Bailong Liu

Human immunodeficiency virus-negative plasmablastic lymphoma: a comprehensive analysis of 114 cases.

Human immunodeficiency virus-negative plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an extremely rare entity. Its clinicopathological features, optimal treatment strategy and prognostic factors remain obsure. An extensive search was performed in the English language literature within the Pubmed database using the key words: ‘plasmablastic lymphoma and human immunodeficiency virus-negative or immunocompetent’. Data from 114 patients from 52 articles were analyzed. The mean patient age at diagnosis was 58.90 years (range, 2–86). HIV-negative PBL showed a predilection for elderly individuals (patients older than 60 years, 56.14%) and affected more males than females (M:F, 2.29:1). Ann Arbor stage IV patients accounted for 39.22% while bone marrow involvement was less frequent (12.79%). The Ki-67 index was high with a mean expression of 83%. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was common being positive in 58.70% of the patients while herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection was rare being positive in only 7.55% of the patients. Immunosuppression was noted in 28.16% of patients. The median overall survival (OS) was 19 months. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 52.3 and 45.3%, respectively. Age, gender and primary site showed no strong relationship with OS while Immunosuppression, Ann Arbor stage IV and EBV negativity were able to predict a poorer OS. Either complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) was superior to the refractory group in OS (P<0.0001 and P=0.0066, respectively). For stage I patients, the application of radiotherapy did not improve the OS. In conclusion, HIV-negative PBL is a distinct entity likely occurring in elderly and immunosuppressed individuals. Immunosuppression status, Ann Arbor stage IV, EBV negativity and refractory to treatment are poor prognostic factors of OS in HIV-negative PBL.

Primary bone lymphoma of the left radius: a case report and related literature review

Primary bone lymphoma (PBL) is a rare but distinct clinicopathological disease. Because it is not common, the optimal treatment strategy has not been established. Here, we present a patient with PBL of the left radius and review the related literature. We focus on the standard treatment for PBL. Many aspects such as rehabilitation, local control and overall survival need to be considered. Studies on this disease should be carried out to clarify the optimal treatment in the future.

Dosimetric Comparative Study of 3 Different Postoperative Radiotherapy Techniques (3D-CRT, IMRT, and RapidArc) for II–III Stage Rectal Cancer

AbstractPostoperative radiotherapy is critical for reducing local relapse for advanced rectal carcinoma but has many side effects. Our study compared the dose distribution of target volumes, protection of normal organs at risk (OAR), and monitor unit (MU) for 3 radiotherapy techniques (3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy [3D-CRT], intensity-modulated radiation therapy [IMRT], and RapidArc (Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA)). The results advocate for the clinical application of RapidArc technique in the future.Thirty postoperative patients with rectal cancer were enrolled. The 3 radiotherapy plans mentioned above were designed for each patient. The target volume coverage indicators included average dose, conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI) of planning tumor volume (PTV). OAR included the bladder, small intestine, colon, and bilateral proximal femurs. The 30 patients were divided into 3 groups (10 cases in each group) for postoperative radiotherapy with the 3D-CRT, IMRT, or RapidArc technique, respectively.Both the IMRT and RapidArc plans have a significantly higher average PTV dose and better CI and HI (P < 0.01) than 3D-CRT. IMRT and RapidArc result in significantly lower doses of irradiation for all the OAR examined. Both the IMRT and RapidArc plans have a significantly lower V40 of the bladder, small intestine, and colon than 3D-CRT (P < 0.01). The IMRT and RapidArc plans can also reduce the maximum dose (Dmax) for the left proximal femur, V30, and V40 of bilateral proximal femurs compared with 3D-CRT (P < 0.01). Compared with IMRT, RapidArc can further reduce the Dmax of the small intestine, the Dmax and V30 of the bilateral proximal femurs, and the V40 of the right proximal femur (P < 0.01). RapidArc reduces MU remarkably compared with IMRT (P < 0.01). Regarding acute side effects, IMRT and RapidArc can greatly reduce the incidence of grade 3 radiation-induced cystitis and grade 2 enteritis.Both IMRT and RapidArc are better than 3D-CRT regarding PTV coverage and OAR protection. Furthermore, RapidArc is superior to IMRT regarding protection of the small intestine and bilateral proximal femurs and requires a reduced treatment time. RapidArc could be widely applied for postoperative radiotherapy for patients with &Igr;&Igr;–&Igr;&Igr;&Igr; stage rectal cancer.

Recurrent intrathoracic solitary fibrous tumor: Remarkable response to radiotherapy

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura (SFTP) is an uncommon neoplasm which grows slowly. For some cases, surgery is warranted. However, for unresectable ones, the standard strategy has not been established yet. We presented a rare case of recurrent malignant intrathoracic solitary fibrous tumor. It was impossible to resect the tumor. Radiotherapy alone achieved a significant improvement effect.

Cutaneous metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma.

AIM To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of cutaneous metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma by a retrospective analysis of published cases. METHODS An extensive search was conducted in the English literature within the PubMed database using the following keywords: cutaneous metastasis or skin metastasis and cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct. The data of 30 patients from 21 articles from 1978 to 2014 were analyzed. Patient data retrieved from the articles included the following: age, gender, time cutaneous metastasis occurred, number of cutaneous metastases throughout life, sites of initial cutaneous metastasis, anatomic site, pathology and differentiation of cholangiocarcinoma, and immunohistochemical results of the cutaneous metastasis. The assessment of overall survival after cutaneous metastasis (OSCM) was the primary endpoint. RESULTS The median age at diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma was 60.0 years (range: 35-77). This metastasis showed a predilection towards males, with a male to female ratio of 3.29. In 8 cases (27.6%), skin metastasis was the first sign of cholangiocarcinoma. Additionally, 18 cases (60.0%) manifested single cutaneous metastasis, while 12 cases (40.0%) demonstrated multiple skin metastases. In 50.0% of patients, the metastasis occurred in the drainage region, while 50.0% of patients had distant cutaneous metastases. The scalp was the most frequently involved region of distant skin metastasis, occurring in 36.7% of patients. The median OSCM of cholangiocarcinoma was 4.0 mo. Patient age and cutaneous metastatic sites showed no significant relation with OSCM, while male gender and single metastasis of the skin were associated with a poorer OSCM (hazard ratio: 0.168; P = 0.005, and hazard ratio: 0.296; P = 0.011, respectively). CONCLUSION The prognosis of cutaneous metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma is dismal. Both male gender and single skin metastasis are associated with a poorer OSCM.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the larynx: a case report and literature review.

AbstractThe clinicopathological characteristics and rational treatment of primary laryngeal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma are still unclear and need to be further defined due to the paucity of this separate lymphoma.Herein, a supraglottic primary MALT lymphoma was described with detailed clinical course, intervention, and follow-up. To date, research of laryngeal MALT lymphoma has seldom been initiated. Our experience in this case will help to expand our understanding of this unique disease. A 58-year-old female presented with a history of progressive hoarseness for about 10 months. Multiple laryngoscopy examinations revealed severe hypertrophy of left ventricular band. She was admitted to our department with residual MALT lymphoma of supraglottic region after partial resection by laser. After systemic evaluation, she was staged as IEA, International Prognostic Index score 0. Irradiation of intensity modulated radiotherapy technique with a dose of 30.6 Gy/17f to the tumor and 25.5 Gy/17f to the related lymphatic drainage area achieved a complete remission. The disease-free survival has reached to 4 years. The irradiation related acute and late side effects were mild.Radiotherapy is the first option for limited-stage primary laryngeal MALT lymphoma because of excellent treatment outcome.

A rare case of carcinosarcoma of breast: Coexistence of mucinous carcinoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Carcinosarcoma (CS) of breast is a rare disease. Published reports provided little consensus about its clinical characteristics and optimal treatment protocols. Here we present a patient with CS of breast (mucinous carcinoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma) and review related literature. Combined modality treatment (CMT) brings at least 2 year disease-free survival (DFS). Our case highlights the possibility of breast CS and helps to expand our understanding of this distinct breast malignancy.

Human immunodeficiency virus-negative plasmablastic lymphoma in the neck: a rare case report and literature review

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive neoplasm exclusively occurring in AIDS patients. Recently, increasing cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative PBL have been reported. No standard therapy protocol is currently available since there is a great difference between PBL with and without HIV infection. Here, we present a rather rare case of HIV-negative PBL in the neck that dramatically responded to radiotherapy alone. Our case highlights the possibility of PBL in the neck and helps to expand our understanding of this separate lymphoma. The related literature review summarized the clinicopathological features and treatment status of HIV-negative PBL.

FDG PET/CT reveals the primary tumor in a patient with occult breast carcinoma undetected by other modalities.

A 54-year-old woman presented with left axillary adenopathy for 6 months. Biopsy result was consistent with nodal metastases of breast carcinoma: estrogen receptor (negative), progesterone receptor (negative), and Her-2 (negative). The primary breast tumor, however, could not be detected on breast ultrasound, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging. F-FDG PET/CT revealed a mildly FDG-avid nodule in her left breast, consistent with primary tumor. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by modified radical mastectomy. The case demonstrates the usefulness of FDG PET/CT in evaluating patients with breast cancer, even when the primary tumor remains undetected by other modalities.

Giant malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast: A rare case report and literature review

Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast (MPTB) is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific radiological and histological features, and the prognostic factors and optimal treatment remain controversial. The current report describes the case of a middle-aged female with giant MPTB who underwent multidisciplinary intervention, including surgery, postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To date, the disease-free survival (DFS) of the patient has reached 18 months. Furthermore, a related literature review summarize the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment progress regarding MPTB is presented, along with an analysis of the indications for therapeutic strategy in the current case. In the future, multi-center clinical trials must be initiated to identify the criteria for diagnosis and optimal treatment consensus for MPTB. In conclusion, the present case highlights that multidisciplinary management may contribute to DFS following the treatment of giant MPTB.