Vijayalakshmi Deshmane

Primary synchronous bilateral breast cancer.

Background: Primary synchronous bilateral breast cancer (PSBBC) is a rare clinical entity. The reported incidence ranges between 0.3% and 12%. There are several controversial issues regarding PSBBC pertaining to the diagnostic criteria, nomenclature, and management policies. Materials and Methods: Fourteen cases of PSBBC treated between 2001 to 2010 at our institute were retrospectively analysed in regards to demographic data, management and follow up. Results: PSBBC constituted 0.19% of total breast cancer patients at our institute. Age ranged from 28 to 78 years. PSBBC were detected by clinical examination in eight cases and by mammography in six cases. Twelve patients underwent bilateral modified radical mastectomy, one had unilateral mastectomy on one side and breast conservation on the other side and one patient has bilateral breast conservation. Majority of patients belonged to stage 2 and stage 3. All patients were found to have invasive ductal carcinoma. Five cases were ER/PR positive and 8 patients were triple hormone receptor negative. Eight patients received unilateral and six received bilateral adjuvant radiotherapy. Nine patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. 5 patients received adjuvant hormonal therapy. Median follow up of patients was 15.4 months. Conclusion: PSBBC is a rare event warranting awareness and screening of the contralateral breast in patients with unilateral breast cancer. These patients require individualized treatment planning based on the tumor factors of the index lesion. Further multi institutional prospective studies are needed for adequate understanding of management of PSBBC.

Male breast cancer in Indian patients: Is it the same?

BACKGROUND Cancer of the male breast accounts for about 1% of all malignancies in men and 1% of all breast cancers. Poor level of awareness often results in late presentation and delayed diagnosis in our environment. This study was done to analyse the demographic data, management and survival of male breast cancers in Indian subset of patients and compare it with that of western literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 10 year (2001-2010) retrospective study of all male breast cancers was done. Data regarding the incidence, presentation, histopathology, stage and grade of tumor, management and outcome of patients were analysed. RESULTS 26 cases of male breast cancer were encountered. This comprised 0.4% of all breast cancers seen in our department during the 10 year period. The ages of patients ranged from 45-75 years with a mean age of 57 years. Family history was present in 4 patients. Clinically, symptoms included self-detected lump in 23 (88.5%) patients, nipple retraction in 12 (46.1%) and pain in 12 (46.1%). All cases were unilateral (16 on right, 10 on left). Disease most commonly involved central quadrant (9 patients). Grade 3 disease was found in 13 patients and Stage 3 disease was most commonly encountered (13 patients). None of our patients received neo adjuvant chemotherapy. 20 (76.9%) patients had modified radical mastectomy and 6 (23.1%) had radical mastectomy. Most of our patients were hormone receptor positive (21 patients). Bilateral orchidectomy, Adjuvant chemotherapy, Adjuvant radiotherapy and Tamoxifen were offered in 3 (11.5%), 16 (61.5%), 17 (65.4%) and 15 (57.7%) patients respectively. Follow up ranged from 1-59 months. CONCLUSION Male breast cancer is rare in our centre. Late presentation with advanced disease is a common feature in our environment. Further multiinstitutional, prospective studies are needed for better understanding of management of male breast cancers in Indian subset of patients.

Predictive factors for loco regional recurrence and distant metastasis following primary surgical treatment of cutaneous melanoma

Background: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) has a high propensity for regional and systemic spread. This is one of the largest series of CM reported from India. Aims: To predict factors for loco regional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis in patients with CM primarily treated with surgery. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of patient database at a tertiary care cancer center with evaluation of factors for LRR and distant metastasis for CM. Materials and Methods: Data from 68 patients treated for CM between January 2006 and December 2010 were reviewed. Data recorded included age, sex, symptoms, investigations, treatment given, histopathology, recurrence and follow-up. Patient factors, tumor factors, pathologic variables, and adjuvant treatment were investigated as predictors’ of LRR and distant metastasis. Results: Mean age of patients was 54 years. Melanoma was more common in males (44). Tumor thickness > 4 mm was found in 43 patients. Lymph node involvement was found in 43 patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given in seven patients. At mean follow-up of 16.5 months, LRR was seen in 34 patients and distant metastasis in 28 patients. LRR and distant metastasis were more commonly found in females, age > 40 years, Clarks level IV and V, Breslows depth > 4 mm, patients with lymph node involvement and extra-capsular spread. Conclusion: The age, sex, site, thickness of lesion, involvement of lymph node, and extra-capsular spread were important factors in predicting LRR and distant metastasis. Distant metastasis was also more commonly found in patients with LRR.

Cytological and Pathological Correlation of FNAC in Assessing Breast Lumps and Axillary Lymph Node Swellings in a Public Sector Hospital in India

Background. Breast lumps have varied pathology, and there are different techniques to prove the diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast lesions at our center. Methods. We had retrospectively analysed 854 patients who underwent FNAC for primary breast lumps and 190 patients who underwent FNAC for an axillary lymph node in the year 2010. Results. Of 854 patients, histological correlation was available in 723 patients. The analysis was done for 812 patients as medical records were not available for 42 patients. FNAC was false negative in seven cases; 2 cases of phyllodes were reported as fibroadenoma, and 5 cases of carcinoma were diagnosed as atypical hyperplasia. The sensitivity, specificity, and false negative value of FNAC in diagnosing breast lumps were 99% (715/723), 100%, and 1%, respectively. Of 190 patients for whom FNAC was performed for axilla, 170 had proven to have axillary lymph node metastases, and the rest had reactive hyperplasia or inflammatory cells. Conclusions. FNAC is rapid, accurate, outpatient based, and less complicated procedure and helps in diagnosis of breast cancer, benign diseases, and axillary involvement in experienced hands with less chance of false results.

Castleman’s disease of the pleura

Castleman’s disease is a rare benign disease of the lymph nodes. Its origin from the pleura is rare. Surgical excision, when feasible, appears to provide good results. We encountered a patient who had the disease arising from the parietal pleura. We present the clinical scenario, investigations, and our management of the patient.

A Retrospective Study of Marjolin's Ulcer Over an Eleven Year Period.

Background: Marjolins ulcer is a rare aggressive cutaneous malignancy occurring in previously occurred wounds. The most common aetiology is a burn wound involving extremities and squamous cell carcinoma is the most common variant. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analyses of medical records of patients treated in a single unit with a diagnosis of Marjolins ulcer was performed. Results: During the study period, 14 patients were treated. Four patients had lymph node metastases and one had pulmonary metastases at the time of presentation. Seven patients underwent wide excision with reconstruction and seven underwent amputation or disarticulation because of advanced malignancy. During the follow up two patients developed local recurrence and one developed pulmonary metastases. Both the patients with pulmonary metastases had Marjolins ulcer of trunk. Conclusion: Marjolins ulcer occurs more commonly in the extremities. Distant metastases occur commonly in patients with ulcers on the of trunk.

Role of FNAC in Hepatic lesions: Risk of track metastases

Background: Liver is one of the most common site of metastases in patients with malignancy and the evaluation of space occupying lesions (SOL) of liver in patients with malignancy is important. Its important to differentiate benign from malignant to take necessary decisions. Materials and Methods: We have performed a retrospective analysis of liver SOLs for which fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was done in the year 2011. Risks and benefits associated with FNAC were evaluated. Results: We analyzed 755 patients who underwent FNAC of which 524 patients had secondary metastases to liver, 148 patients had primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 14 cases were benign neoplasms and 53 were nonneoplastic conditions. Histological correlation with FNAC was available in 112 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 93%, 90.9%, 98.9%, 58.8%, and 92.8%, respectively. Though there were no incidence of bleeding, two patients developed track metastases following FNAC. One was a case of Hepatocellular carcinoma and the other a case of metastatic breast cancer. Conclusion: FNAC was very much useful in our setup where most of the patients could not afford for Computer tomography (CT) scan and was useful in counseling them especially in patients with advanced malignancy where no active cancer directed therapy is required.

Pheochromocytoma in Indian patients: a retrospective study.

AIM To review the clinical experience on pheochromocytoma in Indian subset of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma between 2001 and 2010 at our institute were retrospectively studied for clinical, laboratory, radiological and surgical data. RESULTS A total of 10 patients (5 females and 5 males) aged between 23 and 64 years diagnosed as pheochromocytoma were managed at our institute. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (90%) and hypertension (50%). The tumor was intra-adrenal in 70% and extra-adrenal in 30%. 20% were on right side and 50% on left side. CT scan of abdomen was the most widely used method for tumor localization. Among laboratory assays, 24-h urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) was the most widely used. None of our patients were found to be associated with hereditary pheochromocytoma syndrome. All hypertensive patients were preoperatively treated with phenoxybenzamine and propranolol. All underwent explorative laparotomy and adrenelectomy. Malignancy was reported in 40% of cases and these received adjuvant radiotherapy. Among hypertensive patients, surgery caused remission of hypertension in 60%. All patients were followed up with 24-h urinary VMA levels and CT scan of abdomen regularly. Survival ranged from 1 to 9 years. CONCLUSIONS The present study confirms that the clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma is variable and non-specific. Often the tumor is discovered incidentally. Though pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor, proper evaluation, preoperative preparation and complete surgical excision are important for its management.