É Possível Evitar a Biópsia do Linfonodo Sentinela em Pacientes com Câncer de Mama e Linfonodo Axilar Positivo com Resposta Patológica Completa à Quimioterapia Neoadjuvante?

Introdução: O câncer de mama representa 24,5% dos novos casos de neoplasias em mulheres no mundo. A quimioterapia neoadjuvante é uma importante ferramenta no tratamento dessa patologia, possibilita cirurgias menos agressivas na mama e axila, além de minimizar sequelas. Objetivo: Analisar a possibilidade de se evitar a realização da biópsia do linfonodo sentinela em pacientes com câncer de mama submetidas à quimioterapia neoadjuvante que apresentem resposta patológica completa no tumor primário e na axila, tratadas em uma instituição de referência no Nordeste brasileiro. Método: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, de coorte em pacientes com câncer de mama submetidas à quimioterapia neoadjuvante e operadas no Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, no período de março de 2019 a julho de 2021. Resultados: Foram incluídas no estudo 45 pacientes, com média de idade de 52,6 anos, sendo todas do sexo feminino. Após quimioterapia neoadjuvante, nove pacientes (21,4%) apresentaram resposta patológica completa na mama e 17 (40,5%), resposta patológica completa nos linfonodos. Os pacientes com resposta completa na mama apresentaram uma prevalência de resposta completa em linfonodo 20,44 vezes superior aos pacientes que não tiveram a mesma resposta. Conclusão: A resposta patológica completa na mama à quimioterapia neoadjuvante mostra uma tendência em predizer uma resposta patológica nos linfonodos axilares, reforçando que, com essa condição, a biópsia do linfonodo sentinela poderia ser evitada sem causar prejuízos ao controle local do câncer de mama.

HPV infection and 5mC/5hmC epigenetic markers in penile squamous cell carcinoma: new insights into prognostics

BACKGROUND

Penile cancer is one of the most aggressive male tumors. Although it is preventable, the main etiologic causes are lifestyle behaviors and viral infection, such as human papillomavirus (HPV). Long-term epigenetic changes due to environmental factors change cell fate and promote carcinogenesis, being an important marker of prognosis. We evaluated epidemiological aspects of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the prevalence of HPV infection using high-risk HPV (hrHPV) and p16^INK4A expression of 224 participants. Global DNA methylation was evaluated through 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC).

RESULTS

The incidence of HPV was 53.2% for hrHPV and 22.32% for p16^INK4a. hrHPV was not related to systemic or lymph node metastasis and locoregional recurrence, nor influenced the survival rate. P16^INK4a seems to be a protective factor for death, which does not affect metastasis or tumor recurrence. Lymph node and systemic metastases and locoregional recurrence increase the risk of death. An increased 5mC mark was observed in penile SCC regardless of HPV infection. However, there is a reduction of the 5hmC mark for p16^INK4a + (P = 0.024). Increased 5mC/5hmC ratio (> 1) was observed in 94.2% of penile SCC, irrespective of HPV infection. Despite the increase in 5mC, it seems not to affect the survival rate (HR = 1.06; 95% CI 0.33-3.38).

CONCLUSIONS

P16^INK4a seems to be a good prognosis marker for penile SCC and the increase in 5mC, an epigenetic mark of genomic stability, may support tumor progression leading to poor prognosis.

Effects of anxiety and depression on the quality of life of male cancer patients undergoing genetic investigation for hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes

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Background: Genetic tests have been increasingly requested to identify families at risk of hereditary cancer. In a family with a known mutation, the offspring of a carrier, whether male or female, have a 50% risk of inheriting the mutation. Most studies on the psychological implications associated with genetic testing have focused on women and few studies have focused on the male population. Methods: A total of 56 men with a personal history of cancer underwent screening for mutations in a panel of 31 genes associated with hereditary cancer. Assessment of quality of life (QoL) and levels of anxiety and depression was performed after patients received the genetic test result. For this, the HADS and WHOQOL-BREF scales were used. Wilcoxon, X², and Spearman correlation tests were used (SPSS v20.0 for Windows). Results: Of the 56 participants, 28.6% had a pathogenic mutation, 32.1% had a Variant of Undetermined Significance (VUS), and 39.3% had no mutation. The presence of the mutation was not associated with QoL (p = 0.967) or anxiety (p = 0.436) or depression (p = 0.945). Mean QoL was 77.95±7.38 (range = 50.00-95.20), mean anxiety was 5.14±2.62 (range = 1-14) and mean depression scores were 4.14±2.55 (range = 0-14). QoL was inversely correlated with levels of anxiety (p < 0.001, r = -0.496) and depression (p < 0.001, r = -0.494), parameters that were directly correlated (p = 0.037, r = 0.279). Most patients had QoL > 80 (n = 38, 67.9%), and only 16 (28.6%) and 13 (23.2%) men had HAD scores > 5. Conclusions: The result of carrying a mutation did not influence the quality of life and anxiety or depression levels in the male population evaluated. However, it was observed that levels of anxiety and depression can compromise the quality of life. The data from the present study reinforce the importance of considering the psychological aspects in the process of genetic investigation for hereditary cancer. In addition, it suggests that educational levels must be investigated to assess whether the low levels of anxiety and depression observed are associated with a low level of understanding of the clinical significance of carrying a pathogenic mutation.

MUTYH-related polyposis syndrome associated with a variant of uncertain significance mutation: A new pathogenic mutation?

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Background: The familiar history is indispensable to clinical investigation during genetic counseling and the new molecular techniques allowed the identification of hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS). However, the classification systems of these syndromes are difficulty and very complex. In 2015, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) published guidelines for the assessment of variants in genes associated with Mendelian diseases to reduce the subjectivity bias of mutation variants classified as risk. Methods: To show the difficulty of classification of these variants we describe a case report of a family from countryside of Brazil in which there is a high rate of inbreeding. This family has three brothers with polyposis and colorectal cancer between 51 and 60 years-old. Results: The index-case had multiple polyps, developed colorectal cancer at 51 years-old and had a familiar history of two brother dead by colorectal cancer after polyposis and nine brother without familiar history of cancer, a father dead at 38 years-old by non-specific lung-disease and a mother alive at 83 years-old. There was no description of other cases of cancer among uncles and grandparents. The index-case performe a NSG genetic painel to CPS and showed a homozygosis variant in MUTYH gene: NM_001048174.1: c.253T > C:p.(Trp85Arg), that was classified as variant of uncertain significance (VUS). MUTYH is a base excision repair enzyme, it plays a crucial role in the correction of DNA errors and may be considered a cell protective factor and is associated with MUTYH-related polyposis (MAP). MAP is an autosomal recessive CPS and presents a phenotype that overlaps attenuated polyposis and familial adenomatous polyposis, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer in 43-63% up to 60 years or 80% if there is no surveillance/tracking. In view of the family history that suggests autosomal recessive inheritance, with a homozygous variant absent in the database of population controls (gnomAD) and in which in silico predictors indicate the effect of this variant as deleterious, the management of this family must be carried out considering it as a potential high-risk pathogenic variant. Conclusions: While the classification criteria for the variants are being refined, we reinforce the importance of a careful family history in the approach to CPS in order to offer an appropriate clinal conduct in the prevention of hereditary cancer.

Prognostic value of FUS immunoexpression for Gleason patterns and prostatic adenocarcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

Risk assessment is important when planning treatment for prostatic adenocarcinoma. Gleason score is a strong predictor of disease progression, despite the possibility of mismatches between biopsy and prostatectomy. In order to increase the accuracy of Gleason scores, several markers have been proposed. One of these, FUS (fused in sarcoma), plays a role in RNA processing, chromosome stability and gene transcription.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Non-neoplastic tissue and Gleason pattern 3, 4 and 5 adenocarcinoma samples were submitted to tissue microarrays. Gleason pattern 3 and 4 were compared to the final Gleason score. We also conducted univariate and multivariate tests to probe the association between FUS expression in adenocarcinoma samples and outcome: biochemical persistence and biochemical recurrence (separately or pooled as biochemical progression), biochemical failure after salvage radiotherapy, and systemic progression.

RESULTS

Our cohort consisted of 636 patients. Non-neoplastic tissue stained less frequently (36.5%) than neoplastic tissue (47.4%), with expression increasing from Gleason pattern 3 towards pattern 5. FUS-positive Gleason pattern 3 was significantly associated with final Gleason scores >6 (HR = 1.765 [1.203-2.589]; p = 0.004). Likewise, FUS-positive Gleason pattern 4 was significantly associated with final Gleason scores ≥7 (4 + 3). The association between FUS positivity and biochemical persistence and recurrence observed in the univariate analysis was not maintained in the multivariate analysis (HR = 1.147 [0.878-1.499]; p = 0.313).

CONCLUSION

Non-neoplastic tissue was less frequently FUS-positive than neoplastic tissue. FUS positivity in Gleason pattern 3 and 4 increased the risk of high grade adenocarcinoma and was associated with clinical/laboratory progression in the univariate, but not in multivariate analysis.

Association between Epstein-Barr Virus and Oral Carcinoma: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We searched the electronic scientific databases of PubMed and Scopus and included a total of 53 studies that were published from 1990 to 2019. The analysis yielded a 45.37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.90-51.84; p < 0.001) overall pooled prevalence of EBV. Studies that used the applied methods of in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, immunology, or RNA microarray showed the following pooled prevalence: 46.08%, 40.32, 54.97%, and 74.89%, respectively. EBV-infected individuals have a 2.5 higher risk for developing OSCC (odds ratio: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.23% to 5.36%; p < 0.001). The present meta-analysis supports the hypothesis of EBV association with OSCC, pointing to this virus as a risk factor for neoplasia. Our findings also suggest that EBV latent transcripts (latent membrane protein 1, EBV nuclear antigen 1 and 2, and EBV-encoded small RNAs) have an important role in this process. Furthermore, novel advancements could arise from large and standardized studies that are constructed to probe for other latent gene expression, eliminate confounding factors (tobacco, alcohol, and high-risk human papillomavirus infection), and define the relationship between EBV and oral carcinomas.

Are pathogenic BRCA1 mutations associated with parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma? A case report

OBJECTIVES

To describe a patient with BRCA1 mutation, mucoepidermoid parotid, multiple breasts, and thyroid cancers.

CASE REPORT

A women was diagnosed at 33-years-age with a triple-negative breast cancer (right breast), at 43-years-age with a triple-negative breast cancer in left breast and at 53-years-age with a primary papillary-thyroid carcinoma. At 55-years-age, she was diagnosed with a primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma in right parotid, and concomitantly, her right nipple was affected by Paget's disease and a recurrent carcinoma in right breast (HR + /HER2 = 3 +). At 57-years-age, after the recurrence of a triple-negative breast cancer (left breast), a geneticist evaluated the patient's family history, including one stomach, one non-smoking-related lung, and two smoking-related laryngeal cancers. Genetic testing revealed a BRCA1 mutation (Chr17:41:251.867). The patient's daughter (a non-cancer patient) tested negative for the mutation. Both remain under medical supervision.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that BRCA1 mutations are associated with non-breast and non-ovarian cancers such as salivary gland cancer.

PALB2 mutations in Brazilian patients from North-Northeast regions

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Background: Loss-of-function mutations in PALB2 gene are associated with increased risk for breast cancer and possibly pancreatic, ovarian, male breast, prostate, colorectal as others cancers. In Brazil it has been estimated that up to 1,516 new cases of hereditary breast cancer for 2020 in the North and Northeast regions. Analysis of susceptibility gene mutations helps identify precisely the high-risk patient and their families, whom need specific and personalized clinical management as high-risk individuals. Methods: Twenty-six patients with pathogenic mutations in PALB2 gene identify by next-generation sequencing from states of Bahia (11), Ceará (9), Pernambuco (5) and Rondônia (1) in the North and Northeast regions were analyzed. Results: Most of the patients analyzed had only breast cancer (80%), including two cases of male breast cancer (9,5%); the others were isolated cases of endometrial cancer (4%), breast and pancreas cancers (4%), breast and lung cancers (4%), only ovarian cancer (4%) and ovarian and breast cancers (4%). Most cancers were stage II or III (65%). Family history of cancer was observed in 22/26 (84%); the most common tumors were breast, prostate, pancreas and thyroid. The founder mutations were more frequent in exons: 4 (58%) and 12 (15%). Eleven variants were found as follow: c.1240C > T (19%); c.3256delC (15%); c.1671_1674delTATT (11.5%); c.355delC (11.5%); NC_000016.9:g.(?_23632673)_(23652488_?)del (11,5%). The greatest variety of mutations was found in the state of Bahia, probably due to the greater number of patients included (42%). Conclusions: These data suggest that changes in clinical management of PALB2 patients are needed since the phenotype observed exhibited pattern of hereditary tumors, including male breast cancer. Besides that, PALB2 gene should be included in painel gene analysis in patients from the North and Northeast of Brazil because its high frequency of pathogenic variants.

Pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for advanced breast cancer patients with high risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC)

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Background: Local Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC) is associated with high risk of death. NAC is a safe and effective approach for these populations. pCR is a proven prognostic factor in several studies of NAC. HBOC is associated to high risk of breast cancer usually in young age and especially for BRCA1 mutations with a basal phenotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of BRCA mutational status on frequence of pCR. Methods: this is part of a retrospective, observational study of prevalence of HBOC among patients admitted for cancer therapy in our institution. Since August, 2018 over 300 pte suspected for HBOC (by NCCN criteria) have been screened for NGS with a 31-gene painel. Statistical analysis performed Person X2/Fisher and logistic regression ( p< 0.05; SPSS 20.0). Results: Most pte were women (80%), with median age of 38y (22-72y), most tumors were (80%) stage III, Luminal B (23%) and TNBC (36%). Pathogenic mutations were identified in 34%(n = 28) of the sample ( BRCA1 50%, BRCA2 16.7%, PALB2 16.7%, follow by TP53, PMS2, XRCC2, MUTYH, BARD1 and ATM with 2.8% each).The majority of patients had more than 1 NCCN criteria: age < 45y (83%), family member with BC < 50y (24%) or TNBC (33%) the most common. TNBC tumors had stronger association with germline mutation ( p< 0.001). Regarding response rate there were 13 stable disease (SD), 5 progressive disease (PD), 43 pCR and 39 pathological partial response (pPR). There were no differences in pRC among mutated or no mutated pte, p= 0,170. However, among mutated TNBC there were strong correlation with more pCR, p< 0,006. There was no difference on pCR rate related to mutation status (BRCA vs Non-BRCA), p = 0,84. Conclusions: the present study corroborates other data about the impact of germline mutation status over pCR after NAC for LABC, except for mutated TNBC population, whose seems to be more NAC sensitive.

Prevalence of germline mutations in BRCA1/2 in patients from northeastern Brazil

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Background: Identifying carriers of hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes (HCPS) improves prevention and treatment. However, due to the elevated cost of genetic testing, information on the prevalence and incidence of HCPS is scarce, depriving patients of assertive treatment―a scenario observed worldwide, especially in regions like Northeastern Brazil. In this study, we determined the prevalence of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in patients from Ceará (Brazil) based on NCCN criteria. Methods: The patients (n = 267) were evaluated using NGS gene panels, while retrospective data were analyzed statistically with the chi-squared test, Fisher’s test and multinomial logistic regressions ( p< 0.05; SPSS 20.0). Results: BRCA1/2 was detected in 21.3% (57/267) of the sample, but BRCA1 was more prevalent than BRCA2 (70%; 40/57 vs 30%; 17/57) ( p< 0.001). Having two or more primary tumors ( p= 0.031) or primary ovarian cancer ( p= 0.029) was associated with the pathogenic mutation BRCA1/2. The latter was detected in patients with bilateral tumors (40%) and male breast cancer (45%), and in patients under 45 years (67%), with familial breast cancer (27%) and familial ovarian cancer (41%). In the multivariate analysis, the triple-negative phenotype was strongly associated with mutated BRCA1/2 ( p= 0.003). Conclusions: The prevalence of HBOC in our sample is compatible with rates reported worldwide. The study variables (bilaterality, male sex, age < 45 years, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and triple-negative phenotype) reinforce the diagnostic criteria published by the NCCN.

Prevalence of pathogenic non-BRCA1/2 gene variants in patients with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer at a referral hospital in northeastern Brazil

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Background: Breast cancer (BC) is associated with several hereditary syndromes (HS). Patients with clinical criteria for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) should be evaluated for the presence of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants, although the absence of BRCA1/2 variants does not rule out HS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic non- BRCA1/2 variants in patients with suspected HBOC. Methods: Suspected HBOC (NCCN criteria) patients (n = 267) from a Northeastern Brazilian referral cancer hospital were submitted to NGS 31-gene painel. Individuals testing negative for BRCA1/2 mutation (n = 210) remained in the present presentation. Data were analized by the chi-squared test and Fisher’s test ( p< 0.05; SPSS 20.0). Results: Pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) non- BRCA1/2 variants were detected in 13.3% (n = 28/210) of the patients, all of whom had BC. The most prevalent variant was PALB2 (31%), followed by ATM and MUTYH (14.2%), and TP53 and PMS2 (10.7%). Among these patients 10.7% (n = 3/28) had triple negative tumors. Other gene variants ( BARD1, CHEK2, MLH1, MSH2, PMS1 and XRCC2) were observed at lower frequencies (3.5% each). DNA mismatch repair (MMR)/Lynch syndrome (LS) mutated genes were identified in 4/24 patients with BC. Rare microdeletions were identified in PALB2 (chr16:23652431-23652678 [exons 1-10] and TP53 (chr17:7.573.927-7.579.891 [exons 2-10]) , to our knowledge for the first time in the medical literature (ClinVar). In addition, one patient displayed a double pathogenic variant in ATM (c.67C > T: p.[Arg23*]) and PALB2 (chr16:23652431-23652678 [exons 1-10]). Patients with and without P/LP did not differ with regard to clinical-pathological parameters or therapeutic profile. Conclusions: Patients with suspected HBOC should be evaluated for non- BRCA1/2 variants, including MMR. We also suggest considering BC among the malignancies associated with LS.

US-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS CORE LIVER BIOPSY: ANALYSIS OF 171 CASES FROM A SINGLE ONCOLOGY SERVICE

BACKGROUND

Though strongly suggestive of metastasis, focal lesions on liver scans of oncological patients require histological confirmation for the prescription of adequate treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of US-guided percutaneous core liver biopsy.

METHODS

Descriptive, cross-sectional study based on secondary data from 171 patients submitted to US-guided percutaneous core liver biopsy at the diagnostic radiology service of the Ceará Cancer Institute (ICC, Brazil) between February 2010 and March 2015. Quantitative data were expressed in absolute numbers or percentages, with emphasis on the rate of complications observed within six hours after the procedure.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy was 96.4%. The overall rate of complications was 2.3%, three quarters of which was due to hemorrhage. Age over 50 years was positively associated with accuracy. No deaths occurred within the period of observation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the claim that the use of thick biopsy needles improves diagnostic accuracy. The few complications observed were non-lethal and predominantly hemorrhagic.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy with periareolar incision and two-stage reconstruction: Initial analysis of 31 cases

Surgical treatment of breast cancer has changed considerably over the past four decades, culminating in the substitution of conservative approaches for Halsted's paradigm from 1894. In parallel, many breast reconstruction techniques have been proposed for patients requiring mastectomy with loss of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). Myocutaneous flaps were once the most common form of reconstruction, but recently the use of implants and nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) in one or two stages has gained popularity. In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, we evaluated a sample of 31 NSM procedures with periareolar incision and two-stage reconstruction (tissue expander followed by implant) conducted between 2013 and 2017, with emphasis on the rate of complications after at least 3 months of follow-up, local disease control and cosmesis measured on the Harvard scale. Five complications (16%) were observed, all of which related to the first stage: seroma (n = 1; 3.2%), treated with needle aspiration, NAC necrosis (n = 3; 9.6%), one case of which required debridement, and dehiscence (n = 1; 3.2%), treated with resuture. Cosmesis was classified as excellent by the surgeon in 96.8% (n = 27). At the time of writing, no local recurrence had been observed. In conclusion, NSM with periareolar incision and two-stage reconstruction was found to be technically feasible and associated with few complications and satisfactory esthetic outcomes.

Predictive factors of axillary metastasis in patients with breast cancer and positive sentinel lymph node biopsy

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the risk factors for the presence of non-sentinel axillary metastatic disease in patients with breast cancer and positive sentinel node biopsy. Methods: retrospective cross-sectional study of women with breast cancer operated at the Cancer Institute of Ceará between 2002 and 2012 and submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsy.

RESULTS

Among 946 breast cancer patients, 331 underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, which was positive in 83. These patients underwent axillary lymphadenectomy and 39 (46%) had metastases in other axillary lymph nodes. The variables that were significant for additional axillary disease included Ki67>14 (p=0.043), angiolymphatic invasion (p=0.01) and tumor size (p=0.027). No association was observed with estrogen, progesterone, tumor grade and Her-2 receptors.

DISCUSSION

the presence of angiolymphatic invasion and tumor size have also been related to additional axillary metastasis in other studies. In addition to these variables, the same predictive effect was observed when we evaluated Ki67. The validation of these results may allow the customization of breast cancer treatment, which may reduce its morbidity.

CONCLUSION

angiolymphatic invasion, tumor size (T3/T4) and Ki67>14 were factors predictive of axillary metastasis involvement in addition to the sentinel lymph node.

Predictors of mortality in patients submitted to nephrectomy for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma at a referral center in Northeastern Brazil

Objective:

to identify predictors of mortality in patients submitted to nephrectomy for non-metastatic renal cancer.

Methods:

we conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the records of patients with renal cancer submitted to radical or partial nephrectomy at the Ceará Cancer Institute.

Results:

we studied 117 patients, with mean and median age of 59.14 and 59 years, respectively. The male gender was slightly predominant. The right kidney was most frequently affected (64%). The most common histopathological diagnosis was clear-cell carcinoma (77%). Stage pT1 and Fuhrman grade II were predominant. The only predictive variables of overall survival were pathological stage (pT) and lymph node involvement.

Conclusion:

pathological stage (pT) and lymph node involvement are important prognostic factors in patients undergoing nephrectomy for non-metastatic renal cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor as an adverse survival predictor in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

Penile carcinoma (PC) is more frequent in underdeveloped countries, generally is diagnosed at an advanced stage when therapeutic options are restricted, and thus is associated with high morbidity/mortality rates. Recent studies have demonstrated clinical benefits with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy in patients with PC, although there is no test that provides accurate patient selection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of EGFR gene and protein status in tumor samples from patients with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma. We assessed the expression of wild-type and 2 mutant EGFR isoforms (delA746-E750 and mL858R) by immunohistochemistry in 139 samples, of which 49 were also evaluated for EGFR copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Positive immunohistochemical staining of wild-type and mutant EGFR was evidenced by complete and strong membranous staining. For FISH analysis, cases were considered unaltered, polysomic, or amplified, as determined by signals of the EGFR gene and chromosome 7. An independent cohort of 107 PC samples was evaluated for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF. Protein overexpression was noted in nearly half of the cases and was associated with cancer recurrence (P=.004) and perineural invasion (P=.005). Expression of the 2 mutated EGFR isoforms was not observed. The FISH status was not associated with protein expression. Altered FISH (polysomy and gene amplification) was an independent risk factor for dying of cancer. Only 1 patient of 107 presented KRAS mutations, and no mutations of EGFR or BRAF were observed.

É Necessária a Biópsia do Linfonodo Sentinela no Carcinoma Ductal in situ da Mama?

Introdução: Os carcinomas in situ representam aproximadamente 15% dos cânceres de mama. Por definição, não ultrapassam a membrana basal, o que implicaria em um risco teórico nulo para metástase linfonodal. Entretanto, a literatura exibe taxas variando de 1% a 13% de metástases das biópsias de linfonodo sentinela (BLS) realizadas em pacientes com carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS). Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de metástase do linfonodo sentinela em pacientes com CDIS de mama, tratadas cirurgicamente numa instituição de referência no Nordeste Brasileiro. Método: Estudo transversal e descritivo, utilizando dados secundários, obtidos nos prontuários médicos de pacientes com câncer de mama, operadas no Instituto do Câncer do Ceará (ICC), entre os anos de 2002 a 2012. Os dados foram analisados por meio do software Epi Info 7.0. Resultados: A população de estudo correspondeu a 746 pacientes com tumor primário de mama, 106 (14%) apresentavam como tipo histológico inicial o CDIS. Cinquenta e quatro pacientes (51%) foram submetidas à mastectomia e 52 (49%) à cirurgia conservadora. A BLS foi realizada em 88 (83%) dos 106 casos com CDIS, apresentando positividade para metástase linfonodal em apenas um caso (1,1%). No fim da análise, das 106 pacientes com CDIS, duas apresentaram recidiva local, uma apresentou recidiva locorregional. Conclusão: A BLS em pacientes com CDIS puro, semelhante ao encontrado na literatura mundial, apresenta baixa prevalência de metástase linfonodal. Apesar da baixa morbidade da BLS, o custo financeiro adicional e o fato de praticamente não impactar na decisão terapêutica fazem refletir sobre sua real necessidade.

Experiência do Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba com Reconstrução Utilizando Retalhos Miocutâneos em Cirurgia para Tratamento do Câncer de Pênis locorregionalmente Avançado

Introdução: O Brasil e um país que apresenta uma alta incidência em câncer de pênis. Geralmente o diagnóstico dessa afecção e feito no curso inicial da doença, porém 1/3 dos pacientes se apresentam com doença local ou regional avançada. Em casos onde ocorrem ressecções extensas com grande perda de substância, pode ser necessária a utilização de retalhos músculo cutâneos. Objetivo: Identificar quais os tipos de retalhos mais utilizados e as principais complicações na reconstrução de defeitos complexos pós-cirurgia para câncer de pênis locorregionalmente avançado em um centro de referência brasileiro. Método: Estudo retrospectivo, observacional e descritivo. População de 243 pacientes atendidos com diagnóstico de câncer de pênis no Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, entre janeiro de 2000 e setembro de 2010. Amostra de 35 pacientes que necessitaram de reconstrução com retalho muscular. Resultados: O retalho utilizando o músculo reto abdominal foi o mais usado (57,2%), seguido pelo fáscia lata (31,4%) e grácilis (11,4%). As complicações precoces mais comuns foram infecção de sitio cirúrgico (37,1%) e deiscência parcial do retalho (37,1%). As complicações tardias mais comuns foram linfedema crônico (32,3%) e edema de bolsa escrotal (29,4%). Conclusão: O retalho miocutâneo do músculo reto abdominal foi o mais utilizado e mostrou-se seguro. Essa e as demais técnicas utilizadas resultaram em expressivas taxas de morbidade, porém sem comprometer a viabilidade do retalho.  

Prostatic carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation diagnosed in needle biopsies, a morphologic study of 7 cases among 465 sequential biopsies in a tertiary cancer center

PURPOSE

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) of the prostate are rare, with only a few series hitherto reported. The objective of this study was to assess in a single institution the clinical and morphologic characteristics of neuroendocrine carcinomas diagnosed in needle core biopsies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The current study analyses seven cases diagnosed in needle biopsies at a large tertiary regional cancer center from Northeastern Brazil. Two pathologists reviewed specimens retrospectively, and demographic and morphologic characteristics were compared to 458 acinar tumors diagnosed in the same period.

RESULTS

There were five small cell carcinomas and two low-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid). NEC were associated with an acinar component in 5/7 cases and the Gleason score of the acinar component was always > 6. The number of cores involved in prostates with NEC was greater (65% compared to 24% of acinar tumors, p < 0.05). The mean PSA at diagnosis was 417.7 (range 5.7-1593, SD 218.3), compared to 100.5 (p = 0.1) of acinar tumors (range 0.3-8545, SD 22.7). Prostates harboring NEC were bigger (p < 0.001, mean volume 240 mL vs. 53 mL of acinar tumors). Treatment of NEC included palliative surgery, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

NEC of the prostate is rare and often associated with a high-grade acinar component. Prostates with NEC tend to be larger and involve a greater number of cores than acinar tumors. PSA at diagnosis does not seem to predict the presence of NE tumors in needle biopsy.

Extraperitoneal surgical repair of parastomal hernia of Bricker's urinary diversion with polypropylene mesh: stoma reimplantation through the mesh

INTRODUCTION

Parastomal hernias affect 4.5-9% of patients submitted to ileostomy. Correcting this hernia represents a challenge. There are two basic approaches to the surgical correction of parastomal hernias: stoma relocation and repair in situ. We describe an alternative modified technique for extraperitoneal correction of large parastomal hernias using a polypropylene mesh and reimplantation of the urostomy in situ through the mesh.

PATIENT AND METHODS

An 80-year-old patient submitted to Bricker urinary diversion developed a large parastomal hernia affecting almost the entire circumference causing local pain and difficulties in appliance attachment. An ellipsoid skin incision around the urostomy was done and skin flaps were dissected up to the aponeurotic borders keeping the hernia sac intact. A polypropylene mesh was sutured onto the aponeurotic borders, the urostomy was led back through a central opening in the mesh, and the skin segment was stitched onto the mesh.

RESULTS

The patient was discharged on the third postoperative (PO) day. On day 14 PO he presented a small area of dehiscence treated with resuture. By the 30th month, no changes had occurred in the stoma or in the upper urinary tract and the patient was asymptomatic with no signs of tumor or hernia recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple to perform and associated with low morbidity, the procedure represents an alternative for the treatment of parastomal hernias that would otherwise require stomal relocation.

A rare case of malignant hydrocele in a young patient

Malignant mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are extremely rare tumors, especially in young patients. We report a case of a 15-year old patient presenting with clinical signs of hydrocele. Preoperative ultrasound scanning revealed two papillary lesions. Initially, before mesothelioma was suspected, the patient was submitted to focal resection of the macroscopic lesions. Following diagnosis by histopathology, the patient was submitted to radical orchiectomy and hemiscrotectomy. The patient presents no signs of local or systemic recurrence at the time of writing. A review of the literature on the subject has been included.

Histological changes in bladders of patients submitted to ifosfamide chemotherapy even with mesna prophylaxis

PURPOSE

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a limiting side effect of chemotherapy with ifosfamide (IFS). Mesna is the drug of choice for prevention of HC. In this study, we analyzed cystoscopic and histological changes present in bladders of patients using IFS with mesna prophylaxis.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients selected for IFS plus three doses of mesna chemotherapy regime were assigned at random to two groups: Group I or reference group consisted of 18 patients yet untreated. Group II consisted of 15 patients in whom urinalysis and cystoscopy plus vesical biopsy were performed only 24 h after receiving the last dose of IFS. The cystoscopic and histological findings were used as parameters for evaluating the results. For the former the criterion adopted was macroscopic vesical changes in accordance with Gray's criteria. Histological analyses were performed by evaluation method especially adapted to this study.

RESULTS

Even under treatment with three doses of mesna, 66.7% of patients presented cystoscopic alterations and 100% showed bladder mucosa microscopic alterations such as edema, exocytosis, and hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

The standard protocol used for prevention of IFS-induced HC with three doses of mesna does not completely prevent bladder damage. The histopathological criteria used in this study for observation of inflammatory events allowed staging the intensity of IFS-induced urothelial and mucosal injury.