Bronchogenic carcinoma in breast carcinoma patients

Forty-eight female patients who developed bronchogenic carcinoma synchronously with or after the occurrence of breast carcinoma are reported. The object of the study was to review the radiographic findings for possible clues to the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma and to ascertain the histologic diagnoses observed. In 40 patients on whom films were available, the original radiographs before surgery for bronchogenic carcinoma were examined. The clinical records of the 48 patients were also reviewed. Histologic diagnosis of primary bronchogenic carcinoma was required. A solitary pulmonary lesion in a patient with breast carcinoma, a cavitated lesion, or a lesion that failed to respond to appropriate therapy for metastatic breast carcinoma suggested the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma. An increase in the frequency of small cell carcinoma and a decrease in the frequency of adenocarcinoma was seen in bronchogenic carcinomas developing 5 years or more after radiation therapy for breast carcinoma. It was concluded that the benefits of radiation therapy in selected patients far outweighed the risk of bronchogenic carcinoma.     

Pancreatic carcinoma masquerading as renal cell carcinoma

Three cases of pancreatic carcinoma that arose in the tail and extended into the adjacent left kidney are presented. Because of misleading symptoms and radiographic features, the tumors were misdiagnosed as primary renal tumor. In most cases, computed tomography (CT) provides the correct diagnosis and prevents unnecessary surgery.     

Urachal carcinoma

Urachal carcinoma is a rare tumor that often does not manifest clinically until late in its course. Several radiographic features are helpful in suggesting the diagnosis preoperatively. We present a case of urachal carcinoma in which preoperative evaluation included magnetic resonance imaging. This technique was helpful not only in suggesting the diagnosis preoperatively, but also, and more importantly, in the preoperative staging of the neoplasm.     

Urachal carcinoma

Urachal carcinoma is a rare tumor that often does not manifest clinically until late in its course. Several radiographic features are helpful in suggesting the diagnosis preoperatively. We present a case of urachal carcinoma in which preoperative evaluation included magnetic resonance imaging. This technique was helpful not only in suggesting the diagnosis preoperatively, but also, and more importantly, in the preoperative staging of the neoplasm.     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively common. Undifferentiated Carcinomas of Nasopharyngeal Type (UNCT) are endemic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related tumors. They are mainly radiosensitive. The role of imaging is to assess locoregional extension, TNM classification and adjust the radiation fields. MRI is essential to determine the initial extension. CT is useful to confirm the presence of bone involvement and evaluate nodal status. MRI and CT are necessary for the post-treatment follow-up.     

Parathyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid carcinoma is the least frequent malignancy among endocrine tumors. In the most reported series of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism the incidence of carcinoma is less than 1%. Racognition by a surgeon that the parathyroid tumor is malignant, and the performance of an adequate en bloc removal of primary lesion, with histologic diagnosis offer the best treatment of a patient with this unusual malignancy. CASE REPORT: We reported a 30-year-old patient with parathyroid carcinoma, primary hyperparathyroidism, and recurrent nephrocalcinosis. Marked hypercalcemia, low serum phosphorus, and substantial elevation of serum parathyroid hormone indicated a diagnosis of primary hiperparathyroidism. General symptoms were anorexia, muscle weakness, back pain and depression. Ultrasonography done before the surgery revealed a 2 cm upper left parathyroid gland with solid and cystic areas. The neck exploration was done with en block resection of the tumor. A histopathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma. Over more than a three-year-follow-up, the patient had no evidence of the disease recurrence and his serum PTH and calcium levels remained within the normal. CONCLUSION: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge. Radical en bloc resection of the tumor is the treatment of choice for this malignancy.     

Thymic carcinoma

This is a case of thymic carcinoma-a rare and highly aggressive type of tumor found in the anterior mediastinum. During a routine chest X-ray, a 66-yr-old male pilot was found to have a mediastinal mass. After diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy and 1 yr after completion of these therapies he was re-issued a third-class medical certificate to fly.     

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma

It is helpful to consider BAC as two distinct clinical entities. The solitary or focal form presents as a well circumscribed pulmonary nodule, tends to remain localized with slow growth, and has an excellent prognosis following resection. While it may progress to diffuse disease, this is distinctly unusual and is only supported by Hill's study in the literature. It may metastasize to regional lymph nodes or to distant sites not unlike other carcinomas of the lung, although the incidence of metastatic disease is quite low. The diffuse form of BAC, recognizable as multiple nodules or consolidation, represents an aggressive malignancy with limited survival regardless of intervention.