[Micronuclei research the esophageal mucosa and its relationship with risk factors with cancer of the esophagus]. / Pesquisa de micronúcleos na mucosa esofágica e sua relação com fatores de risco ao câncer de esôfago.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the frequency of micronucleus in esophageal mucous cells of smokers, consumers of alcoholic beverages and "maté" drinkers. METHODS: Material collected from the midlle esophagus in 250 consecutive patients submitted to upper digestive endoscopy was stained with acridine orange and the cytologist determined the number of micronuclei vizualized per each 500 cells examined. RESULTS: The frequency of micronucleated cells did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) when the following variables were considered: sex, place of residence (rural or urban), type of care (outpatient or inpatient), ingestion of alcohol. For two variables, smoking and "maté" consumption, there were significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei in the categories exposed and formerly exposed in relation to never exposed. CONCLUSION: A higher frequency of micronucleus in the esophageal mucous in smoking and "maté" drinkers was evidenced by this study.

Pesquisa de micronúcleos na mucosa esofágica e sua relaçäo com fatores de risco ao câncer de esôfago / Research of micronuclei in the esophageal mucosa and its relationship with risk factors to esophagus cancer

Micronúcleos sao fragmentos de DNA nao incorporados ao núcleo na divisao celular e que apresentam relaçao com agentes genotóxicos (mutagênicos ou clastogênicos). Os micronúcleos podem ser detectados nas células esfoliadas dos tecidos. OBJETIVO: Determinar a freqüência de micronúcleos na mucosa esofágica, relacionando com determinados hábitos. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Em pacientes submetidos à endoscopia digestiva alta e sem evidências de anormalidades esofágicas, foram colhidos materiais através de escovado do esôfago médio, para pesquisa de micronúcleos. Após à endoscopia, os pacientes foram questionados sobre seus hábitos. RESULTADOS: A freqüência de micronúcleos nao mostrou diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) em relaçao ao sexo, local de residência (rural ou urbana), tipo de atendimento (ambulatorial ou hospitalizado), ingestao de álcool. Nas variáveis fumo e mate houve diferenças significativas entre as categorias expostos e ex-expostos em relaçao à categoria nunca expostos. CONCLUSAO: A freqüência de micronúcleos na mucosa esofágica foi maior nos pacientes fumantes e bebedores de mate

Esophageal dysplasias are detected by endoscopy with Lugol in patients at risk for squamous cell carcinoma in southern Brazil.

Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is usually late. Staining of the mucosa with Lugol's solution during endoscopy has been suggested to identify early cancer/dysplasia and may improve prognosis. Lugol was tested during endoscopy in 96 asymptomatic subjects at risk for this tumor, who were found to have atypias after exfoliative cytology in southern Brazil. Biopsies were obtained in Lugol's 'stained' and 'unstained' areas in the esophageal mucosa and the histologic results were compared. 'Unstained' areas were present in 64 (66.7%) instances: 44 'unstained' areas over mucosa with normal appearance revealed seven dysplasias (four high and three low grade), whereas 20 'unstained' areas with visible lesions contained only one dysplasia (low grade). 'Stained' areas in 96 (100%) subjects showed two additional dysplasias (one high and one low grade). In this study, Lugol 'unstained' areas were of great value for detection of dysplasias (sensitivity = 80%; specificity = 63%; p = 0.01, Fisher's exact test; CI = 95%; odds ratio = 6.7).