Libyan International Journal of Oncology

Pleural Schwannoma: An Uncommon Cause of Intrathoracic Mass — A rare Case Report

2026-06-12T23:18:10+02:00

A woman in her 40s was incidentally found to have a right-sided pleural-based mass on imaging. Further evaluation with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest, followed by CT-guided percutaneous biopsy, was undertaken. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a schwannoma, a rare, slow-growing benign tumor arising from Schwann cells—the principal glial cells of the peripheral nervous system responsible for supporting nerve fibers. Primary pleural schwannomas are uncommon, accounting for approximately 1–2% of all thoracic tumors, and are thought to originate from the autonomic nerve sheath within the pleura. The patient was referred to thoracic surgery, where definitive surgical resection was recommended and is currently pending.

Osteolipoma Presenting as a Deep-Seated Intermuscular Mass: Case Report of a Rare Clinical Entity

2026-06-17T19:33:11+02:00

Osteolipoma is an extremely rare histological variant of lipoma, characterized by the presence of mature osseous elements within a benign fatty tumor. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman patient who presented with a slowly enlarging four-year-old, painless mass in the left forearm. Diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), suggested a lipomatous tumor with calcification. Surgical excision was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteolipoma, showing mature adipose tissue interspersed with trabeculae of lamellar bone. This report highlights the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of this rare entity and reviews the current literature.

The Role of Progesterone (PR), Estrogen Receptors (ER), and Human Growth Factor 2 (HER2) As Early Diagnostic Markers in Women with Breast Cancer

2026-06-11T22:07:51+02:00

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. Expression of three receptors, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), plays an important role in the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. This study aims to analyze the demographic profile of BC patients and evaluate the steroid receptor status and its association with the grading of breast cancer. A total of 124 women diagnosed with breast cancer attended the Department of the National Cancer Institute, Sabratha (NCI) from November 2024 to March 2025. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from these patients. A significant association was found in age group, marital status, family history, and body mass index. Positive expression of ER and PR was significantly higher among patients. Furthermore, an inverse relationship was revealed between positive expression of ER and PR status and HER2. Furthermore, tumor grade II was more common among the patients in our study, followed by grades III and I, and there was a significant association between grade II and positive expression of PR (P = 0.002); however, HER2 expression did not show a significant association with tumor grade. Analysis of ER, PR, and HER2 receptors has clinical importance in breast cancer prognosis and treatment response

Brain Tumor-Related Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Review of Pathophysiology, Molecular Biomarkers, Surgical Outcome, and What is the New Frontier in Clinical Management

2026-06-12T22:53:50+02:00

Brain Tumor-Related Epilepsy (BTRE) is a complex clinical challenge at the intersection of oncology and neurology, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Seizure prevalence is estimated between 30% and 50% in adults with brain tumors, reaching up to 80% in specific tumor types. This comprehensive literature review aims to synthesize and analyze the current knowledge on BTRE, focusing on its epidemiology and clinical correlations, molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. The analysis revealed that Low-Grade Gliomas (LGGs) and Long-Term Epilepsy-Associated Tumors (LEATs), such as Ganglioglioma (GG) and Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor (DNT), are the most epileptogenic, particularly when localized in the temporal or frontal lobes. The review also underscored the pivotal role of modern molecular classification (WHO 2021), where genetic mutations like BRAF V600E and IDH play a direct role in epileptogenesis. Pathophysiologically, an "Epileptogenic Niche" forms in the peritumoral microenvironment, characterized by neurotransmitter imbalance (glutamate excess and GABA deficiency), neuroinflammation, and Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) disruption. Shared molecular pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS-RAF-MAPK, contribute to both tumor growth and neuronal hyperexcitability. In clinical management, drug-drug interactions between Antiseizure Medications (ASMs) and chemotherapy pose a major challenge. Enzyme-Inducing ASMs (EIAEDs) are discouraged in favor of Non-Enzyme-Inducing ASMs (NEIAEDs) like Levetiracetam. Surgical resection of the tumor remains the most effective treatment for seizure control, especially for LEATs, often requiring extended resection to achieve long-term seizure freedom. This review emphasizes the necessity of a multidisciplinary and personalized therapeutic approach to improve outcomes for patients with BTRE.