ABSTRACT
The article discusses the importance of accurately distinguishing HER2-low from HER2-negative breast cancer, as novel ADCs have demonstrated activity in a large population of patients with HER2-low-expressing BC. While current guidelines recommend a dichotomous classification of HER2 as either positive or negative, the emergence of the HER2-low concept calls for standardization of HER2 testing in breast cancer, using currently available assays to better discriminate HER2 levels. This review covers the evolution and latest updates of the ASCO/CAP guidelines relevant to this important biomarker in breast cancer, including still-evolving concepts such as HER2 low, HER2 heterogeneity, and HER2 evolution. Our group presents the latest Mexican recommendations for HER2 status evaluation in breast cancer, considering the ASCO/CAP guidelines and introducing the HER2-low concept. In the era of personalized medicine, accurate HER2 status assessment remains one of the most important biomarkers in breast cancer, and the commitment of Mexican pathologists to theragnostic biomarker quality is crucial for providing the most efficient care in oncology.
ABSTRACT
Resumen Los carcinomas neuroendocrinos son tumores poco frecuentes en nariz y senos paranasales. Se consideran tumores primitivos y son los menos diferenciados del sistema neuroendocrino difuso. Se discute el caso de una paciente femenina de 49 años quien acude al servicio de otorrinolaringología en el Hospital Central Militar refiriendo masa en cavidad nasal izquierda de crecimiento progresivo en un periodo de 9 meses, así como epistaxis y obstrucción nasal izquierda. Mediante resonancia magnética y tomografía computada se observó tumoración de la cavidad nasal izquierda en su totalidad hasta nasofaringe, con captación heterogénea del medio de contraste. Se decide resección de tumoración mediante abordaje endoscópico (sinusotomía maxilar tipo III, etmoidectomía anterior y posterior izquierda, Draf esfenoidal tipo II izquierdo, Draf IIa del seno frontal izquierdo, así como septectomía posterior). El estudio histopatológico reportó un carcinoma neuroendocrino moderadamente diferenciado, por lo que se trató de forma conjunta con servicio de oncología médica. Este tipo de tumores son un reto diagnostico por la complejidad para diferenciarlos en un estudio histopatológico. La diferenciación efectiva de los mismos puede tener un impacto clínico, por lo que los avances en la intervención terapéutica podrían prolongar la supervivencia del paciente, mejorar la calidad de vida e incluso la cura.
Abstract Neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare tumors of the nose and sinuses. They are considered primitive tumors and are the least differentiated from the diffuse neuroendocrine system. We report a 49-year-old female patient who attends the otolaryngology service at the Central Military Hospital referring mass in the left nasal cavity with a progressive growth over a period of 9 months, including epistaxis, as well as left nasal obstruction. Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography imaging studies showed a tumor occupying the entirety of the left nasal cavity to the nasopharynx, with heterogeneous uptake of the contrast medium. Tumor resection is decided by endoscopic approach (maxillary sinusotomy type III, left anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy, left sphenoid Draf type II, left frontal Draf IIa as well as posterior septectomy). The pathology service reported a moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. The treatment was decided joint session with the medical oncology service. These types of tumors are a diagnostic challenge because of the complexity to differentiate them in a histopathological study. Their effective differentiation can have a clinical impact, that's why the advances in therapeutic intervention could prolong patient survival, improve quality of life and even find a cure.
