Cerebrospinal fluid gastrin releasing peptide in the diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases from small cell carcinoma.

Background: The clinical diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases is often difficult to substantiate. Patients with an underlying malignancy typically present with neurologic symptoms referable to multiple levels of the neuraxis. Although most patients have an abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), less than 60% have evidence of malignant cells on cytologic examination from a single lumbar puncture, and the disease is usually advanced in patients with positive results.

Acute tumor lysis syndrome associated with concurrent biochemotherapy of metastatic melanoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Treatment of solid tumors rarely has been associated with tumor lysis syndrome. However, to the authors' knowledge the clinical scenario has not been reported previously in melanoma patients.

Methods: A patient with bulky metastatic melanoma was treated with concurrent biochemotherapy using interleukin-2, interferon-alpha, and a combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine.

Efficacy of gemcitabine in the treatment of patients with gallbladder carcinoma: a case report.

Background: Advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder typically is unresponsive to chemotherapy, and patients with progressive metastatic disease have a short survival.

Methods: A patient with advanced metastatic carcinoma of the gallbladder causing peritoneal carcinomatosis and hepatic metastases is reported. This patient achieved a dramatic remission with gemcitabine after failing two other chemotherapeutic regimens.