Surgical, oncologic, and obstetric outcomes of radical trachelectomy in early-stage cervical cancer: results from a retrospective cohort study at Brazil National Cancer Institute.

Objective: to analyze oncological, obstetrical, and surgical results of young early-stage cervical cancer patients who underwent radical trachelectomy (RT) surgery and wished to maintain their fertility. Methodology: a retrospective cohort study was carried out concerning cases attended at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute Gynecology Oncology Service. Patients who underwent RT between January 2005 and January 2021 were included. Results: A total of 32 patients with median age of 32 years old, 62.5% of whom were nulliparous, were assessed. Concerning cancer type, 65.6% squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases, 31.2% adenocarcinoma cases and 3.1% adenosquamous carcinoma cases were verified. Stage IA2 was evidenced in 12.5% of the patients and stage IB < 4 cm in 87.5%. Regarding surgical approaches, 68.25% of the patients underwent vaginal RT (VRT), 18.75%, abdominal RT (ART), 9.3%, the robotic radical trachelectomy (RORT) and 3.1%, video laparoscopy radical trachelectomy (VLRT). The median number of removed lymph nodes was 14, with only two detected as positive. Two cases of positive surgical margins were noted. A total of 3.1% intraoperative and 31.25% postoperative complications were observed, with cervical stenosis being the most common. The recurrence rate of the study was 3.1%, with a median follow-up time of 87 months, where 3.1% deaths occurred. The pregnancy rate of the study was 17.85% (5/28), with 54.5% evolving to live births and 45.5% evolving to abortion. Conclusion: Radical trachelectomy is a feasible procedure presenting good oncological results and acceptable pregnancy rates.

Microbiome analysis of Brazilian women cervix reveals specific bacterial abundance correlation to RIG-like receptor gene expression.

The relationship among microbiome, immunity and cervical cancer has been targeted by several studies, yet many questions remain unanswered. We characterized herein the virome and bacteriome from cervical samples and correlated these findings with innate immunity gene expression in a Brazilian convenience sample of HPV-infected (HPV+) and uninfected (HPV-) women. For this purpose, innate immune gene expression data were correlated to metagenomic information. Correlation analysis showed that interferon (IFN) is able to differentially modulate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) expression based on HPV status. Virome analysis indicated that HPV infection correlates to the presence of Anellovirus (AV) and seven complete HPV genomes were assembled. Bacteriome results unveiled that vaginal community state types (CST) distribution was independent of HPV or AV status, although bacterial phyla distribution differed between groups. Furthermore, TLR3 and IFNαR2 levels were higher in the Lactobacillus no iners-dominated mucosa and we detected correlations among RIG-like receptors (RLR) associated genes and abundance of specific anaerobic bacteria. Collectively, our data show an intriguing connection between HPV and AV infections that could foster cervical cancer development. Besides that, TLR3 and IFNαR2 seem to create a protective milieu in healthy cervical mucosa (L. no iners-dominated), and RLRs, known to recognize viral RNA, were correlated to anaerobic bacteria suggesting that they might be related to dysbiosis.

Preventing Uterine Cervix Cancer: The Clinical Meaning of Atypical Glandular Cells / Prevenção do câncer do colo uterino: Significado clínico das células glandulares atípicas

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of the atypical glandular cells (AGCs) cytology and to analyze its clinical significance in different age ranges. Methods Retrospective observational study using computerized data from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, including women screened between January 2002 and December 2008. The women included were those with an AGC result who were properly followed-up with colposcopy and a second cytology. Results A total of 132,147 cytopathological exams were performed during the study period. Five-hundred and thirty-three (0.4%) women with AGC cytology were identified and, of these, 69.41% (370/533) were properly referred for colposcopy and a new cytology. Most of the women (79.2%) with a 1st or 2nd AGC cytology were between the ages of 25 and 54 years. The 2nd cytology demonstrated 67.6% (250/370) of normality, 24.5% (91/370) of squamous atypia, and 6.2% (23/370) of AGC, 0.8% (3/370) adenocarcinoma in situ and 0.8% (3/370) adenocarcinoma invasor. On biopsy of the women with a second AGC cytology, 43.4% (10/23) had normal histology, 43.4% (10/23) had squamous lesions, 8.7% (2/23) had invasive adenocarcinoma, and 1.2% (1/23) had an inconclusive report. All of the women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or invasive adenocarcinoma (respectively 5 and 2 patients), after a 2nd AGC cytology were 25 years old or older. Conclusion The prevalence of the AGC cytology was low in the studied population. Most of the AGC cytology cases occurred in adult women between the ages of 25 and 54. Although most of the patients had normal histology after follow-up, several of them presented with squamous intraepithelial lesions or invasive adenocarcinoma.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar a prevalência de citologia com laudo de células glandulares atípicas (AGCs, na sigla em inglês) e analisar a significância clínica nas diferentes faixas etárias Métodos Estudo observacional retrospectivo, usando os dados arquivados no sistema do Instituto Nacional de Câncer no Brasil, que incluiu mulheres rastreadas entre janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2008. As mulheres incluídas tinham citologia com resultado de AGCs, que foram acompanhadas com colposcopia e nova citologia Resultados Um total de132,147 exames citopatológicos foram incluídos durante o período de estudo. Quinhentas e trinta e três mulheres com citologia de AGC foram identificadas e destas, 69.41% (370) foram encaminhadas para colposcopia e nova citologia. A prevalência de citologia de AGC na população estudada foi 0.4%. A maioria das mulheres (79.22%) com resultado citológico de AGC tinham idade entre 25 e 54 anos. A segunda citologia demonstrou 67.56% (250/370) de normalidade, 24.5% (91/370) de atipias escamosas, e 6.2% (23/370) de AGC. Na biopsia das mulheres com a 2ª citologia de AGC, 43.4% (10/23) tinham histologia normal, 43.4% (10/23) tinha lesões escamosas, 8.7% (2/23) tinha adenocarcinoma invasor e 1.2% (1/23) tinha laudo inconclusivo. Todas as mulheres com lesões intraepiteliais escamosas de alto grau (HSIL, na sigla em inglês) ou adenocarcinoma invasor (respectivamente 5 e 2pacientes), após a 2ª citologia com AGC, tinham 25 anos de idade ou mais. Conclusão A prevalência de citologia com AGC foi baixa na população estudada. Muitos casos de citologia com AGC apareceram em mulheres adultas, entre 25 e 54 anos de idade. Embora a maioria das pacientes tiveram histologia normal após seguimento, várias apresentaram lesões intraepiteliais escamosas ou glandulares invasoras.

Preventing Uterine Cervix Cancer: The Clinical Meaning of Atypical Glandular Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the atypical glandular cells (AGCs) cytology and to analyze its clinical significance in different age ranges. METHODS: Retrospective observational study using computerized data from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, including women screened between January 2002 and December 2008. The women included were those with an AGC result who were properly followed-up with colposcopy and a second cytology. RESULTS: A total of 132,147 cytopathological exams were performed during the study period. Five-hundred and thirty-three (0.4%) women with AGC cytology were identified and, of these, 69.41% (370/533) were properly referred for colposcopy and a new cytology. Most of the women (79.2%) with a 1st or 2nd AGC cytology were between the ages of 25 and 54 years. The 2nd cytology demonstrated 67.6% (250/370) of normality, 24.5% (91/370) of squamous atypia, and 6.2% (23/370) of AGC, 0.8% (3/370) adenocarcinoma in situ and 0.8% (3/370) adenocarcinoma invasor. On biopsy of the women with a second AGC cytology, 43.4% (10/23) had normal histology, 43.4% (10/23) had squamous lesions, 8.7% (2/23) had invasive adenocarcinoma, and 1.2% (1/23) had an inconclusive report. All of the women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or invasive adenocarcinoma (respectively 5 and 2 patients), after a 2nd AGC cytology were 25 years old or older. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the AGC cytology was low in the studied population. Most of the AGC cytology cases occurred in adult women between the ages of 25 and 54. Although most of the patients had normal histology after follow-up, several of them presented with squamous intraepithelial lesions or invasive adenocarcinoma.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de citologia com laudo de células glandulares atípicas (AGCs, na sigla em inglês) e analisar a significância clínica nas diferentes faixas etárias MéTODOS: Estudo observacional retrospectivo, usando os dados arquivados no sistema do Instituto Nacional de Câncer no Brasil, que incluiu mulheres rastreadas entre janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2008. As mulheres incluídas tinham citologia com resultado de AGCs, que foram acompanhadas com colposcopia e nova citologia RESULTADOS: Um total de132,147 exames citopatológicos foram incluídos durante o período de estudo. Quinhentas e trinta e três mulheres com citologia de AGC foram identificadas e destas, 69.41% (370) foram encaminhadas para colposcopia e nova citologia. A prevalência de citologia de AGC na população estudada foi 0.4%. A maioria das mulheres (79.22%) com resultado citológico de AGC tinham idade entre 25 e 54 anos. A segunda citologia demonstrou 67.56% (250/370) de normalidade, 24.5% (91/370) de atipias escamosas, e 6.2% (23/370) de AGC. Na biopsia das mulheres com a 2ª citologia de AGC, 43.4% (10/23) tinham histologia normal, 43.4% (10/23) tinha lesões escamosas, 8.7% (2/23) tinha adenocarcinoma invasor e 1.2% (1/23) tinha laudo inconclusivo. Todas as mulheres com lesões intraepiteliais escamosas de alto grau (HSIL, na sigla em inglês) ou adenocarcinoma invasor (respectivamente 5 e 2 pacientes), após a 2ª citologia com AGC, tinham 25 anos de idade ou mais. CONCLUSãO: A prevalência de citologia com AGC foi baixa na população estudada. Muitos casos de citologia com AGC apareceram em mulheres adultas, entre 25 e 54 anos de idade. Embora a maioria das pacientes tiveram histologia normal após seguimento, várias apresentaram lesões intraepiteliais escamosas ou glandulares invasoras.

HPV Induces Changes in Innate Immune and Adhesion Molecule Markers in Cervical Mucosa With Potential Impact on HIV Infection.

While most HPV infections are asymptomatic and clear spontaneously, persistent infection with high-risk HPVs is associated with cervical cancer and with increased risk of HIV acquisition. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, none has been confirmed. Our aim was to investigate the expression of host factors involved in the susceptibility to HIV infection among HPV-infected women. Cervical samples were collected to characterize the expression levels of HIV susceptibility markers in the mucosa of HPV-infected compared with HPV-uninfected women. No differences in the frequency of CCR5+, integrin α4ß7+, activated and memory CD4+ T-cell were detected between the groups. We additionally evaluated the expression levels of genes involved in innate immune responses and in cell adhesion. HPV infected patients expressed higher levels of TLR9 and lower levels of pattern recognition receptors that recognize RNA (TLR3, TLR7, and MDA5/IFIH1). We also detected an impaired IFN pathway, with an increased Type I IFN and a decreased IFNα2 receptor expression. HPV+ samples displayed reduced expression of genes for adherens and tight junctions. Taken together, these results suggest that although HPV infection does not result in the recruitment/activation of susceptible CD4+ T-cell in the female genital tract, it leads to changes in the innate antiviral immune responses and in cell adhesion that are likely to favor HIV infection.

Evaluation of uterine cervical cancer in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the prevalence and the regression rate of cytological alteration in pregnant patients below the recommended age by the Brazilian Guidelines for the Screening of Uterine Cervical Cancer Guideline in the prenatal service of Maternidade Escola da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. STUDY DESIGN: We included the cytopathological exams of all pregnant patients that attended on the outpatient from January 2010 to May 2016. For the identification of the pregnant women, the Management and Integrated System and the Uterine Cervical Cancer Information System of the institution were used. We performed X2 test. The level of significance was 0.05. RESULTS: The study totaled 5825 cytopathological exams, of which 1822 were from pregnant patients ≤ 24 years of age. Only 4.06 % (74/1822) of altered results were found (p < 0.05). The most frequent change was low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion with a prevalence of 1.92 % (35/1822) whereas high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion had 0.16 % (3/1822). The regression rate in pregnant patients ≤24 years of age was 34,32 %. CONCLUSION: There was a low prevalence of cytological abnormalities in pregnant patients ≤ 24 years, low frequency of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion among the altered cytologies and a high spontaneous regression rate, therefore screening is not recommended before the age determined by the Brazilian Guideline.

Detection of sexually transmitted infections at a Brazilian gynecology center: high prevalence of co-infections / Detecção de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em uma unidade ginecológica brasileira: alta prevalência de coinfecções

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) remain a major public health problem and surveillance is crucial for prevention and control strategies. Objective: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of STI in a reference center for gynecology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Materials and methods: It is a cross-sectional study conducted between August 2016 and June 2017. Whole blood and cervical cells were collected from 62 women and tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes simples virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1/2). Cervical lesions were diagnosed by cytopathology and in some patients by colposcopy (79%). Other STI were evaluated during clinical examination. Results: Cervical lesions were detected by cytopathology examinations in 46.8% of patients; those with a history of four sexual partners were at higher risk of developing them. There was moderate agreement between the cytopathology e colposcopy results (Kappa = 0.69). The prevalence of HSV (96.7%), syphilis (6.4%) and HIV (3.2%) were higher than that described in the literature, while the prevalence of chlamydia (6.4%) and gonorrhea (1.6%) were similar. HPV was detected in 53.2% of women, 32.3% of which were infected by HPV 16. In the context of co-infections, 38 women (61.3%) presented more than one STI. Conclusion: Since most of the women analyzed were affected by more than one STI, our results suggest that routine screening for these infections at health centers would help in early detection, treatment and prevention of these infections. These measures would also impact on patients' cervical cancer control.

RESUMO Introdução: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (ISTs) ainda são um importante problema de saúde pública, e a vigilância é essencial para sua prevenção e seu controle. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência das ISTs em uma unidade de referência ginecológica no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado entre agosto de 2016 e junho de 2017. Foram coletados sangue total e células cervicais de 62 mulheres e realizados testes para detecção de papiloma vírus humano (HPV), vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV), sífilis, clamídia, gonorreia e vírus do herpes simples 1 e 2 (HSV-1/2). As lesões cervicais foram diagnosticadas por citopatologia, e em algumas pacientes, por colposcopia (79%). Outras ISTs foram avaliadas durante o exame clínico. Resultados: Foram encontradas lesões cervicais pelo exame citopatológico em 46,8% das pacientes; aquelas com história de quatro parceiros sexuais tiveram mais risco de desenvolvê-las. Houve concordância moderada entre os resultados da citopatologia e colposcopia (Kappa = 0,69). A prevalência de HSV (96,7%), sífilis (6,4%) e HIV (3,2%) foi maior que a descrita na literatura, enquanto a prevalência de clamídia (6,4%) e gonorreia (1,6%) foi similar. O HPV foi detectado em 53,2% das mulheres, sendo 32,3% delas infectadas pelo HPV 16. No contexto das coinfecções, 38 mulheres (61,3%) tinham mais de uma IST. Conclusão: Visto que a maioria das mulheres analisadas era acometida por mais de uma IST, nossos resultados sugerem que uma triagem rotineira dessas infecções nas unidades de saúde poderia auxiliar na detecção precoce, bem como no tratamento e na prevenção. Essas medidas também impactariam no controle do câncer cervical das pacientes.

Association between human papillomavirus and Epstein - Barr virus DNA and gene promoter methylation of RB1 and CDH1 in the cervical lesions: a transversal study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) inactivates the retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene by promoter methylation and reduces cellular E-cadherin expression by overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic virus that may be related to cervical carcinogenesis. In gastric cancer, it has been demonstrated that E-cadherin gene (CDH1) hypermethylation is associated with DNMT1 overexpression by EBV infection. Our aim was to analyze the gene promoter methylation frequency of RB1 and CDH1 and verify the association between that methylation frequency and HPV and EBV infection in cervical lesions. METHODS: Sixty-five samples were obtained from cervical specimens: 15 normal cervices, 17 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 15 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and 18 cervical cancers. HPV and EBV DNA testing was performed by PCR, and the methylation status was verified by MSP. RESULTS: HPV frequency was associated with cervical cancer cases (p = 0.005) but not EBV frequency (p = 0.732). Viral co-infection showed a statistically significant correlation with cancer (p = 0.027). No viral infection was detected in 33.3% (5/15) of controls. RB1 methylated status was associated with cancer (p = 0.009) and HPV infection (p = 0.042). CDH1 methylation was not associated with cancer (p = 0.181). Controls and LSIL samples did not show simultaneous methylation, while both genes were methylated in 27.8% (5/18) of cancer samples. In the presence of EBV, CDH1 methylation was present in 27.8% (5/18) of cancer samples. Only cancer cases presented RB1 promoter methylation in the presence of HPV and EBV (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The methylation status of both genes increased with disease progression. With EBV, RB1 methylation was a tumor-associated event because only the cancer group presented methylated RB1 with HPV infection. HPV infection was shown to be significantly correlated with cancer conditions. The global methylation frequency was higher when HPV was present, showing its epigenetic role in cervical carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, EBV seems to be a cofactor and needs to be further investigated. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1159157579149317 .

TIMP-2 gene methylation in cervical precursor and invasive lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presence of HPV-DNA and TIMP-2 gene methylation in cervical precursor and invasive lesions, as well as to study the associations among the latter, the presence of HPV-DNA, and the clinical evolution of such lesions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that includes 49 biopsy or brush smear samples from women with a normal cervix, LSIL, HSIL, microinvasive carcinoma and invasive carcinoma. The presence of HPV-DNA and specific methylation was analyzed using PCR. Thirty-eight biopsy samples for HSIL, microinvasive carcinoma and frank invasive carcinoma as well as 11 brush smear samples for LSIL and normal cervices were analyzed. RESULTS: TIMP-2 gene methylation was detected in 86.8% (33/38) of the samples from the group with lesions and 50% (4/8) of the normal samples (p=0.03). HPV-DNA was detected in 81.6% (31/38) of the samples from the group with lesions and 25% (2/8) of the normal samples (p=0.003). HPV-DNA was more frequent in the methylated samples (50%), and the group with methylation had a higher risk of unfavorable evolution than the group without methylation; however, such observations were not statistically significant (p=0.19). CONCLUSION: TIMP-2 gene methylation and the presence of HPV-DNA were characteristic of the group with cervical lesions. Methylation was not associated with the presence of HPV-DNA or an unfavorable clinical evolution.

HPV DNA genotyping and methylation of gene p16 INK4A in cervical LSIL.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation is the most important epigenetic change involved in the control of gene expression in human cells. Methylation of the p16(INK4a) gene occurs early in the development of cervical cancer. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) are prevalent, and their behavior is variable. OBJECTIVE: To identify the HPV DNA type, detect the methylation status of the p16(INK4A) gene, and analyze their association with the cytological evolution of LSIL over a period of two years. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study with 40 participants. Cervical scrapings were collected for cytological and molecular analysis. HPV DNA detection and typing were performed by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Methylation-specific PCR was performed to detect methylation. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 87% of the cases, and type 16 was the most frequent type. Methylation was detected in 11% of the cases and did not exhibit a significant correlation with the HPV type. Unfavorable cytological evolution exhibited a significant association with the presence of methylation. CONCLUSION: HPV 16 was the most frequently detected type of HPV in LSIL. Methylation of the p16(INK4A) gene was infrequent and occurred independent of the presence of HPV DNA. Methylation of the p16(INK4a) gene exhibited a significant correlation with persistence/progression of LSIL.

Analysis of the use of fasciocutaneous flaps for immediate vulvar reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of immediate reconstruction techniques of the vulva after surgical resection, with fasciocutaneous flaps of the medial and/or posterior thigh. METHODS: We conducted a transversal, retrospective study to analyse the outcome of immediate surgical reconstruction with fasciocutaneous flaps in nine patients who underwent vulvectomy from May 2009 to August 2010. RESULTS: Mean age was 61 years (range 36-82). In 56% of cases, diagnosis was vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), usual type. Radical vulvectomy was performed in 45% of patients, simple vulvectomy in 33% and wide resections in 22%. Eleven fasciocutaneous flaps were made, of which 36.3% were flap transpositions from the posterior thigh, 18.2% from the medial thigh, 18.2% were in advancement flaps, 18.2% simple advancement flaps and 9.1% flap rotation from the posterior thigh. There were no major losses of the flaps made. CONCLUSION: Thigh fasciocutaneous flaps are currently the best options for immediate reconstruction after resection of vulvar cancer due to the preservation of sensibility and tissue availability in the donor areas. The association of the Plastic Surgeon with the Gynecologist offers tranquility for patients and provides good postoperative results.

Análise do emprego de retalhos fasciocutâneos para reconstrução vulvar imediata / Analysis of the use of fasciocutaneous flaps for immediate vulvar reconstruction

OBJETIVO: Analisar o emprego de técnicas de reconstrução imediata de vulva, pós-ressecção cirúrgica, com retalhos fasciocutâneos das faces medial e/ou posterior da coxa. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte transversal, retrospectivo, para análise do resultado da reconstrução cirúrgica imediata, com retalhos fasciocutâneos em nove pacientes submetidas à vulvectomia, no período de maio de 2009 a agosto de 2010. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 61 anos (variação 36 a 82 anos). Em 56% dos casos, o diagnóstico foi neoplasia intraepitelial vulvar (NIV) tipo usual. A vulvectomia radical foi realizada em 45% das pacientes, a vulvectomia simples em 33% e as ressecções amplas, em 22%. Foram confeccionados 11 retalhos fasciocutâneos, sendo 36,3% de transposições de retalho posterior de coxa, 18,2% de retalhos mediais de coxa, 18,2% de retalhos em avanço em V-Y, 18,2% de retalhos em avanço simples e 9,1% de rotação de retalho de região posterior de coxa. Não houve casos de perdas importantes dos retalhos confeccionados. CONCLUSÃO: Os retalhos fasciocutâneos de coxa são, atualmente, boas opções para a reconstrução imediata da vulva pós-ressecção oncológica devido à preservação da sensibilidade e da disponibilidade tecidual nas áreas doadoras. A associação do Cirurgião Plástico com o Ginecologista oferece tranquilidade às pacientes e determina bons resultados pós-operatórios.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of immediate reconstruction techniques of the vulva after surgical resection, with fasciocutaneous flaps of the medial and/or posterior thigh. METHODS: We conducted a transversal, retrospective study to analyse the outcome of immediate surgical reconstruction with fasciocutaneous flaps in nine patients who underwent vulvectomy from May 2009 to August 2010. RESULTS: Mean age was 61 years (range 36-82). In 56% of cases, diagnosis was vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), usual type. Radical vulvectomy was performed in 45% of patients, simple vulvectomy in 33% and wide resections in 22%. Eleven fasciocutaneous flaps were made, of which 36.3% were flap transpositions from the posterior thigh, 18.2% from the medial thigh, 18.2% were in advancement flaps, 18.2% simple advancement flaps and 9.1% flap rotation from the posterior thigh. There were no major losses of the flaps made. CONCLUSION: Thigh fasciocutaneous flaps are currently the best options for immediate reconstruction after resection of vulvar cancer due to the preservation of sensibility and tissue availability in the donor areas. The association of the Plastic Surgeon with the Gynecologist offers tranquility for patients and provides good postoperative results.

Diagnóstico citopatológico de ASC-US e ASC-H no serviço integrado tecnológico em citologia do INCA / Cytopathologic diagnosis of ASC-US and ASC-H at the INCA technological integrated service in cytology

Introdução: Células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado são definidas pela presença de anormalidades mais acentuadas que aquelas atribuídas às alterações reativas. Objetivo: Determinar a frequência de diagnósticos ASC-US e ASC-H, entre o total de citologias; a porcentagem de laudos ASC-US e ASC-H entre os laudos citológicos alterados no mesmo período; a frequência desses laudos no Serviço Integrado Tecnológico em Citologia (SITEC) / INCA; e sua distribuição por faixa etária. Método: Estudo de prevalência, no qual foi avaliada a frequência de laudoscitopatológicos de ASC-US e ASC-H, no banco de dados do SITEC/INCA, entre janeiro de 2007 e dezembro de 2010. Resultados: A frequência de exames citopatológicos com diagnóstico de ASC-US foi 2,5% e de ASC-H foi de 0,2%. Entre o total de exames alterados, o contingente de diagnósticos ASC-US foi de 44,7% e de ASC-H foi de 4,4%. Na análise de frequências por faixas etárias, o maior percentual de ASC -US foi 3,3% no grupo entre 15-19 anos,o menor percentual de ASC-US foi 1,6% no grupo entre 55-59 anos. O maior percentual de ASC-H foi de 0,2% no grupo com mais de 60 anos e o menor percentual de ASC-H foi 0,1% no grupo entre 15-19 anos. Conclusão: A frequência por idade de cada categoria foi dentro do esperado para o tipo de laudo: ASC-US mais diagnosticado emfaixas etárias mais jovens e ASC-H diagnosticado com pouca variação na frequência em mulheres de todas as faixas etária. A frequência de células escamosas atípicas no SITEC/INCA não ultrapassou 5%

Microinvasive squamous carcinoma (FIGO stage IA1) of the cervix: are there colposcopic criteria for the diagnosis?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate colposcopic sensitivity in the diagnosis of microinvasive squamous carcinoma of the cervix. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 151 patients from 1991-2008. The colposcopic findings of microinvasion suspicion were described by the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy in 2003. RESULTS: There has been colposcopic suspicion of invasion in 35 patients, which represents a sensitivity of 23%. The major colposcopic findings that were observed in the transformation zone included acetowhite epithelium in 21% (32/151 patients), coarse punctuation in 19% (29/151 patients), coarse mosaic in 17% (26/151 patients), and atypical vessels in 3.9% (6/151 patients). Suspicion of microinvasion was found in 14.5% of unsatisfactory colposcopy and in 8.6% of satisfactory colposcopy. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of colposcopy in the diagnosis of microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix was low. Colposcopy plays an important role in directing the biopsy to the most suspicious area. The definitive diagnosis of microinvasive squamous carcinoma is established only by histologic study.

Série de casos de verruga anogenital em crianças tratadas com imiquimodes / Case series of anogenital warts in children treated with imiquimod

Apresentamos três casos de verrugas anogenitais em crianças, entre julho de 2009 e julho de 2010, tratadas com imiquimode creme a 5%. Esse estudo salienta a possibilidade do uso de uma droga imunomoduladora, evitando a realização de tratamentos tradicionais, tais como a excisão cirúrgica, os métodos físicos e químicos que, além de dolorosos, requerem internação e anestesia, podendo deixar cicatrizes com extensão proporcional ao tamanho da lesão.

We present three cases of anogenital warts in children, between July 2009 and July 2010, treated with imiquimod 5% cream. This study highlights the possibility of using an immunomodulatory drug, avoiding the need of traditional treatments such as surgical excision, physical and chemical methods, which are not only painful, but also require hospitalization and anesthesia, and can leave scars with extension proportional to the size of the injury.

The presence of methylation of the p16INK4A gene and human papillomavirus in high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Methylation is a chemical modification in which a methyl group (CH3) is added to the cytosine in the promoter region of the gene. It involves a very frequent epigenetic event that is found in many human cancers. Currently, there is no consensus on whether methylation of the p16 gene could be used as a biomarker in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The authors studied the presence of methylation of the p16 gene and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, and a possible relationship between them in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. This case-control study analyzed 27 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion samples and 20 normal cytology samples. To detect p16 methylation, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was used, and for HPV DNA detection the polymerase chain reaction was performed by using MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ consensus primers. The presence of methylation of the promoter region of the p16INK4a gene was detected in 55.6% of the samples from the case group, whereas it was detected only in 20% of the samples from the control group (P=0.005). HPV DNA was found in 66.7% of the samples from the case group, whereas only 15% from the control group (P=0.0001). The relationship between the presence of methylation of the p16 gene and HPV DNA did not prove statistically significant in the case group (P=0.67) or the control group (P=0.51). In conclusion, the presence of methylation of the p16 gene constituted an occurrence that was early but independent of the presence of HPV DNA.

Evaluation of DAPK gene methylation and HPV and EBV infection in cervical cells from patients with normal cytology and colposcopy.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of promoter methylation of the death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene and HPV and EBV infections in cervical cells from patients with normal cytology and colposcopy. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty women, who had been patients at the Institute of Gynecology of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) for routine examinations and who showed normal cytology and colposcopy, were selected for this work. Cervical brushings were used for DNA extraction, and the analysis of methylation patterns of the DAPK gene was done through chemical modification with sodium bisulfite. Analysis of viral infection was done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Of the 20 patients studied, six (30%) presented methylation of the DAPK gene, five (25%) presented infection with EBV and three (15%) presented coinfection with HPV/EBV. Associating methylation with viral infection, we found methylated DAPK in one patient (16%) with EBV, in two patients (33%) with co-infection and in three patients (50%) with no viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we verified, for the first time, the methylation pattern of the DAPK gene in cervical smears from patients with normal cytology and colposcopy. The results also showed the presence of viral infections in these patients. EBV infection, irrespective of whether associated with HPV or not, may contribute to cervical carcinogenesis as a cofactor. Methylation of the DAPK gene is associated with cell transformation, suggesting that DAPK methylation might be an important marker for the development of cervical epithelial neoplasias.