Pilomatrix Carcinoma of the scalp. A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Pilomatrix Carcinoma (PC) is a rare and malignant dermo-hypodermic tumor. Only 11 cases were reported in patients younger than 18 years old and only 13 cases were reported on the scalp.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 15-year-old woman who underwent cyst excision on the vertex. Anatomopathology shed light trichilemmal cyst. Five months later, she presented a first local recurrence. The tumor was removed with wide margin. Anatomopathology shed light PC. No adjuvant therapy was performed. The patient presented a second recurrence 3 months later with a parietal bone and superior sagittal sinus invasion and a lung metastasis. She underwent a craniotomy and radiochemotherapy. A third local recurrence was detected 4 months later. Three more lines of chemotherapy were performed without success.

DISCUSSION

PC is a locally aggressive tumour, with a high rate of local recurrences and metastases. PC arises de novo or through malignant transformation of a pilomatrixoma. PC were observed frequently in the white male over 50 years old. The histological diagnosis is difficult to prove. Treatment consists of a wide surgical excision. Peritumoral margins are not codified. Because of most cases are on the face and neck, Mohs Micrographic Surgery seems to be a good modality to limit margins. Radiation therapy is an adjuvant treatment. Chemotherapy can be used in metastasis case.

CONCLUSION

PC is a rare malignant tumor with high rate of disease relapse. Histological diagnosis is difficult and treatment is not standardized. Surgical procedure with wide margins is recommended to avoid the large recurrence when the staging shows no metastasis.

[Diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of sinonasal carcinomas (excluding melanomas, sarcomas and lymphomas)]

Sinonasal carcinomas account for 3% of ENT cancers. They are subdivided into squamous cell carcinomas (50%), adenocarcinomas [20%, mostly of intestinal type (ITAC)], and more rarely, adenoid cystic carcinomas, olfactory neuroblastomas (=esthesioneuroblastomas), neuroendocrine carcinomas or undifferentiated sinonasal carcinomas (SNUC). The 5-year survival rates are, in descending order, 72% for neuroblastomas, 63% for adenocarcinomas, 50-60% for large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, 53% for squamous cell carcinomas, 25-50% for adenoid cystic, 35% for small-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and 35% for SNUC and newly discovered histologies. Surgery is the main treatment; endoscopic approaches reduce the morbidity with equivalent tumour control. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is almost systematic. Nodal involvement is rare in ethmoidal adenocarcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas; it is intermediate and may justify prophylactic radiotherapy for N0 necks in SNUC, neuroblastoma, squamous cell carcinomas and sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinomas. IMRT or proton therapy is the mainstay of treatment of unresectable disease. Radiotherapy optimization by carbon ion therapy for adenoid cystic carcinomas, or by chemotherapy for all carcinomas with IMRT or proton therapy, is investigated within clinical trials in France. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is reserved for rapidly progressive disease or histologies with a high metastatic potential such as neuroendocrine carcinomas or SNUC. Given their histologic and molecular specificities and different relapse patterns, an expertise of the REFCOR network, with REFCORpath review, is likely to correct diagnoses, rectify treatments, with an impact on survival.

[Clinical aspects of brain metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Metastasis to the central nervous system, either through a hematogenous route or through the cerebrospinal fluid, is extremely rare in nasopharynx cancer. We aim to expose clinical aspects, therapeutic features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with brain metastases. We retrospectively reviewed the medical history of about 420 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated during 17 years at the university hospital of Sfax (Tunisia). Among them, three patients had brain metastasis. We excluded patients with direct extension to the brain. Tumours of the nasopharynx were locally advanced. The first patient had brain metastases at the initial diagnosis. The two other patients had brain metastases at 10 and 16 months during the follow-up. Ocular signs were the symptoms. Lesions were unique in two patients. Synchronous bone metastases were recorded in the three cases. All patients had whole brain radiation therapy and palliative chemotherapy. All patients had a progression of the disease and died. Brain metastases in nasopharynx cancer represent a rare event. Prognosis is poor, depending on age, surgical excision and synchronous metastases. Survival does not exceed 6 months.

Metallothionein protein and minichromosome maintenance protein-2 expression in adrenocortical tumors

AIM

Some resected adrenal-confined adrenocortical carcinomas metastasize and others not. The present study was designed to evaluate the expression of metallothionein protein (MT) and minichromosome maintenance protein-2 (MCM2) in adrenocortical carcinomas and adrenocortical adenomas, and to test the correlation between this and adrenocortical carcinoma aggressiveness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 14 patients operated on for adrenocortical carcinoma, 15 operated on for adrenocortical adenoma and 2 with normal adrenals. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for histological evaluation under light microscopy, and sequential sections were used for MCM2 and MT staining.

RESULTS

In normal adrenals, positive staining was weak for MT and zero for MCM2. Rates of positive staining for MT and MCM2 were significantly higher in adrenocortical carcinomas than in adrenocortical adenomas (P=0.008 and P<0.001, respectively). In adrenocortical carcinomas, a significant positive correlation was found between MCM2 staining and Weiss revisited score (P=0.022) but not for Weiss score, and a significant positive correlation was found between MCM2 and mitotic rate on histology (P=0.033). MCM2 but not MT staining was also shown to correlate significantly with stage IV carcinoma (P=0.008 and P=0.165, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MCM2 and MT are overexpressed in adrenocortical carcinoma, and MCM2 expression correlates significantly with metastatic disease.

[T plasty for the treatment of skin forehead defects]

INTRODUCTION

The closure of the skin defect of the forehead area with local flap must prevent the distortions of the eyebrow and hairlines and must limit the visibility of the scars. The H plasty is the most common procedure to treat this kind of defect but the scars are extensive and numerous. The H cutaneous flap presents necrosis risks if the skin is thin and the defect important. The H musculocutaneous flap presents sensitive and motors lesions risks. The T cutaneous flap is a good choice because of its excellent cosmetic result and minimized risks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients have been treated by the same surgeon between 2006 and 2012 with T cutaneous flap in order to treat forehead and temples' skin defects (the surface goes from 1.5 to 15cm).

RESULTS

Excisions were completed in the every 26 cases. We had excellent cosmetic result and no complications such as necrosis, infection, sensitive and motor troubles after the surgery.

DISCUSSION

The T plasty is easy for treating skin forehead defects. The scars are 25% less extensive than with a H plasty. The T flap permits to treat important defects without distortion or risks.

CONCLUSION

The T cutaneous flap can easily substitute the H plasty for the forehead and temples reconstruction with no risks but good cosmetics results.

[Myoepithelial carcinoma of the lacrimal gland]

INTRODUCTION

Myoepithelial carcinomas are unusual tumors most often located in salivary glands. It is very rarely located in lacrimal glands; only 5 cases have been reported. We report a sixth case.

OBSERVATION

An 88-year-old male patient presented with diplopia, painless right sided exophthalmia, as well as eyeball deviation due to a tumor located at upper external quadrant of the orbit. A biopsy initially suggested a sarcoma. The pathological analysis of the biopsy allowed diagnosing a myoepithelial carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Despite the monoblock resection of the tumor, a recurrence was observed 3 months after removal. The patient died 8 months after the initial surgery.

DISCUSSION

This case illustrates the clinical and pathological characteristics of a myoepithelial carcinoma. This tumor has a high grade of malignancy, and is very rarely described in lacrimal glands. The morphological diagnosis of this tumor is difficult with a problematic differential diagnosis with fusiform cells sarcomas (leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma), and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma.

[Squamous cell carcinoma secondary to Buruli ulcer in West Africa]

BACKGROUND

Buruli ulcer is an infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans occurring in tropical areas. In West Africa, it is an emerging threat mainly affecting children aged under 15years. This chronic disease is complicated by dystrophic scars in which squamous cell carcinoma can occur in the long term.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of squamous cell carcinomas in Buruli ulcer scars seen at the Treichville University Hospital (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) over a five-year period.

RESULTS

During the study period, 8cases were observed and concerned young adults presenting Buruli ulcer in their childhood. Tumours were restricted to the limbs, with loco-regional invasion. Treatment was primarily surgical. Four of the patients died.

DISCUSSION

The risk of recurrence of cancer in these scars remains poorly evaluated, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring strategies for human patients in order to ensure rapid identification of any changes in Buruli ulcer scars.

[Primary intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the jaws]

INTRODUCTION

A mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a malignant salivary gland tumor. Its primitive intraosseous maxillary localization is rare. We report a case with a difficult diagnosis.

CASE REPORT

A 42-year-old female patient consulted atypical right sinus area pain. The CT scan revealed a heterogeneous tumor lyzing the right maxillary. The surgical treatment was broad resection. The pathological examination indicated an intramaxillary MEC. The surgical treatment was completed by postoperative radiotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Primary intraosseous MEC of the jaws is rare and often affects the mandible. Its intraosseous maxillary localization is even rarer. Its etiopathogenesis is still unknown. The treatment is usually surgical, and the prognosis is based on histological criteria.

[What size of surgical margins for carcinoma of the eyelid?]

Traditional surgical treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer includes excision with adjacent surgical margins, such "safety" margins theoretically leading to lower recurrence rates. Thus, some authors favor a clinical excision margin of 4mm for basal cell carcinoma and 6mm for squamous cell carcinoma. However, such "safety" margins cannot be applied in all cases of eyelids tumors for anatomic and functional reasons, because such recommendations may lead to severe ocular complications, even loss of the globe. Thus, in order to mitigate these issues in oculoplastic surgery, excision with reduced margins is proposed, either with frozen sections or with traditional pathologic analysis and secondary reconstructive surgery several days later. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that it is possible to reduce surgical margins while respecting "safety" from tumor recurrence, in order to preserve ocular integrity. The most appealing technique is frozen section of the margins, corresponding to "slow-Mohs" micrographic surgery.

Prise en charge chirurgicale du carcinome basocellulaire

The incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is increasing as the population is aging and doubles every ten years. Surgery is the first-line treatment of BCC. Dermatological surgery is an oncological skin surgery whose first objective is to obtain a complete resection of the tumor. Its aim is also to reconstruct the defect using the optimal repair technique for the best cosmetic and scarring outcome and without functional impairment. The dermatological approach with the "oncological reading" of cutaneous tumors constitutes the essential preliminary time to the diagnosis of BCC and the identification of its limits. The perfect knowledge of the security margins in accordance with the guidelines allows a complete excision and a reconstruction in one stage under local anesthesia in the majority of cases. The surgical treatment must use 3D histology techniques or micrographic surgery to manage difficult cases of aggressive BCC in high risk zone or recurrence. Management of very aggressive BCC or locally advanced BCC is discussed in a multidisciplinary consultation by assessing the benefit/risk ratio of the surgical treatment and by identifying the appropriate surgeon after documenting the tumor, its operability and patient's adherence to the surgical treatment. © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Cet article fait partie du numéro supplément Prise en charge des carcinomes basocellulaires difficiles à traiter réalisé avec le soutien institutionnel de Sun Pharma.

[Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate: a rare tumor]

The prostate is a very rare localization of signet ring cell carcinoma, with few cases reported in the literature. This histological type occurs rather in cancers of the digestive tract (stomach, colon). Authors report a case of a patient aged 63 years. Diagnostic and therapeutic features are discussed.

[Endometrial carcinoma: An histopathological and histoprognotic study about 62 patients in a center in the Tunisian north]

Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent genital tract cancer in occident and the third most common cancer among women in Tunisia. It is dominated by carcinoma. The identification of prognostic factors allows a better understanding of its outcome and guides its therapeutic approach. We propose to describe the clinicopathological features and identify the histoprognostic factors of this cancer. It is a retrospective analysis of a series of 62 total hysterectomy specimens with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy from women with primary carcinoma of the endometrium, colligated in Anatomy Laboratory and Pathology Salah Azaiz Institute of Tunis over a period of 5 years, from January 2003 to December 2007. The median age was 60 years. At the time of diagnosis, 25% of patients were nulliparous and 86% were menopaused. The endometrioid adenocarcinoma was the most common, accounting for 84% of cases (5% of them were grade 3). A myometrial invasion superior or equal to 50% was observed in 40% of cases. 42% of cases were classified as stage IA, 14% in stage IB, 16% in stage II, 18% stage III and 10% in stage IV. 22% of patients had nodal involvement. Overall survival at 5 years was 81%. In multivariate analysis, stage IV, nodal involvement and brachytherapy have influenced this rate. Event-free survival at 5 years was 71%. It was directly related to stage and nodal involvement. Stage, histological type, tumor grade, invasion of more than half of the myometrium and lymph node involvement were the most important adverse prognostic factors, dictating an appropriate management of these tumors.

[Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder: Report of five cases and a review of the literature]

Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare and aggressive tumour, accounting for less than 1% of all bladder tumours. Given its rarity and the absence of randomized trials, the therapeutic management of these tumours remains difficult. By analogy with small cell lung cancer, multimodal treatment is often proposed. Radical cystectomy plus chemotherapy and chemoradiation therapy are associated with better survival compared to monotherapy. We report our experience in the management of these tumours with literature review.

[Prognosis factors after lung stereotactic body radiotherapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma]

Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in France with a prevalence of 30,000 new cases per year. Lobectomy surgery with dissection is the gold standard treatment for T1-T2 localized non-small cell lung carcinoma. A segmentectomy may be proposed to operable patients but fragile from a respiratory point of view. For inoperable patients or patients with unsatisfactory pulmonary function tests, local treatment with stereotactic radiotherapy may be proposed to achieve local control rates ranging from 85 to 95% at 3-5 years. Several studies have examined prognostic factors after stereotaxic pulmonary radiotherapy. We conducted a general review of the literature to identify factors affecting local control.

[Management of neuroendocrine prostate carcinoma: Literature review]

Neuroendocrine prostate carcinoma is a rare entity causing both diagnostic and therapeutic issues. There are basically four histological forms (adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, carcinoid tumors, small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas), which can be pure or mixed associated with prostatic carcinoma. There is no consensus on the management or the prognosis of these various tumor subtypes. We conducted a literature review aiming to determine the potential therapeutic implications.

Unusual cause of dyspnea: Cardiac fusiform cells carcinoma

This manuscript illustrates an unusual cause of dyspnea. Cardiac tumor are uncommon, especially fusiform cells carcinoma.

[Invasive squamous cell carcinoma: about 2 cases]

Conjunctival tumors are common in tropical areas, where exposure to ultraviolet radiation is high and almost permanent. Malignant tumors are quite rare and the most represented is conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. We report two cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva received in the ophthalmology department of the Sominé Dolo hospital in Mopti, Mali. The patients were 25 and 51 years old, living in a rural desert area exposed to sunlight and dust. They presented with a mass developed in the area of the palpebral fissure, invading the cornea and preventing palpebral occlusion. The mass was raised, multi-lobulated, well circumscribed, pearly white in color and papillomatous in appearance with dilation of the feeder vessels. A wide surgical excision at 4 - 5 mm from the healthy tissue edges was performed with anatomopathological examination of the specimen, which confirmed a mature and invasive differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. The extension workup and HIV serology were negative. The evolution was favorable in the medium term without recurrence.

[Translocated sinonasal tumors]

In recent years, several nasal cavity and sinus entities have been described with fusion genes. Salivary gland tumors with fusion genes will not be discussed in this article, but it should be kept in mind that accessory salivary glands are present in the nasal cavity and sinuses and can therefore lead to tumoral lesions. Entities with specific or more frequently described rearrangements in the nasal cavities and sinuses are DEK::AFF2 squamous cell carcinomas,;non-intestinal and non-salivary nasosinusal adenocarcinomas, some of which displaying ETV6 gene rearrangements; biphenotypic nasosinusal sarcomas, most of which displaying PAX3 gene rearrangements; and Ewing's adamantinoma-like sarcomas, which display the same rearrangements as conventional Ewing's sarcomas, mainly the EWSR1::FLI1 rearrangement. Each entity will be described morphologically, immunohistochemically, and prognostically.

[What’s new in dermato-oncology?]

During this year 2013, Onco-dermatology was the object of numerous publications, especially in the field of metastatic melanoma. Previous results concerning anti PD-1 have been consolidated. Studies concerning Mek inhibitors have been published with promising results in uveal melanoma. In metastatic melanoma two combinations showed great results: combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab and combination of B-RAF and MEK inhibitors. Some studies demonstrated efficacy of these new therapeutics (ipilimumab, vemurafenib and dabrafenib) in brain metastasis. Moreover, the year 2013 was marked by the increasing knowledge in the management of adverse events induced by these new treatments. In the field of basal cell carcinoma, after the publication of large scale studies, vismodegib, the inhibitor of the hedgehog signalling pathway, was approved by the European Medicines Agency.

[What's new in skin cancers?]

The present "what's new in oncology in 2014?" is in keeping with data reported in the past years. Indeed, metastatic melanoma still keeps the lion's share. The results of the combinations schedules with BRAF and MEK inhibitors showed an improvement in progression-free survival. Otherwise, resistance mechanisms to MAPKinase pathway inhibitors are of interest worldwide. Nevertheless, more fundamental and transversal researches are currently being investigated than validated schedules in daily clinical practice. Following anti-CTLA-4 drugs, second-generation immunotherapies, including anti-PD1 and PD-L1 molecules, confirmed their results in extended cohorts. In the setting of localized melanoma, the final results from MLST-1, Morton's study, regarding the sentinel node procedure versus observation alone, prompted a new enhancement in the sentinel node controversy. From another point of view, "what is not new in oncology in 2014?" In this area, the absence of original investigations on the primary melanoma detection in France and the absence of innovations in the adjuvant treatment of melanoma after surgery should be mentioned. While recent revolutionary drugs, i.e. targeted therapies and immunotherapies, will know advances under the resistance pressure in a near future, a revolution is still awaited in melanoma earlier stages.

Recommandations pour la pratique clinique Nice/Saint-Paul-de-Vence 2022–2023 : Diagnostic histomoléculaire des carcinomes de l'endomètre

French recommendations for clinical practice Nice-Saint-Paul de Vence 2022-2023: histomolecular diagnosis of endometrial carcinomas The characterisation of endometrial carcinomas has been recently modified and enriched by molecular classification, the integration of which now impacts therapeutic decisions on whether adjuvant therapy should be administered or not in localized tumors, and influences treatment selection in advanced disease. Mandatory information includes histological type according to WHO 2020 classification, histological grade, hormone receptors status and molecular classification, the main new elements to provide being analysis of MMR proteins, p53 status and POLE status in selected cases. Sampling and preparation of material must be performed adequately to allow complete analysis. Numerous markers can be used to better define histological type, distinguish between primary lesion or metastases, or provide prognostic information. Determination of MMR/MSI profile is complex but well defined by guidelines that precisely describe techniques to be used and interpretation rules. Knowledge of POLE status is useful to guide therapeutic strategy, especially to consider de-escalation in stages I and II, in particular in case of high grade and/or p53 mutated tumors. This is why indications of POLE determination must be well defined. Finally, oncogenetics consultation is recommended in dMMR tumors (except in case or MLH1 promoter methylation) and in patients with evocative familial history.

L’immunothérapie dans les cancers ORL

IMMUNOTHERAPY IN HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Immunotherapy wave has also touched head and neck cancer. In recurrent or metastatic disease, checkpoint inhibitors (anti PD-1/PD-L1) are approved in 2^nd line with a clear benefit on overall survival and quality of life. Multiple clinical studies are in progress in both palliative and curative intent, combined or not with other checkpoint inhibitor (anti-CTLA4) or other standard therapies (radiotherapy, chemotherapy). It is essential to define which patients will benefit from immunotherapy, according to robust biomarkers, in order to increase risk benefit balance by decreasing side effects and selecting those who respond the most. Here we present an overview of immunotherapy in 2018 in head and neck squamous cell cancer.

[De novo (type 3) primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws]

INTRODUCTION

Primary intraosseous carcinoma (PIOC) of the jaws is a rare epidermoid carcinoma from epithelial origin and initially strictly localized within the bone. Histologically, type 3 PIOC (PIOC3) is a de novo primary intraosseous carcinoma. Because of the rarity of this illness, we propose an analysis of a personal case and a revue of the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two search engines (Pubmed^®, Sciencedirect^®) were questioned over the period 1976-February 2016 by using following keywords carcinoma, intraosseous, jaws, squamous cell carcinoma. Articles reporting proven PIOC3 and mentioning a precise treatment were selected.

RESULTS

Thirty articles concerning 54 patients (sex ratio: 2.4; mean age: 56.8; extreme: 24-78) met the inclusion criterions. The most common symptoms were swelling (53%), pain (44.9%) and infra-alveolar nerve paresthesia (30.6%). The time to diagnosis was 13 weeks. Classification of Zwetyenga et al. showed more than 80% of T2 and T3 stages. The lesions were predominantly mandibular (85.2%) and posterior. Less than a third of patients had lymph node and 10% had distant metastasis. Treatment consisted mostly in a combination of surgery and radiotherapy. With a mean follow-up of 74.8 months, 70.8% were in remission with no evidence of recurrence. We report the case of a 58-year-old patient, with no medical history, complaining since several months about periodontitis with teeth mobility in the right mandibular area. The panoramic X-ray showed a bone lysis at the place of tooth No. 46. In the absence of alveolar healing after extraction and antibiotherapy, a biopsy was made that diagnosed a differentiated keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. CT scan and MRI showed a mandibular cortical bone loss with involvement of adjacent structures and lymphadenopathy in the ipsilateral IB area. The patient was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Postoperative chemo- and radiotherapy is still going on.

DISCUSSION

The PIOC3 is a rare tumor, mainly arising in males around 50. Diagnosis should be evoked in the presence of painful swelling and nervous symptoms. The time to diagnosis is long. Tumors are usually seen at late stages. Treatment classically combines surgery and radiotherapy.

[Rare subtypes of lung cancer]

In Europe, a rare cancer is defined as having an incidence rate of less than 6/100,000. Rare lung cancers encompass many entities defined by the 2021 WHO classification of thoracic tumors, and represent around 10% of all lung cancers. Rare lung cancers involve several histological types (carcinoma, sarcoma and lymphoma), each of which comprises several entities. The management of these patients with rare cancers requires specific medical expertise at every level (diagnosis, treatment and follow-up). These patients should therefore be referred to expert centers affiliated with national networks, giving them appropriate care and better access to innovative treatments. The deployment of systematic molecular characterization of these tumors has allowed for the identification and better characterization of specific entities. Some entities are specific to the lung, while others are more commonly found in other organs. In this review, we will only consider malignant lung tumors with an incidence of less than 1%.