Overall survival prediction in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with radium-223

ABSTRACT Objective Radium-223(223Ra) is indicated for patients (p) with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRCP). Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of baseline clinical variables associated with overall survival (OS) and toxicity of 223Ra. Its purpose was to identify the factors that can predict a better response to treatment and provide information regarding the most appropriate time for the application of 223Ra. Materials and Methods Prospective study in 40p with mCRPC treated with 223Ra. End points were OS, progression-free survival and time to progression. The follow-up parameters were: doses received, hemoglobin (Hb), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), platelet count (PC), prostate specific antigen (PSA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and WHO's Cancer Pain Ladder. The use of other treatments was also evaluated. Results Median OS was 17.1 months(mo) (CI95%6.5-27.7); 26/40p received complete treatment of 223Ra, without reaching a median OS and 14p received incomplete treatment with a median OS 13.6mo(CI95%1.6-25.6). Median follow-up was 11.2mo (range:1.3-45.2). The univariate analysis showed that factors as VAS, ECOG, Hb and ALP values were independently associated with OS. First line treatment with 223Ra was started in 11/40p, while 19p had been heavily pre-treated and 13p received concomitant treatment. Conclusions 223Ra therapy require an adequate selection of patients to obtain the greatest clinical benefit. Low basal Hb, hight basal ALP, bone marrow involvement and an altered ECOG were the main factors that decreased OS in our patients. 223Ra should be considered relatively early in the course of treatment.

Carcinoma córtico-adrenal: revisión de la literatura / Adrenal-cortical carcinoma: a review of the literature

El carcinoma córtico-adrenal es una entidad que se presenta raras veces; su evolución es agresiva, con una alta probabilidad de recaída y una supervivencia a 5 años que no supera el 60%. El único tratamiento curativo es la cirugía, siempre y cuando esta sea completa y a los pacientes se los diagnostique en estadios tempranos. Otras intervenciones que se pueden brindar son la radioterapia, la quimioterapia y el control de secreción hormonal en el contexto adyuvante o paliativo. En algunos casos (síndrome de Cushing) el bloqueo hormonal previo a la cirugía es imperativo. En esta revisión se describen la patogénesis, el diagnóstico, los factores pronósticos y el tratamiento del carcinoma córtico-adrenal, con el propósito de guiar el enfoque diagnóstico y el tratamiento.

Adrenal-cortical carcinoma is a rarely occurring entity; it evolves aggressively, has a high probability of relapse and survival at 5 years does not surpass 60%. Surgery provides the only curative treatment, but only when it is complete and carried out on patients with early-stage diagnosis. Additional treatments that may be used include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and control of hormonal secretion in an adjuvant or palliative context. In some cases (Cushing´s syndrome), it is imperative to provide hormonal block before surgery. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognostic factors and treatment of adrenal-cortical carcinoma are described in this review in order to sharpen the focus on diagnosis and treatment.

Tratamiento oncológico del angiosarcoma cutáneo: revisión de la literatura / Oncologic treatment of cutaneous angiosarcoma: review of the literature

El hemangiosarcoma cutáneo es una enfermedad maligna rara de origen vascular, y corresponde a menos del 1% de todas las malignidades y al 2% de todos los sarcomas de tejidos blandos. Su presentación usual es en el rostro y en la región del cuero cabelludo; al momento de diagnosticarse ya es una enfermedad avanzada. Afecta a menudo al anciano del género masculino y de raza blanca. El tratamiento oncológico se basa en la resección quirúrgica, la radioterapia y la quimioterapia, dado el alto riesgo tanto de recaída local como de diseminación hematológica con intención paliativa. Las tasas de control locorregional a 5 años son, aproximadamente, del 40% al 50%, las tasas de supervivencia libre de metástasis a distancia a 5 años están en el rango del 20% al 40%, y las tasas de supervivencia a 5 años se encuentran entre el 10% y el 30%.

Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma is a rare malignant disease of vascular origin which accounts for less than 1% of all malignancies and 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. It most frequently affects elderly white males, and is usually found on the face and scalp; at diagnosis it tends to be advanced. Oncologic treatment is based upon surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy due to the high risk of local relapse as well as to hematologic dissemination with palliative intention. Loco-regional control rates at 5 years range from 40% to 50%, metastasis-free survival rates at 5 years are from 20% to 40%, and survival rates at 5 years from 10% to 30%.

Lupus eritematoso sistémico con anticuerpos antinucleares negativos y anemia hemolítica / Systemic lupus erythematosus with negative antinuclear antibodies and hemolytic anemia

El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune multisistémica, con exacerbaciones y remisiones o con actividad perenne, que conlleva al desarrollo de daño orgánico. Debido a las múltiples formas de presentación y la variedad de órganos que pueden estar comprometidos, el diagnóstico del LES siempre ha sido un reto. A continuación presentamos el caso de una paciente con diagnóstico de LES, en quien su principal manifestación de la enfermedad fue hematológica y los anticuerpos antinucleares (ANA) son negativos y los anticuerpos anti-Ro son positivos. Los ANA han sido utilizado como marcadores de LES y hacen parte de los criterios de clasificación propuestos por el American College of Rheumatology (ACR) para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Existe, sin embargo, controversia de si algunos pacientes que cumplen criterios ACR, pero con ANA negativos, si puedan ser rotulados como LES. Existen pocos reportes de caso al respecto (Acta Med Colomb 2010; 35: 179-182).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease, with exacerbations and remissions or perennial activity wich in time develops organ damage. Because of the multiple forms of presentation and the variety of organs that may be involved, the diagnosis of SLE has always been a challenge. We present the case of a patient with lupus in whom the main manifestation of the disease was hematologic, and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were negative. ANA have been used as markers of SLE and are part of the classification criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for the diagnosis of the disease. There is, however, controversy over whether some patients who met ACR criteria, but had negative ANAs, can be labeled as SLE. There are few case reports in this regard (Acta Med Colomb 2010; 35: 179-182).

Niveles de fósforo en suero como marcador pronóstico en el postrasplante de hígado inmediato / Serum phosphorus levels as a prognosis marker in liver transplantation

Introducción. Los niveles de fósforo se relacionan con el pronóstico en pacientes con falla hepática, hepatectomía, intoxicación por acetaminofén y trasplante hepático (TH).Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento del fósforo sérico en el postrasplante, en pacientes que recibieron trasplante de hígado (TOH).Materiales y métodos. Se revisaron las historias de pacientes a quienes se les realizó TOH entre febrero del 2004 y del 2007. Se midieron los valores de fósforo, variables metabólicas y demográficas. Se evaluó la supervivencia de los pacientes. Resultados. Hay asociación entre los niveles de fósforo en las primeras 72 horas y la supervivencia del injerto y el paciente. Los pacientes y los injertos con niveles de fósforo menores de 2,5 a las 24 horas del postrasplante tuvieron mayor supervivencia al alta. Discusión. La utilización del fósforo es necesaria en el injerto que ha iniciado una actividad adecuada para la formación de ATP. Conclusiones. Niveles bajos o normales de fósforo a las 24 horas, se asocian con mayor supervivencia.

Introduction. Phosphorus levels are related to the prognosis in patients with liver failure, hepatectomy, acetaminophen poisoning and liver transplantation (HT).Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the behavior of phosphorus serum levels of patients receiving liver transplantation (TOH) in the first 72 hours of the procedure and survival. Materials and Methods. Phosphorus serum levels were measured, as well as metabolic and demographic variables. We evaluated the survival of the patients. Results. There is association between phosphorus levels in the first 72 hours and graft survival and patients. Patients with grafts and phosphorus levels under 2.5 to 24 hours after liver transplantation had higher survival at discharge. Discussion. The use of phosphorus is necessary for the graft which has initiated an activity suitable for the formation of ATP. Conclusion. Normal or low levels of phosphorus at 24 hours are associated with higher survival of the patients after a TH.