11574 Background: Desmoid type fibromatosis (DTF) is a rare benign neoplasm with infiltrative growth and high local recurrences. Due to long disease course, unpredictable growth pattern, and low mortality, using only survival outcomes may be inappropriate. In this study we assessed the impact of DTF on health related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in patients with DTF. The study participants were asked to fill the EORTC QLQ-C30, GAD-7 and PHQ- 9 q uestionnaires to assess HRQoL, anxiety and depression . Outcomes were also compared with healthy controls. Results: 204 subjects (102 DTF patients and 102 healthy controls) were recruited. Study parameters have been summarized in Table. Appendicular skeleton (limbs + girdle) was most commonly involved in 59 % patients and abdominal wall or mesentery was involved in 22.5 %. Patients have received median of 2 lines of therapy. 54 % patients were currently on sorafenib and 41 % were under active surveillance. Mean global health status in DTF patient 65.58 ± 22.64, was significantly lower than healthy controls. Similarly, DTF patients scored low on all functional scales except cognitive functioning. Symptom scale showed significantly higher symptom burden of fatigue, pain, insomnia and financial difficulties. Anxiety & depression was observed in 39.22 % and 50 % of DTF patients respectively. DTF patients had higher rates of mild, moderate and severe anxiety and depression compared to healthy controls. No difference was observed based on site of disease. Conclusions: DTF patients have significant symptom burden, poor functioning, and heightened anxiety and depression. Patient reported outcomes should be routinely used to assess treatment efficacy in DTF patients.[Table: see text]
PurposeAdvanced dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an exceptionally uncommon disease with scarce literature, especially from developing countries. Molecular testing is unfortunately not available in India, and expert diagnosis by a sarcoma pathologist is available only in tertiary care centers.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with inoperable DFSP (on the basis of expert histopathology only) who presented to our sarcoma medical oncology clinic from January 2016 to July 2017.ResultsThere were a total of seven patients, with median age of 35 years, predominantly males (85.7%). Fibrosarcomatous variant and metastatic disease were present in six (85.7%) patients. Partial response rates were 71.4%, and overall disease control was 85.7%. Median progression-free survival was 14 months.ConclusionDFSP diagnosis on the basis of expert histopathology in the absence of translocation can help out in targeted therapy–based treatment until translocation testing becomes available. The fibrosarcomatous variant has poor outcome, and further research is needed to help this group of patients.
Autoamputation is an uncommon phenomenon that has been reported for the fingers, toes, appendix, ovary, spleen, etc. Autoamputation of the tongue has never been reported. An elderly man with carcinoma of lateral pharyngeal wall and tonsil presented with an autoamputated tongue that was attached to the oral cavity with a thin band. The patient required detachment of the tongue and tracheostomy followed by radiotherapy for the primary tumour. (Postgrad Med J 2001;77:335 )
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