Prognostic value of integrin αV expression and localization pattern in invasive breast carcinomas.

Invasion of surrounding stroma is an early event in breast cancer metastatic progression, and involves loss of cell polarity, loss of myoepithelial layer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrins are transmembrane receptors responsible for cell-ECM binding, which triggers signals that regulate many aspects of cell behavior and fate. Changes in the expression, localization and pairing of integrins contribute for abnormal responses found in transformed epithelia. We analyzed 345 human breast cancer samples in tissue microarrays (TMA) from cases diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma to assess the expression and localization pattern of integrin αV and correlation with clinical parameters. Patients with lower levels of integrin αV staining showed reduced cancer specific survival. A subset of cases presented a peripheral staining of integrin αV surrounding tumor cell clusters, possibly matching the remaining myoepithelial layer. Indeed, the majority of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) components found in the TMA presented integrin αV at their periphery, whereas this pattern was mostly lost in invasive components, even in the same sample. The lack of peripheral integrin αV correlated with decreased cancer specific survival. In addition, we observed that the presence of integrin αV in the stroma was an indicative of poor survival and metastatic disease. Consistently, by interrogating publicly available datasets we found that, although patients with higher mRNA levels of integrin αV had increased risk of developing metastasis, high co-expression of integrin αV and a myoepithelial cell marker (MYH11) mRNA levels correlated with better clinical outcomes. Finally, a 3D cell culture model of non-malignant and malignant cells reproduced the integrin αV pattern seen in patient samples. Taken together, our data indicate that both the expression levels of integrin αV and its tissue localization in primary tumors have prognostic value, and thus, could be used to help predict patients at higher risk of developing metastasis.

Benefits of a standardized protocol for axillary management after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a single center

Introduction: The axillary lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. For locally advanced tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy favors higher rates of breast lumpectomy and downstaging tumor burden of axilla. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a standardized image-guided protocol after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to enable sentinel node dissection in patients with axillary downstaging, avoiding axillary dissection. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of data collected from medical records of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a single center, from January 2014 to December 2018. The protocol comprises the placement of a metal clip in positive axillary lymph node, in patients with up to two clinically abnormal lymph nodes presented on imaging. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and once a radiologic complete response was achieved, sentinel node dissection was performed using blue dye and radiotracer. Axillary dissection were avoided in patients whose clipped sentinel node were negative for metastasis and in patients with three identified and negative sentinel node dissection. Results: A total of 471 patients were analyzed for this study: 303 before and 165 after the implementation of the protocol; 3 cases were excluded. The rate of sentinel node dissection in clinical nodes positive patients was statistically higher in this group when compared to patients treated before the protocol implementation (22.8% vs. 40.8%; p=0.001). Patients with triple negative and HER2-positive tumors underwent sentinel node dissection more frequently when compared to luminal tumors (p=0.03). After multivariate analysis, the variables that were associated with a greater chance of performing sentinel node dissection were clinical staging, type of surgery performed and implementation of the axillary assessment protocol. Conclusions: The results showed that the use of an easily and accessible image-guided protocol can improve sentinel node dissection in selected patients, even if the lymph node was positive previously to neoadjuvant treatment.

Genetic Landscape of Male Breast Cancer.

Male breast cancer (MBC) is now considered molecularly different from female breast cancer (FBC). Evidence from studies indicates that common genetic and epigenetic features of FBC are not shared with those diagnosed in men. Genetic predisposition is likely to play a significant role in the tumorigenesis of this rare disease. Inherited germline variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for around 2% and 10% of MBC cases, respectively, and the lifetime risk of breast cancer for men harboring BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is 1.2% and 6.8%. As for FBC, pathogenic mutations in other breast cancer genes have also been recently associated with an increased risk of MBC, such as PALB2 and CHEK2 mutations. However, while multigene germline panels have been extensively performed for BC female patients, the rarity of MBC has resulted in limited data to allow the understanding of the magnitude of risk and the contribution of recently identified moderate penetrance genes of FBC for MBC predisposition. This review gathers available data about the germline genetic landscape of men affected by breast cancer, estimated risk associated with these genetic variants, and current guidelines for clinical management.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the breast

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a common tumor of the salivary gland, but rarely occurs in the breast. PA of the breast is a benign tumor that usually presents as a periareolar nodule. Core-needle biopsies may yield misdiagnosis with complex fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumor and metaplastic breast cancer due to the mixture of stromal and epithelial elements. We present a case of PA of the breast suspected after core-needle biopsy, but confirmed after surgical excision. The importance to make a correct diagnosis consists in avoid extensive unnecessary surgery, such as mastectomy, since PA can be treated with local surgical resection.

Deep Learning Predicts Underlying Features on Pathology Images with Therapeutic Relevance for Breast and Gastric Cancer.

DNA repair deficiency (DRD) is an important driver of carcinogenesis and an efficient target for anti-tumor therapies to improve patient survival. Thus, detection of DRD in tumors is paramount. Currently, determination of DRD in tumors is dependent on wet-lab assays. Here we describe an efficient machine learning algorithm which can predict DRD from histopathological images. The utility of this algorithm is demonstrated with data obtained from 1445 cancer patients. Our method performs rather well when trained on breast cancer specimens with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), AUC (area under curve) = 0.80. Results for an independent breast cancer cohort achieved an AUC = 0.70. The utility of our method was further shown by considering the detection of mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD) in gastric cancer, yielding an AUC = 0.81. Our results demonstrate the capacity of our learning-base system as a low-cost tool for DRD detection.

Can diffusion-weighted imaging add information in the evaluation of breast lesions considered suspicious on magnetic resonance imaging?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of breast lesions classified as suspicious on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), correlating the findings with the results of the histological analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive study based on a review of the medical records of 215 patients who were submitted to MRI with DWI before undergoing biopsy at a cancer center. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated for each lesion, and the result of the histological analysis was considered the gold standard. RESULTS: The mean age was 49 years. We identified 252 lesions, 161 (63.9%) of which were found to be malignant in the histological analysis. The mean ADC value was higher for the benign lesions than for the malignant lesions (1.50 × 10-3 mm2/s vs. 0.97 × 10-3 mm2/s), the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.001). The ADC cut-off point with the greatest sensitivity and specificity on the receiver operating characteristic curve was 1.03 × 10-3 mm2/s. When the DWI and conventional MRI findings were combined, the accuracy reached 95.9%, with a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 96.4%. CONCLUSION: The use of DWI could facilitate the characterization of breast lesions, especially those classified as BI-RADS 4, increasing the specificity and diagnostic accuracy of MRI.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o papel da sequência em difusão na avaliação de lesões mamárias suspeitas na ressonância magnética (RM), correlacionando seus achados com os resultados histológicos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, baseado na análise de prontuários médicos de 215 pacientes que realizaram RM com sequência em difusão e que foram submetidas a biópsia em um centro de referência oncológico. Foi calculado o valor do coeficiente de difusão aparente (ADC ­ apparent diffusion coefficient) para cada lesão e o resultado histológico foi considerado como padrão ouro. RESULTADOS: A idade média das pacientes foi 49 anos. Foram identificadas 252 lesões, e destas, 161 (63,9%) eram lesões malignas na avaliação histológica. A média obtida do valor do ADC nas lesões benignas (1,50 × 10­3 mm2/s) foi superior à média das lesões malignas (0,97 × 10­3 mm2/s), com significância estatística (p < 0,001). O ponto de corte com maior sensibilidade e especificidade pela curva receiver operating characteristic foi 1,03 × 10­3 mm2/s. Com a combinação da difusão com os achados da RM, a acurácia chegou a 95,9%, com sensibilidade de 95,7% e especificidade de 96,4%. CONCLUSÃO: O uso da sequência em difusão pode auxiliar na caracterização das lesões mamárias, principalmente daquelas classificadas como BI-RADS 4, aumentando a especificidade e a acurácia diagnóstica da RM.

Can diffusion-weighted imaging add information in the evaluation of breast lesions considered suspicious on magnetic resonance imaging? / A difusão pode acrescentar informações na avaliação de lesões mamárias suspeitas na ressonância magnética?

Abstract Objective: To assess the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of breast lesions classified as suspicious on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), correlating the findings with the results of the histological analysis. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study based on a review of the medical records of 215 patients who were submitted to MRI with DWI before undergoing biopsy at a cancer center. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated for each lesion, and the result of the histological analysis was considered the gold standard. Results: The mean age was 49 years. We identified 252 lesions, 161 (63.9%) of which were found to be malignant in the histological analysis. The mean ADC value was higher for the benign lesions than for the malignant lesions (1.50 × 10-3 mm2/s vs. 0.97 × 10−3 mm2/s), the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.001). The ADC cut-off point with the greatest sensitivity and specificity on the receiver operating characteristic curve was 1.03 × 10−3 mm2/s. When the DWI and conventional MRI findings were combined, the accuracy reached 95.9%, with a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 96.4%. Conclusion: The use of DWI could facilitate the characterization of breast lesions, especially those classified as BI-RADS 4, increasing the specificity and diagnostic accuracy of MRI.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o papel da sequência em difusão na avaliação de lesões mamárias suspeitas na ressonância magnética (RM), correlacionando seus achados com os resultados histológicos. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, baseado na análise de prontuários médicos de 215 pacientes que realizaram RM com sequência em difusão e que foram submetidas a biópsia em um centro de referência oncológico. Foi calculado o valor do coeficiente de difusão aparente (ADC - apparent diffusion coefficient) para cada lesão e o resultado histológico foi considerado como padrão ouro. Resultados: A idade média das pacientes foi 49 anos. Foram identificadas 252 lesões, e destas, 161 (63,9%) eram lesões malignas na avaliação histológica. A média obtida do valor do ADC nas lesões benignas (1,50 × 10-3 mm2/s) foi superior à média das lesões malignas (0,97 × 10-3 mm2/s), com significância estatística (p < 0,001). O ponto de corte com maior sensibilidade e especificidade pela curva receiver operating characteristic foi 1,03 × 10-3 mm2/s. Com a combinação da difusão com os achados da RM, a acurácia chegou a 95,9%, com sensibilidade de 95,7% e especificidade de 96,4%. Conclusão: O uso da sequência em difusão pode auxiliar na caracterização das lesões mamárias, principalmente daquelas classificadas como BI-RADS 4, aumentando a especificidade e a acurácia diagnóstica da RM.

Lobular Carcinoma in Situ with Atypical Mass Presentation: a Case Report.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and accounts for 1 to 2% of all breast cancers. LCIS diagnosis currently remains one of the major identifiable risk factors for subsequent breast cancer development. Imaging methods are becoming increasingly sensitive, and the consequent detection of small lesions and subtle abnormalities increases the chance of detection of in situ and invasive carcinomas, leading to a reduction in mortality. This report describes a case of a palpable complaint with abnormal imaging findings, including a solid LCIS mass.

Lobular Carcinoma in Situ with Atypical Mass Presentation: a Case Report / Carcinoma lobular in situ com apresentação nodular atípica: relato de caso

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and accounts for 1 to 2% of all breast cancers. LCIS diagnosis currently remains one of the major identifiable risk factors for subsequent breast cancer development. Imaging methods are becoming increasingly sensitive, and the consequent detection of small lesions and subtle abnormalities increases the chance of detection of in situ and invasive carcinomas, leading to a reduction in mortality. This report describes a case of a palpable complaint with abnormal imaging findings, including a solid LCIS mass.

O Carcinoma Lobular in situ (CLIS) está associado a um aumento do risco de câncer de mama e representa 1-2% de todas as neoplasias mama. Atualmente, o diagnóstico de CLIS continua a ser um dos maiores fatores de risco identificáveis para o posterior desenvolvimento de câncer de mama. Os métodos de imagem estão cada vez mais sensíveis, fazendo com que a detecção de pequenas lesões e anormalidade sutis aumentemo risco de detecções de carcinomas in situ e invasivos, levando a diminuição da mortalidade. Neste relato será descrito um caso de queixa clínica palpável com alteração de achados de imagem como massa sólida de CLIS.

Correlation between PET/CT results and histological and immunohistochemical findings in breast carcinomas / Correlação entre resultado do PET/CT e achados histológicos e imuno-histoquímicos em carcinomas mamários

Objective To correlate the results of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) performed with a specific protocol for assessment of breasts with histological/immunohistochemical findings in breast carcinoma patients. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection, where patients with biopsy-confirmed breast carcinomas were studied. The patients underwent PET/CT examination in prone position, with a specific protocol for assessment of breasts. PET/CT findings were compared with histological and immunohistochemical data. Results The authors identified 59 malignant breast lesions in 50 patients. The maximum diameter of the lesions ranged from 6 to 80 mm (mean: 32.2 mm). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common histological type (n = 47; 79.7%). At PET/CT, 53 (89.8%) of the lesions demonstrated anomalous concentrations of 18F-FDG, with maximum SUV ranging from 0.8 to 23.1 (mean: 5.5). A statistically significant association was observed between higher values of maximum SUV and histological type, histological grade, molecular subtype, tumor diameter, mitotic index and Ki-67 expression. Conclusion PET/CT performed with specific protocol for assessment of breasts has demonstrated good sensitivity and was associated with relevant histological/immunohistochemical factors related to aggressiveness and prognosis of breast carcinomas. .

Objetivo Correlacionar o resultado da tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/tomografia computadorizada (PET/CT) com 18F-flúor-2-deoxi-D-glicose (18F-FDG) realizado com protocolo específico para avaliação das mamas com achados histológicos/imuno-histoquímicos em pacientes com carcinomas mamários. Materiais e Métodos Estudo transversal, com coleta prospectiva dos dados, em que foram estudadas pacientes com carcinomas mamários confirmados por biópsia. As pacientes incluídas foram submetidas a exame de PET/CT realizado em decúbito ventral, com protocolo específico para avaliação das mamas. Os achados do PET/CT foram comparados aos dados histológicos e imuno-histoquímicos. Resultados Foram identificadas 59 lesões mamárias malignas nas 50 pacientes incluídas no estudo. O diâmetro máximo das lesões variou de 6 a 80 mm (média : 32,2 mm). O tipo histológico mais comum foi o carcinoma ductal invasivo (n = 47; 79,7%). No PET/CT, 53 (89,8%) destas lesões apresentaram concentração anômala de 18F-FDG, com SUV máximo variando de 0,8 a 23,1 (média: 5,5). Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre maiores valores de SUV máximo e tipo histológico, grau histológico, subtipo molecular, diâmetro do tumor, índice mitótico e expressão de Ki-67. Conclusão O PET/CT realizado com protocolo específico para avaliação das mamas demonstrou boa sensibilidade e apresentou associação com importantes fatores histológicos/imuno-histoquímicos relacionados à agressividade e prognóstico dos carcinomas mamários. .

Correlation between PET/CT results and histological and immunohistochemical findings in breast carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the results of (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) performed with a specific protocol for assessment of breasts with histological/immunohistochemical findings in breast carcinoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection, where patients with biopsy-confirmed breast carcinomas were studied. The patients underwent PET/CT examination in prone position, with a specific protocol for assessment of breasts. PET/CT findings were compared with histological and immunohistochemical data. RESULTS: The authors identified 59 malignant breast lesions in 50 patients. The maximum diameter of the lesions ranged from 6 to 80 mm (mean: 32.2 mm). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common histological type (n = 47; 79.7%). At PET/CT, 53 (89.8%) of the lesions demonstrated anomalous concentrations of (18)F-FDG, with maximum SUV ranging from 0.8 to 23.1 (mean: 5.5). A statistically significant association was observed between higher values of maximum SUV and histological type, histological grade, molecular subtype, tumor diameter, mitotic index and Ki-67 expression. CONCLUSION: PET/CT performed with specific protocol for assessment of breasts has demonstrated good sensitivity and was associated with relevant histological/immunohistochemical factors related to aggressiveness and prognosis of breast carcinomas.

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar o resultado da tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/tomografia computadorizada (PET/CT) com 18F-flúor-2-deoxi-D-glicose (18F-FDG) realizado com protocolo específico para avaliação das mamas com achados histológicos/imuno-histoquímicos em pacientes com carcinomas mamários. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com coleta prospectiva dos dados, em que foram estudadas pacientes com carcinomas mamários confirmados por biópsia. As pacientes incluídas foram submetidas a exame de PET/CT realizado em decúbito ventral, com protocolo específico para avaliação das mamas. Os achados do PET/CT foram comparados aos dados histológicos e imuno-histoquímicos. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas 59 lesões mamárias malignas nas 50 pacientes incluídas no estudo. O diâmetro máximo das lesões variou de 6 a 80 mm (média : 32,2 mm). O tipo histológico mais comum foi o carcinoma ductal invasivo (n = 47; 79,7%). No PET/CT, 53 (89,8%) destas lesões apresentaram concentração anômala de 18F-FDG, com SUV máximo variando de 0,8 a 23,1 (média: 5,5). Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre maiores valores de SUV máximo e tipo histológico, grau histológico, subtipo molecular, diâmetro do tumor, índice mitótico e expressão de Ki-67. CONCLUSÃO: O PET/CT realizado com protocolo específico para avaliação das mamas demonstrou boa sensibilidade e apresentou associação com importantes fatores histológicos/imuno-histoquímicos relacionados à agressividade e prognóstico dos carcinomas mamários.

Identificação e validação de marcadores moleculares das vias de sinalização WNT, PI3K e processo EMT para risco de progressão de carcinoma ductal in situ de mama / Identification and validation of molecular markers of WNT and PI3K signaling pathway and EMT process for the risk of progression of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

O carcinoma ductal da mama é o tipo histológico mais freqüente, sendo que o in situ (CDIS) representa uma neoplasia com incidência crescente, devido aos métodos de detecção precoce de lesões mamárias não palpáveis. Essa neoplasia da mama inclui um grupo heterogêneo de tumores pré-invasivos, com potencial maligno distinto, que podem progredir rapidamente para a forma invasiva, ou não apresentarem evolução, após um longo período da doença. Um estudo prévio (CASTRO et al. 2008) aplicou o conceito de divergência molecular em grupos de lesões que mimetizam a progressão do câncer de mama [epitélio normal (EN), carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS) puro, componente in situ de lesão que coexiste com invasão (CDIS-CDI) e do carcinoma ductal invasivo (CDI)], utilizando as metodologias de microdissecção a laser e cDNA microarray. O padrão de expressão gênica do grupo de células epiteliais tumorais do componente in situ do CDIS-CDI é semelhante ao grupo de células tumorais do CDI e diferente do grupo de células CDIS puro, cujos aspectos morfológicos são semelhantes ao componente in situ do CDIS-CDI. Isso sugeriu que as modificações moleculares das células do componente in situ do CDIS-CDI, já estejam presentes antes da manifestação morfológica de invasão e que os genes diferentemente expressos entre os dois grupos de células de lesões pré-invasivas, sejam potenciais preditores de risco de progressão do CDIS puro. Assim, nós avaliamos 28 genes das vias de sinalização WNT, PI3K e processo EMT, previamente selecionados do estudo anterior (CASTRO et al. 2008) através de RT-PCR quantitativo (RT-qPCR), em células tumorais capturadas de amostras congeladas do CDIS puro e do componente in situ do CDIS-CDI. Esse trabalho confirmou a diferença de expressão em células epiteliais entre os dois grupos de lesões pré-invasivas, em 14 (70%) de 20 genes avaliados, que apresentaram dados confiáveis nos ensaios de TLDA, sendo que 13 genes apresentaram maior expressão em CDIS...

Among breast tumors, ductal breast carcinoma is the most common histologic type. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has increasing incidence, mainly due to early detection methods of non-palpable breast lesions. DCIS includes a heterogeneous group of pre-invasive tumors, with distinct malignant potential, which can either rapidly progress to the invasive form, or show no progression after a long period of surveillance. In a previous study from the group (CASTRO et al. 2008) based on the expression pattern of epithelial cells, using laser capture microdissection and cDNA microarray, the concept of molecular divergence was applied to groups of breast lesions which mimic the progression of breast cancer [cells from normal epithelium, cells from pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), cells from in situ component that coexists with invasive lesion (DCIS-IDC) and cells from invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)]. The gene expression pattern of the cells from the in situ component of DCIS-IDC is more similar to the group of IDC tumor cells other than to the group of pure DCIS of cells, which presents higher similarity in terms of morphological features to the in situ component of DCIS-IDC. This suggests that the molecular changes of the cells from the in situ component of DCIS-IDC are already present before morphological manifestations of invasion and that the genes differentially expressed between the two groups of cells of pre-invasive lesions, are potential predictors of risk of progression of pure DCIS. Thus, we evaluated 28 previously selected genes of WNT signaling pathway, PI3K and EMT process (CASTRO et al. 2008) by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) in tumor cells captured from in situ lesions of pure DCIS and DCIS-IDC from frozen samples. This work confirmed the difference in expression of epithelial cells between the two groups of preinvasive lesions, in 14 (70%) of the 20 genes evaluated, by reliable TLDA assays. Most genes (13 genes) showed higher expression in pure...

Comparação de três modelos matemáticos para predição de metástases em linfonodos não sentinela em pacientes com câncer de mama e linfonodo sentinela positivo / Comparison of three mathematical models for prediction of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer and positive sentinel lymph node

Objetivo: foi comparar um "Nomograma Brasileiro" desenvolvido para este estudo com o "Nomograma do Memorial Sloan Kettering Câncer Center" e o Stanford Online Calculator na predição de metástases em linfonodos não sentinela em um mesmo grupo populacional de pacientes brasileiras com câncer de mama e linfonodo sentinela positivo. Métodos: foram incluídas 261 pacientes com resultado positivo na biópsia do linfonodo sentinela e submetidas ao esvaziamento axilar em dois centros brasileiros de tratamento de câncer de mama, das quais 92 (35%) apresentaram metástases em linfonodos não sentinela. O "Nomograma Brasileiro", e o "Nomograma do Memorial Sloan Kettering Câncer Center" e o Stanford Online Calculator foram aplicados para calcular a probabilidade de metástases em linfonodos não sentinela. A acurácia de cada modelo foi calculada pela área sob a curva ROC (AUC). Resultados: o "Nomograma Brasileiro", e o "Nomograma do Memorial Sloan Kettering Câncer Center" e o Stanford Online Calculator apresentaram valores da AUC de 0,694 (IC95%0,629-0,760; p<0,0001), 0,626 (IC95% 0,555-0,697; p<0,001) e 0,619 (IC95% 0,548 -689;p=0,002), respectivamente. Conclusões: os três modelos apresentaram uma discriminação razoável na predição de metástases em linfonodos não sentinela em pacientes com câncer de mama. O "Nomograma Brasileiro apresentou a melhor acurácia entre os modelos testados, mas precisa ser validado em populações de pacientes diferentes daquelas utilizadas em sua construção.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterine cervix in a 47-year-old woman.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the female genital tract usually occurs in the vagina during childhood. The uterine cervix as a primary site is rare, but is more frequent until the second decade of life. It usually has a good prognosis and the treatment is based on multidrug chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. RMS accounts for <5% of all adult soft tissue sarcomas. Previous reports that included all primary sites showed a poorer five-year disease specific survival for adults with RMS when compared to the pediatric population. This difference has been attributed to a higher proportion of adverse prognostic clinical and pathological factors, and to inadequate treatment given to adults with RMS. A total of 115 patients with cervical embryonal RMS have previously been described; however, only 10 cases were reported in women older than 40 years. We present a 47-year-old woman treated with radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and review the current literature.

Concomitant expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers in breast ductal carcinoma: association with progression.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process implicated in cancer progression in which the underlying cellular changes have been identified mainly using in vitro models. We determined the expression of some putative EMT biomarkers including E-cadherin, beta-catenin, zinc finger factor Snail (Snail), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), TGFbeta type II receptor (TBRII) and the HGF receptor (c-met) and their possible correlation to progression and overall survival in a series of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC). Biomarkers were immunohistochemically determined in 55 IDC specimens from which 21 had lymph node metastases and in 95 DCIS specimens, 46 of these cases associated to invasive carcinoma, in a tissue microarray (TMA). Positive cytoplasmic staining of TGFbeta1 (78.2%), c-met (43.6%), Snail (34.5%), TBRII (100%), membranous E-cadherin (74.5%) and membranous/cytoplasmic beta-catenin (71%) were detected in the IDC samples. Metastatic lymph node samples displayed similar frequencies. A significant increase of c-met and TGFbeta1 positivity along DCIS to IDC progression was noted but only TGFbeta1 positivity was associated with presence of lymph node metastases and advanced stages in IDC. The evaluation of the other EMT markers in DCIS did not show differences in positivity rate as compared to invasive carcinomas. DCIS either pure or associated to IDC showed similar expression of the analyzed biomarkers. All the carcinomas exhibited positive expression of TBRII. Associations between the markers, determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient, showed a significant association between TGFbeta1 and respectively E-cadherin, beta-catenin and c-met in DCIS cases, but in invasive carcinomas only cadherin and catenin were positively correlated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that none of the EMT biomarkers analyzed were correlated with survival, which was significantly determined only by clinical and hormone receptor parameters.

Micromestástase: apenas a ponta de um iceberg? Revisão de aspectos anatomopatológicos e clínicos / Micromestastasi: isit the top of the iceberg. Clinical and pathological review

Nos últimos anos, vem crescendo o interesse em relação às micrometástases e a seu comportamento com relação à recorrência local e à sobrevida. Existem diversos estudos prospectivos em andamento para se estabelecer a conduta ideal, porém, enquanto os resultados não são publicados, é necessário atualização com relação à maneira como se efetua o seu diagnóstico e à melhor de aborda-las. Este artigo de revisão tenta resumir o que há de mais recente em relação ao diagnóstico e tratamento das micrometástases.

In the last years, tIhere is an increasing interest with respect the diagnosis of micrometastases and with its behavior. There are some prospective studies ongoing to determine which way is the better to do the ideal treatment. While this, we must be informed about what is going on in the literature and what is more reasonable to do. This review article tries to discuss the most important aspects with respect diagnosis and additional procedures in relation to micrometastases.

Linfonodo sentinela: protocolo de estudo anatomopatológico / Sentinel lymph node: pathologic study protocol

O linfonofo sentinela tem sido estudado como provável fator prognóstico de comprometimento axilar. Quando introduzida a técnica de sua exérese seletiva, estabelecemos protocolo de estudo adaptado à nossa realidade com o objetivo de incrementar a detecção de micrometástases