Plasma Metabolome Signatures to Predict Responsiveness to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has arisen as a treatment option for breast cancer (BC). However, the response to NACT is still unpredictable and dependent on cancer subtype. Metabolomics is a tool for predicting biomarkers and chemotherapy response. We used plasma to verify metabolomic alterations in BC before NACT, relating to clinical data. METHODS: Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was performed on pre-NACT plasma from patients with BC (n = 75). After data filtering, an SVM model for classification was built and validated with 75%/25% of the data, respectively. RESULTS: The model composed of 19 identified metabolites effectively predicted NACT response for training/validation sets with high sensitivity (95.4%/93.3%), specificity (91.6%/100.0%), and accuracy (94.6%/94.7%). In both sets, the panel correctly classified 95% of resistant and 94% of sensitive females. Most compounds identified by the model were lipids and amino acids and revealed pathway alterations related to chemoresistance. CONCLUSION: We developed a model for predicting patient response to NACT. These metabolite panels allow clinical gain by building precision medicine strategies based on tumor stratification.

Predictive value of ultrasound doppler parameters in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response of breast cancer: Prospective comparison with magnetic resonance and mammography.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is a treatment option for breast cancer patients that allows for the assessment of tumor response during treatment. This information can be used to adjust treatment and improve outcomes. However, the optimal imaging modalities and parameters for assessing tumor response to NACT are not well established. METHODS: This study included 173 breast cancer patients who underwent NACT. Patients were imaged with ultrasound (US), mammography (MMG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline, after two cycles of NACT, and before breast surgery. US parameters included lesion morphology, Doppler variables, and elastography measurements. MMG and MRI were evaluated for the presence of nodules and tumor dimensions. The pathological response to NACT was determined using the residual cancer burden (RCB) classification. RESULTS: The US parameter with the highest power for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) was shear wave elastography (SWE) maximum speed inside the tumor at baseline. For nonluminal tumors, the end diastolic velocity measured by US after two cycles of NACT showed the highest predictive value for pCR. Similarly, SWE maximum speed after two cycles of NACT had the highest discriminating power for predicting RCB-III in luminal tumors, while the same parameter measured at baseline was most predictive for nonluminal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that mid-treatment Doppler US and other imaging modalities can be used to predict the response to NACT in breast cancer patients. Functional parameters, such as blood flow velocities and SWE measurements, demonstrated superior predictive value for pCR, while morphological parameters had limited value. These findings have implications for personalized treatment strategies and may contribute to improved outcomes in the management of breast cancer.

The top hat procedure does not impact the management of women treated by LEEP in cervical cancer screening

Abstract Objective: To describe Top-hat results and their association with margin status and disease relapse in a referral facility in Brazil. Methods: A retrospective study of 440 women submitted to LEEP to treat HSIL, in which 80 cases were complemented immediately by the top hat procedure (Top-hat Group - TH). TH Group was compared to women not submitted to Top-hat (NTH). The sample by convenience included all women that underwent LEEP from January 2017 to July 2020. The main outcome was the histological result. Other variables were margins, age, transformation zone (TZ), depth, and relapse. The analysis used the Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: The TH Group was predominantly 40 and older (NTH 23.1% vs. TH 65.0%, p<0.001). No difference was found in having CIN2/CIN3 as the final diagnosis (NTH 17.0% vs. TH 21.3%, p=0.362), or in the prevalence of relapse (NTH 12.0% vs. TH 9.0%, p=0.482). Of the 80 patients submitted to top hat, the histological result was CIN2/CIN3 in eight. A negative top hat result was related to a negative endocervical margin of 83.3%. A CIN2/CIN3 Top-hat result was related to CIN2/CIN3 margin in 62.5% (p=0.009). The chance of obtaining a top hat negative result was 22.4 times higher (2.4-211.0) when the endocervical margin was negative and 14.5 times higher (1.5-140.7) when the ectocervical margin was negative. Conclusion: The top hat procedure did not alter the final diagnosis of LEEP. No impact on relapse was observed. The procedure should be avoided in women of reproductive age.

Desfechos reprodutivos e de sobrevida em adolescente tratada com cirurgia preservadora de fertilidade por tumor borderline de ovário em estádio avançado: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Reproductive and survival outcomes in an adolescent treated with fertility- sparing surgery for advanced stage borderline ovarian tumor: case report and review of the literature

Existem poucos dados na literatura sobre os resultados obstétricos e oncológicos de adolescentes com tumores borderline de ovário em estádio avançado trata- das com cirurgia preservadora da fertilidade. Uma adolescente de 15 anos com diagnóstico de tumor borderline de ovário estádio IIIc foi inicialmente tratada com tumorectomia ovariana bilateral e quimioterapia adjuvante com esquema de platina/taxano (seis ciclos). Durante o seguimento, foi submetida a outras três tumorectomias devido a tumor borderline de ovário (duas vezes) e cistadenoma ovariano (uma vez). Outra recidiva de tumor borderline de ovário ocorreu seis anos após o diagnóstico inicial, quando ela estava grávida; foi tratada com tumorecto- mia realizada durante a cesariana. Em sua última consulta ambulatorial, a mulher de 27 anos não apresentava evidência da doença e tinha um filho saudável. Mesmo em estádio avançado, a cirurgia de preservação da fertilidade foi segura e factível nessa paciente com tumor borderline de ovário.

There are few data in the literature regarding obstetric and oncological outcomes of adolescents with advanced-stage borderline ovarian tumors treated with fertility spa- ring surgery. A 15 years old adolescent who was diagnosed with a stage IIIc borderline ovarian tumor, was treated with bilateral ovarian tumorectomies and adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum/taxane regimen (six cycles). During follow up she was submitted to other three tumorectomies due to borderline ovarian tumor(twice) and ovarian cysta- denoma (once). Another borderline ovarian tumorrecurren- ce occurred six years after initial diagnosis, when she was pregnant; treated with tumorectomy performed during ce- sarean section. At her last outpatient visit, the 27-year-old woman had no evidence of disease and a had healthy child. Even at an advanced stage, fertility sparing surgery was safe and feasible in this patient with borderline ovarian tumor.

Características clínicas, diagnóstico e tratamento de mulher com síndrome de Meigs: relato de caso e revisão narrativa / Clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of a woman with Meigs syndrome: case report and narrative review

O objetivo deste estudo é descrever o caso de mulher com síndrome de Meigs e apresentar a revisão narrativa sobre o tema. Paciente do sexo feminino, 30 anos, nulípara, encaminhada ao hospital por massa anexial e história prévia de drenagem de derrame pleural. Evoluiu com instabilidade hemodinâmica por derrame pleural hipertensivo à direita, sendo submetida a drenagem torácica, com citologia do líquido negativa. Após, foi submetida a laparotomia: realizada salpingo-ooforectomia esquerda. A congelação e a análise histopatológica diagnosticaram fibroma ovariano. A citologia ascítica foi negativa. CA-125 elevado, presença de derrames cavitários e exame de imagem suspeito podem mimetizar um cenário de neoplasia maligna de ovário em estágio avançado. Entretanto, na síndrome de Meigs clássica, o tratamento é cirúrgico, sendo o diagnóstico obtido por meio da análise histopatológica do tumor ovariano. O manejo da síndrome de Meigs clássica é cirúrgico e, após a remoção do tumor, o derrame pleural e a ascite desaparecem.

To describe a case of Meigs syndrome and present a narrative review of the condition. Female patient, 30 years old, nulliparous, referred to the hospital due to an adnexal mass and a previous drainage of pleural effusion. She developed hemodynamic instability due to a hypertensive right pleural effusion being submitted to chest drainage, with negative cytology of the fluid. She underwent laparotomy: Left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and frozen section and histopathological analysis diagnosed an ovarian fibroma. Ascites cytology was negative. Elevated CA-125, presence of cavitary effusions, suspicious imaging exam can mimic a scenario of ovarian cancer at an advanced stage. However, in classical Meigs syndrome, treatment is surgical, and the diagnosis is obtained through histopathological analysis of the ovarian tumor. Classical Meigs syndrome' management is surgical. After tumor removal, pleural effusion and ascites resolve.

Câncer de colo uterino na gestação / Cervical cancer in pregnancy

PONTOS-CHAVE • A incidência de câncer durante a gestação tem aumentado devido à tendência das mulheres em postergar a gravidez. O câncer de colo de útero é a terceira neoplasia mais comumente diagnosticada durante o período gestacional. • O rastreamento e o diagnóstico devem se dar como nas pacientes não gestantes; a citologia oncótica cervical é o exame obrigatório do pré-natal, e a colposcopia com biópsia pode ser realizada em qualquer período da gestação. • A gestação complicada pelo diagnóstico de um câncer deve sempre ser conduzida em centro de referência e por equipe multidisciplinar. • A interrupção da gestação em situações específicas, para tratamento-padrão, é respaldada por lei. • A quimioterapia neoadjuvante é uma alternativa segura de tratamento durante a gestação, para permitir alcançar a maturidade fetal. Apresenta altas taxas de resposta, sendo relatada progressão neoplásica durante a gestação em apenas 2,9% dos casos. O risco de malformações fetais decorrentes da quimioterapia é semelhante ao da população geral. Contudo, a quimioterapia está associada a restrição de crescimento intraútero, baixo peso ao nascer e mielotoxicidade neonatal. • Na ausência de progressão de doença, deve-se levar a gestação até o termo.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance sequence and CA125/CEA ratio can be used as add-on tools to ultrasound for the differentiation of ovarian from non-ovarian pelvic masses.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a straightforward approach to the sequential use of ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance (MR) and serum biomarkers in order to differentiate the origin of pelvic masses, making the most efficient use of these diagnostic resources. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study with 159 patients (133 with ovarian and 26 with non-ovarian tumors) who underwent surgery/biopsy for an adnexal mass. Preoperative CA125 and CEA serum measurements were obtained and a pelvic/abdominal ultrasound was performed. Preoperative pelvic MR studies were performed for all patients. Morphological and advanced MR sequences were obtained. Using a recursive partitioning algorithm to predict tumor origin, we devised a roadmap to determine the probability of non-ovarian origin using only statistically significant US, laboratory and MR parameters. RESULTS: Upfront US classification as ovarian versus non-ovarian and CA125/CEA ratio were significantly associated with non-ovarian tumors. Signal diffusion (absent/low versus high) was the only MR parameter significantly associated with non-ovarian tumors. When upfront US designated a tumor as being of ovarian origin, further MR signal diffusion and CA125/CEA ratio were corrected nearly all US errors: patients with MR signal diffusion low/absent and those with signal high but CA125/CEA ratio ≥25 had an extremely low chance (<1%) of being of non-ovarian origin. However, for women whose ovarian tumors were incorrectly rendered as non-ovarian by upfront US, neither MR nor CA125/CEA ratio were able to determine tumor origin precisely. CONCLUSION: MR signal diffusion is an extremely useful MR parameter to help determine adnexal mass origin when US and laboratory findings are inconclusive.

Screen-and-treat approach in managing cervical cancer precursor lesions: An observational study with 524 women.

OBJECTIVE: To detect factors related to overtreatment with the "Screen-and-treat" approach (S&T) in women with suspicious cervical precancerous lesions. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study of 524 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) or more severe (HSIL+) in cytology, treated by the Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ): 161 without a previous biopsy (S&T group) and 363 with a previous biopsy (biopsy group) from January 2017 to July 2020. The main outcome was a diagnosis of LLETZ: negative (negative or low-grade squamous intraepithlelial lesion LSIL) or HSIL+. A negative diagnosis was interpreted as "overtreatment." Results were analyzed as a function of the S&T approach (whether previous biopsy or not). Variables were obtained from medical records, and were compared with Chi-square or Fisher's exact test (p, p-value), to estimate the chances of a logistic regression analysis (Odds Ratio, OR, or admitting a Confidence Interval (CI) of 95 %). RESULTS: No differences were observed in groups regarding menopausal status, smoking, hormonal contraceptive use, colposcopy findings, LLETZ diagnosis, and recurrence. Comparing biopsy vs S&T groups, the frequency of women over 40 years was 28.4 % vs 39.7 % (p = 0.011), and transformation zone type 3 was 12.2 vs 26.8 % (p < 0.001), respectively. In women managed by S&T, when compared to a LLETZ diagnosis, an HSIL+ result was more frequent in women presenting with TZ 1 (93.1 % TZ1 vs 78.5 % TZ2 vs 73.8 % TZ3, p = 0.008) and in women with abnormal colposcopy (92.9 % abnormal vs 38.1 % negative, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis found that women with negative colposcopic findings presented a higher risk for negative LLETZ diagnosis (LSIL/Negative final histology) (18.6; 6.18-56.02). CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed in the LLETZ diagnosis in women who did or did not use the S&T approach: it was adequate for women referred by cytological HSIL along with high-grade colposcopic findings.

Early Blood Flow Abnormalities in Axillary and Brachial Arteries Precede the Onset of Persistent Lymphedema in Women Treated Surgically for Breast Cancer.

Background: surgery to treat breast cancer (BC) is associated with upper limb (UL) lymphedema, which in some cases may become permanent. It is uncertain whether lymphedema results from injury to either lymphatic or blood vessels, or to both. Methods and Results: a cohort of 200 BC patients was examined 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Axillary and brachial blood vessels were evaluated using Doppler Ultrasound, and patients had their UL examined for lymphedema at each visit. Patients who developed lymphedema 24 months after surgery presented with higher mean flow velocity (MFV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) in both axillary (MFV = 13.57 vs. 10.7 cm/s, p = 0.02; EDV = 5.62 vs. 3.47 cm/s; p = 0.004) and brachial (MFV = 11.44 vs. 8.74 cm/s; p = 0.03; EDV = 5.08 vs. 3.04; p = 0.04) arteries as early as 1 month after surgery. Similar associations were found 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Early abnormalities of the resistive and pulsatility indexes were also significantly associated with persistent lymphedema. EDV measured 1 month after surgery had the best performance to detect patients who will later develop long-term lymphedema, (sensitivity = 73.7%; specificity = 71.2%; negative predictive value = 57.6%). Conclusion: vascular abnormalities precede and are possible causal factors for UL lymphedema in BC patients.

Metabolomics by NMR Combined with Machine Learning to Predict Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response for Breast Cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is offered to patients with operable or inoperable breast cancer (BC) to downstage the disease. Clinical responses to NACT may vary depending on a few known clinical and biological features, but the diversity of responses to NACT is not fully understood. In this study, 80 women had their metabolite profiles of pre-treatment sera analyzed for potential NACT response biomarker candidates in combination with immunohistochemical parameters using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Sixty-four percent of the patients were resistant to chemotherapy. NMR, hormonal receptors (HR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and the nuclear protein Ki67 were combined through machine learning (ML) to predict the response to NACT. Metabolites such as leucine, formate, valine, and proline, along with hormone receptor status, were discriminants of response to NACT. The glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism was found to be involved in the resistance to NACT. We obtained an accuracy in excess of 80% for the prediction of response to NACT combining metabolomic and tumor profile data. Our results suggest that NMR data can substantially enhance the prediction of response to NACT when used in combination with already known response prediction factors.

Endocervical Margins Status in Excision for Preventing Cervical Cancer According to the Transformation Zone Type.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of 610 excision types I and II in a referral facility as a function of transformation zone (TZ) types. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with cervical precursor lesions who underwent loop electrocautery excision procedure from 2017 to 2019 at the University of Campinas. The primary outcome was endocervical margin status, negative or positive. Other variables were excision type (I/II), TZ (1/2/3), age, menopausal status, hormonal contraceptives, smoking, and sexual debut. Tests used were chi-square or Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney, and simple and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The most frequent was TZ 1 (62.5%). Excision II was the most frequent: 54.1% in TZ 1, 67.2% in TZ 2, and 82.1% in TZ 3. A negative margin was observed in TZ 1, 76.0% when excision I and 86.4% when excision II ( p = .009); TZ 2, 86.4% when excision I and 88.9% when excision II ( p = .672); and TZ 3, 76.5% when excision I and 78.9% when excision II ( p = .672). Multivariate analysis revealed in TZ 1 a 2.12 (1.23-3.65) higher risk of obtaining a negative margin in excision type II. In TZ 2 and 3, none of the variables predicted the chance of a negative margin. CONCLUSIONS: The endocervical margin was negative in 3 in every 4 women who underwent loop electrocautery excision procedure, regardless of excision type. Age, menopausal status, smoking, and hormonal contraception did not predict margin status.

Assessment of the performance of the O-RADS MRI score for the evaluation of adnexal masses, with technical notes.

Objective: To assess the performance of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System Magnetic Resonance Imaging (O-RADS MRI) score in the evaluation of adnexal masses and to provide technical notes about its current MRI parameters and concepts. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 226 patients with 287 adnexal masses (190 submitted to surgery or biopsy and 97 followed for at least one year). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the O-RADS MRI score, using ≥ 4 as the cutoff for malignancy. We performed a technical analysis of the main updates to the score, announced in September 2020 by the American College of Radiology, in comparison with the original (2013) version. Results: We found that an O-RADS MRI score of 4 or 5 was associated with malignancy of an adnexal mass, with a sensitivity of 91.11% (95% CI: 83.23-96.08), specificity of 94.92% (95% CI: 90.86-97.54), positive predictive value of 89.13% (95% CI: 81.71-93.77), negative predictive value of 95.90% (95% CI: 92.34-97.84), and overall accuracy of 93.73% (95% CI: 90.27-96.24). Conclusion: Our findings support the use of the O-RADS MRI score for evaluating adnexal masses, especially those considered indeterminate on ultrasound. The updates made recently to the O-RADS MRI score facilitate its interpretation and will allow its more widespread use, with no loss of diagnostic accuracy.

Objetivo: Determinar o desempenho do escore de ressonância magnética para lesões anexiais ovarianas (escore O-RADS RM), com notas técnicas sobre seus atuais parâmetros e conceitos de RM utilizados. Materiais e Métodos: Este estudo incluiu 226 pacientes com 287 massas anexiais (190 pacientes submetidas a cirurgia/biópsia e 97 pacientes com pelo menos um ano de seguimento). Calculamos sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivos e negativos para as categorias do escore O-RADS RM, usando ≥ 4 como ponto de corte para malignidade. Realizamos análise técnica das principais atualizações do escore, anunciadas em setembro de 2020 pelo American College of Radiology, em comparação com a versão original de 2013. Resultados: Escores O-RADS RM categorias 4 ou 5 foram associados com malignidade da massa anexial, com sensibilidade de 91,11% (IC 95%: 83,23-96,08), especificidade de 94,92% (IC 95%: 90,86-97,54), valor preditivo positivo de 89,13% (IC 95%: 81,71-93,77), valor preditivo negativo de 95,90% (IC 95%: 92,34-97,84) e acurácia de 93,73% (IC 95%: 90,27-96,24). Conclusão: Este estudo reforçou o uso do escore O-RADS RM para avaliar massas anexiais, principalmente as indeterminadas por ultrassom. As atualizações feitas recentemente no escore O-RADS RM facilitam sua interpretação e permitirão seu uso mais difundido, sem perder a precisão diagnóstica.

Exercise-Induced Circulating microRNAs: Potential Key Factors in the Control of Breast Cancer.

Losses in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function are harmful in the pathophysiology of serious diseases, including breast cancer. Physical exercise training is an effective non-pharmacological strategy to improve health and quality of life in patients with breast cancer, mainly through positive effects on skeletal muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function. Emerging evidence has also highlighted the potential of exercise-induced crosstalk between skeletal muscle and cancer cells as one of the mechanisms controlling breast cancer progression. This intercellular communication seems to be mediated by a group of skeletal muscle molecules released in the bloodstream known as myokines. Among the myokines, exercise-induced circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) are deemed to mediate the antitumoral effects produced by exercise training through the control of key cellular processes, such as proliferation, metabolism, and signal transduction. However, there are still many open questions regarding the molecular basis of the exercise-induced effects on c-miRNA on human breast cancer cells. Here, we present evidence regarding the effect of exercise training on c-miRNA expression in breast cancer, along with the current gaps in the literature and future perspectives.

Assessment of the performance of the O-RADS MRI score for the evaluation of adnexal masses, with technical notes / Desempenho do escore O-RADS RM para avaliação de massas anexiais, com notas técnicas

Abstract Objective: To assess the performance of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System Magnetic Resonance Imaging (O-RADS MRI) score in the evaluation of adnexal masses and to provide technical notes about its current MRI parameters and concepts. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 226 patients with 287 adnexal masses (190 submitted to surgery or biopsy and 97 followed for at least one year). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the O-RADS MRI score, using ≥ 4 as the cutoff for malignancy. We performed a technical analysis of the main updates to the score, announced in September 2020 by the American College of Radiology, in comparison with the original (2013) version. Results: We found that an O-RADS MRI score of 4 or 5 was associated with malignancy of an adnexal mass, with a sensitivity of 91.11% (95% CI: 83.23-96.08), specificity of 94.92% (95% CI: 90.86-97.54), positive predictive value of 89.13% (95% CI: 81.71-93.77), negative predictive value of 95.90% (95% CI: 92.34-97.84), and overall accuracy of 93.73% (95% CI: 90.27-96.24). Conclusion: Our findings support the use of the O-RADS MRI score for evaluating adnexal masses, especially those considered indeterminate on ultrasound. The updates made recently to the O-RADS MRI score facilitate its interpretation and will allow its more widespread use, with no loss of diagnostic accuracy.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar o desempenho do escore de ressonância magnética para lesões anexiais ovarianas (escore O-RADS RM), com notas técnicas sobre seus atuais parâmetros e conceitos de RM utilizados. Materiais e Métodos: Este estudo incluiu 226 pacientes com 287 massas anexiais (190 pacientes submetidas a cirurgia/biópsia e 97 pacientes com pelo menos um ano de seguimento). Calculamos sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivos e negativos para as categorias do escore O-RADS RM, usando ≥ 4 como ponto de corte para malignidade. Realizamos análise técnica das principais atualizações do escore, anunciadas em setembro de 2020 pelo American College of Radiology, em comparação com a versão original de 2013. Resultados: Escores O-RADS RM categorias 4 ou 5 foram associados com malignidade da massa anexial, com sensibilidade de 91,11% (IC 95%: 83,23-96,08), especificidade de 94,92% (IC 95%: 90,86-97,54), valor preditivo positivo de 89,13% (IC 95%: 81,71-93,77), valor preditivo negativo de 95,90% (IC 95%: 92,34-97,84) e acurácia de 93,73% (IC 95%: 90,27-96,24). Conclusão: Este estudo reforçou o uso do escore O-RADS RM para avaliar massas anexiais, principalmente as indeterminadas por ultrassom. As atualizações feitas recentemente no escore O-RADS RM facilitam sua interpretação e permitirão seu uso mais difundido, sem perder a precisão diagnóstica.

Cervical Cancer Screening with HPV Testing: Updates on the Recommendation / Rastreamento do câncer do colo de útero com teste de HPV: Atualizações na recomendação

Abstract The present update is a reassessment of the 2018 'Guidelines for HPV-DNA Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening in Brazil' (Zeferino et al.)9, according to the changes observed in new international guidelines and knowledge updates. The most relevant and recent guidelines were assessed. Questions regarding the clinical practice were formulated, and the answers considered the perspective of the public and private sectors of the Brazilian health system. The review addressed risk-based strategies regarding age to start and stop screening, the use of cytology and colposcopy to support management decisions, treatment, follow-up strategies, and screening in specific groups, including vaccinated women. The update aims to improve the prevention of cervical cancer and to reduce overtreatment and the misuse of HPV testing.

Resumo Esta atualização é uma reavaliação das "Recomendações para o uso de testes de DNAHPV no rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero no Brasil" (Zeferino et al., 2018),9 de acordo com as mudanças observadas nas novas recomendações internacionais, além das atualizações no conhecimento. As recomendações mais relevantes e recentes foram avaliadas. Questões referentes à prática clínica foram formuladas, e as respostas consideraram a perspectiva do sistema de saúde brasileiro, tanto público quanto privado. Esta revisão abrange estratégias baseadas em risco sobre idade para início e término de rastreamento, o uso da citologia e colposcopia para apoiar as condutas, tratamento, estratégias de seguimento, e rastreamento em grupos específicos, incluindo mulheres vacinadas. Esta atualização tem o objetivo de melhorar as estratégias de prevenção do câncer do colo de útero e reduzir o supertratamento e o uso incorreto dos testes de HPV.

The value of the endocervical margin status in LEEP: analysis of 610 cases.

PURPOSE: To describe the results of 610 patients who underwent LEEP and evaluate factors related to a negative margin. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients treated by LEEP at a colposcopy referral service in Campinas, Brazil, 2017-2019. Patients were referred to treat high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or adenocarcinoma in situ suspected by cytology and colposcopy (screen-and-treat) or by biopsy. Descriptive analysis was performed by frequencies as a function of the status of the margins (negative or positive). Factors associated with margin status were assessed by regression. RESULTS: The endocervical, ectocervical or both margins were negative in 82.4%, 75.7% and 65.9%, respectively. Age, sexual debut, parity, menopause status, smoking and hormonal contraception showed no difference in the proportion of negative margins. Both margins were negative in 66.1% of patients with transformation zone type(TZ) 1, 73.1% of TZ 2, and 54.7% of TZ 3 (p = 0.015). The endocervical negative margin was obtained in 78.0% of patients submitted to excision I (loop 10 mm) and 82.5% to excision II (loop 15 mm) (p = 0.016). Having the sexual debut at 18 years or older or being submitted to an excision type II doubled the chance of negative endocervical margin (1.98;1.04-3.77 and 1.95; 1.18-3.21, respectively). CONCLUSION: The proportion of negative endocervical margin was 78% in excision I and 86% in excision II. Sexual onset and excision type II increased the chance of obtaining a negative endocervical margin.

Cervical Cancer Screening with HPV Testing: Updates on the Recommendation.

The present update is a reassessment of the 2018 'Guidelines for HPV-DNA Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening in Brazil' (Zeferino et al.)9, according to the changes observed in new international guidelines and knowledge updates. The most relevant and recent guidelines were assessed. Questions regarding the clinical practice were formulated, and the answers considered the perspective of the public and private sectors of the Brazilian health system. The review addressed risk-based strategies regarding age to start and stop screening, the use of cytology and colposcopy to support management decisions, treatment, follow-up strategies, and screening in specific groups, including vaccinated women. The update aims to improve the prevention of cervical cancer and to reduce overtreatment and the misuse of HPV testing.

Esta atualização é uma reavaliação das "Recomendações para o uso de testes de DNA-HPV no rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero no Brasil" (Zeferino et al., 2018),9 de acordo com as mudanças observadas nas novas recomendações internacionais, além das atualizações no conhecimento. As recomendações mais relevantes e recentes foram avaliadas. Questões referentes à prática clínica foram formuladas, e as respostas consideraram a perspectiva do sistema de saúde brasileiro, tanto público quanto privado. Esta revisão abrange estratégias baseadas em risco sobre idade para início e término de rastreamento, o uso da citologia e colposcopia para apoiar as condutas, tratamento, estratégias de seguimento, e rastreamento em grupos específicos, incluindo mulheres vacinadas. Esta atualização tem o objetivo de melhorar as estratégias de prevenção do câncer do colo de útero e reduzir o supertratamento e o uso incorreto dos testes de HPV.

Vaginal stenosis in women with cervical or endometrial cancer after pelvic radiotherapy: a cross-sectional study of vaginal measurements, risk for sexual dysfunction and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Radiotherapy (RT) for cervical (CC) and endometrial cancer (EC) is known to lead to vaginal stenosis (VS), but the comparison between vaginal anatomical measurements and the risk of sexual dysfunction presents a wide variety of results among the literature. Thus, we sought to assess the prevalence of VS, vaginal measurements, sexual dysfunction and QOL in women with CC and EC submitted to pelvic RT with or without previous surgery. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 61 women with CC and 69 with EC. VS was classified by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects version 5.0 (CTCAE v5.0), sexual function by the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and QOL by the validated World Health Organization questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Acrylic cylinders were used for vaginal measurements. Uni-/multivariate analyses to address factors associated with VC in both groups were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of VS was 79% and 67% within patients with CC and EC, respectively. Vagina length was decreased in both groups without statistical difference (7.2 ± 1.7 vs. 6.6 ± 1.8;p = 0.072). Vaginal diameter was significantly higher (p = 0.047) in women with EC (25.4 ± 6.3) than in those with CC (23.1 ± 5.7). Sexual dysfunction was highly prevalent for both CC and EC (88% vs. 91%; p = 0.598). There was no difference in all WHOQOL-BREF domains between women with CC and EC. CONCLUSIONS: VS is highly prevalent in CC and EC patients, with vaginal length decreased in both groups but with a higher vaginal diameter in those with EC. Nevertheless, sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in both groups.