Case Report: A Novel Non-Reciprocal ALK Fusion: ALK-GCA and EML4-ALK Were Identified in Lung Adenocarcinoma, Which May Respond to Alectinib Adjuvant-Targeted Therapy

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have favorable and impressive response to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, ALK rearrangement had approximately 90 distinct fusion partners. Patients with different ALK fusions might have distinct responses to different-generation ALK-TKIs. In this case report, we identified a novel non-reciprocal ALK fusion: ALK-grancalcin (GCA) (A19: intragenic) and EML4-ALK (E20: A20) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a male lung adenocarcinoma patient who was staged as IIIB-N2 after surgery. After a multidisciplinary discussion, the patient received alectinib adjuvant targeted therapy and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). He is currently in good condition, and disease-free survival (DFS) has been 20 months so far, which has been longer than the median survival time of IIIB NSCLC patients. Our study extended the spectrum of ALK fusion partners in ALK + NSCLC, and we reported a new ALK fusion: ALK-GCA and EML4-ALK and its sensitivity to alectinib firstly in lung cancer. It is vital for clinicians to detect fusion mutations of patients and report timely the newfound fusions and their response to guide treatment.

Malignant Transformation of Metaplastic Thymoma into High-Grade Sarcomatoid Carcinoma: A Case Report

The correlation of histogenesis between metaplastic thymoma and thymic sarcomatoid carcinoma is unclear. We report a case of metaplastic thymoma transformed into high-grade sarcomatoid carcinoma. A 64 × 54 × 32 mm anterior mediastinal mass in a 61-year-old woman microscopically consisted mainly of classic metaplastic thymoma, with the center dominated by high-grade sarcomatoid carcinoma. In some areas, both epithelial and spindle cell components of the metaplastic thymoma showed increased cellular atypia, mitotic activity, and focal necrosis and gradually transformed into the polygonal/pleomorphic and spindle cell components of sarcomatoid carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the characteristics of the polygonal/pleomorphic sarcomatoid cells were similar to those of the epithelial component of metaplastic thymoma, while the spindle sarcomatoid cells were more similar to the spindle cells component of metaplastic thymoma. The Ki-67 index was less than 5% in the metaplastic thymoma areas but up to 70% in the sarcomatoid carcinoma area. Radical operation and postoperative radiotherapy were performed. Multifocal relapses at the pleura occurred 13 months after surgery.

Drug Intensification in Future Postoperative Radiotherapy Practice in Biochemically-Relapsing Prostate Cancer Patients

Although salvage prostate bed radiotherapy is highly effective in biochemically-relapsing prostate cancer patients following prostatectomy, relapses remain frequent and improvements are needed. Randomized phase 3 trials have shown the benefit of adding androgen-depriving therapy to irradiation, but not all patients benefit from this combination. Preclinical studies have shown that novel agents targeting the androgen receptor, DNA repair, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, or the hypoxic microenvironment may help increase the response to prostate bed irradiation while minimizing potential side effects. This perspective review focuses on the most relevant molecules that may have an impact when combined with salvage radiotherapy, and underlines the strategies that need to be developed to increase the efficacy of salvage post-prostatectomy radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients.

Postoperative progression of intracranial grade II–III solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma: predictive value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging semantic features

Background Preoperative prediction of postoperative tumor progression of intracranial grade II–III hemangiopericytoma is the basis for clinical treatment decisions. Purpose To use preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) semantic features for predicting postoperative tumor progression in patients with intracranial grade II–III solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC). Material and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative MRI data of 42 patients with intracranial grade II–III SFT/HPC, as confirmed by surgical resection and pathology in our hospital from October 2010 to October 2017, who were followed up for evaluation of recurrence, metastasis, or death. We applied strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and finally included 37 patients. The follow-up time was in the range of 8–120 months (mean = 57.1 months). Results Single-factor survival analysis revealed that tumor grade (log-rank, P = 0.024), broad-based tumor attachment to the dura mater (log-rank, P = 0.009), a blurred tumor-brain interface (log-rank, P = 0.008), skull invasion (log-rank, P = 0.002), and the absence of postoperative radiotherapy (log-rank, P = 0.006) predicted postoperative intracranial SFT/HPC progression. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that tumor grade ( P = 0.009; hazard ratio [HR] = 11.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.832–71.150), skull invasion ( P = 0.014; HR = 5.72; 95% CI = 1.421–22.984), and the absence of postoperative radiotherapy ( P = 0.001; HR = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.008–0.315) were independent predictors of postoperative intracranial SFT/HPC progression. Conclusion Broad-based tumor attachment to the dura mater, skull invasion, and blurring of the tumor–brain interface can predict postoperative intracranial SFT/HPC progression.

Indication to postoperative radiotherapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: what’s new in the Depth of Infiltration (DOI) era?

Objectives: The last edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC eighth) has introduced the depth of infiltration (DOI) as a new prognostic parameter in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCCs). Aim of this study is to analyze the impact of stage migration on the indication to postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). Methods: OCSCCs treated at two Institutions between 2014 and 2019 were retrieved. Per the AJCC eighth, only pT3 primarily OCSCCs were considered; availability of the pathologic specimen was a further inclusion criterion. Risk factors considered for PORT were: pT3-pT4, nodal involvement, positive/close surgical margins, perineural and lymph vascular invasion. Results: One-hundred forty-nine patients staged as pT3 AJCC eighth were included. A four-fold increase in the number of patients staged as pT3 from the seventh to the eighth AJCC was found. Stage migration to pT3 was equally due to the downstaging from former pT4 (38%) and upstaging of former pT1-pT2 (35%). Considering the former pT1-pT2 53 patients, 13 (25%) had no risk factors for PORT other than DOI. Among 25 cases with former pT1-pT2 and negative lymph nodes no additional risk factors were found in 11 (44%). Conclusion: Ninety percent of patients had at least one risk factor besides DOI and would have received PORT also according to the AJCC seventh; notably, of former pT1-pT2N0, half of them have been upstaged to pT3 in the current TNM classification. The role of PORT in this cohort of patients has not been clarified yet. Advances in knowledge: Other-than-DOI risk factors leading to PORT indication are highly prevalent in OCSSC patients classified as pT3 per the latest AJCC TNM staging system and should therefore be considered for a comprehensive oncological assessment.

Case Report on Carcinoma on Hard Palate

Background: The hard palate is a thin horizontal bony plate made up of two bones of the facial skeleton, located on the roof of the mouth. The bones are the palatine process of the maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone. The hard palate spans the alveolar arch formed by the alveolar process that holds the upper teeth (when these are developed). If cancer is detected early, the overall 5-year survival rate for all persons is 85 percent. If cancer has progressed to other tissues or organs, as well as regional lymph nodes, the overall 5-year survival rate is 67%. Objective: Want to highlight the importance of primary prevention; education on risks of alcohol/tobacco use and oral hygiene. Secondary prevention; Early biopsy of any ulceration of the hard palate that does not regress with medical treatment. This would allow early diagnosis and minimal treatment with less morbidity and better survival chances. Case Presentation: A male of 58 yrs. old came with Pain in the mouth, difficulty in breathing, difficulty in mastication, difficulty in deglutition, balm application, change in voice tooth exfoliation, lack of appetite. Aggravates on mastication, difficulty in deglutition for 2 months, burning sensation on the consumption of spicy food for 2 months change in voice, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, weight loss, tooth exfoliation in the upper front region of jaw, and balm application (2-3episodes, 15 days back). All necessary investigations were carried out such as X-ray, MRI, CT scan, a biopsy of the tissue sample, and diagnosed Carcinoma on the Hard Palate. Treatment of this patient received antiemetic, analgesic, antibiotic, vitamin supplementary. Prognosis: After treatment, the patient shows great improvement. Conclusion: The therapeutic management for malignant tumors of the hard palate is essentially surgical, with or without postoperative radiotherapy, discussed on a case-by-case basis. The survival rate depends on several factors, including early diagnosis, histological characteristics and appropriate management. When ca of the palate is detected primary, the management is very effective.

Histological Origin and Clinicopathological Analysis of Primary Ovarian Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Purpose To investigate the histological origin and clinical and pathological features of primary ovarian neuroendocrine neoplasms. Methods We retrospectively analyzed nine cases of ovarian neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed at our hospital from January 2009 to January 2021. Results The mean age of the nine patients was 44.9 ± 15.2 years (range, 28–68 years). Six cases manifested ovarian carcinoid cancer, and the pathological types were insular and trabecular carcinoid; microscopic observation showed that the carcinoid components were limited and that stromal reaction was slight. Four cases showed teratomas, with the carcinoid components not displaying adjacent mucinous glands; and the other cases exhibited carcinoid cancer as the only tumor component, without adjacent or migratory epithelial components. The six patients were followed up for 76.6 ± 41.2 (6–123) months after resection, without disease. Two cases manifested adenocarcinoma admixed with neuroendocrine carcinoma, and the intermigration of neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma components could be observed; and one case was an isolated small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with no epithelial proximity or migration observed. Adenocarcinoma admixed with neuroendocrine carcinoma and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma exhibited an obviously promoted interstitial reaction and damaging infiltration: these three patients underwent radical surgery supplemented by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and follow-up lasted 34.6 ± 24.2 (7–52) months; two patients died and one showed recurrence. Conclusions Ovarian neuroendocrine neoplasms may reflect multiple tissue origins, carcinoid and simple neuroendocrine neoplasms with no adjacent, transitional epithelium, and may originate from original/transformed neuroendocrine cells or stem cells of the ovarian stroma. In addition, the adenocarcinoma admixed with neuroendocrine carcinoma may originate from dedifferentiated epithelium. The prognosis with carcinoid cancer is favorable, while the prognosis for neuroendocrine carcinoma is poor.