OncoReview

Bridging haematology and cardiology: recurrent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with multiple myeloma

Wiktoria Michnowska — 2026-03-30

We present case of a 49-year-old man with arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and nephrotic
syndrome was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, who underwent first-line treatment with the DVTd
regimen. This case highlights the complex interplay between multiple myeloma, prothrombotic anticancer
therapy, and severe dyslipoproteinemia in accelerating coronary atherosclerosis and recurrent
ischemic events.

Should age disqualify from life-prolonging therapy? Successful adjuvant immunotherapy in an 88-year-old octogenarian with melanoma and high cardiovascular risk.

Katarzyna Styczkiewicz — 2026-03-30

Advanced chronological age should not automatically lead to patients' disqualification from cancer therapies, which have the potential to prolong life. When functional status is prioritized over metric age, even octogenarians with significant comorbidities can have access to even modern oncological therapies. We present the case of an 88-year-old patient with high cardiovascular risk, who was enrolled in adjuvant nivolumab therapy due to melanoma recurrence. In 2021, the patient was diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the lumbar region at stage T2a, which was initially successfully surgically treated. After 3 years, regional melanoma recurrence in the axillary lymph nodes was detected (stage III, BRA F-) indicating the necessity for systemic treatment. During cardiological consultation before planned immunotherapy, severe aortic stenosis was confirmed. The patient finally was qualified for nivolumab therapy under cardio-oncological supervision, despite advanced age and high cardiovascular risk. After 5 courses of immunotherapy, no recurrence was found on follow-up computed tomography, and no cardiac status worsening was observed. This case demonstrates that advanced age combined even with high cardiovascular risk should no longer be a barrier to immunotherapy under an appropriate monitoring protocol preserving the safety and continuity of oncological treatment.

Dorsal intramedullary spinal pilocytic astrocytoma: a case report and review of published cases

Kanav Gupta — 2026-03-30

Background: Spinal pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is an uncommon intramedullary neoplasm, with the
literature dominated by isolated case reports and a few small series.
Case presentation: This report describes a 10‑year‑old boy with a D9–D12 intramedullary solid-cystic
PA treated with gross total resection, followed by a focused review of published spinal PA cases
and series, emphasizing epidemiology, radiological characteristics, surgical strategy, and outcomes.
Conclusion: Excellent early neurological recovery can be achieved when a safe plane of dissection is
present and careful microsurgical technique is used.