Case Reports in Oncological Medicine

Our medical research library holds 15 studies published in Case Reports in Oncological Medicine (2012–2026). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 15 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: Wiley
• Published: 2011 to the present, United States
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2090-6714 (electronic), 2090-6706 (print)
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2020s

• Primary Pulmonary NUT Carcinoma: A Case Illustration of Therapeutic Challenges and Review of Emerging Targeted Therapies. J.Y. Bae, X.Y. Gao, J.K. Dermawan, et al. 2026;2026:4908133. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Background: Pulmonary NUT carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. It typically affects younger patients with no smoking history. Given its rapid progression, it is crucial to consider it as a differential diagnosis in a poorly differentiated thoracic mass to ensure timely diagnosis and management.

  Case Presentation: We report a case of primary pulmonary NUT carcinoma diagnosed in a 59-year-old male with a never-smoking history during routine screening for possible occupational asbestos exposure. The preliminary diagnosis of metastatic keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma was later reclassified as NUT carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. Next generation sequencing of ctDNA showed CDKN2A mutation. The therapeutic course was complicated by several hypersensitivity reactions to first line treatments. Due to rapidly deteriorating clinical status, the patient was no longer eligible for a BET inhibitor clinical trial and died approximately 5 months after diagnosis.

  Conclusion: Due to its rarity and poor therapeutic response, there is currently no established standard of treatment for pulmonary NUT carcinoma. Timely and accurate diagnosis remains challenging due to its nonspecific presentation and rarity, resulting in low clinical suspicion, especially in patients outside the typical demographic. Common first-line treatments include platinum-based regimens in combination with etoposide or paclitaxel. Several clinical trials of BET and histone deacetylase inhibitors are active, and clinicians are encouraged to enroll patients to maximize survival outcomes.

  Copyright © 2026 Jessica Y. Bae et al. Case Reports in Oncological Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• A Rare Case of Akathisia After Removal of Subdural Hematoma During Treatment for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Akathisia Induced by Brain Injury or Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. T. Wada, Y. Yano, E. Miyamoto. 2025;2025:8854694. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Akathisia is a movement disorder primarily caused by antipsychotic medications. Although extremely rare, cases caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors or traumatic brain injury have also been reported. We report on the case of an 82-year-old patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma who developed akathisia following subdural hematoma removal and achieved successful symptom control. Three months after receiving nivolumab and ipilimumab, the patient developed incomplete paralysis of the right side of the body. Examination and medical history revealed that a subdural hematoma was the cause of the movement abnormality. Following hematoma removal, the patient became unable to sit still. We suspected the condition as akathisia secondary to traumatic brain injury. Anticholinergic medication successfully controlled the symptoms, allowing treatment for mesothelioma to resume. Neurological immune-related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors are often difficult to resolve completely and can lead to discontinuation of cancer treatment. We hope this case report underscores the importance of carefully evaluating the pathophysiology of neurological abnormalities arising during cancer treatment.

  Copyright © 2025 Tomomi Wada et al. Case Reports in Oncological Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE) Mimicking Mesothelioma: Case Presentation and Review. K. Grewal, S. Gajagowni, E. Lopez, et al. 2025;2025:9459565. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an extremely rare vascular sarcoma that can initially present with a myriad of symptoms anywhere in the body. Imaging findings are often nonspecific, and the pathology tends to have overlap with other malignancies. As a result, it can be quite difficult to suspect and diagnose EHE. We present a case of pulmonary EHE in a 41-year-old female with left pleural thickening and subclavian tumor thrombus who was initially misdiagnosed and treated as mesothelioma. This instance demonstrates the importance of maintaining a broad differential and the utilization of repeat biopsies and next-generation sequencing for questionable diagnoses of atypical malignancies.

  Copyright © 2025 Kabir Grewal et al. Case Reports in Oncological Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• Remarkable Antitumor Effects and Serious Multiple Immune-Related Adverse Events in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Two Case Reports. K. Harada, H. Irie, A. Mitsuishi, et al. 2025;2025:8768823. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  We describe two patients who experienced serious multiple immune-related adverse events (irAEs), treatment interruption, and steroid administration. Despite these challenges, they achieved a remarkable antitumor effect beyond the expected. Various carcinomas demonstrated a possible correlation between the antitumor effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors and the intensity of irAEs, but few studies report on malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Our two cases exhibited much stronger irAEs than usual. These two cases still demonstrated a complete response (CR) or near CR partial response, indicating a correlation between irAEs and the antitumor effect in MPM.

  Copyright © 2025 Koharu Harada et al. Case Reports in Oncological Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• A Pulmonary Zebra: Adult Primary Pulmonary Synovial Sarcoma. S. Sandra, N. Chidi, A. Tracy. 2022;2022:8649540. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma (PPSS) is an extremely rare tumor, with approximately 50 cases being reported in the English literature (Golota et al., 2018). Difficulties are often encountered in the diagnosis of PPSS as it can be confused with other spindle or round cell tumors, such as fibrosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, mesothelioma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, or metastatic sarcomas. PPSS was first described by Zeren et al. in 1995. We present a case of PPSS in a 41-year-old woman, who complained of progressive dyspnea and left-sided chest pain.

  Copyright © 2022 Sheffield Sandra et al.

2010s

• Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma with Marked Lymphatic Involvement: A Report of Two Autopsy Cases. R. Ideguchi, K. Ashizawa, S. Akashi, et al. 2017;2017:6195898. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  We herein report two cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma with marked lymphangiosis. The patients included a 68-year-old man and a 67-year-old man who both had a history of exposure to asbestos. Computed tomography (CT) on admission showed pleural effusion with pleural thickening. In both cases, a histopathological examination of the pleura confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid malignant mesothelioma. They received chemotherapy, but the treatment was only palliative. The chest CT assessments during admission revealed marked pleural effusion and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. CT also showed a consolidative mass with bronchovascular bundle and septal thickening in the lungs suggesting pulmonary parenchymal involvement and the lymphangitic spread of the tumor. These CT findings mimicked lung cancer with pleuritis and lymphangitic carcinomatosis. Autopsy was performed in both cases. Macroscopically, the tumor cells infiltrated the lung with the marked lymphatic spread of the tumor. Microscopy also revealed that the tumor had invaded the pulmonary parenchyma with the marked lymphatic spread of the tumor. Although this growth pattern is unusual, malignant pleural mesothelioma should be considered as the differential diagnosis, especially in patients with pleural lesions.

• Two Case Reports of Benign Testicular Mesothelioma and Review of the Literature. C. Ramirez Sevilla, C. Admella Salvador, J. Feliu Canaleta, et al. 2017;2017:5419635. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 50 with large history of asbestos-related exposure. It is frequently located in pleural cavity, peritoneum, and pericardium. At the testicles the mesothelioma had been reported first in 1957 like a malignant non-germ-cells tumor. The objective is to present two case reports of benign testicular mesothelioma and review of the literature.

• Primary Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumour of Pleura: First Case Report. A. Das, A. Pratap. 2016;2016:5462380. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Metastatic tumours of pleura are the most common malignant tumours causing malignant pleural effusion. Lungs are the most common primary sites. Primary pleural tumours are rarely seen and diffuse malignant mesothelioma is the most common malignant tumour of pleura. Primary malignant neuroendocrine tumour of pleura is not reported in the literature. Here, we report a rare case of primary malignant neuroendocrine tumour of pleura in a fifty-two-year-old, nonsmoker female who presented with right-sided pleural effusion and ipsilateral, dull aching chest pain. Clinical presentations of inflammatory lesions like tuberculous pleuritis and benign and malignant neoplasms of pleura are indistinguishable; hence, fluid cytology, pleural biopsy, and immunohistochemistry are necessary for exact tissue diagnosis of the tumours, which is mandatory for correct treatment and prognostic assessment.

• Primary Pericardial Sarcoma with Right Atrial Invasion and Multiple Bilateral Pulmonary Metastases in a Patient with Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer. E. Wong, L.J. Oh, K. Nahar, et al. 2016;2016:6208029. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Primary tumours originating from the pericardium are extremely rare. Previous studies have reported that these tumours account for only 6.7-12.8% of all mediastinal tumours with an overall prevalence of 0.001% to 0.007%. The majority of these tumours are benign lipomas or pericardial cysts. The most common pericardial malignancy is mesothelioma. Sarcomas are soft-tissue mesenchymal malignancies originating from various parts of the body but are extremely rare in this area. We report a case of a 52-year-old female who was diagnosed with a primary sarcoma with rhabdoid differentiation originating from the pericardium. The patient presented to her GP with a four-week history of progressive dyspnea and chest pain on exertion. Chest X-Ray demonstrated a prominent pericardial effusion and suspicious chest and pericardial lesions. Biopsies of the effusion and primary tumour identified on FDG/PET scans revealed the diagnosis of primary undifferentiated sarcoma. On thoracotomy, it was noted that the tumour had invaded the right atrium; therefore, pericardial window was aborted and a drain inserted instead. The patient was then started on chemotherapy; however, progression soon occurred and the patient died within 4 months, suggesting there is urgent need for efficacious treatments for sarcomatous lesions.

• Malignant Mesothelioma Mimicking Invasive Mammary Carcinoma in a Male Breast. M.M. Desouki, D.J. Long. 2015;2015:298523. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon tumor with strong association with asbestos exposure. Few cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma metastatic to the female breast have been reported. Herein, we presented, for the first time, a case of locally infiltrating malignant pleural mesothelioma forming a mass in the breast of a male as the first pathologically confirmed manifestation of the disease. Breast ultrasound revealed an irregular mass in the right breast which involves the pectoralis muscle. Breast core biopsy revealed a proliferation of neoplastic epithelioid cells mimicking an infiltrating pleomorphic lobular carcinoma. IHC studies showed the cells to be positive for calretinin, CK5/6, WT1, and CK7. The cells were negative for MOC-31, BerEp4, ER, and PR. A final diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, epithelioid type, was rendered. This case demonstrates the importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis in the setting of atypical presentation with application of a panel of IHC markers.

• Malignant mesothelioma after household exposure to asbestos. R. Saba, G.N. Aronu, R.P. Bhatti, et al. 2013;2013:570487. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer that has been closely linked to asbestos exposure. Initially recognized as an occupational cancer in male workers, MM was later found to occur in their family members as well. We report the case of an 89-year-old female who presented with abdominal distention, pain, and findings consistent with malignant ascites. Family history was significant for fatal mesothelioma in her husband of 40 years, who was a worker at a tile factory. The diagnosis of MM was confirmed on pathologic examination of the omental core biopsy.

• Malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium: a report of two different presentations. P. Makarawate, N. Chaosuwannakit, J. Chindaprasirt, et al. 2013;2013:356901. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium is a rare and fatal condition that clinicians should be aware of due to its variability of clinical manifestation. The diagnosis may be delayed as a result of delayed treatment. Here, we report two cases of malignant pericardial mesothelioma with two different clinical aspects: cardiac tamponade and mimic tuberculous pericarditis. Both patients: may have indirect exposure to asbestos. Despite chemotherapy, both patients died at 2 weeks and 3 months after the diagnosis. Malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium is fatal, has a variety of presentation, and may not be related to asbestosis exposure.

• Pleural mesothelioma presenting as periumbilical metastasis: the first clinical documentation. R.F. Falkenstern-Ge, M. Kimmich, S. Bode-Erdmann, et al. 2013;2013:198729. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Introduction. Pleural mesothelioma with metastasis to the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall at first diagnosis and without penetration into the peritoneum is an extremely rare clinical presentation. Methods. Patients with pleural mesothelioma have low survival rate. Usually, the disease at presentation is confined to its site of origin (most often the pleural cavity). A 55-year-old man was referred to our center due to increasing dyspnea and a painful periumbilical mass in the anterior abdominal wall. CT scan revealed both advanced mesothelioma of the pleura and a tumor mass confined to the subcutaneous fatty tissue without penetration through the peritoneum. Results. Video-assisted thoracoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid pleural mesothelioma, which was also confirmed by a biopsy of the periumbilical mass. Systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed was initiated. Under the ongoing systemic chemotherapy, the evaluation revealed partial remission of pleura mesothelioma and its subcutaneous manifestation of the abdominal wall. Conclusion. Mesothelioma of the pleura with a simultaneous metastasis to the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the abdominal wall at presentation without penetration of peritoneum is a rare clinical presentation of mesothelioma disease. The knowledge of its natural history is very limited. This is the first ever clinical documentation of a patient with pleura mesothelioma and simultaneous subcutaneous manifestation of abdominal wall.

• Primary pericardial mesothelioma: a rare entity. M. Godar, J. Liu, P. Zhang, et al. 2013;2013:283601. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma is an extremely rare neoplasm that arises from the pericardial mesothelial cell layers. Clinical symptoms and signs are frequently nonspecific, and the diagnosis is usually made after surgery or at autopsy. There is no standard treatment for pericardial mesothelioma; nonetheless, radical surgery is the mainstay of therapy for localized disease. The neoplasm is highly aggressive and carries a dismal prognosis with an overall survival of less than six months. This paper presents a case study of a 68-year-old patient with a primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma. Radiologic evaluation revealed a small nodule in the posterior pericardium with pericardial and bilateral pleural effusions. The diagnosis was established after surgery by histological and immunohistochemical studies. The patient remained alive and free of disease for about 24 months; however, due to rapid local recurrence, the patient died 27 months after the surgical treatment.

• Recurrent thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-like syndrome as a paraneoplastic phenomenon in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: a case report and review of the literature. F. Socola, A. Loaiza-Bonilla, E. Bustinza-Linares, et al. 2012;2012:619348. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  We report the case of an African American male with no significant past medical history presenting with recurrent, rapidly relapsing episodes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) despite aggressive treatment with several lines of treatment. Incidentally, these episodes were associated with severe abdominal pain which eventually developed into acute abdomen and prompted exploratory laparotomy, revealing diffuse carcinomatosis with a tumor located on the left pelvis that was encasing the distal sigmoid colon. Pathology made a final diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma. TTP-like syndrome (TTP-LS) has been described as a paraneoplastic phenomenon in several malignancies but never before in the setting of malignant mesothelioma. Paraneoplastic TTP-like syndrome has historically been associated with a dismal prognosis and particular clinical and laboratory abnormalities described in this paper. It is of utmost importance to make a prompt determination whether TTP is idiopathic or secondary to an underlying condition because of significant differences in their prognosis, treatment, and response. This paper also reviews the current literature regarding this challenging condition.

Browse every journal in the library or the library by type of article, or return to medical research.