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Cytokine assay was performed using 50 µL plasma as per manufacturer's protocol. Cytokine profiling was performed in 323 plasma samples including, but not limited to, suspected GVHD, sepsis, HLH diagnosis, and immunotherapy monitoring. Correspondence to: docprt@gmail.com I Background: i Cytokines, biological molecules pivotal in induction and regulation of immune responses and emerged as focal point of biomarker research. [Extracted from the article]

Correspondence to: docprt@gmail.com I Background: i TRBC1 is a novel flow cytometry-based T-cell colonialist marker. I Results: i We studied cytoplasmic TRBC1 expression in eight childhood TALLs (median age = 6 years), 12 adult TALLs (median age = 25 years), and 4 T-ALL MRD samples. I Conclusion: i Our study demonstrates that flow cytometric immunophenotyping of surface and cytoplasmic TRBC1 can aid in detection of abnormal blasts in T-ALL cases and has a high potential in T-ALL MRD monitoring. [Extracted from the article]

AML patients did not show PAX5 expression (nMFI < 3) except one t(8;21) translocated AML which showed aberrant CD19 expression. Median n mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PAX5 in B-ALL and AML patients were calculated (Table 1). Our cohort comprised of 21 acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 25 B-acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and 10 (Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia and B/myeloid) patients. [Extracted from the article]

Correspondence to: docprt@gmail.com I Background: i Increasing use of targeted therapies such as anti-CD19 Blinatumomab/CAR-T-cells and anti-CD20 rituximab obviates the need for additional B-cell maturation-associated markers to evaluate deviation from normal in bone marrow (BM) in patients with B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL) by multicolor flow cytometry (MFC). I Conclusion: i GL7 appears in B-cell maturation in BM at late BCP2 stage and is expressed in a proportion of B-ALL patients. [Extracted from the article]

Corresponding author: docprt@gmail.com I Background: i Multiple myeloma (MM) is a genetically heterogenous plasma cell neoplasm comprising of varied translocations. I Methods: i MM cases with more than 10% plasma cells (PC) on bone marrow aspirate were included. [Extracted from the article]

Median nMFI of GATA3 in T-ALL, AML, and MPAL patients were 2.57 (0.0-8.04), 0.17 (0.00-5.23), and 2.02 (0.00-6.92), respectively. Correspondence to: docprt@gmail.com I Background: i GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3) is the transcription factor that regulates early T-cell differentiation. [Extracted from the article]

I Materials and Methods: i Flow cytometric immunophenotyping was performed to study the expression pattern of CD244 on normal cells and leukemic blasts using 10- to 13-color panel. NK cells express CD244 and can be distinguished from T-blasts which are negative for CD244 ( I p i < 0.0001). Correspondence to: docprt@gmail.com I Background: i CD244, a member of the signaling lymphocyte-activation molecule (SLAM), is expressed on all natural killer (NK) cells, a subpopulation of T-cells, monocytes, and basophils, as well as leukemic stem cells. [Extracted from the article]

Background: We present a clinico-hematological profile and treatment outcome of Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia (BAL).Aim: Study incidence and subtypes of BAL, correlate with age, morphology, and cytogenetic findings and correlate the clinico-hematological data with the treatment response. St Jude's and the EGIL's criteria have been compared for their diagnostic and clinical relevance.Material and Methods: Diagnosis was based on WHO classification, including clinical details, morphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, and molecular genetics. We included those cases, which fulfilled the European Group for the Immunological Characterization of Acute Leukemia's (EGIL's) scoring system criteria for the diagnosis of BAL, as per recommendation of the WHO classification.Results: There were 32 patients diagnosed with BAL, based on EGIL's criteria. Incidence of BAL was 1.2%. B-Myeloid (14 cases) followed by T-Myeloid BAL (13 cases) were the commonest subtypes. Polymorphous population of blasts (16 cases) was commonly associated with T-Myeloid BAL (10 cases). BCR ABL fusion positivity was a common cytogenetic abnormality (seven cases). Fifteen patients received chemotherapy; eight achieved complete remission (CR) at the end of the induction period.Conclusions: Pediatric BAL and T-B lymphoid BAL have a better prognosis. A comprehensive panel of reagents is required, including cytoplasmic markers; to diagnose BAL. St Jude's criteria is a simple, easy, and cost-effective method to diagnose BAL. The outcome-related prognostic factors include age, HLA-DR, CD34 negativity, and subtype of BAL. BCR-ABL expression is an important prognostic factor, as these cases will be labeled as Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis with biphenotypic expression and treated accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the development of a PCR assay for monitoring of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It examines the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy with respect to patients achieving complete cytogenetic remission and hematologic remission. It proposes that abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (ABL1) can be used as a control gene.

Unicortical fixation has some practical and theoretical advantages over bicortical fixation. Questions have been raised to its adequacy for post-operative mobilization. We hypothesized that fixation using a plate and eight unicortical screws would be as strong as using a plate and four bicortical screws. A total of 40 unicortical and 40 bicortical fixations were compared using a cadaveric metacarpal model. Unicortical fixation was performed using an eight-hole parallel plate and bicortical fixation with a four-hole straight plate. Fixations were tested to failure using four-point bending load. The mean load to failure was 414 N SD 38(SE) for the unicortical group and 296 N SD 29(SE) for the bicortical group. Significant differences between these two constructs were observed. The mean stiffness of the fixation was higher for the bicortical group than the unicortical, although this difference did not reach significance. Unicortical fixation alone is sufficient to enable early post-operative mobilization in a live model.Level of evidence: 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma displays distinct epidemiological attributes in Asian population thus making it relevant to study whether there are any differences in treatment outcomes too when treated with current standard of care. Aim: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of de-novo advanced stage HL in adults. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included de-novo advanced stage HL patients (≥15 years) registered at our center from January 2004 to December 2007. Treatment outcomes were measured in terms of response rates, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Overall and PFS were calculated with Kaplan-Meier methodology and Cox-proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis to identify prognostic factors. Results: There were 125 patients (males 77%) who received minimum one cycle of chemotherapy with median age of 32 years (Range 15-65 years). Stage IV disease was seen in (46 patients) 37%; 75% (94 patients) patients had B symptoms. International prognostic score (IPS) ≤4 was seen in 95/112 (85%) patients. ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) chemotherapy was given to 94%. Radiation to residual/bulky sites was given to 36% (45 patients). Response data was available for 112 patients; complete response in 76%; partial response in 10 % and progressive disease in 3 patients. Nineteen deaths (progressive disease-7, toxicity-8, unrelated cause-4) were observed. At median follow-up of 28 months, estimated 5-year OS and PFS were 60% and 58%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, IPS and response to treatment were significant factors for both OS and PFS. Conclusions: The treatment outcomes in this study are comparable with the published literature with limited follow-up data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The present study of 238 B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL) patients were undertaken to seek the prevalence and to evaluate clinico-pathological significance of recurrent genetic abnormalities such as del(13q14.3), trisomy 12, del(11q22.3) (ATM), TP53 deletion, del(6q21) and IgH translocation/deletion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied interphase - fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on total 238 cases of B-CLL. RESULTS: Our study disclosed 69% of patients with genetic aberrations such as 13q deletion (63%), trisomy 12 (28%), 11q deletion (18%), 6q21 deletion (11%) with comparatively higher frequency of TP53 deletion (22%). Deletion 13q displayed as a most frequent sole abnormality. In group with coexistence of ⩾2 aberrations, 13q deletion was a major clone indicating del(13q) as a primary event followed by 11q deletion, TP53 deletion, trisomy 12, 6q deletion as secondary progressive events. In comparison with del(13q), trisomy 12, group with coexistence of ⩾2 aberrations associated with poor risk factors such as hyperleukocytosis, advanced stage, and multiple nodes involvement. In a separate study of 116 patients, analysis of IgH abnormalities revealed either partial deletion (24%) or translocation (5%) and were associated with del(13q), trisomy 12, TP53 and ATM deletion. Two of 7 cases had t(14;18), one case had t(8;14), and four cases had other variant IgH translocation t(?;14). CONCLUSION: Detail characterization and clinical impact are necessary to ensure that IgH translocation positive CLL is a distinct pathological entity. Our data suggests that CLL with various cytogenetic subsets, group with coexistence of ⩾2 aberrations seems to be a complex cytogenetic subset, needs more attention to understand biological significance and to seek clinical impact for better management of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older adults differs biologically and clinically from that in younger patients and is characterized by adverse chromosomal abnormalities, stronger intrinsic resistance, and lower tolerance to chemotherapy. In patients over age 60 with AML, cure rates are under 10% despite intensive chemotherapy, and most of them die within a year of diagnosis. Over the last decade, metronomic chemotherapy has emerged as a potential strategy to control advanced/ refractory cancer. Here, we report a case of a 68-year-old gentleman having AML with high-risk cytogenetic features, who achieved complete remission on our oral metronomic PrET (PrET: Prednisolone, etoposide, thioguanine) protocol on an outpatient basis. He was later treated with standard high-dose (HD) cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) consolidation followed by maintenance with etoposide, thioguanine, and sodium valproate. Presently, the patient is nearly 35 months since diagnosis and 21 months off treatment. This case report and review highlights that the combination of oral low-intensity metronomic therapy, followed by standard HD consolidation therapy and metronomic maintenance therapy may be well tolerated by elderly patients especially with less proliferative, high (cytogenetic)-risk AML who are otherwise deemed to be unfit for intensive intravenous induction chemotherapy regimens. References for this review were identified through searches of Pubmed for recent publications on the subject as well as searches of the files of the authors themselves. The final list was generated on the basis of originality and relevance to this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence of primary Hodgkin's lymphoma (PHL) of the liver is extremely rare. We report on a case of a 60-year-old male who presented with liver mass and B-symptomatology. Hepatoma or hepatic metastasis from a gastrointestinal primary was initially suspected. Tumor markers like AFP, CEA, Total PSA, and CA-19.9 were within normal limits. Positron Emission Tomography / Computerized Tomography (PET/CT) revealed a large hepatic lesion and a nodal mass in the porta hepatis. A liver biopsy was consistent with Hodgkin's lymphoma. There was complete regression of the hepatic lesion and evidence of shrinkage of the nodal mass following four cycles of chemotherapy. 18F Fluro -de-oxy Glucose (FDG) PET / CT in this case helped in establishing a primary hepatic lymphoma by demonstrating the absence of pathologically hypermetabolic foci in any other nodes or organs. PET / CT scan is a useful adjunct to conventional imaging and histopathology, not only to establish the initial diagnosis, but also to monitor treatment response in PHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with hereditary retinoblastoma are at increased risk of second primary tumor, the commonest tumor being osteosarcoma. Leiomyosarcoma developing as second primary neoplasm in retinoblastoma patients is unusual and most have occurred in the field of previous radiotherapy. Although with aggressive therapy better survival can be achieved, the overall prognosis of patients developing these second neoplasms is poor. In this report we present a case of leiomyosarcoma of the maxilla as a second neoplasm in a patient with bilateral retinoblastoma which has developed outside the radiation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little finger metacarpal fractures are the most common type of metacarpal fractures and the treatment is quite variable as it is a multifactorial entity comprised of subcapital, metacarpal shaft and base fractures. These fractures are common presentations in the fracture clinics and the general orthopaedic surgeons treat them until a complex case warrants specific decision making by a hand surgeon. The management of many of these fractures is still a matter of debate and differ widely in the various parts of the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to investigate the current practice of little finger metacarpal fractures among upper limb surgeons in the UK. We conducted an online survey among 278 upper limb orthopaedic specialist surgeons throughout the UK. Our response rate was 58%. There are various factors which dictate the treatment as suggested by these respondent upper limb consultants. For example, for fifth metacarpal neck fractures, it was generally recognised that 43% of upper limb surgeons prefer neighbour strapping alone for non-operative management of little finger metacarpal fractures. For little finger metacarpal shaft fractures, 39.3% of surgeons suggested that they would contemplate intervention, i.e. manipulation under anaesthesia/surgery if beyond 30° of volar angulation is present. For little finger metacarpal neck fractures, 33.7% would only consider surgical intervention beyond 60° of volar angulation. 91.6% of upper limb specialists agreed that they would operate on little finger metacarpal base fractures only if it was a fracture dislocation, while 71.8% suggested that they would proceed to operate on even a pure dislocation. We have illustrated the various permutations and combinations of these fractures with the results of our survey in this article in detail. The vast majority of metacarpal bone fractures are stable and treated conservatively. The different types of injury patterns must be recognised by the orthopaedic surgeons and appropriate treatment then should be executed to serve the patient optimally in due course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The uniqueness of adolescent and young adult (AYA) non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) with respect to biology and treatment have largely remained unanswered due to marked heterogeneity in treatment, paucity of prospective, or retrospective studies and poor representation of AYA in clinical trials. This audit attempts to put forward the clinicopathological attributes and treatment outcomes of AYA NHL treated with both pediatric and adult protocols from a single centre in a developing country. Patients and Methods: Hospital records of all consecutive NHL patients registered in lymphoma clinic from January 2007 to May 2010 were reviewed for information on demography, clinical features, histology subtype, staging, treatment regimen, response rates, toxicities, and follow up. Two-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. Results: AYA NHL constituted 4% of all lymphomas. Diffuse large B-cell (DLBL) was the most frequent subtype. Following were the 2-year PFS and OS - DLBL 64%, 76.9%, Burkitt's lymphoma: 56%, 56%, lymphoblastic lymphoma: 33.2%, 44%. Our results did not show any improvement in outcome of DLBL with the use of Burkitt's lymphoma like regimen. Conclusions: This study highlights some of the key features of AYA NHL occurring in developing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is cutaneous lymphoma of the T-cell lineage. Hypopigmented MF is a clinical variant of MF, described mainly in Asians. This is a retrospective clinicopathologic analysis of hypopigmented MF at a tertiary care center. Aims: To describe the clinicopathologic profile of hypopigmented MF. Methods: Records of clinicopathologic notes over a 5-year period ranging from January 2005 up to December 2009 were reviewed over a period of 3 months, of which 15 cases were diagnosed with hypopigmented MF based on clinicopathologic correlation. Results: Hypopigmented MF was found to be more common in males, and between second and fourth decades of life. The latent period between onset and diagnosis was around 3.83 years. Most of the patients were asymptomatic 80% (12/15), with skin changes of subtle atrophy in 46.66% (7/15), scaling in 20% (3/15) and focal changes of poikiloderma in 26.66% (4/15) patients. Most common sites of distribution of the lesions were the trunk and extremities. Many of the cases had been clinically mistaken for Hansen's disease prior to correct diagnosis. Marked epidermotropism and tagging of epidermis by large lymphocytes characterizes the condition histopathologically. Of the 15 cases, immunohistochemistry was possible in 10 cases, of which 8 showed predominant CD8 positive epidermotropic infiltrates and two cases showed absence of CD8 positive and CD4 positive lymphocytic infiltrate in the epidermis. Conclusion: Hypopigmented MF presents as hypopigmented asymptomatic patches without any erythema or infiltration in its early stage and mimics Hansen's disease. Skin biopsy clinches the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: We present a clinico-hematological profile and treatment outcome of Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia (BAL). AIM: Study incidence and subtypes of BAL, correlate with age, morphology, and cytogenetic findings and correlate the clinico-hematological data with the treatment response. St Jude's and the EGIL's criteria have been compared for their diagnostic and clinical relevance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnosis was based on WHO classification, including clinical details, morphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, and molecular genetics. We included those cases, which fulfilled the European Group for the Immunological Characterization of Acute Leukemia's (EGIL's) scoring system criteria for the diagnosis of BAL, as per recommendation of the WHO classification. RESULTS: There were 32 patients diagnosed with BAL, based on EGIL's criteria. Incidence of BAL was 1.2%. B-Myeloid (14 cases) followed by T-Myeloid BAL (13 cases) were the commonest subtypes. Polymorphous population of blasts (16 cases) was commonly associated with T-Myeloid BAL (10 cases). BCR ABL fusion positivity was a common cytogenetic abnormality (seven cases). Fifteen patients received chemotherapy; eight achieved complete remission (CR) at the end of the induction period. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric BAL and T-B lymphoid BAL have a better prognosis. A comprehensive panel of reagents is required, including cytoplasmic markers; to diagnose BAL. St Jude's criteria is a simple, easy, and cost-effective method to diagnose BAL. The outcome-related prognostic factors include age, HLA-DR, CD34 negativity, and subtype of BAL. BCR-ABL expression is an important prognostic factor, as these cases will be labeled as Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis with biphenotypic expression and treated accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Imatinib mesylate has shown promising results in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in all phases. This drug is an effective treatment for patients with CML in chronic phase as it induces hematological remission in nearly all patients and cytogenetic responses in many. The bone marrow changes produced by this drug are different from the treatment modalities used earlier in CML. MATERIALS & METHODS: We studied 80 patients of CML on treatment with Imatinib at doses of 400-800 mg per day. Morphological and cytogenetic evaluation (Ph analysis) of bone marrow aspirates was done at six months of treatment. RESULT: In our study, 95% (76 out of 80) patients showed complete hematological response and 63.3% showed major cytogenetic response at the end of six months of treatment. The most commonly observed changes in the bone marrow aspirates at the end of six months of therapy were in the form of reduction in the cellularity, reduction in the M: E ratio to a mean of 2:1, presence of relative erythroid hyperplasia, normalization of megakaryocytic morphology and variable increase in the bone marrow lymphocytes. None of these changes had signifi cant correlation with the patient's Ph status. CONCLUSION: We advise study of trephine biopsies to overcome the often-faced problem of hemodiluted aspirates in these cases and evaluation of sequential bone marrows to check the durability of these morphological changes and their correlation with the cytogenetic response with emphasis on cytogenetic changes other than Ph positivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goals Of Work: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important outcome after surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC), and accurate assessment is required to fully inform clinical decision making. The purpose of this review is to summarise randomised surgical trials in CRC with robust HRQL to consider the role of HRQL in surgical decision making.Materials and Methods: A systematic review in Medline and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register identified randomised surgical trials with HRQL. HRQL assessment was categorised as robust according to predefined criteria, and the clinical implications of HRQL were considered.Main Results: One hundred seventy-seven articles were identified, and a detailed review reduced this to eight trials. Four compared laparoscopic with open surgery, and four evaluated coloanal anastomotic techniques. The most commonly used HRQL instrument was the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, and HRQL was usually a secondary outcome measure. In four (50%) trials, HRQL assessment was categorised as methodologically robust, although only two trials had sample size calculations based upon a HRQL endpoint. Six trials based the final treatment recommendation in the context of the HRQL outcomes.Conclusion: In randomised surgical trials in CRC, HRQL assessment informs clinical decision making, and future trials require robust assessment of relevant patient-reported outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in surgery evaluation is increasing. PROs include measures of health-related quality of life (HRQL), patient satisfaction and utility. It is hypothesized that they add to traditional end points by providing detailed assessment of the impact of surgery on patient well-being as well as assessing patient preferences. In addition, qualitative observations from in-depth or semistructured interviews, or focus groups provide data about patient experiences and views of surgery that may supplement standard outcomes and quantitative PROs. This type of detail may contribute to clinical decision-making and informed consent. It is essential, however, that PROs are valid and reliable, and that robust methodology is used in trials and other research settings to incorporate PROs in a clinical context. Future work focusing upon the role of PROs in surgical decision-making is needed, and there is a need to develop methods for communicating PROs to patients. In addition, evaluating surgery with qualitative approaches will add useful insights into how patients experience surgery. This review article focuses on evaluating surgery with measures of HRQL and the qualitative methods that may supplement quantitative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoplasms of follicular dendritic cells are uncommon and while majority of them occur in lymph nodes, they are increasingly recognized at varied sites such as abdominal viscera. Tonsil is the most common extra nodal site for occurrence of follicular dendritic cell tumor in the head and neck region. We describe three cases of follicular dendritic cell tumour occurring in the tonsil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare malignant neoplasm of adolescent males. Current multimodality treatment prolongs life and rarely achieves cure.Aim: To review the presenting features, histopathology and outcome of 18 patients with DSRCT treated at a single institution.Setting and Design: This is a retrospective observational study of patients with DSRCT who presented at the Tata Memorial Hospital between January 1994 to January 2005.Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients of DSRCT seen during this period were evaluated for their clinical presentation, response to chemotherapy and other multimodality treatment and overall survival. The cohort of 18 patients included 11 males (61%) and 7 females (39%) with a mean age of 16 years (Range 1(1/2)--30 years). Majority (83%) presented with abdomino-pelvic disease. The others, involving chest wall and extremities. There were 6 patients (33%) with metastatic disease at presentation.Results: The treatment primarily included a multimodality approach using a combination of multiagent chemotherapy with adjuvant surgery and radiotherapy as applicable. A response rate of 39% (CR-1, PR-6), with chemotherapy was observed. The overall response rate after multimodality treatment was 39% (CR-5, PR-2). The overall survival was poor except in patients who had complete excision of the tumor.Conclusion: 0 Abdomino-pelvic site was the commonest presentation, the disease can occur at other non-serosal surfaces also. Despite aggressive treatment the outcome was poor. However, complete surgical excision seems to provide a better survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on advances in imaging which have increased the detection of the primary pathology of seminal vesicles. Anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive and urinary system; Congenital abnormalities of the seminal vesicles; Published series and cases of seminal vesicle cysts; Treatment.

Biscuits were prepared by varying the amounts of the basic ingredients to arrive at the most acceptable recipe. The final recipe contained 40 g of mix, 40 g of jaggery and 20 g of ghee. Sensory evaluation of biscuits containing 5 or 10% colocasia leaf powder by composite scoring test and hedonic scale showed that the former type of biscuit was preferred over the latter. The acceptability trial conducted on 42, 3 to 6 year old children showed that biscuits from either malted mix with or without 7.5% colocasia leaf powder and raw mix were equally acceptable as shown by the analysis of variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence of primary Hodgkin's lymphoma (PHL) of the liver is extremely rare. We report on a case of a 60-year-old male who presented with liver mass and B-symptomatology. Hepatoma or hepatic metastasis from a gastrointestinal primary was initially suspected. Tumor markers like AFP, CEA, Total PSA, and CA-19.9 were within normal limits. Positron Emission Tomography / Computerized Tomography (PET/CT) revealed a large hepatic lesion and a nodal mass in the porta hepatis. A liver biopsy was consistent with Hodgkin's lymphoma. There was complete regression of the hepatic lesion and evidence of shrinkage of the nodal mass following four cycles of chemotherapy. 18F Fluro -de-oxy Glucose (FDG) PET / CT in this case helped in establishing a primary hepatic lymphoma by demonstrating the absence of pathologically hypermetabolic foci in any other nodes or organs. PET / CT scan is a useful adjunct to conventional imaging and histopathology, not only to establish the initial diagnosis, but also to monitor treatment response in PHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with hereditary retinoblastoma are at increased risk of second primary tumor, the commonest tumor being osteosarcoma. Leiomyosarcoma developing as second primary neoplasm in retinoblastoma patients is unusual and most have occurred in the field of previous radiotherapy. Although with aggressive therapy better survival can be achieved, the overall prognosis of patients developing these second neoplasms is poor. In this report we present a case of leiomyosarcoma of the maxilla as a second neoplasm in a patient with bilateral retinoblastoma which has developed outside the radiation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features a letter to the editor on "Small cell variant of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia exhibiting suppressor phenotype."

A four-year-old boy presented with marked peripheral blood eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count of 54 x 10(9)/1), features of hypereosinophilic syndrome, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL-L2), the latter characterized by the presence of granular blasts. Blasts were negative for myeloperoxidase, non-specific esterase, acid phosphatase, periodic-acid Schiff stain, and toluidine blue. They exhibited an early pre-B immunophenotype (TdT, CD19, CD10, CD20 and CD22 positive) and stained negative for T (CD7, CD2, CD5 and CD3) and myeloid markers (MPO, CD33 and CD13). Chromosomal analysis revealed a normal karyotype. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the first report of the coexistence of granular ALL and hypereosinophilic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding the gutka or chewing's syndrome.