Primary cerebral melanoma: An exceptional localization in a case report

Cerebral melanoma is often related to a secondary location of a cutaneous or mucosal melanoma. However, primary cerebral melanoma is a very rare clinical situation, representing less than 1% of all melanomas and 0.07% of all cerebral tumors. The diagnosis of a primary cerebral melanoma therefore requires rigorous clinical and paraclinical investigations. We report a case of primary cerebral melanoma treated in our onco-radiotherapy department.

Cutaneous metastasis of lung cancer: Case report

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and is often diagnosed at the metastatic stage. It often leads to lung, bone, brain, liver, and adrenal metastases. However, unusual secondary locations are possible, such as skin metastases, which are often associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of lung cancer revealed by a subcutaneous mass on the forehead.

Multimodal Therapy of Locally-Advanced Penile Cancer: A Case Report With Literature Review

Cancer of the penis is a rare tumor that occurs in the elderly. Because of its rarity, it is often not diagnosed early, and its treatment poses difficulties for practicing oncologists. We report the case of an elderly patient treated for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis, with a review of the literature. A 71-year-old man, who had been complaining of pruritus on the penis two years ago, presented with an ulcerated lesion on the prepuce and the glans. A biopsy of the lesion with pathological study showed a SCC of the penis. Pelvic MRI showed tumor thickening centered on the glans of the penis, infiltrating the fascia and the spongy urethra with discrete upstream dilatation and bilateral inguinal adenomegaly. CT scan of the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed no secondary localizations. Treatment initially consisted of carcinological surgery by a partial penectomy with bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection. The tumor was therefore classified as pT3N3M0. A PET CT scan performed later was in favor of local and regional recurrence. Surgery was not feasible, so concomitant chemo-radiotherapy was indicated at a total dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions of 2 Gy concomitantly with platinum-based chemotherapy, withgood evolution.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Vulva: A Case Report

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the vulva represents a highly uncommon type of female malignancy. Due to the absence of specific treatment guidelines, such cases are typically managed by the treatment protocols for vulvar cancer. Here, we report the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with a painful right vulvar mass, leading to a diagnosis of ACC of the vulva after biopsy and immunohistochemical analysis. She underwent vulvectomy, bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, and targeted radiotherapy, and no evidence of recurrence has been found for three years, with ongoing monitoring for post-radiation effects. This case adds valuable insights into the management of ACC of the vulva and underscores the need for further research and guideline development to optimize care for future patients.

Exploring Head and Neck Paraganglioma: A Case Report

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are tumors that are rarely malignant; the majority of them are benign. Similar to pheochromocytoma, they develop from the autonomic nerve system. This system originates from neural crest cells and can undergo neoplastic transformation. PGLs can arise either inside or outside the adrenal glands. Head and neck PGLs are very scarce. The primary locations where this tumor commonly originates within this region are the carotid body, jugular bulb, and vagal body. Hence, in our case report, we attempt to highlight the uncommon presentation of this disease in a 46-year-old female, who initially presented with hypertension and persistent dysphonia. The patient underwent successful external radiotherapy. This case report aims to raise awareness of the characteristics of these rare malignancies.

A rare presentation of esthesioneuroblastoma: a case report and review of the literature

Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumor developing from the olfactory neuroepithelium. It represents less than 5% of all cancers of the nasal cavity. We are going to report the observation of a patient followed at the regional oncology center of Oujda in Morocco who presented a locally advanced esthesioneuroblastoma. Treatment consisted of surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy on the tumor bed. Currently, the patient is in good control of his disease.

Pure mediastinal seminoma about a case report

Mediastinal Seminoma is one of the malignant germ cell tumors of the mediastinum. It is a rare tumor that represents only 1%-4% of mediastinal tumors. We report the case of a patient treated at the Oncology Center of Oujda for a pure primitive seminoma of the mediastinum, with a review of the literature to assess the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics of this pathology. This is a 25-year-old man whose aunt is being treated for breast cancer and who complained of persistent dry cough with asthenia without any other associated signs. The initial imaging revealed a voluminous locally advanced tumor process in the anterior and middle mediastinum. Tumor markers Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-subunit of chorionic gonadotrophic hormone (BHCG) were normal, as well as testicular ultrasound. The CT- guided transthoracic biopsy with anatomopathological study and immunohistochemistry was in favor of a pure seminoma. The treatment consisted of primary chemotherapy with BEP protocol. The response was favorable with a significant reduction in tumor size estimated at 90%. The residual tumor was inoperable due to its intimate contact with the vascular structures and was treated with external radiotherapy at a total dose of 36 Gy. The evolution at 20 months after treatment was in favor of a good clinical and radiological evolution.

Early-Stage Primary Rectal Melanoma: A Case Report

Malignant primary rectal melanomas (PRM) are rare tumors. Their diagnosis is frequently delayed as these lesions are often mistaken for benign diseases, resulting in extremely poor overall survival. Histological evaluation with special immunohistochemical (IHC) stains is often indispensable for a definitive diagnosis. The main treatment for this condition involves surgical resection. Adjuvant therapy has also been long recommended. We discuss the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with changes in bowel habits, anal pain, and perineal burning with no bleeding. A digital rectal examination revealed a nodular mass extending 5 cm from the anal verge. Rectosigmoidoscopy demonstrated an ulcerated polypoid tumor extending 4 cm from the anal verge and over 5 cm into the lower rectum. Biopsy and IHC tests confirmed the diagnosis of rectal melanoma. The patient was successfully managed with surgery followed by external beam radiotherapy and a complete response was achieved after 10 months of follow-up.

Localized Hidradenocarcinoma of the Scalp: A Case Report

Hidradenocarcinomas or malignant hidradenomas are tumors developed from the sweat glands, in particular, the eccrine glands. It is a rare entity of skin tumors and frequently appears de novo with a slight female predominance and an average age of 50 years at diagnosis. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman treated for localized hidradenocarcinoma of the scalp, successfully managed by surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy.

A giant primary vaginal sarcoma: A report case and literature review

Primary vaginal sarcoma is a rare disease entity, reported in less than 3% of cases of vaginal cancers. We report the observation of a patient treated at the regional oncology center of Oujda in Morocco who is presented with a non-metastatic primary vaginal leiomyosarcoma of 20 cm. The treatment consisted of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by hemostatic surgery with tumor resection limits, reinforced by radiotherapy and then a surgical resection with a tumor resection taking away the infiltrated part of the anterior face of the lower rectum and the realization of a left iliac colostomy whose resected tumor part limits were healthy. At present, the patient is 4 years of follow-up without locoregional or distant recurrence.

[A rare case of botryoid sarcoma of the uterine cervix: case report]

Botryoid sarcoma is a subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma affecting soft tissues and exceptionally the cervix. We here report the case of an 18-year-old female patient presenting to the emergency department with a feeling of pelvic heaviness, metrorrhagia and urinary retention. Gynecological examination showed budding mass of the uterine cervix. The biopsy showed botryoid sarcoma. Radiological evaluation revealed heterodense cervico-isthmic corporeal mass measuring 97 / 87 mm, without adenopathies or effusions or tumors at other sites. Treatment involved neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine - adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (V-A-C), followed by surgery (total hysterectomy without adnexal preservation). After a follow-up of 3 years, the patient is still in clinical and radiological remission.

Osteosarcoma of the ethmoid sinus: About a case

Osteosarcomas of the craniofacial bones account for less than 10% of all osteosarcomas. Primary osteosarcomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are rare localization (0.5%-8.1% of osteosarcomas occur in this site). Accordingly, we report a case of osteosarcoma arising de novo from the ethmoid bone in a 46-year-old female. Initially, she presented with headache, bilateral epistaxis, and postnasal drip. Biopsy revealed an osteosarcoma ethmoidal. The patient was treated by a neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection and radiotherapy.

Hemangiopericytoma of the central nervous system: a case report

Hemangiopericytomas or solitary meningeal fibrous tumors are extremely rare mesenchymal tumors. They represent only 1.6% of all central nervous system tumors, occurring mainly in adults between 40 and 50 years of age with a slight male predominance. We report the observation of a 20-year-old man treated at the Oujda Regional Oncology Center for cerebral hemangiopericytoma, revealed by headaches resistant to usual analgesic treatments without other associated signs. Initial imaging a left temporo-parieto-occipital intraaxial tumor process all responsible for a sub-falcoial and temporal engagement whose appearance first evokes a high-grade glial tumor. The patient received a complete excision whose pathological examination with immunohistochemical study was in favor of a grade III hemangiopericytoma according to the WHO 2016 classification. Therapeutic management with adjuvant radiotherapy was supplemented with a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique at a total dose of 54Gy. We will discuss through this case, the clinical and therapeutic peculiarities by a review of the literature.

Immediate Versus Salvage Postoperative Radiotherapy in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients: A Critical Review

Radical prostatectomy in high-risk prostate cancer patients has long been followed by immediate adjuvant radiotherapy (IART) to increase biochemical relapse-free survival. However, the increased urinary and digestive radio-induced toxicities have raised questions about the safety of delaying radiotherapy until the occurrence of biochemical or clinical relapse. Recently, early salvage radiotherapy (ESRT) has been compared to IART, and results found equivalence in terms of efficiency outcomes, but increased toxicity was noted in patients receiving IART, leading to the proposal of ESRT as the new standard of care in high-risk patients after surgery. However, several confounding points are discussed in the present review regarding the methodology and results of these recent trials. Further follow-up is necessary to detect possible long-term advantages of one radiotherapy timing over the other.

Sino-nasal low-grade chondrosarcoma revealed by isolated bilateral loss of sight: an unprecedented presentation of a rare tumour

Chondrosarcomas are malignant cartilage-forming tumors representing less than 0.1% of all head and neck malignancies, and nasal cavity is an exceptional location among them. Clinical presentation could be consisting of either rhinological signs or asymptomatic endonasal mass. None of the previous reports mentioned ophthalmological symptoms at the forefront of the initial presentation. We report a case of sino-nasal low-grade chondrosarcoma in a patient who presented initially with isolated bilateral subtotal blindness, managed by endoscopic resection and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Oral Malignant Melanoma in a Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1: An Extremely Rare Association

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder associated with high rates of neural crest-derived tumors, both benign and malignant. Many series have identified cutaneous melanoma as a rare tumor among cancers occurring in individuals with NF1 disease, but the mucosal location has to date never been reported. In this paper, we report an oral melanoma occurring in a patient with NF1 disorder, diagnosed at a locally advanced stage, successfully managed by definitive external beam radiotherapy, along with a comprehensive literature review on the melanoma-NF1 association.

[Recurrent Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma in the abdominal wall: the role of preoperative radiotherapy (case report)]

Dermatofibrosarcoma is a rare cancer, accounting for 0.01% of all cancers. We here report the case of a 44-year-old female patient presenting with the 5th recurrence of locally advanced Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma, that progressed on many cycles of neoadjuvant therapy and required emergency radiotherapy with good response. This allowed to perform wide excision of the tumor with healthy limits. The patient had remission after 1 year of follow-up. Prognosis for patients with Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma is generally excellent. Wide surgery and the advent of Mohs surgery have improved local control. The role of radiotherapy is limited for non-resectable tumors or positive margins.

[Sacrococcygeal chordoma: about a case]

Le chordome sacrococcygien est une entité pathologique rare, rapporté dans seulement moins de 3% des cas. Nous allons rapporter l´observation d´une patiente prise en charge au Centre Régional d'Oncologie d'Oujda au Maroc ayant présenté un chordome sacrococcygien localement avancé. Le traitement a consisté en une radiothérapie exclusive sur la tumeur, la chirurgie d´exérèse n´était pas possible. Actuellement la patiente est à 2 ans de recul, la tumeur est stable sur le plan clinique et radiologique avec un bon état général.

Dosimetric study of Hounsfield number correction effect in areas influenced by contrast product in lungs case

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was dosimetric effect quantification of exclusive computed tomography (CT) use with an intravenous (IV) contrast agent (CA ), on dose distribution of 3D-CRT treatment plans for lung cancer. Furthermore, dosimetric advantage investigation of manually contrast-enhanced region overriding, especially the heart.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with lung cancer were considered. For each patient two planning CT sets were initially taken with and without CA. Treatment planning were optimized based on CT scans without CA. All plans were copied and recomputed on scans with CA. In addition, scans with IV contrast were copied and density correction was performed for heart contrast enhanced. Same plans were copied and replaced to undo dose calculation errors that may be caused by CA. Eventually, dosimetric evaluations based on dose volume histograms (DVHs) of planning target volumes (PTV) and organs at-risk were studied and analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test.

RESULTS

There is no statistically significant difference in dose calculation for the PTV maximum, mean, minimum doses, spinal cord maximum doses and lung volumes that received 20 and 30 Gy, between planes calculated with and without contrast scans (p > 0.05) and also for contrast scan, with manual regions overriding.

CONCLUSIONS

Dose difference caused by the contrast agent is negligible and not significant. Therefore, there is no justification to perform two scans, and using an IV contrast enhanced scan for dose calculation is sufficient.

Breast Metastasis From a Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Although primary breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in the world, their mammary metastases are rare. In this paper, we report the case of a 51-year-old male patient diagnosed with a mammary lump and an intracranial hypertension syndrome. Mammography showed the presence of an irregular opacity without microcalcifications. After a cytological and immunohistochemical examination, the breast biopsy showed an adenocarcinoma of pulmonary origin. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the cerebrum, cervicothoracic spine, and abdomen showed a right apical pulmonary tumor associated with Barety's lymphadenopathy, as well as the presence of a mass in the right breast and secondary brain lesions. The patient received total brain irradiation which resulted in a marked clinical improvement. Afterward, he was treated with six cycles of palliative chemotherapy based on carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 6 and paclitaxel, 175 mg/m² every 21 days, with a good response. After two months, the patient presented with a progression and he was treated with second-line chemotherapy. However, after three chemotherapy courses, the disease rapidly progressed and the patient was altered which required his admission to the palliative care department. The patient died 40 days later. This case shows the poor prognostic survival outcomes in this population of patients.

[Lung cancer in Eastern Morocco: where do we stand?]

Introduction

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men living Eastern Morocco. We here present the first report on the clinical, pathological and therapeutic features of lung cancer in Eastern Morocco.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 738 patients diagnosed with lung cancer at the Hassan II, Oncology Center between October 2005 and December 2014.

Results

Among the cases studied, 671 patients were men and 67 women; 95.01% of men and 1.54% of women were smokers. The average age of patients was 59.1 ± 11.9 years. Most patients (97%) were diagnosed at advanced stage disease. Only 4 out of 227 patients with advanced adenocarcinoma underwent molecular test. In addition, no patient in our series received targeted therapy. In this series, 20.46% of patients had less than 50 years. Compared to patients aged 50 years and older, cannabis consumption was higher (p<0.001) in patients less than 50 years and as well as a higher rate of adenocarcinoma (p<0.01). By contrast, in these patients, tobacco consumption was lower (p<0.001) as well as the rate of squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.01) and small cell cancer (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Unlike Western countries, in Eastern Morocco lung cancer is diagnosed late, affects younger people and access to molecular tests is still very limited. These results justify the need to implement effective programs against lung cancer as well as to facilitate access to molecular tests and new therapeutic tools in Eastern Morocco.

[Six-year disease-free survival after chemotherapy treatment for metastatic renal peripheral neuroectodermal tumor]

Peripheral neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) of the kidney are extremely rare. They are often diagnosed at a late stage due to their nonspecific clinical presentation. Treatment of patients with metastases is based on palliative chemotherapy. We here report a case of PNET of the kidney with sudden onset of metastases to the lymph nodes and to the skin. The patient showed good clinical and radiological response and experienced progression-free survival at 6 years after polychemotherapy with vincristine, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.

[Vulvar cancer treatment options: experience in the Oncology Center in Oujda]

Le cancer de la vulve est une affection néoplasique rare, représentant moins de 5% des cancers génitaux de la femme. L'objectif de ce travail est de décrire le profil épidémiologique, clinique, paraclinique, thérapeutique et évolutif du cancer de la vulve chez la population de la région de l'Oriental du Maroc, ceci à travers une analyse rétrospective de toutes les patientes suivies pour un cancer de la vulve, de juin 2007 à janvier 2014, et traitées au sein de l'hôpital d'Oncologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohamed VI de Oujda au Maroc. Notre analyse rétrospective a porté sur 34 patientes, d'une médiane d'âge de 65,7 ans, dont 52,9% étaient des multipares. Le motif de consultation dominant était le prurit dans 94.1% des cas. La moyenne du délai de consultation était de 16 mois, allant de 2 mois à 8 ans. L'ignorance et la pudeur ont été les causes majeures de ce retard diagnostique, puisque 73.5% des patientes avaient déjà une maladie localement avancée au diagnostic. Le traitement chirurgical a été proposé à 61.4% des cas, il a consisté en une vulvectomie radicale avec un curage inguinal bilatéral dans 68.5% des cas. Le recours à la radiothérapie adjuvante a été indiqué chez 41.2% des cas, 5.9% des patientes ont bénéficié d'une radiothérapie néo adjuvante, et 20,6% d'une radiothérapie exclusive associée à une chimiothérapie concomitante. La chimiothérapie palliative a été proposée pour 8.8% des patientes. Le taux de survie globale à 3 ans est à 65%, le taux de récidives locorégionales ou à distance est de 17.3% des cas. Les particularités culturelles et sociales des patientes de la région de l'Oriental du Maroc, qui sont suivies pour un cancer de la vulve, sont des facteurs influençant le traitement et ses résultats. Des efforts de prévention et de sensibilisation supplémentaires sont à mener afin de réduire l'incidence des stades localement avancés, et de permettre un traitement curatif à cette population.

[Thyroid function after hypofractionated adjuvant radiotherapy for localized breast cancer]

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the impact on the thyroid function of hypofractionated adjuvant radiotherapy of localized breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This was a prospective study, including 50 patients with breast cancer treated by hypofractionated adjuvant radiation, only half of whom received radiotherapy on the supraclavicular region. The analysis focused on clinical, dosimetric and biological data collected through periodic dosing of thyroid hormones.

RESULTS

The incidence of hypothyroidism was 4% of the patients. The multivariate correlation analysis showed a significant association between initial thyroid volume, volume receiving 50Gy, 40Gy and 30Gy and the incidence of hypothyroidism, no statistical link was found between the bilateral breast, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and the type of surgery and the incidence of radiation-induced hypothyroidism.

CONCLUSION

Although hypofractionation theoretically exposes the thyroid gland to late radiotherapy complications, radiation-induced dysthyroidism remains a complication underestimated by clinicians, and in the absence of prevention and treatment guidelines, it is necessary to delineate systematically the thyroid gland, to try to minimize as much as possible the doses received by this organ, and to monitor the thyroid function by periodic serum assays.

Sexuality of Moroccan Survivors of Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Data

Introduction:

This is a prospective study aiming to describe how cervical cancer and its treatment can affect the sexuality of a specific population of Moroccan women survivors of this disease.

Materiels and Methods:

It is a comparison of clinical features and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) of 3 balanced groups of women, made up of 100 survivors of cervical cancer, 100 survivors of non-gynecological cancer and a group of 100 healthy women.

Results:

97% of the patients stopped their full sexual activity at the time of treatment; the time interval between treatment and regular sexual activity was 8 months for the cervical cancer group, and 5.8 months for non-gynecologic cancer (P =0.001). Vaginal length assessed by pelvic examination during follow up visits was estimated at about 6.2 cm, 9.2 cm and 9.5 cm respectively for the cervical cancer group, non-gynecologic cancer group and the control group (p=0.04). On the basis of the FSFI questionnaire, the analysis of the 6 main sexuality parameter scores did attest worse results for the variables related to sexual function for cervical cancer group, but not in a statistically significant way.

Conclusion:

In order to preserve an optimal quality of life after cervical cancer, the sexual dimension is a crucial parameter to take into consideration throughout treatment phases, especially radiation (by encouraging sexual intercourses, and using vaginal dilators during the treatment). Moroccan survivors of this disease must be treated according to a multidisciplinary approach, that includs the psychological component.

Predictive Factors of Histological Response after Preoperative Concomitant Radiochemotherapy in Middle and Low Rectal Cancer

Objective: The aim of our study was to identify potential predictive factors beyond pathologic response after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.Patients and Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2014, 40 patients with rectal carcinoma were included in the study. The treatment consisted of radiation ranging between 39 and 50.4 Gy associated with a concomitant chemotherapy with capecitabine. The correlation between histological response (complete response and downstaging) and potential predictive factors were investigated.Results: Complete response was 15% (06 patients), tumor regression of 32.5% (13 patients), and the absence of tumor response of 52.5% (21 patients). In univariate analysis, the circumferential extension of the tumor was significantly associated with tumor downstaging (p = 0.007) and complete tumor response (p = 0.001). However, the delay between the RCT and the surgery was a significant predictor for downstaging (p = 0.02).Conclusion: the parietal circumferential extension was a potential predictor of pathologic complete response (PCR) and downstaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The time between the radiochemotherapy and the surgery was a significant predictor for downstaging. Delaying surgery beyond 8 weeks seems to result in the highest probability of PCR.

[Non gestational endometrial choriocarcinoma in a nulliparous and postmenopausal woman: report of a case]

Le choriocarcinome est une tumeur trophoblastique hautement maligne. La plupart des cas de choriocarcinome sont intra utérins et d'origine gestationnelle. Le choriocarcinome chez les femmes ménopausées est extrêmement rare. Nous rapportons une observation originale d'une femme ménopausée et nullipare présentant un choriocarciome endometrial non gestationnel survenant 17 ans après sa ménopause. Il n'existe pas de guidelines bien définis pour le traitement des choriocarcinomes en post ménopause. Leur pronostic est très facheux, pourtant il paraît que le stade précoce de la maladie ainsi que les béta hCG plasmatiques négatives seraient à l'origine de ces survies: globale et sans progression relativement longues chez notre patiente (32 mois).

[Hidradenocarcinoma of the scalp: report of a case]

L'hidradénocarcinome est une tumeur annexielle maligne extrêmement rare. Caractérisée par la fréquence des récidives locorégionales et des métastases à distance. Le diagnostic histopathologique de malignité se fait sur des critères architecturaux et cytologiques particuliers .la chirurgie d'exérèse large représente l'essentiel du traitement. Une radiothérapie adjuvante s'avère obligatoire en cas de facteurs de récidive locale. Le curage ou la radiothérapie prophylactiques des aires ganglionnaires régionales non envahies pourraient jouer un rôle primordial dans la réduction du risque de récidives locorégionales.