William Paul Skelton

Novel dual inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor and VEGFR2 receptor

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (10): 1061–1067

A rare case of Raoultella planticola urinary tract infection in an immunocompromised patient with multiple myeloma

Introduction Raoultella planticola is a gram-negative rod associated with soil and aquatic environments that has rarely been associated with human infections. Presentation of case We present the case of a 73 year old female with multiple myeloma and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection who was found to have a urinary tract infection with Raoultella planticola, which has only been reported to cause 29 cases of human infections and 2 cases of urinary tract infections. Discussion and conclusion Our case and literature review suggest that immunocompromised patients are predisposed to developing Raoultella planticola infection, and that this is a potential emerging pathogen.

Clinical Factors as a Component of the Personalized Treatment Approach to Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: a Systematic Literature Review

IntroductionPancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at late stages, where disease is either locally advanced unresectable or metastatic. Despite advances, long-term survival is relatively non-existent.DiscussionThis review article discusses clinical factors commonly encountered in practice that should be incorporated into the decision-making process to optimize patient outcomes, including performance status, nutrition and cachexia, pain, psychological distress, medical comorbidities, advanced age, and treatment selection.ConclusionIdentification and optimization of these clinical factors could make a meaningful impact on the patient’s quality of life.

Pericardial effusion as an atypical initial presentation of extra-gonadal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor: a case report and literature review

Abstract Extra gonadal germ cell tumors have variable clinical presentations and locations. We report a case of an extra-gonadal germ cell tumor in a 26-year-old male who presented with chest pain. Imaging revealed a large pericardial effusion with underlying mass invading the pericardium. Pericardial effusion is an extremely rare initial site of diagnosis or site of metastasis for malignancy. This case illustrates the importance of a thorough history and physical examination, broad differential diagnosis, and to keep in mind serious complications from rare presentations of disease.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for the treatment of oligoprogression on androgen receptor targeted therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Abstract Castration-resistant prostate cancer is an incurable disease. To date, six agents-abiraterone, enzalutamide, docetaxel, cabazitaxel, radium-223 and sipuleucel-T- have shown clinical efficacy in phase III clinical trials, leading to their FDA approval. Patients are typically sequenced through most or all of these agents, and then eventually succumb to their disease. Development of new treatments remains an unmet need. We report a case of a patient who progressed on enzalutamide with a single enlarging metastatic lesion, was treated with ablative stereotactic body radiation therapy while maintaining the same systemic treatment, who then had durable complete remission. Our findings have important clinical implications and suggest novel clinical trials for this difficult to treat disease.

Bevacizumab Eligibility in Patients with Metastatic and Recurrent Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Review:

Objective: Bevacizumab is approved for use in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic/recurrent cervical cancer (CC), with increased survival/response rates. However, use of bevacizumab is not always feasible or safe. The purpose of this study was to identify the percentage of metastatic/recurrent CC patients at our institution who would have been eligible to receive bevacizumab. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to identify metastatic/recurrent CC patients treated at UFHealth between 2006 and 2016. Chart review was performed to determine if the patient met bevacizumab eligibility criteria. Results: In total, 79 patients with metastatic/recurrent CC were identified; 85.5% would have been ineligible to receive bevacizumab, and 14.5% would have been eligible. The most common reason for exclusion was active bleeding (68.4%); 94% of which was vaginal. In all, 27.6% would be excluded due to poor renal function, and 23.7% due to poor performance status (PS). Conclusions: Despite improved survival, only 14.5% of metastatic/recurrent CC patients treated over a 10-year period would have been eligible to receive bevacizumab. Most patients would have been excluded due to active bleeding, most commonly vaginal bleeding, a common complication from their disease. Identifying novel therapies for metastatic/recurrent CC patients with improved safety profiles that would allow for their use in this challenging population is critical.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma mimicking classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma in a patient presenting with fevers of unknown origin

A 52-year-old man presented to our hospital for further workup of fever of unknown origin after an extensive workup at an outside hospital had failed to reveal a diagnosis. At the outside hospital, he underwent excisional biopsy of the left supraclavicular lymph node, which showed non-necrotising granulomatous changes, and a bone marrow biopsy which showed a normocellular marrow. He was discharged without a diagnosis with recommendations to present to a tertiary hospital. During his admission, his hospital course was complicated by new direct hyperbilirubinaemia and eosinophilia, prompting liver and skin biopsies which showed CD30+ and CD3+ cells. He subsequently underwent left axillary lymph node biopsy, which was reported as ‘classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma’. With worsening lab values and T cells noted on liver and skin biopsies, excisional lymph node biopsy was sent to the National Institute of Health, where it was confirmed patient had peripheral T cell lymphoma.

A rare case of disseminated Sporothrix schenckii with bone marrow involvement in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia

Sporothrix schenckii is a pathogen with a predilection for dissemination in immunocompromised individuals, often with HIV. We report a case of disseminated sporotrichosis in an unfortunate 25 year old male (without HIV) who was originally treated for presumed pneumonia. The patient continued to worsen clinically and further work-up eventually revealed Sporothrix schenckii species with involvement of multiple organs including the skin, heart, lungs and bone marrow. Despite treatment with multiple antibacterials and antifungals, he ultimately passed away. This case illustrates the aggressive nature of this disease along with the importance of early/proper diagnosis and treatment.

Low Grade Lymphoma Mimicking Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: When Do We Need Further Histologic Staging?

Introduction. Patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder often present with metastases to regional lymph nodes, with lymphadenopathy on physical examination or radiographic imaging. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 73-year-old Caucasian man with presumed metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder to regional pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. He underwent systemic chemotherapy for treatment of urothelial carcinoma and was discovered on restaging to have findings suggestive of disease progression but ultimately was found to have a concurrent secondary malignancy. Conclusion. Our case suggests that in patients with urothelial carcinoma, the concurrent presentation of regional lymphadenopathy may not be metastatic urothelial carcinoma and may warrant further investigation.

A Novel Case of Penile Gangrene in a Patient Treated with Ibrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Introduction. Ibrutinib is commonly used for the treatment of patients with CLL in either first-line or relapsed/refractory settings. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 74-year-old Caucasian man with CLL who presented with penile gangrene upon initiation of ibrutinib treatment. Our case is the first showing the complication of penile gangrene associated with ibrutinib use. The gangrene was self-limited upon discontinuing ibrutinib. Conclusion. Our finding describes a very rare yet important adverse event associated with ibrutinib use.