Metastatic ependymoma of the sacrum

Article Abstract:

Ependymal cells line some of the cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid. Cancers of the ependyma, called ependymomas, are most common in the brain and the spinal cord, but may occur in the sacral region of the spine. In an unusual case involving an 81-year-old woman, a retrosacral ependymoma was the source of metastatic spread to local vertebrae. The patient was treated with radiation primarily to relieve symptoms, but it was largely ineffective in this regard. Opiates were necessary for the management of pain in this case. Fifteen months after diagnosis the patient was readmitted with symptoms of spinal cord compression; she died of pulmonary emboli. A review of the literature on cases of ependymoma located in the sacral area suggest that surgery is generally ineffective, presumably because sufficiently wide margins around the growth cannot be excised. Furthermore, there is some suggestion that the surgery may promote the dissemination of tumor cells. Some practitioners claim to get prolonged survival from radiotherapy, but others regard radiotherapy as primarily palliative in these cases. In the present case, no tumor reduction could be observed, although freedom from progression was obtained; symptomatic relief was not achieved. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Author: Rosenberg, Andrew E., Louis, David N., Miralbell, Raymond, O'Keeffe, David, Suit, Herman D.
Nervous system cancer

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Oncolytic virus therapy of multiple tumors in the brain requires suppression of innate and elicited antiviral responses

Article Abstract:

Cyclophosphamide can be used to suppress antiviral activity in the blood of cancer patients so they can benefit from viral vectors carrying anti-tumor agents. This antiviral activity is innate and does not involve neutralizing antibodies or complement.

Author: Louis, David N., Chiocca, E. Antonio, Finkelstein, Dianne, Ikeda, Keiro, Ichikawa, Tomotsugu, Wakimoto, Hiroaki, Silver, Jonathan S., Deisboeck, Thomas S., Harsh, Griffith R., IV, Bartus, Raymond T., Hochberg, Fred H.
Cyclophosphamide

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From angiogenesis to lymphangiogenisis

Article Abstract:

Vascular endothelial growth factors are commonly used as angiogenic agents and are targets for anti-cancer therapies. Research has shown this signaling pathway is also part of tumor-induced and developmental lymphangiogenesis.

Author: Plate, Karl H.
Germany, Drug therapy, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Lymphangioma

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Subjects list: Health aspects, Antineoplastic agents
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