Cáncer de la vesícula biliar: análisis preliminar del programa GES para prevención de esta enfermedad / Gallbladder cancer: preliminary evaluation of the GES program to prevent the disease

Objetivo: Analizar datos relacionados con el programa «Colecistectomía como prevención del cáncer de vesícula biliar¼. Método: Se analizan los resultados obtenidos de la página web del DEIS del Ministerio de Salud chileno. Resultados: El año 2006, fecha de inicio del programa, fueron egresados 42.780 pacientes entre 20 y 64 años con diagnósticos correspondientes a los códigos CIE-10, K80-K83. El año 2012, el número de egresos fue de 58.818, lo que significó que desde el año 2006 fueron egresados 39.419 pacientes más que si se hubiesen mantenido los números del año 2006. Por otra parte, desde antes de la puesta en práctica del programa, se aprecia una disminución de la mortalidad ajustada por edad del cáncer de vesícula. Conclusión: Aunque desde la puesta en marcha del programa de prevención del cáncer de vesícula se observa un aumento en el número de casos intervenidos, especialmente durante los años 2011 y 2012, la caída de la tasa de mortalidad parece deberse a factores diferentes al aumento de las colecistectomías.

Goal: To evaluate published data related to the program ‘Cholecystectomy as prevention of Gallbladder Cancer’. Method: Analysis of the results obtained from the DEIS web page (Ministry of Health of Chile). Results: Since 2006, The Chile Ministry of Health began a program to reduce the number of gallbladder cancer cases in Chile. To accomplish the above, Chile Government has guarantied the execution of a cholecystectomy program under parameters of quality, opportunity and financial support between the ages of 35 and 49 years old. During 2006, 42,780 patients corresponding to the ICD 10 codes, K80-K83 between 20 and 64 years old were discharged from Chilean Hospitals. In 2012, six years after the beginning of the program, 58,818 were discharged. The program would make done possible to discharge approximately 39,419 extra patients. On the other hand, during the last ten years, a decrease in the mortality rate of gallbladder cancer has been observed in Chile. Conclusion: Although since the beginning of the program an increase in the number of patients discharged is observed, the decrease in the gallbladder cancer mortality seems not to have relation with the program.

Expresión y amplificación del gen HER2 en el cáncer gástrico avanzado / HER2 gene amplification and overexpression in advanced gastric cancer

Background:Overexpression/amplification of the HER2 gene in advanced gastric cancer is a predictor of response to adjuvant therapy with monoclonal antibodies.Aim: To determine the frequency of HER2 gene overexpression and amplificationin advanced gastric cancer. Material and Methods: One hundred nine advancedgastric cancer biopsy specimens, from 76 men and 33 women aged 67 ± 14 and 62± 12 years respectively, were selected. Three histological patterns (diffuse, intestinaland mixed) were recognized. Automated immunohistochemistry was performedwith monoclonal c-erbB-2 (NCL-356) Novocastra. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for HER2 was performed in positive cases. Results: In 39% of cases,immunohistochemical staining was negative. It was 1+, 2+ and 3+ positive in 15,36 and 11% of cases, respectively. It was positive in 16% and 3% of intestinal typeand mixed carcinomas, respectively. It was negative in all diffuse carcinomas. FISHwas performed in 39 (2 +) cases and in 11 (3 +) cases. The gene amplification waspositive in two (2 +) and 11 (3 +) cases (11.9%). The overall concordance betweenimmunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization was 85%. Conclusions: Inadvanced gastric cancer, HER2 gene overexpression or amplification was observed in11% and 12% of cases, respectively.

[Strategies for the surgical treatment of gallbladder cancer]. / Aspectos quirúrgicos del cáncer de vesícula biliar.

There is controversy in some aspects of the surgical treatment of non-mucosal gallbladder carcinoma. An accurate staging based on T (wall) involvement is crucial, otherwise understanding may yield falsely pessimistic results. The decision about the type of resection to be performed should be based on patient status (age, performance, comorbidities, etc) and tumor characteristics (histological type, vascular, neural or lymphatic spread, cell differentiation, tumor involvement of surgical margins in cystic duct, etc). For muscular (T1b) involvement, there is a great controversy about performing a simple cholecystectomy or en-block radical resection. For T2 there is consensus that an en-block radical surgery including liver resection (IVb - V) and lymphonodal clearance should be performed, since this approach has a great impact in survival. The role of surgical excision for tumors with serosal or liver involvement is controversial, due to the poor survival of these patients. However we have observed a 13% actuarial survival at 5 years, in this subset of patients.

[Detection of bone marrow micrometastases in patients with gallbladder cancer]. / Detección de micrometástasis en médula ósea de pacientes con cáncer de vesícula biliar.

BACKGROUND: There is a very strong documented correlation between the appearance of cancer cells in blood and occurrence of metastasis in gastrointestinal cancer. AIM: To determine MUC1, CK19, CK20 and CEA mRNA expression in bone marrow of patients with gallbladder cancer and evaluate its clinical significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty eight samples were analyzed, 38 bone marrow samples of gallbladder cancer patients, 20 healthy donors, and 10 frozen samples of gallbladder cancer. Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) was used to analyze mRNA expression. RESULTS: All frozen tumors were positive for CEA, CK19, and MUC1 mRNA and 70% were positive for CK20. Seventeen of 20 donor samples were positive for MUC1 and only one sample from donors was positive for both CK20 and CK19 mRNA. Among the 38 blood and bone marrow samples of gallbladder cancer patients, the expression of MUC1, CK19, CK20, and CEA, mRNA was 60.5% (23/38), 31.6% (12/38), 7.9% (3/38), and 7.9% (3/38), respectively. Disregarding the MUC1 results. 37% (14/38), 13% (5/38) and 5% (2/38) were positive for one, two and three markers respectively. Not significant differences were found in survival with a follow up to 12 months. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the molecular detection of tumor cells in bone marrow in patients with gallbladder carcinoma is technically possible, being CEA, CK19 and CK20 gene expression the best markers. The MUC1 gene expression marker was highly unspecific and it should not been considered. The detection of bone marrow micrometastasis might be helpful in prognosis and the selection of clinical treatment but a larger series with a longer follow-up should be studied.

Tumores quísticos del páncreas / Cystic tumors of the pancreas

Cystic tumors of the pancreas are diagnosed with increasing frequency. The main problems associated with their diagnosis are to determine ifthey are benign of malingnant and to decide their surgicai excision or clinical follow up, since these tumors can be benign, potentiaiiy maiignant or malignant. Imaging techniques such as CT sean, magnetic resonance and endoscopic uitrasonography are the key procedures that must be performed before adopting a final therapeutic decision. However, 10 percent of cystic lesions are unable to be categorized even after thorough imaging evaluation. We analyze the characteristics of the more common cystic pancreatic lesions and the means to recognize them.

Cáncer de la vesícula biliar / Gallbladder cancer

El cáncer de la vesícula biliar constituye en Chile la principal causa de muerte oncológica en la mujer. De los factores asociados, la presencia de cálculos es el más importante, observado en más del 90 por ciento de los pacientes. La mayoría de los pacientes son detectados luego del examen de la pieza de colecistectomía. El diagnóstico mediante imágenes es factible solo en tumores avanzados. En cuanto a la evaluación de los pacientes, el nivel de infiltración del tumor en la pared vesicular, es el método más certero para predecir el pronóstico de los pacientes. La cirugía es el único método terapéutico curativo cuando de efectúa en pacientes en estadios tempranos de la enfermedad, principalmente aquellos con invasión de la túnica mucosa o muscular. En tumores avanzados solo es factible la paliación. Posiblemente la colecistectomía en pacientes con enfermedad litiasica es la principal forma de prevenir la enfermedad.