Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare disease, especially in Asian populations. Surgical resection is considered the primary treatment option. Recently, radiotherapy has been suggested as an EMPD treatment, either as an alternative to surgical resection or in combination with surgical resection. This report reviewed a patient with EMPD who was treated with wide excision of the EMPD site followed by radiotherapy for remaining gross lymph node metastases. The aim of this report was to determine the optimal treatment for advanced EMPD.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paget Disease, Extramammary* ; Radiotherapy* ; Rare Diseases

BACKGROUND: Expression studies of somatostatin receptor type 2A (SSTR2A) in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) led to the development of clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, most of these strategies used in-house-developed antibodies and were focused on lung tumors. We evaluated commercially available SSTR2A antibodies in NENs of the colorectum to observe their subcellular localization and distribution within the resected tumor. METHODS: The immunohistochemistry of 77 NENs located in the colorectum were studied using a commercially available antibody against SSTR2A. RESULTS: Most neuroendocrine tumors (NET) grade (G)1 and G2 expressed the SSTR2A in the cytoplasm with apical or luminal localization. However, all neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) G3 were negative for SSTR2A. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that SSTR2A immunohistochemistry shows cytoplasmic staining with distinct subcellular localization in most NET G1 in the colorectum using a commercially available antibody. Low or no expression of SSTR2A in NET G2 and NEC G3 raises the possibility that SSTR2A may correlate with histologic differentiation and proliferative activity. Further validation studies in large case series are needed.
Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Cytoplasm ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Phenobarbital ; Receptors, Somatostatin

We report a case of vortex keratopathy in a patient treated with vandetanib for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A 44-year-old female who underwent two cycles of chemotherapy for NSCLC complained of visual blurring in both eyes after the initiation of vandetanib, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. On ophthalmic examination, visual acuities were 20 / 20 OU and, with the exception of diffuse vortex keratopathy in both eyes, other findings were unremarkable. Vandetanib is believed to have caused vortex keratopathy in this patient. Anti-EGFR properties affecting normal corneal epithelial cell migration and wound healing or drug associated metabolite deposition, which is the case in numerous drug-associated vortex keratopathies, may be possible underlying mechanisms in the formation of this corneal complication.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/*drug therapy/pathology ; Cornea/drug effects/*pathology ; Corneal Diseases/*chemically induced/diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology ; Microscopy, Acoustic ; Piperidines/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Quinazolines/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Visual Acuity

Purpose: To compare volumetric optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers in bevacizumab responsive and bevacizumab refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) patients switched to the dexamethasone implant to ultimately identify possible prognostic indicators. Methods: Retrospective analysis of DME patients treated with bevacizumab were done. Patients were divided into those who showed response to bevacizumab (bevacizumab only group) and others who were switched to the dexamethasone implant due to lack of response to bevacizumab (switching group). Volumetric OCT biomarkers such as central macular thickness (CMT), inner and outer cystoid macular edema (CME) volume, serous retinal detachment (SRD) volume, retinal volume (CME + SRD volume) within the 6-mm Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study circle were calculated. OCT biomarkers were followed up throughout treatment. Results: Among total of 144 eyes, 113 patients were included in the bevacizumab only group and 31 patients were included in the switching group. Compared to the bevacizumab only group, the switching group showed higher baseline CMT (558.00 ± 209.60 µm vs. 454.96 ± 125.88 µm, p = 0.003), larger inner CME (6.02 ± 1.43 mm3 vs. 5.12 ± 0.87 mm3, p = 0.004) and SRD volume (0.32 ± 0.40 mm3 vs. 0.11 ± 0.09 mm3, p = 0.015) and higher proportion of patients with SRD (58.06% vs. 31.86%, p = 0.008). In the switching group, CMT, inner CME and SRD volume all showed significant reduction after switching to the dexamethasone implant. Conclusions DME with large SRD and inner nuclear layer edema volume may be more effectively treated with the dexamethasone implant than bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: Ipilimumab improves survival in advanced melanoma patients. However, the efficacy and safety of ipilimumab has not been evaluated in Asian melanoma patients with a high frequency of mucosal and acral melanoma subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Advanced melanoma patients treated with 3 mg/kg ipilimumab in a Korean multicenter named-patient program (NPP) were evaluated between September 2014 and July 2015. Baseline characteristics and blood parameters including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were assessed, and outcome and adverse events were evaluated according to subtypes. RESULTS: A total of 104 advanced melanoma patients were treated. The primary sites were acral (31.7%), mucosal (26%), cutaneous (26%), uveal (9.6%), and unknown (6.7%). Sixty-eight patients (65.4%) experienced adverse events, and the most common toxicity was skin rash (22.1%), 10 patients (9.6%) experienced adverse events of grade 3 or higher. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.73 months (95% confidence interval, 2.67 to 2.85), and there was no difference in PFS according to subtypes. Poor performance status, liver metastasis, and NLR (≥ 5) were independent poor prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In the Korean NPP cohort, ipilimumab showed similar efficacy and tolerability compared to Western patients, regardless of subtypes. All subtypes should benefit from ipilimumab with consideration of performance status, liver metastasis, and NLR.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Liver ; Lymphocytes ; Melanoma* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neutrophils

Although high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is generally considered a safe medication for various immune-mediated diseases, thrombotic events have been reported as a complication of the therapy. We report a case who developed thrombotic complications after receiving IVIG. A 56-yr-old woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura received IVIG at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for five days. Three days after the administration of IVIG, the patient developed painful edema in the left leg. Lower extremity doppler ultrasound revealed deep vein thrombosis in the left leg. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a filling defect indicating thromboembolism of the right pulmonary artery. After three weeks of enoxaparin therapy, her symptoms and pulmonary embolism on CT improved. This case suggests clinicians should be cautious in the development of thromboembolism by administration of IVIG, especially in patients with thrombophilia.
Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism/*chemically induced ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/drug therapy ; Venous Thrombosis/*chemically induced

PURPOSE: Chromogranin A (CgA) has been considered to be valuable not only in the diagnosis but also in monitoring the disease response to treatment. However, only a few studies have been published on this issue. We purposed to evaluate whether biochemical response using plasma CgA level is reliable in concordance with the clinical response of grade 1-3 nonfunctiong gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2011 and September 2013, a total of 27 cases in 18 patients were analysed, clinically and radiologically while serial CgA tests were also conducted during treatment. Tumor responses were defined by both Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria ver. 1.1 and biochemical criteria based on the CgA level. RESULTS: Among the 27 cases analysed, no difference in the basal CgA level was observed with regard to gender, primary tumor site, tumor grade (World Health Organization classification), liver metastasis, number of metastatic site, and line of chemotherapy. The overall response rate (RR) by RECIST criteria ver. 1.1 was six out of the 27 cases (22.2%) and eight out of the 27 cases (29.6%) for biochemical RR. The overall concordance rates of the response based on RECIST and biochemical criteria were 74%. In grades 1 and 2 GEP-NETs (n=17), the concordance rate of the disease control was 94.1%. There was a significant difference for progression-free survival (PFS) between responders and non-responder in accordance to biochemical criteria (35.73 months vs. 5.93 months, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that changes of the plasma CgA levels were associated with tumour response. Additionally, biochemical response based on serial CgA may be a predictive marker for PFS in GEP-NETs.
Chromogranin A* ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Plasma*

PURPOSE: Fluoropyrimidine-based combination chemotherapy, in combination with either oxaliplatin or irinotecan, has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (ACC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2007, a total of 478 ACC patients were treated with combination chemotherapy in first-line settings. Combination therapies included: 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX, n=172), 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid plus irinotecan (FOLFIRI, n=95), capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX, n=155), and capecitabine plus irinotecan (XELIRI, n=56). FOLFOX and FOLFIRI were repeated every 2 weeks, whereas XELOX and XELIRI were repeated every 3 weeks until occurrence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or until a patient chose to discontinue treatment. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years (range, 19 to 84 years) and the median chemotherapy durations for FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, XELOX, and XELIRI were 4.9, 4.5, 5.7, and 5.4 months, respectively. Combination chemotherapy regimens were generally well tolerated. The estimated median progression-free-survival (PFS) for all patients was 6.8 months (95% confidence interval, 6.3 to 7.3 months). No statistically significant difference in PFS was found among regimens used as first-line chemotherapy. Sixty percent (n=290) of patients received second or further lines of therapy after failure. CONCLUSION: Fluoropyrimidine-based combination chemotherapy regimens appear to be equally active and tolerable as first-line therapy for ACC.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Camptothecin ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Deoxycytidine ; Disease Progression ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Management of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases (NETLM) presents many clinical challenges. Assessment of the extent of disease and primary tumor site is crucial for management. In this study, we investigated the primary tumor sites and prognostic factors in GEP NETLM among Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 72 Korean patients diagnosed with GEP NETLM between January 1999 and May 2013, focusing on their clinical and pathologic characteristics. RESULTS: The most frequently encountered primary tumor sites were the pancreas (n=25, 35%), stomach (n=8, 11%), gall bladder (n=4, 6%) and rectum (n=3, 4%). Twenty-five patients (35%) had occult primary tumor. Twelve patients (17%) had histological grade G1 tumors, 30 patients (42%) had G2 tumors, and 30 patients (42%) had G3 tumors. The mean follow-up period after histological confirmation of hepatic metastases was 11.30+/-2.44 months for G3 tumors, 19.67+/-4.09 months for G2 tumors, and 30.67+/-6.51 months for G1 tumors. Multivariate analyses revealed that an unknown primary tumor site (p=0.001) and higher histological grade (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic indicators for shorter overall survival (OS). Most long-term survivors (OS > 24 months) had received antitumor treatment. CONCLUSION: The primary tumor site most frequently associated with GEP NETLM was the pancreas. Unknown primary tumor and higher histological grade were independent prognostic indicators for shorter OS. Patients identified as being at a risk of shorter OS should be followed up closely.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea* ; Liver* ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Pancreas ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Rectum ; Stomach ; Survivors ; Urinary Bladder

Malignant melanoma of the genital tract is a rare disease that is usually diagnosed by chance. When a definite diagnosis is delayed, the prognosis is very poor without standardized treatment. Herein, we describe a 40-year-old patient who presented with a history of bloody vaginal discharge for 7 months. Gynecological examination showed an exophytic, hard and pigmented cervical mass involving the upper vagina. The patient was diagnosed with cervical melanoma after a punch biopsy and underwent a radical hysterectomy, upper vaginectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. After surgeries, the patient underwent 2-cycles of adjuvant immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, but died within 8 months. In this report, treatment with pembrolizumab after radical surgery was not effective for this patient who had a primary cervical melanoma that metastasized to bone and lung tissue. We do not know why pembrolizumab was ineffective for this patient, but there are several possible explanations; further research is needed.
Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Biopsy ; Cervix Uteri* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gynecological Examination ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Immunotherapy ; Lung ; Lymph Node Excision ; Melanoma* ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vagina ; Vaginal Discharge