Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastases of testicular tumors: report of two cases

Two cases of testicular tumors with lymph node involvement and multiple lung and liver metastases were treated successfully with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy. Case 1: A 30-year-old man presented with right scrotal swelling and an abdominal mass. He had a large retroperitoneal mass and multiple lung and liver metastases on computed tomographic (CT) scan and chest X-ray. Right inguinal orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis revealed embryonal cell carcinoma and choriocarcinoma. Cisplatin, vinblastine, VP-16 and pepleomycin combination chemotherapy (PVeBV) was started and repeated for 2 courses. The retroperitoneal mass and lung tumors decreased in size, but liver tumors enlarged. Systemic and intrahepatic arterial infusion combined with chemotherapy was administered, and intra-arterial chemotherapy (cisplatin, VP-16) was added. The patient also received systemic chemotherapy (carboplatin, VP-16, ifosfamide). After chemotherapy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. Microscopic examination revealed no viable cancer cells. On CT scan, no retroperitoneal, liver, or lung tumor was detected. Case 2: A 43-year-old man presented with right scrotal swelling and an abdominal mass. CT scan revealed a large retroperitoneal mass as well as lung and multiple liver metastases. Right inguinal orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis revealed seminoma. Cisplatin, vinblastine, VP-16 and pepleomycin combination chemotherapy (PVeBV) was administered, but the liver tumors ware enlarged on CT scan. Intrahepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (cisplatin, VP-16) was started and repeated for 4 courses. On CT scan, the lung metastasis seemed to have disappeared, and the retroperitoneal mass and liver metastases were decreased in size.     

Stromal sarcoma of the breast with lung metastases showing a clinical complete response to doxorubicin plus ifosfamide treatment: report of a case

A 29-year-old woman presented with a painful right breast tumor, measuring 15 cm in diameter, which had progressed rapidly over 3 months. Core needle biopsy of the tumor revealed a malignant mesenchymal tumor. A mastectomy was performed, and pathological examination of the tumor showed stromal sarcoma. Solitary pleural dissemination in the right lung was suspected, based on the computed tomography image taken before the operation. Two months after surgery, bilateral multiple lung nodules were demonstrated. Systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin plus ifosfamide was performed, and 3 months later the lung metastases had disappeared. Moreover, there is still no sign of recurrence at 5 months after the initiation of the chemotherapy. Breast stromal sarcoma is very rare, accounting for less than 1% of mammary neoplasms, and the treatment strategy is not well established, especially regarding chemotherapy. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of chemotherapy with doxorubicin plus ifosfamide for lung metastases from breast stromal sarcoma.     

Yolk sac tumor of the anterior mediastinum and pulmonary metastases; report of a case

A 31-year-old female was clinically diagnosed as having a anterior mediastinal yolk sac tumor because of the elevation of the AFP (17,500 ng/ml), a large mass lesion (9 x 5 cm) in the anterior mediastinum and bilateral lung metastases. After 4 courses of chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP), etoposide (VP-16) and bleomycin hydrochloride (BLM), the mediastinal mass reduced in size significantly and the serum AFP level reached within normal range. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed a weak uptake in the mediastinum, accordingly the operation was performed. The tumor was completely removed and there were no viable foci of the tumor in part of the tumor. After the operation, 4 courses of chemotherapy with carboplatin (CBDCA), VP-16 and ifosfamide (IFM) were performed. She is alive without evidence of recurrence in 5 months after operation. It was noticed that the serum AFP is a useful indicator for determing the chance of operation after chemotherapy.     

Successful long-term management of hepatic and lymph nodes metastases of ureteral cancer by multimodal treatment including radiofrequency ablation

A 56-year-old man presented with asymptomatic gross hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed right hydronephrosis and a slightly enhanced invasive tumor in the right lower ureter, providing a diagnosis of ureteral cancer stage cT3NOM0. The patient underwent minimum incision endoscopic nephrouretectomy, and pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed urothelial carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with metastases to right obturator lymph nodes (pT3pN2). Ten months later, CT scan of the abdomen revealed two hepatic metastases. After three courses of combination chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC), one tumor completely disappeared and another achieved a partial response. The patient underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the residual followed by GC chemotherapy. However, eighteen months later, CT scan of the abdomen revealed two metastatic foci in other hepatic lesion. The patient underwent RFA again followed by GC chemotherapy and then all hepatic metastases have not revealed enlargement. More than three years after surgery, the patient has achieved a high quality of life.     

Evaluation of surgical resection of pulmonary metastasis of trophoblastic tumor

Objective: To evaluate the role of the lung lobectomy in gestational trophoblastic tumor patients with lung metastases. Methods: A total of 45 cases of trophoblastic tumor with pulmonary metastases treated by lung lobectomy from 1985~2002 at PUMC hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Seven cases were diagnosed as invasive mole and thirty-eight as choriocarcinoma. Results: Lung lobectomy was performed in all of these patients after several courses of chemotherapy. Seven cases of invasive mole reached complete remission. Eleven cases of choriocarcinoma with stage Ⅲa had received average 13 courses of chemotherapy, 10 of them reached complete remission. Seventeen cases of choriocarcinoma with stage Ⅲb had received average 14.3 courses of chemotherapy, 11 of them reached complete remission. Ten cases of choriocarcinoma with stage Ⅳ had received average 15 courses of chemotherapy, six of them reached complete remission. In the 45 patients, histologic examination disclosed haemorrhagic necrotic tissue in 27 patients, 17 of them reached complete remission(63%). Histologic examination also revealed fibrosis around the focus in 16 patients, 14 of them reached complete remission(88%). Tuberculosis was found in 2 patients.Conclusions: Although the development of effective chemotherapy has resulted in improved survival of patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor, lung lobectomy remains an important adjunct treatment in a selected subset of patients. Pathological examinations can help to estimate the prognosis.     

Malignant gonadal stromal tumor of the testis arising with a malignant teratoma

We report a case of a rare malignant gonadal stromal tumor arising with a malignant teratoma of the testis. The malignant gonadal stromal element of the tumor or the nongerminal cell component was resistant to chemotherapy and ultimately metastasized to the lymph nodes, lung, bones and liver. Nongerminal cell tumors arising with germinal cell neoplasms may become more common because the chemosensitive germ cell tumor may be destroyed and the chemoresistant nongerminal tumor remains. The nongerminal cell tumor is the most important prognostic factor and also dictates possible later changes in therapy.     

A case of pelvic malignant paraganglioma

We report a rare case of pelvic malignant paraganglioma that was treated with surgery, combination chemotherapy and radiation. A 47-year-old man was diagnosed with pelvic malignant paraganglioma that had metastasised to the thoracic vertebrae. The pelvic mass, which was 6 cm in size, was on the posterior side of the bladder and had invaded the prostate, seminal vesicle and bladder neck. We resected the intrapelvic tumor and lymph nodes using cystoprostatectomy. Metastases to bilateral obturator lymph nodes and the right internal iliac lymph node were shown by pathology. Adjuvant therapies included six courses of the combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine), and 12 courses of VP-16 therapy. Radiation therapy was done for metastasis of the thoracic vertebrae. Local recurrence, progression of bone metastasis and new metastasis have not been detected since these treatments. The patient has been clinically stable during 20 months of follow-up. Chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine and VP-16 with radiation appears to be effective in treating advanced malignant paraganglioma.     

Tumors of the testis In the forefront of oncology: a review and preview

Seven patients with metastatic and/or recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis treated with systemic chemotherapy are evaluated. The median age of the patients was fifty-five; 6 were men; 6 of the tumors were histologic grade III and Stage C at the time of nephroureterectomy. Most of the patients presented with a large recurrent mass at the original site of surgery in addition to bone and/or pulmonary metastases. Four patients were treated with CISCA combination chemotherapy (cis-platinum, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin), and responded with 1 partial remission, 1 less than partial remission, and 2 symptomatic improvement. Two patients were treated with FAM combination chemotherapy (5 fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and mitomycin C) and demonstrated an objective response. One patient had a less than partial remission (30 per cent) and the second patient a partial remission. The seventh patient was treated with alternating courses of CISCA and FAM and thus far has received 8 courses and is in complete remission. The median survival time of the 7 patients is seven months (range four to fourteen months). Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is responsive to chemotherapy; therefore, trials are indicated.     

Clinical study of bilateral metachronous testicular tumors with different histological findings

Seventy-seven patients with primary malignant testicular tumors were treated in our hospital. Twenty-five of them were given antineoplastic agents containing cis diamine dichloro platinum (CDDP). In three long-term survivors, new malignant testicular tumors developed meta-chronously and had different histological findings from those of the initial tumors. Case 1. A 28-year-old patient with a yolk sac tumor of the left testicle, stage IIO, developed metastasis to the supraclavicular lymph nodes five years after radiation. Chemotherapy containing of VP-16 (837 mg), CDDP (1050 mg), vincristine (32 mg), bleomycin (480 mg), and actinomycin-D (16 mg) achieved complete remission. Four years 11 months later a seminoma of the contralateral testicle, stage I, was disclosed and he died of cancer 11 years and four months after the onset of the initial disease. Case 2. A 30-year-old patient with testicular teratoma, stage IIIA, on the right side gained complete remission after a CDDP containing chemotherapy. One year and four months after the beginning of the CDDP use (1,300 mg totally as CDDP) a seminoma on the contralateral side, stage I, was detected. He died of cancer eight years and two months after his initial tumor was detected. Case 3. A 37-year-old patient with combined tumor of seminoma and yolk sac tumor of the right testicle, stage IIIO, was free from disease for six years and five months under chemotherapy. At this point a seminoma, stage I, of the contralateral testicle was newly found and treated by radiation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pilot trial of the rate of response, safety, and tolerability of temozolomide and oral VP-16 in patients with recurrent or treatment-induced malignant central nervous system tumors

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the response and toxicity of patients with recurrent or treatment-induced brain tumors to TMZ and oral VP-16. METHODS: Eleven patients with recurrent or treatment-induced malignant CNS tumors, including treatment-induced PNET (in 1 patient), brainstem glioma (in 3 patients; 1 with treatment-induced, 2 with recurrence), recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma (in 3 patients), and recurrent glioblastoma (in 4 patients) were evaluated in a pilot study of TMZ and oral VP-16 chemotherapy. All patients received TMZ at 150 mg/m2 per day on days 1 to 5 and oral VP-16 at 50 mg/m2 per day on days 1 to 12. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. RESULTS: None experienced major acute toxicity related to TMZ and oral VP-16 during a total of 52 treatment courses. Five (45%) of 11 patients showed a PR to treatment. Among the 11 patients enrolled, 7 patients are alive with disease at a median of 9 months from time of study entry. The 6-month PFS is 45% (95% CI, 40%-74%). The histologic subtype of the tumor, its location, and its maximum response to chemotherapy did not have an impact on the duration of disease control. CONCLUSION: This limited pilot study confirms the innocuousness and the activity of the combination of TMZ and oral VP-16 in recurrent malignant brain tumors. This promising activity warrants further investigation of this combination in larger phase II or III studies.     

A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the pararectal space

A 16-year-old man presented with lumbago, perianal pain and constipation. A large tumor was palpable by digital rectal examination. Then, transrectal needle biopsies of the tumor were performed. Histopathological diagnosis was non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell type according to the new WHO classification). The results of some examinations were compatible with the diagnosis of primary lymphoma of the pararectal space. The patient underwent 2 courses of combination chemotherapy CHOP (consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubichin, vincristine, and prednisolone), and high-dose chemotherapy (ranimustine, etoposide, ifosfamide) with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. After high-dose chemotherapy, radiation therapy was performed since there was a possibility of residual tumor, and complete remission was achieved. Now, 12 months after completion of the radiation, he remains free of the disease. This is probably the first clinical case of malignant lymphoma of the pararectal space ever reported in the Japanese literature.     

Three cases of transitional cell carcinoma in bladder diverticulum treated by a bladder-preserving approach

Three cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in the urinary bladder diverticulum were encountered during a period of 12 years and bladder preserving treatments were performed. Case 1: A 78-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of hematuria. Papillary tumors in the diverticulum of the right bladder wall were revealed (TCC, G3, T3N0M0). Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy was performed and complete remission was achieved. When a recurrent bladder tumor appeared 22 months later, transurethral resection was performed and there was no evidence of recurrence for 50 months. Case 2: A 60-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of gross hematuria. Cystoscopic examination revealed papillary tumors in a bladder diverticulum near the ureteral left orifice. Transurethral resection revealed TCC G2 and carcinoma in situ. Partial cystectomy, including the bladder diverticulum, and vesicoureteral neostomy was performed. The histological stage of the tumor was pTis and the wall of diverticulum possessed a thin muscle layer histopathologically. Twenty two months later, recurrence in the left bladder wall developed and transurethral resection and bladder instillation therapy were performed. For 21 months he had no evidence of recurrence. Case 3: A 59-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of hematuria. A solid tumor in the diverticulum of the bladder left wall was revealed. After 4 courses of intraarterial infusion chemotherapy, 41% remission was achieved and partial cystectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was TCC G3, pT3b, INF-alpha, v (-), ly (-), and no muscle layer was found in the diverticulum. There was no evidence of recurrence 16 months after operation. By using the combination therapy, bladder preserving treatment is possible in the cases of bladder cancer arising in the diverticulum.     

Synchronous Testicular Seminoma and Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Case Report

We report a rare case of synchronous testicular seminoma and adrenocortical carcinoma. A 57-year-old man had a left testicular seminoma (clinical stage 1MB) with metastases to the lung and paraaortic lymph node. A complete response was obtained after 3 courses of chemotherapy with single-agent carboplatin. However, a left adrenal tumor was detected 1 2 months later and demonstrated a tumor volume doubling time of 2.1 months. Chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin failed to stop the tumor growth. A laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed and pathology revealed an adrenocortical carcinoma. The patient has been free of recurrence for 42 months postoperatively.     

A successfully resected case of giant malignant mediastinal germ cell tumor

A 14-year-old male was admitted for complaints of dyspnea and cough. Chest radiography revealed a huge mass in the right lung field. The serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level was elevated to 1,251 ng/ml. Histological findings of the specimens obtained by needle biopsy revealed a mature teratoma with non-seminoma. After 2 courses of chemotherapy [cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (VP-16)], serum AFP level decreased to 25 ng/ml, and the tumor was resected with pericardium (the tumor size was 14 x 10 x 20 cm). Two courses of chemotherapy were administered again postoperatively with normalization of serum AFP level. The patient has no sign of recurrence of the tumor.     

Primary choriocarcinoma of the urinary bladder

A 72-year-old woman with asymptomatic macrohematuria was referred to our hospital. Cystoscopy revealed a 7 cm sessile tumor on the left lateral wall of the bladder. Subsequently an intravenous pyelography revealed left hydronephrosis. We performed transurethral biopsy and resection of the bladder tumor under the diagnosis of ordinary malignant bladder tumor. Histopathologically, the lesion was shown to be an undiffentiated urothelial carcinoma, G3, > or = pT2, containing syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells. The level of serum human chorionic gonadotropin-beta (hCG-beta) level was slightly elevated (0.3 ng/ml; normal value: < 0.1). Because a further examination revealed an invasion into the surrounding fat tissue of the bladder and left ureter, a total cystohysterectomy with an ileal conduit were performed. The final histopathological classification was choriocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, pT3a, pN1, pMx. An adjuvant combination chemotherapy was carried out using methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatin (MVAC). After two courses of chemotherapy, the serum hCG-beta levels returned to normal. Eleven months postoperatively, however, there was evidence of multiple lung metastases. The patient died 12 months after the surgery as a result of complications caused by widespread metastases.     

Vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum for advanced germ cell testis tumors: Brazilian experience

Disseminated germ cell testicular cancer proved to be highly sensitive to platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens. We present data concerning the treatment of advanced seminoma and nonseminomatous tumors in a developing country. We treated 30 patients with advanced germ cell testis tumors with 3 or 4 cycles of vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum. Surgical resection of residual masses was done 30 days after completion of chemotherapy in 18 patients. The histology of the primary tumor was seminoma in 13 patients and nonseminomatous tumors in 17. Toxicity was mild and no treatment-related deaths occurred. All 13 patients (100 per cent) with seminoma and 12 of 17 patients (71 per cent) with nonseminomatous tumors had a complete response to chemotherapy, and 1 of 17 patients was free of disease after a debulking operation and additional chemotherapy. A total of 3 patients with seminoma and 2 with nonseminomatous tumors had recurrences 5 to 8 months after an initial complete response and received additional chemotherapy (VP-16 regimen) with or without radiotherapy. Complete clinical response was achieved in 4 of 5 patients. Median followup was 24 months (range 8 to 38 months) in the 13 patients with seminoma and 28 months (range 9 to 58 months) in those with nonseminomatous tumors, and 13 (100 per cent) and 12 (71 per cent), respectively, are alive without evidence of disease. These data suggest that the protocol of vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum is highly effective and minimally toxic in the treatment of disseminated germ cell testicular cancer, inducing an 83 per cent long-lasting clinical remission. Seminomas seem to be equally or even more sensitive than nonseminomatous tumors to this platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen. Recurrence after initial complete response can be treated successfully with regimens containing VP-16.     

A case of penile malignant melanoma

A 79-year-old male presented in December. In January, 2001, with complaints of black nodules and bleeding from the glans of the penis to the foreskin. Inguinal lymph nodes were palpable bilaterally. Clinical diagnosis was penile malignant melanoma. Cystoscopy and urethrography revealed urethral invasion of malignant melanoma, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the penis revealed invasion to prostate, and pelvic lymph node metastases in abdominal compuled tomography (CT) but no organ metastases. Total cystectomy, total penectomy, bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymph node dissection and bilateral ureterocutaneostomy were performed in February, 2002. The pathological findings were nodular malignant melanoma, pT4bN2bM1a, and the surgical margin was positive. After these therapies, chemotherapy was performed. Five months later, CT revealed multiple lung and brain metastases, and radiation therapy and chemotherapy were performed. Twelve months after the operation, he died of cancer. Review of the literature revealed that our patient is the thirtieth reported case of penile malignant melanoma in Japan since 1924. In 30 cases, stage III, IV were 20 cases and 16 cases performed operation.     

A case of alpha-fetoprotein producing primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma treated with combination chemotherapy with cis-platinum, vinblastine and bleomycin (author's transl)

A case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) producing primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma was reported with special reference to the chemotherapy. The patient was a 14-year-old male who had suffered from vomiting and disturbance of consciousness. CT scan revealed a tumor originating in the anterior part of the third ventricle and expanding into both lateral ventricles. Right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed and the tumor was totally removed under the microscope. The histological diagnosis was embryonal carcinoma. Inspite of the elevated amount of AFP in the serum, we could not verify the yolk sac element in the surgical specimen. Three months later, he became drowsy and another CT scan revealed recurrence of the tumor. Ommaya's reservoir was placed and CSF was drained to control the intracranial hypertension. But the disturbance of consciousness did not improve. We then started a combination chemotherapy with cis-platinum, vinblastine and bleomycin. Cis-platinum was given in a dosage of 20 mg/m2 body surface area as a 15 min. intravenous infusion for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks for three courses. Vinblastine was given in a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg body weight intravenously for 2 consecutive days every 3 weeks for three courses. Bleomycin was given in a dosage of 30 mg intravenously 6 hours after vinblastine weekly for a total of 12 weeks. The AFP level of the serum and CSF was monitored every several days. After the chemotherapy, the AFP level of the serum and CSF decreased. Repeated CT scan revealed no evidence of tumor. His clinical condition improved remarkably. Toxicity was vomiting, proteinuria and leukopenia, but not so severe. Proteinuria continued after the chemotherapy, but BUN and creatinine did not elevate. It was emphasized that the combination chemotherapy with cis-platinum, vinblastine and bleomycin is effective remission-induction treatment for AFP producing primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma.     

Three cases of small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report

We report three cases of small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Case 1: A 69-year-old man showed microscopic hematuria during follow up of prostate cancer of stage D2. The patient was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder at the stage of pT2N0M0. Complete remission was achieved by three courses of chemotherapy consisting of irinotecan and carboplatin. The patient was died by prostate cancer 16 months after the chemotherapy. Case 2: An 83-year-old woman presented with macroscopic hematuria. The patient was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder at the stage of pT2N0M0 and partial cystectomy was performed. The patient has been alive without any evidence of tumor recurrence at 6 months after surgery. Case 3: An 84-year-old man presented with macroscopic hematuria. The patient was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder at the stage ofcT3bN0M1 with multiple liver metastases. Complete remission was achieved by three courses of chemotherapy consisting of etoposide and carboplatin.     

Low-grade astroblastoma recurring with extensive invasion

A 17-year-old male presented with morning headache and double vision. Neuroimaging revealed a lobulated enhanced mass lesion with a blurred margin and remarkable peritumoral edema, and high uptake of methionine. The gray, soft, well-circumscribed mass was grossly totally resected. Histological examination showed the tumor cells were well differentiated with the perivascular pseudorosette pattern with broad, non-tapering processes radiating towards a central vessel without anaplastic features such as necrosis and endothelial proliferation. The histological diagnosis was low-grade astroblastoma. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated local recurrence 5 months later. Second surgery was followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy. Histological examination disclosed wide invasion by tumor cells into the subpial and perivascular space of the surrounding brain tissue. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated further recurrence around the tumor cavity. Surgical removal followed by six courses of combination chemotherapy (ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide) resulted in complete remission of the tumor. Although gross total resection of astroblastoma usually results in long-term survival, some of these yet unfamiliar tumors may develop a more malignant character.