Gastroesophageal reflux disease and non-esophageal cancer.

The association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal cancer is well known. The carcinogenic properties of the gastroduodenal contents may also lead to cancer in target organs for GERD especially considering that they do not have intrinsic protective mechanisms as found in the esophagus. This review focuses on the putative relation between GERD and non-esophageal cancer. Most of the papers reviewed are far from ideal to prove the relationship of extra-esophageal cancer and GERD since a small number of patients is presented, most do not control cases based on tobacco usage and obesity, and the diagnosis of GERD is variable, not always from an objective measurement such as pH monitoring but relying on symptoms in most reports. Nevertheless, head and neck and lung cancer have a growing incidence parallel to GERD and a shift towards non-smoking, female gender and adenocarcinoma (compared to squamous cell carcinoma) is arising, similar to the example of esophageal cancer with the exception of the female gender.

Hemoptysis in a referral hospital for pulmonology.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main causes of hemoptysis and to classify this symptom, in terms of the amount of blood expectorated, in patients hospitalized at a referral hospital for pulmonology. METHODS: The study included 50 patients with hemoptysis admitted to the pulmonology ward of a general hospital in the city of Recife, Brazil, between July of 2005 and February of 2006. The data of interest were analyzed and compared with those in the literature. RESULTS: The most common cause of hemoptysis was infection--in 39 patients (78%)--mostly related to tuberculosis sequelae or active tuberculosis. Regarding the severity of hemoptysis, moderate hemoptysis, diagnosed in 28 patients (56%), was the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that all patients who present with hemoptysis should be investigated for infection.

Hemoptise em hospital de referência em pneumologia / Hemoptysis in a referral hospital for pulmonology

OBJETIVO: Determinar as principais causas de hemoptise e classificar esse sintoma quanto ao volume de sangue expectorado em pacientes internados em um hospital de referência em pneumologia. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 50 pacientes com hemoptise internados na enfermaria de pneumologia de um hospital geral na cidade do Recife (PE) no período entre julho de 2005 e fevereiro de 2006. Os dados de interesse foram analisados e comparados aos da literatura mundial. RESULTADOS: As infecções foram principais causas de hemoptise - em 39 pacientes (78 por cento) - a maioria delas relacionadas a sequelas de tuberculose pulmonar ou secundárias a tuberculose ativa. Em relação ao grau de hemoptise, as hemoptises moderadas, diagnosticadas em 28 pacientes (56 por cento), foram as mais encontradas. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados sugerem que todos os pacientes com hemoptise devam ser investigados quanto a infecções.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main causes of hemoptysis and to classify this symptom, in terms of the amount of blood expectorated, in patients hospitalized at a referral hospital for pulmonology. METHODS: The study included 50 patients with hemoptysis admitted to the pulmonology ward of a general hospital in the city of Recife, Brazil, between July of 2005 and February of 2006. The data of interest were analyzed and compared with those in the literature. RESULTS: The most common cause of hemoptysis was infection-in 39 patients (78 percent)-mostly related to tuberculosis sequelae or active tuberculosis. Regarding the severity of hemoptysis, moderate hemoptysis, diagnosed in 28 patients (56 percent), was the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that all patients who present with hemoptysis should be investigated for infection.

Câncer de pele: estudo dos principais marcadores moleculares do melanoma cutâneo / Skin cancer: main molecular markers of cutaneous melanoma

Melanoma é a principal doença fatal relacionada à pele. A incidência e a mortalidade pelo melanoma vêm aumentandono mundo, sendo sua incidência em países pouco desenvolvidos pouco conhecida. No Brasil, 0,15 por cento de todas as neoplasias malignas correspondem a esta doença, sendo o diagnóstico histológico crescente. Visto que 12 por cento dos pacientes com melanoma metastático sobrevivem mais de cinco anos, a chance de cura dessa doença está diretamente relacionada ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento no início do seu desenvolvimento. Por isso, estudos sobre a biologia molecular do melanoma cutâneo buscando a identificação de marcadores moleculares são interessantes na previsão do diagnóstico e na melhoria do prognóstico dos indivíduos com essa doença. Marcadores imuno-histoquímicos (Mel-CAM), enzimáticos (Tirosinase), protéicos (Integrinas; ICAM - 1; ciclina D1) e genéticos (CDKN2A; p53; p21) podem ser utilizados para esse fim. Devido a isso, foi observado um grande avanço nos estudos do desenvolvimento dos mecanismos patogênicos do melanoma maligno.