Hypercalcaemic Paraneoplastic Syndrome in a Young Woman with Malignant Phyllodes of the Breast: A Case Report Paraneoplastic syndromes, though uncommon, present systemic effects secondary to primary malignancies or metastases. We presented a case of a 25-year-old nullipara with a left breast malignant phyllodes. Pre-operative investigations revealed hypercalcaemia. Her staging computed tomography scan did not demonstrate any enlarged parathyroid gland. Her serum intact parathyroid hormone level was not raised. After correction with saline hydration, she underwent a left mastectomy, axillary dissection and a supercharged bipedicle TRAM flap. The following day, due to flap congestion, she underwent flap exploration but unfortunately, the flap necrosed. She required temporary coverage with a split-skin graft to allow her post operative sepsis to resolve. She underwent a delayed extended latissimus dorsi myocutaneous pedicled flap for chest wall closure. The cause of hypercalcemia was attributed to be a paraneoplastic syndrome which has not been reported previously in a malignant phyllodes tumor. The hypercalcaemia is postulated to have caused the thrombosis leading to flap failure

Phyllodes tumours are uncommon fibroepithelial lesions of the breast characterized by stromal proliferation and overgrowth. The epithelial component may exhibit hyperplastic and metaplastic changes, however, epithelial squamous metaplastic changes forming epidermal cysts are rare occurrences. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman presented with enlarging right breast mass with suspicious clinical and radiological findings. Clinically, she had a huge mobile mass in the right breast with a palpable axillary lymph node. Mammogram revealed a complex mass with BIRADS score 5. She underwent wide local excision. Histopathology revealed benign phyllodes tumour with multiple unremarkable epidermal cysts. Epidermal cysts arising from squamous metaplasia within a phyllodes tumour are rare. It may give rise to indefinite clinical and radiological findings with malignant transformation being a possibility.

Histological Changes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Post-locoregional Therapy Locoregional therapies are widely practiced in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic carcinoma to the liver as they provide a more targeted treatment with lesser side effects. Transarterial chemo-embolisation and selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) are a few examples. However, histopathological findings after locoregional therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma are rarely reported. We reported a case of a 61-year-old man with underlying Hepatitis B and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma who was treated with SIRT followed by wedge liver resection. Macroscopically, the specimen showed a well-defined mass with areas of fibrosis and haemorrhage. Microscopic examination showed 70% tumour necrosis with numerous microspheres surrounded by multinucleated giant cells with histiocytes and chronic inflammatory cells. Currently, the patient is well with regular follow-up. The latest ultrasound findings showed no residual liver lesion in the background of liver cirrhosis. Although assessment of treatment response following locoregional therapy based on histopathological findings are not widely practiced, recognising histopathological changes such as tumour necrosis, provide valuable insight to a patient’s prognosis. Minimal to absent tumour necrosis implies poor response, limiting further locoregional therapy option. Findings of numerous microspheres might pose a diagnostic challenge as they mimic fungal organisms. Hence, histological examination with aid of special stains like periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Grocott’s methenamine silver stain may be useful.