A case of tongue carcinoma associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Two Lip Carcinomas following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Secondary solid cancers are severe complications in patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for malignant and nonmalignant lymphohematopoietic diseases.

Objective

The aim of this work was to report a case of two lip carcinomas following AHSCT and to warn doctors about the importance of regular check-ups of patients who have received HSCT. Observation. A 57-year-old man was referred by the dermatology department for the management of exophytic budding lesions on the lower lip evolving since 5 months. The patient was in complete remission following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia since five years. Clinical and histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma of the two lesions.

Conclusion

It is of paramount importance to seek an oral squamous cell carcinoma in the presence of persistent lesions in HSCT recipients.

Salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a tool for early diagnosis of oral cancer in individuals with Fanconi anemia

Currently one of the greater challenges is the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Many studies address the genetic and metabolic aspects to support in early diagnosis and increase the survival of individuals at high risk. Individuals with Fanconi anemia can be included in this high risk group because they have a predisposition to develop head and neck cancer. The use of salivary enzymes as biomarkers to detect the changes in oral tissue at the initial phase seems viable, because saliva is easy to obtain, it moisture oral mucosa and cells metabolic compounds can be found on it. Due to the metabolic characteristics of the cancer cell, an increase in Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) may indicate a carcinogenesis process. The hypothesis of this study is to use of salivary LDH as a tool in the early diagnosis of oral cancer on a high risk group such as Fanconi anemia's patients.

Oral cancer after prolonged immunosuppression for multiorgan chronic graft-versus-host disease

Long-term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are recognized as a risk group for malignization. Malignant oral neoplasms are increasingly being reported in the literature as a consequence of lesions of chronic graft-versus-host disease, and prolonged multidrug treatment to control its manifestations. This report describes a 43-year-old patient who, after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, developed an oral squamous cell carcinoma secondary to the use of azathioprine, cyclosporine, prednisone, and tacrolimus, associated with multiorgan chronic graft-versus-host disease involving the oral mucosa, skin, eyes, and liver. This report aims to discuss the possible role of immunosuppressant therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease on the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and the relevance of a close oral follow-up of patients to detect dysplastic or malignant alterations at an early stage.

© 2014 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.