Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder: a patient treated successfully with a new combined chemotherapy regimen, intraarterial nedaplatin and pirarubicin plus intravenous methotrexate and vincristine

We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder treated successfully with intraarterial chemotherapy using nedaplatin. A 75-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in March 2004 with gross hematuria. Cystoscopic examination showed tumors on the anterior bladder wall. Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extravesical invasion of the tumors, and a clinical diagnosis of T3bN0M0 was made. Transurethral biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed SCC, grade 2–3, invasive. The patient received a new combined chemotherapy, intraarterial nedaplatin and pirarubicin plus intravenous methotrexate and vincristine. After two courses of the chemotherapy, CT scans and MRI demonstrated no tumor in the bladder. Transurethral bladder-wall biopsy was performed in November 2004, and histopathological examination of the specimen revealed no definite tumors. The patient is alive without evidence of disease more than 1 year after the chemotherapy.     

Two cases of plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder: systemic chemotherapy might be of benefit

We report two cases of the plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder in which systemic chemotherapy was effective. In the first case, a 76-year-old man presented with dysphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography revealed a brain tumor and a bladder tumor. Resection of the brain tumor and transurethral resection of the bladder tumor were performed. The pathological diagnosis was plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder with brain metastasis (pT1N0M1). Three cycles of adjuvant MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin) chemotherapy were performed. He has no evidence of recurrence 96 months after resection of brain metastasis. In the second case, a 76-year-old man presented with hematuria. MRI revealed a bladder tumor with abdominal wall invasion, and a transurethral biopsy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder (cT4bN0M0). After three cycles of neoadjuvant GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin) chemotherapy, MRI demonstrated a complete response. Radical cystectomy was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was pT0pN0. Although there was no evidence of recurrence 9 months after radical cystectomy, he died from other causes. Our two cases suggest that systemic chemotherapy might be effective for the plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma.     

A case of sigmoid colon cancer invading urinary bladder treated with preoperative mFOLFOX6 and urinary bladder conserving surgery

A 69-year-old man visited our hospital because of melena and anemia. Colonoscopy revealed a type 3 tumor at sigmoid colon, and by abdominal CT, we detected a sigmoid colon cancer invading the urinary bladder with a single liver metastasis. The patient required sigmoidectomy with partial hepatectomy and total urinary bladder resection. Preoperative chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 was initiated as a part of multidisciplinary therapy. After the 6th course was completed, CT revealed a reduction in the primary tumor's size and the disappearance of liver metastasis. After the 8th course was completed, we performed urinary bladder conserving sigmoidectomy. The pathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen was tub1, pSS, ly0, v0, pN0, and pStage II. Down-sizing chemotherapy might improve the quality of life(QOL)of colon cancer patients with extensive invasion of the urinary bladder.     

A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital with esophageal tumor. He was diagnosed with esophageal small cell carcinoma by endoscopic biopsy. He had a low serum sodium level at admission and was diagnosed syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). His CT scan revealed esophageal wall thickness and swelling of thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes. He was classified as Stage IV a (cT3cN4cM0). He received systemic chemotherapy with CDDP and CPT-11. After three courses of chemotherapy, his tumor disappeared on CT scan and endoscopy. He was diagnosed as in complete remission and his SIADH recovered. The patient was then discharged and visited our outpatient clinic. Seven months after diagnosis, a tumor recurrence was indicated by CT scan and endoscopy. He received radiation therapy, and chemotherapy of paclitaxel, followed by CBDCA+VP-16. He is presently alive sixteen months after diagnosis.     

Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. A clinicopathologic study of five cases

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) is a rare entity characterized clinically by an aggressive behavior with a high incidence of systemic metastases. We report the clinicopathologic findings of five cases. METHODS: We reviewed five consecutive patients with SCCB treated at our institute. In each case the following clinical data were recorded: age, sex, presenting symptoms, endoscopically determined location of the tumor, clinical staging, node involvement (if any), site of metastases (if any), treatment, follow-up and outcome. RESULTS: There were four male and one female patients, age range 42 to 68 years, mean 57.6 years. The clinical presentation was not different from conventional transitional cell carcinoma, with hematuria being the most frequent complaint (four cases). Microscopic examination revealed oat cells in three cases and an intermediate variant in one. At the time of diagnosis the tumors were staged as T3bN2M0, T2N2M0, T4N0M0, T3aN0M0, and T2N0M0. Primary therapy consisted of radical cystectomy alone (one case), transurethral resection (TUR) alone (one case), TUR with chemotherapy (two cases), or TUR with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (one case). Four patients died of progressive disease, with survival from the time of diagnosis ranging from 7 to 16 months (mean, 12.2 months). One patient died of myocardial infarction (unrelated to the primary disease) one month after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that primary small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is as aggressive as its pulmonary counterpart and the overall prognosis of this tumor is very poor.     

Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of patients with small cell bladder carcinoma

Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (SCCUB) is considered to be a tumor with a neuroendocrine phenotype characterised by aggressive behaviour and poor prognosis. Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder comprises 0.35 to 1% of all bladder cancers and is frequently observed in combination with other histological subtypes of carcinoma. Clinical presentation is characterized by advanced stage at diagnosis and rapidly progressive disease. In daily clinical practice there is no gold standard for the management of patients affected by this disease. Treatment of patients with limited disease combines neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy followed by specific local treatment of the primary tumour. Cystectomy or radiotherapy should be proposed on an individual basis. In the metastatic setting, prognosis remains poor with a potential benefit from chemotherapy containing platinum compounds. Treatment of small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is based on evidence obtained from case reports and retrospective analyses. Due to low disease frequency there is a lack of randomized trials to provide guidance as to optimal therapy. Thus, systemic and local approaches are extrapolated from the literature available for the treatment of small cell carcinomas at other (non-urological) sites. We provide an overview of the currently available literature with it’s main focus on the treatment of either locally advanced or metastatic small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.     

A case of unresectable rectal cancer with severe pelvic infiltration responding to FOLFOX

The patient was a 54-year-old male with a huge advanced rectal cancer tumor. Abdominal CT showed liver metastasis and local progressive cancer of the rectum measuring 13 × 9 × 7 cm in diameter, which invaded the urinary bladder and sacrum. We established a diagnosis of unresectable rectal cancer and then performed sigmoid colostomy. After 16 courses of FOLFOX4, abdominal CT revealed the liver metastases to have disappeared, and the large-sized advanced rectal cancer had also remarkably decreased in size. Consequently, the patient underwent a resection of the rectum while his bladder was preserved. For 2 years 10 months after surgery, no local recurrence or distant metastasis has been observed, and the patient has received no postoperative chemotherapy. FOLFOX may therefore be a useful preoperative chemotherapy for the patients with unresectable primary rectal cancer.     

A case of locally advanced rectal cancer had a pathological complete response to XELOX Therapy

The patient was a 62-year-old man with bowel obstruction in a locally advanced rectal cancer. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed tumor enlargement(11.4 × 9.0 cm)that invaded the urinary bladder, but no distant metastasis. XELOX therapy was planned in order to shrink or eliminate the tumor after a sigmoid colostomy. Four courses of XELOX therapy were perfomed. Consequently, the level of the tumor marker had been restored to a normal range. CT scan revealed marked shrinkage of the tumor (6.1 × 5.2 cm) and a sharply-defined border between the tumor and the urinary bladder. Three weeks after chemotherapy, a low anterior resection as a radical surgery, and a temporary ileostomy were performed. The post-operative course was good. The histological effect was judged to be grade 3. There were no viable cancer cells in the rectal tumor and lymph nodes. The patient is alive and has been disease-free for 10 months after the operation. XELOX therapy as pre-operative chemotherapy might be safe and effective for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with a new combined chemotherapy regimen, intraarterial nedaplatin and pirarubicin plus intravenous methotrexate and vincristine--second case report in Japan

We report our second patient treated successfully with a new combined chemotherapy regimen of intra-arterial pirarubicin and nedaplatin plus intravenous methotrexate and vincristine for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder. A 57-year-old man consulted our hospital in September 2005 for treatment of bladder tumors diagnosed in another hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extravesical invasive tumor on the anterior wall of the bladder, and clinical stage T2bN0M0 was diagnosed. Transurethral cold-cup biopsy was performed, and pathological examination revealed SCC. After he received two courses of this new combined intra-arterial chemotherapy regimen using nedaplatin, tumors were detected in MRI and cystoscopy.We performed partial cystectomy in January 2006. Postoperative pathological examination revealed no tumor cells (pathological CR). There were no severe adverse reactions by this chemotherapy regimen. He has been alive without evidence of disease.     

Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. A clinicopathologic, morphometric, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of 18 cases

A multiinstitutional review of 3778 patients with a primary malignancy of the urinary bladder revealed 18 cases (0.48%) of small cell carcinoma which were histologically and morphometrically identical to pulmonary small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Age, sex, and symptoms at first presentation were comparable to that known in transitional cell carcinoma. Sixteen patients (89%) developed metastatic disease, with most frequent involvement of regional lymph nodes, liver, skeleton, and abdominal cavity. The unfavorable clinical outcome was worse as compared with that reported in advanced stage poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma, and was similar to the rapidly fatal outcome of pulmonary small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Fourteen patients (78%) died by tumor at a mean follow-up period of 9.4 months, and only one patient was free of recurrent disease more than 5 years after cystectomy. This apparent aggressive tumor behavior was independent of the presence of neuroendocrine differentiation characteristics at immunohistochemical (13 cases, 72%) or electron microscopic study (eight cases, 44%). The prolonged survival periods (15-38 months) of the five patients who received combination chemotherapy suggested that, just as in small cell lung carcinoma, chemotherapy may be profitable. A unified concept of histogenesis of bladder cancer with a common origin from a multipotent mucosal stem cell is proposed.     

A case report of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus successfully treated by irinotecan and cisplatin

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is regarded as having a poor prognosis with frequent and early recurrence against various treatments. We have experienced a case of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus manifested by massive lymph node metastasis in the upper mediastinum successfully treated by CPT-11 and CDDP, and that a patient survived for 17 months after the initial treatment. A 62-year-old man underwent endoscopy due to a disturbance of the food passage. Pathological evaluation of biopsy specimen revealed small cell carcinoma of the esophagus. As he was diagnosed with bilateral lymph node metastasis in the upper mediastinum by CT scan, a systemic chemotherapy with CPT-11 and CDDP was adopted. After 2 courses of chemotherapy he could be discharged as the size of the tumor was reduced. After 3 courses of additional chemotherapy 8 months after the initial treatment, a recurrent tumor was indicated at the right side of the lymph node of the neck. A weekly radiation with concurrent administration of docetaxel was carried out as a second line treatment. He is surviving for 17 months after the initial treatment without any evidence of recurrence. Due to histo-pathological similarity, a treatment for small cell carcinoma of the esophagus resembles that of the lung. Recently, the combined treatment of CPT-11 and CDDP was reported to demonstrate a better influence on a patient's survival for small cell carcinoma of the lung. For the esophagus, CPT-11 and CDDP was also an effective treatment.     

A case of colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma effectively treated with bevacizumab+levofolinate+5-FU chemotherapy

A 76-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with diarrhea and weight loss in February 2007. A CT scan revealed a tumor in the abdominal cavity, and although a thorough investigation was conducted, no diagnosis was made. Therefore, she underwent diagnostic surgery in April 2007. Intraoperatively, the tumor was determined to have originated in the transverse colon, with invasion to other organs. The patient underwent a transverse colectomy, partial ileal resection, and partial resection of the bladder and peritoneum were performed. The pathological diagnosis was colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma. FOLFOX4 chemotherapy was initiated in May 2007. However, a CT scan in June 2007 revealed a recurrent tumor in the right pelvis. Although right hemicolectomy and right oophorectomy were performed in August, a CT scan in September 2007 revealed a recurrent tumor in the right pelvis. Following treatment with bevacizumab+levofolinate+5-FU, the tumor disappeared. The patient continued to receive this chemotherapy regimen until August 2010, and CT scans showed a complete response. Even though colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma is known to have a poor prognosis, the present case was effectively treated with bevacizumab+levofolinate+5-FU chemotherapy. Herein we provide discussion and suggestions about treatment for colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma.     

Thymic cancer effectively treated by combination chemotherapy of carboplatin and etoposide with concurrent radiotherapy

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for acute heart failure. A chest CT scan revealed a large anterior mediastinal mass and pericardial effusion. Percutaneous needle biopsy showed that the mass was an advanced thymic cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). The patient was treated by combination chemotherapy of carboplatin and etoposide with concurrent radiotherapy (44 Gy). There was no severe toxicity except for grade 4 neutropenia. After 3 courses of chemotherapy, the mass showed an approximately 81% reduction in tumor size and disappearance of the pericardial effusion. Finally, the thymic cancer and small pulmonary metastatic lesions were all resected. This concurrent chemoradiotherapy can be effective against inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus.     

膀胱小细胞癌的诊治——附二例报告

为了探讨膀胱小细胞癌的诊断及治疗方法,对2例膀胱小细胞癌临床资料、治疗方法及随访结果进行了总结分析。病例1术后病理示膀胱小细胞癌,随访8个月后因全身多器官功能衰竭死亡。病例2术后病理示膀胱低分化癌伴神经内分泌癌。根治性手术后GC方案化疗6个疗程,随访中。初步观察结果提示,膀胱小细胞癌尽管比较少见,但因其恶性程度高,更具侵袭性,转移的更早、更快,应该引起重视,根治性手术治疗辅以系统的化疗将有助于提高生存率和延长生存时间。     

Two cases of curatively resected intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas through effective response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Case 1:A 61-year-old man was diagnosed as cholangiocellular carcinoma with para-aortic lymph node metastasis (T4N1M0, cStage IV B). After 9 courses of chemotherapy using gemcitabine(GEM), CT scan showed that primary lesion and metastatic lymph nodes were reduced in size, and FDG-PET showed no FDG accumulation in the lymph nodes. The patient decided to continue additional chemotherapy with GEM and hyperthermia. Despite the chemo-hyperthermia, the primary tumor re-grew. He then underwent right trisegmentectomy, lymph node dissection, and reconstruction of the biliary tract. The final stage was T3N0M0, fStage III . Case 2: A 65-year-old man was diagnosed as cholangiocellular carcinoma with massive arterial invasion(T3N1M0, cStage IV B). After 3 courses of chemotherapy for GEM plus S-1, a CT scan revealed that the main tumor and metastatic lymph nodes were reduced in size, and he underwent extended left lobectomy of liver, lymph node dissection, and reconstruction of the biliary tract. The final stage was T1N0M0, fStage I . These cases indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy by gemcitabine was indeed promising for some cases of biliary tract cancer.     

Successful combination chemotherapy for a case of small cell carcinoma of the rectum with multiple liver metastasis

A 69-year-old-man with small cell carcinoma of the rectum and multiple liver metastases was admitted in December 1996. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was preoperatively diagnosed in a biopsy specimen from the rectum. Chemolipiodolization using 50 mg DXR and 6 ml lipiodol was performed for the multiple liver metastases. Ten days later, he underwent rectal amputation including lymph node dissection combined with the implantation of reservoir for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. After operation 5-FU (500 mg, days 1-5) and CDDP (10 mg, days 1-5) were injected for 3 weeks through hepatic arterial route. The metastatic lesions in the liver represented a good response to the chemolipiodolization, though the metastatic tumor in the liver S4 region did not disappear on CT scan. The histological diagnosis of the resected rectum revealed small cell carcinoma so we attempted additional chemotherapy according to the regimen for treatment of small cell lung cancer. ETP + CDDP therapy was performed, in which ETP (100 mg, days 1-3) and CDDP (80 mg, day 1) were intraarterially infused. After three courses of this therapy, he achieved a complete response (CR) for the liver metastasis. Two courses of ETP + CDDP therapy were additionally performed in the outpatient department, and treatment is currently continued by oral administration of ETP (75 mg/day). He has been free of the disease for 16 months with few side effects. The combination therapy of chemolipiodolization and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with ETP and CDDP may assure a good prognosis for multiple liver metastases of small cell rectal cancer.     

A case of advanced bladder cancer successfully treated with intraarterial chemotherapy

A 79-year-old Japanese male came to our hospital with complaints of protraction and macroscopic total hematuria. The medical imaging methods revealed a large papillary tumor in the left lateral wall of the bladder with the staging of T3N0M0. The pathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma, G3. He received intraarterial chemotherapy with CDDP, ADM and MTX, which was called IA-MAC regimen. After two IA-MAC, no medical imaging method could reveal the tumor. The biopsied specimen, which was taken using the transurethral resection of the bladder mucosa, demonstrated no malignant cells. The new chemotherapeutic regimen "IA-MAC" is useful for the treatment of localized advanced bladder cancer in clinical use and enables one to preserve the organ.     

Remarkable Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy with Methotrexate,Vinblastine, Adriamycin,and Cisplatin for Undifferentiated Bladder Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

We report a case of primary undifferentiated bladder carcinoma, which revealed a remarkable response to methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin (MVAC) therapy. A 46-year-old Japanese woman presented at the hospital with the chief complaints of gross hematuria and pain during urination. Cystoscopy revealed a large smooth-surfaced tumor in the urinary bladder. The histopathological diagnosis was undifferentiated carcinoma. The patient then received 3 courses of MVAC over a 3-month period. Hydronephrosis disappeared after the first course, and the tumor shrank rapidly. After completion of the third MVAC course, radical cystectomy and ileal conduit surgery were performed. After 7 years, the patient has still had no recurrences or metastases. We retrospectively review the relative efficacy of the two popular chemotherapeutic regimens in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in patients who had had radical cystectomy.Key words: Undifferentiated bladder carcinoma, Methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin, Neoadjuvant chemotherapy     

Complete remission of bladder cancer with multiple pulmonary metastases obtained by combined chemotherapy with cis-platinum, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide

A 54-year old man with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (grade 3) of the bladder has achieved complete remission as a result of combination chemotherapy. Plain chest X-P demonstrated multiple pulmonary metastases and computed tomography demonstrated a 35 X 40 mm-sized bladder tumor. The patient was treated with four courses of combination chemotherapy consisting of cis-platinum, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, after which complete disappearance of the pulmonary metastases and bladder tumor was observed. The patient has been followed up, with no evidence of tumor nine months after the treatment.     

Malignant mesenchymoma of the bladder

A case of malignant mesenchymoma of the bladder, containing fibroleiomyomatous, myxomatous, osteoid, and cartilaginous components is presented. The primary pedunculated tumor measuring 18 X 10 X 9 cm and weighing 934 g, arose from the anterior wall of the bladder and was treated by partial cystectomy. Six months after surgery, cystoscopy revealed a recurrent tumor situated at the dome of the bladder. The patient received surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation for recurrent tumor, but died of the disease 21 months after the first operation. Autopsy revealed extensive local recurrence with wide-spread metastases of malignant mesenchymoma of the bladder and an incidental finding of coexisting clear cell carcinoma in the right kidney (pTl, NO, MO). There have been no previous reports of association of malignant mesenchymoma of the urinary bladder and renal cell carcinoma.