Primary myxoid liposarcoma of the supraglottic larynx

Sarcomas are a rare occurrence accounting for roughly 1% of all cancer cases reported. Of these, 9–18% will be identified as liposarcoma. Overall, only 4–9% of all liposarcomas occur in the head and neck region. As such, it is a rare event to see a primary liposarcoma of the aerodigestive tract. These tumors are typically misdiagnosed secondary to their indolent, asymptomatic course and similarities in appearance to other benign lesions. An understanding of these lesions will help clinicians appropriately manage their patients. We present a case of a 60-year male with a primary supraglottic myxoid liposarcoma, and provide relevant information about liposarcomas

An exactly solvable, spatial model of mutation accumulation in cancer

One of the hallmarks of cancer is the accumulation of driver mutations which increase the net reproductive rate of cancer cells and allow them to spread. This process has been studied in mathematical models of well mixed populations, and in computer simulations of three-dimensional spatial models. But the computational complexity of these more realistic, spatial models makes it difficult to simulate realistically large and clinically detectable solid tumours. Here we describe an exactly solvable mathematical model of a tumour featuring replication, mutation and local migration of cancer cells. The model predicts a quasi-exponential growth of large tumours, even if different fragments of the tumour grow sub-exponentially due to nutrient and space limitations. The model reproduces clinically observed tumour growth times using biologically plausible rates for cell birth, death, and migration rates. We also show that the expected number of accumulated driver mutations increases exponentially in time if the average fitness gain per driver is constant, and that it reaches a plateau if the gains decrease over time. We discuss the realism of the underlying assumptions and possible extensions of the model

Adenocarcinoma of the duodenum arising in a villous adenoma

Duodenal villous adenomas are premalignant lesions. Prior to malignant transformation, their appearance on upper gastrointestinal examination is often characteristic. Following malignant change, the final diagnosis frequently requires tissue.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48143/1/261_2005_Article_BF02256519.pd