Multiple metastases to the small bowel from large cell bronchial carcinomas

AIM: Metastases from lung cancer to gastrointestinal tract are not rare at postmortem studies but the development of clinically significant symptoms from the gastrointestinal metastases is very unusual. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were cut into 5 urn thick sections and routinely stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Some slides were also stained with Alcian-PAS. Antibodies used were primary antibodies to pancytokeratin, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, smooth muscle actin and CD-117. RESULTS: We observed three patients who presented with multiple metastases from large cell bronchial carcinoma to small intestine. Two of them had abdominal symptoms (sudden onset of abdominal pain, constipation and vomiting) and in one case the tumor was incidentally found during autopsy. Microscopically, all tumors showed a same histological pattern and consisted almost exclusively of strands and sheets of poorly cohesive, polymorphic giant cells with scanty, delicate stromas. Few smaller polygonal anaplastic cells dispersed between polymorphic giant cells, were also observed. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining of the tumor cells with cytokeratin and vimentin. Microscopically and immunohistochemically all metastases had a similar pattern to primary anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine. CONCLUSION: In patients with small intestine tumors showing anaplastic features, especially with multiple tumors, metastases from large cell bronchial carcinoma should be first excluded, because it seems that they are more common than expected.

Liver transplantation for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report and review of the literature

Neuroendocrine tumors are divided into gastrointestinal carcinoids and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The WHO has updated the classification of these lesions and has abandoned the term ＂carcinoid＂. Both types of tumors are divided into functional and non-functional tumors. They are characterized by slow growth and frequent metastasis to the liver and may be limited to the liver for long periods. The therapeutic approach to hepatic metastases should consider the number and distribution of the liver metastases as well as the severity of symptoms related to hormone production and tumor bulk. Surgery is generally considered as the first line therapy. In patients with unresectable liver metastases, alternative treatments are dependent on the type and the growth rate. Initial treatments consist of long acting somatostatin analogs and/or interferon. Streptozocin-based chemotherapy is usually reserved for symptomatic patients with rapidly advancing disease, but generally the therapy is poorly tolerated and its effects are short-lived. Locoregional therapy directed such as hepatic-artery embolization and chemoembolization, radiofrequency thermal ablation and cryosurgery, is often used instead of systemic therapy, if the disease is limited to the liver. However, liver transplantation should be considered in patients with neuroendocrine metastases to the liver that are not accessible to curative or cytoreductive surgery and if medical or Iocoregional treatment has failed and if there are life threatening hormonal symptoms. We report a case of liver transplantation for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of unknown primary source and provide a detailed review of the world literature on this controversial topic.

Intracranial malignant solitary fibrous tumor metastasized to the chest wall:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Solitary fibrous tumor(SFT)is a rare fibroblastic mesenchymal neoplasm that affects spindle cell soft tissues with broad-spectrum biological behavior;it is predominantly benign,and rarely metastasizes.SFT occurs mainly in the tissue structure of the serosa in the pleura and the thorax,and can be found throughout the body,though extra-thoracic localization,including the cephalic region,is uncommon.We reported the first case of intracranial malignant SFT metastasized to the chest wall.CASE SUMMARY An 81-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital due to progressive gait disturbance and appetite loss.His medical history included partial resection due to brain tumor,four times,and 50-Gray radiation therapy at another hospital,starting when he was 74 years old.An unenhanced head computed tomography(CT)scan revealed an 8 cm×5.1 cm×6.5 cm mixed-density mass at the left frontal lobe,accompanying a midline shift,and an unenhanced chest-abdomen CT scan revealed a 6 cm×4.1 cm×6.5 cm low-density mass in the left chest wall.A CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy was performed,and the pathological findings were SFT corresponding to brain tumor.Finally,the correct diagnosis of his brain tumor in history of past illness revealed to be SFT,and the unremovable tumor,namely present brain lesions enlarged and metastasized to the chest wall.We established a definitive diagnosis of intracranial malignant SFT metastasized to the chest wall.We notified him and his family of the disease,and offered palliative care.He passed away on the 29 th hospital day.CONCLUSION This case suggests the need for careful,detailed examination,and careful followup when encountering patients presenting with a mass.

Liver transplantation for hepatic metastatic pancreatic insulinoma with a survival over five years

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors （NETs） are one subgroup of gastroenteropancreatic NETs. Its main characteristics are slow growth, frequent metastasis to the liver, and limited to the liver for long periods. In patients with irresectable liver metastatic NET, liver transplantation is the only radical treatment. About 160 cases of liver transplantation for liver metastatic NET have been reported worldwide. However, there is no such report of liver transplantation for hepatic metastatic NET in China by now. We herein report a case of liver transplantation for hepatic metastatic pancreatic insulinoma with a survival of over 5 years.