Vulvar melanoma: relevant aspects in therapeutic management

Abstract Cancer of the vulva accounts for at least 1% of malignant neoplasms among women. Although rare, vulvar melanoma is the second most common histological type of vulvar cancer, representing 7-10% of all malignant vulvar neoplasms. Initial symptoms are non-specific and complete excision of the lesion is indicated in cases with suspected diagnosis. Prognosis of patients with these neoplasms is poor and remains unchanged despite the treatment approach. Hemivulvectomy with lymph node dissection is the current procedure of choice, associated or not with adjuvant therapies. We report two cases of patients presenting with late diagnosed vulvar melanoma and the relevant aspects in their therapeutic management.

Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva: diagnosis and treatment

Abstract: Vulvar cancer accounts for less than 1% of malignancies in women. Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva is a rare histological variation, comprising less than 1% of vulvar cancer cases. Although it is characterized as being locally invasive, the condition is not associated with metastatic spreading. Lesions present in the form of a verrucous, ulcerated, and bleeding tumor that can reach large dimensions. This type of tumor can be mistaken for condylomata, both macroscopically and microscopically. We report the case of an 81-year-old patient with a large vulvar tumor presented for eight years, initially considered as a Buschke-Löwenstein tumor. The patient underwent radical vulvectomy with a V-Y advancement flap technique. This type of tumor should be considered by clinicians dealing with condylomatous ulcerative lesions that do not respond to the usual treatment.

Criação de protocolo eletrônico em câncer do colo do útero / Development of an electronic protocol for uterine cervical cancer

OBJETIVO: Desenvolvimento de um protocolo eletrônico para o câncer do colo do útero. MÉTODOS: Coletar dados através de revisão da literatura e formatá-los para a construção de uma base teórica sobre o câncer do colo uterino para inclusão no protocolo. A informatização do banco de dados utilizou o SINPE© (Sistema Integrado de Protocolos Eletrônicos), desenvolvido na Universidade Federal do Paraná pelo Programa de Pós-graduação em Clínica Cirúrgica do Setor de Ciências da Saúde com auxílio do Laboratório de Informática e Multimídia. RESULTADOS: Foram criados 2687 itens, agrupados em sete categorias principais: anamnese, exame físico, exames complementares, diagnóstico, anatomopatológico definitivo, tratamento e acompanhamento. Acrescentamos itens sobre indicadores sócio-demográficos, uso de anticoncepcionais, tabagismo, antecedentes ginecológicos e obstétricos, estadiamento, as classificações e nomenclaturas mais aceitas, métodos diagnósticos, tratamentos e seguimento. CONCLUSÃO: É possível o desenvolvimento de um protocolo eletrônico com baixo custo, pouco espaço físico e mínimo treinamento de pessoal. O uso de computadores evita limitações e o caráter subjetivo do prontuário escrito. Com os dados coletados de maneira adequada é possível determinar, através de análise estatística, a importância de cada fator no desenvolvimento do câncer e na evolução e prognóstico do paciente.

OBJECTIVE: Development of an electronic protocol for cancer of the cervix. METHODS: We collected data through a literature review and formatted them to build a theoretical base for cancer of the cervix for inclusion in the protocol. The computerized database used the SINPE © (Integrated Electronic Protocols) developed at the Federal University of Parana by the Graduate Program in Surgery, Department of Health Sciences, with the help of the Laboratory of Computer and Multimedia. RESULTS: We created 2,687 items, grouped into seven main categories: history, physical examination, laboratory tests, diagnosis, final pathology, treatment and monitoring. We added items on socio-demographic indicators, contraceptive use, smoking, gynecological and obstetrical histories, staging, the most widely accepted classifications and nomenclatures, diagnostic methods, treatments and follow-up. CONCLUSION: It is possible to develop an electronic protocol with low cost, little space and minimal staff training. The use of computers avoids limitations and the subjective character of written records. With the data collected in an appropriate manner it is possible to determine, through statistical analysis, the importance of each factor in cancer development and progression and prognosis.