ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Malignant triton tumor (MTT) is an extremely rare variant of the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation, which was first described in 1932 by Mason. MTT affects, in most cases, patients under 35 years of age, and it is usually manifested as a mass that may or not be painful. However, the incidence in pediatric patients is atypical. This tumor presents an aggressive course and limited survival rate, and the prognosis is different between individuals with or without a concomitant diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Currently, the recommended treatment is surgical resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but its efficacy is not yet clear. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 13-year-old female patient was referred to the pediatric oncology service due to the presence of an abdominal mass and weight loss, initially diagnosed with Wilms' tumor. After extensive investigation, surgical resection, and immunohistopathological evaluation, the diagnosis of malignant triton tumor was confirmed. The patient also underwent cycles of chemotherapy after resection, and is currently awaiting immunotherapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Malignant triton tumor is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose, especially in children or young people, age groups in which the incidence of the disease is even lower. This may be the reason it is rarely suspected, and it was a great challenge for the clinical care team. It is essential to consider and investigate this possibility of differential diagnosis, as patients diagnosed with this malignant tumor have a low survival rate and poor prognosis.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stigmatizing attitudes against individuals diagnosed with mental illness could increase the severity of psychiatric symptoms, lead to delay in getting medical support, and decrease adherence to treatments. Identifying the groups most associated with stigmatization could orientate actions to reduce this prejudice and improve patients' prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate variables associated with stigmatization toward psychiatric disorders in Brazil. METHODS: A Web-based survey was sent out to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and their perception of mental illness. Included participants were composed of Brazilians aged 18 years or over, with access to the internet and social networks. The questionnaire was available from June to August 2018 on Facebook. RESULTS: A total of 2414 respondents were included. The majority were female, white, aged between 18 and 29 years, and had more than 10 years of study. The variables associated with stigma were male sex, fewer years of education, lower household income, the presence of a psychiatric disorder in a first-degree relative, and internalized stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified variables associated with the stigma against psychiatric disorders. Future studies should propose intervention strategies, such as to foster education about mental illness and to promote the importance of seeking help from a mental health professional, to address this problem in Brazil.