Lung cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations from the brazilian thoracic oncology group

New cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continue to rise worldwide following the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The current pandemic has completely altered the workflow of health services worldwide. However, even during this critical period, patients with other diseases, like cancer, need to be properly treated. A few reports have shown that mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 is higher in elderly patients and those with other active comorbidities, including cancer. Patients with lung cancer are at risk of pulmonary complications from COVID-19, and as such, the risk/benefit ratio of local and systemic anticancer treatment has to be considered. For each patient, several factors, including age, comorbidities, and immunosuppression, as well as the number of hospital visits for treatment, can influence this risk. The number of cases is rising exponentially in Brazil, and it is important to consider the local characteristics when approaching the pandemic. In this regard, the Brazilian Thoracic Oncology Group has developed recommendations to guide decisions in lung cancer treatment during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Due to the scarcity of relevant data, discussions based on disease stage, evaluation of surgical treatment, radiotherapy techniques, systemic therapy, follow-up, and supportive care were carried out, and specific suggestions issued. All recommendations seek to reduce contagion risk by decreasing the number of medical visits and hospitalization, and in the case of immunosuppression, by adapting treatment schemes when possible. This statement should be adjusted according to the reality of each service, and can be revised as new data become available.

Vasculite urticariforme com comprometimento renal glomerular: relato de caso / Urtical vasculitis with renal glomerular disease: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A vasculite urticariforme (VU) corresponde entre 5% a 10% das urticárias crônicas, devendo-se distinguir suas lesões daquelas da urticária crônica idiopática, que é a forma mais comum. Apesar de comumente ser de origem idiopática, pode ocorrer em associação com doenças autoimunes, reação a drogas, infecções ou malignidade, podendo ocorrer de forma sistêmica ou limitada à pele. O diagnóstico de VU deve ser considerado na presença de urticária persistente com achados clínicos e sorológicos sugestivos, ou evidência de doença sistêmica. O objetivo deste estudo foi mostrar um caso raro de acometimento renal da forma normocomplementêmica da vasculite urticariforme. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 38 anos, previamente hígido, que apresentava lesões papulares eritêmato-violáceas extensas. Exames laboratoriais iniciais não apresentavam alterações significativas; exame qualitativo de urina demonstrava alteração progressiva da função renal e níveis nefróticos de proteinúria. A imunofluorescência renal foi negativa. Sorologias foram todas negativas e exames imunológicos não reagentes. Dosagemde complemento sérico (C3 e C4) foi normal. Realizou-se pulsoterapia com corticoide endovenoso e seguimento com corticoide oral, obtendo-se boa resposta clínica. A lesão cutânea apresentou regressão espontânea sem o uso de medicação tópica. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico da doença sistêmica a partir de uma alteração cutânea salienta a importância da investigação adicional das lesões vasculares de pele.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urticarial vasculitis (UV) corresponds between 5% to 10% of chronic urticaria, and their lesions must be distinguished from those of chronic idiopathic urticaria, which is more common. Although commonly idiopathic, it may occur associated with autoimmune diseases, drug reactions, infections or malignancy, which may occur in asystemic presentation or limited to the skin. The diagnosis of UV should be considered in the presence of persistent urticaria with suggestive clinical and serologic findings, or evidence of systemic disease. The case report illustrates a rare renal complication of the normocomplementemic form of urtical vasculitis. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 38 years, previously healthy, who presented extensive erythematous-violaceous papules. Initial laboratory tests showed no significant changes, qualitative urine test showed progressive impairment of renal function and levels of nephrotic proteinuria. Renal immunofluorescence was negative. Serology and immunological tests were all negative. Dosage of serum complement (C3 and C4) was normal. We performed intravenous steroid pulse therapy and follow up with oral steroids,obtaining good clinical response. The skin lesions regressed spontaneously without the use of topical medication. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of systemic disease from a skin change emphasizes the importance of further investigation of cutaneous vascular lesions.