In neutropenic patients with acute perianal sepsis in the setting of hematological malignancy, the classical clinical features of abscess formation are lacking. Additionally, the role of surgical intervention is not well established. In this review, we discuss the challenges and controversy regarding diagnosis and optimal management when clear surgical guidelines are absent. In the literature, there is great diversity in the surgical approach to these patients, which leads to a high percentage of diagnostic errors, risks of complications, and unnecessary interventions. We review the literature and assess whether surgical intervention produces better outcomes than a non-surgical approach. Studies published on perianal sepsis in neutropenic cancer patients were identified by searching PubMed using the following key words: "perianal sepsis/abscesses, anorectal sepsis/abscess, neutropenia, hematological malignancy, cancer". No randomized or prospective studies on the management of acute perianal sepsis in hematological malignancies were found. The largest retrospective study and most comprehensive clinical data demonstrated that 42% of patients were treated successfully without surgical intervention and without morbidity or mortality related to treatment chosen. Small retrospective studies advocated surgical intervention, while the majority of successes were in a non-operative treatment. It is difficult to formulate a conclusion given the small retrospective series on management of neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies. While there is no evidence mandating a routine surgical approach in this category of patients, non-surgical management including careful follow-up to determine whether the patient's condition is deteriorating or treatment has failed is an acceptable approach in selected patients without pathognomonic features of abscess. Comprehensive and well-designed prospective studies are needed to firmly establish the guidelines of treatment protocols.
A study was undertaken of five patients with Cushing syndrome due to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production by thymic carcinoid tumor (primary mediastinal APUDomas), including two recent patients examined by computed tomography (CT) of the chest. Plain roentgenography of the chest initially failed to detect tumor in four of the five patients, while CT of the chest yielded definitive diagnostic information in both patients in whom it was employed. For one of these patients, a mediastinal tumor could be seen retrospectively on plain roentgenograms of the chest, although it had been missed on the first examination. One of the tumors appeared to be partially calcified on CT scan, a finding not previously reported. Blastic osseous metastasis, which is common when malignant carcinoid tumors spread to bone, was seen in one patient. Our data suggest that in patients with suspected ectopic ACTH production, CT scanning of the mediastinum should be performed early in order to avoid delay in diagnosis of an ACTH-secreting carcinoid tumor of the mediastinum.
A secondary perineal hernia is a type of incisional hernia of the pelvic floor, occurring after pelvic surgery such as abdominoperineal excision of the rectum and pelvic exenteration. Our aim is to review the available literature on the subject. This report reviews a recently repaired case, followed by a review of the available literature on the presenting condition, concentrating on approaches and methods of repair. Perineal hernias are uncommon, and not many surgeons face them. It is not known if and how these hernias could be prevented. The method and approach of repair should probably be individualized, but we believe that the use of a mesh is important in the repair of such hernias because of the significant tissue defect prevailing in most of the cases, in addition to the unhealthy tissues related to the use of radiotherapy. The laparoscopic approach has been recently utilized and its use is expected to increase.
Bilateral breast cancer occurs in approximately 7% of surviving breast cancer patients. However, a dilemma exists concerning the notion of whether this represents a de novo second primary tumor versus a breast metastasis. We analyzed 81 patients with bilateral breast cancer, 47 (58%) synchronous tumors and 34 (42%) metachronous tumors. Additionally, charts were reviewed for age, family history, full histology data and biological receptors. We found there were no significant differences in concordance between the first and second primary tumors (in both synchronous and metachronous bilateral breast cancer) with respect to histology; grade; T-category; N-category; ER, PR and HER-2 status. In addition, there was no significant difference in the strength of correlation between ER and PR in the first and secondary primary tumors. Our findings suggest that the differentiation of the origin of contralateral breast cancer based on routine histological and biological concordance is inconclusive. Furthermore, the dilemma will continue to exist until additional molecular approaches are applied routinely for research purposes to resolve the debate.
Our results suggest that some patients derive a survival and symptomatic benefits despite an incomplete cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The effects of this treatment require further investigation to determine its benefits as a palliative procedure.
We report one of few cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis of the pancreas, which is different from the classical retroperitoneal fibrosis that affects ureters and vessels that mimicking locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma at presentation.
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