage of executing IMRT in single phase with better dose distribution. Material and Methods 150 patients with LA-HNSCC treated between April 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received 70Gy in 33 to 35 fractions with SIB-IMRT and concurrent weekly cisplatin at a dose of 40 mg/m 2 . Treatment compliance and toxicities were assessed. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates; univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were also evaluated. Results Median age was 58.5 years. Forty-five percent had primary oropharyngeal cancer. Sixty-two percent had T3 disease, 41% had N2 disease, and 51% had stage IV disease. All patients received 70Gy dose of RT. Median chemotherapy cycles were six, 84.7% received 200 mg/m 2 . Acute grade 2 xerostomia was seen in 79%, grade 3 neutropenia, mucositis and pharyngitis were seen in 11, 15, and 21%, respectively. Complete response was seen in 66.6%. At median follow-up of 21.4 months (3-71) OS was 60% and median OS was 33.2 months. Estimated 2 and 3 year OS was 56 and 48%. On univariate analysis, absence of node, N0-N1, stage III, cisplatin use, dose per fraction 2.12Gy ,and complete response showed good OS ( p <0.05). On multivariate analysis dose per fraction 2.12Gy and complete response showed good OS ( p <0.05). Conclusion Definitive chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin and SIB-IMRT in LA-HNSCC is well tolerated with good clinical outcomes.

Imatinib Mesylate Induced Erythroderma.

Imatinib, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a new anticancer agent, which has shown excellent efficacy in managing chronic myeloid leukemia. It is well tolerated with few side effects. Commonest adverse events are maculopapular eruptions and periorbital edema were reported. Severe adverse reactions are seen in 5% of patients. Exfoliative dermatitis has been very rarely reported with this drug. We report a case of a 55-year-old female who initially presented with a maculopapular rash and developed erythroderma on continuation of the drug.

Systemic therapy in head and neck cancer: changing paradigm.

Head and neck cancers comprise a heterogenous group of cancers that require a multidisciplinary approach. Last few decades have seen an increasing role of chemotherapy with intent of treatment shifting from palliation to cure. We performed a thorough search online and offline for all relevant articles of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer. Cancers of nasopharynx and salivary glands were excluded.

Chronic myeloid leukemia in children and adolescents: results of treatment with imatinib mesylate.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare disease in children, accounting for 2-3% of leukemias in this age group. Few studies have reported on efficacy of imatinib in childhood CML. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of imatinib in children. A total of 43 patients from age 7 years to 20 years with newly diagnosed CML received imatinib daily at 260 mg/m(2). Response rates, survival and toxicity were evaluated. The median follow-up was 43 months. All patients achieved a complete hematological response. Twenty-five (58.1%) patients achieved a complete cytogenetic response and 18 (41.9%) achieved a major molecular response at any time during their follow-up period. Both overall survival and progression-free survival at 43 months' median follow-up were 100%. Event-free survival was 92.8%. Imatinib was well tolerated. We conclude that imatinib is effective in children and adolescents with CML.

Systemic therapy in soft tissue sarcomas: past, present and future.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) comprise 1% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide with more than 40 different histological subtypes each with distinct underlying biology, natural history and response to treatment. Due to the differential chemosensitivity it is imperative to have a correct histological diagnosis for optimal treatment of these patients. Even though surgery remains the primary modality of treatment there is increasing specialization of chemotherapy with respect to histological subtype. In general there is no place for "one size fits all strategy". To correctly define the role of chemotherapy, an extensive search was carried out online and offline for all relevant articles concerning chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma. This review aims to discuss the evolution of chemotherapy, its present role in neoadjuvant, adjuvant, metastatic settings and exciting trends with the advent of targeted therapies.