Implementación del diagnóstico molecular del VPH: experiencia chilena en curso / Molecular diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection: the Chilean experience

Cervical Cancer (CaCu) has a heterogeneous epidemiological behavior throughout the planet, depending on regional socioeconomic development level. Some developed countries predict a potential eradication of this cancer in the next 100 years, while in Chile it still constitutes a pending challenge. Incidence rates show a slow but sustained downward prob, however, mortality has continued to fluctuate between 500-600 cases per year. A few years ago, vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main causal agent for this tumor, was consolidated as a public policy, both in girls and in boys. However, the technological leap in the screening prob was pending, from cytology to molecular diagnosis of the agent (HPV). In this report, we update our most recent data (2018) regarding CaCu mortality, then review global guidelines and experiences in HPV screening. Finally, we offer an account of the strategies that our health system is promoting to address the screening of the disease and whose molecular approach generates the widest worldwide scientific consensus. We also recognize the main barriers and future challenges, which, if overcome, would allow us to be in line with the mandate of WHO to control this women's health problema.

Proceso de tratamiento a víctimas del crimen organizado: Un estudio cualitativo centrado en la experiencia de psicólogos clínicos / Process of treatment to victims of organized crime: A qualitative study focused on the experience of clinical psychologists

Resumen El crimen organizado representa una de las más graves problemáticas a nivel mundial. No solo por el gran número de muertes violentas y lesiones entre los grupos rivales y en la población general, sino por las afectaciones en la salud mental de las personas que viven en ciudades con alta incidencia delictiva. Las víctimas directas o indirectas del crimen organizado suelen desarrollar diversos síntomas, dependiendo del tipo de delito y el grado de violencia (intensidad y duración) a la que fueron sometidas, así como del tipo de atención recibida después del ataque. Se presentan los hallazgos de un estudio cualitativo sobre el proceso de atención a víctimas del crimen organizado, desde la perspectiva de los psicólogos clínicos. El estudio fue realizado en el estado de Tamaulipas, al norte de México. Su propósito fue conocer las fases del proceso de atención y las estrategias clínicas utilizadas, las reacciones cognitivas, emocionales y sociales generadas en los terapeutas, las estrategias de autocuidado y las limitaciones contextuales. Participaron ocho psicólogos clínicos de diferentes enfoques terapéuticos. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales semiestructuradas y fueron analizadas con el software Atlas.ti 7, en base a la Teoría Fundamentada. Los resultados indican un proceso de atención con cuatro fases: previa, inicial, tratamiento y cierre. El terapeuta emplea estrategias clínicas específicas para cada fase del tratamiento y además desarrolla estrategias para su autocuidado emocional y protección, debido a las condiciones de violencia en el contexto local.

Abstract Organized crime represents one of the most serious problems worldwide. Not only because of the large number of violent deaths and injuries among rival groups and in the general population, but also because of the mental health effects of people living in cities with a high incidence of crime. The direct or indirect victims of crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, robbery with violence, rape, among others, often develop various symptoms depending on the type of offense, the degree (intensity and duration) of violence to which they were subjected, and the care (medical, psychological, legal) received after the attack. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study on the process of care for victims of organized crime from the perspective of clinical psychologists. It was conducted in the state of Tamaulipas, in northern Mexico. The purpose of the study was to know the phases of the psychological care process and the clinical strategies used; the cognitive, emotional and social reactions generated in the therapists; the self-care strategies used by psychologists, and the contextual limitations for care. Eight clinical psychologists from different therapeutic approaches participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed with the Atlas.ti 7 software, based on Grounded Theory. The results indicate a process of attention with four phases: previous, initial, treatment and closure. In the previous phase, participants identify adult men and women as the main victims of organized crime who attend therapy. Direct victims come for crimes such as kidnapping and extortion. Indirect victims are usually close relatives of the direct victims and come for crimes such as homicide, forced disappearance and kidnapping. In the initial phase, psychologists use the therapeutic alliance, rapport, empathy and the promotion of attachment to treatment. Psychologists with private practice can perform specific actions such as attending the patient's home when the patient is afraid to leave. The most frequent diagnoses found in this phase are post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders. The treatment phase is characterized by the diversity of techniques used according to the therapeutic model adopted by each psychologist. The closing phase occurs when the patient has emotionally stabilized and therapists seek relapse prevention, so they follow up on cases. During the process of care for victims, therapists have different cognitive, emotional and social reactions; and develop strategies for their personal care, due to the conditions of violence that are experienced in the local context. The most used self-care strategies are to attend a personal therapeutic process, supervise the cases, exercise, eat well, express their emotions, go to natural environments to distract themselves and reduce the number of cases they attend. Among the limitations identified in the process of care for victims of organized crime, therapists mention the need for specialized training, including not only their professional training, but have a procedure or a specific protocol to deal with such cases.

Situación actual del cáncer de colon en Chile: una mirada traslacional / The present situation of colorectal cancer in Chile

Colorectal (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Most tumors develop from an adenoma in a period of 10 to 15 years, but some may appear without previous adenomatous lesions. Seventy-five percent of colorectal cancers are sporadic, 20% have a family component (first or second-degree relatives with CRC) and 5% have a hereditary predisposition with a Mendelian pattern. The epidemiological evolution in the recent years in Chile has a worrisome evolution and the treatment costs of advanced stages are a burden for the healthcare system. We herein highlight the main Chilean medical and scientific contributions on the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and treatment of CRC, which lead to its better understanding, and therefore better management, based on local evidence.

Impacto cardiovascular secundario a la terapia para el control del cáncer / The cardiovascular impact of cancer control therapy

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer account for 27 and 25% of mortality in Chile, respectively. In the last decades, survival of people with cancer has improved due to preventive programs, early detection strategies, advances in technology and development of new antineoplastic therapies. Consequently, a progressive number of cancer-surviving patients have been generated, who may develop cardiovascular diseases, secondary to the same cancer therapy. Cardio-Oncology has emerged as the necessary link between both specialties to promote the prevention and early detection of cardiac complications, in patients undergoing oncological therapies. The aim is to curb cardiovascular complications. Also, to acquire knowledge about the mechanisms and effects of drugs that lead to heart damage aiming to develop efficient cardioprotective therapies. In this article we review and propose a didactic organization and classification of the main cardiovascular effects of cancer control therapy. We recognize that there is still a knowledge gap in basic sciences about the mechanisms that underlie these alterations.

Una red de biobancos para Chile: investigar hoy, para curar mañana / The implementation of a Biobank network for Chile

The concept "Biobank" is relatively new in the scientific literature, and is not yet consensually defined, even for the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the use of human samples in biomedical research is a very old activity. The organized development of Biobanks in different places has grown in the last decade. The experience in different countries and continents has been diverse. In this special article we intend to summarize, organize and communicate to the national medical and scientific community, (i) the concept of Biobank, (ii) the international experience and a map of the Research Biobanks working in Chile, (iii) the basic biomedical and essential operational aspects to manage a Biobank for Research and (iv) the impact of a National Network of Biobanks implementation in the Chilean Health System. Ethical and regulatory aspects will not be included, given their intrinsic complexity, which should be discussed elsewhere.

Caracterización de los pacientes oncológicos que fallecieron durante los años 2010 y 2011 en la unidad de alivio del Dolor y cuidados paliativos de Oncomed, Santiago, Chile / Characterization of cancer patients who died during 2010 and 2011 in the unit of pain relief and palliative care of Oncomed, Santiago, Chile

Objetivo: Averiguar las principales características de los pacientes pertenecientes a la Unidad de Alivio del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos de Oncomed que fallecieron entre los años 2010 y 2011.Método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y transversal de los pacientes pertenecientes a la Unidad que fallecieron durante los años 2010 y 2011. Se seleccionaron enfermos con patología oncológica terminal y que tuvieron como mínimo 1 atención médica. Se analizaron las variables de edad, sexo, patología oncológica, ciudad de residencia, tiempo de permanencia en la unidad y lugar de fallecimiento. Resultados: De los 832 pacientes, 46,2 por ciento fueron de sexo femenino y 53,8 por ciento masculino. Las edades fluctuaron entre los 3 y los 103 años, encontrándose el mayor número de enfermos entre los 40 y 80 años. Las patologías más comunes fueron cáncer de pulmón, próstata y gástrico, en el sexo masculino; y mama, pulmón y páncreas, en el sexo femenino. El mayor número de pacientes se localizó en la XIII Región. El tiempo promedio de sobrevida de los pacientes fue de 140 días, fluctuando entre 1 y 1.819 días. Un 73,4 por ciento de los pacientes falleció en el domicilio y un 26,6 por ciento hospitalizado. Conclusión: El estudio realizado resulta interesante ya que nos aporta conocimiento de las características de los pacientes que se atienden en nuestra unidad y eso nos ayuda a mejorar la planificación y organización de los servicios sanitarios, orientándolos a dar una mejor respuesta a las necesidades y demandas de nuestros enfermos.

Objective: To identify the main characteristics of patients belonging to the unit for Pain Relief and Palliative Care of Oncomed, who died in 2010 and 2011.Method: A retrospective, descriptive and transversal study has been done of the patients treated in the unit, who died during years 2010 and 2011. Patients with terminal cancer pathology have been selected, that have had at least one medical attention. The variables analyzed were age, sex, oncologic pathology, city of residence, length of stay in the unit and place of death. Results: Of the 832 patients, 46.2 percent were female and 53.8 percent male. The ages ranged from 3 to 103 years old, finding the largest number of patients between 40 and 80. The most common diseases were lung, prostate and gastric cancers in males and breast, lung and pancreas cancers in women. The largest number of patients was located in the XII Region. The median survival time of patients was 140 days, ranging between 1 and 1819 days. 73.4 percent of patients died at home and 26.6 percent at hospitals. Conclusion: The study shows interesting results, providing knowledge of the characteristics of our patients, helping us to improve the planning and organization of health services, focusing them to meet in a better way the requirements and demands of our patients.

Quimiorradioterapia adyuvante en el cáncer gástrico resecado con intención curativa: análisis de supervivencia y toxicidad de pacientes tratados entre 1995 y 2003 en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Chile / Results of adjuvant chemoradiation after curative surgery for gastric cancer: a retrospective study

Background: Survival rates after curative surgery for gastric cancer are disappointing. Therefore adjuvant therapeutic strategies are required. Aim: To analyze survival and side effects of treatment among gastric cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemo radiotherapy after curative resection of gastric adenocarcinoma. Material and methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 74 patients aged 20 to 74 years, treated with complete resection of gastric adenocarcinoma followed by adjuvant chemo radiation. Survival analysis was based on the records and information from the National Mortality Registry. Results: Five years survival fluctuated from 50 percent among patients in stage IB to 25 percent among those is stage IV. Significant acute toxicity was observed in 23 patients (31 percent). No patients died due to acute toxicity. Eleven patients (16.4 percent) developed significant late toxicity, with two possible deaths related to treatment. Conclusions: Postoperative chemo radiotherapy is feasible in our experience. Continues infusion of 5-fluoruracil is recommended to reduce toxicity.