Acute Eosinophilic and Neutrophilic Pneumonia following Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Beads Loaded with Doxorubicin for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report.

At an intermediate or advanced stage, i.e. stage B or C, based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) may be offered as a treatment of palliative intent. We report the case of a patient suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome after TACE with drug-eluting beads loaded with doxorubicin for HCC. To our knowledge, this is the first case described where a bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, and where significant levels of alveolar eosinophilia and neutrophilia were evident, attributed to a pulmonary toxicity of doxorubicin following liver chemoembolization. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Scores to predict major bleeding risk during oral anticoagulation therapy: a prospective validation study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical scores may help physicians to better assess the individual risk/benefit of oral anticoagulant therapy. We aimed to externally validate and compare the prognostic performance of 7 clinical prediction scores for major bleeding events during oral anticoagulation therapy. METHODS: We followed 515 adult patients taking oral anticoagulants to measure the first major bleeding event over a 12-month follow-up period. The performance of each score to predict the risk of major bleeding and the physician's subjective assessment of bleeding risk were compared with the C statistic. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of a first major bleeding event during follow-up was 6.8% (35/515). According to the 7 scoring systems, the proportions of major bleeding ranged from 3.0% to 5.7% for low-risk, 6.7% to 9.9% for intermediate-risk, and 7.4% to 15.4% for high-risk patients. The overall predictive accuracy of the scores was poor, with the C statistic ranging from 0.54 to 0.61 and not significantly different from each other (P=.84). Only the Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation score performed slightly better than would be expected by chance (C statistic, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.70). The performance of the scores was not statistically better than physicians' subjective risk assessments (C statistic, 0.55; P=.94). CONCLUSION: The performance of 7 clinical scoring systems in predicting major bleeding events in patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy was poor and not better than physicians' subjective assessments.

Effects of hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism before and after oral glucose ingestion in normal men.

The plasma glucose excursion may influence the metabolic responses after oral glucose ingestion. Although previous studies addressed the effects of hyperglycemia in conditions of hyperinsulinemia, it has not been evaluated whether the route of glucose administration (oral vs. intravenous) plays a role. Our aim was to determine the effects of moderately controlled hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism before and after oral glucose ingestion. Eight normal men underwent two oral glucose clamps at 6 and 10 mmol/l plasma glucose. Glucose turnover and cycling rates were measured by infusion of [2H7]glucose. The oral glucose load was labeled by D-[6,6-2H2]glucose to monitor exogenous glucose appearance, and respiratory exchanges were measured by indirect calorimetry. Sixty percent of the oral glucose load appeared in the systemic circulation during both the 6 and 10 mmol/l plasma glucose tests, although less endogenous glucose appeared during the 10 mmol/l tests before glucose ingestion (P < 0.05). This inhibitory effect of hyperglycemia was not detectable after oral glucose ingestion, although glucose utilization was increased (+28%, P < 0.05) due to increased nonoxidative glucose disposal [10 vs. 6 mmol/l: +20%, not significant (NS) before oral glucose ingestion; +40%, P < 0.05 after oral glucose ingestion]. Glucose cycling rates were increased by hyperglycemia (+13% before oral glucose ingestion, P < 0.001; +31% after oral glucose ingestion, P < 0.05) and oral glucose ingestion during both the 6 (+10%, P < 0.05) and 10 mmol/l (+26%, P < 0.005) tests. A moderate hyperglycemia inhibits endogenous glucose production and contributes to glucose tolerance by enhancing nonoxidative glucose disposal. Hyperglycemia and oral glucose ingestion both stimulate glucose cycling.

Adhésion thérapeutique aux traitements oncologiques oraux et prise en charge interdisciplinaire [Therapeutic adherence to oral cancer therapy and interdisciplinary management].

Medication adherence is a well-known risk factor in internal medicine. However in oncology this dimension is emerging due to the increasing number of oral formulations. First results in the oral oncology literature suggest that patients' ability to cope with medical prescription decreases with time. This might preclude patients from reaching clinical outcomes. Factors impacting on medication adherence to oral oncology treatments have not been yet extensively described neither strategies to address them and support patient's needs. Oncologists and pharmacists in our University outpatient settings performed a pilot study which aimed at measuring and facilitating adherence to oral oncology treatments and at understanding determinants of patient's adherence. The ultimate purpose of such a patient-centered and interdisciplinary collaboration would be to promote patient self-management and complement the standard medical follow-up.

Body mass index, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx: modeling odds ratios in pooled case-control data.

Odds ratios for head and neck cancer increase with greater cigarette and alcohol use and lower body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height(2) (m(2))). Using data from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium, the authors conducted a formal analysis of BMI as a modifier of smoking- and alcohol-related effects. Analysis of never and current smokers included 6,333 cases, while analysis of never drinkers and consumers of < or =10 drinks/day included 8,452 cases. There were 8,000 or more controls, depending on the analysis. Odds ratios for all sites increased with lower BMI, greater smoking, and greater drinking. In polytomous regression, odds ratios for BMI (P = 0.65), smoking (P = 0.52), and drinking (P = 0.73) were homogeneous for oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers. Odds ratios for BMI and drinking were greater for oral cavity/pharyngeal cancer (P < 0.01), while smoking odds ratios were greater for laryngeal cancer (P < 0.01). Lower BMI enhanced smoking- and drinking-related odds ratios for oral cavity/pharyngeal cancer (P < 0.01), while BMI did not modify smoking and drinking odds ratios for laryngeal cancer. The increased odds ratios for all sites with low BMI may suggest related carcinogenic mechanisms; however, BMI modification of smoking and drinking odds ratios for cancer of the oral cavity/pharynx but not larynx cancer suggests additional factors specific to oral cavity/pharynx cancer.

Oral cancer treatments and adherence: medication event monitoring system assessment for capecitabine

Background: Oncological treatments are traditionally administered via intravenous injection by qualified personnel. Oral formulas which are developing rapidly are preferred by patients and facilitate administration however they may increase non-adherence. In this study 4 common oral chemotherapeutics are given to 50 patients, who are still in the process of inclusion, divided into 4 groups. The aim is to evaluate adherence and offer these patients interdisciplinary support with the joint help of doctors and pharmacists. We present here the results for capecitabine. Materials and Methods: The final goal is to evaluate adhesion in 50 patients split into 4 groups according to oral treatments (letrozole/exemestane, imatinib/sunitinib, capecitabine and temozolomide) using persistence and quality of execution as parameters. These parameters are evaluated using a medication event monitoring system (MEMS®) in addition to routine oncological visits and semi-structured interviews. Patients were monitored for the entire duration of treatment up to a maximum of 1 year. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the end of the monitoring period using a standardized questionary. Results: Capecitabine group included 2 women and 8 men with a median age of 55 years (range: 36−77 years) monitored for an average duration of 100 days (range: 5-210 days). Persistence was 98% and quality of execution 95%. 5 patients underwent cyclic treatment (2 out of 3 weeks) and 5 patients continuous treatment. Toxicities higher than grade 1 were grade 2−3 hand-foot syndrome in 1 patient and grade 3 acute coronary syndrome in 1 patient both without impact on adherence. Patients were satisfied with the interviews undergone during the study (57% useful, 28% very useful, 15% useless) and successfully integrated the MEMS® in their daily lives (57% very easily, 43% easily) according to the results obtained by questionary at the end of the monitoring period. Conclusion: Persistence and quality of execution observed in our Capecitabine group of patients were excellent and better than expected compared to previously published studies. The interdisciplinary approach allowed us to better identify and help patients with toxicities to maintain adherence. Overall patients were satisfied with the global interdisciplinary follow-up. With longer follow up better evaluation of our method and its impact will be possible. Interpretation of the results of patients in the other groups of this ongoing trial will provide us information for a more detailed analysis.

Adhésion thérapeutique en oncologie : persistance, qualité d'exécution et satisfaction des patients sous traitement oral et MEMS®

Introduction: en oncologie apparaissent sur le marché depuis quelques années de nouveaux traitements en formulation orale facilitant l'administration et améliorant la qualité de vie du patient mais augmentant le risque de non adhésion et d'erreurs de posologie. L'observation par MEMS® (Medication Event Monitoring System) permet le suivi et l'encadrement du traitement oral et par le biais d'entretiens semi structurés menés par le pharmacien, ouvre la discussion sur les problèmes révélés par cette prise en charge. Méthode: étude non randomisée prospective uni centrique regroupant 50 patients inclus dans 3 groupes de traitements oncologiques oraux courants (capecitabine, letrozole/exemestane, imatinib/sunitinib) bénéficiant d'un suivi oncologique classique et équipés d'un MEMS® pour un an maximum. La persistance et la qualité d'exécution sont les deux paramètres mesurés grâce aux données récoltées électroniquement. Les entretiens sont dédiés à la prévention de la non adhésion et à la gestion des effets secondaires médicamenteux. La satisfaction est évaluée par un questionnaire à la fin du suivi. Résultats: à ce jour 38 patients ont été inclus dans l'étude. Les données complètes sont disponibles pour les 19 premiers patients dont 10 sous capecitabine et 9 sous letrozole/exemestane. Dans ce collectif l'âge médian est de 66 ans avec une majorité de femmes (11:8). La persistance à 10 jours est de 85% et la qualité d'exécution de 99%. Les toxicités observées supérieures à grade 1 sont 1 syndrome mains-pieds (G3) et 1 syndrome coronarien aigu (G3). Le questionnaire de fin de suivi relève une satisfaction de 85% des patients pour les entretiens proposés (57% utiles, 28% très utiles, 15% inutiles) et le succès quant à l'intégration du MEMS® dans leur quotidien (57% très facile, 43% facile). Conclusion: la persistance et la qualité d'exécution observées dans notre collectif sont excellentes. La satisfaction retrouvée auprès des patients reflète le besoin d'un soutien complémentaire face à la complexité de la maladie oncologique. La gestion pluridisciplinaire profite tant aux patients qu'au binôme médecin-pharmacien par l'amélioration de la communication globale entre les divers acteurs et par l'identification précoce des risques de non adhésion. La poursuite de cette étude et l'analyse des futures données permettra de mesurer le réel impact de notre intervention et de justifier le bénéfice pour des patients sous traitement similaire.

Oral pregabalin as an add-on treatment for status epilepticus.

Oral antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) represent possible add-on options in refractory status epilepticus (SE). In this setting, pregabalin (PGB) has not been reported before. Over the last 42 months, we identified 11 SE episodes (10 patients) treated with PGB in our hospital. Its use was prompted by the favorable pharmacokinetic profile, devoid of drug-drug interactions. The patients mostly had refractory, partial SE. Only two patients were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). We found a definite electroclinical response in 5 of 11, already evident 24 h after PGB introduction, and a possible response (concomitantly with other AEDs) in 3 of 11 of the episodes; 3/11 did not respond. The treatment was well tolerated. Partial SE appeared to better respond than generalized convulsive SE. PGB appears to be an interesting option as add-on treatment in refractory partial SE.

Management of transitional-cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.

Transitional-cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter is a relatively rare disease. Several risk factors are smoking, occupational carcinogens, analgesic abuse or Balkan nephropathy. The grade and stage of the disease have the most significant impact on the outcome. The treatment of renal pelvis and ureter tumours is open or laparoscopic surgery varying from conservative to more extensive surgical procedures, i.e. radical nephroureterectomy including removal of the contents of Gerota's fascia with ipsilateral ureter and a cuff of bladder at its distal extent. Most available data are from retrospective studies and surgery is the mainstay of treatment. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are possible adjuvant or primary treatment for selected patients; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm their use.

Use of fine-needle aspirate calcitonin to detect medullary thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of calcitonin in washout fluids of thyroid nodule aspirate (FNA-calcitonin) has been reported as accurate to detect medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The results from these studies have been promising and the most updated version of ATA guidelines quoted for the first time that "FNA findings that are inconclusive or suggestive of MTC should have calcitonin measured in the FNA washout fluid." Here we aimed to systematically review published data on this topic to provide more robust estimates. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A comprehensive computer literature search of the medical databases was conducted by searching for the terms "calcitonin" AND "washout." The search was updated until April 2015. RESULTS: Twelve relevant studies, published between 2007 and 2014, were found. Overall, 413 thyroid nodules or neck lymph nodes underwent FNA-calcitonin, 95 were MTC lesions and 93 (97.9%) of these were correctly detected by this measurement regardless of their cytologic report. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the above ATA recommendation is well supported. Almost all MTC lesions are correctly detected by FNA-calcitonin and this technique should be used to avoid false negative or inconclusive results from cytology. The routine determination of serum calcitonin in patients undergoing FNA should improve the selection of patients at risk for MTC, guiding the use of FNA-calcitonin in the same FNA sample and providing useful information to the cytopathologist for the morphological assessment and the application of tailored ancillary tests.

Verrucous Carcinoma of the Vulva: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva is a rare lesion (1). Affecting essentially postmenopausal women, this lesion is a distinct and particular entity in vulval carcinoma classification and its scalability is uncertain and unpredictable. Here, we present a case concerning a 48-year-old patient, without follow-up after a condyloma acuminate of the vulva (large left lip). The origin of this case will be discussed in this article. The treatment decided was only surgical. A review of literature shows the rarity of this lesion of the female genital tract.