Tumoral inflammatory infiltrate does not predict metastases in thin primary cutaneous melanomas

Abstract Background In cutaneous melanomas in general, tumor inflammatory infiltrate (TII) can protect against distant metastases, but there is no consensus when only thin primary cutaneous melanomas (TPCM) are considered. Objective To investigate the presence of TII in TPCM and the relationship between TII and the occurrence of metastases. Methods Case-control study including 50 patients with TPCM, 22 metastatic (MC group) and 28 non-metastatic (NMC group). The presence of TII was evaluated and, if present, qualified as mild, moderate or marked. Results The mean age was 50.7 years in the MC and 56.2 years in the NMC group (p = 0.234), and the male sex predominated in the MC group (63.6%). The average Breslow thickness was higher in the MC when compared to that observed in the NMC (respectively 0.8 vs. 0.6 mm, p = 0.012). The presence of ulceration occurred in 22.7% of the MC and 17.9% of the NMC (p = 0.732). TII was present in all 50 TPCM, being marked or moderate in 67.9% of the NMC and 54.5% in the MC group (p = 0.503). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of moderate and marked TII had an Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.57 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.18‒1.8) and adjusted OR of 0.68 (95% CI 0.13‒3.99). Study limitations Small sample size. Conclusions TII was present in all TPCM (with and without metastases), and it was not possible to demonstrate a protective effect of TII against the appearance of metastases.

Association between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and sentinel lymph node positivity in thin melanoma

Abstract: Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in thin invasive primary cutaneous melanoma (up to 1mm thick) is a controversial subject. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes could be a factor to be considered in the decision to perform this procedure. Objective: To evaluate the association between the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and lymph node metastases caused by thin primary cutaneous melanoma. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 137 records of thin invasive primary cutaneous melanoma submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsy from 2003 to 2015. The clinical variables considered were age, sex and topography of the lesion. The histopathological variables assessed were: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, melanoma subtype, Breslow thickness, Clark levels, number of mitoses per mm2, ulceration, regression and satellitosis. Univariate analyzes and logistic regression tests were performed as well the odds ratio and statistical relevance was considered when p <0.05. Results: Among the 137 cases of thin primary cutaneous melanoma submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsy, 10 (7.3%) had metastatic involvement. Ulceration on histopathology was positively associated with the presence of metastatic lymph node, with odds ratio =12.8 (2.77-59.4 95% CI, p=0.001). The presence of moderate/marked tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was shown to be a protective factor for the presence of metastatic lymph node, with OR=0.20 (0.05-0.72 95% CI, p=0.014). The other variables - clinical and histopathological - were not associated with the outcome. Study limitations: The relatively small number of positive sentinel lymph node biopsy may explain such an expressive association of ulceration with metastatization. Conclusions: In patients with thin invasive primary cutaneous melanoma, few or absent tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, as well as ulceration, represent independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

Relationship between chronological and bone ages and pubertal stage of breasts with bone biomarkers and bone mineral density in adolescents / Relação entre as idades cronológica e óssea e o estágio puberal das mamas com os biomarcadores ósseos e a densidade mineral óssea em adolescentes

OBJECTIVE: To study bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent females according to five groups of chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), and breast development stage (B), and to correlate these parameters with plasma bone biomarkers (BB). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed in 101 healthy adolescent females between 10 and 20 years old. The study variables were: weight, height, body mass index (BMI), CA, B, BA, calcium intake, BMD, and BB. Osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and C-terminal telopeptide (S-CTx) were evaluated for BB. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: BMD in lumbar spine, proximal femur, and total body increased with age, and the respective observed averages were: in CA1 (10 years old), 0.631, 0.692, 0.798 g/cm2; in CA2 (11 to 12 years old), 0.698, 0.763, 0.840 g/cm2; in CA3 (13 to 14 years old), 0.865, 0.889, 0.972 g/cm2; in CA4 (15 to 16 years old), 0.902, 0.922, 1.013 g/cm2; and in CA5 (17 to 19 years old), 0.944, 0.929, 1.35 g/cm2. These results showed significant differences between 13 and 14 years of age (CA3) or when girls reached the B3 stage (0.709, 0.832, 0.867 g/cm2). The highest median concentrations of BB were between 10 and 12 years of age when adolescents were in the B2-B3 (p < 0.001). Median BB concentrations decreased in advanced BA and B. CONCLUSIONS: BB concentrations were positively correlated with the peak height velocity and negatively correlated with BMD in the study sites. Increased BMD and BB concentrations were observed in B3. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) em adolescentes do sexo feminino de acordo com a idade cronológica (IC), idade óssea (IO) e desenvolvimento das mamas (M) e suas correlações com biomarcadores de remodelação óssea em plasma (BO). MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo transversal prospectivo feito em 101 adolescentes saudáveis do sexo feminino com idade entre 10 e 20 anos. As variáveis estudadas foram: peso, altura, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), IC, IO, M, ingestão de cálcio, DMO e BO. A osteocalcina (OC), fosfatase alcalina óssea (BAP) e o telopeptídeo C terminal (S-CTx) foram os biomarcadores de remodelação óssea avaliados. A DMO foi obtida por absorciometria de raios-X de dupla energia (DXA). RESULTADOS: A DMO de coluna lombar, fêmur proximal e corpo total aumentou com a idade, e as respectivas médias observadas foram: IC1 = 0,631, 0.692, 0,798 g/cm2; IC2, 0,698, 0,763, 0,840 g/cm2; IC3, 0,865, 0,889, 0,972 g/cm2; IC4, 0,902, 0,922, 1,013 g/cm2; e IC5, 0,944, 0,929, 1,35 g/cm2. Observou-se diferença significativa entre 13 e 14 anos (IC3) ou quando as meninas estavam em M3 (0,709, 0,832, 0,867 g/cm2). Os valores dos BO apresentaram elevação entre 10 e 12 anos e quando as adolescentes estavam em M2-M3 (p < 0,001). Os valores das medianas dos BO diminuíram com o avançar da IO e M. CONCLUSÕES: Os BOs mostraram paralelismo com o pico de velocidade de crescimento e demonstraram correlação negativa com a DMO no sítios avaliados. O aumento da DMO e dos BOs foi observado em M3. .

A melanoma risk score in a Brazilian population / Um escore de risco para melanoma em uma população brasileira

BACKGROUND: Important risk factors for cutaneous melanoma (CM) are recognized, but standardized scores for individual assessment must still be developed. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to develop a risk score of CM for a Brazilian sample. METHODS: To verify the estimates of the main risk factors for melanoma, derived from a meta-analysis (Italian-based study), and externally validate them in a population in southern Brazil by means of a case-control study. A total of 117 individuals were evaluated. Different models were constructed combining the summary coefficients of different risk factors, derived from the meta-analysis, multiplied by the corresponding category of each variable for each participant according to a mathematical expression. RESULTS: the variable that best predicted the risk of CM in the studied population was hair color (AUC: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.62-0.79). Other important factors were freckles, sunburn episodes, and skin and eye color. Consideration of other variables such as common nevi, elastosis, family history, and premalignant lesions did not improve the predictive ability of the models. CONCLUSION: The discriminating capacity of the proposed model proved to be superior or comparable to that of previous risk models proposed for CM. .

FUNDAMENTOS: importantes fatores de risco para melanoma cutâneo são reconhecidos, mas escores padronizados para avaliação individual ainda precisam ser elaborados. OBJETIVOS: o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um escore de risco de melanoma cutâneo para uma amostra brasileira. MÉTODOS: verificar as estimativas dos principais fatores de risco para melanoma, derivado de uma meta-análise (estudo de base italiano) e, externamente, validar em uma população do sul do Brasil por um estudo caso-controle. Um total de 117 indivíduos foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: a variável com maior poder preditivo para o risco de melanoma cutâneo na população estudada foi a cor do cabelo (AUC: 0,71, IC 95%: 0,62-0,79). Outros fatores importantes para o modelo foram: sardas, queimaduras solares, e cor de pele e cor dos olhos. Adicionando outras variáveis, como os nevos comuns, elastose, história familiar e lesões pré-malignas não houve melhora da capacidade preditiva. CONCLUSÃO: A capacidade discriminatória do modelo proposto mostrou-se superior ou comparável aos modelos de risco anteriores propostos para melanoma cutâneo. .

Densidade mineral óssea de adolescentes do sexo feminino e suas relações com biomarcadores ósseos / Bone mineral density of female adolescents and their relationships with bone biomarkers

A osteoporose é uma doença que desperta grande interesse dos órgãos de saúde pública devido ao aumento de fraturas por fragilidade dela decorrentes e aos gastos envolvidos em sua reparação. Apresenta prevalência superior a 30% nas mulheres a partir dos 50 anos de idade. Alguns autores relatam que a evidência da osteoporose é resultante do não alcance de um adequado pico de massa óssea obtido nos últimos anos da adolescência. Avaliar a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) de adolescentes do sexo feminino, observando seus valores para cada uma das faixas etárias (FE), idade óssea (IO), estágio de desenvolvimento mamário (M) relacionando-os aos níveis séricos de osteocalcina (OC), fosfatase alcalina óssea (FAO) e telopeptideo carboxiterminal (s-CTX). Estudo transversal prospectivo realizado com 72 adolescentes saudáveis, do sexo feminino, na faixa etária de 9 a 20 anos incompletos e residentes no município de Botucatu-SP. As variáveis estudadas foram: peso, estatura, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), M, IO, ingestão de cálcio, DMO e níveis séricos dos marcadores bioquímicos de remodelação óssea (OC, FAO e s-CTX), coletados no período entre 08h00min e 10h00min, após 12h de jejum. A massa óssea foi mensurada através da DMO, pelo método de Densitometria Óssea por Atenuação de Raios X de Dupla Energia (DXA), realizado em regiões da coluna lombar (L1-L4), fêmur proximal e corpo total. As diferenças estatísticas foram avaliadas utilizando teste ANOVA e Bonferroni com valor de p < 0,05. Para a correlação entre as variáveis DMO, OC, FAO, s-CTX, IC (idade cronológica), IO e IMC foi utilizados o teste de correlação linear de Spearman...

Osteoporosis is an illness that raises great interest of the public health offices due to the increase in fractures due to fragility and the expenses involved in its healing. There is a prevalence of more than 30% in women from 50 years old on. Some authors report that osteoporosis evidence is a result of lacking the adequate peak of bone mass obtained in the late adolescence years. To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) of female adolescents, observing its values for each one of the age groups (AG), bone age (BA), breast development stage (M) relating them to serum Osteocalcin (OC), Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (BAP) and e Carboxi-terminal Telopeptide (s-CTX). A prospective transversal Study performed in 72 female healthy adolescents, group age from 9 to 20 years and dwelling in Botucatu-SP. Studied variables were: weight, height, body mass index, (BMI), M, IO, calcium intake, DMO and serum levels of biochemical markers of bone remodeling (OC, FAO e s-CTX), collected during the morning between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. after 12h of fast. Body mass was measured using DMO by Bone Densitometry method by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), performed in regions of lumbar spine (L1-L4), proximal femur and total body. Statistical differences were evaluated using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests with values of < 0, 05. For the correlation between variables DMO, OC, FAO, s-CTX, IC, IO and IMC Spearman linear correlation test were used...