Ocular Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ocular Paraneoplastic Syndromes biomedicines Review Ocular Paraneoplastic Syndromes Joanna Prze´zdziecka-Dołyk 1,2, Anna Brzecka 3 , Maria Ejma 4, Marta Misiuk-Hojło 1 , Luis Fernando Torres Solis 5, Arturo Solís Herrera 6, Siva G. Somasundaram 7 , Cecil E. Kirkland 7 and Gjumrakch Aliev 8,9,10,11,* 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland; [email protected] (J.P.-D.); [email protected] (M.M.-H.) 2 Department of Optics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wyspia´nskiego27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland 3 Department of Pulmonology and Lung Oncology, Wrocław Medical University, Grabiszy´nska 105, 53-439 Wrocław, Poland; [email protected] 4 Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland; [email protected] 5 The School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20392, Mexico; [email protected] 6 Human Photosynthesis© Research Centre, Aguascalientes 20000, Mexico; [email protected] 7 Department of Biological Sciences, Salem University, Salem, WV 26426, USA; [email protected] (S.G.S.); [email protected] (C.E.K.) 8 Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), St. Trubetskaya, 8, bld. 2, 119991 Moscow, Russia 9 Research Institute of Human Morphology, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Street Tsyurupa 3, 117418 Moscow, Russia 10 Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, 142432 Moscow, Russia 11 GALLY International Research Institute, 7733 Louis Pasteur Drive, #330, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected]; Tel.: +1-210-442-8625 or +1-440-263-7461 Received: 6 September 2020; Accepted: 8 November 2020; Published: 10 November 2020 Abstract: Ocular-involving paraneoplastic syndromes present a wide variety of clinical symptoms. Understanding the background pathophysiological and immunopathological factors can help make a more refined differential diagnosis consistent with the signs and symptoms presented by patients. There are two main pathophysiology arms: (1) autoimmune pathomechanism, which is presented with cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR), melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR), cancer-associated cone dysfunction (CACD), paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy (PVM), and paraneoplastic optic neuritis (PON), and (2) ectopic peptides, which is often caused by tumor-expressed growth factors (T-exGF) and presented with bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP). Meticulous systematic analysis of patient symptoms is a critical diagnostic step, complemented by multimodal imaging, which includes fundus photography, optical coherent tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography, electrophysiological examination, and sometimes fundus indocyjanin green angiography if prescribed by the clinician. Assessment of the presence of circulating antibodies is required for diagnosis. Antiretinal autoantibodies are highly associated with visual paraneoplastic syndromes and may guide diagnosis by classifying clinical manifestations in addition to monitoring treatment. Keywords: cancer-associated retinopathy; melanoma-associated retinopathy; cancer-associated cone dysfunction; paraneoplastic syndromes; vitelliform maculopathy; optic neuritis; uveal melanocytic proliferation; extracellular vesicles Biomedicines 2020, 8, 490; doi:10.3390/biomedicines8110490 www.mdpi.com/journal/biomedicines Biomedicines 2020, 8, 490 2 of 17 Biomedicines 2020, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 18 1. Introduction 1. Introduction Sawyer et al. reported the first report of systemic cancer causing visual deterioration and Sawyer et al. reported the first report of systemic cancer causing visual deterioration and retinal retinalchanges changes in 1976. in 1976.This opened This opened a new era a new of research era of researchinto ocular into paraneoplastic ocular paraneoplastic syndromes syndromes (OPNS). (OPNS).Surprisingly, Surprisingly, strict diagnostic strict diagnostic criteria remain criteria to remain be developed. to be developed. The reason The is perhaps reason isthe perhaps various the variouspresentations presentations of OPNS, of OPNS, such as such paraneoplastic as paraneoplastic retinopathy, retinopathy, paraneoplastic paraneoplastic optic neuropathy, optic neuropathy, and andparaneoplastic paraneoplastic tonic tonic pupils. pupils. However, However, the the majority majority of ofParaneoplastic Paraneoplastic Syndrome Syndrome (PNS) (PNS) occur occur when when immune-mediatedimmune-mediated cross-reactivity cross-reactivity involving involving tumor tumor antigens antigens causes causes collateral collateral damage damage to to normal normal host tissues.host tissues. Alternatively, Alternatively, there are ther PNSe are that PNS appear that to appear be caused to be by caus theed ectopic by the production ectopic production of hormones of or growthhormones factors or thatgrowth act atfactors a great that distance act at froma great their distance production from sitetheir (Figure production1)[ 1]. site Understanding (Figure 1) [1]. this mainUnderstanding division contributes this main to division a better contributes understanding to a better of OPNS understanding pathophysiology. of OPNS pathophysiology. FigureFigure 1. 1. TheThe pathophysiologypathophysiology of ocular paraneop paraneoplasticlastic syndromes syndromes (OPNS). (OPNS). Autoimmune Autoimmune pathomechanismpathomechanism is is presented presented withwith cancer-associatedcancer-associated retinopathy (CAR), (CAR), melanoma-associated melanoma-associated retinopathyretinopathy (MAR), (MAR), cancer-associatedcancer-associated conecone dysfunctiondysfunction (CACD), (CACD), paraneoplastic paraneoplastic vitelliform vitelliform maculopathymaculopathy PVM),PVM), andand paraneoplasticparaneoplastic opticoptic neuritis (PON). (PON). Ectopic Ectopic peptides, peptides, caused caused by by tumor-expressedtumor-expressed growth growth factors factors (T-exGF),(T-exGF), areare presentedpresented with with bilateral bilateral diffuse diffuse uveal uveal melanocytic melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP) and polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal proliferation (BDUMP) and polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, gammopathy, and skin changes syndrome (POEMS). and skin changes syndrome (POEMS). TheThe overall overall incidence incidence of of PNS PNS isis estimatedestimated atat aboutabout 10% of of neoplastic neoplastic patients. patients. Darnell Darnell et etal., al., similar to De Salvo et al., estimated the incidence of OPNS and neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes similar to De Salvo et al., estimated the incidence of OPNS and neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes to be even lower at 0.01% of cancer patients [2,3]. to be even lower at 0.01% of cancer patients [2,3]. The aim of this paper is to summarize the clinical symptoms and signs associated with different The aim of this paper is to summarize the clinical symptoms and signs associated with different OPNS. Our database search strategy is discussed in the attached file (Supplementary Materials). OPNS. Our database search strategy is discussed in the attached file (Supplementary Materials). After After removing duplicated studies, we selected 312 published reports for our analysis. We narrowed removing duplicated studies, we selected 312 published reports for our analysis. We narrowed our our review to publications in the past six years that address clinical evaluation and diagnosis. review to publications in the past six years that address clinical evaluation and diagnosis. 2. Clinical Evaluation 2. Clinical Evaluation Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of clinical presentations that cover the main types of paraneoplasticTables1 and retinopa2 providethies a and summary neuropathies. of clinical presentations that cover the main types of paraneoplasticClinicians retinopathies must take into and account neuropathies. the fact that misdiagnosis potential is increased with other ophthalmologicalClinicians must changes, take into such account as theage-related fact that misdiagnosismacular degeneration, potential ispigment increased epithelium with other ophthalmologicaldetachment, vitelliform changes, maculopathy, such as age-related retinitis macular pigmentosa, degeneration, stationary pigment night blindness, epithelium intraocular detachment, vitelliforminflammation, maculopathy, glaucomatous retinitis optic pigmentosa, nerve atrophy, stationary or typical night optic blindness, neuritis. intraocular inflammation, glaucomatousTable 3 opticsummarizes nerve atrophy,underlying or typicalneoplasm, optic circulating neuritis. antibodies or growth factors, and target cellsTable within3 summarizes the visual system. underlying neoplasm, circulating antibodies or growth factors, and target cells within the visual system. Biomedicines 2020, 8, 490 3 of 17 Table 1. Summary of clinical features in different types of paraneoplastic retinopathies based on the included articles. Clinical Features CAR CACD PVM MAR BDUMP Acute, sudden (few days Acute or subacute (few Acute (few weeks to Acute, sudden Onset Subacute to several months) weeks to several years) months), may be sudden (several months) Bilateral with asymmetric Often Bilateral with asymmetric Bilateral with Ocular symmetry Bilateral presentation symmetric presentation asymmetric presentation Photosensitivity +++ +++ − − − Photopsias +++ + +++ − − Glare +++ prolonged
Recommended publications
  • Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma
    www.melanomafocus.com Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma Information for patients and carers Introduction Head and Neck The information in this leaflet relates specifically to melanomas of the head Mucosal and neck mucous membranes. The leaflet summarises a guideline (melanomafocus. Melanoma com/activities/mucosal-guidelines/mucosal- melanoma-resources) developed by experts in the field to advise cancer specialists who treat patients with this condition and is based upon the best evidence available. Skin What is it? cancers can also develop in the same areas of Melanoma develops if there is uncontrolled These melanomas are different in several the body, in the skin rather than in the mucous growth of melanocytes, the cells responsible ways from skin melanomas. For example, membranes. These are known as cutaneous for pigmenting (darkening) the skin. Mucosal while the risk of getting skin melanoma is melanomas and are not covered by this melanoma is a kind of melanoma that increased by too much exposure to the sun, guideline. If you have been diagnosed with occurs in mucous membranes. These are there appears to be no link between sunlight a skin (cutaneous) melanoma please refer to the moist surfaces that line cavities within and mucosal melanomas. No specific causes the NICE guideline (nice.org.uk/guidance/ the body. Mucosal melanomas can occur in or links with lifestyle have been found for ng14) and the other organisations listed at the the mouth (oral mucosal melanoma), nasal mucosal melanoma and as far as we know end of this leaflet. passages (sinonasal mucosal melanoma) there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
    [Show full text]
  • Advice for Floaters and Flashing Lights for Primary Care
    UK Vision Strategy RCGP – Royal College of General Practitioners Advice for Floaters and Flashing Lights for primary care Key learning points • Floaters and flashing lights usually signify age-related liquefaction of the vitreous gel and its separation from the retina. • Although most people sometimes see floaters in their vision, abrupt onset of floaters and / or flashing lights usually indicates acute vitreous gel detachment from the posterior retina (PVD). • Posterior vitreous detachment is associated with retinal tear in a minority of cases. Untreated retinal tear may lead to retinal detachment (RD) which may result in permanent vision loss. • All sudden onset floaters and / or flashing lights should be referred for retinal examination. • The differential diagnosis of floaters and flashing lights includes vitreous haemorrhage, inflammatory eye disease and very rarely, malignancy. Vitreous anatomy, ageing and retinal tears • The vitreous is a water-based gel containing collagen that fills the space behind the crystalline lens. • Degeneration of the collagen gel scaffold occurs throughout life and attachment to the retina loosens. The collagen fibrils coalesce, the vitreous becomes increasingly liquefied and gel opacities and fluid vitreous pockets throw shadows on to the retina resulting in perception of floaters. • As the gel collapses and shrinks, it exerts traction on peripheral retina. This may cause flashing lights to be seen (‘photopsia’ is the sensation of light in the absence of an external light stimulus). • Eventually, the vitreous separates from the posterior retina. Supported by Why is this important? • Acute PVD may cause retinal tear in some patients because of traction on the retina especially at the equator of the eye where the retina is thinner.
    [Show full text]
  • RETINAL DISORDERS Eye63 (1)
    RETINAL DISORDERS Eye63 (1) Retinal Disorders Last updated: May 9, 2019 CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION (CRAO) ............................................................................... 1 Pathophysiology & Ophthalmoscopy ............................................................................................... 1 Etiology ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Clinical Features ............................................................................................................................... 2 Diagnosis .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Treatment ......................................................................................................................................... 2 BRANCH RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION ................................................................................................ 3 CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION (CRVO) ..................................................................................... 3 Pathophysiology & Etiology ............................................................................................................ 3 Clinical Features ............................................................................................................................... 3 Diagnosis .........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Outer Retina Changes on Optical Coherence Tomography in Vitamin a Defciency Meghan K
    Berkenstock et al. Int J Retin Vitr (2020) 6:23 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-020-00224-1 International Journal of Retina and Vitreous CASE REPORT Open Access Outer retina changes on optical coherence tomography in vitamin A defciency Meghan K. Berkenstock, Charles J. Castoro and Andrew R. Carey* Abstract Background: Vitamin A defciency is rare in the United States and can be missed in patients with malabsorption syn- dromes without a high dose of suspicion. Ocular complications of hypovitaminosis A include xerosis and nyctalopia, and to a lesser extent reduction in visual acuity and color vision. Outer retinal changes, as seen on spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT), in patients with vitamin A defciency have previously not been documented. Case presentation: We present two cases with symptoms of severe nyctalopia who were subsequently diagnosed with severe Vitamin A defciency and their unique fndings on SD-OCT of outer nuclear layer difuse thinning with irregular appearance of the interdigitating zone and the ellipsoid zone as well as normalization after vitamin A supplementation. Conclusions: Outer nuclear layer thinning and disruption of the outer retinal bands on SD-OCT are reversible with correction of vitamin A defciency. Improvement in visual acuity, color vision, and nyctalopia are possible with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Keywords: Vitamin A defciency, Optical coherence tomography, Nyctalopia Background reverse ocular complications prior to permanent vision Most commonly seen in regions with food insecurity, loss [16, 24, 25]. Only a few reports have described the nutritional defciencies, or restricted diets, vitamin A photoreceptor changes on spectral domain optical coher- defciency is rare in developed countries [1–9].
    [Show full text]
  • Sinonasal Neoplasms Mohit Agarwal, MD,* and Bruno Policeni, MD†
    Sinonasal Neoplasms Mohit Agarwal, MD,* and Bruno Policeni, MD† Introduction benign lesions will usually cause bone remodeling and/or scle- rosis. Loss of bright fat marrow intensity on T1W MR images f Rip Van Winkle went to medical school during the 80s is a sign of bone involvement. Differentiation of benign vs I and woke up today among a meeting of pathologists, he malignant lesions remains a challenge with imaging and excep- would think he was on a different planet and listening to an tions to the previously mentioned features exist. Pathology is “ ” alien language. The once pink and purple world of pathol- required to determine the diagnosis in the majority of cases.7 ogy is now extensively multicolored with an overwhelming Imaging has more to offer than just histological diagnosis, number of immunostains and molecular markers. Histologi- the most important of which is tumor mapping. It must be cal diagnoses now come with an alphanumeric tail, each determined if the tumor is confined within a single sinus or implying the unique gene expression associated with that if there is extension into surrounding structures. Tumors of tumor entity. Needless to say, similar things have happened the maxillary sinuses can extend to the anterior ethmoid fi to the new fourth edition WHO classi cation of sinonasal sinus, nasal cavity, and orbit. Anterior ethmoid tumors can fi (SN) neoplasms, where SMARC B1-de cient carcinoma, involve the frontal sinuses and the nasal cavity. Nasal cavity Nuclear protein testis (NUT) midline carcinoma, and human tumors commonly involve the ethmoid sinus. Posterior eth- papilloma virus (HPV)-related multiphenotypic SN carci- moid tumors tend to involve the sphenoid sinus.7 1 noma have found a place.
    [Show full text]
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Paraneoplastic Syndromes 1
    Instructions: • Each speaker will prepare a syllabus that must be submitted through the online submission system. • The length of the syllabus will be no shorter than 4 single spaced pages in essay (not point) format, plus references. • Use single spaced, 11 point type and (if possible) Times New Roman font. • When typing the text use word wrap, not hard returns to determine your lines. • If headings and subheadings are used, these may be highlighted by using all caps and bold. • Do not use the header or footer feature or endnotes in preparing the text. • The submission must be submitted online. Title: Diagnosis and Treatment of Paraneoplastic Syndromes Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the spectrum of paraneoplastic syndromes with neuro-ophthalmic features 2. Define the challenges in diagnosis of the paraneoplastic syndromes 3. Explain the therapeutic options for treatment of these diseases CME Questions: 1. The presence of serum antibodies against recoverin a. are pathognomonic for CAR b. are found in the majority of patients with lung cancer c. may be responsible apoptotic cell death in CAR patients d. are best detected by immunofluorescent studies on retina 2. Which of the following is correct regarding therapy for paraneoplastic neuro-ophthalmic disease: a. steroid therapy may be helpful in control of disease b. should be initiated only after there is validation for the presence of autoreactive antibodies c. cytoreduction of the primary tumor is not helpful in controlling the autoimmune component d. biologic immunomodulatory agents have no role in therapy 3. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome is associated with which of the following: a.
    [Show full text]
  • Melanoma Review
    Philip J. Bergman DVM, MS, PhD Diplomate ACVIM-Oncology Director, Clinical Studies, VCA Antech Medical Director, Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center (#893) 546 North Bedford Rd., Bedford Hills, NY 10507 Office 914-241-7700, Fax 914-241-7708 Adjunct Associate, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NYC MELANOMA REVIEW Melanomas in dogs have extremely diverse biologic behaviors depending on a variety of factors. A greater understanding of these factors significantly helps the clinician to delineate in advance the appropriate staging, prognosis and treatments. The primary factors which determine the biologic behavior of a melanoma in a dog are site, size, stage and histologic parameters. Unfortunately, even with an understanding of all of these factors, there will be occasional melanomas which have an unreliable biologic behavior; hence the desperate need for additional research into this relatively common (~ 4% of all canine tumors), heterogeneous, but frequently extremely malignant tumor. This review will assume the diagnosis of melanoma has already been made, which in of itself can be fraught with difficulty, and will focus on the aforementioned biologic behavior parameters, the staging and the treatment of canine melanoma. Biologic Behavior The biologic behavior of canine melanoma is extremely variable and best characterized based on anatomic site, size, stage and histologic parameters. On divergent ends of the spectrum would be a 0.5 cm haired-skin melanoma with an extremely low grade likely to be cured with simple surgical removal vs. a 5.0 cm high-grade malignant oral melanoma with a poor-grave prognosis. Similar to the development of a rational staging, prognostic and therapeutic plan for any tumor, two primary questions must be answered; what is the local invasiveness of the tumor and what is the metastatic propensity? The answers to these questions will determine the prognosis, and to be discussed later, the treatment.
    [Show full text]
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Disorders Yog Raj Sharma, P
    JK SCIENCE REVIEW ARTICLE Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Disorders Yog Raj Sharma, P. Raja Rami Reddy, Deependra V. Singh Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a generic term for a group Visual field loss is insidious, progressive, peripheral of disorders characterized by hereditary diffuse usually and symmetric between two eyes (except x-linked RP bilaterally symmetrical progressive dysfunction, cell loss which can have bizarre and asymmetric patterns). In the and eventual atrophy of retina. Initially photoreceptors majority of patients the earliest defects are relative are involved and subsequently inner retina is damaged. scotomas in the periphery between 30 and 50 degrees Although both rods and cones are involved, damage to from fixation, which enlarge, deepen and coalesce to the rods is predominant. RP may be seen in isolation form a ring of visual field loss. As ring scotomas enlarge (Typical RP) or in association with systemic diseases. toward the far periphery, islands of relatively normal The reported prevalence of typical RP is approximately vision remain usually temporal but occasionally 1: 50000 worldwide. Most commonly 46% of the cases inferiorly. In typical RP the progression of visual loss is are sporadic with only one affected member in a given slow and relentless. Berson et al found that overall about family. X- linked recessive inheritance is least common, 4.6% of remaining visual field was lost per year (3). amounting to 8%. Autosomal dominant inheritance is Central visual loss found in 19% and recessive in 19%. The age of onset This can occur early in typical RP while significant and the natural history of the disease depend on the peripheral field remains cystoid macular edema, macular inheritance.
    [Show full text]
  • Oral Pathology
    Oral Pathology Palatal blue nevus in a child Catherine M. Flaitz DDS, MS Georgeanne McCandless DDS Dr. Flaitz is professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center Dental Branch; Dr. McCandless has a private practice in The Woodlands, TX. Correspond with Dr. Flaitz at [email protected] Abstract The intraoral blue nevus occurs infrequently in children. This by the labial mucosa (1). Intraoral lesions have a predilection case report describes the clinical features of an acquired blue ne- for females in the third and fourth decades, in contrast to cu- vus in a 7 year-old girl that involved the palatal mucosa. A taneous lesions that normally develop in children. In large differential diagnosis and justification for surgical excision of this biopsy series, only 2% of the oral blue nevi are diagnosed in oral lesion are discussed. (Pediatr Dent 23:354-355, 2001) children and adolescents (1). Similar to their cutaneous coun- terpart, most oral lesions are acquired; however, there are ith the exception of vascular entities, neoplastic isolated reports of congenital examples. lesions with a blue discoloration are an unusual find Clinically, most lesions present as a solitary blue, gray or Wing in children. Although the blue nevus is a blue-black macule or slightly raised nodule that measures less relatively common finding of the skin in the pediatric popula- than 6 mm in size. The margins are often regular but indis- tion, only a few intraoral examples are documented in the tinct and the surface is smooth.
    [Show full text]
  • Eye Disease 1 Eye Disease
    Eye disease 1 Eye disease Eye disease Classification and external resources [1] MeSH D005128 This is a partial list of human eye diseases and disorders. The World Health Organisation publishes a classification of known diseases and injuries called the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems or ICD-10. This list uses that classification. H00-H59 Diseases of the eye and adnexa H00-H06 Disorders of eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit • (H00.0) Hordeolum ("stye" or "sty") — a bacterial infection of sebaceous glands of eyelashes • (H00.1) Chalazion — a cyst in the eyelid (usually upper eyelid) • (H01.0) Blepharitis — inflammation of eyelids and eyelashes; characterized by white flaky skin near the eyelashes • (H02.0) Entropion and trichiasis • (H02.1) Ectropion • (H02.2) Lagophthalmos • (H02.3) Blepharochalasis • (H02.4) Ptosis • (H02.6) Xanthelasma of eyelid • (H03.0*) Parasitic infestation of eyelid in diseases classified elsewhere • Dermatitis of eyelid due to Demodex species ( B88.0+ ) • Parasitic infestation of eyelid in: • leishmaniasis ( B55.-+ ) • loiasis ( B74.3+ ) • onchocerciasis ( B73+ ) • phthiriasis ( B85.3+ ) • (H03.1*) Involvement of eyelid in other infectious diseases classified elsewhere • Involvement of eyelid in: • herpesviral (herpes simplex) infection ( B00.5+ ) • leprosy ( A30.-+ ) • molluscum contagiosum ( B08.1+ ) • tuberculosis ( A18.4+ ) • yaws ( A66.-+ ) • zoster ( B02.3+ ) • (H03.8*) Involvement of eyelid in other diseases classified elsewhere • Involvement of eyelid in impetigo
    [Show full text]
  • A Rare Cause of Bilateral Corneal Ulcers: Vitamin a Deficiency in the Setting of Chronic Alcoholism
    Open Access Case Report DOI: 10.7759/cureus.7991 A Rare Cause of Bilateral Corneal Ulcers: Vitamin A Deficiency in the Setting of Chronic Alcoholism Raman J. Sohal 1 , Thu Thu Aung 1 , Sandeep Sohal 2 , Abha Harish 1 1. Internal Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA 2. Internal Medicine, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, USA Corresponding author: Raman J. Sohal, [email protected] Abstract Vitamin A deficiency is rarely encountered in the western world. When encountered, vitamin A deficiency is seen as a component of the malabsorption spectrum of disease. Given the infrequency of nutritional deficits in the developed world, vitamin A-associated ophthalmologic disease is rarely encountered. We report a case of a 56-year-old male with severe vitamin A deficiency in the setting of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. This case emphasizes two important points. First, it considers vitamin A deficiency as a cause of corneal ulceration in patients with chronic alcoholism. Second, it raises awareness of hepatotoxicity that can result after the supplementation of vitamin A in patients with chronic alcoholism. Although an uncommon diagnosis, it should be considered when other causes, such as infectious and autoimmune conditions, are ruled out. Categories: Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology Keywords: bilateral corneal ulcers, vitamin a deficiency, alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, nutritional deficiency Introduction Vitamin deficiency is not a commonly encountered cause of non-healing corneal ulcers. However, in cirrhotic patients when other differentials, such as infectious and autoimmune etiologies, have been excluded, vitamin A deficiency should be considered. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the deficiency stems from both decreased gastrointestinal absorption as well as decreased oral intake.
    [Show full text]
  • Melanomas Are Comprised of Multiple Biologically Distinct Categories
    Melanomas are comprised of multiple biologically distinct categories, which differ in cell of origin, age of onset, clinical and histologic presentation, pattern of metastasis, ethnic distribution, causative role of UV radiation, predisposing germ line alterations, mutational processes, and patterns of somatic mutations. Neoplasms are initiated by gain of function mutations in one of several primary oncogenes, typically leading to benign melanocytic nevi with characteristic histologic features. The progression of nevi is restrained by multiple tumor suppressive mechanisms. Secondary genetic alterations override these barriers and promote intermediate or overtly malignant tumors along distinct progression trajectories. The current knowledge about pathogenesis, clinical, histological and genetic features of primary melanocytic neoplasms is reviewed and integrated into a taxonomic framework. THE MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY OF MELANOMA: AN INTEGRATED TAXONOMY OF MELANOCYTIC NEOPLASIA Boris C. Bastian Corresponding Author: Boris C. Bastian, M.D. Ph.D. Gerson & Barbara Bass Bakar Distinguished Professor of Cancer Biology Departments of Dermatology and Pathology University of California, San Francisco UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute 555 Mission Bay Blvd South Box 3118, Room 252K San Francisco, CA 94158-9001 [email protected] Key words: Genetics Pathogenesis Classification Mutation Nevi Table of Contents Molecular pathogenesis of melanocytic neoplasia .................................................... 1 Classification of melanocytic neoplasms
    [Show full text]