Preoperative radiation therapy in the management of recurrent orbital hemangiopericytoma

A 77-year-old man presented for evaluation of a recurrent right orbital hemangiopericytoma. It had been excised twice over the past 6 years. After the second resection, the tumor rapidly recurred and was insensitive to systemic chemotherapy, and the patient was thus referred to the authors' institution. The patient had proptosis, restricted ocular movement, and binocular diplopia on presentation. Orbital imaging confirmed a well-circumscribed right extraconal mass in the medial orbit. Preoperative radiation therapy was given, which reduced the tumor volume considerably and allowed a successful complete surgical excision of the mass.     

Treatment and outcomes for metastatic sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Objective To report the management and outcomes in patients with metastatic eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma. Methods The clinical records of four patients with metastatic eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma treated between January 1999 and August 2006 were reviewed. Results The study included four women with a mean age of 66 years. Metastatic sites included the lung in three patients, regional lymph nodes in two, liver in two, and bone in one. Time from diagnosis of eyelid carcinoma to metastasis ranged from 0 to 62 months. Treatment of regional nodal metastasis consisted of complete neck dissection followed by radiation therapy. One patient developed lung metastasis 5 years after the diagnosis of eyelid tumor; she was treated with systemic chemotherapy followed by subtotal lung resection. Systemic chemotherapy was considered for two additional patients: in one, chemotherapy was deferred due to poor performance status and ongoing medical problems; and another patient died before chemotherapy could be started. The patient with bony metastasis was treated with radiation therapy to the spine. Two patients died during the study period. The follow‐up time from diagnosis of metastasis to last contact or death ranged from 1 month to 3 years (median of 21 months). Conclusion Eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma can result in systemic metastasis and death. Metastasis can be discovered as late as 5 years after treatment of the eyelid carcinoma, warranting continued surveillance. Treatment of metastatic disease may include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical neck dissection.     

Comparison of the Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecule Markers (E-Cadherin and Syndecan-1) between Young and Older Age Patients with Gastric Carcinoma

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age and cell adhesion molecule markers (E-cadherin and syndecan-1)

Materials and Methods

Forty-three cases of gastric carcinoma below the age of 50 were referred to our center in the period of 5 years (2003–2008). Forty-three gastric carcinoma above the age of 50 years were sex-matched with the first group. Expression of syndecan-1 and E-cadherin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a total of 86 gastric carcinomas accompanying with all the clinicopathological findings in each case.

Results

The expression of syndecan-1and E-cadherin did not show significant difference between two age groups; in addition, there were no significant differences in all the clinicopathological findings in these two age groups.

Discussion

Gastric carcinoma in young and old age adults showed no significant difference in respect of the expression of cell adhesion molecule markers. Our result shows that young age alone cannot be predictive of more metastasis and invasion potential.     

Familial associations between polycystic ovarian syndrome and common diseases

Purpose

The goal of this study was focused on two subjects. First, to determine possible association between PCOS and family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, heart attack, thrombosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Second, to evaluate maternal and paternal transmission in PCOS patients with positive family history of a disease.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 549 infertile women (273 with PCOS and 276 controls) in Arash hospital of Tehran, Iran, between 2007 and 2008 by using questionnaire.

Results

In this analysis, there were significantly increased number of women with the positive family history of diabetes among PCOS group (28.21% vs. 19.20%, p?=?0.01). Meanwhile, four women in PCOS group had self history of diabetes while no one in the control group reported diabetes. A statistically significant positive family history of breast cancer was found among the control group (4.35% vs. 1.30%, p?=?0.02). Endometrial cancer and diabetes were observed in mother or mother’s side of the family but heart attack and thrombosis manifested in father or father’s side of the family more. There were no statistically significant differences in a positive individual or family history of ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, heart attack, thrombosis and CVD between the two groups.

Conclusion

In the present study, women and their relatives with PCOS had an increased prevalence of diabetes and it is more common in mother’s side of the family.     

Metastatic tumors of the orbit and ocular adnexa

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The management of cancer metastatic to the orbit and ocular adnexa (eyelid and periocular structures) has changed in recent decades. The purpose of this article is to review the incidence, presentation, and clinical features of metastatic tumors of the orbit and ocular adnexa and discuss their multidisciplinary care. RECENT FINDINGS: The improved survival of patients with common cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, together with aging of the population has led to a higher incidence of patients living with metastatic disease in unusual sites such as the orbit and ocular adnexa. Furthermore, vigilant surveillance and advances in diagnostics have led to increased detection of orbital metastases. Treatment of metastatic lesions in the orbit and ocular adnexa is usually palliative and may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, surgery, or a combination of these modalities. SUMMARY: Breast carcinoma continues to account for the majority of metastatic lesions of the orbit and ocular adnexa. Although the overall prognosis for patients with such lesions remains poor, the longer survival time for patients with breast carcinoma, the availability of novel targeted treatment options and new investigational agents, and advances in radiotherapy techniques may lead to better quality of life and preservation of ocular function for patients with metastatic orbital tumors.     

Wear measurements with use of radiostereometric analysis in total hip arthroplasty with obscured femoral head

Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) has evolved as gold standard in the evaluation of wear and especially as regards novel hip implant materials. However, several cup shell materials and articulation types used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) cannot be studied due to poor radiographic visibility of the femoral head (FH). We addressed this problem with use of a point transfer function in the RSA software to indirectly measure FH translations with use of stem markers. In a base examination, the stem marker segment and cup center, as an approximation for the FH center position, were mathematically coupled. Thereafter, in subsequent examinations, we used the point transfer function to calculate FH positions from stem marker positions. To determine the variance of the difference of directly and indirectly measured FH positions, four stem marker configurations were studied in THAs with radiographically visible FHs. For the axis with least variance we also compared directly and indirectly measured translation up to 7 years. Finally, we applied the method in a ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) articulation and measured proximal translation up to 7 years and also estimated precision. Vertical translations had the smallest variation between measured and calculated FH position. Directly and indirectly measured vertical FH translation correlated well but indirect measurements had increased variance. Proximal steady-state penetration rate in uncemented COC THA was −0.003 (SD 0.021) mm/year with 99% precision along the vertical axis measuring 0.34 mm. The point transfer function can be used to measure proximal FH penetration, but with less precision than direct RSA.