SYNCHRONOUS DIAGNOSIS OF TESTICULAR AND THYROID CANCER IN A YOUNG MALE

Testicular cancer is the most common neoplasm in young males. The early diagnosis and the appropriate treatment make it a curable malignancy in over 90% of the patients, but 6% of the patients with testicular cancer develop a second, mostly treatment-related, malignancy in another primary site many years after the first diagnosis. The simultaneous appearance of a testicular tumor with another primary neoplasm is rarely described in the literature. Here is presented an interesting case of a coexisting non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumor with a papillary thyroid carcinoma, which was detected early during post-treatment restaging of the testicular tumor. The synchronous presence of these two neoplasms might indicate a probable common pathogenetic background. As treatment-related oncogenesis is highly improbable in this case and the common environmental factors are not known yet, the interest is focused on genetic predisposition. Recent discoveries in molecular genetics show that the two neoplasms share common genetic alterations in the RAS and BRAF genes, which affect the significant signaling pathways. Interestingly, BRAF-V600E was positive in both primary malignancies in our individual.

Vaccine third dose and cancer patients: necessity or luxury?

The current state of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an equilibrium between expanding vaccine coverage on the one hand, and emergence of variants of concern which compromise vaccine effectiveness and enhance viral transmission on the other. Inequity in vaccine distribution, primarily an ethical issue, challenges this equilibrium, as industrialized countries prepare to administer a third booster dose to their population. Solid tumor cancer patients typically respond well to initial full vaccination and someone could argue that they should not be prioritized for an adjuvant third dose, since protection from severe disease has largely been achieved with the two-dose regimen. Nevertheless, their immune status is dynamic and not all of them exhibit an adequate immune response. A booster third dose is necessary for the inadequate responders, while it will result in better protection of all patients from mild disease as well, which if presented could have ominous consequences due to their overall frailty, and their need to adhere to strict therapeutic schemes. International scientific and public health communities should develop approaches that allow for wide immediate vaccination coverage of the developing world, in parallel with administration of adjuvant doses to solid tumor cancer patients (and other at-risk categories) of the developed nations, in order to avoid prolonging the pandemic, which will be prospectively against cancer patients' best interest.

Desmoplastic small round-cell tumour of the peritoneal cavity: case report and literature review

Desmoplastic small round-cell tumour is a very rare neoplasm, which usually arises from the abdominal or pelvic peritoneum of adolescents and young adults. Early diagnosis is difficult, because most tumours present with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms after a long asymptomatic period. It is generally a very aggressive tumour, which grows rapidly with poor prognosis and an overall five-year survival rate of 15% despite multimodal treatment. Despite multiple treatment strategies, the management of desmoplastic small round-cell tumour still remains a clinical challenge and no consensus about a therapeutic protocol has been established. A 35-year-old man presented with mild abdominal pain, constipation and weight gain, and was eventually diagnosed with desmoplastic small round-cell tumour, which was shown to be limited to the abdomen. After incomplete debulking surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he developed multiple metastatic nodular foci in chest and the pleura and, unfortunately, he died due to disease progression.

Access to Genetic Testing Impacts Oncologists´ Decisions on Ovarian Cancer Personalized Treatment: Lessons Learned From a National Program in Greece

Background: State health insurance authorities in Greece do not reimburse genetic testing for cancer predisposition. The Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology has launched and carries out a national program covering genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutations detection, with the financial support of pharmaceutical industry. Aim: This analysis evaluates how, during this program, access to genetic testing transformed the oncologists' therapeutic approach toward their ovarian cancer patients and how the results impacted treatment decisions concerning PARP inhibitors. Adoption of testing by healthy relatives and timing of testing in the disease continuum were also evaluated. Methods: Adult patients with high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinoma, irrespectively of family history or age at diagnosis were eligible for this program. Genetic counseling was recommended before testing, and both were offered at no financial cost. First degree family members of pathogenic mutation carriers were also offered free counseling and testing. Results: From March 2015 through January 2018, 708 patients were enrolled and tested. One hundred and forty seven (20.7%) mutation carriers were identified, 102 (14.4%) in BRCA1 and 45 (6.3%) in BRCA2 gene. Testing was more often pursued at initial diagnosis (61%) than at recurrence (39%), as recorded for 409 patients with available relevant information. During the 1st year of the program, average monthly tests performed were 25.1, while during the 3rd year this number increased to 34.3 tests per month. Among patients who tested positive for deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations, relapse was reported in 58 patients, 94.8% of which (n= 55) received treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib as per its indication. Family members of 21 patients (14.3%), out of the 147 who tested positive, received genetic counseling and testing for the mutation identified in the context of the program. Conclusion: Free access to genetic testing for BRCA1/2 for ovarian cancer patients and genetic consultation facilitates testing uptake, affects common clinical practice & has major impact on patients and their families. Still, diffusion of genetic information and broader testing of family members require further efforts by the oncological community.

Mucinous breast carcinoma with tall columnar cells

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast represents 1%-4% of all breast cancers. The World Health Organization classification divides this type of tumour into three different subtypes: mucinous carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma with tall columnar cells (mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and columnar cell mucinous carcinoma) and signet ring cell carcinoma. A 74-year-old woman presented a tumour with inflammatory features in the upper outer quadrant of her left breast, 7 cm in diameter. The core biopsy showed infiltrating ductal carcinoma of no specific type. The tumour-node-metastasis clinical staging was T4cN3M0 (Stage IIIC). She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, underwent left mastectomy with radical axillary resection and subsequently received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed two solid tumors in the tail of Spence, which corresponded to adenocarcinoma with high columnar cells. The patient died 16 months after the diagnosis, suffering from pulmonary metastases and anterior chest wall infiltration. A review of the literature revealed only 21 reports of mucinous carcinoma of the breast with tall columnar cells, including our case. This is only the third time that the specific histological type of columnar cell mucinous carcinoma has been reported in the literature.

Complete remission of a reccurrent mesenteric liposarcoma with rare histological features following the administration of trabectedin

The present study describes a rare case of a mesenteric liposarcoma that resulted in a complete remission (CR) following treatment with trabectedin (Yondelis^®). The patient presented with abdominal pain and fever. An abdominal mass was identified that corresponded to a mixed-type high-grade mesenteric liposarcoma with wide areas of necrosis, areas of dedifferentiation and features of a leiomyosarcoma. Three months after the removal of the first mass, the patient underwent a second laparotomy, followed by treatment with doxorubicin and ifosfamide. Subsequently, the patient was started on therapy with trabectedin and a CR was noted following only four cycles of therapy. The best responses that are reported in the literature for cases of liposarcoma treated with trabectedin are mostly for liposarcomas of the myxoid/round cell type and are mainly partial responses. In the present study, trabectedin was used for the treatment of a mesenteric liposarcoma of mixed morphological features and a CR was achieved.

Meta-analysis of the predictive value of KRAS mutations in treatment response using cetuximab in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

The monoclonal antibody cetuximab that targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been found effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, mutations in exons 12 and 13 of KRAS oncogene have been reported as negative predictive factors for the treatment response using cetuximab. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the published studies investigating the predictive value of KRAS mutations in the efficacy of cetuximab in patients suffering from colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was performed in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases. Sensitivities, specificities and predictive values (negative and positive) of KRAS mutations as regards treatment response were calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were initially found during the literature search. After thorough evaluation, 13 papers were excluded for various reasons. Therefore, 13 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. In these studies, specificities were found much higher than sensitivities. Combining the data from the 13 studies, it was found that KRAS mutations comprise a negative predictive biomarker for response to cetuximab with very high specificity (0.96; 95% CI 0.84-0.99), and low sensitivity (0.47; 95% CI 0.43-0.50). Finally, the publication bias was found statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that cetuximab should be administered only to patients with colorectal cancer who have the wild type (KRASw) oncogene. Mutations in the KRAS gene are a negative predictive factor for response to cetuximab with very high specificity and low sensitivity. The latter may very well be attributed to additional mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapies such as mutations in BRAF.

Metastatic bone involvement in vulvar cancer: report of a rare case and review of the literature

PURPOSE

Bone metastasis secondary to vulvar carcinoma is an infrequent clinical entity. Only ten cases have been published in the literature. We describe a case of squamous vulvar carcinoma, that presented with cervical vertebral involvement, as a part of distant spread.

CASE

A 69-year-old woman presented with radicular pain and a painful cervical mass. MRI of the cervical spine was performed, showing an osteolytic lesion with spinal cord compression.

CONCLUSION

This case was unique in presenting vertebral metastasis eight months after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

P4-11-15: Increased Propability of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in Premenopausal Patients after Exogenous Hormonal Intake (EHI)

Purpose: HRT is a known risk factor for breast cancer (BC) among post-menopausal women. Our knowledge in relation to EHI (estrogens and/or progestin) and BC among pre-menopausal women is scarce. We have studied whether previous EHI influences BC phenotype, clinical and pathologic characteristics and correlation with other known BC risk factors.

Patients and methods: A prospective analysis (data recorded upon patients first presentation) of an electronic database at a tertiary cancer centre was performed. Patients’ demographics, risk factors for BC (smoking, alcohol use, obesity, family history), clinical profile, EHI parameters (duration, cause) and the tumors’ histopathology (type, grade,ER/PgR and HER2 by IHC and FISH) were analyzed. Premenopausal patients without an EHI history consisted control group.

Results: Out of 938 patients treated for BC between 2006 and 2010, 333(35,5%) were premenopausal and 131(39%) of them reported any use of hormones. Median age was identical (43 years,range:20–57) among premenopausal patients with and without EHI history. Mean duration of use was 28 months (range:1–180). Causes of EHI were contraception (35%), pregnancy(17%), menstrual abnormalities(17%) and medically assisted fertilization(17%). Smoking, alcohol use and obesity didn't differ among two groups. Family history for BC was more common (31, 3% vs. 22,8%, p=0,08)among women with EHI. No correlation was found among duration of use and the time of cancer diagnosis, while the mean time from the cessation of hormones to cancer diagnosis was 13 years(range:1–32). Only 18% of breast cancers were diagnosed within the first 5 years after exogenous hormones cessation.

TNBC was found to be significantly increased among premenopausal women with a history for EHI (23,6% vs. 13,4%, p=0,016). This increase was independent of the existence of positive family history for BC (p=0,61). EHI conferred a twofold increase in the risk for a TNBC (OR=1,99 p=0,019). No other clinical or histopathologic parameter showed any difference among the two groups.

Conclusion: Prior use of exogenous hormones, for any cause and irrespective of the coexistence of other risk factors and family history, increases the probability of a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis by twofold. Whether this represents a trend of a changing epidemiology in the types of BC in prior hormone users vs. nonusers, poses an extremely challenging hypothesis to be verified in large epidemiologic studies — given the young age and the treating difficulties of this patient population.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-15.

Abstract P6-10-06: Metachronous Contralateral Breast Cancer (CBC) Has More Aggressive Biology and Clinical Characteristics Compared to Synchronous Bilateral Breast Cancer (BBC)

Purpose: Bilateral breast cancer is an uncommon clinical entity. There is no specific treatment strategy and controversial issues concerning diagnostic criteria, management and classification exist.

Method: In order to address some of these issues, a prospective analysis (data recorded upon patients first presentation) of an electronic breast cancer database at a tertiary cancer centre was performed. Patients’ epidemiologic characteristics, clinical profile, genomic analysis information and the tumours’ histopathology were analyzed.

Results: Out of 900 patients treated for breast cancer between 2006 and 2009, 44 diagnosed with bilateral disease (5% of total)having a median age of 53 years(range 32-73). 16 of them (36%)suffered from synchronous disease and 28 (64%)from metachronous { >3 months apart between the initial diagnosis and subsequent contralateral breast tumour).

Genetic analysis revealed 3 patients with inherited breast cancer syndromes (2 with BRCA1 and one with CDH-1 mutation). Among those with synchronous BBC 63% (10/16)were postmenopausal, 50% (8/16)had a positive family history for breast cancer and upon initial diagnosis 80% (13/16)of them presented with early stage disease (stages I,II).Contralateral disease was diagnosed incidentally. In contrast to these patients with synchronous BBC,57% of the patients (16/28)with metachronous CBC were premenopausal and 68% (19/28)had advanced disease (stages III,IV) upon the second diagnosis. Etrogens’ use didn't differ among the two groups, obesity was more common in patients with metachronous CBC, and smoking in the synchronous BBC patients.

Of the 88 tumours, 81(92%) were invasive, with ductal adenoCa being the more common (53% of specimens).

Of synchronous BBC tumours 12/16 (75%)were HR+ positive and 80%(13/16) expressed the same biologic features bilaterally. Of the metachronous tumours, upon initial diagnosis,26% were triple negative and only 7% were found with HER2 amplification, compared with 41% and 26% respectively in the second diagnosis. Conclusions: Synchronous BBC is less prevalent than Metachronous CBC, has more favourable characteristics (earlier stage at diagnosis, hormonal receptor positivity), and occurs mainly among postmenopausal women with positive family history.

Metachronous CBC is more common in premenopausal women and has a tendency to change its biological and clinical characteristics to a more aggressive phenotype (triple negative, HER2 amplification) between initial and latter diagnosis.

If this phenomenon is a result of previously given chemo/radio-therapy or it reperesents the natural evolution to a second primary, remains a challenging question to be answered.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-10-06.

CDH-1 germ line mutations in diffuse gastric and infiltrating ductal breast cancer

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Background: Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) syndrome is characterized by the predisposition to gastric cancer of the diffuse type and to breast cancer of the lobular type. The autosomal dominantly inherited germline mutations of the E- cadherin (CDH1) gene are the defects underlying the HDGC syndrome. The median age of onset for diffuse gastric cancer is 38 years. CDH1 mutations are highly penetrant, conferring a cumulative risk of diffuse gastric cancer of 75%. Methods: Genomic DNA was purified from peripheral blood leukocytes following standard chloroform extraction. The complete coding sequences of the CDH1-gene, including splice junctions, were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and electrophorized in an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. Results: A pathogenic mutation located on exon 7 of the CDH1 gene was identified in a female patient diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer at the age of 36. She underwent bilateral mastectomy for an infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma of the left breast and in situ lobular of the right breast. At the age of 45 the patient underwent gastrectomy for diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma. She had a positive family history for breast and gastric cancer from both sides, but without meeting the absolute clinical criteria for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome. The nonsense mutation found was probably maternally inherited, since the maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. Conclusions: The selection process of patients for genetic testing for the HDGC syndrome is not quite clear at the moment, as it is apparent that more types of breast cancer and not only lobular, can be associated with the syndrome. Criteria should be more flexible in respects to the histopathology of the cancer type. This is the first CDH1 mutation identified in a Greek patient.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The dental management of a patient with a cocaine-induced maxillofacial defect: a case report

There are several dental complications associated with cocaine abuse, including adverse reactions to dental anesthetics, post-operative bleeding, and cellulitis, which can lead to necrosis of orbital, nasal, and palatal bones. Following is a report of the initial treatment rendered to a patient who had destroyed most of her hard palate over a ten-year period of cocaine abuse. There are no classic socio-economic or educational profiles for abusers of cocaine. Drug abuse victims may present as patients in any dental office. Though there are certain classic physiological and psychological symptoms of their condition, they may not display symptoms at all.