IntroductionIntracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) is an integral component in the management of locally advanced cervical cancer. Spinal anaesthesia is the preferred mode of pain management during brachytherapy procedures. In high volume, resource constraint settings, it is difficult to provide spinal anaesthesia to all patients. This study attempts dosimetric comparison of high-dose-rate ICBT with spinal anaesthesia to that under conscious sedation to find out whether brachytherapy under conscious sedation is comparable with spinal anaesthesia. MethodsRetrospective data of total of 56 cervical cancer patients who received ICBT after completion of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) were collected. Among these 56 patients, 28 patients received brachytherapy under spinal anaesthesia (SA group) and the rest under conscious sedation (CS group). Brachytherapy dose was 7 Gray per fraction weekly for three weeks. Thus, 84 brachytherapy plans of each group were analysed with respect to doses received by points A, B, P and Organs at Risk. ResultsThe mean doses received by points A, B and P were comparable in SA and CS groups (p-value >0.05). Similarly, the mean doses received by Organs at Risk (rectum, urinary bladder, and sigmoid colon) were also comparable in both the groups (p-value>0.05). ConclusionICBT under CS is dosimetrically non-inferior to SA, which makes it an alternative option.

Worldwide lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality. Most of the lung cancer patients present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, and in that case, the prognosis is poor even with treatment. The most common sites of metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer are the brain, bone, liver, and adrenal gland. Metastasis to the stomach is extremely rare, which carries with itself a more dismal prognosis. Here we are reporting a rare case of adenocarcinoma lung with metastasis to the stomach, which was initially a diagnostic dilemma. The patient survived for 30 months from the diagnosis of gastric metastasis by management predominantly with immunotherapy.

Cervical cancer usually metastasizes to the lung, liver, bone, and brain. Metastasis to the skin from cervical cancer is relatively uncommon. The management options are systemic therapy, palliative radiotherapy, or best supportive care. Here, we report the case of a female patient with cervical cancer, stage IIB, who received radical treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy and later presented with disseminated skin nodules. She was treated with combination chemotherapy (nano-dispersible paclitaxel and carboplatin), bevacizumab, and a bone-stabilizing agent (zoledronic acid). There was a complete metabolic response to the therapy. There was also a dramatic improvement in the general condition of the patient. Skin metastasis in cervical cancer often presents as non-tender skin nodules. A biopsy is mandatory to establish the diagnosis. There are no specific guidelines about management. The intention of management is palliative. The combination of chemotherapy and bevacizumab produces substantial clinical improvement.

Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in visceral crisis require systemic chemotherapy. However, a coexisting cardiac failure that contradicts the use of systemic chemotherapy often demands an alternative treatment. Here, we report a case of hormone-receptor-positive MBC with cardiological comorbidities. She was treated with a combination treatment of tablet Ribociclib (600 mg once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days gap) and tablet Letrozole (2.5 mg once daily). The patient had a complete metabolic response in 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission tomography-Computed Tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), after 6 months of treatment. Combination treatment with Ribociclib and Letrozole is beneficial in postmenopausal females with hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 neu-negative MBC in visceral crisis who have a contraindication to chemotherapy.

Primary gastric melanoma is a rare clinical finding. It presents with upper gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss and melaena. It is often difficult to differentiate a primary gastric melanoma from primary cutaneous melanoma with gastric metastasis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy of the lesion for histopathology and immunohistochemistry help to reach a definite diagnosis. We report a case of primary gastric melanoma with metastases to the liver and bone. The patient was treated with palliative radiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy and a bone-stabilising agent.