Successful multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis in a patient with severe hematological toxicity by methotrexate: case report and literature review / Diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas bem-sucedida em paciente com grave toxicidade hematológica por metotrexato: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

Abstract Methotrexate is an effective medication to control several diseases; however, it can be very toxic, being myelosuppression one of its main adverse effects, which increases in severity and frequency in patients with renal failure. We present the case of a 68-year-old man with chronic, end-stage renal disease associated with ANCA vasculitis, under treatment with peritoneal dialysis, who received the medication at a low dose, indicated by disease activity, which presented as a complication with severe pancytopenia with mucositis that improved with support measures and multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis. We reviewed 20 cases published to date of pancytopenia associated with methotrexate in patients on dialysis and found high morbidity and mortality, which is why its use in this type of patient is not recommended. However, when this complication occurs, a therapeutic option could be the use of multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis in addition to supportive therapy for drug-related toxicity, although it is recognized that studies are required to show the role of multiple-exchange peritoneal dialysis in the removal of this medication.

Resumo Apesar de sua toxicidade, o metotrexato é um medicamento eficaz no controle de várias doenças. A mielossupressão, um de seus principais efeitos adversos, aumenta em gravidade e frequência nos pacientes com insuficiência renal. Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 68 anos de idade com doença renal terminal relacionada à vasculite associada ao ANCA em diálise peritoneal, que recebeu a medicação em dose baixa em função da atividade da doença e que teve como complicação pancitopenia grave com mucosite, tratada com medidas de suporte e diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas. Revisamos 20 casos publicados até o presente momento sobre pancitopenia associada a metotrexato em pacientes em diálise. Foi identificada alta morbidade e mortalidade, razão pela qual seu uso nesse tipo de paciente não é recomendado. No entanto, quando esta complicação ocorre, uma opção terapêutica pode ser o uso de diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas, além da terapia de suporte para toxicidade medicamentosa. Maiores estudos são necessários para demonstrar o papel da diálise peritoneal com múltiplas trocas na remoção desse medicamento.

Validación de un instrumento para medir la calidad de vida en niños con mucositis orofaríngea en tratamiento por cáncer / Validation of an instrument to measure the quality of life in children with oropharyngeal mucositis undergoing cancer treatment

Resumen Introducción: La mucositis orofaríngea (MO) es una de las principales complicaciones del tratamiento oncológico que reduce significativamente la calidad de vida (CV) del paciente. El objetivo fue traducir, adaptar de manera cultural y validar una nueva versión en español del instrumento Oropharyngeal Mucositis-Specific Quality-of-Life (OMQoL) en pacientes pediátricos. Métodos: Estudio transversal de validación, multicéntrico, realizado para la traducción y adaptación del OMQoL del inglés al español en pacientes de entre 8 y 16 años con MO. Se midió la confiabilidad mediante el Alfa de Cronbach; la validez del contenido y el constructo, con un análisis factorial exploratorio; y la validez convergente, con las correlaciones de las escalas para MO de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la Oropharingeal Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS) y con el Pediatric Quality of Life-3 (PedsQL-3) módulo cáncer en español. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio 193 niños con una media de edad de 10.91 ± 2.38 años, de los cuales 101 (52.3%) fueron de sexo femenino. En esta muestra, 80 niños (41.5%) presentaron leucemia aguda linfoblástica y 111 (57.5%) presentaron MO grado 2 y 3. El análisis factorial resultó con cuatro dimensiones con cargas > 0.40. De los 31 ítems del OMQoL, seis fueron eliminados. El Alfa de Cronbach del OMQoL español fue de 0.954. Las correlaciones de Spearman (r) con las escalas de la OMS y OMAS fueron significativas (r = −0.720 y r = −0.689; p<0.01, respectivamente); con el PedsQL-3 módulo cáncer existió una moderada correlación (r = 0.426; p < 0.01). Conclusiones: La nueva versión del OMQoL en español demostró propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, y resulta un instrumento confiable y válido para medir la CV en niños con MO.

Abstract Background: Oropharyngeal mucositis (OM) is one of the primary complications arising during oncological treatment, which significantly reduces the patient's quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the use of a new Spanish version of the Oropharyngeal Mucositis-Specific Quality-of-Life instrument (OMQoL) for pediatric patients. Methods: A multicentric, cross-sectional validation study was conducted to translate and adapt OMQoL from English to Spanish for its use by children with OM aged 8-16 years. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha; content and construct validity, in conjunction with exploratory factor analysis. The convergent validity, with the correlations of the scales for OM defined by the WHO, OMAS (Oropharingeal Mucositis Assessment Scale) and the PedsQL-3 cancer module in Spanish. Results: One hundred and ninety-three children with mean age of 10.91 ± 2.38 years participated in the study, out of which 101 (52.3%) were females. In this sample, 80 children (41.5%) suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 111 (57.5%) had grade 2 and 3 OM. The factorial analysis resulted in four dimensions with loads >0.40. Among the 31 items of the OMQoL, six were eliminated. Cronbach alpha of OMQoL-Spanish was 0.954. Spearman´s correlations (r) with the OMS and OMAS scales were significant (with r = −0.720 and r = −0.689; p < 0.01, respectively). Moderate correlation was observed with the PedsQL-3 cancer module (r = 0.426; p < 0.01). Conclusions: OMQoL-Spanish demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, resulting in a reliable and valid instrument for measuring QoL in children with MO.

Clinical outcome of sodium alginate therapy in radiation-induced pharyngeal mucositis: experience of a single Japanese institution

Purpose: We investigated the clinical outcome of sodium alginate treatment in radiation-induced pharyngeal mucositis (RIPM) after neck irradiation. Materials and methods: The study population included 32 patients (11 lung cancer, 10 breast cancer, 7 head and neck cancer, and 4 other primary lesions) who underwent neck external beam radiotherapy at the authors' institution between June 2006 and 2016. The patients received 5% sodium alginate solution orally for RIPM. Those who were followed up for less than 2 months or did not receive 5% sodium alginate were excluded from this retrospective study. RIPM was graded weekly as an acute toxicity according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4. The administration of 10-15 ml of sodium alginate before each meal was continued until the radiotherapy was completed and after resolution of odynophagia. The efficacy of sodium alginate was assessed by two radiation oncologists as follows: Grade I, ineffective; grade II, moderately effective; grade III, very effective. When sodium alginate was ineffective, other analgesics, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or opioids, were added. Relationships between the presence/absence of additional analgesics and the radiation dose were investigated. Results: The median duration from the start of irradiation to sodium alginate administration was 15 days (range, 5­36 days). RIPM improved in 29/32 patients (grade: II, n = 22; III, n = 7). Three patients showed no improvement. No sodium alginate-related toxicities occurred. Additional analgesics were required in 5/32 patients. The radiation dose in these 5 patients was significantly higher than that in the sodium alginate-alone group (63.6 ± 7.8 Gy vs 48.3 ± 14.8Gy, P = 0.02). Patients who received > 50 Gy tended to require additional analgesics more frequently than those who received ≤50Gy (P = 0.10). Conclusions: The concurrent administration of sodium alginate and neck irradiation was feasible and tolerable without obvious toxicities. Under certain conditions sodium alginate could be a promising alternative to NSAIDs and opioids in RIPM. The results justify further prospective evaluations with detailed treatment protocols to clarify whether sodium alginate can improve RIPM (AU)

Diagnóstico, etiologia e tratamento das doenças peri-implantares / Diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of peri-implant diseases

Sendo a mucosite e a peri-implantite as lesões mais recorrentes ao redor de implantes, e cada vez mais frequentes no consultório odontológico, faz-se necessária uma compreensão abrangente sobre seus principais fatores etiológicos, métodos de prevenção e modalidades de tratamento para uma correta conduta clínica. A presente revisão da literatura visa, de forma clara e sintetizada, identificar e ressaltar as principais causas de mucosite e peri-implantite descritas na literatura, orientar o cirurgião-dentista na obtenção do diagnóstico, informar o leitor sobre as principais modalidades de tratamento e destacar a importância da terapia de suporte para a manutenção da saúde peri-implantar. A busca eletrônica nas bases de dados Scopus, PubMed e Web of Science foi orientada pelos seguintes tópicos: definição de mucosite e peri-implantite, prevalência, obtenção do diagnóstico, fatores de risco, modalidades de tratamento e terapia de suporte. Os resultados da busca indicaram: 1) a mucosite peri-implantar pode ocorrer em 80% dos indivíduos, e a peri-implantite em até 56%; 2) não há uma única ferramenta para o diagnóstico das doenças peri-implantares, mas sim uma associação destas; 3) a etiologia da peri-implantite parece ser multifatorial, e alguns indivíduos parecem ser mais propensos ao seu desenvolvimento do que outros; 4) a mucosite pode se resolver apenas com a remoção e desinfecção não cirúrgica dos fatores locais, enquanto que na peri-implantite a terapia cirúrgica é adotada quando os sítios afetados não respondem à terapia básica; e 5) a terapia de suporte é imprescindível na determinação do sucesso a longo prazo no tratamento das doenças peri-implantares.

As the mucositis and peri-implantitis are the most recurrent lesions around implants and these increasingly frequent in the dental office, a comprehensive understanding of its main etiological factors, prevention methods and treatment modalities is necessary for proper clinic conduct. This literature review aims, in a clearly and synthesized form, identify and highlight the main causes of mucositis and peri-implantitis described in the literature, guide the dentist in getting the diagnosis, inform the reader about the main types of treatment and highlight the importance of supportive therapy for maintenance of the peri-implant health. The electronic search in Scopus databases, PubMed and Web of Science was guided by the following topics: definition of mucositis and peri-implantitis, prevalence, diagnosis, risk factors, treatment modalities and supportive therapy. The search results indicated that: 1) peri-implant mucositis can occur in 80% of individuals, peri-implantitis up to 56%; 2) there isn't a unique tool for the diagnosis of peri-implant disease, but a association of tools; 3) etiology of peri-implantitis appears to be multifactorial, and some individuals appear to be more prone to their development than others; 4) mucositis can be solved only with the non-surgical removal and disinfection of factors, while in peri-implantitis surgical therapy is used where the affected sites do not respond to primary therapy; and 5) supportive therapy is essential in determining the long-term success in the treatment of peri-implant diseases.

Manejo odontológico de las complicaciones orales como resultado de la terapia contra el cáncer / Dental management of oral complications of cancer therapy

La atención dental debe acompañar a los pacientes que reciben terapia contra el cáncer de cabeza y cuello debido a que existen efectos secundarios relacionados con la radioterapia y un mal estado bucal, así como secuelas por la cirugía ablativa. Los principales efectos desarrollados por la radioterapia incluyen xerostomía y mucositis, seguidos por trismus, caries por radiación y osteorradionecrosis. Para disminuir el riesgo de desarrollar estos padecimientos es necesaria la visita alcirujano dentista previa al tratamiento para realizar los procedimientos bajo los requerimentos de un paciente con cáncer y hacer la toma de decisiones ante dientes cariados, restauraciones extensas, enfermedad periodontal o dientes posteriores inaccesibles para una higiene diaria. Sin embargo, puede ser desafi ante llevar a cabo estas tareas en el corto periodo entre el diagnóstico del paciente y el inicio de su tratamiento. De igual manera los pacientes que han terminado el tratamiento deberán ser atendidos con consideraciones especiales por la posibilidad de desarrollar osteorradionecrosis...

Prevalence of peri-implant disease on platform switching implants: a cross-sectional pilot study

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of mucositis and peri-implantitis associated with the use of two types of implants—conventional versus platform switching after one year of loading. A longitudinal study of 64 implants in 25 patients was performed. Clinical variables, such as clinical pocket depth and bleeding upon probing, plaque, mobility, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, and radiographic bone loss, were analyzed. The case definition for peri-implantitis was established as pockets of ≥ 5 mm with bleeding and bone loss ≥ 2 mm. One year after implant loading, the prevalence of mucositis and peri-implantitis with conventional implants (CIs) was 81.2% and 15.6%, respectively. For platform switching implants (PSIs) the prevalence was 90% and 6.6%, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.5375). However, there was a trend towards a lower prevalence of peri-implantitis with platform switching Implants.

Densidade dos mastócitos em lesões de quelite actínica / Densidad de los mastocitos en las lesiones de la queilitis actínica / Density of mast cells in lesions of actinic cheilitis

Objetivo: analisar a densidade dos mastócitos em Queilite Actínica segundo as características histológicas da lesão comparando com a mucosa normal. Método: estudo descritivo onde a amostra foi composta por dois grupos, sendo o primeiro com 33 espécimes de casos de queilite actínica diagnosticados clinicamente, e o segundo composto por 9 espécimes de mucosa oral normal, registrados no Serviço de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço do Hospital Dr. Napoleão Laureano, João Pessoa, PB. Os blocos parafinados da amostra foram cortados e corados em Hematoxilina e Eosina para avaliar o grau de displasia epitelial e infiltrado inflamatório; e por azul de toluidina para quantificar os mastócitos. A contagem dos mastócitos foi realizada com o auxilio de um retículo quadrado em 8 campos por caso. A leitura final foi expressa com o valor médio de mastócitos por caso em células/µm². Os dados foram analisados pelo SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) versão 15.0. Resultados: em 57,6 porcento dos casos houve algum grau de displasia epitelial, sendo 39,4 porcento leve, 15,2 porcento moderada e 3 porento severa. Em 21,2 porcento havia carcinoma de células escamosas. A presença de infiltrado inflamatório e elastose solar foi observada em 84,9 porcento e 81,8 porcento dos casos, respectivamente. Os mastócitos foram identificados em 87,8 porcento da amostra. A densidade dos mastócitos nos casos de queilite actínica foi de 17,4±10,4 células/µm² e no tecido normal 1,78±1,64 células/µm² (p<0,001). Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre densidade de mastócitos com os processos de displasia (p=0,004) e infiltrado inflamatório (p=0,000). Conclusão: o aumento da densidade dos mastócitos nas lesões de queilite actínica, em relação a mucosa normal, e sua correlação com os processos de displasia e inflamação sugerem participação dessas células na progressão da doença para Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de lábio(AU)

Objective: analyze the density of mast cells in Actinic cheilitis according to the histological characteristics of the lesion compared with the normal mucosa. Methods: descriptive study where the sample consisted of two groups, the first with 33 specimens of cases of actinic cheilitis diagnosed clinically, and the second consists of 9 specimens of normal oral mucosa, registered in the Service of Head and Neck Hospital Dr. Napoleon Laureano, João Pessoa, PB. The paraffin blocks of the sample were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess the degree of dysplasia and inflammatory infiltrate, and toluidine blue to quantify mast cells. The count of mast cells was performed with the aid of a square grid in the case of field 8. The final reading was expressed with an average value of mast cells by case / µm². Data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 15.0. Results: in 57.6 percent of cases there was some degree of dysplasia, and 39.4 percent mild, 15.2 percent moderate and 3 percent severe. 21.2 percent had squamous cell carcinoma. The presence of inflammatory infiltrate and solar elastosis was observed in 84.9 percent and 81.8 percent , respectively. Mast cells were identified in 87.8 percent of the sample. The density of mast cells in cases of Actinic Cheilitis was 17.4 ± 10.4 cells / µm² and 1.78 ± 1.64 normal tissue cells / µm² (p <0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between mast cell density with the processes of dysplasia (p = 0.004) and inflammatory cell infiltration (p = 0.000). Conclusion: the increase in mast cell density in actinic cheilitis lesions and its correlation with the processes of inflammation and dysplasia suggest involvement of these cells in disease progression for Squamous Cell Carcinoma lip(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la densidad de los mastocitos en la queilitis actínica según las características histológicas de la lesión en comparación con la mucosa normal. Métodos: estudio descriptivo donde la muestra consistió en dos grupos, el primero con 33 muestras de casos de queilitis actínica diagnosticados clínicamente, y el segundo se compone de 9 muestras de mucosa oral normal. Los casos estaba registardos en el servicios de Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello del Hospital Dr. Napoleón Laureano, Joao Pessoa, PB. Los bloques de parafina de la muestra fueron cortados y teñidos con hematoxilina y eosina para evaluar el grado de displasia epitelial e infiltrado inflamatorio; y azul de toluidina para cuantificar los mastocitos. El recuento de células cebadas se realizó con la ayuda de una red cuadrada en 8 campos por caso. La lectura final se expresó con valor medio de mastocitos por células / m² ·. Los datos fueron analizados con el programa SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) versión 15.0. Resultados: En el 57,6 por ciento de los casos hubo algún grado de displasia epitelial, y 39,4 por ciento leve, 15,2 por ciento moderada y el 3 por ciento severa. El 21,2 por ciento tenían carcinoma de células escamosas. Se observó la presencia de infiltrado inflamatorio y elastosis solar en 84,9 por ciento y 81,8 por ciento, respectivamente. Se identificaron células cebadas en 87,8 por ciento de la muestra. La densidad de los mastocitos en los casos de queilitis actínica fue 17,4 ± 10,4 células / m² · tejido normal y 1.78 ± 1.64 células / m² · (p <0,001). Hubo una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre la densidad de los mastocitos con procesos de displasia (p = 0,004) y el infiltrado inflamatorio (p = 0,000). Conclusión: El aumento de la densidad de los mastocitos en la queilitis actínica, en comparación con mucosa normal, y su correlación con los procesos de displasia y la inflamación sugiere el papel de estas células en la progresión de la enfermedad para el Carcinoma de células escamosas(AU)

Does the number of implants have any relation with peri-implant disease?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the number of pillar implants of implant-supported fixed prostheses and the prevalence of periimplant disease. Material and Methods: Clinical and radiographic data were obtained for the evaluation. The sample consisted of 32 patients with implant-supported fixed prostheses in function for at least one year. A total of 161 implants were evaluated. Two groups were formed according to the number of implants: G1) ≤5 implants and G2) >5 implants. Data collection included modified plaque index (MPi), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), width of keratinized mucosa (KM) and radiographic bone loss (BL). Clinical and radiographic data were grouped for each implant in order to conduct the diagnosis of mucositis or peri-implantitis. Results: Clinical parameters were compared between groups using Student’s t test for numeric variables (KM, PD and BL) and Mann-Whitney test for categorical variables (MPi and BOP). KM and BL showed statistically significant differences between both groups (p<0.001). Implants from G1 – 19 (20.43%) – compared with G2 – 26 (38.24%) – showed statistically significant differences regarding the prevalence of peri-implantitis (p=0.0210). Conclusion: It seems that more than 5 implants in total fixed rehabilitations increase bone loss and consequently the prevalence of implants with periimplantitis. Notwithstanding, the number of implants does not have any influence on the prevalence of mucositis. .

effect of olive leaf extract in decreasing the expression of two pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer. A randomized clinical trial

Oral mucositis is the most common side effects of chemotherapy of all cancer with intensive treatments regimen, and is the most common side effects of head and neck radiation therapy. For steam cell transplantation, its also regarded as the most debilitating side effects. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of a mouth rinse containing olive leaf extract [OLE] in preventing severe oral mucositis in patients receiving chemotherapy, and to estimate its effect in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production after chemotherapy. This study utilized a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, and cross-over design. Twenty-five patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive a mouth wash containing OLE, benzydamine hydrochloride, or placebo in 3 different cycles of chemotherapy. Oral mucositis severity was assessed using the World Health Organization criteria and Oral Mycositis Assessment Scale. Patients were evaluated weekly until 15 days after chemotherapy for each cycle. Salivary levels of interleukin-1 beta [IL-1[beta] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Oral mucositis rates and severity after 2 weeks were significantly lower in the OLE and benzydamine groups compared to the placebo group. The IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were significantly decreased in the OLE group compared to the other groups. Preliminary findings indicate that OLE is effective in reducing IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels after chemotherapy and exert a therapeutic effect and prevent development of severe oral mucositis

Mucosite em pacientes portadores de câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à radioquimioterapia / Mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiochemotherapy / Mucositis en pacientes portadores de cáncer de cabeza y cuello sometidos a radioquimioterapia

O objetivo do presente trabalho é classificar o grau de mucosite oral de acordo com os parâmetros internacionais do Common Toxicity Criterion (CTC) em pacientes portadores de tumor de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à radioterapia e quimioterapia concomitantes, e caracterizar um perfil dos pacientes em nosso meio, verificando os hábitos dos indivíduos, as características do tumor, o protocolo de tratamento e a intensidade desta reação aguda. Neste estudo foram avaliados 50 pacientes, submetidos à radioterapia em megavoltagem com doses entre 66 a 70 Gy e quimioterapia com cisplatina ou carboplatina concomitante. Semanalmente foi avaliado o grau de mucosite de acordo com o CTC, uma escala ordinal que apresenta 4 graus. Observou-se interrupção do tratamento por mucosite em 36 por cento do total de pacientes e em 100 por cento dos pacientes diabéticos, o que nos permitiu verificar que esta patologia contribui para a gravidade da mucosite.

The objective of present study was to classify oral mucositis according to the Common Toxicity Criterion (CTC) international parameters in head and neck tumor patients simultaneously treated with radio and chemotherapy, and characterize a patient profile in our area, observing the individuals' habits, tumor characteristics, treatment protocol and acute reaction intensity. Fifty patients undergoing simultaneous 66 to 70 Gy megavoltage radiotherapy and cisplatin/carboplatin chemotherapy were evaluated in this study. Weekly evaluations of the degree of mucositis were perfoemed according to CTC, a four-degree ordinal scale; 36 percent of all patients and 100 percent of those with diabetes discontinued treatment due to mucositis, showing that this pathology contributes to the severity of mucositis.

El trabajo objetivó clasificar el grado de Mucositis oral de acuerdo a parámetros internacionales del CTC en pacientes portadores de tumores de cabeza y cuello sometidos a radioterapia y quimioterapia concomitantes, y caracterizar un perfil de pacientes en nuestro medio, verificando hábitos de los individuos, características del tumor, protocolo de tratamiento e intensidad de esta reacción aguda. Fueron evaluados 50 pacientes sometidos a radioterapia en megavoltaje con dosis entre 66 y 70 G y quimioterapia con cisplatino o carboplatino concomitante. Se evaluó semanalmente el grado de Mucositis según el Common Toxicity Criterio - CTC, una escala ordinal que presenta cuatro grados. Se observó interrupción del tratamiento por Mucositis en 36 por ciento del total de pacientes y en 100 por ciento de los pacientes diabéticos, lo que nos permite verificar que dicha patología potencia la gravedad de la mucositis.

Mucositis bucal en trabajadores rurales de Misiones, Argentina, expuestos a agroquímicos: reporte de 3 casos / Oral mucositis in rural workers from Misiones, Argentina, exposed to agrochemicals: report of three cases

Se reportan tres casos de mucositis bucal luego de la exposición ocupacional a agrotóxicos en individuos provenientes de zonas rurales de Misiones, Argentina, los que presentaron inflamación inespecífica y atrofia luego de aplicar pesticidas con difusores.

Comparison of the Toxicities and Efficacies of the Combination Chemotherapy Regimens in Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients Who Achieved Complete Response after Chemotherapy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We retrospectively analyzed comparative toxicities and efficacies of chemotherapy regimens in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients who achieved complete response (CR) after chemotherapy. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 1,203 patients, who were pathologically diagnosed as AGC in a single center between January 2001 and October 2007. On the basis of the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, CR was evaluated with abdominal computed tomography. Toxicities were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute's common toxicity criteria before each chemotherapy cycle. RESULTS: Among the 1,203 AGC patients enrolled in this study, 568 received chemotherapy and 635 received best supportive care. The major chemotherapy regimens were 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) and 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI). Among the 568 patients, 51 (9.0%) achieved CR (49 [8.6%] with FOLFOX [n=12], DCF [n=26], or FOLFIRI [n=11] and 2 [0.3%] with etoposide, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil). For patients administered FOLFOX, DCF, and FOLFIRI, the median time to disease progression was 4 months (range, 1.8-59.5), 15 months (range, 2.9-31.2) and 10 months (range, 2.0-39.5), and the median survival times were 48 months (range, 5.9-74.0), 37 months (range, 14.0-86.0), and 30 months (range, 6.0-50.0), respectively. Grades 3-4 mucositis occurred mostly in patients administered DCF (n=8, 30.8%). Grades 3-4 leucopenia were observed in 1 (8.3%), 11 (42.3%), and 4 (36.4%) patients administered FOLFOX, DCF and FOLFIRI, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in the 3 regimens. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 regimens (FOLFOX, DCF and FOLFIRI) were active and tolerable. Their efficacies and toxicities were not significantly different.

Laser phototherapy as a treatment for radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Oral mucositis is a harmful side effect of radiotherapy (RT) on the head and neck region. There are encouraging reports on the beneficial aspects of the use of laser light on the treatment of oral mucositis. This paper reports the efficacy of laser phototherapy (LPT) on the treatment of oral mucositis in a patient undergoing RT after surgical removal of a squamous cell carcinoma with osseous invasion of the maxilla. Palatal and commissural lesions were treated with λ660 nm, 40 mW, ∅=4 mm², in contact mode, 5 x 2.4 J/cm² per point, 14.4 J/cm² per session. For treating the lesion on the patient's nasal mucosa, LPT (∅=4 mm², λ780 nm, 70 mW, 3 x 2.1 J/cm² per point, 6.3 J/cm² per session, contact mode) was used on the external area of the nose. A single dose (2.4 J/cm²) with the λ660 nm laser, as described before, was applied on the entrance of each nostril. LPT was used 3 times/week during 4 weeks. Treatment results indicate that the use of LPT on oral mucositis was effective and allowed the patient to carry on the RT without interruption. However, long-term and controlled clinical trials are necessary to establish both preventive and curative protocols using LPT.

A mucosite oral é um efeito colateral prejudicial da radioterapia na região de cabeça e pescoço. Existem estudos que evidenciam o efeito benéfico do uso da luz laser no tratamento da mucosite oral. O objetivo deste caso clínico foi o de avaliar a eficácia da fototerapia laser no tratamento da mucosite oral em um paciente sendo submetido a radioterapia, após a remoção cirúrgica de um carcinoma escamocelular, com invasão óssea da maxila. As lesões do palato e das comissuras labiais foram tratadas com λ660 nm, 40 mW, ∅=4 mm², em contato, 5 x 2.4 J/cm² por ponto, 14.4 J/cm² por sessão. Na lesão existente na mucosa nasal a fototerapia laser (∅=4 mm², λ780 nm, 70 mW, 3 x 2.1 J/cm² por ponto, 6.3 J/cm² por sessão, em contato) foi utilizada na área externa do nariz. Uma dose única (2.4 J/cm²) com o laser λ660 nm e os parâmetros descritos anteriormente foi aplicado na entrada de cada narina. A fototerapia laser foi utilizada 3 vezes por semana, durante 4 semanas. Os resultados do tratamento são indicativos de que o uso da fototerapia laser em mucosite oral foi efetiva e permitiu ao paciente continuar o tratamento radioterápico sem interrupções. Entretanto, estudos clínicos controlados são necessários para se estabelecer os protocolos, para tratamento e prevenção da mucosite oral, utilizando fototerapia laser.

Criterios de evaluación odontológica pre-radioterapia y necesidad de tratamiento de las enfermedades orales post-radioterapia en cabeza y cuello / Pre-radiotherapy dental evaluation criteria and treatment needs of oral side effects after head and neck radiotherapy

El objetivo de esta revisión es presentar criterios de evaluación odontológica pre-radioterapia y cuáles son las principales necesidades de tratamiento de estos pacientes después del tratamiento de radiación. Fueron revisados artículos en inglés, español y portugués entre 1995 y 2009 indexados en Pubmed y Scielo. Las palabras claves fueron: cáncer oral y radioterapia, complicaciones de la radioterapia en cabeza y cuello, evaluación oral pre-radioterapia. Los efectos colaterales de la radioterapia en la región de cabeza y cuello pueden ser temporales o tardíos. Aquellos que son tardíos, como la caries de radiación y la osteorradionecrosis pueden estar directamente relacionados con el hecho de no haber realizado una evaluación odontológica previa y pueden afectar severamente la calidad de vida del paciente.La participación del cirujano-dentista en el equipo multidisciplinario y la evaluación odontológica de los pacientes que serán sometidos a radioterapia en la región de cabeza y cuello son de vital importancia en mejorar la calidad de vida post-operatoria de estos pacientes.

The objective of this review is to present pre-radiotherapy evaluation criteria and the main needs for treatment of these patients after the radiation therapy. Were revised articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese language between 1995 and 2009 indexed in Pubmed and Scielo. The keywords were oral cancer and radiotherapy, complications in head and neck radiotherapy, oral pre-radiotherapy evaluation.The adverse complications of radiotherapy in head and neck area could be temporary or late. The late effects, such as radiation caries and osteorradionecrosis could be directly associated with the fact that previous dental evaluation was not performed and can severely affect the post-operatory quality of life. The participation of the dentist in the multidisciplinary team and dental evaluation of the patients that will receive radiotherapy in the head and neck area are of vital importance to improve the post-operatory quality of life of these patients.

Periodonto: consideraciones en pacientes oncológicos que requieren quimioterapia / Periodontium: some considerations in oncologic patients requiring chemotherapy

El cáncer es una enfermedad sistémica en la cual el organismo produce células malignas en exceso, que tienen un desenfrenado crecimiento y división. El cáncer causa el 13 por ciento de las muertes por enfermedad en el planeta, convirtiéndose en la segunda enfermedad responsable de muertes, detrás de las enfermedades cardíacas. Se estima que a lo largo del siglo XXI ha de convertirse en la principal enfermedad que afecte a personas en países desarrollados. Aún así, se ha producido un aumento en la supervivencia de los pacientes oncológicos. El tratamiento del cáncer es multidisciplinario y en él la cooperación de los distintos profesionales que intervienen es de gran importancia para su correcta planificación. Se basa en tres pilares: la cirugía, la radioterapia y la quimioterapia. También existe un cuarto pilar, la terapia biológica, que incluye hormonoterapia, inmunoterapia y técnicas no citotóxicas.

Microbiología de la periimplantitis / Periimplantitis Microbiology

La colocación de implantes para reemplazar piezas dentarias perdidas fue indicada con el descubrimiento de la oseointegración entre el titanio y el hueso. La mucositis y la periimplantitis son patologías que afectan a los tejidos periimplantarios. La placa dental desempeña un papel importante en la salud y l enfermedad de los tejidos en relación con los implantes dentales. Para instaurar una terapéutica correcta se debe identificar un agente causal para lo cual contamos con el laboratorio de microbiología. Los objetivos del presente trabajo son describir los factores que influyen en la patología periimplantaria infecciosa, reconocer los microorganismos más comúnmente aislado de las lesiones periimplantarias, describir los métodos de toma de muestra y de diagnóstico microbiologico, con el propósito de brindar al odontólogo general y al especialista las técnicas para instaurar un tratamiento etiológico, en base a la subceptibilidad de los microorganismos causales de la patología.

Reduced incidence and severity of acute radiation mucositis by WF10 (IMMUNOKINE) as adjunct to standard of cure in the management of head & neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of WF10-immunotherapy in reducing oro-pharyngeal complications in head and neck cancer chemoradiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirteen patients were enrolled and assigned either to WF10- (n = 6) or control group (n = 7). After completion of their initial (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy, patients received WF10 intravenous infusions at 0.5 mL/kg body weight/day for five consecutive days and repeated every 3 weeks, concomitantly to standard radiotherapy (6,600-7,500 cGy, 200 cGy/day). Control patients received radiotherapy alone. RESULTS: Patients in the WF10-group had a lower incidence of oro-pharyngeal complications grade > 2, including oral mucositis (1 vs. 5), dysphagia (2 vs. 7), oral pain (3 vs. 5), taste alteration (4 vs. 6) and weight loss (2 vs. 4). The statistical significances were achieved for the parameters of oral mucositis (p = 0. 048) and dysphagia (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: WF10 appears to reduce severity of oro-pharyngeal complications associated with standard chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Aspectos periodontales de pacientes sometidos a la radioterapia en región de cabeza y cuello / Periodontal aspects in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy

El cáncer de boca es el sexto tipo más frecuente en la población mundial, afectando principalmente países en desarrollo. El tratamiento de elección para estas neoplasias es la cirurgía asociada a la radioterapia, y/o quimioterapia que muchas veces causan efectos bucales adversos. El periodoncio reacciona a la irradiación sufriendo alteraciones morfológicas e histológicas, disminución de la capacidad de reparo y mayor vulnerabilidad a infecciones. Las condiciones bucales de los pacientes que serán sometidos a la terapia oncológica deben ser evaluadas antes del inicio del tratamiento, principalmente para prevenir las complicaciones del mismo. Este estudio tubo como objetivo hacer una revisión de literatura sobre el desarrollo de la enfermedad periodontal en individuos sometidos a la radioterapia en región de cabeza y cuello