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Browsing by Author "Ferreira, G"

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  • Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm
    Publication . Lencastre, A; Farinha, P; Cabete, J; Ferreira, G; João, A; Lestre, S
    Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm is a rare and aggressive hematodermic neoplasia with frequent cutaneous involvement and leukemic dissemination. We report the case of a 76-year-old man with a 2 month history of violaceous nodules and a tumor with stony consistency, located on the head, and mandibular, cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathies. Multiple thoracic and abdominal adenopathies were identified on computerized tomography. Flow cytometry analysis of the skin, lymph node and bone marrow biopsies demonstrated the presence of plasmocytoid dendritic cell neoplastic precursor cells (CD4+, CD45+, CD56+ and CD123+ phenotype). After initial clinical and laboratorial complete remission with chemotherapy, the patient died due to relapse of the disease associated with the appearance of a cervical mass with medullary compromise.
    2013Journal article Open access Show more
  • 2009Other Open access Show more
  • Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy with 177 Lu-DOTA-TATE As a Promising Treatment of Malignant Insulinoma: a Series of Case Reports and Literature Review
    Publication . Magalhães, D; Sampaio, I; Ferreira, G; Bogalho, P; Martins-Branco, D; Santos, R; Duarte, H
    Introduction: Insulinomas are a rare type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours characterized by insulin hypersecretion. They are considered malignant when metastases are present. Traditional therapies often promote only temporarily symptomatic relief and may be associated with severe adverse effects. There is scarce experience in treating malignant insulinomas with peptide receptors radionuclide therapy (PRRNT). Patients and methods: We describe PRRNT results in four patients with inoperable malignant insulinomas with poorly controllable hypoglycaemia. All patients received therapy with 177Lu-DOTA-TATE after conventional therapies failed in controlling disease progression and symptoms. The activity administered per cycle was 4.8-7.4 GBq. The interval between cycles was 10-16 weeks. Haematology, liver and kidney function tests were performed before treatment initiation and 5 and 10 weeks after each cycle. Results: Patient 1 presented significant clinical benefit for 13 months after PRRNT, with imaging improvement. Patient 2 obtained reduction of the number and severity of hypoglycaemic episodes during 15 months after therapy. Patient 3 is asymptomatic since PRRNT first cycle performed 23 months ago and revealed significant imaging improvement. Patient 4 had resolution of hypoglycaemia only 3 days after PRRNT first cycle and today, 16 months after therapy, the disease seems to be in remission and the patient maintains euglycaemic state. PRRNT was well tolerated, with only hematologic grade 2 toxicity in patient 1 and mild kidney toxicity in patient 3. Conclusions: After the start of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE all patients achieved hypoglycaemia symptomatic control and had evident improvement of their quality of life. Three patients showed imagiological improvement suggesting reduced tumour load.
    2019Journal article Open access Show more
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction Screening for Fungemia and/or Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
    Publication . Ribeiro, P; Costa, F; Monteiro, A; Caldas, J; Silva, M; Ferreira, G; Veiga, J; Sousa, MO; Viegas, MP; Santos, E; Gonçalves, AJ; Botelho de Sousa, A
    INTRODUCTION: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a life-threatening complication in patients with hematologic malignancies, mainly in acute leukemia patients, following chemotherapy. IFI incidence is increasing, and associated mortality remains high due to unreliable diagnosis. Antifungal drugs are often limited by inadequate antimicrobial spectrum and side effects. Thus, the detection of circulating fungal DNA has been advocated as a rapid, more sensitive diagnostic tool. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 01 and January 03, weekly blood samples (1,311) were screened from 193 patients undergoing intensive myelosuppressive or immunosuppressive therapy. IFI cases were classified according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group criteria. Fungal DNA was extracted from whole blood and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) published primers that bind to the conserved regions of the fungal 18S rRNA gene sequence. In our study, two or more consecutive positive samples were always associated with fungal disease. RESULTS: PCR screening predicted the development of IFI to be 17 days (median). This test had a specificity of 91.1% and a sensitivity of 75%. IFI incidence was 7.8%. DISCUSSION: Therefore, our results confirm the potential usefulness of PCR serial screening and the clinical applicability in everyday routine. PCR screening offers a noninvasive repeatable aid to the diagnosis of IFI.
    2006Journal article Open access Show more