Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following carboplatin and paclitaxel in cervical cancer: Case report.

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy is a rare radio-clinical entity that has gained increasing recognition over the last two decades. It is associated with various etiologies: arterial hypertension, autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy, and immunosuppressive drugs. Several cases have already been reported following cancer therapy. Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy is characterized by capital clinical signs (headache, seizures, confusional syndrome, and visual disorders) and radiological abnormalities (cerebral edema predominantly in the posterior regions). We report the case of a 38-year-old female patient diagnosed with posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy after receiving Carboplatin and Paclitaxel chemotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer, which was revealed by a generalized seizure. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed T2 Flair hyper signals in the parieto-occipital regions. This complication is rare but is probably underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and limited hindsight. Rapid diagnosis is essential to prevent acute neurological complications, which can be life-threatening or functionally crippling regardless of neoplasia.

[Which chemotherapy regimen in patients with metastatic phyllodes tumors of the breast? case report]. / Quelle chimiothérapie dans les tumeurs phyllodes métastatiques du sein? rapport de cas.

Phyllodes tumors (PT) of the breast are rare. They can be benign, borderline or malignant. Malignant forms account for 20-30% of PTs, with distant metastases in 10-26% of cases. Chemotherapy is one of the main therapeutic weapons for metastatic phyllodes tumors (MPTs). We here report four cases of MPTs of the breast managed at The Mohammed VI Center For Cancers Treatment in Casablanca from January 2015 to December 2017. The average age of patients ranged from 25 to 45 years. The mode of revelation was represented, in the majority of cases, by the occurrence of a huge breast mass and in all patients the histological diagnosis was based on the examination of mastectomy specimen. Three patients had lung metastases, two had axillary lymph-node metastases, two had bone metastases and only one had liver metastases. All patients received chemotherapy. Doxorubicin monotherapy and doxorubicin-ifosfamide (AI) were used. Only one patient had a very favorable outcome, with radiologic complete response after 3 AI regimens. MPTs of the breast have a poor prognosis. The role of systemic chemotherapy is to be defined, especially since there are no data available on optimal chemotherapy regimen.

A Huge Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule From Signet Ring Cell Gastric Carcinoma Showing Good Response to FOLFOX-Based Chemotherapy Regimen.

Metastatic involvement of the umbilicus as a result of a visceral carcinoma is a rare entity known as Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN). The most common primary sites are the gastrointestinal and gynecological tract. The occurrence of SMJN is commonly associated with advanced peritoneal disease and poor prognosis. The average survival time at the appearance of an umbilical metastasis is estimated at 10 months, and only 13% of patient will be alive at 2 years. Treatment usually involves systemic chemotherapy and palliative care, but the possibility of surgical resection should be considered especially if good response to systemic treatment is achieved in selected patients to maintain or to improve the quality of life. We describe here an unusual case of a 60-year-old man referred with enlarging umbilical lesion, identified as SMJN, that was metastasized from advanced signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach with generalized peritoneal carcinomatosis. The nodule had rapid progression, and in a few days had reached 15 cm. Chemotherapy was started immediately and patient achieved good clinical and radiological response. A resection of the umbilical nodule was discussed but the patient unfortunately died following a massive pulmonary embolism. This case is unique in view of the unusual size of the SMJN in our patient and the good response to chemotherapy. We present this case to increase physician's awareness for careful evaluation of the umbilical area and encourage them to look for a primary digestive tumor if an umbilical nodule is observed. Therapeutic response to primary chemotherapy may encourage a multimodal approach allowing resectability of the metastatic umbilical nodule.

Cancer management challenge in a developing country in COVID-19 pandemic: reflection of a group of Moroccan oncologists.

Management of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide challenge - in particular in developing countries where the risk of saturation of health facilities and intensive care beds must be minimized. The first case of COVID-19 was declared in Morocco on 2 March 2020, after which a panel of Moroccan experts, consisting of medical oncologists from universities and regional and private oncology centers, was promptly assembled to conduct a group reflection on cancer patient's management. The main objective is to protect the immunocompromised population from the risk of COVID-19, while maintaining an adequate management of cancer, which can quickly compromise their prognosis. Recommendations are provided according to each clinical situation: patients undergoing treatment, new cases, hospitalized patients, palliative care and surveillance.

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine carcinomas mainly affect the bronchopulmonary and the gastrointestinal systems. Breast localizations are very rare. They represent less than 0.1% of all breast cancers. A definitive diagnosis relies on histological and immunohistochemical examinations. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 We report a case of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in a 71-year-old Arabic woman who presented with a 3 cm palpable and mobile tumor of the right breast. Clinical and radiological assessment excluded any other primary tumor. Radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node resection were performed. A histopathological examination disclosed the diagnosis of primary breast neuroendocrine tumors, with negative surgical margins and lymph nodes (18 N-/18 N). The tumor cells were positive for neuroendocrine markers, a weak Ki-67 proliferation index and negative Her2/neu. Our patient received adjuvant hormonal treatment with anti-aromatase for 21 months. She is on regular follow-up, and she remains free of disease to date. Case 2 A 48-year-old Arabic woman consulted for a right breast nodule. She underwent lumpectomy with right axillary lymphadenectomy. The diagnosis was breast neuroendocrine tumor. Systemic treatment was proposed, but she was lost to follow-up. She consulted 1 year later for a mass in the same breast. A histological and immunohistochemical examination of a mammary biopsy was consistent with a recurrence of the previous neuroendocrine tumor. A radiological assessment showed a large mass in her right breast, ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathies, and hepatic and pulmonary metastases. She received first-line metastatic chemotherapy, with good clinical and radiological improvement. She refused the mastectomy and was given hormone therapy. One year later, the tumor expanded clinically and radiologically, and she underwent second-line metastatic chemotherapy, with good clinical progress and radiological stability, and she then underwent maintenance hormonal therapy. CONCLUSION: Due to the rarity of primary breast neuroendocrine tumors, no standard therapy exists and the prognosis remains difficult to determine. Studies, including larger series, are needed in order to understand the biological behavior of these tumors.

AROME-ESO Oncology Consensus Conference: access to cancer care innovations in countries with limited resources. Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology of the Mediterranean Area (AROME-Paris) and European School of Oncology (ESO - Milan).

PURPOSE: Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Its incidence is still increasing, particularly in developing countries. Recent progresses further strengthen the differences between low/middle and high-income countries. This situation calls for joint action to reduce inequities in cancer outcomes among the patients. The Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology of the Mediterranean Area (AROME) and the European School of Oncology (ESO), have initiated joint conferences devoted to access to innovations in oncology in the Mediterranean area. The heterogeneity of the economic, political and cultural situations of the different participating countries, offers the opportunity to develop consensus conference. METHODS: Cancer prevention and treatment strategies were discussed according to existing international guidelines. The Scientific committee prepared 111 questions with an objective to prioritize the access to treatments and innovations in low/middle-income Mediterranean countries. The results from the votes of 65 oncology experts, coming from 16 countries and 33 institutions have been analysed and access priorities classified accordingly. RESULTS: Ninety six percent of the proposed general recommendations concerning national health care strategies, oncology education, and treatment organization were considered to be high priorities. Regarding access to systemic treatments, 41% of the drugs without validated predictive markers and 53% of those with validated predictive markers were considered to be 1st level priority. Only 4 biological tests were considered to be 1st level priority to access to innovation. CONCLUSIONS: AROME-ESO consensus offers to cancer specialists from developing countries a basis for discussion with health authorities and payers on the prioritization of access to innovations in cancer care.

Male breast cancer: a report of 127 cases at a Moroccan institution.

BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease representing less than 1% of all malignancies in men and only 1% of all incident breast cancers. Our study details clinico-pathological features, treatments and prognostic factors in a large Moroccan cohort. FINDINGS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were collected from 1985 to 2007 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat, Morocco.Median age was 62 years and median time for consultation 28 months. The main clinical complaint was a mass beneath the areola in 93, 5% of the cases. Most patients have an advanced disease. Ninety-one percent of tumors were ductal carcinomas.Management consisted especially of radical mastectomy; followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and hormonal therapy with or without chemotherapy. The median of follow-up was 30 months. The evolution has been characterized by local recurrence; in twenty two cases (17% of all patients). Metastasis occurred in 41 cases (32% of all patients). The site of metastasis was the bone in twenty cases; lung in twelve cases; liver in seven case; liver and skin in one case and pleura and skin in one case. CONCLUSION: Male breast cancer has many similarities to breast cancer in women, but there are distinct features that should be appreciated. Future research for better understanding of this disease at national or international level are needed to improve the management and prognosis of male patients.