Mohammad Azam

Role of oral glutamine in alleviation and prevention of radiation-induced oral mucositis: A prospective randomized study

Background: Oral mucositis is the most frequently occurring painful and dose-limiting side-effect of radiation of the head and neck region. Few studies demonstrated that oral glutamine suspension may significantly reduce the duration and severity of objective oral mucositis during radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: A randomized, prospective single institutional case control study was performed between April 2012 and November 2012 comparing the influence of oral glutamine on radiation induced mucositis in head and neck malignancy patients. Seventy biopsy proven patients with head and neck cancer receiving primary or adjuvant radiation therapy were randomized to receive either oral glutamine suspension daily 2h before radiation in the study arm (10 g in 1000 ml of water) (n = 35) or nothing before radiation; control arm (n = 35). Results and Analysis: Total 32 patients (91.43%) in the glutamine arm and total 34 patients (97.15%) developed mucositis. Grade 3 mucositis (14.29%) and grade 4 mucositis (2.86%) in the study arm (who received oral glutamine) were significantly less (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively) in the glutamine arm. The mean duration of grade 3 or worse mucositis (grade 3 and grade 4) was significantly less (6.6 days vs. 9.2 days) in study arm with P < 0.001. Mean time of onset of mucositis was significantly delayed in patients who took glutamine in comparison to control arm with P < 0.001. Conclusion: Glutamine delays oral mucositis in the head neck cancer patients. Moreover, it reduces the frequency and duration of grade 3 and grade 4 mucositis.

Clinical outcome and pattern of recurrence in patients with triple negative breast cancer as compared with non-triple negative breast cancer group

Aim: To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes in terms of survival, propensity and time of local and distant recurrence for women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to women with non-triple negative breast cancer (NON TNBC). Materials and Methods : A retrospective cohort study was done with 1,026 breast cancer patients with known receptors and Her2neu status diagnosed between January 2005 and January 2011. Statistical Analysis: Comparison of clinical outcomes between the two groups was done using t -tests for mean and chi square tests for frequencies. For overall and recurrence-free survival Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were done. Results: The mean follow-up time for TNBC was 2.9 years and NON TNBC was 4.1 Years. Among the total 1026 patients, 312 patients (30.4%) had TNBC. Compared with non TNBC, those with TNBC had an increased likelihood of death [27.8% vs. 17.8%, P 95% confidence interval (CI)], and distant recurrence (41.48% vs. 33.17%; P = 0.02, C I >95%). Visceral metastasis was high in TNBC which showed Brain metastasis (21.11% vs. 6.18%, P P P P Conclusions: TNBC have a more aggressive clinical course and adverse outcomes as compared to NON-TNBC, but local tumor size and propensity of local recurrence do not vary significantly with receptor status. Though, chance of visceral metastasis is higher in TNBC, bone metastasis is high in NON-TNBC.

Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the fallopian tube: A very rare case

Sarcomas of the fallopian tube are extremely rare malignancies, primary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the fallopian tube being exceedingly rare entity. We present here a case of primary RMS of the fallopian tube in a 72-year-old female who presented with occasional intermittent colicky abdominal pain and watery per vaginal discharge for 1.5 months. Macroscopic examination of the operated specimen of uterus and ovaries showed that the ampullary end of the right fallopian tube had a 9 cm tumor in its greatest axis. Microscopic examination revealed pleomorphic sarcoma of the right fallopian tube. Immunohistochemical examination revealed the tumor cells expressed desmin, myogenin, and smooth muscle actin (SMA); and are immunonegative for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), human melanoma black (HMB)-45, S-100 protein, and h-caldesmon; which was in favor of pleomorphic sarcoma, RMS. Considering the age, performance status of the patient and histology (RMS), adjuvant chemotherapy with single agent doxorubicin was considered.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the orbit: A rare case

Solitary orbital plasma cell neoplasm in the absence of multiple myeloma is very rare. We present here a case report of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the right orbital soft tissue in a 50-year-old Indian woman whose thorough diagnostic workup was negative for multiple myeloma. The patient presented with gradually increasing proptosis, swelling, and visual disturbances of the right eye for past one and half years. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the orbit revealed lobulated, mildly enhancing soft tissue lesion in the supero-lateral aspect of right orbit without intracranial extension. Pathological report revealed a plasma cell neoplasm and immunohistochemistry was positive for CD138, CD20, CD 79a, PAX-5. Complete skeletal survey and bone marrow examination report were normal. So, normal skeletal survey, absence of bone marrow involvement, absence of Bence-Jones protein, no anemia, no hypercalcemia, no renal disease, normal level of immunoglobulins all exclude the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Since the visual acuity of the patient is well-preserved, so we have planned to treat her with local radiotherapy alone with 50 Gy over 5 weeks.

Rare case of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma without clinical features of tuberous sclerosis: Case report and literature review: AZAM et al.

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a slow‐growing tumor originating in the walls of the lateral ventricles, usually presenting in the first two decades of life, and is often associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. However, few cases of SEGA without any clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex have been reported. Here, we present a case of an 11‐year‐old boy with right hemibody weakness and headache for 1.5 years. He was diagnosed with solitary SEGA without any clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed an intracranial space‐occupying lesion in the left internal capsule. Biopsy was consistent with SEGA. There were no stigmata of tuberous sclerosis complex. The patient was treated with curative intent by radiotherapy.

An unusual presentation of carcinoma sigmoid colon

Worldwide approximately 1,200,000 new cases of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) are diagnosed annually, and about half of them died. Lack of exercise along with obesity and consumption of red meat are thought to be associated with the development of CRC. Surgery is the primary modality of treatment which depends on size, site, and stage beside other associated factors. Histopathology along with general condition and extent of disease are stablished as an important prognostic factor. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used in the adjuvant and palliative setting. Here, we are reporting an interesting case of sigmoid colon carcinoma presenting as an advanced lesion over a very short span of time along with emphasizing the harm of unnecessary multiple investigations for diagnosis putting in the dilemma to both the patient as well as treating physician. This case also explains the interobserver variability as well as difference between the types of scan as well as reporting.

An unusual case of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of shoulder in an adult patient

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant soft tissue sarcoma (STS). It is the most common childhood STS and is exceedingly rare in adults. The pleomorphic subtype affecting patient older than 45 years is the least common subtype. It is histologically similar to a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Many pleomorphic RMSs (PRMSs) have been reclassified as fibrous histiocytomas, thereby making the diagnosis of PRMS more unusual. Here, we report a case of PRMS in a 45-year-old male who reported with the painless soft tissue swelling over the posterior aspect of left shoulder for 1 year. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography showed a large well defined heterogeneously enhancing soft tissue mass lesion arising from posterior fibers of left Deltoid muscle. The patient received nine cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with ifosfamide, epirubicin every 3 weeks. The patient underwent wide local excision of the tumor and received four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy ifosfamide, epirubicin, and etoposide every 3 weeks. Locoregional adjuvant radiotherapy 66 Gy in 33 fractions was given by 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Now the patient has a complete response on follow-up imaging 2 years after completion of radiotherapy. PRMS in adults has a significantly worse prognosis than that for other pleomorphic sarcomas with 12.5–50% of 1-year to 20-month disease-free survival and 27% rate of 5-year disease free survival. Thus, the correct and early diagnosis of PRMS is important.

Rare presentation of breast carcinoma in an old burn scar

Malignancies from old burn scars (BSs) have been documented in literature but are rarely encountered in our day-to-day practice. Adenocarcinoma is an extremely uncommon while squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant entity seen as BS neoplasm. Breast cancer arising from an old BS is rarely reported in literature. Till now, to the best of our knowledge, only four cases have been reported in literature. Here, we are reporting an interesting case of 38-year-old female with a history of burn injury on her chest wall including left breast and axilla 20 years back which was left to heal secondarily, i.e., without any active intervention. Later, she developed an ulceroproliferative growth over her left breast for which she consulted a local physician. A diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma breast of the left side was made after biopsy and was referred to our hospital. Metastatic workup was negative, i.e., chest X-ray posteroanterior view, ultrasound sonography abdomen and pelvis with blood investigations were found to be normal. Right side breast, axilla, and supraclavicular region along with abdomen were found to be normal. Clinically, she was staged as T4b, N0, M0, Stage III B carcinoma breast left side. She was managed with upfront surgery, i.e., a simple mastectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy. After completing the radical treatment, she was kept on tamoxifen 20 mg once daily for 5 years. At present, the patient is doing well with locoregional complete response after 6 years of regular follow-up.

An unusual case of solitary parotid metastasis from early stage breast carcinoma

Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common histological pattern of breast cancer. Breast cancer metastasis has been observed at various sites but solitary metastasis to parotid gland is rare. Around 15 cases have been reported so far. We report a case of 61-year-old lady with early breast carcinoma metastasizing to ipsilateral parotid gland. She underwent breast conservation surgery with axillary dissection. Pathological stage was pT2(m) N0. Immunohistochemistry revealed hormone receptor positive, HER2-neu negative. She received adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Seven months later, she had parotid gland metastasis. She underwent superficial parotidectomy and right neck dissection. Hormonal therapy was changed to 2nd line.

Carcinosarcoma of the uterus: Possible sequelae of long-term tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer

Carcinosarcoma (CS) of the uterus is rare and accounts for 1–2% of all uterine malignancies, occur commonly in postmenopausal women. These are highly aggressive tumors with poor prognosis and often present at advanced stage. Tamoxifen (TAM) has been known to increase the incidence of endometrial carcinoma from 1 to 2 cases per 1000 women/year and of uterine sarcoma from 0.04 to 0.17 cases per 1000 women/year. TAM has weakly estrogenic properties that can produce endometrial cell proliferation and, consequently, TAM use increases the risk of endometrial cancer by approximately two- to three-fold. Currently, no consensus is present regarding the management of Uterine CS. However, surgery plays an important role in the management along with chemotherapy (CT) and radiotherapy as an adjuvant. We report a case of a woman who developed malignant mixed mullerian tumor of uterus after taking TAM for 6 years as adjuvant hormonal therapy for breast carcinoma.