Neutropenia in oncology care usually has a disease-related or therapy-related etiology. However, for a population with a benign hematology phenomenon known as benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) or Duffy-null associated neutrophil count (DAN...
This manuscript presents a case of untreated aplastic anemia in a patient presenting later with severe abdominal bloating. Diagnostic challenges and management considerations of overlapping hematologic and hepatic malignancies are highli...
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is an important diagnostic tool used by neurologists. This article explores the workup and management for a patient with a brain lesion and highlights the importance of neuroimaging. Similari...
Daratumumab is a human monoclonal antibody targeting CD38 that is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition to being a target for cancer-related treatment, CD38 also plays a significant role in the immune response to infecti...
Allison Trail, PA-C, Jane Rogers, PharmD, BCOP, and Jaffer Ajani, MD
Mr. B is a 56-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. He received front-line leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) and trastuzumab for 10 months before restaging imaging reveal...
Amy Henderson, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, and Salwan Al Mutar, MD
Patients with neuroendocrine malignancy with liver metastases are at risk for carcinoid heart disease which, if left unchecked, can lead to heart failure. This case study demonstrates a clinical situation in which an advanced practitione...
Advanced practitioners may frequently encounter patients who have a hematologic and rheumatologic diagnosis. These patients are usually managed by multiple specialists, including hematologists, rheumatologists, and dermatologists, given ...
Indeterminate thyroid nodules can present a confounding scenario for both provider and patient. Once a diagnosis of an indeterminate thyroid nodule is made, appropriate management can range from conservative observation to surgical resec...
Amandine Ndje, MS, MBA, APRN, FNP-C, and Jacqueline B. Broadway-Duren, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare cancer with primary sites in the skin and bone marrow and secondary sites in the lymph nodes, spleen, and central nervous system. First described in the 1990s, these cells ex...
Establishing a differential diagnosis for symptomatic oncology patients can be complex. The challenges for advanced practitioners in diagnosing acute symptoms in this patient population lie in the reality that symptoms exhibited can mimi...
Jessica S. Jang, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC, and Jeffrey S. Jang, BS
Hematologic malignancies often create difficult venous complications. Specifically, with lymphoma, the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is high, often requiring highly specialized accuracy in balancing this coagulopathy. This case st...
For solid tumor patients, acute infectious process is often underestimated, especially when caused by fungal, viral, or other atypical pathogens. Providers should perform a comprehensive infectious workup to rule out uncommon pathogen-in...
Dietrich Davis, FNP-BC, and Steven H. Wei, MS, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA
Undiagnosed liver lesions are important findings that can affect the physical and mental well-being of patients. They are usually incidental findings identified while clinicians are performing other imaging tests. It is important for cli...
This article will review the case of a 53-year-old female with a diagnosis of metastatic esophageal cancer receiving treatment on a clinical trial protocol combining chemotherapy/immunotherapy with FOLFOX and nivolumab, who presents to t...
Practitioners face significant challenges when evaluating patients with cancer who suffer from back pain. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to visit medical providers. This case study will review a patient with can...
This article describes the evaluation of a patient with gastric cancer that confirms gastric outlet obstruction, followed by a discussion on management.
Rashida Taher, MPH, PA-C, and Sandra E. Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN®
Eosinophila has a number of possible causes and associated disorders; it requires selective testing directed at clinically suspected causes. Read through the history and physical examination, and put your skills to work to determine the ...
Mrs. G. is a post–stem cell transplant patient who was admitted to the hospital with a presumed lower GI bleed in the setting of chronic thrombocytopenia and graft-vs.-host disease. On hospital day 21, she has a mild headache, fever, inc...
