Metastatic brain tumors are the leading cause of central nervous system malignancies in adults, surpassing primary central nervous system with non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for more than 50% of all cases. The emergence of immunotherapies such as antibodies targeting the immune check points has led to significant advancement in the field of cancer treatment since these approaches have overwhelmingly impacted outcomes in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Here we report two cases of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy. While one patient achieved an excellent systemic response but developed new metastatic brain lesions, the other showed remarkable systemic as well as central response. These cases highlight variable central nervous system penetration of programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibodies, and we also review the available literature on blood brain barrier permeability of PD-1 antibodies.
We report a rare case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGC) in a 62-year-old female who presented with a three-month history of bilateral flank pain and significant unintentional weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed pancreatic tail mass, concerning for malignancy. She underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) which also revealed a pancreatic mass invading into the splenic artery. CT chest and positron emission tomography (PET) scan did not reveal any metastases. The patient had a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and left partial adrenalectomy. Histopathology revealed undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells (OGCs). The patient was recently started on adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and gemcitabine and the plan is to repeat imaging to assess response. We present this case to increase clinical awareness of this rare clinical entity, and also review controversies in the management and surveillance of UC-OGC.
Dural vein thrombosis is an important but rare cause of headache. Therapy with cyclosporine has been reported to result in thrombotic events. We report an unusual case of superior sagittal and transverse sinus thrombosis associated with cyclosporine therapy in a kidney transplant patient.
Cases of metastatic anal carcinoma managed with a combination of systemic chemotherapy and local therapies to both solitary sites of metastases and the primary site have been reported in the literature. We present a case of a 55-year-old male with metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma to the liver treated with induction chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) followed by liver resection and radiation to the anal primary with concurrent 5FU and mitomycin. This approach resulted in control of disease without evidence of recurrence, and no increased toxicities now 19 months from initial diagnosis to time of reporting. This novel approach resulted in a good treatment response as documented by imaging and symptom improvement and a long disease free interval.
We report a rare case of severe hyponatremia due to cisplatin-induced syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in a 74-year-old male with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue who presented with a five days history of worsening confusion. He was found to have severe hyponatremia. His clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with hyponatremia due to SIADH. He was treated with fluid restriction and salt tablets after which his serum sodium markedly improved. Drugs including diuretics, antidepressants, antipsychotics are well known to cause hyponatremia. Cisplatin is a very common antineoplastic drug for solid tumors. Clinicians need to have prompt recognition of this rare side effect of cisplatin to prevent life-threatening hyponatremia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.