BJMO - volume 18, issue 2, march 2024
L. Verbeke MD, E. Roussel MD, PhD, C. Maes MD, K. Coppens MD
Renal tumours are often incidentally detected in routine imaging studies. Whereas renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the mainstay of malignant tumours arising from the kidney, other tumoural entities might also present as a single, localised renal mass. Primary renal lymphoma (PRL) is a distinct, rare and often aggressive presentation of lymphoma confined to the kidney, often mistaken for RCC or other renal tumours. It is defined as a non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the kidney without any extra renal lymphatic disease. Symptoms are often haematuria or flank pain. In 50% of the cases, patients are asymptomatic. The pathophysiology is not well understood. Imaging can be helpful in making the right diagnosis, but renal mass biopsy appears to be more sensitive. The treatment of choice is chemotherapy. The prognosis is rather poor, with a median survival of less than one year. Since the introduction of the new chemotherapy combination with rituximab, the prognosis is slightly better. PRL needs to be a differential diagnosis in renal tumours, especially with atypical tumour characteristics. This article presents a recent case of primary renal lymphoma.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(2):60–64)
Read moreBJMO - volume 18, issue 1, february 2024
D. Schrijvers MD, PhD, L. Velthof MD, K. De Boeck MD, M. Al Saddi MD, V. De Groot MD, PhD
This case report describes a patient with a lacrimal tumour and distant bone lesions. The diagnosis of an IgG4-related pseudo tumour of the lacrimal gland with involvement of the skeleton was made. A review of lacrimal gland lesions and IgG4-related disease is given. The oncologist should be aware of this entity and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland lesions.
(Belg J Med Oncol 2024;18(1):24–8)
Read moreBJMO - volume 17, issue 7, november 2023
M. De Wit MD, L-A-F. Clifton MD, E. Beuckelaers MD, J. Desimpelaere MD, D. Schrijvers MD, PhD
This article presents the case of a 35-year-old patient with a glomus tumour in the fourth digit of the right hand. The patient had a history of a bilateral embryonal testicular carcinoma, which was treated with surgery and chemotherapy. The initial complaints consisted of pain in all the fingers on the right hand, suspected of Raynaud phenomenon. Finally, the diagnosis was made clinically and through magnetic resonance imaging. He underwent surgery to remove the tumour, and the diagnosis was pathologically confirmed. The treatment was curative, and the complaint of pain resolved.
(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(7):264–6)
Read moreBJMO - volume 17, issue 4, june 2023
E. van Gogh MD, L. Baisier MD, P. Reyntiens MD, J. Liu MD, M. Rasschaert MD
Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer therapy for specific tumour types. The dismal prognosis of melanoma patients with advanced stage has improved but remains poor. With the increasing use of these monoclonal antibodies, toxicities are becoming more prevalent. Neurological adverse events are still rare but have an enormous impact on the continuum of care. This study reports a case of a 70-year-old man with stage IIIc melanoma who presented with cerebral vasculitis after rechallenge therapy with ipilimumab/nivolumab.
(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(4):128–31)
Read moreBJMO - volume 17, issue 2, march 2023
M. Scheen MD, MP. Graas MD, M. Daix MD, F. Dome MD, A. Courtois PhD, C. Focan MD, PhD
The case of an invasive trophoblastic mole developing in a woman over 50 years associated with lung metastases is reported. Spontaneous regression of pulmonary lesions was observed after surgical removal of primary tumour. A literature review is performed with resumed decisional algorithm.
(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(2):58–62)
Read moreBJMO - volume 17, issue 1, january 2023
E. Cassiers MD, N. Blockx MD, W. Teurfs MD
Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a well-known and extensively used immunosuppressive and antineoplastic agent. CP-induced hyponatremia remains an underestimated adverse event, although it can lead to severe complications and death. This case report describes the occurrence of life-threatening status epilepticus in a 74-year-old breast cancer patient due to CP-induced hyponatremia. The primary underlying mechanism seems to be impaired free water clearance, which is not influenced by ADH, but rather a direct effect of CP alkylating metabolites on the distal renal tubule. Future research is needed to further clarify the underlying pathophysiology and possible predisposing factors. Thorough monitoring of the patient’s hydration status and electrolytes until 48 hours after the first administration of CP seems strongly advisable.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(1):27–30)
Read moreBJMO - volume 16, issue 7, november 2022
M. Wyckmans BSc, S. Mignon MD, N. Blockx MD, D. Schrijvers MD, PhD
The cancer antigen 15.3 (CA-15.3) is an important tumour marker for the evaluation of patients with a history of breast cancer. An increase of CA-15.3 can be a sign of breast cancer recurrence and warrants further investigation. However, CA-15.3 is not specific and can be elevated in several oncological and benign conditions. This case describes a megaloblastic anaemia due to folic acid deficiency and elevated CA-15.3 in a patient with a history of breast cancer. No signs of breast cancer recurrence were found, and serum CA-15.3 levels normalised after supplementation of folic acid. Benign causes of CA-15.3 elevation should be considered when evaluating a patient with a history of breast cancer.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(6):360–2)
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