ABSTRACT
El cáncer de mama es la neoplasia más frecuente y de mayor mortalidad en las mujeres en todo el mundo. El receptor 2 del factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano (HER2) se sobreexpresa en aproximadamente el 20% de las pacientes con cáncer de mama y se asocia a mayor riesgo de recidiva tumoral y mortalidad. Antes del desarrollo de los anticuerpos monoclonales dirigidos contra HER2, el cáncer de mama HER2 positivo estaba asociado con un pronóstico desfavorable. El uso de las terapias dirigidas anti HER2 ha mejorado significativamente las tasas de supervivencia global tanto en el escenario adyuvante como en la enfermedad metastásica. En los últimos años han surgido nuevos medicamentos que bloquean esta vía de señalización, lo cual ha permitido establecer varias líneas de tratamiento con terapia anti HER2 en las pacientes con enfermedad metastásica. Por esta razón, las unidades funcionales de Oncología Clínica/Seno y Tejidos Blandos tomaron la decisión de realizar una revisión de la evidencia científica disponible a octubre de 2021, para establecer las recomendaciones en el abordaje terapéutico de las pacientes con cáncer de mama metastásico HER2 positivo en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC).
Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm and the one with the highest mortality in women worldwide. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in approximately 20% of breast cancer patients and is associated with an increased risk of tumor recurrence and mortality. Before the development of monoclonal antibodies directed against HER2, HER2-positive breast cancer was associated with a poor prognosis. The use of anti-HER2 targeted therapies has significantly improved overall survival rates both in the adjuvant setting and in metastatic disease. In recent years, new drugs have emerged that block this signaling pathway, which has made it possible to establish several lines of treatment with anti-HER2 therapy in patients with metastatic disease. For this reason, the clinical oncology/breast and soft tissue functional units made the decision to conduct a review of the available scientific evidence as of October 2021 to establish recommendations for the therapeutic approach to patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in the National Cancer Institute (INC).
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Genes, erbB-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Colombia, recent legislation regarding end-of-life decisions includes palliative sedation, advance directives and euthanasia. We analysed which aspects influence health professionals´ decisions regarding end-of-life medical decisions and care for cancer patients. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive-exploratory study based on phenomenology using semi-structured interviews. We interviewed 28 oncologists, palliative care specialists, general practitioners and nurses from three major Colombian institutions, all involved in end-of-life care of cancer patients: Hospital Universitario San Ignacio and Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Bogotá and Hospital Universitario San José in Popayan. RESULTS: When making decisions regarding end-of-life care, professionals consider: 1. Patient's clinical condition, cultural and social context, in particular treating indigenous patients requires special skills. 2. Professional skills and expertise: training in palliative care and experience in discussing end-of-life options and fear of legal consequences. Physicians indicate that many patients deny their imminent death which hampers shared decision-making and conversations. They mention frequent ambiguity regarding who initiates conversations regarding end-of-life decisions with patients and who finally takes decisions. Patients rarely initiate such conversations and the professionals normally do not ask patients directly for their preferences. Fear of confrontation with family members and lawsuits leads healthcare workers to carry out interventions such as initiating artificial feeding techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, even in the absence of expected benefits. The opinions regarding the acceptability of palliative sedation, euthanasia and use of medications to accelerate death without the patients´ explicit request vary greatly. 3. Conditions of the insurance system: limitations exist in the offer of oncology and palliative care services for important proportions of the Colombian population. Colombians have access to opioid medications, barriers to their application are largely in delivery by the health system, the requirement of trained personnel for intravenous administration and ambulatory and home care plans which in Colombia are rare. CONCLUSIONS: To improve end-of-life decision making, Colombian healthcare workers and patients need to openly discuss wishes, needs and care options and prepare caregivers. Promotion of palliative care education and development of palliative care centres and home care plans is necessary to facilitate access to end-of-life care. Patients and caregivers' perspectives are needed to complement physicians' perceptions and practices.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Terminal Care , Caregivers , Decision Making , Humans , Neoplasms/therapy , Nigeria , Palliative Care , Qualitative Research , Terminally IllABSTRACT
Introducción El cáncer renal representa 2,4% de los casos diagnosticados de cáncer en la población general, es más común en hombres que en mujeres, y se presenta con más frecuencia entre la 6ta y la 8ta décadas de vida. Se estima que el 16% de los pacientes se diagnostican como enfermedad metastásica. Objetivo Se presenta el caso de un paciente cuyo diagnóstico de carcinoma renal se confundió inicialmente con un tumor benigno. Métodos A un hombre de 56 años de edad se le realizó hace 3 años ese diagnóstico en un estadio avanzado de la enfermedad, a pesar del hallazgo incidental de una masa, que se consideró benigna durante 5 años. Resultados Al momento del diagnóstico de carcinoma de células claras, el tumor era Estadio IV, con metástasis a pulmón. Recibió primera línea de tratamiento con sunitinib, pero fue suspendido por toxicidad; segunda línea con pazopanib durante 1 año, después presentó progresión de la enfermedad, por lo cual se cambió a tratamiento con axitinib con respuesta parcial, sin embargo, se suspendió por toxicidad cardiaca, entre otras. Al momento el paciente ha recibido 5 ciclos de bevacizumab con adecuada tolerancia. Conclusiones Es necesario resaltar la indicación de diagnóstico adecuado y manejo quirúrgico en masas renales sospechosas.
Introduction Kidney cancer represents 2.4% of diagnosed cases of cancer in the general population; it is more common in men than in women, and occurs more frequently between the 6th and 8th decades of life. It is estimated that 16% of patients are diagnosed as metastatic disease. Objective To report the case of a male patient whose diagnosis of renal carcinoma was initially misdiagnosed as a benign tumor. Methods We present a 56-year-old male diagnosed three years back with malignancy at an advanced stage of the disease, despite the incidental finding of a tumor that for 5 years was considered benign. Results At the time of diagnosis of clear cell carcinoma, the tumor was Stage IV, with lung metastasis. He received first line treatment with sunitinib, which was discontinued due to toxicity. Subsequently, a second line with pazotinib for 1 year, then presented progression of the disease, so treatment was changed to axitinib with partial response., It was discontinued, however, due to cardiac toxicity, among others. At the time of writing, the patient has received 5 cycles of bevacizumab with adequate tolerance. Conclusions It is necessary to highlight the need for adequate diagnosis and surgical management in suspicious renal masses.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Bevacizumab , Axitinib , Neoplasm Metastasis , Grief , Incidental Findings , Sunitinib , Kidney , NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Resumen Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 82 años con cáncer de mama diagnosticado en 2011 tratado con cirugía y adyuvancia hormonal con tamoxifeno. En 2015 fue hospitalizada por obstrucción intestinal alta y se descartó compromiso tumoral. Sin embargo, se realizó videotoracoscopia por presencia de derrame pleural y se documentaron lesiones pleurales correspondientes a metástasis. Se inició terapia hormonal con adecuada respuesta. Un año después, se realizó gastroduodenoscopia de control en la que se evidenció edema y eritema bulboduodenal. La biopsia corroboró compromiso metastásico por cáncer de mama.
Abstract We present the case of an 82 year old woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and who underwent surgery and adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen. In 2015 she was hospitalized for an upper intestinal obstruction. Involvement of a tumor was ruled out, but video-assisted thoracoscopy showed the presence of pleural effusion and pleural lesions corresponding to metastases. Hormone therapy was initiated, and the patient responded adequately. One year later, a gastroduodenoscopy showed edema and erythema of the duodenal bulb. The biopsy corroborated metastasis from breast cancer.
