ABSTRACT
RESUMEN El astrocitoma pilocítico (AP) es una neoplasia bien diferenciada, grado I OMS,que predomina en la infancia y es raro en la población adulta. Se reportan casos atípicos con una biología tumoral agresiva que continúan preservando la histología benigna o se transforman hacia gliomas de alto grado. Algunos estudios genéticos en esté subtipo de tumor referencian la activación de la vía MAPK/ERK a través de cambios en el gen BRAF. El objetivo del grupo es presentar un caso clínico representativo de un AP con evolución "atípica" y realizar una revisión actualizada desde la biología, genética, las posibilidades terapéuticas emergentes y exponer las controversias del tratamiento desde lo quirúrgico y las terapias complementarias.
SUMMARY The pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), formerly referred to as juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, are WHO grade I tumors, that commonly occur during childhood and rarely in the adult population. Genetic studies of this tumor report an activation of the MAPK / ERK pathway through changes in the BRAF gene. The aim of this article is to report a series of atypical PA cases with an aggressive tumor biology that continue preserving the benign histology or transformed into high-grade gliomas, and review the biology, genetics, and emerging therapeutic possibilities for these cases. And finally expose controversies from the surgical treatment and complementary therapies.
Subject(s)
Astrocytoma , Glioma , MutationABSTRACT
Short-course preoperative radiotherapy (RT) is widely used in northern Europe for locally advanced resectable rectal cancer, but its role in the era of advanced imaging techniques is uncertain. Here, we reviewed articles and abstracts on SCRT published from 1974 through 2013 with the goal of identifying patients who might be best suited for short-course RT. We included relevant articles comparing surgery with or without preoperative radiation published before and after the advent of total mesorectal excision. We also analyzed two randomized trials directly comparing short-course RT with conventionally fractionated chemoradiation (the Polish Colorectal Study Group and the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group) that compared short-course RT with conventional chemoradiotherapy. We conclude from our review that short-course RT can be generally applied for operable rectal cancer and produces high rates of pelvic control with acceptable toxicity; it reduces local recurrence rates but does not increase overall survival. SCRT seems to be best used for tumors considered "low risk," i.e., those that are >5 cm from the anal margin, without circumferential margin involvement, and involvement of fewer than 4 lymph nodes. Whether sequential chemotherapy can further improve outcomes remains to be seen, as does the best time for surgery (immediately or 6-8 weeks after RT). We further recommend that selection of patients for short-course RT should be based on findings from magnetic resonance imaging or transrectal ultrasonography.
ABSTRACT
Preoperative radiochemotherapy and total mesorectal excision surgery is a recommended standard therapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, some subgroups of patients benefit more than others from this approach. In order to avoid long-term complications of radiation and chemotherapy, efforts are being made to subdivide T3N0 stage using advanced imaging techniques, and to analyze prognostic factors that help to define subgroup risk patients. Long-course radiochemotherapy has the potential of downsizing the tumor before surgery and may increase the chance of sphincter preservation in some patients. Short-course radiotherapy (SCRT), on the other hand, is a practical schedule that better suits patients with intermediated risk tumors, located far from the anal margin. SCRT is also increasingly being used among patients with disseminated disease, before resection of the rectal tumor. Improvements in radiation technique, such as keeping the irradiation target below S2/S3 junction, and the use of IMRT, can reduce the toxicity associated with radiation, specially long-term small bowel toxicity.
