Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in black patients with discoid lupus erythematosus

Skin cancer is relatively uncommon among black individuals. Squamous cell carcinoma occurred in a scar of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus in a black patient. A review of 7 previously reported cases of squamous cell carcinoma in blacks with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus indicates a tendency of the cancer to metastasize. Sun exposure of the hypopigmented lesions of chronic discoid lupus and possibly other factors predispose to cancer of the skin. Poorly healing skin lesions in chronic discoid lupus should arouse suspicion of malignant change.

Anesthetic management of a patient with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome presents various problems for anesthetic management, which include thrombocytopenia, bleeding tendency, and problems arising from the hemangioma mass itself. A 20-month-old female was scheduled for cryosurgery of a hemangioma on the face. Massive bleeding from the tumor was easily induced even by slight contact. The hematologic examination revealed a low platelet count and anemia. Anesthesia was induced carefully by applying an adult anesthetic mask to avoid the large tumor mass on the face and maintained with halothane and nitrous oxide/oxygen. Additional doses of prednisolone were administered before and during anesthesia to compensate for possible adrenal insufficiency due to steroid therapy which she had been receiving. Neither excessive bleeding nor any other particular complications occurred during anesthesia and surgery, and the postoperative course was also uneventful.

Melanuria

The urinary cytologic findings in a patient with metastatic malignant melanoma, diffuse melanosis and melanuria are presented. The melanosis was diagnosed from the clinical appearance of a generalized slate-blue skin discoloration, which is probably caused by dermal deposition of excess melanin pigment. The melanuria was characterized microscopically by the presence of amorphous, dark-brown casts, which stained positively for melanin pigment, and numerous pigment-laden macrophages.

Interrelationships of calibre persistent artery, chronic ulcer and squamous cancer of the lower lip

Calibre persistent arteries come close to internal and external body surfaces without ramification or reduction of their calibre. In the stomach and jejunum they may give rise to fatal haemorrhage and in the lower lip to a chronic ulcer simulating cancer. In the present case the histological findings suggest a causal connection between an artery of persistent calibre, a chronic ulcer, and squamous cancer of the lower lip.

[Use of dibunol in treating radiation injuries to the skin and mucosa]

The authors present the results of the use of dibunol in the form of liniment (1-10%) for the treatment of radiation cystitis and rectitis resulting from radiation therapy of small pelvic tumors, epidermitis and epithelitis that develop in the course of treatment of skin and lower lip tumors. A high efficacy of the drug in the therapy of radiation injury has been shown in 212 patients.

[Multitumoral associations. Description of 3 cases of pulmonary tumors associated with extrapulmonary malignant neoplasms]

Three inoperable cases of association of bronchopulmonary carcinoma with other malignant neoplasias with a different histological origin are described. An account is given of the treatment employed. Emphasis is placed on the relatively good response to treatment of the extrapulmonary neoplasia, and the relevant literature series are examined.

[Multiple systemic neuromas of the skin and mucous membranes]

A 58-year-old man is described with fibrillar neuroma of the lips, tongue, mucous membranes of the mouth, and larynx. Also tumors of the capillitium, the neck the trunk, and the arms were found. There were no clinical or blood chemical signs of pheochromocytoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid or medullated corneal nerve fibers. It is considered that there is no association with the multiple endocrine adenomatosis type IIb, or with the neurofibromatosis von Recklinghausen.

[Multiple primary malignant tumors of the digestive system]

Under analysis were 111 patients with primary multiple tumors of digestive organs. Thirty four tumors were developing synchronously, 77 were metasynchronous. Twenty five patients had lesions of one organ, 81 patients - of two organs and 5 patients of 3 organs. The radical treatment was carried on in 64 patients. Twenty six of them (40,6%) survived for more than 5 years of observations.

Superficial epithelioma with sebaceous differentiation

Six cutaneous tumors developed in a 48-year old man, involving his face, right axilla, trunk, and right thigh, during an eight-year period. Biopsy of the lesions demonstrated multiple plate-like lobules of basophilic cells, with broad attachments to the overlying epidermis. Keratin-filled cysts and clusters of sebaceous cells were present within the lobules. None of the tumors have recurred following electrodesiccation and curettage.

Is there a negative correlation between malignancy and respiratory atopy?

A history of respiratory atopy (seasonal hay fever or asthma) was sought among 218 patients with malignancy of endodermal origin (lung, gut, bladder, prostate), 104 patients with mesodermal malignancy (hematological, sarcomas, genitourinary system), 70 patients with ectodermal malignancy (skin and breast) and 303 age and sex matched controls. There was a significantly lower frequency of respiratory allergy in patients with endodermal malignancy when compared with their matched controls (6.4% compared to 13.2%, p less than 0.005). There were no significant differences among any of the other groups. Patients with respiratory atopy appeared to have some degree of protection against developing malignancies of endodermal origin. This may relate to immunologic factors, an inherent difference in the endodermal cell layer in atopic individuals or as yet undertermined factors.

Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. Occurrence in blacks with discoid lupus erythematosus

In two black patients, squamous cell carcinoma of the lip developed within lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The association of DLE and squamous cell carcinoma is unusual in blacks, as is the anatomical site involved in these cases. Enhanced metastatic potential may be present when squamous cell carcinoma arises in DLE of the lips.

Enchondromatosis with hemangiomas (Maffucci's syndrome)

Maffucci's syndrome in a 17-year-old girl is reported. Since the entity was first described in 1881 by Maffucci, 105 additional cases have been recorded. Several series have reported a small but significant percentage of cases (up to 18%) with malignant change. Our case, although not particularly unique in comparison with other cases of this syndrome, is presented because of the infrequent occurrence of this syndrome.

Treatment of lip keratoses (actinic cheilitis) with topical fluorouracil

Topical (5-fluorouracil [5-FU]) as a 5% solution was used to treat isolated actinic keratoses of the lips as well as diffuse actinic damage of the lower lip. Although producing considerable temporary discomform final results proved excellent, with recurrences in only two of 12 patients treated. Preliminary biopsy of suspicious infiltrated areas is mandatory, as is careful follow-up to ensure complete healing. Topical fluorouracil is an alternative to surgical excision of the vermillion border of the lip in those patients with severe diffuse actinic damage of the lips.