Management of Metastatic Glomus Jugulare Tumors

Metastatic glomus jugulare tumors (jugular paragangliomas) are very uncommon: consequently, no single report has been able to accurately describe their biologic or clinical behavior, and there are no established guidelines on caring for patients with these tumors. Identification of metastatic paraganglioma can be difficult because these tumors are known to occur synchronously, many other tumor types appear histologically similar to paragangliomas, and histologically the metastasis may not resemble the primary tumor. Immunohistochemistry, using neuroendocrine markers, and electron microscopy are the two most useful techniques available to identify definitely paragangliomas. A few studies have shown differences in the immunohistochemical staining patterns between benign and metastatic paragangliomas. We reviewed the literature and include two additional cases of metastatic glomus jugulare tumors in this article. We discuss the clinical management of these patients, the importance and usefulness of immunohistochemistry in characterizing these tumors, and their clinical outcomes.     

Selective Embolization of Glomus Jugulare Tumors

Four patients with grade C or D₁ glomus jugulare tumors who underwent preoperative highly selective embolization followed by infratemporal fossa removal of their tumors were compared to three patients undergoing surgery alone with respect to intraoperative blood loss, operative time, cranial nerve palsy, length of hospitalization, and perioperative complications. Embolized patients demonstrated a marked reduction in blood loss (650 vs 1375 cc) compared with the nonembolized group. Operative time was shortened (by 51 minutes). Facial nerve function did not appear related to embolization but was directly related to intraoperative nerve manipulation. Hospital stay, perioperative complications, and lower cranial nerve palsies were not related to embolization.     

Treatment of Recurrent and Residual Glomus Jugulare Tumors

Residual and recurrent glomus jugulare tumors are rare but challenging. Treatment options include microsurgical resection, stereotactic radiotherapy, a combination of modalities, and “observation.” Choice of treatment must be made on a case-by-case basis, considering patient age, health status, location and size of tumor, status of the lower cranial nerves, and, of course, patient desire. Surgery is preferred when total resection of the tumor with preservation of function is deemed achievable. When function of the lower cranial nerves has been compromised, total surgical resection may also be possible, provided that the patient's health allows it. Cases where function is still preserved despite presence of a large tumor are more challenging, and a combination modality may be most effective. The goal of treatment is to provide tumor control with low morbidity. Current surgical techniques and the availability of stereotactic radiotherapy make this possible in the majority of cases.     

On Glomus Tumors, Warts, and Razors

BACKGROUND: Occam's razor encourages ascribing a set of clinical findings to a single diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To present a patient with a subungual wart and a glomus tumor of the same nail unit and to review the literature regarding these conditions. METHODS: We describe a 58-year-old female with a 2-year history of nail dystrophy and related symptoms that were initially attributed to verruca but recalcitrant to extensive therapies. RESULTS: Ultimately the persistence of her symptoms was found to be secondary to a subungual glomus tumor. CONCLUSION: Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for the presence of multiple diagnoses to prevent the delay of appropriate management, particularly when symptoms do not respond to initial treatment.     

Clinicopathologic Features of Incident and Subsequent Tumors in Patients with Multiple Primary Cutaneous Melanomas

Background

0.6?C12.7% of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma will develop additional melanomas. Pathologic features of tumors in patients with multiple primary cutaneous melanomas have not been well described. In this large, international, multicenter, case?Ccontrol study, we compared the clinicopathologic features of a subsequent melanoma with the preceding (usually the first) melanoma in patients with multiple primary cutaneous melanomas, and with those of melanomas in patients with single primary cutaneous melanomas.

Methods

Multiple primary melanoma (cases) and single primary invasive melanoma (controls) patients from the Genes, Environment and Melanoma (GEM) study were included if their tumors were available for pathologic review and confirmed as melanoma. Clinicopathologic characteristics of invasive subsequent and first melanomas in cases and invasive single melanomas in controls were compared.

Results

A total of 473 pairs comprising a subsequent and a first melanoma and 1,989 single melanomas were reviewed. Forward stepwise regression modeling in 395 pairs with complete data showed that, compared with first melanomas, subsequent melanomas were more commonly contiguous with a dysplastic nevus, more prevalent on the head/neck and legs than other sites, and thinner. Compared with single primary melanomas, subsequent melanomas were more likely to be associated with a contiguous dysplastic nevus, more prevalent on the head/neck and legs, and thinner. The same differences were observed when subsequent melanomas were compared with single melanomas. First melanomas were more likely than single melanomas to have associated solar elastosis and no observed mitoses.

Conclusions

Thinner subsequent than first melanomas suggest earlier diagnosis, perhaps due to closer clinical scrutiny. The association of subsequent melanomas with dysplastic nevi is consistent with the latter being risk factors or risk markers for melanoma.     

多原发结直肠癌的临床特征及预后

目的总结多原发结直肠癌(MPCC)的临床病理学特点、诊断、治疗及预后。方法回顾性分析1993年8月至2009年3月期间于中国医科大学附属第四医院和中国医科大学附属第一医院诊治的41例MPCC患者的临床资料。结果 41例MPCC患者占同期收治的结直肠癌患者的1.8%(41/2 340)。同时性MPCC(SCC)患者29例,其中经术前纤维结肠镜检查确诊者15例(51.7%),经术前纤维结肠镜、腹部CT及钡灌肠检查确诊者9例(31.0%),经术中探查及术中纤维结肠镜检查确诊者5例(17.2%);异时性MPCC(MCC)患者12例,次原发癌均经纤维结肠镜检查和CT检查确诊。41例MPCC患者合并腺瘤性息肉者19例,其中息肉恶变10例次;SCC患者的肿瘤部位倾向于从近端盲肠到远端直肠,而MCC患者的肿瘤部位恰好相反;病理组织学类型主要为管状或乳头状腺癌,占77.4%(65/84),以高中分化腺癌为主,占66.7%(56/84);TNM分期以Ⅱ或Ⅲ期为主,占85.7%(72/84)。37例行根治性手术,4例行姑息性手术,术后均无严重并发症发生。术后随访3～5年,平均3.6年,3年总生存率为48.8%(20/41),其中SCC为48.3%(14/29),MCC为50.0%(6/12);5年总生存率为34.1%(14/41),其中SCC为31.0%(9/29),MCC为41.7%(5/12)。结论 MPCC病因不清,但其发生可能与腺瘤性息肉有关。SCC患者应重视纤维结肠镜、腹部CT及钡灌肠检查相结合,必要时术中行纤维结肠镜检查;MCC患者应加强术后纤维结肠镜的随访。治疗上应争取早期行根治性切除术。     

Somatostatin Therapy for Glomus Tumors: A Report of Two Cases

Glomus tumors of the head and neck are benign vascular lesions that often provide dilemmas in management. The presence of somatostatin receptors on the tumor cell surface has facilitated an additional imaging technique in the form of radiolabeled octreotide scanning. The use of the somatostatin analogue, octreotide, also provides a therapeutic option for inoperable or recurrent tumors. We present two patients, one with a surgically inaccessible tumor that recurred after primary radiotherapy and one who underwent incomplete resection because of the tumor's proximity to the internal carotid artery. Neither tumor has shown further growth 5 and 3 years after treatment with octreotide, respectively.     

Radiologic Features of Sinonasal Tumors

Imaging evaluation of sinonasal tumors is most often conducted with computed tomography, which excels at identifying the effects of these masses on adjacent osseous structures, and magnetic resonance imaging that is ideal for distinguishing pathologic masses from mucosal thickening and fluid that are common in the sinonasal spaces and depicting extension into the surrounding soft tissues, orbits, and intracranial compartment. Accordingly, the two studies are complementary exams and both are commonly utilized in the assessment of these masses. Less commonly, positron emission tomography can provide additional metabolic evaluation of potential metastatic disease in patients with malignant disease. While these imaging modalities are excellent for the portrayal of an abnormality, there is considerable overlap in the imaging appearance of these tumors and specific imaging manifestations linked to a particular tumor are frequently lacking. Therefore, while the mass may be readily identified, narrowing the differential diagnosis to a single specific entity is rare. Nevertheless, cross-sectional imaging plays an essential role in patient management and valuable guidance for successful biopsy or surgical resection in virtually all cases. This review emphasizes essential imaging manifestations that correlate with sinonasal tumors in general and highlight certain features that may implicate a specific disease process.     

脊柱肿瘤的CT诊断

分析２２例脊椎肿瘤的ＣＴ表现，与常见疾病的鉴别诊断，认为仔细观察ＣＴ骨破坏征象对脊椎肿瘤良恶性的鉴别有较高的价值。     

Multiple Tumors of the Follicular Infundibulum

BACKGROUND: Tumor of the follicular infundibulum is an uncommon benign neoplasm manifested histopathologically by a superficial epithelial plate-like growth pattern with multiple thin epidermal connections comprised of monomorphic cells with abundant cytoplasm. Cases of multiple tumors of the follicular infundibulum are rare and are described as hypopigmented scar-like macules or flat papules on the face, neck, and upper chest. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe a case of multiple tumors of the follicular infundibulum with numerous pigmented macules or papules and extensive involvement including the face, neck, anterior and posterior trunk, upper extremities, and intertriginous areas. METHODS: A case report and literature review are presented. CONCLUSION: Tumor of the follicular infundibulum with its characteristic histopathologic manifestations is a well-recognized entity nowadays. Our case further expands the constellation of the clinical presentation of the multiple variant. Although the possibility of malignant basocellular degeneration seems remote, the multiplicity of the lesions, the possibility of clinical overlook, and the impracticality of complete treatment makes regular follow-up rational.     

Scalp Tumors Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Clinical Features and Surgical Outcome

BACKGROUND: There are only a small number of reports on the outcome of scalp tumors treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to present a large series of patients with scalp tumors treated with MMS in Australia between 1993 and 2002. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter study included all patients with scalp tumors who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia. The variables analyzed were patient demographics, reason for referral, preoperative tumor size and postoperative defect size, recurrences before MMS, histologic subtypes, perineural invasion, and 5-year recurrence. RESULTS: The study included 316 patients (68% men) with a mean age of 65+/-15 years. The most common tumors were basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 57.9%; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 35.8%; Bowen's disease (BD), 4.1%; and atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), 1.6%. Recurrent tumors comprised 37% of cases. The recurrence rate for 70 BCC patients who completed the 5-year follow-up was 5.7%, and for 31 SCC cases it was 3.2%. No cases of recurrence were noted in the patients with BD and AFX. CONCLUSION: BCC was the most common scalp tumor managed by MMS. The low 5-year recurrence rate emphasizes the importance of margin controlled excision of scalp tumors.