Manejo de la neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional. A propósito de un caso

La enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional es definida como un grupo heterogéneo de lesiones, las cuales surgen a partir del epitelio trofoblástico de la placenta luego de una fertilización anormal. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 35 años de edad, con diagnóstico de neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional posmolar en etapa I, que se detectó tras estudios imagenológicos de seguimiento y determinación de la hormona gonadotropina coriónica humana, para lo cual llevó tratamiento con quimioterapia y terapéutica de mantenimiento con metotrexato por 5 días o metotrexato/ácido folínico por 8 días, hasta la normalización de la gonadotropina coriónica humana. Lo más relevante es que, aunque estos tumores abarcan menos del 1 % de los tumores ginecológicos, representan una amenaza para la vida de las mujeres en edad reproductiva.

Gestational trophoblastic disease is defined as a heterogeneous group of lesions, which arise from the trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta after abnormal fertilization. The case of a 35-year-old female patient is presented with a diagnosis of posmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in stage I, which was detected after follow-up imaging studies and determination of human chorionic gonadotropin, for which she underwent chemotherapy treatment and maintenance therapy with methotrexate for 5 days or methotrexate/folinic acid for 8 days, until normalization of human chorionic gonadotropin The most relevant thing is that, although these tumors comprise less than 1% of gynecological tumors, they represent a threat to the life of women of reproductive age.

Manifestaciones mucocutáneas de intoxicación por metotrexato / 4pp Mucocutaneous manifestations of methotrexate toxicity

El metotrexato es un antimetabolito análogo al ácido fólico que inhibe competitivamente la enzima dihidrofolato reductasa y timidilato sintetasa, indispensables para la síntesis de ADN y ARN. Se utiliza ampliamente en dermatología y sus efectos adversos en la piel y mucosas son variados, incluyendo reacciones leves y graves. Las erosiones y úlceras cutáneas como manifestación de citotoxicidad por metotrexato son infrecuentes y representarían un signo cutáneo temprano de pancitopenia por toxicidad medular secundaria a dicha droga. En la mayoría de los casos existen enfermedades cutáneas previas a la ulceración, principalmente psoriasis. En ausencia de dermatitis subyacente, la presencia de ulceraciones es excepcional. Se presentan ocho casos de pacientes con signos cutáneos de intoxicación por metotrexato, con y sin dermatosis previas. En la mayoría hubo asociación de mucositis y compromiso medular. Se recomiendan pautas de tratamiento.

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite analog to folic acid that competitively inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase, essential for the synthesis of DNA and RNA. It is widely used in dermatology and its adverse effects on the skin and mucous membranes are varied, including mild and severe reactions. The appearance of erosions and skin ulcers as a manifestation of methotrexate cytotoxicity are quite infrequent. These would represent an early cutaneous sign of pancytopenia due to marrow toxicity secondary to this drug. In most of the cases there are cutaneous diseases prior to ulceration, mainly psoriasis. In the absence of underlying dermatitis, the presence of ulcerations is very rare. We present eight cases of patients with cutaneous signs of methotrexate poisoning, with and without previous dermatoses. Most of them associated mucositis and bone marrow involvement. Treatment guidelines are recommended.

Falla de la profilaxis con cotrimoxazol para la neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci con el uso concomitante de leucovorina: Reporte de un caso / Failure of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia with concomitant use of leucovorin: Case report

The concomitant use of leucovorin and cotrimoxazole in PCP can lead to therapeutic failure and increased risk of death due to antagonism. It is important to keep this possible antagonistic interaction in mind even during prophylaxis. This paper presents a case with this failure outcome.

Clinical and epidemiological evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer from Rio Grande do Sul

Colorectal cancer has a high incidence in Brazil, with the South and Southeast regions presenting the largest number of cases. OBJECTIVE: Identify the epidemiological characteristics and the regimens used as first-line treatment of patients with colorectal cancer treated at a cancer center in Santa Cruz do Sul (RS, Brazil) from 2006 to 2011. METHODS: The records of 130 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnic group, stage of disease, primary site of disease and first-line treatment, were evaluated. The association of significance was evaluated using the chi-square and Fischer exact tests. The confidence interval used was 95% (p<0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of patients with colorectal cancer in this study was 60.8 years, with higher incidence of the disease in men. At diagnosis, 40% of the patients had advanced disease stage IV. The regimen of 5-fluorouracil/folic acid (68.5%) was used as first-line treatment. CONCLUSION: This study showed high prevalence of colorectal cancer in patients of advanced age with the diagnosis made in the later stage of the disease. This fact demonstrates the importance of prevention campaigns that encourage periodic examinations in patients over 50 years of age. (AU)

No Brasil, o câncer colorretal apresenta uma elevada incidência, sendo as Regiões Sul e Sudeste as com maior número de casos. OBJETIVO: Identificar as características epidemiológicas e os esquemas terapêuticos utilizados como primo-tratamento dos pacientes portadores de câncer colorretal atendidos em um centro especializado em oncologia em Santa Cruz do Sul (RS) no período de 2006 a 2011. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 130 prontuários de pacientes portadores de câncer colorretal. Características clínicas e epidemiológicas como idade, sexo, cor da pele, estádio da doença, sítio primário da doença e primo-tratamento foram avaliadas. A associação de significância foi avaliada pelos testes do qui-quadrado e exato de Fischer. O intervalo de confiança utilizado foi de 95% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes encontrada neste estudo foi de 60,8 anos com incidência maior da doença entre os homens. No momento do diagnóstico, 40% dos pacientes estavam com a doença no estádio IV. Como primo-tratamento o esquema terapêutico mais utilizado foi o 5-fluoracil/ácido folínico (68,5%). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo ratificou a alta prevalência do câncer colorretal em pacientes com idade mais avançada, com o diagnóstico realizado na fase mais avançada da doença. Esse fato evidencia a importância da realização de campanhas de prevenção que estimulem a realização de exames periódicos nos pacientes com idade acima de 50 anos. (AU)