Efficacy, safety of and adherence to adjustable compression wraps in the control phase of breast cancer-related lymphedema: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy, safety, and adherence to using adjustable compression wraps (ACWs) for upper limb volume control in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled trial at a reference hospital for breast cancer treatment in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Women in control phase of the breast cancer-related lymphedema. INTERVENTIONS: Compared use of ACWs versus compressive mesh. MAIN MEASURES: Evaluated before treatment, at 30 days, and 6 months after initiating therapy. The primary outcome was the change in excess limb volume. Secondary outcomes included adherence, incidence of adverse events, functionality, quality of life, and hand grip. Statistical analysis involved calculating the effect size (ES) with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Were included 71 women with mean excess limb volume of 321.79 mL (±194.98). In the 30-day analysis (Time 1), a reduction of 37.6 mL in volume was observed only in the ACW group (p = .041, ES 0.20), with improved functionality (p = .013, ES 0.22). In the six months analysis (Time 2), the compressive mesh group increased by 2.48% in volume (p = .023, ES 0.26) and demonstrated improvement functionality (p = .036, ES 0.27). Mild adverse events and satisfactory adherence were observed. However, in the intergroup comparison, no statistically significant difference was observed for any evaluated outcome-excess volume, incidence of adverse events, adherence, hand grip, quality of life, and functionality between the groups (p > .05) at both times. CONCLUSIONS: Both compression therapies achieved satisfactory adherence, were safe, effective and equivalent for controlling limb volume in breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Factors delaying non-metastatic breast cancer adjuvant therapy and impact on prognosis in a cohort of Brazilian women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with delays in beginning adjuvant therapy and prognosis impacts on non-metastatic breast cancer patients. METHODS: This assessment comprised a prospective cohort study concerning breast cancer patients treated at a public oncology centre. A time interval of ≥60 days between surgery and the beginning of the first adjuvant treatment was categorised as a delay. Factors associated with delays were evaluated through logistic regression analysis and the prognosis effects were assessed by a Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The median time interval between surgery and the first adjuvant treatment for the 401 women included in this study was of 57.0 days (37.0-93.0). Independent factors associated with delays comprised not presenting an overexpression of the HER-2 protein, not having undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and having undergone chemotherapy or other therapeutic modalities other than hormone therapy and chemotherapy as the first adjuvant treatment. Delays did not affect recurrence, distant metastasis, or death risks. Factors associated with recurrence and distant metastasis risks comprised a clinical staging ≥2B, having undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, presenting the luminal molecular subtype B and triple-negative tumours, and having children. Factors associated with death comprised triple-negative molecular tumours and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Delays in beginning adjuvant treatment did not affect the prognosis of non-metastatic breast cancer patients. Clinical and treatment-related factors, on the other hand, were associated with delays, and recurrence, distant metastasis, and death risks.

Assessment of myosteatosis and functionality in pretreatment gynecological cancer patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between pretreatment gynecologic cancer survival and the physical function of patients with myosteatosis. Understanding this relationship prior to treatment would help healthcare providers identify and refer patients with poor muscle quality to an exercise program prior to treatment. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 73 GC patients. Physical function was quantified using handgrip strength and an adapted version of the Senior Fitness Test (aerobic endurance not included). The EORTC QLC-C30 was used to evaluate general health quality. Myosteatosis (values below the median muscle radiodensity), muscle mass, and adipose tissue variables were calculated from the computed tomography (CT) scan at the third lumbar vertebra using specific software. RESULTS: Seventy patients (50.9 ± 15.2) were included; 41.5% had stage III or IV disease, and 61.4% had cervical cancer. The myosteatosis group was 11.9 years older and showed reduced functioning compared to the normal-radiodensity group. Age and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test results were shown to be the most reliable predictors of muscle radiodensity in pretreatment gynecological patients according to multivariate regression analysis (R2 = 0.314). CONCLUSION: Gynecological healthcare professionals should be aware that prompt exercise programs might be especially beneficial for older patients with reduced TUG performance to preserve muscle function and quality.

Compressive taping to prevent postmastectomy seroma: patient adherence and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate patient adherence and satisfaction concerning postmastectomy compressive taping. METHODS: This comprises a preintervention and postintervention study carried out with women ≥18 years old who underwent taping during the first 7 postoperative days at the Cancer Hospital III/National Cancer Institute. Good adherence was considered as taping maintenance for 7 days. Satisfaction levels were classified as satisfied and dissatisfied. RESULTS: A total of 124 women with a mean age of 56.54 (±11.24) were included in the study. Most lived without a partner (58.1%), had more than 8 years of study (59.7%), referred to themselves as white (68.5%) and considered their health status to be good or very good (69.4%). Regarding treatment adherence, 90.3% patients displayed adherence. Patients with no bullous lesions were more likely to adhere to taping (OR 7.00; 95% CI 1.98 to 24.74; p=0.003). Regarding satisfaction, 78.2% of the patients felt satisfied. The absence of local discomfort (OR 4.51; 95% CI 1.73 to 11.74; p=0.002) and non-existence of self-reported oedema (OR 5.81; 95% CI 1.81 to 18, 66; p=0.003) were associated with greater patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Patients exhibited good adherence and felt very satisfied with the use of postmastectomy compressive taping. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04471142.

Epidemiological profile of neuroendocrine tumors in adults in Brazil.

Objective: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a set of diseases that originate from neuroendocrine cells, which comprises a diffuse endocrine system present in various organs of the body. These tumors are more frequent in the gastrointestinal tract (70%) and the bronchopulmonary system (20%-30%). A NET incidence rate of 1-5 per 100,000 inhabitants has been estimated for several European countries and the USA employing 20 years of data. However, no comprehensive studies on this rare neoplasm are available in Brazil. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiological NET profile in the country. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive observational study based on data from Hospital Cancer Records available at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute and the São Paulo Oncocentro Foundation. Demographic, clinical and treatmentrelated variables were analyzed from selected cases employing descriptive statistics. Results and Conclusion: A total of 15,859 cases were identified, most occurring in males (53.4%) and in individuals under 65 years old (63.3%). Small cell carcinoma was the most frequent histological type (46.7%). Bronchopulmonary tumors were the most frequent NETs, followed by pancreatic tumors, with cases mostly concentrated in high complexity centers in the Brazilian Southeast and treated mainly with surgery and chemotherapy, with over half of the patients diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease.

BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 germline and somatic variants and clinicopathological characteristics of Brazilian patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 3/4 of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages, with the high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) accounting for 90% of the cases. EOC present high genomic instability and somatic loss-of-function variants in genes associated with homologous recombination mutational repair pathway (HR), such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, and in TP53. The identification of germline variants in HR genes in EOC is relevant for treatment of platinum resistant tumors and relapsed tumors with therapies based in synthetic lethality such as PARP inhibitors. Patients with somatic variants in HR genes may also benefit from these therapies. In this work was analyzed the frequency of somatic variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 in an EOC cohort of Brazilian patients, estimating the proportion of variants in tumoral tissue and their association with progression-free survival and overall survival. METHODS: The study was conducted with paired blood/tumor samples from 56 patients. Germline and tumoral sequences of BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 were obtained by massive parallel sequencing. The HaplotypeCaller method was used for calling germline variants, and somatic variants were called with Mutect2. RESULTS: A total of 26 germline variants were found, and seven patients presented germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2. The analysis of tumoral tissue identified 52 somatic variants in 41 patients, being 43 somatic variants affecting or likely affecting protein functionality. Survival analyses showed that tumor staging was associated with overall survival (OS), while the presence of somatic mutation in TP53 was not associated with OS or progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: Frequency of pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (12.5%) was lower in comparison with other studies. TP53 was the most altered gene in tumors, with 62.5% presenting likely non-functional or non-functional somatic variants, while eight 14.2% presented likely non-functional or non-functional somatic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Efficacy of supervised exercise on sleep of women who survived breast cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy of supervised exercise (SE) compared with control protocols on sleep parameters of women who survived breast cancer. METHODS: This systematic review with meta-analysis searched studies using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. The PEDro scale assessed the bias risk, and the study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO (no. CRD42023420894). RESULTS: Of 3,566 identified studies, 13 randomized clinical trials involving 847 women diagnosed with breast cancer were included. Interventions consisted of SE in an outpatient setting (62%) or combined protocols with supervised and home exercises. Most interventions (85%) used multicomponent protocols with aerobic and resistance exercises. Usual care and health education were the most reported controls. SE decreased the sleep disturbance score (- 31.61 [95% confidence interval = - 39.40 to - 23.83]) of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire and daytime dysfunction score (- 0.41 [95% confidence interval = - 0.73 to - 0.09]) of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Also, SE presented a tendency to improve the self-reported sleep quality score of the PSQI (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: SE increased the subjective sleep quality and immobility time and decreased sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction symptoms in women who survived breast cancer. Most SE protocols were multicomponent, with aerobic and resistance exercises ranging from moderate to high intensity. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Supervised exercise may improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of sleep disorders, contributing to survival outcomes.

Construction of a Guide for Assessment and Physiotherapeutic Management of Pain in Cancer Patients / Construction of a Guide for Assessment and Physiotherapeutic Management of Pain in Cancer Patients / Construção de um Guia para Avaliação e Manejo Fisioterapêutico da Dor em Pacientes com Câncer

Physiotherapy can contribute to control pain in cancer patients and educational strategies should be developed to increase physiotherapeutic actions in this context. Objective: To develop a guide for the assessment and physiotherapeutic management of cancer pain. Method: Study developed in three stages: 1. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic, clinical, functional data, pain characteristics and physiotherapeutic treatments performed on cancer patients receiving palliative care; 2. Development of the preliminary version of the guide based on the results of the first stage and theoretical content; 3. Focus group formed by physiotherapists that resulted in the final version of the guide. Results: 62 patients were included, mainly females (69.3%). The most common tumor site was gynecological (25.8%) and half presented bone metastasis. Neuropathic pain (51.6%), located in the spine (29.0%) was the most prevalent type of pain. The physiotherapeutic treatments most used were: positioning (98.0%), kinesiotherapy (68.0%), walking (39.0%), orthoses (32.0%) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (21.0%). The focus group suggested changes and positively evaluated the preliminary version of the guide, highlighting that, in addition to an easy-to-understand language, it provided a comprehensive view of the methods for evaluating and physiotherapy treatment of pain.

A fisioterapia pode contribuir para o controle da dor em pacientes com câncer e estratégias educativas devem ser desenvolvidas para aumentar as ações fisioterapêuticas nesse contexto. Objetivo: Elaborar um guia para avaliação e manejo fisioterapêutico da dor no câncer. Método:Estudo desenvolvido em três etapas: 1. Análise descritiva de dados sociodemográficos, clínicos, funcionais, características da dor e tratamentos fisioterapêuticos realizados em pacientes com câncer em cuidados paliativos; 2. Desenvolvimento da versão preliminar do guia a partir dos resultados da primeira etapa e de conteúdo teórico na temática; 3. Realização de grupo focal composto por fisioterapeutas que originou a versão final do guia. Resultados: Foram incluídos 62 pacientes, principalmente do sexo feminino (69,3%). O sítio tumoral mais frequente foi o ginecológico (25,8%) e metade apresentou metástase óssea. O tipo de dor mais prevalente foi a neuropática (51,6%), localizada na coluna (29,0%). Os tratamentos fisioterapêuticos mais utilizados foram: posicionamento (98,0%), cinesioterapia (68,0%), deambulação (39,0%), uso de órteses (32,0%) e transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (21,0%). O grupo focal sugeriu alterações e avaliou positivamente a versão preliminar do guia, ressaltando que, além de ser elaborado com linguagem de fácil compreensão, possibilitou a visão integral sobre os métodos para avaliação e tratamento fisioterapêutico da dor.

La fisioterapia puede contribuir al control del dolor en pacientes con cáncer y se deben desarrollar estrategias educativas para incrementar las acciones fisioterapéuticas en este contexto. Objetivo:Desarrollar una guía para la evaluación y manejo fisioterapéutico del dolor oncológico. Método: Estudio desarrollado en tres etapas: 1. Análisis descriptivo de datos sociodemográficos, clínicos, funcionales, características del dolor y tratamientos fisioterapéuticos realizados a pacientes con cáncer que reciben cuidados paliativos; 2. Elaboración de la versión preliminar de la guía con base en los resultados de la primera etapa y contenidos teóricos sobre el tema; 3. Realización de un grupo focal compuesto por fisioterapeutas que dio como resultado la versión final de la guía. Resultados: Se incluyeron 62 pacientes, principalmente mujeres (69,3%). La localización tumoral más frecuente fue ginecológica (25,8%) y la mitad presentó metástasis óseas. El tipo de dolor más prevalente fue el neuropático (51,6%), localizado en la columna (29,0%). Los tratamientos fisioterapéuticos más utilizados fueron: posicionamiento (98,0%), kinesioterapia (68,0%), marcha (39,0%), uso de órtesis (32,0%) y estimulación nerviosa eléctrica transcutánea (21,0%). El grupo focal sugirió cambios y evaluó positivamente la versión preliminar de la guía, destacando que, además de estar elaborada en un lenguaje fácil de entender, proporcionó una visión integral de los métodos de evaluación y tratamiento fisioterapéutico del dolor.

Evolução Clínica e Fatores Prognósticos de Pacientes Oncológicos com Covid-19 em Ventilação Mecânica / Clinical Evolution and Prognostic Factors of Cancer Patients with COVID-19 in Mechanical Ventilation

Introdução: Pacientes com câncer apresentaram risco de desenvolver quadros respiratórios graves quando acometidos por covid-19, com necessidade de suporte intensivo e de ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI). Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores associados ao óbito em pacientes oncológicos que tiveram covid-19 e evoluíram com insuficiência respiratória e necessidade de VMI. Método: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo de pacientes com câncer em uma unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) oncológica, com covid-19 e em VMI de abril de 2020 a dezembro de 2021. Foram incluídos de forma sequencial todos os pacientes com câncer admitidos na UTI em VMI ou que evoluíram com VMI por agravamento da covid-19, sendo excluídos aqueles em controle da doença oncológica há mais de cinco anos. Para a análise estatística, foram utilizadas medidas de tendência central e dispersão, assim como frequências absolutas e relativas. A regressão logística múltipla foi aplicada para a avaliação dos fatores associados à mortalidade, considerando estatisticamente significantes valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 85 pacientes. O óbito foi maior entre os pacientes com tumores sólidos (OR = 3,64; IC 95%: 1,06-12,52; p = 0,04), entre os que necessitaram de suporte renal durante a internação na UTI (OR = 6,88; IC 95%: 1,82-25,98; p = 0,004), os que não puderam ser extubados (OR = 8,00; IC 95%: 2,16-29,67; p = 0,002) e os que apresentaram o valor de pressão de distensão alveolar maior do que 15cmH2O por pelo menos um dia (OR = 5,9; IC 95%: 1,76-19,80; p = 0,004). Conclusão: Características clínicas e de VMI estavam associadas à morte de pacientes oncológicos com covid-19 e em VMI.

Los pacientes con cáncer corrían riesgo de desarrollar afecciones respiratorias graves al ser afectados por la COVID-19, requiriendo soporte intensivo y ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI). Objetivo: Evaluar los factores asociados a la muerte en pacientes con cáncer que tuvieron COVID-19 y que desarrollaron insuficiencia respiratoria y necesidad de VMI. Método: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en pacientes oncológicos internados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de oncología, con COVID-19 y en VMI de abril de 2020 a diciembre de 2021. Se incluyeron secuencialmente todos los pacientes con cáncer ingresados en UCI con VMI o que necesitaron VMI por empeoramiento de la COVID-19, excluyendo a aquellos que llevaban más de cinco años bajo control de la enfermedad oncológica. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión, así como frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Se aplicó regresión logística múltiple para evaluar los factores asociados a la mortalidad, considerando valores de p<0,05 estadísticamente significativos. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 85 pacientes. La muerte fue mayor entre los pacientes con tumores sólidos (OR= 3,64; IC 95%, 1,06-12,52; p=0,04), entre los que requirieron soporte renal durante la estancia en UCI (OR = 6,88; IC 95%, 1,82-25,98; p= 0,004), entre los que no pudieron ser extubados (OR= 8,00; IC 95%, 2,16-29,67; p= 0,002) y entre los que presentaron un valor de presión de distensión alveolar mayor a 15cmH2O durante al menos un día (OR = 5,9; IC 95%, 1,76-19,80; p=0,004). Conclusión: Las características clínicas y de VMI se asociaron con la muerte en pacientes oncológicos con COVID-19 y en VMI.

Cancer patients were at risk of developing severe respiratory conditions when affected by COVID-19, requiring intensive support and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Objective: Evaluate the factors associated with death of cancer patients by COVID-19 who developed respiratory failure and need of IMV. Method: Retrospective cohort study of cancer patients in an oncology intensive care unit (ICU), with COVID-19 and on IMV was carried out from April 2020 to December 2021. All patients with cancer admitted to the ICU on IMV or who developed IMV due to worsening of COVID-19 were sequentially included, excluding those who had been in follow-up of the oncological disease for more than five years. For statistical analysis, measures of central tendency and dispersion were used, as well as absolute and relative frequencies. Multiple logistic regression was applied to evaluate factors associated with mortality, considering statistically significant values of p < 0.05. Results: 85 patients were included in the study. Death was higher for patients with solid tumors (OR= 3.64; 95% CI, 1.06-12.52; p = 0.04), in addition to those who required renal support while in ICU (OR = 6.88; 95% CI, 1.82-25.98; p = 0.004), those who could not be extubated (OR= 8.00; 95% CI, 2.16-29.67; p = 0.002) and who presented an alveolar distension pressure value greater than 15cmH2O for at least one day (OR= 5.9; 95% CI, 1.76-19.80; p = 0.004). Conclusion:Clinical and IMV characteristics were associated with death in cancer patients with COVID-19 and IMV

Epidemiological profile of neuroendocrine tumors in adults in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a set of diseases that originate from neuroendocrine cells, which comprises a diffuse endocrine system present in various organs of the body. These tumors are more frequent in the gastrointestinal tract (70%) and the bronchopulmonary system (20%-30%). A NET incidence rate of 1-5 per 100,000 inhabitants has been estimated for several European countries and the USA employing 20 years of data. However, no comprehensive studies on this rare neoplasm are available in Brazil. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiological NET profile in the country. Material and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive observational study based on data from Hospital Cancer Records available at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute and the São Paulo Oncocentro Foundation. Demographic, clinical and treatment-related variables were analyzed from selected cases employing descriptive statistics. Results and Conclusion: A total of 15,859 cases were identified, most occurring in males (53.4%) and in individuals under 65 years old (63.3%). Small cell carcinoma was the most frequent histological type (46.7%). Bronchopulmonary tumors were the most frequent NETs, followed by pancreatic tumors, with cases mostly concentrated in high complexity centers in the Brazilian Southeast and treated mainly with surgery and chemotherapy, with over half of the patients diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease.

Prevalence and factors associated with the occurrence of pathological fractures and their impact on the overall survival of patients with bone metastases under palliative care.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with the occurrence of pathological fractures and their impact on the overall survival of patients with bone metastases under palliative care. METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort assessment concerning both male and female patients with cancer presenting with bone metastases referred to a palliative care unit. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained before and after care unit referral. Patients were followed up until death or the last follow-up (4 years after referral). Logistic regression models and survival curves employing a log-rank test were applied. RESULTS: A total of 348 patients were included in the study. Most were <65 years (65%) and female (62%), and the most frequent primary tumour site was the breast (40%). The prevalence of pathological fractures was 28%, more frequent in the axial skeleton (49%), with no association with overall patient survival (p=0.348). Patients with breast cancer exhibited a 2.96-fold higher chance (95% CI: 1.80 to 4.86) of developing a fracture compared with other tumours, and not receiving previous radiotherapy increased the chances of fracture occurrence by 5.60-fold (95% CI: 2.46 to 12.77). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of pathological fractures was observed. Presenting with breast cancer and not having undergone previous radiotherapy increase the chances of fracture occurrence, although this is not associated with overall survival in patients under palliative care.

Complex physical therapy employing self-adjusting garment (ReadyWrap®) in breast cancer-related lymphedema cases in Brazilian women: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-adjusting compression garment (ReadyWrap®) in reducing (phase 1) and maintaining (phase 2) upper limb volume in women presenting breast cancer-related lymphedema. METHODS: This study will comprise a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial concerning women with breast cancer-related lymphedema undergoing treatment at a public cancer treatment reference hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The intervention will be carried out by adapting self-dressing versus the standard treatment of compressive bandaging (phase 1) and compressive mesh (phase 2). Both groups will be assessed at the beginning and end of intensive treatment and followed up for up to 12 months to evaluate immediate and late outcomes. Assessments will be carried out by physical upper limb examination (inspection, palpation, volume, dynamometry, and thermography) and questionnaires application to assess patient's quality of life pertaining to the health, functionality, and symptoms of the affected upper limb, as well adverse effects and adherence to treatment. Data will be analyzed descriptively and analytically through univariate and multiple linear regressions. P values < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a self-adjustable garment (ReadyWrap®) in the treatment of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer in Brazilian women compared to the gold standard treatment for limb volume reduction (phase 1) and maintenance (phase 2) phases comprising, respectively, a compressive bandaging and a compressive mesh. The outcome results will provide data based on both quantitative responses and self-reported participant outcomes. The study will also assess the cost-effectiveness of the ReadyWrap® treatment versus standard care. Finally, we expect to reaffirm one more product/therapy as a treatment for this extremely complex and impactful condition following the data analysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04934098 [Clinical trials phase 1]. Registered on June 22, 2021. NCT04881604 [Clinical trials phase 2]. Registered on May 11, 2021.

Differential survival of Brazilian patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with and without HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: Combinatorial antiretroviral therapy provided improvement of HIV patients' immune function and a decrease in the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most common NHL forms affecting HIV+ patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of HIV infection on the prognosis of patients treated for DLBCL in a reference cancer treatment center in Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was developed with patients followed-up at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, in which 243 DLBCL patients (91 HIV+ and 152 HIV-) were enrolled. HIV- controls were matched to HIV+ according to date of cancer diagnosis, clinical staging, primary cancer treatment and date of birth. Sociodemographic and cancer treatment data were extracted from medical charts. Kaplan-Meier analyses were carried out to estimate survival, while univariate and multiple Cox regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: A total of 98 deaths were observed in a 5-year period after cancer diagnosis. A negative association of HIV infection with both overall and disease-specific survival 1 year after cancer diagnosis was observed [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.98 and 1.96, respectively]. The negative association with HIV infection with disease-specific survival remained significant for a 5-year period after cancer diagnosis (HR = 1.53). HIV viral load above 1000 copies/ml at study entry was also associated with shorter overall and cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection negatively impacted prognosis and mortality of DLBCL patients irrespective of cancer-related clinical factors.

Effectiveness of mat pilates on fatigue in women with breast cancer submitted to adjuvant radiotherapy: randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the influence of Mat Pilates and time on the change in fatigue scores in women with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Additionally, assess the adherence and adverse effects of Mat Pilates sessions and the association of the level of physical activity with severe fatigue symptoms. METHODS: One hundred fifty-six patients with non-metastatic breast cancer were randomized to usual care or supervised Mat Pilates exercise. Fatigue and physical activity level were measured at baseline, end of RT, 30 days, 3 and 6 months after RT. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) with intention to treat was applied. RESULTS: A significant difference in the fatigue mean between the end of RT and the baseline was found in patients of both groups. There was no adverse effect with the practice of Mat Pilates, and it was analyzed the reduction of the symptom pain after the end of RT in women of intervention group compared to the control. There was no significant effect on fatigue between the groups. Patients with severe fatigue after 3 and 6 months of RT reported a significantly lower level of physical activity in the last periods. CONCLUSION: Fatigue levels increased at the end of RT but returned to baseline values after 6 months. A lower level of physical activity was associated with severe fatigue symptoms. Mat Pilates was safe for these women and reduced the symptom pain after treatment, but it did not successfully reduce fatigue during adjuvant RT. REGISTRATION: NCT03333993. November 7, 2017.  https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03333993?term=breast+cancer&cond=pilates&draw=2&rank=1 .

Trends in the incidence of malignant central nervous system tumors in Brazil, 2000-2015.

Background: In Brazil, 5870 new cases of malignant central nervous system tumors (MCNST) were estimated for men and 5220 for women for each year of the 2020-2022 triennium. The objective of this study was to analyze incidence rate trends and compare demographic characteristics of new MCNST cases according to tumor topographies in Brazil from 2000 to 2015. Methods: This study comprises an analytical cross-sectional assessment of secondary databases extracted from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) website. Data comprised new neoplasm cases of meninges (C70), brain (C71), spinal cord, cranial nerves, and other central nervous system parts (C72) retrieved from 23 population-based cancer registries. A descriptive analysis was performed. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated. Linear trends were calculated using a linear least squares regression for adjusted incidence rates versus time. Results: A total of 24 986 new MCNST cases were recorded. The main topography was the brain (91.5%). Except for meninges tumors, where 62.4% of the cases were observed in women, MCNST cases were more frequent among men concerning the other evaluated topographies. All 3 topographies occurred predominantly in adult patients aged from 40- to 64-year-old. Between 2000 and 2015, incidence rates ranged from 5.12 to 4.95 (a 1.4% increase of per year; 95% CI -4.0 to 6.8; P = .584) in men and from 4.35 to 3.61 (a 3.1% increase per year; 95% CI -1.7 to 8.0; P = .189). Conclusions: The most frequent topography was the brain. Incidence rates of MCNST remained relatively stable over time in both sexes.

Can mat Pilates and belly dance be effective in improving body image, self-esteem, and sexual function in patients undergoing hormonal treatment for breast cancer? A randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a 16-week exercise intervention (mat Pilates or belly dance) on body image, self-esteem and sexual function in breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy. Seventy-four breast cancer survivors were randomly allocated into mat Pilates, belly dance, or control group. The physical activity groups received a 16-week intervention, delivered 3 days a week, and 60 min a session. The control group received three education sessions. Data collection occurred at baseline, post-intervention, 6 and 12 months of follow-up with a questionnaire including body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index) measures. The belly dance group significantly improved body image on limitations scale in the short term and long term, the mat Pilates significantly improved body image on limitations only in the long term, and the control group significantly decreased body image on limitations in the long term. The belly dance group experienced reduced discomfort and pain during sexual relations in the short and long term. All groups showed a significant improvement in self-esteem, but orgasm sub-scale scores declined over time. No adverse events were found for any of the exercise intervention groups. Belly dance seem to be more effective than mat Pilates and control group in improving limitations of body image and sexual discomfort in the short term for breast cancer survivors. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03194997) - "Pilates and Dance to Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment".

Epidemiology of tongue squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profile and the specific survival of patients diagnosed with tongue squamous cell carcinoma at the National Cancer Institute (INCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital Cancer Registry System Data and Mortality Information from 2007 to 2009 were retrieved in a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The association between independent variables and the risk of death was explored in a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: A total of 346 patients were eligible, mostly male (77.5%), smokers (87.6%), with alcohol consumption (80.9%), with low education (65.6%), advanced staging at the time of diagnosis (71.1%), and presenting a high mortality rate (72.5%). In total, 44.5% of patients underwent a surgical approach alone or associated with another treatment modality, of which 85.1% of patients underwent neck dissection and 90.1% had free surgical margins. Specific survival was 40.6% in two years and 31.2% in five years. CONCLUSION: The 5-year specific survival was considered worse in individuals over 60 years, and who did not undergo surgical treatment or had surgery associated with another treatment, compared to patients undergoing isolated surgery.

Influence of Age on Health-Related Quality of Life of Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer / Influência da Idade na Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde de Mulheres Diagnosticadas com Câncer de Mama / Influencia de la Edad en la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud de Mujeres Diagnosticadas con Cáncer de Mama

Introduction: Women with breast cancer may have differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at diagnosis by age. Objective: To analyze the influence of age on the HRQoL of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out with women diagnosed with breast cancer. HRQoL assessment was performed before starting cancer treatment, using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its specific breast cancer module (BR-23). Association between age group and HRQoL was determined through multiple linear regression. Results: 961 women were included in the study, with a mean age of 54 (SD±11.7). Women aged ≥50 years displayed better emotional functioning (+7.6 points; p<0.001), and less fatigue (-4.4 points; p=0.014), pain (-4.7 points; p=0.033), nausea and vomiting (-2.3 points; p=0.030) and financial difficulties (-10.3 points; p<0.001) compared to younger women. Concerning the BR-23 module, these women displayed better body image scores (+3.6 points; p=0.029) and future perspective (+12.4 points; p<0.001), and worse sexual functioning (-19.9 points; p<0.001) and sexual enjoyment (-8.9 points; p=0.001), and on the symptom scale, less breast symptoms (-11.6 points; p<0.001) and arm symptoms (-3.5 points; p=0.047). Conclusion: Patients aged ≥50 years exhibited better HRQoL in all QLQ C-30 and BR-23 functioning scales and symptom scales, except for sexual functioning and sexual enjoyment

Introdução: Mulheres com câncer de mama podem apresentar diferenças na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) ao diagnóstico de acordo com a idade. Objetivo: Analisar a influência da idade na QVRS de mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama. Método: Estudo transversal com mulheres diagnosticadas com câncer de mama. A avaliação da QVRS foi realizada antes do início do tratamento oncológico por meio do questionário European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) e seu módulo específico para o câncer de mama (BR-23). A associação entre faixa etária e QVRS foi determinada por meio da regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: Foram incluídas 961 mulheres com média de idade de 54 anos (DP±11,7). Mulheres com idade ≥50 anos apresentaram melhor função emocional (+7,6 pontos; p<0,001), menos fadiga (-4,4 pontos; p=0,014), dor (-4,7 pontos; p=0,033), náuseas e vômitos (-2,3 pontos; p=0,030) e dificuldade financeira (-10,3 pontos; p<0,001) comparadas às mulheres jovens. Em relação ao BR-23, essas mulheres apresentaram melhor escores de imagem corporal (+3,6 pontos; p=0,029) e de perspectiva futura (+12,4 pontos; p<0,001), e piores função sexual (-19,9 pontos; p<0,001) e satisfação sexual (-8,9 pontos; p=0,001); e, na escala de sintomas, menos sintomas na mama (-11,6 pontos; p<0,001) e sintomas no braço (-3,5 pontos; p=0,047). Conclusão: As pacientes com idade ≥50 anos apresentaram melhor QVRS em todos os domínios das escalas de função e escalas de sintomas do QLQ C-30 e BR-23, exceto no que diz respeito à função sexual e à satisfação sexual

Introducción: Las mujeres con cáncer de mama pueden tener diferencias en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) al momento del diagnóstico según la edad. Objetivo: Analizar la influencia de la edad en la CVRS de mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama. Método: Estudio transversal con mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama. La evaluación de la CVRS se realizó antes de iniciar el tratamiento oncológico mediante el Cuestionario European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) y su módulo específico para el cáncer de mama (BR-23). La asociación entre el grupo de edad y la CVRS se determinó mediante regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Se incluyeron 961 mujeres con una edad media de 54 años (DE±11,7). Las mujeres ≥50 años tuvieron mejor funcionamiento emocional (+7,6 puntos; p<0,001), y menos fatiga (-4,4 puntos; p=0,014), dolor (-4,7 puntos; p=0,033), náuseas y vómitos (-2,3 puntos; p=0,030) y dificultades financieras (-10,31 puntos; p<0,001) en comparación con las mujeres jóvenes. Con respecto al BR-23, estas mujeres presentaron mejores puntajes de imagen corporal (+3,6 puntos; p=0,029) y perspectiva de futuro (+12,4 puntos; p<0,001) y peor función sexual (-19,9 puntos; p<0,001) y satisfacción sexual (-8,9 puntos; p=0,001), y en la escala de síntomas, menos síntomas mamarios (-11,6 puntos; p<0,001) y brazos (-3,5 puntos; p=0,047). Conclusión: Las pacientes con edad ≥50 años tuvieron mejor CVRS en todos los dominios de las escalas de función y síntomas del QLQ C-30 y BR-23, excepto función sexual y satisfacción sexual