Retalho miocutâneo inferior pediculado do músculo trapézio nas reconstruções após cirurgias oncológicas de cabeça e pescoço, e tórax / Lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap in head, neck, and chest reconstructions after cancer surgeries

INTRODUÇÃO: Revisão da literatura sobre o retalho miocutâneo inferior do músculo trapézio, apresentando suas vantagens, técnica cirúrgica e complicações. MÉTODOS: Estudo de 19 casos tratados no INCA, através de técnica específica, e comparação dos dados com a literatura internacional. RESULTADOS: Todas as reconstruções atingiram seus objetivos, com correção dos defeitos em partes moles e pele. O efeito estético foi considerado bom pelos pacientes e pela equipe médica. Foi observada uma taxa de 21% de complicações. Não houve necrose ou infecção nos retalhos. Em relação às funções, 89,5% apresentaram função motora preservada e 10,5%, déficit funcional por acometimento tumoral do nervo acessório. CONCLUSÃO: A despeito do aprimoramento contínuo das técnicas microcirúrgicas, os retalhos miocutâneos pediculados ainda encontram indicações nas reconstruções após ressecções oncológicas alargadas. O retalho miocutâneo inferior do músculo trapézio é uma alternativa segura e aplicável para as reconstruções de partes moles das regiões cervicais lateral e posterior, da região lateral da cabeça, da região do ombro e para as regiões paraespinhal superior e paraescapulares.

INTRODUCTION: In this article, we present a literature review on the lower myocutaneous trapezius flap, and report its advantages, surgical technique, and complications. METHODS: We studied 19 patients treated at INCA with a specific technique, and compared the outcomes with those reported in the international literature. RESULTS: All reconstructions achieved the procedural objectives, and the defects of soft tissues and skin were repaired. The aesthetic outcome was considered satisfactory by the patients and medical staff. The rate of complications was 21%. No necrosis or signs of infection were detected in the flaps. Concerning the functions, 89.5% of patients preserved their motor function, whereas reduced functional movements were observed in 10.5% of the patients due to tumor invasion to the accessory nerve. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the continuous advancements in microsurgical techniques, pedicle myocutaneous flaps are still indicated for reconstruction procedures after extended cancer resections. The use of the lower trapezius myocutaneous flap is safe and represents a suitable option for the reconstruction of soft tissues of the lateral and posterior cervical regions, side of the head, shoulder, and upper paravertebral and parascapular regions.

Carcinoma de células de Merkel: apresentação clínica, fatores prognósticos, tratamento e sobrevida de 32 pacientes / Merk cell carcinoma: clinical presentation, prognostic factors, treatment and survival in 32 patients

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma de células de Merkel é uma rara neoplasia cutânea primária neuroendócrina agressiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes acometidos com carcinoma de células de Merkel, as características clínicas da neoplasia, o tempo até o início do tratamento, a sobrevida e as causas de morte. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, 32 pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células de Merkel. A história clínica e o estadiamento dos pacientes foram correlacionados em 1 ano e 2 anos de sobrevida. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes (69%) era do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 72 anos e 93% de pele clara. A localização mais acometida era cabeça e pescoço, seguida de tronco e membros. Outras neoplasias foram encontradas em 6 pacientes. O tempo médio entre o surgimento dos sinais/sintomas e o tratamento especializado foi de 12,2 meses, com acometimento de linfonodos regionais em 13 (40%) pacientes e metástases à distância em 4 (12%). Após o tratamento especializado, observou-se sobrevida em 1 ano de 53% e em 2 anos, de 47%. Tumor < 2 cm foi indicativo de melhor prognóstico. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico tardio contribuiu para a alta taxa de letalidade da doença, em decorrência da rápida progressão local e à distância.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive, malignant primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, the clinical characteristics of the tumor, time between manifestation of signs and symptoms and initiation of treatment, survival and causes of death. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with Merkel cell carcinoma were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical history and staging were correlated with 1 and 2-year survival. RESULTS: Most patients (69%) were female, mean age was 72 years and 93% were fair-skinned. The most commonly affected sites were the head/neck, trunk and limbs. Other malignancies were found in 6 patients. Mean time between the appearance of signs/symptoms and initiation of specialist treatment was 12.2 months, with regional lymph nodes being affected at that time in 13 (40%) cases and distant metastases being present in 4 (12%). Following specialist treatment, 1 and 2-year survival was 53% and 47%, respectively. Tumor size < 2 cm was indicative of more favorable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Late diagnosis contributed to high lethality due to rapid local and distant progression of the disease.

Aggressive surgical approach to treat Gallbladder cancer: is it worth it?

The treatment of locally advanced gallbladder cancer has shifted in the past years, leading to a more aggressive surgical approach. We report a case of a 61-year-old woman diagnosed as having a locally advanced gallbladder cancer who was submitted to an aggressive surgical procedure in order to achieve complete resection (R0 resection). At laparotomy, a huge gallbladder tumor was seen with gross invasion of the transverse colon, distal part of stomach, pancreatic head, duodenum and liver. No distant metastases were seen. Surgical approach consisted in an en bloc tumor resection, including pancreatoduodenectomy, distal gastrectomy, right colectomy, hepatic resection (segments IVb, V and VI) and radical lymphadenectomy. The final pathology report revealed adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder with invasion to the nearby organs (liver, stomach, duodenum, head of the pancreas and colon) and no lymph nodes metastases (T4N0M0). All margins were free (R0 resection). Adjuvant chemotherapy was given (cisplatin and gemcitabine). The patient had been well (asymptomatic and with good quality of life) for 10 months when developed liver metastases not amenable to resection. The patient is being treated with palliative chemotherapy (gemcitabine and oxaliplatin). A marked improvement in outcome (survival and quality of life) of patients with gallbladder cancer has been achieved over the past years, primarily due to a shift towards more aggressive surgery. Therefore, this approach might be beneficial for selected patients with locally advanced gallbladder cancer.

A importância da suspeição clínica no diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer colorretal hereditário / The importance of clinical suspicion on the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary colorectal cancer

Neste trabalho relatamos o caso de um paciente portador de síndrome de Lynch (HNPCC) que desenvolveu câncer retal metacrônico em curto intervalo de tempo após tratamento do tumor primário (câncer de cólon direito). O objetivo deste relato de caso é salientar a importância da suspeição clínica no diagnóstico de câncer colorretal hereditário e suas implicações terapêuticas.

In this article we report the case of a patient with Lynch syndrome (HNPCC) who developed metachronic rectal cancer in a short time interval after the primary tumor had been treated (right colon cancer). The objective of this case report is to point out the importance of clinical suspicion in the diagnosis of hereditary colorectal cancer and its therapeutics implications.