Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to W K Linville.
Endobronchial hamartoma is a rare lesion, with only 65 cases previously reported in the English literature. An additional case is reported here. The patient was successfully treated by bronchoscopic excision of the hamartoma.
Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is an uncommon uterine malignancy with a variety of histologic characteristics and clinical courses. We describe a patient who recently underwent her third resection of a locally recurring low-grade ESS 29 years after original diagnosis. Tissue from her recurrent tumor contained high levels of estrogen and progesterone receptors and had a diploid DNA content. In addition to multiple resections, she has previously been treated with vincristine chemotherapy and is now receiving megestrol acetate therapy. Mitotic activity is the most important prognostic feature distinguishing high- and low-grade ESS. The mainstay of therapy for both high- and low-grade tumors is surgical excision. A beneficial adjuvant role for cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy is yet to be clearly established for low-grade ESS; however, recent reports suggest that progestational agents may produce significant responses in recurrent or persistent disease patients whose tumors produce steroid hormone receptors. Indolent tumors may require years of close observation and multiple treatment approaches to maintain a patient in a functional capacity.
The folic acid antagonist, methotrexate, has many applications in the treatment of neoplastic disease. While methotrexate produces several well-recognized toxic effects, cutaneous reactions are rare. A patient who developed classical erythema multiforme while receiving low-dose methotrexate as treatment of nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is presented. Erythema multiforme has been associated with a variety of pharmacologic agents. It typically presents as a pruritic papular dermatitis of the extensor surfaces of the extremities and may require multiple skin biopsies to establish the diagnosis. Spontaneous reversal usually occurs with discontinuation of therapy. Patients developing erythema multiforme related to antineoplastic agents should be switched to an alternate regimen.