Gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated at a Brazilian Cancer Center: evaluation of clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic profiles

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) originate as precursor cells of the interstitial cells of Cajal in the myenteric plexus and generally have a mutation in the tyrosine kinase receptor, C-KIT (CD117). The objective is to evaluate the clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic profiles of GIST cases available from a hospital specializing in cancer treatment. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal study of 85 GIST cases in a Cancer Center (São Paulo, Brazil) was conducted. Results: The cases identified involved 40 men and 45 women and the average age at diagnosis was 55.7 ± 14. 8 years (median, 57). The symptoms present at diagnosis depended on the location and dimensions of each lesion. In 49 cases (57.6%), the tumors had a gastric location and the mean dimensions were 7.2 ± 2.3 cm (median, 3.4 cm). Recurrent metastatic disease presented in 27 cases (with the liver mainly affected). Locoregional recurrence was detected in 16 cases. C-KIT was positive in 79/81 (97.5%) of the cases examined. Most of the tumors were initially treated with surgery, while clinical treatment was applied to the recurrent cases. The overall survival rate was 76.4% 162 months after diagnosis. Conclusions: The GISTs examined most commonly originated in the stomach, while the liver was the main site affected by metastatic lesions. Most of the lesions appeared to be slow-growing neoplasms that were positive for C-KIT (CD117). Complications, as well as death, mostly affected the elderly patients that had comorbidities or more aggressive forms of the disease (AU)

Modified method for bronchial suture by Ramirez Gama compared to separate stitches suture: experimental study / Sutura de brônquios pelo método de Ramirez Gama modificado comparada à sutura com pontos separados: estudo experimental

OBJECTIVE: To experimentally compare two classic techniques described for manual suture of the bronchial stump. METHODS: We used organs of pigs, with isolated trachea and lungs, preserved by refrigeration. We dissected 30 bronchi, which were divided into three groups of ten bronchi each, of 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm, respectively. In each, we performed the suture with simple, separated, extramucosal stitches in five other bronchi, and the technique proposed by Ramirez and modified by Santos et al in the other five. Once the sutures were finished, the anastomoses were tested using compressed air ventilation, applying an endotracheal pressure of 20mmHg. RESULTS: the Ramirez Gama suture was more effective in the bronchi of 3, 5 and 7 mm, and there was no air leak even after subjecting them to a tracheal pressure of 20mmHg. The simple interrupted sutures were less effective, with extravasation in six of the 15 tested bronchi, especially in the angles of the sutures. These figures were not significant (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: manual sutures of the bronchial stumps were more effective when the modified Ramirez Gama suture was used in the caliber bronchi arms when tested with increased endotracheal pressure. .

OBJETIVO: comparar experimentalmente duas técnicas clássicas descritas para a sutura manual do coto brônquico. MÉTODOS: foram empregadas vísceras de suínos com a traqueia e os pulmões isolados, conservados por refrigeração. Foram dissecados 30 brônquios, divididos em três grupos de dez brônquios cada, com 3mm, 5mm e 7mm, respectivamente. Em cada um dos grupos foi realizada a sutura com pontos simples separados extramucosos em cinco brônquios e nos outros cinco, foi empregada a técnica proposta por Ramirez Gama e modificada por Santos et al. Terminadas as suturas, as anastomoses foram testadas com ventilação empregando ar comprimido, submetidas a uma pressão endotraqueal de 20mmHg. RESULTADOS: os pontos de Ramirez Gama foram mais efetivos em brônquios de 3, 5 e 7 mm, e não houve extravasamento de ar mesmo após submetê-los a uma pressão endotraqueal de 20mmHg. Os pontos simples separados foram menos efetivos, havendo extravasamento em seis dos 15 brônquios testados, principalmente nos ângulos das suturas. Estes números não foram significativos (p=0,08). . CONCLUSÃO: as suturas manuais dos cotos brônquicos foram mais efetivas quando o ponto de Ramirez Gama modificado foi utilizado nos brônquios de pequeno calibre quando testados com aumento da pressão endotraqueal. .