The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created new challenges in the management of serious diseases. We describe a 41-year-old male who presented with fever, watery diarrhea, and epistaxis. Initial workup revealed pancytopenia with >50% blasts on the peripheral smear raising suspicion of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (later confirmed by bone marrow biopsy as AML with myelodysplasia-related changes) and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Given the extraordinary risk, he was treated with remdesivir and convalescent plasma for COVID-19. On admission day 8, repeat PCR for SARS-CoV-2 returned negative and the patient was deemed stable for chemotherapy. Therefore, induction was done with liposomal daunorubicin and cytarabine. However, he did not respond to the therapy and was started on re-induction therapy with decitabine and venetoclax. In our discussion, we review the current principles of treatment of patients with concurrent COVID-19 and AML.
Primary malignant melanoma of the intramedullary region of the spinal cord has rarely been reported in the literature. These tumors can have variable appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to different extents of melanin and hemorrhage. Histopathologic confirmation and a comprehensive workup to rule out extra-spinal melanoma are required to make definitive diagnosis. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with primary intramedullary spinal melanoma in his lower thoracic spinal cord who was effectively treated with surgical resection, adjuvant radiation, and adjuvant immunotherapy. Gross total resection (GTR) is most vital in the management of this spinal tumor. Although several studies have established the efficacy of immunotherapy agents in advanced malignant melanoma, the use of these agents has not been studied in primary central nervous system melanomas. This case provides insight into the diagnostic approach and treatment options for this unique malignancy.
Patients who undergo chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cell therapy) are immunosuppressed due to multiple factors. While adenovirus and BK virus are well-known pathogens in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplant, there are no detailed reports of these infections in the setting of CAR T-cell therapy. We describe a 70-year-old male who recently underwent CAR T-cell therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He presented with intractable gross hematuria and dysuria. Workup revealed adenovirus viremia and viruria and BK virus viruria. He was treated for adenovirus hemorrhagic cystitis with intravenous cidofovir 1 mg/kg/day, every three days for three weeks, with good clinical response. We also discuss the mechanisms of immunosuppression in CAR T-cell therapy as well as the principles of treatment of adenovirus and BK virus infections in the immunosuppressed patient.
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the trachea is an extremely rare malignancy with only a few reported cases in English literature. As such the diagnosis can be frequently missed or delayed. We present a case of a 69-year-old male who underwent tracheostomy for airway obstruction secondary to glottic squamous cell carcinoma and treated definitely with radiation therapy. Subsequently, the patient developed LMS of the tracheostomy site. The case further details multiple risk factors that could contribute to development of LMS including radiation exposure, prior malignancy, and chronic inflammation. These risk factors have been well established for LMS in other sites but less so in the head and neck region, which is the subject of our discussion. We also review the current guidelines for head and neck as well as limb sarcomas and discussed role of surgery or radiation and their accompanying challenges in management of this rare malignancy.
Background: Penile leiomyosarcoma arises from smooth muscles, which can be from dartos fascia, erector pili in the skin covering the shaft, or from tunica media of the superficial vessels and cavernosa. We describe presentation, treatment options, and recurrence pattern of this rare malignancy. Case Presentation: We present a case of penile leiomyosarcoma in a 70-year-old patient who presented to the urology clinic with 1-year history of a slowly enlarging penile mass associated with phimosis.Conclusions: Prognosis of penile LMS is difficult to ascertain because reported cases are rare. Penile leiomyosarcoma can be classified as superficial or deep based on tumor relation to tunica albuginea. Deep tumors (> 3 cm), high-grade lesions, and tumors with involvement of corpora cavernosa, tend to spread locally and metastasize to distant areas and require more radical surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy. In contrast, superficial lesions can be treated with local excision only.
4072 Background: While the overall incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is decreasing, the rate has increased in population under 50, with higher stages at diagnosis and a greater proportion of African Americans (AA). Hence, there is an ongoing debate about the age of CRC screening. These trends have not been studied in the VA population. Methods: ICD-10 codes C18-C20 were used to identify the cases of colon and rectal cancer in National VA Cancer Cube Registry. 43,544 cases of colon cancer, 1,278 below and 42,254 above age 50, and 19,815 cases of rectal cancer, 862 below and 18,948 above age 50 were identified between 2003-17. Younger age group was defined as patients less than 50 years old. IRB approval was obtained. Results: Our data comprised > 97% of male patients. In younger group, in the 5 year periods, 2003-07, 2008-12 and 2013-17, colon cancer rate increased from 2.59% to 2.79% to 3.59%, while for rectal cancer it increased from 3.5% to 4.3% to 5.3% (p < .0001). Blacks comprise 31.6% cases of colon cancer and 27.15% cases of rectal cancer in under 50 group, compared to 18.5% and 15.9% of cases in above 50 group respectively (p < .0001). For under 50 group, 48.6% cases of colon and 42.2% cases of rectal cancer were diagnosed in stage III or IV compared to 35.7% and 34.05% cases in above 50 group respectively (p < .0001). For colon cancer, 51.87% of patients in the younger group have a < 5 year survival, worse compared to 45.05% in 50-60 group (p < .0001) and similar to 49.3% in 60-70 group (p = .08). For rectal cancer, 5 year survival showed no difference between these groups. Stage specific survival shows no difference for either colon or rectal cancer across < 50, 50-60 and 60-70 age groups. Conclusions: Rate of CRC is rising in < 50 age group with more advanced stage at diagnosis and higher proportion of African Americans. For colon cancer, < 50 group has a worse 5 year survival as compared to 50-60 age group likely due to increased proportion of patients in stage III or IV, as there is no difference in stage specific survival. For rectal cancer, the 5 year survival or stage specific survival shows no difference in < 50, 50-60 and 60-70 groups. These results add to our understanding of the trends of CRC and should be accounted for in the screening guidelines.
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.
hi@scite.ai
334 Leonard St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.