[Extraskeletal retroperitoneal osteosarcoma. A case report and review of the literature]. / Osteosarcoma extrascheletrico retroperitoneale. Presentazione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

Extraskeletal osteosarcomas, localized in the retroperitoneal space, are very rare neoplasms (only 200 cases have been described); the case indicated is the second one observed in Literature. The extraskeletal osteosarcomas are very malignant mesenchymal neoplasms reproducing osseous and cartilaginous tissue disconnected from the skeletal system. From a histological point of view, the extraskeletal osteosarcomas are constituted of osseous and cartilaginous tissue with osteo-fibro-chondroblastic cells: the different representation of three types of cells define the variety of extraskeletal osteosarcomas (osteoblastic, chondroblastic, fibroblastic). Histological and ultrastructural study failed to find differences between skeletal and extraskeletal osteosarcomas. In the clinical history of some patients traumas or irradiation has been referred; although extraskeletal osteosarcomas etiology is frequently unknown. Diagnosis is generally delayed because symptoms are often absent of uncertain. Prognosis of these neoplasms is always very poor, and specially in relation to the dimension and to the possibility of its radical removal. All patients died until 2-3 years after surgery.

[Endobronchial lipoma: endoscopic resection or surgical excision? Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Lipoma endobronchiale: resezione endoscopica o exeresi chirurgica? Descrizione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

The Authors report a case of endobronchial lipoma, a rare, benign lung lesion. Literature data show that a correct preoperative diagnosis of nature is possible in less than 50% of all the cases and a thoracotomy is mandatory in 85% of the patients because FNAB or brushing rarely allow a certain cytological diagnosis. When a benign tumor is suspected, an endobronchial resection is the treatment of choice, allowing a correct histological diagnosis and in the same time a definitive therapy with resolution of symptoms. Surgical option is reserved for the not certainly determined benign or malignant lesions.

Thoracic desmoid tumors: a rare evolution of rib fracture. Etiopathogenesis and therapeutic considerations.

The Authors report a case of thoracic desmoid tumor. The strict correlation between a previous chest injury and the site of desmoid tumor in this patient seems to strengthen the possible etiological role of trauma, as already suggested.

[Treatment of differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid and its limitations]. / Il trattamento dei carcinomi differenziati della tiroide ed i suoi limiti.

The Authors report their experience in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with extrathyroidal extension including nodal and distant metastases. Twelve patients were included in the review: 11 of them were previously and elsewhere considered not curable. On the contrary, integrated treatment (surgery, radioiodine and radiation therapy) allowed to control the disease in 10 patients with a survival ranging from 14 years to 29 months. Cytopathologic analysis, in the two patients who died, showed a differentiated thyroid cancer with anaplastic areas. Integrated treatment, therefore, represents the treatment of choice for advanced DTC only in total absence of anaplastic cells.