ABSTRACT
Introducción. El carcinoma de células escamosas de la vulva constituye el 1 al 4 % de los tumores en la mujer, y ocupa el cuarto lugar de las neoplasias del tracto genital femenino. Objetivos. Determinar la incidencia de carcinoma epidermoide de vulva, e identificar el grado de invasión. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, observacional de las pacientes atendidas en el consultorio de patología vulvar durante 4 años y 8 meses. Se estudiaron 28 mujeres con diagnóstico clínico e histopatológico de carcinoma de células escamosas. Resultados. Del total de pacientes evaluadas en el consultorio, 6,17% (28) presentó carcinoma de células escamosas. La edad promedio fue de 62,5 años. De las 28 pacientes, el 64,28% (18) presentó carcinoma de células escamosas invasor y el 35,7% (10) VIN, cuatro desarrollados a partir de liquen escleroso, tres con displasia epitelial (VIN diferenciado) y tres con diagnóstico de papulosis bowenoide (VIN usual). Todas las pacientes refirieron como signo predominante prurito y el tabaquismo se detectó en el 60% de los casos. Conclusiones. Se presentan 28 casos de carcinoma epidermoide vulvar: el 64,2 % fue invasor y el 35,7% neoplasia intraepitelial (VIN). De ésta el 70% correspondió a VIN diferenciado y el 30% restante a VIN usual. Esta casuística nos ha permitido conocer la incidencia de neoplasia epitelial vulvar en nuestro medio además de poder diferenciar los grados de invasión y factores patogénicos.
Introduction. The squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva constitutesbetween 1 and 4% of cancers affecting women, occupying fourthplace among neoplasias of the female genital tract.Objetives. To determine the incidence of squamous cell carcinomaof the vulva and identify grade of invasion.Material and methods. An observational retrospective study wasconducted, in which 28 patients were studied with clinical and pathologicaldiagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.Results. Of the total genital carcinomas in our hospital, the vulvarcarcinomas accounted for 6.17% of the genital tract tumours. Of the28 patients included in the study, 18 invasive carcinomas (64.28%)were detected and 10 vulvar intraepidermal neoplasia (VIN 35.7%).The average age of incidence was 62.5 years. The predominantsymptom was pruritus, and the most significant signs were tumour.In the 10 patients that were diagnosed with VIN, 4 developed froma lichen sclerosus, 3 from epithelial dysplasia and 3 with papulosisbowenoide. 60% of patients were smokers.Conclusions. 28 cases of epidermoide carcinoma of the vulva werestudied resulting in 64.2% invasive and 35.7% VIN. Of the latter, 70%corresponded to differentiated VIN and 30% usual VIN. This casuistryhas permitted us to observe the incidence of squamous cell carcinomain our region, and allowed us to differentiate the grades of invasionand pathogenic factors (Dermatol Argent 2009;15(5):344-349).
Subject(s)
Female , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Vulvar Neoplasms/classification , Vulvar Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma in Situ/pathology , Vulva/pathologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Laboratory evidence indicates that tumor growth depends on the balance between cell proliferation and cell death, and many anticancer agents may exert their therapeutic effect by decreasing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. Additionally, clinical observations indicate that overexpression of HER-2 or topoisomerase IIalpha (topo IIalpha) may be predictors of better response to anthracyclines in breast cancer. The objective of this study was to determine if proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (TUNEL), and expression of HER-2 and topo IIalpha are affected by anthracycline treatment, and if these molecular markers predict anthracycline responsiveness. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Thirty-three women with primary breast tumors > or =3 cm received either doxorubicin (75 mg/m(2)) or epirubicin (120 mg/m(2)) for 4 cycles before surgery. Clinical response was evaluated after 4 cycles of treatment. Changes in molecular markers were assessed from core needle taken before treatment (D0), at 24-48 h (Dl) and on day 7 (D7) while on treatment, and from the surgical specimen excised on day 84 (D84) after the fourth cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 51% (17 of 33 patients), with a 12% complete clinical response rate (4 of 33 patients). There were trends for tumors with higher apoptosis and topo IIalpha at baseline (D0) to be more responsive to anthracyclines, p = 0.1 and p = 0.08, respectively. Median apoptosis increased from D0 to Dl (p = 0.06) while median Ki-67 decreased (p = 0.07). Overall, expression of HER-2 remained stable throughout the chemotherapy administration. By Day 84, topo IIalpha had significantly decreased from baseline in responders, while it increased in non-responders, p = 0.03. CONCLUSIONS: In human primary breast cancer, anthracycline treatment causes an early increase in apoptosis and a decrease in proliferation. In this pilot study, higher apoptosis and topo IIalphaa levels in primary tumors were associated with greater responsiveness to anthracyclines, and topo IIalpha levels declined in responsive tumors.
