Evaluation of tumor load in sentinel lymph node in patients with cutaneous melanoma / Avaliação da carga do tumor em linfonodo sentinela nos doentes portadores de melanoma cutâneo

ABSTRACT Introduction: cutaneous melanoma (MC) is a malignant neoplasm derived from melanocytic cells with an aggressive behavior. It is usually associated with the multifactorial interaction of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure, usually ultraviolet radiation. Despite advances in treatment, the disease remains relentless with poor prognosis. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a technique used to screen patients in need of lymph node dissection. Objectives: to correlate the tumor burden in the SLN with the mortality of patients undergoing SLN biopsy. Methodology: the medical records and histological slides of patients with MC who underwent SLN biopsy treated at HC-Unicamp from 2001 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The positive SLN were measured according to the size of the tumor infiltration area, for analysis of the depth of invasion (DI), closest proximity to the capsule (CPC) and tumor burden (TB). For statistical analysis, associations between variables were analyzed using Fishers exact test, with post Bonferroni test and Wilcoxon test. Results: 105 records of patients who underwent SLN biopsy of MC were identified. Of these, nine (8.6%) had positive SLN and 81 (77.1%) had negative SLN. The performed lymphadenectomies resulted in 55.6% (n=5) affected, 22.2% (n=2) without disease and 22.2% (n=2) were not performed. Mean CPC, TB, and DI were 0.14mm, 32.10mm and 2.33mm, respectively. Patients with T2 and T3 tumors were more likely to show the SLN affected (p=0.022). No patient with positive SLN died during follow-up. Conclusion: patients who presented T3 staging are the ones who most presented positive SLN.

RESUMO Introdução: o melanoma cutâneo (MC) é uma neoplasia maligna de comportamento agressivo, derivada das células melanocíticas, geralmente causado pela associação de interação da suscetibilidade genética e a exposição ambiental. A biópsia do linfonodo sentinela (LNS) é um procedimento utilizado para rastreamento de doentes com necessidade ou não de linfadenectomia, diminuindo a exposição do paciente a cirurgias maiores. Objetivos: correlacionar a carga do tumor no LNS com a mortalidade de pacientes com MC. Métodos: foram examinados retrospectivamente prontuários e lâminas histológicas de doentes com MC submetidos a biópsia de LNS atendidos no HC-Unicamp entre o período compreendido de 2001 a 2021. Os LNS positivos foram mensurados quanto ao tamanho da área de infiltração do tumor, para análise da profundidade de invasão (PI), menor proximidade com a cápsula (MPC) e carga do tumor (CT). As associações entre as variáveis foram analisadas pelo teste Exato de Fisher, com pós teste de Bonferroni e Wilcoxon. Resultados: foram identificados 105 pacientes com biópsia de LNS, sendo nove (8,6%) casos com LNS positivo. A média de MDC, CT e PI foram 0,14 mm, 32,10 mm, e 2,33 mm, respectivamente. Doentes com tumores T2 e T3 apresentaram maior chance de acometimento do LNS (p=0,022). Nenhum paciente com LNS positivo foi a óbito durante o acompanhamento. Conclusão: doentes que apresentaram tumores maiores (T2 e T3) apresentaram maior chance de linfonodos sentinelas positivos. Além do tamanho do tumor, a presença de maior carga do tumor demonstrou que os mesmos podem ser beneficiados pela biópsia de LNS.

Use of prophylactic oral calcium after total thyroidectomy: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of prophylactic oral calcium after total thyroidectomy in the prevention of symptomatic hypocalcemia, and to develop a rational strategy of oral calcium supplementation following this type of surgery. Subjects and methods Prospective study including 47 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy from January 2007 to February 2012. The patients were allocated to one of the following groups: I (no postoperative calcium) or II (oral calcium 3 g per day). Oral calcium was started at the first postoperative day and administered until the sixth postoperative day. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months and evaluated with a minimum of five measurements of ionized calcium: preoperative, 16 hours after surgery, seventh postoperative day, and at postoperative days 90 (PO90) and 180 (PO180). The cohort included three men and 44 women, of whom 24 (51.9%) had benign thyroid disease, and 23 had suspected or confirmed malignant disease. Results When compared with Group II, Group I had significantly higher rates of postoperative biochemical hypocalcemia at PO1 and PO180, and of symptomatic hypocalcemia at PO1, PO7, and PO90. Other data were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion We conclude that postoperative calcium supplementation effectively prevents symptomatic and biochemical hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy, and can be safely used after this procedure. The presented strategy of oral calcium supplementation may be implemented in a viable manner.

Cellular Proliferation Index between Carcinoma Ex-Pleomorphic Adenoma and Pleomorphic Adenoma

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) has been considered an interesting model of carcinogenesis, presenting various histological subtypes and invasiveness phase. The objective was to determine the proliferative index of CXPA and comparing to pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Thirty six cases of CXPA (36 PA) and 22 areas of PA in CXPA (residual PA) were studied by Ki-67 expression. All CXPA cases were classified according to invasiveness phase (intracapsular, minimally and frankly invasive) and histopathological subtypes. Data was statistically analyzed by Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. CXPA included 5 intracapsular, 9 minimally invasive and 22 frankly invasive cases. Fifteen cases corresponded to salivary duct carcinoma, 7 to adenocarcinoma NOS, 7 myoepithelial, 5 epithelial-myoepithelial, one case of squamous cell and one case of sarcomatoid carcinoma. The Ki-67 index of PA and residual PA were significantly lower than CXPA. Intracapsular and minimally invasive showed smaller proliferative index than frankly invasive. Considering the subtypes of CXPA, there was not a statistic difference among them. Ki-67 is a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of PA and CXPA, even when in the early invasive phase.

Carcinoma ex adenoma pleomorfo (CXAP) tem sido considerado um interessante modelo de carcinogênese, apresentando vários subtipos histológicos e fases de invasividade. Determinar o índice proliferativo de CXAP e compará-lo ao adenoma pleomorfo (AP). e seis casos de CXAP, 36 AP, e 22 áreas de AP em CXAP (AP residual) foram estudadas através da expressão de Ki-67. Todos os casos de CXAP foram classificados de acordo com a fase de invasividade (intracapsular, minimamente invasivo e francamente invasivo) e de acordo com os diversos subtipos histopatológicos. Os dados foram estatisticamente analisados através dos testes Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. O grupo de CXAP era formado por 5 intracapsulares, 9 minimamente invasivos e 22 francamente invasivos. Quinze casos corresponderam a carcinoma de ducto salivar, 7 a adenocarcinoma nos, 7 a carcinoma mioepitelial, 5 a carcinoma epitelial-mioepitelial, 1 a carcinoma epidermoide e 1 a carcinoma sarcomatóide. Os índices de Ki-67 de AP e AP residual foram significativamente menores que o encontrado em CXAP. Os casos intracapsulares e minimamente invasivos mostraram índices proliferativos menores que os francamente invasivos. Considerando os subtipos histológicos de CXAP, não houve diferença estatística entre eles. Ki-67 é um marcador útil no diagnóstico diferencial de AP e CXAP, mesmo quando o carcinoma está em fase precoce de invasividade.

Inflamatory Changes in Laryngeal Mucosa in Rats Due to Acid, Nitrite and Pepsin Exposition.

Smoking and alcoholism are risk factors for head and neck malignancies. Other possible risk factors for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are gastroesophageal (GER) and pharyngolaryngeal (PLR) refluxes. Objectives: Demonstrate the carcinogenic action of hydrochloric acid on the laryngeal mucosa of Wistar rats, potentialized by pepsin, associated with nitrate applied in the rat laryngeal mucosa, simulating the reflux of the gastric contents to the laryngopharynx. Method: Eighty-two Wistar rats were divided in seven groups and submitted to 2 or 3 weekly applications of hydrochloric acid, pepsin and sodium nitrate to the laryngeal mucosa during 6 months. Results: No dysplasia, intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive carcinomas were seen. Inflammatory changes were observed in varying degrees. Discussion: Several authors demonstrated the cocarcinogenic action of GERD, whose mucosal irritating agent is hydrochloric acid. Conclusion: It is possible that GERD and PLR are co-carcinogenic due to the inflammatory action of hydrochloric acid potentialized by pepsin.

Experimental model of smoking and simulation of reflux with acid and pepsin in rats / Modelo experimental de tabagismo e simulação de refluxo com ácido e pepsina em ratos

PURPOSE: To develop experimental models to evaluate the effects of hydrochloric acid associated with the pepsin instilled in the mucosa of the upper esophagus and the esophagogastric junction of young male rats Wistar, simulating injury caused by gastroesophageal reflux on the mucosa of aero-digestive tract in humans as well as the action of the risk exposure of mucosa to cigarette smoke. METHODS: Fifty young male Wistar rats divided in 5 groups with 10 animals each one, respectively simulating pharyngo-laryngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux, pharyngo-laryngeal reflux and smoking, smoking only, gastroesophageal reflux and control group. RESULTS: The histopathologic studies no recorded neoplasias, only mild changes and no significant alterations. The hemo-oximetry (carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobim) and CO2 concentration confirm that the animals were submitted to high intensity of exposure to carcinogens in tobacco and its derivatives. CONCLUSION: The experimental models were highly efficient, practical, easy to use and economical and can be employed in other similar studies to determine the harmful effects by smoking and reflux.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver modelos experimentais para avaliar os efeitos do ácido clorídrico associado a pepsina, instilados na mucosa da parte superior do esôfago e da junção esofagogástrica de jovens ratos Wistar, simulando lesão causada por refluxo gastroesofágico na mucosa do trato aero-digestivo em humanos, bem como a ação da exposição ao risco de mucosa, como a fumaça de cigarro. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta jovens ratos Wistar divididos em cinco grupos com 10 animais cada um, respectivamente, simulando o refluxo faringo-laríngeo e refluxo gastroesofágico, refluxo faringo-laríngeo e tabagismo, tabagismo só, refluxo gastroesofágico e grupo controle. RESULTADOS: os estudos histopatológicos não registraram neoplasias, apenas leves alterações e não significativas. O hemo-oximetria (carboxiemoglobina e metemoglobina) e concentração de CO2 corroboram que os animais foram submetidos a alta intensidade de exposição a substâncias cancerígenas do tabaco e seus derivados. CONCLUSÃO: os modelos experimentais desenvolvidos foram altamente eficientes, práticos, fáceis de usar e econômicos podendo ser empregados em outros estudos semelhantes para determinar os efeitos prejudiciais causados pelo tabagismo e refluxo.