Metachronous bilateral isolated adrenal metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma: a case report.

We report a case of adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer in a 54-year-old woman. Nine months after resection for advanced rectal carcinoma, a computed tomography scan revealed bilateral adrenal metastasis. The level of serum carcinoembryonic antigen was normal. A bilateral adrenalectomy was performed after chemotherapy. Histopathological examination showed adenocarcinoma, compatible with metastasis from the rectal cancer. Adrenal metastasis should be considered in the patients' follow-up for colorectal cancer.

Immunohistochemical expression of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and p53 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Moroccan experience.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor intimately associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). NPC is a characteristic tumor displaying epidemiological, genetic and regional distribution properties that makes it unique by its natural behavior. OBJECTIVES: To assess the expression pattern of LMP1 and p53 proteins in the different histological types of NPC in a sample of the Moroccan population and to define any association between the expression of those proteins with the sex, the age and the histological types of NPC. METHODS: Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NPC biopsies were evaluated in 23 Moroccan patients for the presence of LMP1 and p53 using immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: No LMP1 expression was observed whereas 8 of 23 cases (34. 7%) had detectable p53 protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. After statistical analysis according to the Fisher's exact probability test, no significant association between p53 expression and histological type, age and sex distributions was demonstrated (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that p53 overexpression is present in a subset of Moroccan NPC patients. Our results are consistent with those reported by other studies concerning the same NPC endemic risk area and provide original data concerning Morocco.

[Generalized chromomycosis caused by Phialophora verrucosa]. / Chromomycose cutanée diffuse àPhialophora verrucosa.

BACKGROUND: Chromomycosis is a chronic fungal skin infection that generally presents in the form of verrucous or vegetative lesions on uncovered areas of skin. We report an unusual case of generalised chromomycosis due to Phialophora verrucosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 42-year-old town-dwelling housewife was hospitalised for erythematous keratotic nodules on the arm showing sporotrichoid distribution, associated with a crusted ulcerative lesion on the homolateral index finger, as well as subcutaneous papulonodular lesions. In places, the lesions on the patient's back presented an umbilical and molluscoid appearance. The patient had suffered no previous injuries and had not visited any areas in which leishmaniasis is endemic. Her history included insulin-dependent diabetes. Screening for Leishman bodies was negative. Histopathological analysis of the skin biopsy revealed an epithelioid giant-cell granuloma with no caseous necrosis. The mycological study demonstrated the presence of fumagoid bodies and P. verrucosa was isolated. Treatment with terbinafine was initially given, followed by clarithromycin, but in the absence of any improvement, the patient was readmitted to hospital and is currently on itraconazole and amphotericin B. DISCUSSION: The novel features of our case comprise the clinical aspect of chromomycosis, the extent of the lesions, their unusual site on the back and upper limbs, and the isolation of a rare species, P. verrucosa (only the second observation in Morocco). It also highlights the therapeutic difficulties posed by this type of chromomycosis.

Colorectal cancer: comparison of clinicopathologic features between Moroccans patients less than 50 years old and older.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem. However, this cancer is usually developed on preexisting lesion. This makes this cancer accessible to a prevention strategy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients under 50 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 133 patients with colorectal cancer recruited in CHU Ibn-Rochd, Casablanca. Data relating age, sex, stage at presentation, histological type and tumor location were obtained from the pathological and clinical records of each patient. Statistical analysis was performed to compare clinicopathological data in patients under 50 years and in older patients. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The average age of patients was 54 years. The frequency of patients aged 50 or under was 40.6% The tumors in the youngest age group were more often mucinous and signet ring cells (18.5%) versus (5.1%) in the oldest age group. The right colon was more often affected in the youngest age group, 38.9% versus 17.7% in the oldest age group (P=0.008). CONCLUSION: The proposition of colorectal cancer in subjects 50 or under was high in Morocco. Colorectal cancers in the youngest age group were more often mucinous or signet ring cells and was more often located in the right colon. We intend to complete this study by a genetic study to help improve prevention and care of young patient.

[Familial histoid leprosy]. / Lèpre histoïde familiale.

BACKGROUND: Histoid leprosy is a very particular and rare anatomoclinical form of lepromatous leprosy. Familial cases are extremely rare. We report two new cases of histoid leprosy in a sister and brother born of a non-consanguineous marriage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the case of a sister and brother, aged 21 and 25 years respectively, who were admitted to the National Leprology Centre for multibacillary leprosy. Questioning revealed the existence of family contact with an uncle and two maternal cousins, all of whom had histoid leprosy. On clinical examination, multiple erythematous papules and nodules were noted, some of which were umbilicated while others were ulcerated. Palpation also revealed subcutaneous nodules on the thighs and forearms. No neurological disorders were found in the two patients. Histopathological analysis of cutaneous biopsy samples of nodular lesions for the two patients showed dermal-hypodermic nodular infiltrates comprising spindle cells with a few macrophages. Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed numerous alcohol-acid resistant bacilli (BAAR) without globi. Both patients were placed on the multi-drug regimen recommended by the WHO for multibacillary leprosy. An extremely favourable therapeutic response was obtained after 3 months of treatment. The patients had presented no relapse of erythema nodosum leprosum after two years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Histoid leprosy is a clinical entity that must be clearly differentiated through its clinical and histopathological features, which distinguish it from polar lepromatous leprosy. There may be a genetic predisposition to this clinical leprosy form, but this requires confirmation by genetic studies.

[Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis with favorable outcome with medical treatment]. / Mastite granulomateuse idiopathique d'évolution favorable sous traitement médical.

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare inflammatory disorder. Its etiology remains unknown. We report a 42-year-old female who presented with an idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Outcome was favourable with corticosteroids. The disease course of this entity is unpredictable and a consensual treatment is difficult.

[Malignant pilomatrixoma of head and neck. A case report]. / Le pilomatricome malin cervical métastatique : à propos d'un cas.

We report the case of a 66-year-old patient with a pilomatrix carcinoma from the right submandibular region with pulmonary and cerebral metastases. The histological confirmation of the diagnosis has been based on the biopsy of the submandibular tumefaction which was rapidly growing. We tried at first a doxorubicine and cisplatine chemotherapy because of the considerable locoregional extension and the existence of pulmonary metastases. The patient response to three cures of chemotherapy was spectacular with a partial clinical response (75%) and a partially cleaned-up chest observed in the radiological evaluation. In the 5th cycle of chemotherapy following the same protocol, the patient presented a relapse with cerebral metastases. The patient received hypofractionated radiotherapy on the brain followed by etoposide and cisplatine chemotherapy, then oral vinorelbine. The patient died of progressive disease after 32 weeks.

[Neuroendocrine carcinoma with large cells of the breast: case report and review of the literature]. / Carcinome neuroendocrine à grandes cellules du sein : à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma with large cells is a slightly different tumor from the high rank of malignity. We report a case of breast localization in a 28-year-old patient. It is a locally advanced classified T4dN1M0 tumor that required neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The clinical answer was 75% of the level of the tumor. A standard surgery mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection was realized, followed by external radiotherapy. The anatomopathologic and the immuno-histochemical study of the operational part confirmed the diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma with large cells expressing the progesterone receptor. The patient is subjected to adjuvant hormonal treatment. After a 12 months retreat, a complete remission is maintained. Considering the scarcity of neuroendocrine carcinoma with large cells of the breast, the therapeutic standard is not yet available and the forecast remains difficult to determine.

[Soft-tissue chondroma of the hand. A new case]. / Chondrome des parties molles de la main. Un nouveau cas.

The authors report the case of a multilocular tumour of the soft tissues of the hand and wrist which was removed by excision biopsy and which proved to be a chondroma arising from the soft tissues. Soft tissue chondromas consist of islands of heterotopic cartilaginous tissue and can equally affect the viscera as well as the limbs. The hypothesis that microtrauma is involved in the aetiology of this condition has yet to find any factual support. Simple excision-biopsy should suffice to treat the condition but care should be taken to make the excision complete if recurrences are to be avoided.

[Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumors: US and CT features]. / Tumeur desmoplastique intra-abdominale à petites cellules rondes: aspects échographique et tomodensitométrique.

Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor is an extremely rare entity with poor prognosis. The authors report a case of intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor and describe the imaging and pathologic features of the tumor.

[Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix uteri: apropos of 1 case with review of the literature]. / Mélanome malin primitif du col utérin: à propos d'un cas avec revue de la littérature.

The authors report a case of malignant melanoma of the cervix uteri diagnosed in a young 35-year-old patient. Isolated genital bleeding was the beginning symptom. The physical exam showed a cervical dark tumor, with extension into the vagina (superior third), the parametrium was free. Cervical biopsy concluded to a malignant melanoma. No other abnormalities were observed and the tumor was classed stage IIA-FIGO. A total hysterectomy with bilateral annexectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. In the way, the patient died after ten months by local and general recurrence. Primitive malignant melanoma of the cervix uteri is rare. Only 39 cases are reported in literature at this day. It is usually initially misdiagnosed mainly in the achromic forms, then the immuno-histochemical study is useful. Its treatment is not well codified and its histogenesis was controversial for a long time.