Background: Coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a global pandemic. Published data suggests that patients with a history of or active malignancy are at increased risk of infection and developing COVID-19 related complications. To date, the published data has analyzed the seroprevalence of COVID-19 infection in the general population, but not in cancer patients. Here we present the results of prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients from the University Hospital of Torrejón (Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain). Methods: SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies was assessed using a commercially available rapid test (Testsealabs® IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette) and collect the result from cancer outpatients who attended the medical oncology consult at University Hospital of Torrejón between June 1st and June 19th, 2020. Findings: We analyzed the serological test results of 229 cancer patients. We estimated an overall seroprevalence (IgG or IgM positive) of 31.4%. The probability of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was similar between men and women, type of treatment and cancer stage. The probability of seropositivity was significantly higher in cancer patients with pneumonia compared with cancer patients without pneumonia (Odds Ratio (OR) 7.65 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1,85-31,58]). Interpretation: Our results show a higher rate of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cancer patients than in the general population. The role of those antibodies in the immune response against the virus infection is unclear.
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare disorder that is commonly underdiagnosed. In 2015, it was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lung tumors as a premalignant lesion. DIPNECH syndrome is characterized by cough, exertional dyspnea, wheezing, and, less frequently, hemoptysis. We report the clinical and histological features and imaging findings in four cases of DIPNECH from our institution (Torrejon University Hospital, Madrid, Spain) between the years 2012 and 2019. DIPNECH represents a rare and poorly understood pulmonary disorder. Our limited single-center experience shows the slow and stable evolution of the disease. However, some exceptional cases may progress poorly if distant metastases occur.
Thymic carcinomas are the most aggressive histological subtype of thymic tumors with limited data to guide correct management. No standard treatments are available for patients with advanced thymic carcinoma after progressing while on platinum-based chemotherapy. We present a case of a patient with metastatic thymic carcinoma with an unusual response and favorable evolution after receiving treatment with sunitinib, obtaining a progression-free survival of 23 months, much higher than reported to date. We review the literature on the efficacy of sunitinib in metastatic thymic carcinoma after progression to first-line treatment with platinum combinations.
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