ONCOCASE

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy mimicking cerebral metastases in a patient treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BJMO - volume 10, issue 7, november 2016

K. Oualla MD, M. Aoun MD, M. Lemort MD, A. Harrouk MD, S. Latifyan MD, A. Awada MD, PhD, A. Georgala MD

Summary

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare demyelinating condition caused by reactivated JC polyomavirus. This disease occurs mainly in the context of immunodeficiency, usually from human immunodeficiency virus.We report a case of 67 years old patient, treated for metastatic nasopharyngeal epidermoid carcinoma with three lines of chemotherapy, admitted for deterioration of performance status and neurological symptoms represented by agitation, cognitive decline complicated by loss of consciousness, after receiving three cycles of carboplatin-docetaxel. Cerebral imaging had strongly suspected brain metastases given to the context of metastatic neoplasm in progression but cerebrospinal fluid was positive for JC-BK Polyomavirus. Unfortunately, evolution was marked by rapid clinical deterioration leading to death. We report this case in order to underline the rarity of this disease, clinico-radiological features, especially misleading appearance with cerebral metastases, risk factors and prognosis.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(7):276–280)

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BRCA2 gene mutation and risk of aggressive prostate cancer

BJMO - volume 10, issue 6, september 2016

F. Baekelandt MD, W. Everaerts MD, PhD, M. Albersen MD, PhD, B. Van Cleynenbreugel MD, PhD, U. Milenkovic MD, C. Assenmacher MD, S. Joniau MD, PhD

Summary

BRCA2 mutation carriers generally present with prostate cancer at a younger age, with more aggressive disease and with a higher risk of nodal involvement or distant metastases at diagnosis. We present a patient with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer with a BRCA2 gene mutation and its clinical significance for daily practice.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(6):223–227)

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More than meets the eye

BJMO - volume 10, issue 3, may 2016

R. Peric MD, J.G. Aerts MD, PhD

Summary

This case report describes a patient referred with apparent stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer. There was doubt about the nature of the two processes in both lungs. Interpretation of radiological images and (the decisions around) acquiring histological evidence proved to play a pivotal role in definitive staging and treatment.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(3):101–104)

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A 54-year old patient with olfactory neuroblastoma, best way to treat?

BJMO - volume 10, issue 2, april 2016

B. Dekeyser MD, M. Haagdorens MD, I. Deleu MD, E. Van Hul MD, E. Beerens MD, D. Van der Planken MD, K. Hendrickx MD, L. Verstraeten MD, Y. Geussens MD, W. Lybaert MD

Summary

A 54-year old man presented with a new-onset headache, phonophobia, tinnitus, blurred vision, and nausea. Further imaging and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an olfactory neuroblastoma. Olfactory neuroblastoma or esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer, originating from the basal stem cells of the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity. The patient received a maximal possible surgical resection of the tumour, followed by adjuvant chemo-irradiation. Given the absence of neck metastases, no prophylactic treatment of the neck was done. Recent studies state that standard treatment of esthe-sioneuroblastoma consists of surgical resection, followed by local radiotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for the locally advanced tumours. As for the treatment of the neck, current consensus is to perform salvage therapy when neck metastases are present.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(2):69–72)

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5-Fluorouracil-induced pericarditis: case report and literature survey

BJMO - volume 10, issue 1, february 2016

S. Maréchal MD, G. Houbiers MD, M-P. Graas MD, C. Focan MD, PhD

Summary

5-Fluorouracil is an antimetabolite frequently used in the treatment of digestive cancers. Outside well-known side effects, it may induce cardiac toxicity under various clinical forms, from chest pain to arrhythmia, or even cardiac arrest, pericarditis being one of the most uncommon.1,2 We report here the case of a 52-year-old man who developed pericarditis symptoms after continuous 5-fluorouracil infusions.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(1):35–37)

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Prostatopubic fistula and osteomyelitis of the pubic bone as severe complication after salvage high intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer: report of two cases

BJMO - volume 9, issue 7, december 2015

H. Van Den Bossche MD, R. Kokx MD, M. Albersen MD, PhD, C. Assenmacher MD, H. Van Poppel MD, PhD, S. Joniau MD, PhD

Summary

High-intensity focused ultrasound has been used as an alternative treatment for prostate cancer, as both primary or salvage treatment. It is considered a minimally invasive treatment modality. We recently needed to care for two patients with severe osteomyelitis of the pubic bone as a result of a prostatopubic fistula, after they underwent salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment post-radiotherapy.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9(7):290–95)

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Carboplatin-Paclitaxel chemotherapy and general anaesthesia in an ovarian cancer patient: a combination to provoke reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome?

BJMO - volume 9, issue 7, december 2015

A. De Pauw MSc, F. Boutens MD, M. Lemmerling MD, PhD, V. Renard MD

Summary

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a syndrome of heterogeneous aetiology characterised by typical clinical and radiological findings. The occurrence of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in cancer patients is rapidly increasing. So when a cancer patient suddenly experiences symptoms of altered consciousness, convulsions, headache and/or visual disturbances, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome should always be included in the differential diagnosis. In this paper, we describe a case of a patient who developed reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome after receiving a regimen with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9(7):286–89)

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