Tumores Neuroendocrinos: un desafío transversal / Update on neuroendocrine tumors

Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) encompass a wide variety of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells, which produce bioactive substances. The incidence of NETs increased significantly lately, becoming one of the most common tumors of the digestive tract. Their clinical presentation is as diverse as their capacity for hormone production. Carcinoid syndrome is the most common hormonal syndrome produced by NETs and is characterized by diarrhea, flushing and cardiac valvular lesions. New research brought multiple changes in the classification of these neoplasms and a new understanding about their diagnosis and treatment, promoting a multidisciplinary approach. Somatostatin analogues, radiation, biological, and cytotoxic drugs have improved the prognosis of these patients, which entails a great challenge for healthcare providers.

Cardiotoxicidad inducida por tratamientos oncológicos: fundamentos para la implementación de equipos de Cardio-Oncología / Cardiotoxicity of anticancer therapies: towards the implementation of cardio-oncology units

Recently, we have witnessed major improvements in cancer treatment. Early diagnosis and development of new therapies have reduced cancer-related mortality. However, these new therapies, along with greater patient survival, are associated with an increase in untoward effects, particularly in the cardiovascular system. Although cardiotoxicity induced by oncologic treatments affects predominantly the myocardium, it can also involve other structures of the cardiovascular system, becoming one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in those who survive cancer. The main objective of cardio-oncology is to achieve the maximum benefits of oncologic treatments while minimizing their deleterious cardiovascular effects. It harbors the stratification of patients at risk of cardiotoxicity, the implementation of diagnostic tools (imaging techniques and biomarkers) for early diagnosis, preventive strategies and early treatment options for the complications. Herein, we discuss the basic knowledge for the implementation of cardio-oncology units and their role in the management of cancer patients, the diagnostic tools available to detect cardiotoxicity and the present therapeutic options.

Beneficio de la quimioterapia adyuvante en pacientes con cáncer de colon: cohorte retrospectiva de un hospital clínico universitario / Benefit of adjuvant 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy for colon cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of adjuvant 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for patients with resectable colon cancer (CC), especially in stage III. Aim: To describe the clinical characteristics of a cohort of CC patients treated at a single university hospital in Chile since 2002, and to investigate if chemotherapy had an effect on survival rates. Material and Methods: Review of a tumor registry of the hospital. Medical records of patients with CC treated between 2002 and 2012 were reviewed. Death certificates from the National Identification Service were used to determine mortality. Overall survival was described using the Kaplan-Meier method. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was also used. Results: A total of 370 patients were treated during the study period (202 in stage II and 168 in stage III). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 22 and 70% of patients in stage II and III respectively. The median follow-up period was 4.6 years. The 5-year survival rate for stage II patients was 79% and there was no benefit observed with adjuvant chemotherapy. For stage III patients, the 5-year survival rate was 81% for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, compared to 56% for those who did not receive chemotherapy (hazard ratio (HR): 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.56). The benefit of chemotherapy was found to persist after adjustment for other prognostic variables (HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.94).Conclusions: Patients with colon cancer in stage III who received adjuvant chemotherapy had a better overall survival.

Participación de las madres en el cuidado de los recién nacidos internados en un servicio de neonatología que aplica el modelo de maternidad centrada en la familia / Participation of mothers in the care of newborns admitted to a neonatal model applying family-centered maternity

La participación activa de las madres en las unidades de terapia intensiva neonatales es beneficiosa para sus recién nacidos, mejora su crecimiento, disminuye el riesgo de infecciones y se asocia con mayor producción de leche humana. El objetivo de este estudio fue cuantificar las actividades que desarrollan las madres dentro de la unidad y estimar la reducción del tiempo de enfermería atribuible a su presencia. Diseño: Transversal, descriptivo. Resultados: Durante una semana las madres realizaron 798 prácticas a las que se les podrían atribuir 75 horas y 23 minutos (percentilos 10-90: 16 -123 hs) de trabajo de enfermería. Conclusión: Este estudio permitió conocer y cuantificar las principales actividades asociadas al cuidado de las madres de los niños internados y se logró una reducción en la carga de trabajo de enfermería equivalente a más de 12 turnos de enfermería de 6 hs en una semana.

Active mothers participation in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) is beneficial for their babies, improving body growth, reducing the risk of infections and is associated with increased production of human milk. The objective of this study was to quantify the activities that mothers do within the unit in the care of their babies and to estimate the reduction of nursing time attributable to their presence. Design: Descriptive, cross section. Results: During a week, mothers conducted 798 practices with an estimate of 75 hours and 23 minutes (Percentiles 10-90: 16 -123 hours) of nursing work. Conclusion: This study allowed us to know and quantify the main activities that mothers perform in the care of their own babies staying in the NICU, This activities represent a reduction in nursing workload equivalent to more than 12 nursing shifts of 6 hours in a week.

Radio-quimioterapia postoperatoria en cáncer gástrico localmente avanzado / Postoperative radio-chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer

Background: Overall 5 years survival for surgically excised gastric cancer is 30 percent. Adjuvant treatment may improve the surgical results. Aim: To assess treatment results and toxicity in patients with surgically excised gastric cancer, treated with adjuvant radiotherapy and concomitant continuous 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Material and Methods: Forty one patients aged 32 to 73 years (29 males) with stage II-IVA gastric cancer, subjected to a total or subtotal gastrectomy and D2 nodal dissection between 1997 to 2006, were studied. They received adjuvant radiotherapy to the gastric bed and draining lymphatic nodes in a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions and chemotherapy with continuous infusión 5-FU, 200 mg/m²/day. Results were compared to historical controls matched according to demographic parameters and tumor characteristics. Results: Eighteen patients were in stage II, 10 in stage IIIA, nine in stage IIIB and four in stage IVA. Twelve patients had an NO nodal status, 15 were NI, nine were N2 and five were N3. After a mean follow up of 32 months, 26 patients (63 percent) were alive. Five year overall survival was 49.6 percent for surgery plus radiochemotherapy compared to 30.7 percent for the historical group subjected only to surgery (p =0.002). Radiotherapy was associated with grade 1-2 toxicity and treatment was completed without interruptions in all patients. Chemotherapy was delayed temporarily in 3 patients. Conclusions: Adjuvant radio-chemotherapy improved overall survival in gastric cancer, compared to historical controls subjected only to surgical treatment.

Osteomielite hematogênica aguda / Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis

As infecções osteoarticulares são consideradas uma emrgência médica e os pacientes com tal afecção devem ser hospitalizados e investigados de imediato, pois as horas de evolução são valiosas no que diz respeito ao diagnósstico precoce e ao início do tratamento. O terno osteomielite designa a infecção óssea de um modo geral e pode ser aguda ou crônica.

Nuevas alternativas en el tratamiento del cancer gástrico avanzado / Treatment of advanced gastric cancer with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/ leucovorin (FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy)

Background: Chemotherapy improves survival in advanced gastric cancer. However the most active combinations have a high level of toxicity that limits their use. Aim: To assess the response, toxicity and survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer, treated with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy). Material and methods: Patients with stage IVgastric cancer, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer or with relapsed disease and functional capacity 0-2 of the South West Oncology Group, were included. FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was used as first or second line treatment. The response to treatment and survival were assessed. Results: Between 2003 and 2006, 29 patients (median age 52.5 years, 69 percent males) were treated. FOLFOX-4 was given as first line treatment in 65 percent patients and as second line in 35 percent. There was a complete response in 4.6 percent, partial response in 68 percent, stable disease in 20.6 percent and progression in 6.8 percent. Toxicity was observed in 51 percent of patients, that was hematological and non hematological grade 3/4 in 14 percent. Median survival was 12.5 months. Conclusions: FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy was active in advanced gastric cancer and had a low level of toxicity.