Tissue-based molecular markers in upper tract urothelial carcinoma and their prognostic implications

ABSTRACT Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare and aggressive disease that is associated with high rates of recurrence and death. Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with excision of the bladder cuff is considered the standard of care for high-risk UTUC, whereas kidney-sparing techniques can be indicated for select patients with low-risk disease. There is a significant lack of clinical and pathological prognostic factors for stratifying patients with regard to making treatment decisions. Incorporation of tissue-based molecular markers into prognostic tools could help accurately stratify patients for clinical decision-making in this heterogeneous disease. Although the number of studies on tissue-based markers in UTUC has risen dramatically in the past several years—many of which are based on single centers and small cohorts, with a low level of evidence—many discrepancies remain between their results. Nevertheless, certain biomarkers are promising tools, necessitating prospective multi-institution studies to validate their function.

Assessment of suicidal behavior and factors associated with a diagnosis of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of suicide risk in a group of patients who have been diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PC) and to identify the factors that affect suicidal behavior. METHODS: Patients from a tertiary care oncology center in São Paulo, Brazil participated in this study and were interviewed after being diagnosed with low-risk or intermediate-risk PC, per the D'Amico risk classification, between September 2015 and March 2016. Patients underwent suicide risk assessment sessions using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the CAGE substance abuse screening tool before they started treatment and surveillance. Psychiatric treatment history, family history of suicidal behavior, and the use of psychotropic drugs were also examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicide risk among 250 patients who were recently diagnosed with low-risk or intermediate-risk PC was 4.8%. According to the HADS, 10.8% and 6.8% of patients had a positive score anxiety and for depression, respectively. Alcoholism was suspected in 2.8% of the group. Suicide risk was associated with anxiety (p=0.001); depression (p=0.005); being divorced, separated, widowed, or single (p=0.045); living alone (p=0.028); and prior psychological treatment (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: After being diagnosed with PC, patients who display risk factors for suicide should be monitored by a mental health team.

Síndrome de Ogilvie associada ao hérpes zóster / Ogilvie's syndrome associated with hespes zoster

Sir Heneage Ogilvie descresveu, em 1948, a síndrome que leva o seu nome. Desde então muitos casos foram relatados na literatura e várias denominações utilizadas, sendo a pseudo-obstrução aguda do cólon a mais empregada em nosso meio. Apresenta baixa prevalência, resolução geralmente espontânea, mas pode ter complicações graves, como necrose e perfuração de ceco. O caso aqui apresentado mostra o aparecimento da pseudo-obstrução aguda do cólon simultaneamente ao herpes zóster em uma paciente previamente hígida, que não apresentava outro fator predisponente ao desenvolvimento de síndrome de Ogilvie. Além disso, a melhora da dilatação do cólon coincidiu com a resolução das lesões de pele. Estes fatos, reforçados por outros casos relatados na literatura, sugerem a participação do herpes zóster na etiologia da síndrome de Ogilvie