Epidemiological profile of patients with cutaneous melanoma in a region of southern Brazil.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is responsible for 75% of deaths from malignant skin cancer. The incidence of CM in the southern region of Brazil, particularly in the western region of Santa Catarina, is possibly higher than estimated. In this study, the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with CM treated in the western region of Santa Catarina was examined. A cross-sectional study was performed with patients diagnosed with CM from January 2002 to December 2009, from 78 counties of the western region of the state of Santa Catarina. Data were collected using a protocol adapted from the Brazilian Melanoma Group and 503 patients were evaluated. The incidence and prevalence of CM found in this region are much higher than those found elsewhere in the country. This fact is most likely due to the phenotypic characteristics of the population and the high incidence of UV radiation in this region due to its location in southern Brazil, as is the case in the countries of Oceania.

Radioguided breast surgery for occult lesion localization - correlation between two methods.

BACKGROUND: The detection of sub-clinical breast lesions has increased with screening mammography. Biopsy techniques can offer precision and agility in its execution, as well as patient comfort. This trial compares radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) and wire-guided localization (WL) of breast lesions. We investigate if a procedure at the ambulatorial level (ROLL) could lead to a better aesthetic result and less postoperative pain. In addition, we intend to demonstrate the efficacy of radioguided localization and removal of occult breast lesions using radiopharmaceuticals injected directly into the lesions and correlate radiological and histopathological findings. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into two groups (59 WL and 61 ROLL). The patients were requested to score the cosmetic appearance of their breast after surgery, and a numerical rating scale was used to measure pain on the first postoperative day. Clearance margins were considered at > or = 10 mm for invasive cancer, > or = 5 mm for ductal carcinoma in situ, and > or = 1 mm for benign disease. Patients were subsequently treated according to the definitive histological result. When appropriate, different statistical tests were used in order to test the significance between the two groups, considering a P value < 0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: WL and ROLL located all the occult breast lesions successfully. In the ROLL group, the specimen volume was smaller and there were more cases with clear margins (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in mean time of hospital stay between WL and ROLL (21.42 vs. 2.56 hours), but not in operative time (39.4 vs. 29.9 minutes). There were significant differences in the subjective ease of the procedures as rated by the patients (cosmetic outcomes and postoperative pain). CONCLUSION: ROLL is an effective method for the excision of non-palpable breast lesions. It enables more careful planning of the cutaneous incision, leading to better aesthetic results, less postoperative symptoms, and smaller volumes of excised tissue.

Aplicacoes em psiquiatria da tomografia por emissao de positrons / The application of PET to psychiatry

Os autores descrevem os principios basicos da tomografia por emissao de positrons e suas aplicacoes clinicas e em estudos experimentais. Sao discutidos os conhecimentos disponiveis em termos de imagem funcional pelo metodo na esquizofrenia, transtornos ansiosos e do humor, nas demencias e nos trantornos de personalidade. Sao ainda comentadas as perspectivas futuras da tomografia por emissao de positrons.