Articles

Nivolumab/ipilimumab-induced cerebral vasculitis in stage IIIc melanoma: A case report

BJMO - volume 17, issue 4, june 2023

E. van Gogh MD, L. Baisier MD, P. Reyntiens MD, J. Liu MD, M. Rasschaert MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer therapy for specific tumour types. The dismal prognosis of melanoma patients with advanced stage has improved but remains poor. With the increasing use of these monoclonal antibodies, toxicities are becoming more prevalent. Neurological adverse events are still rare but have an enormous impact on the continuum of care. This study reports a case of a 70-year-old man with stage IIIc melanoma who presented with cerebral vasculitis after rechallenge therapy with ipilimumab/nivolumab.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(4):128–31)

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Mazabraud’s Syndrome in association with other benign soft tissue tumours: A case report

BJMO - volume 16, issue 4, june 2022

S. Mignon MD, A. Vandebroek MD, J. Desimpelaere MD, A. Van Beeck MD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD, J. Liu MD, D. Schrijvers MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Mazabraud’s Syndrome is a rare benign disorder characterised by the association of two hallmark entities: fibrous dysplasia (FD) and intramuscular myxomas (IM). The aetiology of the disease is unclear, but molecular research of FD and IM points in the direction of post-zygotic mutations in the guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha stimulating (GNAS) gene, which activates a trophic cascade leading to aberrant cellular proliferation. Although the diagnosis of Mazabraud’s Syndrome is rare, showing a prevalence lower than 1/1,000,000, it should be suspected in every patient presenting with FD and IM. These patients should get a bone scintigraphy and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected anatomical area. Other imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), may have additional value. Finally, the patients should perform a biopsy of the IM to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment includes bisphosphonates for FD, and surgery is reserved only for severe cases with persistent pain, deformity, fracture, or risk for a pathological fracture. Asymptomatic IM should be treated conservatively, but symptomatic lesions can be surgically excised. Follow-up is useful since malignant transformation of FD and recurrence of IM after excision are reported in the literature.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(4):187–90)

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