Carcinoma espinocelular do lábio: avaliação de fatores prognósticos

Management of neck metastases in T2N0 lip squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic neck dissection (PND) is indicated when the chance of occult lymph node metastases from head and neck tumors is significant. There is no consensus regarding which tumor size PND would be indicated in cases of lip cancer.

METHODS

A total of 139 patients with surgically treated lip cancer were selected. The size of the lesion (T) and the presence of lymph node metastases (N) were assessed by examining the medical records. For analysis purposes, the T2 group was divided into T2a (2 to 3 cm) and T2b (3 to 4 cm).

RESULTS

The following distribution of incidence of neck metastases was observed in the study groups: 11.7% in T1, 9% in T2a, 43.7% in T2b, and 52.2% in T3+T4. Statistical comparison of the groups (p) revealed the following results: T2aXT2b=0.03; T2aXT3+T4=0.001.

CONCLUSION

PND is indicated for tumors larger than 3 cm.

Immunoexpression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), BMP receptor type IA, and BMP receptor type II in metastatic and non-metastatic lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), BMPR-IA, and BMPR-II in metastatic and non-metastatic lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC).

METHODS

Twenty LLSCC with regional nodal metastasis and 20 LLSCC without metastasis were selected for analysis of the immunoexpression of BMP-2, BMPR-IA, and BMPR-II. The percentage of positive cells was evaluated according to the following parameters: score 1 (staining in 0-50% of cells), score 2 (staining in 51-75% of cells), and score 3 (staining in >75% of cells). Immunostaining intensity was evaluated according to the following scores: score 1 (absent or weak expression) and score 2 (strong expression).

RESULTS

Regarding the percentage of positive cells, most tumors with and without metastasis showed score 3 for both BMP-2 (P = 0.655) and BMPR-IA (P = 0.655). For BMPR-II, metastatic tumors exhibited higher percentage of positive cells in comparison with non-metastatic tumors (P = 0.049). With respect to immunostaining intensity, most LLSCCs with and without metastasis showed score 2 for BMP-2 (P = 1.000) and score 1 for BMPR-II (P = 1.000). For BMPR-IA, most metastatic tumors presented score 2, whereas most non-metastatic tumors showed score 1 (P < 0.001). Strong expression of BMPR-IA showed a statistically significant association with advanced clinical staging (P < 0.001) and high score of malignancy (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that disturbances in the BMP-2 signaling pathway may be involved in the development of LLSCC and that the strong expression of BMPR-IA might be indicative of the development of metastasis in these lesions.

Oral Cancer: Population Sample of the State of Alagoas at a Reference Hospital

The incidence and mortality of oral cancer in Brazil remains high; the disease manifests varying features throughout the country.

Aim

To analyze the epidemiology of oral cancer, including the prevalence, type and site of lesions, the distribution in the state of Alagoas, staging, treatment, and social and demographic aspects.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive retrospective study was carried out. Data were gathered from records of a hospital in Alagoas from January 2000 to December 2006.

Results

Of 396 cases (100% of the sample), 62.70% were male and 37.30% female. Most tumors were on the tongue. The mean age was 61.95 years (SD=14.56 years), and 95.2% of the sample were aged over 40 years. Most of lesions were stage II (57.04%). Radiotherapy was the most common treatment.

Conclusion

This study revealed the epidemiology of oral cancer patients at a reference hospital in the state of Alagoas. The results showed that oral cancer occurs mostly in males in the sixth decade of life; the most common site is the tongue, followed by the floor of the mouth.