Immunotherapy of metastatic melanoma consists of various approaches leading to specific or non-specific immunomodulation. The use of FDA-approved interleukin (IL)-2 alone, in combination with interferon alpha, and/or with various chemotherapeutic agents (biochemotherapy) is associated with significant toxicity and poor efficacy that does not improve overall survival of 96% of patients. Many stu...

BACKGROUND The prevalence of metastatic bone disease in the US population is not well understood. We sought to estimate the current number of US adults with metastatic bone disease using two large administrative data sets. METHODS Prevalence was estimated from a commercially insured cohort (ages 18-64 years, MarketScan database) and from a fee-for-service Medicare cohort (ages ≥65 years, Medi...

PURPOSE Plasma-mediated radiofrequency ablation (coblation) creates a cavity for directed polymethylmethacrylate deposition through molecular dissociation, providing a safe and efficacious cementoplasty for patients with high-risk, painful vertebral body metastatic disease. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review and report details regarding the feasibility, safety, and efficacy...

Malignant bone disease is a frequent complication of several common solid tumours including breast, lung, prostate and renal cancer. A greater understanding of tropic bone tumour cells, especially the understanding of those properties which lead to their successful growth within the bone microenvironment is the first step to devise innovative approaches. Bone metastases are generally characteri...

Metastatic disease to the orbit occurs in up to 7% of cancers. In approximately 20% of cases, there is no diagnosis of cancer at the time of presentation with orbital metastatic disease. This is a case of a 53-year-old female smoker whose initial presentation of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer was with an orbital metastasis.

The natural history, presenting signs and symptoms, and radiologic evaluation of patients with hypernephroma are reviewed. Radical nephrectomy is the treatment of choice in patients free of metastatic disease. Patients who have evidence of metastatic disease should not be subjected to nephrectomy unless hemorrhage, pain, or some other severe local problem warrants it. Radiotherapy and chemother...

Chordomas are rare malignant bone tumours with a predilection for the axial skeleton, especially the sacrum and skull base. Median survival in patients with metastatic disease is usually dismal. Treatment is challenging due to the propensity for local recurrence, metastatic disease as well as lack of clear consensus regarding the optimal management. Our case report highlights two cases of sacra...

BACKGROUND Metastases to the breast occur rarely, but may be increasing in incidence as patients live longer with malignant diseases. The aim of this study is to characterize metastatic disease to the breast and to describe the management and prognosis of patients who present with this diagnosis. METHODS A retrospective review of our institution's pathology and breast cancer databases was per...