The phenomenon of spontaneous tumor regression in breast cancer.

Spontaneous tumor regression is an increasingly prevalent phenomenon of partial or complete disappearance of primary tumor tissue or associated metastases in the absence of therapeutic intervention. Cases of spontaneous regression have been established in malignant tumors, such as testicular germ cell tumor, renal cell cancer, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, neuroblastoma, colon cancer, breast cancer, as well as metastases. Breast cancer has increasingly been reported to have a higher rate of spontaneous regression than previously thought. Immunologic response is cited as the forefront of spontaneous regression phenomenon, with the focus on immunologic cell death. This report brings awareness to a case of spontaneous regression observed in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and how disruption of the tumor microenvironment can take a variable course even in malignant disease.

Renal cell carcinoma: a review of biology and pathophysiology.

Over the past decade, our understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has improved significantly. Insight into the disease process has helped us in developing newer therapeutic approaches toward RCC. In this article, we review the various genetic and immune-related mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and development of this cancer and how that knowledge is being used to develop therapeutic targeted drugs for the treatment of RCC. The main emphasis of this review article is on the most common genetic alterations found in clear cell RCC and how various drugs are currently targeting such pathways. This article also looks at the role of the immune system in allowing the growth of RCC and how the immune system can be manipulated to reactivate cytotoxic immunity against RCC.

Analyzing Relationship Between Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) with Different Types of Neuropathy: An Observational Study.

To analyze multiple variables, including immunoglobulin subtypes in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and different types of neuropathy. This was a retrospective, single center study done in a tertiary care hospital in the United States. The data was collected for years 2001-2011. Inclusion criteria were the presence of MGUS and neuropathy. Exclusion criteria were the presence of other factors such as diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcoholism etc. which can cause neuropathy. Patients with IgM MGUS were compared with patients having Non-IgM MGUS. A total of 281 patients were analyzed in this study. The average age at the time of diagnosis of MGUS and neuropathy was 68 years. The most common type of neuropathy was sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy (46 %). The most common location of neuropathy was the lower extremities (68 %). Among our patients, 52 % had their neuropathy symptoms for 1-5 years before presenting to the clinic. When IgM MGUS was compared with Non-IgM MGUS, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of race (White vs. Others, OR 4.43, 95 % CI 2.13, 9.19, p < 0.001) and survival status (OR 1.98, 95 % CI 1.01, 3.90, p = 0.046). Patients with MGUS are prone to develop different types of neuropathies. Caucasians are more likely to have IgM MGUS as compared to other races. IgM MGUS is generally related to worse outcomes as compared to Non-IgM MGUS. Medical therapies, including gabapentin and pregabalin are effective treatments and the response rate can be as high as 80-90 % with these medications.

Warfarin Dosing and Time Required to Reach Therapeutic International Normalized Ratio in Patients with Hypercoagulable Conditions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the difference in duration of anticoagulation and dose of warfarin required to reach a therapeutic international normalized ratio [(INR) of 2 to 3] in patients with hypercoagulable conditions as compared to controls. To our knowledge, this study is the first in the literature to delineate such a difference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed in a tertiary care hospital. The total study population was 622. Cases (n=125) were patients with a diagnosis of a hypercoagulable syndrome who developed venous thromboembolism. Controls (n=497) were patients with a diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in the absence of a hypercoagulable syndrome and were matched for age, sex, and race. RESULTS: The total dose of warfarin required to reach therapeutic INR in cases was higher (50.7±17.6 mg) as compared to controls (41.2±17.7 mg). The total number of days required to reach therapeutic INR in cases was 8.9±3.5 days as compared to controls (6.8±2.9 days). Both of these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with hypercoagulable conditions require approximately 10 mg of additional total warfarin dose and also require, on average, 2 extra days to reach therapeutic INR as compared to controls.

Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Glioblastoma.

To evaluate different risk factors associated with development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with Glioblastoma (GBM). A retrospective chart review was performed to include patients diagnosed with GBM from 2001 to 2011. Cases (n = 162) were defined as patients with GBM who developed VTE after diagnosis of GBM. Controls (n = 840) were defined as patients with GBM with no history of VTE. Data was collected for multiple variables including age, gender, race, length of hospital stay after brain biopsy, total number of hospital admissions unrelated to VTE, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), use of Bevacizumab and any bleeding episodes. Patients with GBM who had VTE had poorer KPS scores, with the majority (57%) being in between 40 and 70, as compared to the controls where majority (82%) had better performance (KPS 80-100). For every one year increase in age, the odds of developing VTE increased by 3% (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.04, p < 0.001) with the mean age being 61.8 ± 11.4 years. GBM patients who developed a VTE were found to have greater number of hospital admissions (OR 1.43, 95%CI 1.33-1.53, p < 0.001) and longer stays in hospital after GBM biopsy (OR 1.14, 95%CI 1.09-1.18, p < 0.001). Patients receiving Bevacizumab were more likely to develop VTE (OR 1.79, 95%CI 1.21-2.64, p < 0.001) and were more likely to have a bleed (OR 3.78, 95% CI 2.70-5.30, p < 0.001). Patients with GBM are at a higher risk of developing VTE. The risk is higher in older patients who require multiple hospital admissions, longer duration of hospital stays related to GBM biopsy, and in patients with lower KPS scores. Bevacizumab use is related to a higher incidence of VTE as well as bleeds. This study suggests that a more aggressive strategy for VTE prophylaxis should be considered in GBM patients with risk factors for VTE.

A Rare Case of Erdheim-Chester Disease and Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Overlap Syndrome.

A 48-year-old woman with a past medical history of seizures and end-stage renal disease secondary to obstructive uropathy from retroperitoneal fibrosis presented to the emergency department with seizures and altered mental status. A Glasgow Coma Scale of 4 prompted intubation, and she was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed to elucidate the aetiology of her seizure showed a dural-based mass within the left temporoparietal lobe as well as mass lesions within the orbits. Further imaging showed extensive retroperitoneal fibrosis extending to the mediastinum with involvement of aorta and posterior pleural space. Imaging of the long bones showed bilateral sclerosis and cortical thickening of the diaphyses. Imaging of the maxillofacial structures showed osseous destructive lesions involving the mandible. These clinical and radiological features were consistent with a diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease; however, the patient's skin biopsy was consistent with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

A Rare Case of Metastatic Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour: Diagnosis and Management.

A 26-year-old male without any significant past medical history presented to the hospital with shortness of breath, cough, pleuritic chest pain, and weight loss for the past 3 months. On chest CT, he was found to have extensive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and multiple pulmonary nodules. On physical examination, a right groin mass was noted which had been slowly growing for the past 2 years. Ultrasound of the groin showed complex solid mass with internal vascular channels. CT guided biopsy of the mass showed desmoplastic small round cell tumour. His hospital course was complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure requiring emergent intubation and ICU admission where he completed one cycle of vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin with subsequent improvement, followed by extubation. His condition continued to improve after second cycle of chemotherapy and he was ultimately discharged in a stable condition to continue outpatient chemotherapy after a 2-month inpatient stay.

Leukaemia cutis after starting bendamustine: cause or coincidence?

A 55-year-old man with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia presented with diffuse skin lesions that began 1 week after starting a new chemotherapy regimen with bendamustine and rituximab. The lesions appeared as erythematous papules that were neither itchy nor tender, and did not blanch with pressure. Initially, they began on his scalp and flanks and, over the next few days, spread diffusely throughout his body, becoming darker in colour. Skin biopsy showed atypical clonal B-cell proliferation in a perivascular, periadnexal and dermal band-like distribution, which was further characterised by immunohistochemical evaluation. These findings were suggestive of leukaemia cutis and consistent with the patient's chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which was previously confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. The bendamustine was stopped and the patient's chemotherapy regimen was switched to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab. Shortly thereafter, the leukaemia cutis regressed significantly.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: an arcane pathology of cavernous venous sinus.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, an idiopathic granulomatous inflammation of the cavernous sinus, is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion. The majority of patients present with unilateral orbital pain and features suggestive of paralysis of one or more of the cranial nerves passing through the cavernous sinus and/or superior orbital fissure. MRI of the head may show unilateral enhancement of the cavernous sinus and orbital apex. Treatment is with high-dose intravenous steroids followed by tapering oral steroids. Rapid amelioration of pain within 24-48 h supports this rare diagnosis. Resolution of neuropathies may take longer. We describe a case of a young man who presented with left periorbital pain, complete ophthalmoplaegia and ptosis of the left eye. MRI showed enhancement of the left cavernous sinus and orbital apex. High dose steroids led to complete resolution of pain, while ptosis and ophthalmoplaegia improved gradually.

VZV encephalitis following successful treatment of CMV infection in a patient with kidney transplant.

A 73-year-old woman with a history of deceased donor kidney transplantation and a recent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, presented to the emergency department with an altered mental status. She was found to have varicella zoster virus VZV encephalitis based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and was treated successfully with intravenous valaciclovir with an improvement in her mental status. A review of the literature shows very few case reports on patients with kidney transplantation developing VZV encephalitis. A few case reports and studies report an association between CMV and VZV infection. In these patients, CMV infection can cause a marked decline in immunity and this predisposes them to other infections. Such associations have also been reported between other types of virus infections from the Herpesviridae family. The risk of disseminated VZV infection increases in the presence of CMV infection.