No abstract

Temozolomide is an alkylating agent used in the treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most frequent primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Temozolomide was approved in March 2005 for treatment of GBM, with the Stupp protocol (radiotherapy and concomitant use of temozolomide). Despite initial studies demonstrating mild and well-tolerated side effects, several recent reports describe severe hematologic adverse effects associated with temozolomide use. We report the case of a 51-year-old female diagnosed with GBM who received the standard treatment protocol of radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide. The patient developed prolonged pancytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated hypocellular bone marrow with diminished trilineage hematopoiesis, suggestive of drug-induced aplastic anemia. Although temozolomide is regarded as a safe drug with few side effects, severe hematologic toxicities have been reported.

No abstract

Angiosarcomas are mesenchymal neoplasms of vascular origin that represent approximately 2% of soft tissue sarcomas. We discuss the case of a 75-year-old female who had presented with a purple nodular rash along the bilateral nasolabial folds. Upon further work-up, she was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, with the confirmed involvement of multi-focal sites. These included biopsy proven sites of the face and duodenum along with the radiographic involvement of the lungs, liver, and osseous tissue. We report this unique presentation of a rare malignancy and the treatment course with radiation, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab. We also discuss the implications of her co-morbid liver cirrhosis and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in terms of its influence on the development of the angiosarcoma and treatment response.