Allergic contact dermatitis associated with Biosyn suture in a patient with gastroesophageal junction cancer.

A PUBMED literature review revealed no reports of allergic contact dermatitis to Biosyn(™) suture material. We present the first case of such an allergic reaction. The case emphasizes the need to remember that suture material can occasionally elicit an allergic dermatitis which may increase the complications and morbidity associated with any surgical procedure.

Epistaxis secondary to panitumumab in a patient with colon cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) have become an integral part of therapy for many types of solid malignancy, including colorectal cancer. The drug class has proven to be effective without causing many of the side-effects associated with chemotherapy or other growth factor receptor inhibitors. Epistaxis, a common side-effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor inhibitors, is rarely noted with EGFRIs. We report on one patient, a 51-year-old man with metastatic colon cancer, who developed severe epistaxis with the use of panitumumab. We discuss the other reported cases of EGFRIs causing epistaxis and hypothesize on possible mechanisms by which this drug class might cause mucosal bleeding.

Pancreatic cancer and thromboembolism in the ambulatory community.

Pancreatic exocrine adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies associated with thromboembolism. The authors summarize the two abstracts (#368 and #273) presented at the 2012 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium which were focused on pancreatic thrombosis in ambulatory patients. In addition, they discuss the risk of thrombosis associated with malignancy, chemotherapy, and erythropoietin stimulating agents and the management and implications thereof.