The impact of sociodemographic factors and health insurance coverage in the diagnosis and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer in Brazil: AMAZONA III study (GBECAM 0115).

PURPOSE: In Brazil, the available cancer registries are deficient in number and quality and, hence, little information is known regarding sociodemographic, clinicopathological characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of breast cancer (BC) patients. We performed the AMAZONA III/ GBECAM 0115 study and in this analysis, we describe patients' characteristics at diagnosis and their association with health insurance type. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study developed in 23 sites in Brazil including women with newly diagnosed invasive BC from January 2016 to March 2018. In order to compare healthcare insurance type, we considered patients who were treated under the Brazilian public health system as publicly insured, and women who had private insurance or paid for their treatment as privately insured. RESULTS: A total of 2950 patients were included in the study. Median age at diagnosis was 53.9 years; 63.1% were publicly insured. The majority of patients (68.6%) had stage II-III breast cancer and ductal carcinoma histology (80.9%). The most common breast cancer subtype was luminal A-like (48.0%) followed by luminal B-HER2 positive-like (17.0%) and triple-negative (15.6%). Luminal A was more frequent in private (53.7% vs. 44.2%, p < .0001) than public, whereas Luminal B HER2-positive (19.2% vs. 14.2%, p = 0.0012) and HER2-positive (8.8% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.0009) were more common in patients with public health system coverage. Only 34% of patients were diagnosed by screening exams. Privately insured patients were more frequently diagnosed with stage I disease when compared to publicly insured patients; publicly insured patients had more stage III (33.5% vs. 14.7%; p-value < 0.0001) disease than privately insured ones. Breast cancer was detected by symptoms more frequently in publicly than in privately insured patients (74.2% vs 25.8%, respectively; p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with public health coverage were diagnosed with symptomatic disease, later stages and more aggressive subtypes when compared to privately insured patients.

Expanded Access Study of Palbociclib Plus Letrozole for Postmenopausal Women with HR+/HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer in Latin America for Whom Letrozole Therapy is Deemed Appropriate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Palbociclib is a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor that is approved in the United States for the treatment of hormone receptor‒positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor‒2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC). The objectives of this expanded access trial were to provide palbociclib in combination with letrozole to patients with HR+/HER2- ABC in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico who were candidates for letrozole therapy before commercial availability of palbociclib, and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of palbociclib plus letrozole. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Postmenopausal women aged ≥ 18 years with HR+/HER2- ABC were eligible to participate in this study. Patients received palbociclib 125 mg once daily (3/1 schedule) and letrozole 2.5 mg once daily (continuous schedule). Safety, objective response rate (ORR), and duration of treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were treated with palbociclib plus letrozole (Argentina, n = 33; Brazil, n = 35; Colombia, n = 28; Mexico, n = 34). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade were neutropenia (70.0%), leukopenia (34.6%), anemia (33.8%), decreased neutrophil count (27.7%), and thrombocytopenia (24.6%); 22.3% of patients required a palbociclib dose reduction due to adverse events (AEs). Serious AEs were reported in 32 patients (24.6%). The ORR was 24.8% (95% confidence interval 17.6‒33.2), and the median duration of treatment was 10.6 months (range 0.1‒29.3). CONCLUSION: Palbociclib in combination with letrozole was generally well tolerated with a clinically manageable safety profile; the observed ORR supported treatment benefit in Latin American women with HR+/HER2- ABC. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02600923.

This study was done to learn more about the safety of 2 medicines together for women with advanced breast cancer after menopause. All 130 women in the study had the most common kind of breast cancer and were from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Everyone took 2 oral medicines called palbociclib and letrozole during the study. The researchers looked for any side effects experienced by the women while taking these medicines together. Another goal of the study was to see how well the treatment worked. Blood tests showed 70.0% of women had a side effect where they had a lower number of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. In total, 34.6% of women had low levels of another white blood cell called a leukocyte. These blood test results can mean a person is more likely to get infections. Serious side effects were experienced by 24.6% of the women, which meant these were life-threatening, caused lasting problems, or they needed hospital care. To cope with their side effects, 22.3% of the women switched to a lower palbociclib dose; 24.8% of the women had an overall response, which meant they either had a decrease in their tumor size or all cancer signs disappeared from their body. The most common length of time in the study was 10.6 months and the longest time was 29.3 months. The results of this study support using palbociclib plus letrozole to treat women who live in Latin America with advanced breast cancer after menopause.

Advanced Stage at Diagnosis and Worse Clinicopathologic Features in Young Women with Breast Cancer in Brazil: A Subanalysis of the AMAZONA III Study (GBECAM 0115).

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) in young women is uncommon and tends to present with more aggressive characteristics. To better understand and characterize this scenario in Brazil through real-world data, we performed a subanalysis of AMAZONA III study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02663973). METHODS: The AMAZONA III study (GBECAM 0115) is a prospective registry that included 2,950 women newly diagnosed with invasive BC in Brazil from January 2016 until March 2018 at 22 sites. Valid data were obtained from 2,888 patients regarding age at diagnosis and complete baseline information. To compare epidemiologic and clinicopathological features at the time of diagnosis, patients with BC were divided into two groups according to age: ≤ 40 years and > 40 years. Quantitative variables were described as means, and categorical variables were described as frequencies and percentages and compared using the Pearson's χ2 test. RESULTS: Of 2,888 women diagnosed with BC, 486 (17%) were ≤ 40 years old. Young women had higher educational level, most were employed and a significant number were married (P < .001 for all associations). Younger patients were more symptomatic at BC diagnosis (P < .001), and they also presented more frequently with stage III, T3/T4, grade 3 tumors, HER-2-positive, luminal B, and triple-negative subtypes. CONCLUSION: Brazilian women younger than age 40 years have unfavorable clinicopathological features of BC at diagnosis, with more aggressive subtypes and advanced stage when compared with older women. These differences are not explained by socioeconomic or ethnic imbalances. The causes of a higher prevalence of BC among young women in Brazil deserve additional investigation.

A randomised phase II study of chemoradiotherapy with or without nimotuzumab in locally advanced oesophageal cancer: NICE trial.

PURPOSE: Chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with inoperable locally advanced oesophageal cancer. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of chemoradiation combined with nimotuzumab, a humanised antibody directed against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Untreated patients with inoperable locally advanced oesophageal cancer and no distant metastases were randomised to chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin and fluorouracil combined with external beam radiation) alone or in combination with nimotuzumab. The primary end-point was the endoscopic complete response (eCR) rate, and secondary end-points comprised quality of life (QoL) and safety. The combined eCR and pathologic complete response (cEPCR) and overall survival (OS) were also evaluated. RESULTS: We enrolled 107 patients with a mean age of 59 years, and 93% had squamous cell carcinoma. Toxicity was manageable in both arms with no important differences in adverse events (AEs). We performed post-treatment endoscopies in 67 patients, including 60 who had a biopsy. In the intent-to-treat population, the eCR rates with and without nimotuzumab were 47.2% and 33.3% (P = 0.17), respectively, and the cEPCR rates were 62.3% and 37.0% (P = 0.02), respectively. With a median follow-up of 14.7 months, the hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-1.07; P = 0.09) with a median OS of 15.9 months for the nimotuzumab arm and 11.5 months for the control arm. Regarding QoL, a significant difference was observed for the physical subscale score (P = 0.03) with lower values for the control arm. CONCLUSION: Combined chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab is safe for patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer, it appears to increase the cEPCR rate, and without compromising QoL. CLINICAL TRIALS: Identification number: EF024-201; Trial registry: NCT01249352.

A CLINICAL-PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST SARCOMA / Correlação clinicopatológica no diagnóstico de sarcoma de mama

Breast sarcomas are rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose. They are characterized by a mobile and painless mass with accelerated growth. This neoplasm represents less than 1% of all breasts malignancies and less than 5% of all soft tissues sarcomas. The present publication reports the case of a 78 year old patient, who was referred to the Hospital da Cidade de Passo Fundo's Mastology Ambulatory due to a suspicious mass occupying almost the entire right breast (BI-RADS®5). The diagnosis of breast sarcoma was made through the correlation between a clinical evaluation and an anatomopathological exam, and was supplemented by an immunohistochemistry and oncologic evaluation. The patient developed lung and liver metastasis three months after surgery. This paper aimed to report an unusual case of a breast tumor and the difficulty in performing its diagnosis, even after surgery. In the end, a multidisciplinary evaluation was needed.

Sarcomas de mama são tumores raros e de difícil diagnóstico, que se apresentam como uma massa indolor, móvel e de crescimento acelerado. Essa neoplasia representa menos de 1% de todas as malignidades da mama e menos de 5% de todos os sarcomas de tecidos moles. Relata-se nesta publicação o caso de uma paciente de 78 anos, encaminhada ao Ambulatório de Mastologia do Hospital da Cidade de Passo Fundo em razão de uma massa suspeita ocupando quase a totalidade da mama direita (BI-RADS®5), que teve diagnóstico de sarcoma de mama, o qual foi obtido por meio da correlação entre avaliação clínica, exame anatomopatológico complementado por estudo imuno-histoquímico e avaliação oncológica. A paciente evoluiu com metástase pulmonar e hepática três meses após a intervenção cirúrgica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso inusitado de tumor de mama e a dificuldade em realizar o diagnóstico, mesmo após intervenção cirúrgica, tendo sido necessária uma avaliação multidisciplinar.

Marantic endocarditis and adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a disease characterized by deposition of thrombi and fibrin on normal or degenerated cardiac valves in the absence of microorganisms. This condition is more commonly seen in chronic inflammatory states, and is associated with higher incidence of thromboembolic events than infective endocarditis. We report the case of a 63-year old male patient with adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site and systemic embolism.

[Giant cell tumour of distal femur with pulmonary metastases]. / Tumor de células gigantes de fémur distal com metástases pulmonares.

Gian cell is normally a benign primary skeletal lesion located in the epiphysis of the long bones. It is more frequente in the third and fourth decades of life but can exhibit the behaviour of a malignant tumour with distal metatasis. Up to 10% of patients present distal metatasis, usually in the lung, and it is concomitant to recurrence in the primary site. The treatment of primary tumour is extensive surgical resection. We report a case of a 35-year-old patient with lung metatases 21 months after curettage of giant cell tumour in distal femur.

True adrenal cyst mimicking renal cancer in a young woman: a case report.

The adrenal cyst is a rare disease that represents approximately 5% of discovered adrenal lesions, which are usually discovered incidentally. True adrenal cysts originate to cells from mesothelium. The potential of cyst adrenal to become malignant has been reported to be 7% and a radical excision of a potentially malignant mass are indicate. We report a case of a 48 year old woman that presented with pain in left hypochondrium and epigastrium, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and microscopic hematuria. After the diagnosis suspicion surgery was performed with a monoblock resection of left kidney and left adrenal gland because of kidney cancer diagnosis as considered. The microscopically analysis of surgical specimen, diagnosed a true epithelial cyst of adrenal gland.

Fractura patológica por osteorradionecrosis de mandíbula: relato de caso / Pathological fracture due to mandibular osteoradionecrosis: A case report

La radioterapia es un tratamiento efectivo contra el cáncer, pero produce cambios en los tejidos adyacentes a las áreas irradiadas. En el hueso, la irradiación provoca hipoxia, hipocelularidad e hipovascularidad, haciendo que el tejido no sea capaz de regenerarse. Se presenta un caso de osteorradionecrosis ocurrido a causa de una extracción dental después de la radioterapia. Un hombre de 41 años con carcinoma epidermoide invasivo moderadamente diferenciado con sitio primario ubicado en suelo de boca en estado T4N2M0, fue sometido a radioterapia y quimioterapia. Después de 39 sesiones de radioterapia con 70 Gy, comenzó a quejarse de dolor en el diente en la mandíbula izquierda, que fue extraído por un dentista cirujano. Un mes después de la extracción, el paciente fue ingresado en el Hospital de la ciudad de Passo Fundo/RS, Brasil, con un absceso parafaringeo. El paciente diagnosticado con osteorradionecrosis fue tratado mediante cirugía para eliminar el secuestro óseo y lavado de los tejidos para el tratamiento paliativo de la lesión, pero después de 45 días murió debido al avance del cáncer. La osteorradionecrosis se puede evitar con un seguimiento odontológico que indique la adecuación del medio bucal y extracción oportuna de los dientes del área a irradiar

Radiotherapy is an established treatment modality in the management of malignant disease of the head and neck but promotes a significant marrow fibrosis and a paucity of cells as well as the ghosts of old blood vessels consistent with the concept of hypocellular­hypovascular­hypoxic tissue. The purpose of this article is to report a case of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) after dental extraction in a patient who had received radiotherapy. A 41-year-old male is presented with a history of squamous cell carcinoma in advanced stages of the floor of the mouth, staged T4N2M0, treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy with 70 Gy of intensity modulate RT (IMRT). One month after IMRT, the patient presented with severe left tooth mandibular pain which was extracted. He was admitted to the Hospital da Cidade de Passo Fundo/RS, Brasil with complaint of infection of the left mandible with parapharyngeal abscess. The patient was diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis and treated with surgical procedure for removal of necrotic bone; the patient died 45 days following the last contact due to very advanced stage of the disease. The current risk of developing ORN is assumed to have declined. Good oral health status, especially after radiotherapy, is very important in the prevention of ORN. Teeth with unrestorable caries, those with periapical radiolucencies, or gross periodontal disease should be extracted before radiotherapy

Endocardite marântica e adenocarcinoma de sítio primário oculto / Marantic endocarditis and adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site / Endocarditis marántica y adenocarcinoma de sitio primario desconocido

A endocardite trombótica não bacteriana é caracterizada pela deposição de trombos e fibrina sobre valvas cardíacas normais ou degeneradas na ausência de germes. A patologia está relacionada a estados inflamatórios crônicos, com maior incidência de fenômenos embólicos quando comparada à endocardite infecciosa. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente masculino, 63 anos, com adenocarcinoma de sítio primário oculto e embolia sistêmica.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a disease characterized by deposition of thrombi and fibrin on normal or degenerated cardiac valves in the absence of microorganisms. This condition is more commonly seen in chronic inflammatory states, and is associated with higher incidence of thromboembolic events than infective endocarditis. We report the case of a 63-year old male patient with adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site and systemic embolism.

La endocarditis trombótica no bacteriana se caracteriza por el depósito de trombos de fibrina en las válvulas cardíacas normales o degenerados en ausencia de gérmenes. La patología se relaciona con estados inflamatorios crónicos, con una mayor incidencia de fenómenos embólicos cuando comparada a endocarditis infecciosa. Los autores refieren el caso de un paciente varón, de 63 años con adenocarcinoma de sitio primario desconocido y la embolia sistémica.

Gliossarcoma: um desafio clínico e terapêutico / Gliosarcoma: a clinical and therapeuctic challenge

O Gliossarcoma (GSa) é uma neoplasia primária rara do sistema nervoso central, caracterizada por padrão histológico bifásico que inclui os componentes glial e sarcomatoso. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente masculino, de 49 anos de idade, que apresentou cefaleia como manifestação clínica predominante. O diagnostico foi suspeitado devido à arquitetura microscópica e confirmado pelo estudo imuno-histoquímico. Na terapêutica, foi submetido à craniotomia com microcirurgia para ressecção do tumor e tratamento radioterápico complementar. Dados epidemiológicos, histogênese e achados frequentes em exames de imagem são discutidos, assim como o tratamento e prognóstico.

The gliosarcoma (GSA) is a rare primary neoplasm of the central nervous system characterized by a biphasic histological pattern that includes the glial and sarcomatous components. Here the authors report the case of a 49-year-old male patient who presented headache as predominant clinical manifestation. The diagnosis was suspected on account of microscopic architecture and confirmed by immunohistochemical study. The patient underwent craniotomy with microsurgery for tumor resection and additional radiotherapy. Epidemiological data, histogenesis and common findings on imaging are discussed, as well as treatment and prognosis.

Carcinoma vesical de pequenas células / Small cell carcinoma of the bladder

O carcinoma neuroendócrino de pequenas células usualmente tem como sítio primário o pulmão e a sua origem na bexiga é rara. O diagnóstico dos tumores localizados na bexiga é realizado pela biópsia através da cistoscopia ou biópsia transuretral, com posterior análise histológica e imunohistoquímica. O prognóstico é sombrio, com sobrevida média de 8% em 5 anos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso de carcinoma de pequenas células com sítio primário na bexiga em paciente do sexo feminino

The small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma usually has as a primary site the lung, and its origin in the bladder is rare. The diagnosis of tumors in bladder is made through biopsy by cystoscopy or transurethral biopsy with subsequent histological and immunohistochemical analyses. The prognosis is bleak, with mean survival of 8% in 5 years. Here we report a case of small cell carcinoma with primary site in the bladder in a female patient

Cordoma sacral / Sacral chordomas

Cordomas são neoplasias raras que se originam dos remanescentes da notocorda primitiva 50% dos casos têm localização sacral, sendo mais frequente ao nível de S4/S5. Nós descrevemos um caso de cordoma sacral ao nível de S1 e discutimos a apresentação clínica, achados de imagem, tratamento cirúrgico e evolução.

Chordomas are rare neoplasias originating from the remaining primitive notochord. 50% of the cases have sacral localization, being more frequent at levels S4/S5. Here we report a case of sacral chordoma at level S1 and discuss its clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical treatment, and progress.