Genital inflammatory lymphoedema: peculiar microvascular long-distance metastasis of gastric carcinoma

A case of pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy following lymphedema on the lower extremities

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare manifestation of malignancy. The antemortem diagnosis is difficult, since patients present with rapidly progressive symptoms. We recently observed a case of PTTM following lymphedema of the lower extremities. We did not reach a diagnosis, even after performing BAL and TBLB. The patient manifested pulmonary hypertension and died on the 9th day of admission. Autopsy revealed a tumor embolism in the pulmonary arterioles accompanied by fibrocellular epithelial cell proliferation, but the primary organ was not identified. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PTTM with lymphedema.

Refractory Chylothorax and Lymphedema Caused by Advanced Gastric Cancer

Chylothorax is the accumulation of lipid pleural effusion. Few reports have described chylothorax caused by gastric cancer. A 45-year-old woman presented with progressive lymphedema and bilateral chylothorax. Although repetitive thoracentesis was performed to relieve her dyspnea, swelling of her axillary lymph nodes became significant. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated the accumulation of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose in these nodes, and a lymph node biopsy showed signet ring cell carcinoma. The primary site was a 0-IIc type lesion in the gastric body that was only detected by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The patient was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer 3.5 months after presentation for chylothorax.

[Lymphedema of the lower limbs: Initial manifestation of gastric linitis plastica]

BACKGROUND

Primary lymphedemas are constitutional abnormalities of the lymphatic system. Secondary lymphedemas occur after damage to the lymphatic system, mainly after cancer treatments or tumour mass compression. There are many other causes, including filariasis, which is nonetheless very rare in France.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 52-year-old man presented with a two-month history of increased size of the left leg. He was asymptomatic and in good general condition. Clinical examination revealed non-pitting lymphedema and ipsilateral hydrocele without loco-regional compressive lymph node. Initial extensive explorations were unremarkable. Lymphoscintigraphy revealed low tracer fixation in the left leg. The symptoms continued to worsen, with exacerbation and bilateralization of the lymphedema. Two months later, axillary lymph nodes appeared corresponding to metastasis from a signet-ring cell carcinoma. Despite two lines of chemotherapy, the patient died 8 months later due to multiple metastatic disease.

DISCUSSION

Our case is remarkable because the lymphedema was not related to extrinsic compression and was the first symptom of gastric cancer. In the absence of compression, endo-lymphatic micro-metastases could constitute the causative process. Acquired lymphedema of the lower limbs must be recognized as a potential early symptom of gastric carcinoma and should therefore prompt further investigations.

Scrotal wall metastasis from a primary lung adenocarcinoma

This a case of a 77 years old male heavy smoker, known to have Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema complicated by a primary invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung with bone metastasis, who presented with a two weeks history of right inguino-scrotal pain and swelling.

Imaging studies revealed a right paratesticular formation that appeared to involve the epididymis and the scrotal wall.

A biopsy of the mass showed morphological and Immunophenotypic features in favor of metastasis of an adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Based on our literature review, there are only few published cases about scrotal wall metastasis of a lung primary.

Genital lymphoedema as an early symptom of a signet-ring cell carcinoma

Ein 51-jähriger Mann stellt sich wegen eines rasch progredienten Bein- und Genitallymphödems vor. Die komplexe physikalische Entstauung bleibt ohne Erfolg. Nach ergebnisloser Bildgebung wird in der endoskopischen Exploration ein metastasierendes Siegelring-Karzinom der Kardia als Ursache nachgewiesen.

Lymphgef��system und Haut

Dermatology offers many clinical examples of abnormalities in the production, absorption and transport of lymph. Lymphatic thromboses also occur. Many diseases are not named in accordance with their underlying pathogenesis. Malignant lymphedema must be recognized immediately. The differential diagnosis of regional lymphedema is also part of dermatology. Stemmer sign is a clue to chronic lymphedema. Lymphoedema is first divided into primary and secondary forms, depending on the cause, and then subdivided into stages depending on severity. Complications of chronic lymphedema include recurrent erysipelas, superficial lymphangiectases, verrucous lymphedema (papillomatosis lymphostatica) and angiosarcoma, which is often multifocal. Established diagnostic approaches are available to correctly diagnose lymphatic disease. The treatment of chronic lymphedema centers around reducing the edema which then influences all of the other problems. The physical therapeutic approach to reducing blockage is the best way to achieve these goals.