Von Hippel-Lindau and myotonic dystrophy of Steinert along with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and renal clear cell carcinomal neoplasm: Case report and review of the literature

Surgical resection of double advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with multiple renal cell carcinoma associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by a germline mutation, is associated with non-functional and slow-growing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) and kidney cancer. We describe the case of a 46 year-old man with a 35 mm mass in the pancreatic head causing stricture of the bile duct and main pancreatic duct, a 55 mm mass in the pancreatic tail causing obstruction of the splenic vein (SV), and multiple masses of > 36 mm on both kidneys. We performed a two-stage resection. First, a total pancreatectomy with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection and reconstruction and retroperitoneoscopic right partial nephrectomy (NP) for five lesions was performed, followed by retroperitoneoscopic left partial NP of the five lesions 6 months later. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed NET G2 in the pancreatic head with SMV invasion and somatostatin receptor type 2A (SSTR2A) positivity, NET G2 in the pancreatic tail showed SV invasion and negative SSTR2A, and multiple clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC) were also noted. Multiple liver recurrences occurred 22 months after primary surgery. The patient remains alive 41 months after primary surgery. Kidney cancer generally determines VHL prognosis; however, we experienced dual-advanced PNETs with a more defined prognosis than multiple RCC associated with VHL.

Synchronous or metachronous presentation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor versus secondary lesion to pancreas in patients affected by renal cell carcinoma. Systematic review

The simultaneous or metachronous occurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (panNET) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may represent a rare coincidence or a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). These two malignancies share both radiological and cytopathological features, making the differential diagnosis very challenging. In this review, we collected all cases of concurrent diagnosis of localized panNET and RCC, with or without VHL, as reported in the literature to date. We aimed to provide an insight into the differential diagnosis between panNET and RCC pancreatic metastasis with a focus on the optimal therapeutic algorithm depending on the diagnosis. We performed literature research in PubMed library databases for articles about coexisting panNET and RCC published from 2001 to 2018. We selected nine articles with a total of 13 patients, including one treated at our institution. Patients' median age was 49 years and eight out of 13 patients were women. VHL was diagnosed in nine cases. Most patients underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC (9/13) and a clear cell renal carcinoma variant was identified in six cases. The diagnosis of panNET was synchronous with RCC detection in nine cases and metachronous in four cases. The diameter of the pancreatic lesion was >2 cm in six cases. In two cases the panNET was misdiagnosed as metastatic RCC by radiological tests. Somatostatin receptor scanning was performed only in our patient (Octreoscan) showing intense uptake in the pancreatic mass. Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration of the pancreatic lesion was performed in four patients: in two cases the panNET was confused with metastatic RCC by cytological analysis. Most patients underwent pancreatic surgery (10/13) without histological confirmation. Clear cell panNET was recognized in six cases, while mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm was diagnosed in one patient. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed positivity to typical neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) in all reported tested cases (8/8). Three patients underwent systemic treatment: two patients received sunitinib and one patient interleukin-2 (IL-2). Other neoplasms were observed in seven patients, of whom six were affected by VHL syndrome. When neoplastic lesions are recognized in both the kidney and pancreas, panNET and RCC pancreatic metastasis are often misdiagnosed due to similar radiological and cytopathological features. An accurate differential diagnosis is crucial and IHC plays a central role in distinguishing the two entities. The therapeutic algorithm may change depending on the diagnosis: while pancreatic RCC metastases benefit from resection, in panNETs and VHL the indication for surgery must be carefully evaluated.

Genotype–phenotype correlations and clinical outcomes of patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease with large deletions

Background

Approximately 20%–40% of patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, an autosomal dominant hereditary disease, exhibit large deletions (LDs). Few studies have focused on this population. Hence, we aimed to elucidate the genotype–phenotype correlations and clinical outcomes in VHL patients with LDs.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included 119 patients with VHL disease from 50 unrelated families in whom LDs were detected using traditional and next-generation sequencing methods. Other germline mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Genotype–phenotype correlations and survival were analysed in different groups using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. We also evaluated therapeutic response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.

Results

The overall penetrance of patients aged <60 was 95.2%. Two VHL patients with LDs also carried CHEK2 and FLCN germline mutations. An earlier age of onset of retinal haemangioblastoma was observed in the next generation. Patients with exon 2 deletion of VHL had an earlier onset age of renal cell carcinoma and pancreatic lesions. The risk of renal cell carcinoma was lower in VHL patients with LDs and a BRK1 deletion. The group with earlier age of onset received poorer prognosis. Four of eight (50%) patients showed partial response to TKI therapy.

Conclusion

The number of generations and the status of exon 2 could affect age of onset of VHL-related manifestations. Onset age was an independent risk factor for overall survival. TKI therapy was effective in VHL patients with LDs. Our findings would further support clinical surveillance and decision-making processes.

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of synchronous renal mass and pancreatic mass: a review

Objective:

Synchronous renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and pancreatic tumors are rare clinical events and have been described scarcely in the literature. Our institution has recently encountered one case. This review aims to summarize and present the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that have been presented in the literature for these synchronous solid malignancies.

Methods:

After reviewing the literature using PubMed, 16 papers were collected that showed a total of 21 patients with a synchronous solid renal and pancreatic mass. The diagnostic and treatment data were then evaluated and analyzed.

Results:

Overall, 13 patients (59%) had two independent primary malignancies consisting of RCC and a pancreatic tumor, seven (31%) were diagnosed with primary RCC with synchronous metastasis to pancreas, one (5%) was found to have a primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma with synchronous metastasis to the kidney, and one (5%) was diagnosed with primary RCC with a benign solid pancreatic lesion. Of the 22 patients that were treated, 18 (81%) underwent surgery, one (5%) had no treatment, and three (14%) underwent chemotherapy without surgery. In the cohort of patients with surgical treatment 12 (66%) had no adjuvant therapy, one (6%) had adjuvant chemotherapy, four (22%) had adjuvant immunotherapy, and one (6%) had adjuvant radiation treatment.

Conclusions:

The occurrence of synchronous malignancies of the kidney and pancreas is rare. No clear guidelines have evolved in the literature in regard to diagnostics and treatment of these patients. This review presents recommended diagnostic and treatment guidelines for these rare clinical cases.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable for this multicenter review.

Current updates and future perspectives on the management of renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) refers to renal-epithelial cancer, which represents over 90% of kidney cancer and is a cause for cancer related deaths in the world. Studies suggested somatic VHL mutations to be the cause for the occurrence of cancer, but with the time, more latest genomic and biological studies have detected variation in epigenetic regulatory genes and showed significant heterogeneity of the intratumor that may lead to strategies of diagnostic, predictive, and therapeutic importance. Immune dysfunction is responsible for almost all types of renal cancer, and angiogenesis and immunosuppression function together in the tumor microenvironment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Over the past few years, advancement in the management of the RCC has finally revolutionized with the arrival of the entrapped immune inhibitors which particularly concentrated on the receptor (programmed cell death-1) and focus on the new generation receptor i.e. TKRI (tyrosine-kinase receptor inhibitors). The present review deals with the comprehensive review of RCC and emphasizes on its types, pathogenesis and advancement in these diseases. This review also overviews the role of innate and adaptive immune response-related mechanism, the function of cancer stem cell in this diseases, therapeutic targeted drugs and hormonal signaling pathways as an emerging strategy in the management of the renal cancer.

Solitary Duodenal Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma with Metachronous Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor: Review of Literature with a Case Discussion

Renal cell cancinoma (RCC) is a unique malignancy with features of late recurrences, metastasis to any organ, and frequent association with second malignancy. It most commonly metastasizes to the lungs, bones, liver, renal fossa, and brain although metastases can occur anywhere. RCC metastatic to the duodenum is especially rare, with only few cases reported in the literature. Herein, we review literature of all the reported cases of solitary duodenal metastasis from RCC and cases of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) as synchronous/metachronous malignancy with RCC. Along with this, we have described a unique case of an 84-year-old man who had recurrence of RCC as solitary duodenal metastasis after 37 years of radical nephrectomy and metachronous pancreatic NET.

The role of the protein-RNA recognition code in neurodegeneration

MicroRNAs are small endogenous RNAs that pair and bind to sites on mRNAs to direct post-transcriptional repression. However, there is a possibility that microRNAs directly influence protein structure and activity, and this influence can be termed post-translational riboregulation. This conceptual review explores the literature on neurodegenerative disorders. Research on the association between neurodegeneration and RNA-repeat toxicity provides data that support a protein-RNA recognition code. For example, this code explains why hnRNP H and SFPQ proteins, which are involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are sequestered by the (GGGGCC)n repeat sequence. Similarly, it explains why MNBL proteins and (CTG)n repeats in RNA, which are involved in myotonic dystrophy, are sequestered into RNA foci. Using this code, proteins involved in diseases can be identified. A simple protein BLAST search of the human genome for amino acid repeats that correspond to the nucleotide repeats reveals new proteins among already known proteins that are involved in diseases. For example, the (CAG)n repeat sequence, when transcribed into possible peptide sequences, leads to the identification of PTCD3, Rem2, MESP2, SYPL2, WDR33, COL23A1, and others. After confirming this approach on RNA repeats, in the next step, the code was used in the opposite manner. Proteins that are involved in diseases were compared with microRNAs involved in those diseases. For example, a reasonable correspondence of microRNA 9 and 107 with amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ42) was identified. In the last step, a miRBase search for micro-nucleotides, obtained by transcription of a prion amino acid sequence, revealed new microRNAs and microRNAs that have previously been identified as involved in prion diseases. This concept provides a useful key for designing RNA or peptide probes.

Myotonic Dystrophy-2: Unusual Phenotype Due to a Small CCTG-expansion

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (MD2) is a multisystem disease, predominantly affecting the proximal limb muscles, eyes, endocrine organs, heart and intestines. Longterm asymptomatic creatine kinase (hyper-CKemia) of more than 20 years duration, in association with hyperlipidemia and diabetes, as a manifestation of MD2 has not been reported. A 52-year-old female with a history of hyper-CKemia since the age of 32 years associated with diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia, developed anginal chest pain and proximal muscle weakness together with clinical myotonia when opening the fists at age 51 years. Examination revealed a left anterior hemiblock, sensorimotor neuropathy, extensive myotonic discharges on needle electromyography (EMG) and a CCTG-expansion of 134 bp on the ZNF9 gene. The family history was positive for hyper-CKemia and muscle weakness. In addition, over the previous years, she had developed vesico-ureteral reflux, cutaneous melanoma, renal cysts, cervix dysplasias, thrombocytosis, cataracts, arterial hypertension, heterozygous Factor V Leiden mutation, cholecystolithiasis, multiple ovarial cysts and vitamin D deficiency. Asymptomatic, long-term hyper-CKemia in association with multisystem disease should raise the suspicion of a MD2. Rare manifestations of MD2 may be thrombocytosis, hyperuricemia, vesico-ureteral reflux, gallstones, hypertension and cyst formation. In patients with asymptomatic hyper-CKemia, needle EMG should be considered. Myotonic dystrophy type 2 may take a mild course over many years if the CCTG-expansion is short.

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cPNETs): a systematic review and meta-analysis of case series

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors represent 13% of all neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of this study is to analyze the phenotype and biologic behavior of resected cystic neuroendocrine tumors. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted until September 2016 using a search in Medline, Scopus, and EMBASE with the terms "cystic pancreatic endocrine neoplasm", "cystic islets tumors" and "cystic islets neoplasms". From the 795 citations recovered 80 studies reporting on 431 patients were selected. 87.1% (n = 387) were sporadic tumors and 10.3% (n = 40) corresponded to multiple endocrine neoplasia endocrine type 1. Were diagnosed incidentally 44.6% (n = 135). Cytology was found to have a sensitivity of 78.5%. Were non-functional tumors 85% (n = 338), and among the functional tumors, insulinoma was the most frequent. According to the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society staging, 87.8% were limited to the pancreas (I-IIb), and 12.2% were advanced (III-IV). Disease-free survival at 5 years in stages (I-IIIa) and (IIIb-IV) was 91.5% and 54.2%, respectively; and was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) in functional tumors. In patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia there was a higher incidence of functional (62.5%) and multifocal (28.1%) tumors. Disease-free survival at 5 and 10 years was 60%. Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors exhibit phenotypical characteristics which are different to those of solid neuroendocrine tumors.

[Von Hippel-Lindau disease type 2-related pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and adrenal myelolipoma]

The paper describes a case of von Hippel--Lindau-related pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and adrenal myelolipoma in a 44-year-old woman. The pancreatic tumor and a left retroperitoneal mass were removed in the women in July 2014 and May 2015. Histological examination of the pancreatic tumor revealed that the latter consisted of clear cells forming tubular and tubercular structures showing the expression of chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and cytokeratins 18 and 19 and a negative response to CD10 and RCC. The adrenal medullary mass presented as clear-cell alveolar structures with inclusions of adipose tissue mixed with erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid cells. The clear-cell component of the adrenal gland expressed neuroendocrine markers with a negative response to cytokeratins, CD10, and RCC. Molecular genetic examination yielded a signal corresponding to two copies of the VHL gene. No deletions or amplifications of the gene were detected. Cases of von Hippel--Lindau disease concurrent with adrenal pheochromocytoma and myelolipoma and simultaneous pancreatic involvement were not found in the literature.