Dramatic response of follicular thyroid carcinoma with superior vena cava syndrome and tracheal obstruction to external-beam radiotherapy
Article Abstract:
Thyroid gland tumors are normally treated with radioactive iodine, which locates the abnormal thyroid cells and destroys them, in combination with the hormone thyroxine to suppress the growth of the tumor. The case is reported of a woman with a thyroid tumor that did not respond to this treatment, but did respond to external-beam irradiation of the tumor. The tumor was causing superior vena cava syndrome and obstruction of the trachea (windpipe). Superior vena cava syndrome (SVC) occurs when the veins that drain through the neck become blocked, resulting in swelling in the neck and face and causing respiratory problems. The tumor was initially treated by traditional therapy, and surgery could not remove all the tumor. It grew in size even with the therapy, and SVC developed. External-beam radiotherapy (RT), in which the radiation is applied from outside of the body, was then performed. Although RT is not usually used for this type of cancer, it was tried because of the lack of response from the other treatments. The tumor quickly decreased in size and facial and neck swelling subsided. The woman remained well for the next four years until a tumor surrounding her trachea was discovered. It was surgically removed and RT therapy was again used, which caused a decrease in a neck mass. This case demonstrates that thyroid tumors can cause SVC. It also shows that RT therapy may be useful for thyroid tumors when traditional therapy fails. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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Crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with prostatic carcinoma: evidence of immune-mediated glomerular injury
Article Abstract:
The glomerulus, a small structure in the kidney composed of blood vessels, functions to filter blood during the formation of urine. Glomerular disease is rarely associated with cancer of the prostate, a gland in males that secretes fluid into semen. A case is described of an 81-year-old man with metastatic or widespread prostatic cancer, who developed kidney failure and nephrotic syndrome, or disease of the glomerular blood vessels as a result of glomerulonephritis, or inflammation of the kidney originating in the glomeruli. Impaired kidney function and nephrotic syndrome developed in this patient after the start of radiation therapy for cancer metastases. At autopsy, the patient was found to have the crescentic form of glomerulonephritis, with evidence of substances from the prostate, including the enzyme prostatic-specific acid phosphatase and prostatic-specific antigen, in addition to factors from the immune system deposited in the glomeruli. These findings indicate that immune factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of crescentic glomerulonephritis. It is suggested that clinicians be aware of the potential for patients' developing kidney disease after radiation therapy for metastatic cancer; the radiation may cause the release of large amounts of tumor antigens and kidney damage due to immune factors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1990
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Radiographically occult endobronchial obstruction in bronchogenic carcinoma
Article Abstract:
Bronchogenic carcinoma is a cancer that develops in the bronchi, or airways. This malignancy usually does not become apparent in chest X-rays until the tumor completely blocks off the airway or causes signs of airway obstruction, such as lung inflammation or decreased lung volume. However, complete blockage of the airways may not always be detected by X-ray. The incidence (number of new cases) of lesions that block the airways but can not be detected by X-ray was assessed. These lesions were discovered by bronchoscopy, the internal examination of the airways using a tube-like device with an optical system. Seventy-seven patients with suspected bronchogenic carcinoma had a total of 81 lesions that completely obstructed the airways. Of 81 obstructing lesions, 36 could not be detected by X-ray. The lesions in the segmental bronchi were less detectable than those in the proximal airways. Thirteen patients had normal chest X-rays, but also had risk factors and symptoms of bronchogenic carcinoma. These findings show that bronchogenic carcinoma lesions that completely block off the airways may not always be detected by routine chest X-ray. This should be considered in the diagnosis of patients at risk for lung cancer as well as in the evaluation of disease progression and treatment of patients with lung cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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