Metastatic renal cell carcinoma without evidence of a primary renal tumour

Although metastases are common in patients with renal cell carcinoma (rcc), it is extremely rare for patients to present with metastatic rcc (mrcc) without evidence of a primary mass in the kidney. Two cases of mrcc with no detectable primary renal mass are reported here. Both patients had bilateral native kidneys in situ and no significant prior urologic history. The first patient presented with a hip fracture and was found to have multiple radiologic bony and lung metastases. Biopsy of a mass involving the pubic bone demonstrated clear cell mrcc. Multiple scans by computed tomography (ct) and confirmatory imaging by magnetic resonance demonstrated no renal mass. This first patient had disease stabilization for 18 months on sunitinib and was still alive at last follow-up. The second patient was diagnosed with clear-cell mrcc after thickened synovium was discovered and biopsied during a knee arthroplasty. Multiple scans by ct in this second patient demonstrated no primary renal mass. Sunitinib and radiotherapy to the knee lesion were initiated, but unfortunately, the patient deteriorated clinically and passed away from disease progression shortly after diagnosis. Because of the rare nature of these cases, a standardized course of action has not yet been established. However, we hypothesize that it is reasonable to manage metastases in these patients by following established mrcc protocols.     

European temporal trends in the use of lymph node dissection in patients with renal cancer

Background

The role of lymph node dissection (LND) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still under debate. We aimed to assess the utilization rates of LND over time in Europe.

56例同时性多原发食管鳞癌淋巴结转移因素分析

目的:探讨同时性多原发食管鳞癌(synchronous multiple primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,SMESC)淋巴结转移的特点及预后因素。方法:收集2011年1月至2018年12月收治的56例SMESC患者的临床病例资料,回顾分析各部位的淋巴结转移率,研究不同癌灶浸润深度、长度等因素对淋巴结转移的影响。结果:56例SMESC患者中34例有淋巴结转移,淋巴结转移率为60.7%,颈部、上、下纵隔和腹部的淋巴结转移率分别为16.7%、34.7%、32.7%和38.2%。不同癌灶部位淋巴结转移规律不同,但在上、下纵隔及腹部均有广泛转移。单因素分析结果显示,淋巴结转移与癌灶长度及浸润深度有关(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果表明,原发癌灶浸润深度和清扫淋巴结数目是淋巴结转移的独立预后因素。结论:食管癌McKeown术式及系统淋巴结清扫是目前治疗SMESC的最佳治疗手段。     

Spontaneous regression of cervical lymph node metastasis in a patient with mesopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: possible association between apoptosis and tumor regression

Background We report a case of mesopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with spontaneous regression of lymph node metastasis. Spontaneous regression of lymph node metastasis of head and neck carcinoma has not been reported previously. Possible causes of the regression of lymph node metastasis include regression of lymphocytic division transiently inflated by an immunological stimulus, and en-bloc tumor necrosis due to degradation of vascularity, such as thromboembolism and intranodal hemorrhage. However, the patient's history and repeated imaging analyses suggested that these factors were not responsible for the regression. To clarify the etiology of this rare phenomenon, we investigated the cause of spontaneous regression with analyses of paraffin-embedded sections. Methods The frequency of cystic lesions, en-bloc necrotic lesions, and apoptosis of carcinoma were investigated with immunohistochemical analysis, and these features were compared with those in specimens from five other patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results The present case revealed no tendency towards microscopically confirmed cystic formation or necrosis, but the frequency of apoptosis was significantly higher than that in the other five cases. The apoptotic tendency was not restricted to the lymph node in which spontaneous regression was confirmed clinically, but was also consistently observed in other lymph nodes and in the primary lesion that was detected and radically ablated 2 months after complete neck regional dissection had been done. Conclusion Our case may be the first case of squamous cell carcinoma undergoing spontaneous regression in which enhanced apoptosis was demonstrated quantitatively. The findings were considered to contribute to evidence of spontaneous regression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck resulting from enhanced apoptosis.     

Advanced gastric endocrine cell carcinoma with distant lymph node metastasis: a case report and clinicopathological characteristics of the disease

Gastric pure endocrine cell carcinoma (ECC) is extremely rare. ECC occasionally shows multidirectional differentiation; that is, adenocarcinomatous and/or squamous proliferation. Because gastric ECC has aggressive biological behavior and shows frequent metastasis to liver and lymph nodes even in the early stage, the prognosis of patients having this disease is extremely poor. We treated a 75-year-old woman with advanced gastric pure ECC with total gastrectomy and lymph node dissection, and reviewed all the previously reported cases of this disease. We compared the clinicopathological findings of ECC with those of gastric carcinoma (GC) and found that ECC had significantly more frequent invasion to lymphatic and vascular lumens (P 0.01) and more frequent metastasis to lymph nodes (P 0.01) and liver (P 0.05) compared to GC. Gastric ECC smaller than 5cm in the greatest dimension showed a higher percentage of advanced lesions (T2) than GC (P 0.05), which could result in the difficulty of finding early ECC. The findings of the analyses we made in this report may account for the poor prognosis of this disease.     

肺鳞癌、腺癌肿瘤大小与淋巴结转移关系的临床研究

背景与目的 淋巴结转移是肺癌转移的主要途径，也是影响预后的重要因素。本研究的目的是探讨肺鳞癌、腺癌肿瘤大小与淋巴结转移的关系。方法 对240例肺鳞癌、腺癌进行分析，探讨不同大小原发肿瘤中淋巴结转移的情况。结果 肿瘤最大径（d）≤2cm、2cm〈d≤3cm、3cm〈d≤6cm、6cm〈d≤10cm、d〉10cm组的胸内淋巴结转移率分别为50．0％、35．1％、52．8％、52．1％、71.4％，肿瘤大小与胸内淋巴结转移率之间无相关性（r=0．10，P〉0．05）。腺癌的胸内淋巴结转移率（58．8％）显著高于鳞癌（42．9％）（P〈0．05）。43例d≤3cm的肺癌患者中7例（16．3％）发生纵隔淋巴结转移，均为中低分化。结论 原发肿瘤大小并非胸内淋巴结转移的决定因素；肺腺癌较鳞癌更容易发生淋巴结转移；d≤3cm的肺癌患者也存在纵隔淋巴结转移；肿瘤分化程度可能在小病灶肺癌的淋巴结转移中起重要作用。     

The expression and role of protein kinase C (PKC) epsilon in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), an oncogene overexpressed in several human cancers, is involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival. However, its roles in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the functions of PKCε in RCC, especially in clear cell RCC, to determine the possibility of using it as a therapeutic target. By immunohistochemistry, we found that the expression of PKCε was up-regulated in RCCs and was associated with tumor Fuhrman grade and T stage in clear cell RCCs. Clone formation, wound healing, and Borden assays showed that down-regulating PKCε by RNA interference resulted in inhibition of the growth, migration, and invasion of clear cell RCC cell line 769P and, more importantly, sensitized cells to chemotherapeutic drugs as indicated by enhanced activity of caspase-3 in PKCε siRNA-transfected cells. These results indicate that the overexpression of PKCε is associated with an aggressive phenotype of clear cell RCC and may be a potential therapeutic target for this disease.     

舌鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的特点及其对患者预后的影响

背景与目的:舌鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移有一定的规律性,且影响预后。本研究的目的是分析舌鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的特点及其对患者预后的影响,为选择性肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫提供临床依据。方法:收集1990～1996年间在我院住院行手术治疗的164例舌鳞癌患者的资料,分析舌鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的特点及其对患者预后的影响。结果:164例舌鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移率为25.71%,最常见的转移部位是同侧的Ⅱ区,其次分别为同侧的Ⅰ和Ⅲ区,82.98%隐匿性转移的颈淋巴结位于以上3个区域,大多数隐匿性转移的颈淋巴结在首次手术治疗后2年内(33/36)被发现。经统计学分析,显性颈淋巴结转移和隐匿性颈淋巴结转移与无转移组之间患者的预后有显著性差异(log-rank,P<0.01),而显性转移组与隐匿性转移组患者的预后之间无显著性差异(log-rank,P>0.05)。结论:同侧的Ⅰ～Ⅲ区是舌鳞癌隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的常见区域,对较易发生隐匿性颈淋巴结转移的cN0舌鳞癌患者可行选择性肩胛舌骨肌上颈清扫术。隐匿性颈淋巴结转移影响cN0舌鳞癌患者的预后。     

Superior vena cava syndrome caused by supraclavicular lymph node metastasis of renal cell carcinoma

A 65-year-old woman presented with gross hematuria in February 1997. Left renal tumor was revealed and radical nephrectomy was performed. Pathological examination revealed papillary renal cell carcinoma, pT3aN1M1 (ipsilateral adrenal gland). Interferon-α was administered for 1 year. Two years after the nephrectomy, metastasis to the left supraclavicular lymph node appeared. Seven years after the nephrectomy, the metastatic tumor invaded the brachiocephalic vein and extended to the superior vena cava (SVC), compatible with SVC syndrome. Although interferon-α and external-beam radiotherapy was performed, she died in February 2005. Autopsy revealed a left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis invading the thyroid gland, mediastinum, and brachiocephalic vein. The tumor thrombus descended via the SVC into the right atrium. The right lung artery was obstructed by tumor thrombus. There were no visceral metastases and no local recurrence.     

Clinical outcome of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumour: A systematic review

Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) is an important element of the management of patients with residual tumour after chemotherapy for disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT). This is a challenging procedure and the outcome varies widely between institutions. There is much debate concerning the anatomical extent of the dissection and the literature is conflicting regarding the outcome of this procedure. In this systematic review we aim to summarise the literature on the relapse rate of PC-RPLND. We performed a search of the literature of the PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on the relapse rate of PC-RPLND in NSGCT patients with residual tumour were eligible for inclusion. We calculated the weighted average relapse rates of included studies and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A total of 33 studies, reporting on 2,379 patients undergoing open PC-RPLND (O-RPLND) and 463 patients undergoing minimally invasive PC-RPLND (MI-RPLND) were included. The weighted average relapse rates were 11.4% for O-RPLND, and 3.0% for MI-RPLND. The rates of retroperitoneal relapse were 4.6% and 1.7% after O-RPLND and MI-RPLND, respectively. For O-RPLND specifically, the average retroperitoneal relapse rate was 3.1% after modified dissection and 6.1% after bilateral dissection. We conclude that modified template dissection is oncologically safe in carefully selected patients. Minimally invasive procedures are feasible but long-term data on the oncological outcome are still lacking. PC-RPLND is a complex and challenging procedure, and patients should be treated at high-volume expert centres.     

A case of inguinal lymph node squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin, accompanied with carcinoma in situ of cervix

Metastatic Cancer of Unknown Primary Site (CUP) accounts for approximately 3-5% of all malignant neoplasms. CUP represents a heterogeneous group of metastatic tumors for which no primary site can be detected following a thorough medical history, careful clinical examination, and extensive diagnostic work-up. Several authors have reported poor prognosis of this malignancy, because there is no consensus on diagnostic guidelines and optimal therapy. Historically, chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of treatment for patients with CUP. We experienced a case of inguinal lymph node squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin, accompanied with carcinoma in situ of the cervix. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.     

Edema of limbs as the primary symptom of gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUNDMetastatic skin cancers are relatively rare dermatological malignancies. They usually present as nodules, erythematous lesions, scar-like lesions or other lesion types. Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is an uncommon histological type of gastric cancer that usually behaves aggressively and has a poor prognosis. Skin metastasis may be the first sign of clinically silent visceral cancer or recurrence of an internal malignancy. CASE SUMMARYHerein we report on the case of a 55-year-old man with edema of a lower extremity as the primary symptom which progressed from local to generalized pitting edema in the year following skin involvement. Pathological evidence from gastroscopic specimens and subcutaneous tissue biopsy showed typical signet-ring cells and gland-like structures. Consistently, immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive pan-cytokeratin expression in tumor cells. A diagnosis of gastric SRCC with skin metastasis was established. Moreover, lymphoscintigraphy showed an obvious accumulation of radiotracer on the anterior and posterior sides of the right leg which indicated lymphedema. We reviewed the relevant literature on subcutaneous metastases of gastric SRCC.CONCLUSIONThis rare case emphasizes the importance of physical examination as it may help elucidate the etiology of edema.     

Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct: A case report

BACKGROUNDSignet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a specific type of mucinous secretory adenocarcinoma, which contains abundant mucus in the cytoplasm and pushes the nucleus to one side of the cell membrane, forming a round or oval, and the nuclear deviations give the cells a signet ring-like appearance. SRCC often originates in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stomach. However, primary SRCC of the extrahepatic bile duct is extremely rare. Therefore, little is known about its epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis.CASE SUMMARYAn 82-year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain, jaundice, and skin pruritus for 2 mo. She had no specific family history. Physical examination presented normal vital signs, icteric sclera, visible jaundice, and mild tenderness in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Tumor-related cell markers were within normal values. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a thickened wall of the common bile duct, strengthened with intrahepatic bile duct dilation and multiple round-like lesions in the liver. In addition, the lymph nodes in the hepatic hilum area, the pancreatic head area, and around the abdominal aorta were enlarged. Thus, a preoperative diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was established. To alleviate jaundice and prolong the overall survival, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiopancreatic drainage (PTCD) was performed. During the operation, segmental stenosis of the extrahepatic bile duct and a vine-like expansion of the intrahepatic bile duct was observed. Furthermore, a biliary biopsy was performed under fluoroscopy to determine the nature and origin of the lesion. The pathological diagnosis of the biopsy was SRCC. Finally, a diagnosis of primary SRCC of extrahepatic bile duct with distant lymph node metastasis and multiple liver metastases was made based on the radiographic, PTCD, and pathological characteristics. The tumor was diagnosed as T3N1M1 stage IV. Despite our aggressive approach, the patient died of liver failure after 1 mo.CONCLUSIONThis is the only case report on primary SRCC of the extrahepatic bile duct with distant organ metastasis to date.     

TMEM45A在肾透明细胞癌中的表达及作用机制研究

目的 探讨TMEM45A(Transmembrane protein 45A,TMEM45A)在肾透明细胞癌(Clear cell renal cell carcinoma,ccRCC)中的表达及作用。方法 利用R语言提取Oncomine数据库中TMEM45A相关研究的数据;利用GEPIA数据库在线分析TMEM45A表达水平与肾透明细胞癌分期及生存时间的关系;实时定量PCR和Western blot检测TMEM45A在肾透明细胞癌组织及肾癌细胞系中的表达;应用针对TMEM45A的siRNA转染Caki-1细胞后,实时定量PCR和Western blot验证TMEM45A表达降低,CCK8分析抑制TMEM45A表达后对细胞增殖的影响,实时定量PCR和Western blot分析低表达TMEM45A抑制细胞增殖的作用机制。结果 Oncomine数据库中共收集了384项TMEM45A相关的研究,35项有统计学差异,其中25项表达升高、10项表达降低。有4项研究与ccRCC相关,共有115例样本。分析发现,ccRCC中TMEM45A表达显著升高(P＜0.05);同时发现高表达的TMEM45A与ccRCC高分期及预后不良密切相关(P＜0.05)。与正常的肾脏组织相比,TMEM45A mRNA在肾透明细胞癌组织中表达明显升高(P＜0.05)。人肾癌Caki-1和786-0细胞中TMEM45A mRNA和蛋白表达高于正常肾小管上皮HK-2细胞。TMEM45A siRNA转染Caki-1细胞48 h、72 h后,细胞的增殖能力显著下降(P＜0.001)。同时发现抑制TMEM45A后,PCNA和Cyclin D1蛋白和mRNA表达明显下降(P＜0.05)。结论 TMEM45A在ccRCC中表达升高且与ccRCC分期、预后相关,可能通过调控PCNA和Cyclin D1参与肾癌细胞的增殖。     

Translocation renal cell carcinoma: lack of negative impact due to lymph node spread

BACKGROUND: Pediatric renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is clinically distinct from adult RCC. Characterization of the unique biological and clinical features of pediatric RCC are required. METHODS: A retrospective review and biological analysis of all RCC cases presenting to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in the last 30 years was undertaken. Cases were classified according to the recent World Heath Organization morphologic classification and according to TFE3/TFEB status. A literature review of pediatric TFE+ cases was performed. RESULTS: Eleven cases of RCC with clinical data were identified in our institutional review as follows: 6 clear cell, 2 papillary, 2 translocation, and 1 sarcomatoid. Upon reanalysis, 1 papillary and 1 sarcomatoid were confirmed, 1 case was "unclassified", and 8 of 11 (72.7%) had features consistent with translocation morphology. Of these 8, all demonstrated immunoreactivity for TFE3 (7 patients) or TFEB (1 patient) protein. In 3 cases, cytogenetics was available, each demonstrating confirmatory MiTF/TFE translocations. Seven of 8 TFE+ RCC patients presented with TNM Stage III/IV disease. Literature analysis confirmed a significant increase in advanced stage presentation in pediatric TFE+ RCC compared with TFE- RCC. Fourteen of fifteen (93.3%) patients with TFE+ stage III/IV RCC due to lymph node spread (N+ M(0)) remain disease free with a median and mean follow-up of 4.4 and 6.3 years, respectively (range, 0.3-15.5). CONCLUSIONS: Translocation morphology RCC is the predominant form of pediatric RCC, associated with an advanced stage at presentation. Patients with TFE+ N+ M(0) RCC maintain a favorable short-term prognosis after surgery alone. Young RCC patients should be screened for translocation morphology, and the screening information should be considered when debating adjuvant therapy.     

Silent advanced large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with synchronous adenocarcinoma of the colon: A case report

BACKGROUNDLarge cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) accounts for about 0.25% of colorectal cancer patients. Furthermore, synchronous LCNEC and adenocarcinoma coexistence in the colon is very rare. LCNEC are usually aggressive and have a poor prognosis. Usually, colorectal LCNEC patients complain of abdominal symptoms such as pain, diarrhea or hematochezia because it is often diagnosed as an advanced disease that accompanies metastatic lesions.CASE SUMMARYWe describe a case of relatively asymptomatic synchronous LCNEC and colon adenocarcinoma. A 62-year-old male patient visited our hospital due to anemia detected by a local health check-up. He did not complain of melena, hematochezia or abdominal pain. Physical examination was unremarkable and his abdomen was soft, nontender and nondistended with no palpable mass. Laboratory tests revealed anemia with hemoglobin 5.1 g/dL. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerofungating lesion in the ascending colon and about a 1.5 cm-sized large sessile polyp in the sigmoid colon. Endoscopic biopsy of the ascending colon lesion revealed the ulcerofungating mass that was LCNEC and endoscopic mucosal resection at the sigmoid colon lesion showed a large polypoid lesion that was adenocarcinoma. Multiple liver, lung, bone and lymph nodes metastasis was found on chest/abdominal computed tomography and positron emission tomography. The patient was diagnosed with advanced colorectal LCNEC with liver, lung, bone and lymph node metastasis (stage IV) and synchronous colonic adenocarcinoma metastasis. In this case, no specific symptom except anemia was observed despite the multiple metastases. The patient refused systemic chemotherapy and was discharged after transfusion.CONCLUSIONWe report a case of silent LCNEC of the colon despite the advanced state and synchronous adenocarcinoma.