Men seeking counselling in a Breast Cancer Risk Evaluation Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary breast and ovary cancer syndrome affects both genders but little is known about the uptake of genetic services by men. The objective of this study is to characterise the male population counselled through a multidisciplinary breast/ovarian program. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of male patients counselled from January 2000 to December 2015. Data in this analysis include new cancer diagnoses during prospective follow up. RESULTS: From 4,320 families registered, 362 male patients were identified: 236 (65.2%) from hereditary cancer families (HCF) and 126 (34.8%) from non-HCF. In HCF, 121 patients (51.3%) were mutation carriers (MC): BRCA2 - 102 (84.3%), BRCA1 - 16 (13.2%), CHEK2 - 1 (0.8%) and TP53 - 2 (1.7%). Non-HCF included 126 patients: 85 (67.5%) belonged to families without pathogenic mutations or with variants of unknown clinical significance; 22 (17.5%) refused testing after counselling and 19 (15.0%) did not meet criteria for testing. Both HCF and non-HCF included patients with previous cancer diagnoses: HCF- Breast Cancer (BC) - 18; prostate cancer (PC) - 13; melanoma - 1; others - 7) and non-HCF (BC - 77; PC - 20; gastric cancer (GC) - 1; melanoma - 8; bladder cancer - 1; others - 22). From the 121 MC identified (including the TP53 and CHEK2 carriers), 97 patients (80.2%) adhered to prospective surveillance. With a median follow-up of 36.9 months, 17 cancers were diagnosed in 14 patients, PC being the most frequently diagnosed neoplasia (5 cases). Eleven patients (78.6%) are alive and three patients died of advanced cancer (2 with GC, 1 with disseminated adenocarcinoma). CONCLUSION: We observed a high adherence to counselling, genetic testing and active surveillance by men belonging to hereditary BC families. Male carriers of pathogenic DNA variants are at risk for several cancers and should be included in prospective follow-up studies.

Repetitive eating questionnaire [Rep(eat)-Q]: Enlightening the concept of grazing and psychometric properties in a Portuguese sample.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Grazing has been associated with poor weight loss or weight regain in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, but research remains scarce and complicated by the use of different non-validated measures. The aim of this paper is to describe the validation of the Rep(eat)-Q, a self-report measure developed to assess grazing, and investigates its relationship with BMI and psychopathology. SUBJECTS/METHODS: 1223 university students and community participants (non-clinical; Study A) and 154 pre-bariatric and 84 post-bariatric patients (Study B) completed a set of self-report measures, including the Rep(eat)-Q (worded in Portuguese), to assess disordered eating, depression, anxiety, stress and impulsivity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses tested the factor structure; internal consistency construct, convergent and divergent validity were also tested. RESULTS: The Rep(eat)-Q scales showed good internal consistency (α ≥ 0.849) and temporal stability (rsp = 0.824, p < 0.000). Factor analyses generated two subscales: compulsive grazing and repetitive eating. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between the Rep(eat)-Q and BMI in the non-clinical population and weight loss and weight regain in the bariatric sample. Generally, the correlations with psychological distress were weak (rsp < 0.4). Strong and significant (rsp≥0.4; p's < 0.05) correlations were found between compulsive grazing and eating disorder psychopathology. Repetitive eating subscale was inversely correlated with cognitive restraint (rsp -0.321, p < 0.05) and directly correlated with uncontrolled eating and emotional eating (rsp = 0.754; rsp = 0.691; p < 0.05). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The Rep(eat)-Q is a valid measure to assess grazing in non-clinical and in bariatric surgery populations. Grazing can be conceptualized on the spectrum of disordered eating behavior, and appears associated with loss of control over eating. Considering the link between grazing and weight outcomes, the Rep(eat)-Q represents a necessary strategy for the systematic screening of grazing.

Genetic profile, risk factors and therapeutic approach of desmoid tumors in familial adenomatous polyposis / Perfil genético, fatores de risco e abordagem terapêutica dos tumores desmóides na Polipose Adenomatosa Familiar

ABSTRACT Introduction: Desmoid tumors are the main extraintestinal manifestation of FAP, presenting high morbidity and mortality. It is a neoplasia without metastasis capacity, but with infiltrative growth and with a high rate of recurrence. In familial forms, these tumors are associated with a germinal mutation in the APC gene, with a genotype-phenotype correlation influenced by other risk factors. Materials and methods: A review of articles published since the year 2000 in Portuguese, English or Spanish on desmoid tumors in patients with FAP was carried out. A total of 49 publications were included. Results: The site of the mutation in the APC gene is related to the severity of FAP and to the frequency of desmoid tumor. Mutations located distally to codon 1309 are associated with a more attenuated polyposis, but with higher frequency of desmoid tumors. Clinically, these tumors may or may not be symptomatic, depending on their size and location. In their treatment, priority should be given to medical therapy, especially in intra-abdominal tumors, with surgery being the last option if there are no other complications. Discussion: These tumors are associated with certain risk factors: genetic (mutation site), hormonal (estrogenic environment) and physical (surgical trauma) ones. In young women, a later prophylactic colectomy is suggested. Moreover, the laparoscopic approach to prophylactic surgery seems to be an option that reduces surgical trauma and consequently the appearance of desmoid tumors. Conclusion: The step-up medical approach has been shown to be valid in the treatment of intra-abdominal desmoid tumors, and medical treatment should be the first therapeutic option.

RESUMO Introdução: Os tumores desmóides são a principal manifestação extraintestinal da PAF, apresentando elevada morbimortalidade. É uma neoplasia sem capacidade de metastização, mas com crescimento infiltrativo e com alta taxa de recorrência. Nas formas familiares associa-se a uma mutação germinativa no gene APC, havendo uma correlação genótipo-fenótipo influenciada por outros fatores de risco. Materiais e métodos: Foi efetuada uma revisão de artigos publicados desde o ano 2000, em português, inglês ou espanhol, acerca de tumores desmóides em doentes com PAF. Foram incluídas, no total, 49 publicações. Resultados: O local da mutação no gene APC relaciona-se com a gravidade da PAF e frequência de tumor desmóide. Mutações localizadas distalmente ao codão 1309 associam-se a uma polipose mais atenuada, mas a maior frequência de tumor desmóide. Clinicamente podem ser, ou não, sintomáticos, dependendo do seu tamanho e localização. No seu tratamento deve ser dada prioridade à terapêutica médica, sobretudo nos tumores intra-abdominais, colocando a cirurgia como última opção, caso não hajam outras complicações. Discussão: Estes tumores associam-se a determinados fatores de risco: genéticos (local da mutação), hormonais (ambiente estrogénico) e físicos (trauma cirúrgico). Nas mulheres jovens sugere-se a realização de colectomia profilática mais tardiamente. Além disso, a abordagem laparoscópica para a cirurgia profilática parece ser uma opção que diminui o trauma cirúrgico e consequentemente o aparecimento de tumores desmóides. Conclusão: A abordagem médica em step-up mostrou ser válida no tratamento de tumores desmóides intra-abdominais, devendo o tratamento médico ser a primeira opção terapêutica.