Tomografía por emisión de positrones con 18F-fluordeoxiglucosa-tomografía computarizada en el diagnóstico del tumor primario de origen desconocido / Value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ın the diagnosis of carcinoma of unknown primary origin

Introducción: La incidencia de tumores primarios de origen desconocido en pacientes oncológicos es del 0,5 al 7 por ciento en el momento del diagnóstico con una supervivencia a los 3 y 5 años de 11 y 6 por ciento, respectivamente. Objetivo: valorar la utilidad de la técnica PET/CT-FDG (Tomografía por emisión de positrones con 18F-Fluordeoxiglucosa) en el diagnóstico de tumor primario de origen desconocido (TOD). Material y método: Se analizaron retrospectivamente los estudios PET/CT-FDG realizados en pacientes con el diagnóstico de TOD para la búsqueda de tumor primario, con estudios convencionales previos negativos, entre noviembre de 2017 y junio de 2018. El diagnóstico final se estableció mediante confirmación histológica y/o seguimiento clínico/radiológico por 8 meses. Resultados: 42 pacientes fueron estudiados, en 19 estudios PET/CT se evidenciaron focos de captación sugestivos de tumor primario, de los cuales 9 se confirmaron histológicamente como verdaderos positivos y sólo 1 correspondió a un falso positivo. De los 23 pacientes con PET/CT negativos para tumor primario, todos continuaron con diagnóstico de TOD a pesar de las múltiples pruebas diagnósticas. Conclusiones: La técnica PET/CT permitió identificar el 45,2 por ciento de los tumores primarios en la muestra de pacientes, lo que la convierte en una herramienta útil para el diagnóstico en pacientes con metástasis de origen desconocido. Se considera que el PET/CT-FDG debe ser incluido de manera precoz en los algoritmos diagnósticos en Cuba, permitiendo orientar la realización de pruebas complementarias subsiguientes(AU)

Introduction: The incidence of carcinoma of unknown primary origin in oncologic patients is from 0,5 percent to 7 percent at the time of diagnosis with an overall 3-year and 5-year survival of 11 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of 18 F-FDG-PET/CT (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose posıtron emıssıon tomography) in the diagnosis of carcinoma of unknown primary origin (CUP). Material and Methods: F-FDG-PET/CT studies were conducted in patients with CUP in the search for primary tumor with negative previous conventional studies carried out from November, 2017 to June 2018. The final diagnosis was established by histological confirmation and/or clinical/radiological follow-up during 8 months. Results: A total of 44 patients were studied. There were evidences of suggestive CUP in 19 patients; 9 of them were histologically confirmed as true-positive and only 1 was a false-positive. Of the 23 patients with negative F-FDG-PET/CT studies for primary tumor, all of them continued with the diagnosis of CUP in spite of multiples diagnostic tests. Conclusions: The FDG-PET/CT technique allowed to identify 45,2 percent of the primary tumors in this study, which demonstrates that it is very useful tool for the diagnosis of metastases of unknown origin. It is considered that F-FDG-PET/CT studies should be included earlier in the diagnostic algorithms in Cuba, which will allow to indicate subsequent complementary tests(AU)

Metástasis musculares no sospechadas detectadas con 18F-FDG PET/TC / Unsuspected muscle metastases detected with 18F-FDG PET/CT Abstract

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de metástasis musculares (MM) no sospechadas en pacientes con enfermedad maligna conocida, estudiados con tomografía por emisión de positrones integrada con tomografía computada con flúor-18 deoxiglucosa (18F-FDG PET/TC). Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron retrospectivamente 2953 18F-FDG PET/TC, identificando las MM. Se registraron los tumores primarios, el número y localización de las MM y el SUV máximo en cada caso. Fueron incluidos pacientes oncológicos con histología conocida y múltiples lesiones secundarias. Se utilizó el examen 18F-FDG PET/TC como método de referencia para detectar metástasis. Resultados: Se identificaron MM en 33 pacientes (prevalencia: 1,12%) entre los 18 y 88 años de edad. Los tumores primarios incluyeron: riñón en 7 casos, mama en 5, melanoma en 4, pulmón en 3, ovario en 3, tiroides en 3, sarcomas en 3, región colorrectal en 2, vejiga en 2 y endometrio en 1. Se encontraron 96 MM en 33 pacientes: 24 en muslo, 15 en glúteo, 13 en pared torácica, 10 en psoasilíaco,10 en músculos paravertebrales, 7 en pared abdominal, 7 en pierna, 4 en brazo y 6 en otras localizaciones (pelvis, cuello, etc.). Las MM afectaban un solo músculo en 22/33 pacientes y varios en 11/33. El patrón de captación más frecuente fue el foco hipermetabólico, con SUV máximo entre 1,5 y 34. Discusión: Nuestra muestra incluye un número importante de casos comparada con la literatura y coincide con los hallazgos de otros autores en la incidencia y localización de las MM. Conclusión: Las MM son infrecuentes y pueden pasar inadvertidas. Es posible detectarlas con 18F-FDG PET/TC como focos hipercaptantes únicos o múltiples.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of unsuspected muscle metastases (MM) in patients with known malignant disease, examined with 18F-fuorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Materials and methods: A total of 2,953 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations were retrospectively analysed, looking for cases with MM. Primary neoplasm, number and location of MM and SUV max were recorded on each patient. Oncology patients with known histology and multiple secondary lesions were included. The 18F-FDG PET/CT was the reference method for detection of metastases. Results: MM were observed in 33 patients (prevalence: 1.12%) aged between 18 and 88 years. The primary tumours included: kidney in 7 cases, breast in 5, melanoma in 4, lung in 3, ovary in 3, thyroid in 3, sarcomas in 3, colorectal in 2, bladder in 2, and endometrial in 1. A total of 96 MM were observed in 33 patients, and located in: thigh muscles 24, gluteal 15, chest wall 13, iliopsoas 10, paravertebral muscles 10, abdominal wall 7, leg 7, arm 4, and other locations 6 (pelvis, neck, etc.). MM affected only one muscle in 22/33 patients and several muscles in 11/33. Hypermetabolic focus was the most frequent uptake pattern, with SUV max between 1.5 and 34. Discussion: Our series has a significant number of cases, and is consistent with other authors on the incidence and location of MM. Conclusion: MM are uncommon and may be overlooked. MM may be detected with 18F-FDG PET/CT as single or multiple hypermetabolic foci.

Diagnostic performance of F-18 FDG PET/CT in patients with cancer of unknown primary: additional benefit over CT-based conventional work up

Background: In the era of well-developed site-specific treatment strategies in cancer, identification of occult primary is of paramount importance in CUP patients. Furthermore, exact determination of the extent of the disease may help in optimizing treatment planning. The aim of the present study was to investigate additional value of F-18 FDG PET/CT in patients with cancer of unknown primary [CUP] as an appropriate imaging tool in early phase of initial standard work up

Materials and Methods: Sixty-two newly diagnosed CUP patients with inconclusive diagnostic CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis referring for F-18 FDG PET/CT were enrolled in this study. Standard of reference was defined as histopathology, other diagnostic procedures and a 3-month formal clinical follow up. The results of PET/CT were categorized as suggestion for primary site and additional metastasis and classified as true positive, false positive, false negative and true negative. The impact of additional metastasis revealed by F-18 FDG PET/CT on treatment planning and the time contribution of F-18 FDG PET/CT in diagnostic pathway was investigated

Results: Sixty-two patients with mean age of 62 [30 men, 32 women], PET/CT correctly identified primary origin in 32% with false positive rate of 14.8%. No primary lesion was detected after negative PET/CT according to standard of reference. Sensitivity, Specificity and accuracy were 100%, 78% and 85%, respectively. Additional metastatic site was found in 56% with 22% impact on treatment planning. Time contribution for PET/CT was 10% of total diagnostic pathway

Conclusion: Providing higher detection rate of primary origin with excellent diagnostic performance, shortening the diagnostic pathway and improving treatment planning, F-18 FDG PET/CT may play a major role in diagnostic work up of CUP patients and may be recommended as an alternative imaging tool in early phase of investigation

Identificación de tumor primario en pacientes con metástasis como forma de presentación de cáncer / Identification of the primary tumor in patients with metastases presenting as cancer

INTRODUCCIÓN: hoy día el cáncer compite con la cardiopatía isquémica como primera causa de muerte en Cuba, muy por encima incluso de la enfermedad cerebrovascular, los accidentes y la neumonía. En muchos casos, el cáncer se presenta con metástasis y solo se logra identificar el tumor primario en una parte de ellos, mientras que en el resto, se mantiene "oculto" tras una investigación considerada "óptima". OBJETIVO: determinar la frecuencia con que se identifica en nuestro medio un tumor primario cuando el cáncer se ha presentado con metástasis, la distribución topográfica de los sitios de metástasis y las variantes histológicas en casos de tumor primario "oculto". MÉTODOS: estudio transversal, prospectivo y descriptivo realizado en el Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico "Hermanos Ameijeiras" en el período comprendido de enero 2010 a enero 2013. El universo de trabajo estuvo constituido por 100 pacientes con metástasis sin primario identificado como diagnóstico de hospitalización, que cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Se utilizaron las variables: localización de tumor primario, sitios de metástasis y variedades histológicas. Se emplearon principalmente métodos de estadística descriptiva, especialmente los aplicables a variables cualitativas (incidencia). RESULTADOS: se logró identificar tumor primario en 50 pacientes. Las localizaciones más frecuentes fueron pulmón (11 %), colon, ovario y próstata (5 % en cada caso). En 50 % de los casos no se identificó tumor primario. El sitio más común de metástasis fue el hígado (56,0 %), seguido por los ganglios (41,0 %) y la pleura pulmón (19,0). En el caso de los pacientes en los que no se logró identificar el tumor primario, la variedad más frecuente fue adenocarcinoma bien diferenciado (42 %) seguida del carcinoma poco diferenciado (34 %) y el carcinoma neuroendocrino (20 %). CONCLUSIONES: en nuestro medio, se logra identificar tumor primario en la mitad de los pacientes que se presentan con metástasis . Ello es independiente del número de metástasis al momento de la presentación. El sitio de afectación metastásica más frecuente es el hígado. La variante histológica predominante entre pacientes con tumor primario "oculto" fue adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: today cancer competes with ischemic heart disease as the leading cause of death in Cuba, even far above cerebrovascular disease, accidents, and pneumonia. In many cases, cancer has metastasized and only the primary tumor is only identified in a part of them, while in the rest, the tumor remains "hidden" behind a research considered as "optimal". OBJECTIVE: to determine, in our context, how often a primary tumor is identified when the cancer has metastasized, the topographical distribution of metastasis sites and histological variants in cases of "hidden" primary. METHODS: A cross-sectional, prospective and descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Internal Medicine, at Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Hospital from January 2010 to January 2013. The working universe consisted of 100 patients with metastasis with no primary tumor identified as diagnosis of hospitalization, who met the inclusion criteria. Location of primary tumor, metastatic sites and histological types were variables used. Descriptive statistics were mainly used, especially those applicable to qualitative variables (incidence). RESULTS: primary tumor was identified in 50 patients. The most common sites were lung (11 %), colon, ovarian and prostate (5 % each). no primary tumor was identified in 50 % of cases. The most common site of metastasis was liver (56.0 %), followed by lymph (41.0 %) lung and pleura (19.0). the most common strain was well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (42 %) in those patients whose primary tumor failed to be identified; followed by the poorly differentiated carcinoma (34 %) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (20 %). CONCLUSIONS: In our context, identifying the primary tumor is achieved in half of the patients with metastases. This is independent of the number of metastases at presentation. Liver is the most common site of metastasis. The predominant histological variant among patients with "hidden" primary was adenocarcinoma.

Incremental (?) role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in clinically unknown primary patients with neck metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incremental role of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in the detection of primary site in cases of occult primary with neck metastasis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study on 79 consecutive patients. SETTING: A tertiary care otolaryngology and head and neck surgery center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study compares the results of PET/CT in 79 patients of occult primary with neck metastasis with that of detailed comprehensive head and neck examination including imaging and panendoscopy. This study also attempts to define the incremental role of PET/CT in patients of occult primary. RESULTS: The sensitivity of PET/CT in identifying the primary tumor was 62.4%, the specificity was 64.7%, the positive predictive value was 69.7% and the negative predictive value was 93%. We had a false positive rate of 33.6% and a false negative rate of 2.6%. CONCLUSION: PET/CT is a sensitive investigation for detection of occult primary. However, it has a low specificity rate and a high false positivity rate. Due to a high false positive rate, multiple biopsies from suspicious sites should be taken rather than solely relying on PET/CT. PET/CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology should be utilized more frequently than we did in this study.

Valor del examen post mortem en pacientes con cáncer de tumor primario oculto / Value of the post-mortem examination in patients con hidden primary tumor cancer

Introducción: El cáncer de primario oculto se define como enfermedad neoplásica maligna diseminada, demostrada mediante el estudio anatomopatológico de una de sus metástasis, sin que se consiga identificar el origen del tumor primario, a pesar de un estudio considerado óptimo. Supone el 4-10 por ciento de todos los cánceres que se diagnostican y en 15-25 por ciento de los casos no se detecta ni en las autopsias. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la autopsia para identificar el tumor primario en pacientes con neoplasias de primario oculto. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal donde se revisaron todos los protocolos de necropsias del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras desde 1994 a 2004. Se seleccionaron aquellos en los que la causa básica de muerte clínica declarada en la certificación de defunción fue metástasis de primario oculto o metástasis de un órgano específico, 95 casos. Se identificaron las variables: localización del tumor primario, variedad histológica, sitios de metástasis, edad, sexo, manifestación clínica preponderante. Resultados: En 94,7 por ciento de los casos fue posible identificar el sitio del tumor primario; las localizaciones más comunes fueron: pulmón (38,95 por ciento), páncreas (14,74 por ciento) y colon (8,42 por ciento) y la variedad histológica encontrada en mayor proporción: adenocarcinoma pobremente diferenciado o carcinoma indiferenciado, seguido del adenocarcinoma bien o moderadamente diferenciado. Los órganos de asiento de metástasis más frecuentes fueron ganglio linfático, hígado y glándula suprarrenal. La forma de presentación clínica más frecuente del cáncer de pulmón fue el dolor óseo, en el cáncer de páncreas y ovario, la ascitis, y en el cáncer de colon, la hepatomegalia tumoral...

Introduction: The hidden primary cancer is defined as a spreading malignant neoplasia disease, demonstrated by the anatomic-pathological study of one of its metastasis without to identify the origin of primary tumor, despite a study considered like "optimal". It is believed that the 4-10 percent of all cancers diagnosed and in the 15-25 percent of the cases is neither detected nor the necropsies. Objective: To assess the usefulness of the necropsies to identify the primary tumor in patients presenting with hidden primary neoplasia. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study was conducted to review the necropsy protocols of the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Clinical Surgical Hospital from 1994 to 2004. Were selected those patients in whom the basic cause of clinical death according to death certificate was the metastasis of a hidden primary tumor of a specific organ, 95 cases. The following variables were identified: location of primary tumor, histological variety, sites of metastasis, age, sex, predominant clinical manifestation. Results: In 94.7 percent of cases it was possible to identify the location of primary tumor. The commonest locations were: lung (38.95 percent), pancreas (14.74 percent) and colon (8.42 percent) and the histological variety founded in a great proportion: poor differentiated adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma, followed by the well or slightly moderate adeconocarcinoma. The more frequent sites of metastasis were the lymphatic ganglia, liver and suprarenal gland. The more frequent clinical presentation way of lung cancer was the bone pain, in the cancer of pancreas and ovarium, the ascites, and in the cancer of colon, the humoral hepatomegaly...

Metástasis cervical de primario no hallado: en busca de un algoritmo ideal / Diagnostic algorithm in patients with cervical metastases from an unknown primary cancer

Antecedentes: las metástasis cervicales de Primario No Hallado (PNH) son un grupo heterogéneo de tumores metastásicos en los cuales no se ha podido detectar el origen, tras una exhaustiva historia clínica, un cuidadoso examen clínico y un completo trabajo diagnóstico. La sobrevida a 5 años para el carcinoma escamoso de origen desconocido metastásico a un ganglio cervical es aproximadamente del 40 %. De aquí la necesidad de encontrar el tumor primario, para mejorar el pronóstico. Objeto: se propone nuevo algoritmo diangóstico en la pesquisa de tumores cervicales de primario no hallado. Diseño: revisión bibliográfica. Material y métodos: se examinó y comparó 14 algoritmos diagnósticos publicados sobre el tema tanto en trabajos como en Tratados de Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Resultados: todos los algoritmos se parecen en los primeros 4 pasos esencialmente seguidos en un tumor lateral de cuello: el examen físico, imágenes, endoscopía y PAAF (Punción Aspiración con Aguja Final), pero son el orden y los criterios de búsqueda los que cambian el enfoque. Conclusiones: se confía en el componente subjetivo del examen físico dado por la sospecha, apoyado sobre estudios complementarios y que no sean solo los estudios complentarios, los que resuelvan el problema de encontrar el sitio de origen. Por lo tanto, el cambio está dado desde el punto de vista ideológico del screening y no desde lo técnico.

Background: Neck metastases from Primary Not Found (PNF) are a heterogeneous group of metastatic tumors which have not been able to detect the origin, after a throrough medical history, careful clinical examination and a complete diagnostic work. The 5-year survival for squamous carcinoma of unknown origin metastatic to a cervical lymph node is approximately 40 %. Hence the need to find the primary tumor to improve the prognosis. Objective: New algorithm is proposed in the research diagnosis of cervical tumors of primary not found. Design: Bibliographic review. Material and methods: Fourteen diagnostic algorthms published about the subject were examined, both in papers and in Head and Neck Surgery scenario. Results: All the algorithms are similar in the first four steps essentially followed a lateral neck tumor: a physical examination, imaging, endoscopy and FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology), but are the order and the search criteria that change focus. Conclusions: It relies on the subjective component of the physical examination given by the suspect, standing on studies, and additional studies are only those that meet the problem of finding the source site. Therefore, the change is given from the ideological point of view of screening and not from the technical.

Brain metastases in patients with diagnosis versus undiagnosed primary tumor

To propose a diagnostic work-up specifically tailored to the undiagnosed primary [UDP] tumor patients. To investigate the distribution of primary tumors and presenting symptoms in UDP versus diagnosed primary [DP] patients, 50 consecutive patients with diagnosis of brain metastasis in Shohada Hospital, Tehran, Iran from January 2001 to December 2005 were included in this study. Univariate analyses were performed to assess the difference of various variables between DP and UDP patients. The UDP patients represented 46% of all. Aphasia was significantly more common in the UDP group [p=0.0008] and ataxia in the DP group [p=0.04]. The source of the metastases proved to be different between the 2 groups of interest [p=0.0006]. The lung was the most frequent primary site in both groups. Among all UDP patients, a primary tumor in a location other than the lung was only found in 17% of patients. This study validated the hypothesis that the distribution of primary tumors differs between DP and UDP patients. If lung investigation fails to disclose the location of primary tumor, the patient is unlikely to benefit from extensive paraclinical investigation. In such a situation, a neurosurgical procedure should be considered the most appropriate second step to be taken

Breast MRI for Evaluating Patients with Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node and Initially Negative Mammography and Sonography

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate the ability of breast MR imaging to identify the primary malignancy in patients with axillary lymph node metastases and initially negative mammography and sonography, and we correlated those results with the conventional imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2001 to April 2006, 12 patients with axillary lymph node metastases and initially negative mammography and sonography underwent breast MR imaging to identify occult breast carcinoma. We analyzed the findings of the MR imaging, the MR-correlated mammography and the second-look sonography. We followed up both the MR-positive and MR-negative patients. RESULTS: MR imaging detected occult breast carcinoma in 10 of 12 (83%) patients. Two MR-negative patients were free of carcinoma in the ipsilateral breast during their follow-up period (39 and 44 months, respectively). In nine out of 10 patients, the MR-correlated mammography and second-look sonography localized lesions that were not detected on the initial exam. All the non-MR-correlated sonographic abnormalities were benign. CONCLUSION: Breast MR imaging can identify otherwise occult breast cancer in patients with metastatic axillary lymph nodes. Localization of the lesions through MR-correlated mammography and second-look sonography is practically feasible in most cases.

Lateral cervical cyst with unsuspected metastasis from an occult tonsillar carcinoma.

Lateral cervical cysts containing squamous cell carcinoma is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the clinician since they usually represent a cystic metastasis from an occult carcinoma. Various imaging modalities or even blind biopsies will help identify the primary tumour. If the primary tumour is identified, an appropriate treatment decision can be made that incorporates both the primary tumour and the cervical node. If the primary remains unidentified, the neck is treated with a modified or radical neck dissection, depending on the extent of metastatic disease, and radiation therapy is administered to Waldeyer's ring and both necks. We present in this paper, a case with a large cervical cyst where histology showed the presence of a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the wall of the cyst. A diagnostic evaluation of the patient was negative. Blind biopsies of the right tonsil revealed occult squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was treated by combined chemo/radiotherapy and she is doing well nine months following excision of the mass. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

Adenocarcinoma metastático cutâneo de origem desconhecida: relato de um caso / Metastatic cutaneous adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site: case report

RACIONAL: Metástases podem ser a primeira manifestação de adenocarcinoma. Cerca de 60 por cento destas podem ser cutâneas e correspondem a casos de neoplasia em estágio avançado. A procura pelo sítio primário é onerosa, sendo necessário o emprego de diversos exames de imagem, endoscópicos e imunoistoquímicos. Apesar disto, o sítio primário é descoberto somente em 15 por cento a 20 por cento dos pacientes, sendo os demais casos reconhecidos nas autopsias. OBJETIVO: Relatar um caso de adenocarcinoma, moderadamente diferenciado metastático cutâneo, de sítio primário desconhecido. A região acometida foi a pele da fossa ilíaca esquerda. RESULTADOS: A lesão foi ressecada cirurgicamente. O sítio primário não foi identificado por nenhum exame de imagem ou endoscópico. O estudo imunoistoquímico revelou o seguinte padrão de imunoperoxidase: CEA negativo, CK7 positivo, CK20 negativo e PSA negativo. Com base nestes achados, foram afastados tumores primários do intestino grosso e da próstata (PSA, CK20 e CEA negativos). Os principais sítios primários aventados foram pâncreas e vias biliares. CONCLUSAO: A procura pelo sítio primário de adenocarcinoma metastático continua sendo tarefa difícil, onerosa e com pouco impacto no tratamento dos pacientes acometidos.

Adenocarcinoma da área pancreaticoduodenal de sítio primário desconhecido / Pancreaticoduodenal area adenocarcinoma of unknow primary site

Os autores relatam um caso de neoplasia maligna, cuja manifestação clínica inicial se fez pela metástase: umadenocarcinoma pouco diferenciado metastático, da área pancreaticoduodenal. No acompanhamento foram empregados métodos radiológicos, cirúrgicos, endoscópicos, anatomopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos, na tentativa da identificação do sítio primário, sendo tal pesquisa importante no sentido de direcionar o tratamento paliativo da paciente, uma vez que o tratamento cirúrgico definitivo se tornou contra-indicado.

Occult breast carcinoma presenting with axillary lymph node metastases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Occult primary breast carcinoma is uncommon. Most reported series encompass a large periods of time with great variability in diagnostic and treatment approaches. The objective of the present study was to review the recent experience with this type of presentation of breast cancer in the University of Alabama at Birmingham. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinicopathological data of female patients presenting with axillary metastasis of adenocarcinoma with unknown primary and normal clinical and mammographic breast exam seen at UAB between 1985 and 1998. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified. Mean age was 56 years. Sixty per cent were white and postmenopausal. All patients had biopsy proven adenocarcinoma consistent with breast primary. All but one patient underwent an axillary dissection. Nine out of ten patients received some type of local treatment to the breast. Three of them underwent mastectomy and no invasive carcinoma was demonstrated in the surgical specimens. Six patients received radiation therapy to the breast. All patients received chemotherapy. With mean follow-up time of 48 months, two patients developed local recurrence to the axilla and four developed distant metastasis and eventually died. At last follow-up six patients are alive with no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: In presence of axillary metastasis from an unknown breast primary, an extensive work-up evaluation is not necessary. An axillary dissection is recommended to provide prognostic indicators as well as local control. A breast conservation approach seems to be feasible without affect the local control and survival.

¿Es la mamoplastia de reducción un factor de riesgo en cáncer mamario? / Is mammaplasty a risk factor in breast cancer?

Con el objetivo de conocer si la mamoplastia de reducción pueda ser un factor de riesgo del cáncer mamario, tal cual se considera a la biopsia mamaria, misma que es aceptada como un factor de riesgo mayor para el cáncer mamario. Se investigaron los casos de cáncer mamario asociados a mamoplastia de reducción en un universo de 950 casos de enfermas con cáncer mamario en estadios I y II, acumuladas en un lapso de 20 años, encontrando 16 enfermas con asociación de reducción mamaria y cáncer. De este estudio se deduce que no es el volumen de tejido mamario extirpado determinante del riesgo, sino las condiciones del tejido glandular ductal y lobulillar, en el momento de la biopsia o reducción la que determina el riesgo futuro de desarrollar cáncer mamario. Así las enfermas con reducción mamaria y epitelio mamario normal, no tienen mayor riesgo. Un grupo de 10 pacientes con antecedentes de reducción, con tejido mamario normal, seguidas por más de 10 años, no han presentado cáncer mamario. Cuando existen cambios epiteliales en el tejido mamario, del tipo de la condición fibroquística, no se observa aumento del riesgo en estudio. Si hay macroquístes existe un riesgo mayor de tener cáncer mamario. En el caso de que exista hiperplasia ductal o lobulillar sin atipias y con atipias, el riesgo de cáncer mamario se eleva hasta 4.5 a 5 veces. La presencia de otros factores asociados como: antecedentes familiares en primer grado con cáncer mamario, primer embarazo después de los 30 años, mamas grandes, suman su riesgo al del hallazgo de hiperplasia atípica. Se recomienda hacer siempre un estudio clínico de la mama, con todos los recursos, para descartar la presencia de alteraciones epiteliales, así como la presencia del llamado cáncer oculto que eventualmente puede existir. Se presentan consideraciones en relación que este fenómeno que refuerza el concepto de que el cáncer mamario es un padecimiento de larga y lenta evolución.