An Extremely Rare and Aggressive Case of Undifferentiated Carcinoma With Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells of the Pancreas Presenting as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGC) is a rare tumor type of pancreatic cancer. Paraneoplastic syndromes, an idiopathic inflammatory myositis characterized by various skin manifestations (such as dermatomyositis (DM)), cannot be attributed to the primary tumor itself. Here, we report an unusual case of UC-OGC presenting as a paraneoplastic syndrome, the first reported from Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf states. A 49-year-old Eritrean woman with known DM was referred to our hospital with a left-sided pleural effusion. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large necrotic splenic mass (~17 × 12.9 × 18.2 cm). The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with en bloc resection of the mass (splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and partial excision of the left hemidiaphragm). Following a histopathological examination of the mass, UG-OGC of the pancreas, presenting as a paraneoplastic syndrome, was diagnosed. To our knowledge, this case is the first to present a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with UC-OGC. The identification of an exceedingly rare tumor presenting atypically as a paraneoplastic syndrome shows the importance of conducting comprehensive examinations of patients with malignancies, emphasizing the need for more reports of similar cases.

Effects of Weather on the Severity of Menstrual Symptoms Among College- and High School-Going Women in the Southern Regions of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

The effects of weather on the severity of menstrual symptoms have been a topic of interest and research for many years. While some studies have shown a correlation between weather conditions and increased severity of menstrual symptoms, others have found no significant relationship.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to assess the effects of weather on the severity of menstrual symptoms among women going to college and high school in the southern regions of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all women going to college and high school in southern regions of Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were entered and analyzed in IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and stored with no attempts to identify the participants.

RESULTS

The study included 484 participants; most of them were 20-30 years old; 64.5% had regular menstrual cycles. It was observed that mood fluctuations, bloating, difficulty concentrating, breast pain, irritability, anxiety, social isolation, feeling tired, headaches, and mood changes are all affected to some degree before and during menstruation. On the other hand, the amount of blood, duration of the course, physical activity during menstruation, nutritional habits, lower back pain, and sleep disorders showed varying percentages of impact. These findings provide valuable insights into the physiological and psychological changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the relationship between weather and the severity of menstrual symptoms is a complex and multifaceted topic. While some women may perceive a correlation between certain weather conditions and an increase in symptom severity, the scientific evidence in support of this connection is still limited and inconclusive. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to provide evidence-based recommendations for managing menstrual symptoms in relation to weather conditions.