Probable paclitaxel-induced pancreatitis: uncommon case report and literature review

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas characterized by upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, with elevated serum amylase or lipase. Gallstones and alcohol are the two main etiologies; drug-induced pancreatitis is uncommon. Paclitaxel associated with pancreatitis is very rare and since that time, only seven case reports have been published. We report a case of a 54-year-old female who developed an acute pancreatitis after administration of the first cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel (175 mg/m² over 3 h) and carboplatin (AUC 6) for ovarian adenocarcinoma. After conservative management, pancreatitis was resolved. The patient received an additional five cycles of carboplatin with no complication. Because Paclitaxel is used in many chemotherapy protocols, it is important for clinicians to be aware that paclitaxel can induce acute pancreatitis, as early diagnosis can be vital.

Breast Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare subtype of invasive breast cancer. It has a particular interest because of its excellent prognosis conversely to other triple-negative breast cancers that are associated with poor prognosis. The place of chemotherapy and radiotherapy remains controversial and there is no consensus on optimal management of the ACC of the breast.

CASE REPORT

A 50-year-old woman, presented with a palpable right breast lump. Core biopsy of the lump revealed an adenoid cystic carcinoma. A lumpectomy with axillary lymph node dissection was performed and completed by a mastectomy because of the positive surgical margins. The histopathological examination revealed an adenoid cystic carcinoma, with negative expression of hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 HER2 and with no lymph node involvement. The patient underwent adjuvant sequential chemotherapy with anthracycline and taxane followed by radiotherapy. We discuss diagnosis, prognostic, and treatment options for ACC of the breast in light of existing literature.

CONCLUSION

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a rare variant of triple negative breast cancer with excellent prognosis. Surgical treatment is the mainstay with no clear consensus for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Breast metastasis from recurrent gallbladder adenocarcinoma: a case report with review of the literature

Gallbladder adenocarcinoma has a poor prognostic. The leading modes of dissemination in gallbladder cancer (GBC) are lymphatic, vascular, neural, intraperitoneal, and intraductal. The most common site of dissemination is liver. Breast metastasis in GBC is an unusual site of dissemination. Only few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a rare case of solitary breast metastasis from recurrent gallbladder carcinoma in light of existing literature.