RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer with poor 5-year survival rates. Surgery and radiation are the current first-line treatments for local and nodal disease. OBJECTIVES: The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology developed this document aiming to guide the surgical oncology role in multimodal MCC management. METHODS: The consensus was established in three rounds of online discussion, achieving consensus on specific topics including diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up. RESULTS: Patients suspected of having MCC should undergo immunohistochemical examination and preferably undergo pathology review by a dermatopathologist. Initial staging should be performed with dermatologic and nodal physical examination, combined with complementary imaging. Whole-body imaging, preferably with positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT) scans, are recommended. Due to the need for multidisciplinary approaches, we recommend that all cases should be discussed in tumor boards and referred to other specialties as soon as possible, reducing potential treatment delays. We recommend that all patients with clinical stage I or II may undergo local excision associated with sentinel lymph node biopsy. The decision on margin size should consider time to recovery, patient's comorbidities, and risk factors. Patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes or the presence of risk factors should undergo postoperative radiation therapy at the primary site. Exclusive radiation is a viable option for patients with low performance. Patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy should undergo nodal radiation therapy or lymphadenectomy. In patients with nodal clinical disease, in addition to primary tumor treatment, nodal radiation therapy and/or lymphadenectomy are recommended. Patients with advanced disease should preferably be enrolled in clinical trials and discussed in multidisciplinary meetings. The role of surgery and radiation therapy in the metastatic/advanced setting should be discussed individually and always in tumor boards. CONCLUSION: This document aims to standardize a protocol for initial assessment and treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, optimizing oncologic outcomes in middle-income countries such as Brazil.
RESUMEN
Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery is a rare cause of abdominal pain, with a variable clinical picture. It is difficult to diagnose and there is no consensus on treatment options, which range from conservative treatment to open, endovascular, or combination repair. We describe the case of a 45-year-old man with isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery and persistent abdominal pain after conservative treatment had been attempted. He underwent open surgical revascularization due to the location and complexity of the dissection. Treatment consisting of endarterectomy, arterioplasty with bovine pericardium patch, and retrograde access to open the mesenteric artery with a stent was successful. Abdominal angina was completely resolved after the condition had stabilized. A combination of open and endovascular approaches should be considered as treatment for cases of isolated complex dissection of the superior mesenteric artery.
RESUMEN
Resumo A dissecção da artéria mesentérica superior é uma causa rara de dor abdominal, com quadro clínico variável. Seu diagnóstico é difícil, e não existe consenso sobre suas opções terapêuticas; elas variam em torno de tratamento conservador, correção aberta, endovascular ou combinada. Descrevemos o caso de um homem de 45 anos com dissecção isolada da artéria mesentérica superior, com quadro de dor abdominal persistente após tentativa de tratamento conservador. Ele foi submetido à revascularização cirúrgica aberta devido à localização e complexidade da dissecção. O tratamento com endarterectomia, arterioplastia com remendo de pericárdio bovino e acesso retrógrado para abertura da mesentérica com stent foi realizado com sucesso. A angina abdominal foi totalmente resolvida após estabilização do quadro. A combinação de abordagem aberta e endovascular deve ser considerada como terapia para casos de dissecção complexa isolada da artéria mesentérica superior.
Abstract Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery is a rare cause of abdominal pain, with a variable clinical picture. It is difficult to diagnose and there is no consensus on treatment options, which range from conservative treatment to open, endovascular, or combination repair. We describe the case of a 45-year-old man with isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery and persistent abdominal pain after conservative treatment had been attempted. He underwent open surgical revascularization due to the location and complexity of the dissection. Treatment consisting of endarterectomy, arterioplasty with bovine pericardium patch, and retrograde access to open the mesenteric artery with a stent was successful. Abdominal angina was completely resolved after the condition had stabilized. A combination of open and endovascular approaches should be considered as treatment for cases of isolated complex dissection of the superior mesenteric artery.