Epidemiology of cervical cancer in Colombia / Epidemiología del cáncer cervical en Colombia

Objective. To describe the incidence, mortality, time trends and prognostic factors for cervical cancer in Cali, Colombia, and to review the molecular epidemiological evidence showing that HPV is the major and necessary cause of cervical cancer and the implications of this discovery for primary and secondary prevention. Materials and methods. Incidence rates of cervical cancer during a 45-year period (1962-2007) were estimated based on the population-based cancer registry of Cali and the mortality statistics from the Municipal Health Secretariat of Cali. Prognostic factors were estimated based on relative survival. Review of the molecular epidemiological evidence linking HPV to cervical cancer was focused on the studies carried out in Cali and in other countries. Results. Incidence rates of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) declined from 120.4 per 100 000 in 1962-1966 to 25.7 in 2003-2007 while those of adenocarcinoma increased from 4.2 to 5.8. Mortality rates for cervical cancer declined from 18.5 in 1984-1988 to 7.0 per 100 000 in 2009-2011. Survival was lower in women over 65 years of age and in clinical stages 3-4. Review of the molecular epidemiological evidence showed that certain types of HPV are the central and necessary cause of cervical cancer. Conclusions. A decline in the incidence and mortality of SCC and an increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma during a 45-year period was documented in Cali, Colombia.

Objetivos. Describir la tendencia temporal de la incidencia, mortalidad y los factores pronósticos del cáncer de cuello uterino en Cali, Colombia, y revisar la evidencia epidemiológica molecular que muestra que el VPH es la causa principal y necesaria del cáncer cervical y las implicaciones de este descubrimiento para la prevención primaria y secundaria. Material y métodos. Se estimaron las tasas de incidencia de cáncer de cuello uterino durante un periodo de 45 años (1962-2007) con la información del registro poblacional de cáncer de Cali y las de mortalidad con las estadísticas de la Secretaría de Salud Municipal de Cali. Los factores pronósticos se estimaron sobre la base de la supervivencia relativa. La revisión de la evidencia epidemiológica molecular que une el VPH con el cáncer cervical se centró en los estudios llevados a cabo en Cali y en otros países. Resultados. Las tasas de incidencia de carcinoma de células escamosas (SCC) por 100000 se redujeron desde 120.4 en 1962-66 a 25.7 en 2003-07, mientras que las de adenocarcinoma aumentaron desde 4.2 hasta 5.8. Las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino por 100000 se redujeron desde 18.5 en 1984-88 a 7.0 en 2009-11. La supervivencia fue menor en las mujeres de más de 65 años de edad y en los estadios clínicos 3-4. La revisión de la evidencia epidemiológica molecular mostró que ciertos tipos de VPH son la causa central y necesaria del cáncer cervical. Conclusiones. Se documentó la disminución de la incidencia y la mortalidad por SCC y un aumento en la incidencia de adenocarcinoma durante un periodo de 45 años en Cali, Colombia.

Cost analysis of different cervical cancer screening strategies in Mexico / Análisis de costos de distintas estrategias de tamizaje para cáncer cervical en México

Objective. To compare the costs and number of undetected cases of four cervical cancer screening strategies (CCSS) in Mexico. Materials and methods. We estimated the costs and outcomes of the following CCSS: a) conventional Papanicolaou smear (Pap) alone; b) high-risk human papilloma virus testing (HR-HPV) as primary screening with Pap as reflex triage; c) HR-HPV as primary screening with HPV-16/18 typing, liquid-based cytology (LBC) and immunostaining for p16/Ki67 testing as reflex triage, and d) co-testing with HR-HPV and LBC with HPV-16/18 typing and immunostaining for p16/Ki67 as reflex triage. The outcome of interest was high-grade cervical lesions or cervical cancer. Results. HR-HPV testing, HPV typing, LBC testing and immunostaining is the best alternative because it is the least expensive option with an acceptable number of missed cases. Conclusions. The opportunity costs of a poor quality CCSS is many false negatives. Combining multiple tests may be a more cost-effective way to screen for cervical cancer in Mexico.

Objetivo. Comparar los costos y los casos no detectados de cuatro estrategias de tamizaje de cáncer cervical (ETCC) en México. Material y métodos. Se estimaron los costos y resultados en salud de las siguientes ETCC: a) citología convencional como único procedimiento de tamizaje; b) detección de virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo (VPH-AR) como tamizaje primario y citología convencional como procedimiento de triage; c) detección de VPH-AR como tamizaje primario y tipificación de VPH-16/18, citología en base líquida e inmunotinción para p16/Ki67 como procedimientos de triage, y d) evaluación conjunta con VPH-AR y citología en base líquida como tamizaje primario y tipificación de VPH-16/18 e inmunotinción para p16/Ki67 como procedimientos de triage. El resultado en salud analizado fueron los casos de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (CIN 2/3) o cáncer cervical detectados. Resultados. La ETCC basada en la detección de VPH-AR como prueba primaria y seguida de la tipificación de VPH-16/18, la citología en base líquida y la inmunotinción para p16/Ki67 como procedimientos de triage es la mejor alternativa, ya que es la menos costosa y la que tuvo un nivel aceptable de casos perdidos. Conclusiones. El costo de oportunidad de una ETCC de mala calidad es un alto número de falsos negativos. La combinación seriada de varias pruebas de tamizaje y triage puede ser una alternativa costo-efectiva para la detección oportuna de cáncer cervical en México.

Dieta y cáncer gástrico en México y en el mundo / Diet and gastric cancer in Mexico and in the world

El cáncer gástrico (CG) es la cuarta causa de muerte por cáncer a nivel global. La dieta y el consumo de alcohol y tabaco, además de la infección por Helicobacter pylori determinan un gran número de casos de esta neoplasia. Algunos alimentos contienen sustancias que podrían influir en el proceso de carcinogénesis gástrica, aunque los mecanismos subyacentes no están completamente dilucidados. En México y el mundo, la disminución en el consumo de frutas, vegetales no feculentos y allium, leguminosas y alimentos fuente de selenio, así como el aumento en el consumo de sal, alimentos salados, salmuera y ahumados, chile, carnes procesadas y asadas o a la parrilla se han asociado respectivamente con un aumento de riesgo de CG. Con la evidencia disponible, se podrían desarrollar y evaluar programas para la prevención y control del CG.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourt leading cause of cancer death at global level. Diet, alcohol and tobacco, in addition to Helicobacter pylori infection, account for a large number of cases. Some substances contained in foods may influence GC carcinogenesis process; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In Mexico and worldwide, a low intake of fruits, non-starchy and allium vegetables, pulses, and foods containing selenium, as well as high intake of salt, salty, salted and smoked foods, chili pepper, processed and grilled/barbecued meats, have been respectively associated with an increased risk of GC. Based on the available evidence, programs for GC prevention and control could be developed and evaluated.

Protective effect of safranal against hexachlorobutadiene-induced nephrotoxicity in rat

Hexachlorobutadiene [HCBD] is a potent nephrotoxin in rodents, which can cause degeneration, necrosis and regeneration in renal tubular epithelial cells. It has been shown that safranal, the active ingredient of saffron, has a protective effect against ischemic injuries. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of safranal against HCBD-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Method: Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided in five groups. The rats received a single dose of corn oil 1ml/kg [group1], HCBD 50mg/kg [group 2], or safranal at doses of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 ml/kg one hour before HCBD [50mg/kg] injection [groups 3-5]. All injections were carried out intraperitoneally. Urine samples were collected one day before, and one day after injections. On day 3 the animals were sacrificed and both kidneys were removed. The right kidney was fixed in formalin for histological examination and the left kidney was homogenized for measuring malondialdehyde [MDA]. Blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture and used for the measurement of urea, creatinine, glucose and protein concentrations. Blood urea concentration in HCBD treated group was significantly higher compared with group 3 [p<0.01] and groups 1 and 4 [p<0.001]. There was no significant difference in urea concen-trations between group 5 and HCBD treated group. Urinary concentration of glucose was significantly higher in group 2, compared with groups 1, 3 and 4 [p<0.001] No significant differences were observed in urinary glucose concentrations between HCBD- and safranal [0.1ml/kg]-treated groups. Concentration of protein was also significantly higher in group 5 than those of other tested groups [p<0.001]. Safranal at doses of 0.25 and 0.5ml/kg has a protective effect against HCBD-induced nephrotoxicity in rats