Knowledge about cervical cancer in young Portuguese women: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Health literacy is crucial to adherence to medical interventions in therapeutics, prevention, and diagnosis. The basis for literacy is knowledge. To accomplish the goals for the elimination of cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent and preventable cancers, we must understand the determinants of non-adherence and address them specifically to ensure patients' active participation. Aim: To determine women's knowledge regarding the manifestations of cervical cancer and its prevention. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in an urban population from northern Portugal. Women aged 18 to 30 years were randomly assigned to answer the Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire, including questions of knowledge about the causes and symptoms of cervical cancer, prospecting for individual and social-related determinants. Results: The total number of participants was 270, with a mean age of 24.7 years. Knowledge about symptoms scored 5.4 ± 2.6, with a maximum of 12 points, and knowledge about the causes scored 5.7 ± 1.9, with a maximum of 11 points. The correlation between both was 0.334. High education, high socio-economic status, self-perception of one's capacity to recognize symptoms, and knowledge about the HPV vaccine were associated with better knowledge. Discussion: Portuguese women present low knowledge about cervical cancer, potentially affecting their health through exposure to risk situations and non-adherence to routine screening.

Skin Metastases As First Manifestations of Adenocarcinoma of the Lung: A Case Report.

Lung cancer is the second most common malignancy worldwide, accounting for the highest number of cancer deaths. Advanced lung cancer may infrequently appear as skin metastasis and this may be the first sign of the disease. In these cases, survival is low and prognosis is poor. The aim of this study is to report a case of adenocarcinoma of the lung where the earliest manifestations were skin metastases to the face, cervical region, and chest. A 67-year-old male, former smoker, and alcoholic was referred to the oncology center for investigation of a primary tumor site, presenting with skin lesions suggestive of metastasis to the face, cervical region, and chest. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, cholangioresonance, breast ultrasonography, colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were performed. Imaging studies revealed disseminated cancer with a potential primary site in the right lung. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scan demonstrated secondary implants and was consistent with primary right lung cancer. The patient underwent a right lung biopsy of the skin and breast and axillary lymph nodes. A solid subtype of adenocarcinoma with metastases to the skin and axillary nodes was confirmed. Due to widespread metastatic disease, the case was conducted using strategies including chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic control. At about 6 months of follow-up care, the patient died. In the elderly, periodical cancer screening is important, especially in patients with major risk factors (e.g., history of smoking). Some cancers may be virtually silent and manifest themselves only at advanced stages beyond treatment possibilities.

Pulmonary Benign Metastasizing Leiomyoma: Case Report of Late Occurrence in Postmenopausal Patient / Leiomiomatose Benigna Metastatizante Pulmonar: Relato de um Caso com Ocorrência Tardia em Paciente Pós-menopausa / Leiomiomatosis Benigna Metastatizante Pulmonar: Reporte de un Caso con Ocurrencia Tardía en Paciente Posmenopáusica

Introduction: Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma (PBML) is a rare condition that occurs most commonly in young women of reproductive age some years after hysterectomy. The aim of this study was to report a PBML case which occurred 33 years after hysterectomy in a postmenopausal patient. Case report: A 59-year-old female diabetic patient, G2P2A0, with dyslipidemia, a non-smoker and ex-alcoholic (quit in the 90s), with pulmonary symptoms was referred to the health service. A chest computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple pulmonary nodules. A previous history of hysterectomy at 26 years of age led to a diagnostic hypothesis of PBML. The patient underwent segmentectomy of the largest nodule (measuring 1.2 x 0.9 cm) located in the left lung. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the diagnosis of PBML. Conclusion: The patient is currently in good physical condition (regression of previous pulmonary symptoms) and scheduled for clinical follow-up. A new chest CT will be performed in 6 months

Introdução: A leiomiomatose benigna metastatizante pulmonar (LBMP) é uma doença rara, ocorrendo mais comumente em mulheres jovens em idade reprodutiva alguns anos após a realização de histerectomia. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de LBMP de ocorrência tardia, 33 anos após a realização de histerectomia, em uma paciente pós-menopausa. Relato do caso: Paciente do gênero feminino, 59 anos, G2P2A0, diabética, dislipidêmica, não tabagista e ex-etilista (parou na década de 1990), foi encaminhada ao serviço médico com sintomas pulmonares, sendo realizada tomografia computadorizada (TC) de tórax que revelou múltiplos nódulos pulmonares. Havia história prévia de histerectomia aos 26 anos de idade, sendo levantada a hipótese diagnóstica de LBMP. Paciente realizou segmentectomia do maior nódulo (medindo 1,2 x 0,9 cm) localizado no pulmão esquerdo. Exame anatomopatológico e imuno-histoquímica confirmaram o diagnóstico de LBMP. Conclusão: Atualmente, a paciente se encontra em seguimento clínico e em bom estado geral (sem os sintomas pulmonares apresentados inicialmente). Será realizada uma nova TC de tórax em seis meses

Introducción: La leiomiomatosis benigna metastatizante pulmonar (LBMP) es una enfermedad rara, que ocurre con mayor frecuencia en mujeres jóvenes en edad reproductiva pocos años después de la histerectomía. El objetivo de este estudio fue reportar un caso de LBMP de inicio tardío, 33 años después de la histerectomía, en una paciente posmenopáusica. Reporte del caso: Paciente de género femenino, 59 años, G2P2A0, diabética, dislipidémica, no fumadora y exalcohólica (parado en los 90), fue remitida al servicio por cuadro pulmonar, siendo sometida a tomografía computarizada (TC) de tórax, que reveló múltiples nódulos pulmonares. Existía antecedente de histerectomía a los 26 años, planteando la hipótesis diagnóstica de LBMP. Paciente fue sometida a segmentectomía del nódulo de mayor tamaño (de 1,2 x 0,9 cm) localizado en el pulmón izquierdo. El examen patológico y la inmunohistoquímica confirmaron el diagnóstico de LBMP. Conclusión: Actualmente la paciente se encuentra en seguimiento clínico y en buen estado general (sin los síntomas pulmonares presentados inicialmente). Se realizará una nueva TC de tórax en seis meses

Expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB transcription factors in breast cancer and breast fibroadenoma: Insights for a new therapeutic approach.

Background: Cancer and fibroadenoma are the most common breast tumors in women of reproductive age. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) transcription factor play an important role in the inflammatory process and in cell proliferation. However, few studies have analyzed these markers in breast cancer and fibroadenoma in women of reproductive age. Results: Light microscopy showed a higher concentration of anti-Nrf2 and anti-NF-κB-stained nuclei in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma. The mean percentage of stained nuclei for Nrf2 was 7.12 ± 5.2 and 43.21 ± 19.83 in the control and study groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean percentage of anti-NF-κB was 10.75 ± 7.09 and 56.14 ± 21.19 (mean ± standard deviation) in the control and study groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Histological grade 3 tumors showed a significantly higher expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB than grade 1 tumors (p < 0.05). Material and methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Federal University of Piaui and all patients assigned an inform consent term prior to the study initiation. Nrf2 and NF-κB expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 66 patients, divided into two groups, control (fibroadenoma, n = 36) and study (cancer, n = 30). The data were analyzed using ANOVA test and the statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Conclusion: Nrf2 and NF-κB expression was significantly higher in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma, in addition to having a greater association with more aggressive tumors.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: case series / Mastite granulomatosa idiopática: série de casos

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a rare disease that mimics other pathological conditions, including breast adenocarcinoma, breast tuberculosis, and abscess. Three patients diagnosed with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis were analyzed, receiving corticosteroid treatment, antibiotic therapy in cases of abscesses, and, in one case, resection of the affected breast segment. All patients exhibited regression of symptoms.

A mastite granulomatosa idiopática é uma doença rara que mimetiza outras condições patológicas, incluindo adenocarcinoma de mama, tuberculose de mama e abscesso. Foram analisados três pacientes com diagnóstico de mastite granulomatosa idiopática, que receberam como tratamento corticosteroide, antibioticoterapia em casos de abscessos e, em um caso, ressecção do segmento mamário afetado. Todas as pacientes evoluíram com regressão dos sintomas.

Bivalent oral cholera vaccine in participants aged 1 year and older in the Dominican Republic: A phase III, single-arm, safety and immunogenicity trial.

The Dominican Republic, historically non-endemic for cholera, is experiencing an ongoing cholera epidemic. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of two doses of the killed bivalent (O1 and O139) whole-cell oral cholera vaccine (OCV) on day (D)0 and D14 in healthy participants aged ≥1 year. Immediate unsolicited systemic adverse events (AEs) were monitored up to 30 minutes and solicited systemic reactions, up to 7 days after each vaccination. Unsolicited AEs were recorded up to D14 (post-dose 1) and 30 days post-dose 2. A vibriocidal antibody assay with microtiter technique was used to measure serum antibodies to V. cholerae strains (O1 El Tor Inaba, O1 El Tor Ogawa, O139) on D0, D14 and D28. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroconversion (≥4-fold increase from D0) rates were calculated. We recruited 336 participants; 112 in three age groups (1-4, 5-14 and ≥15 years). No safety concerns were observed. GMTs increased from baseline for all serotypes, with marked increases for O1 Inaba and Ogawa post-dose 1. Post-dose 2 GMTs tended to be equal or slightly lower, with ranges: O1 Inaba, 283 (95% confidence interval 191-419) to 612 (426-880); O1 Ogawa, 346 (223-536) to 754 (553-1028); and O139, 20.3 (13.5-30.6) to 43.8 (30.1-63.7). Seroconversion rates post-dose 2 for O1 Inaba and Ogawa were high (≥87%) for all age groups. OCV demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and robust immunogenicity in these participants, in-line with previous observations in epidemic and endemic settings.This study is registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02434822).

Lack of detection of human papillomavirus DNA in prostate carcinomas in patients from northeastern Brazil.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in western populations, and despite its high mortality, its etiology remains unknown. Inflammatory processes are related to the etiology of various types of tumors, and prostate inflammation, in particular, has been associated with prostate cancer carcinogenesis and progression. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with benign and malignant lesions in the anogenital tract of both females and males. The possible role of HPV in prostate carcinogenesis is a subject of great controversy. In this study, we aimed to examine the prevalence of HPV infections in prostate carcinomas of patients from northeastern Brazil. This study included 104 tissue samples from primary prostate carcinoma cases. HPV DNA was purified and then amplified using MY09/11 and GP5+/GP6+ degenerate primer sets that detect a wide range of HPV types, and with specific PCR primers sets for E6 and E7 HPV regions to detect HPV 16. None of the samples showed amplification products of HPV DNA for primer sets MY09/11 and GP5+/GP6+, or the specific primer set for the E6 and E7 HPV regions. HPV infection, thus, does not seem to be one of the causes of prostate cancer in the population studied.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva: case report.

Female patient, 42-years-old, complaining of difficulty in urinating and swelling in the vulvar area for one year. Her gynecological examination showed extensive injury in the vulvar region and the biopsy done was inconclusive. The removal of the lesion was conducted. After the procedure, the patient remains free of recurrence for 15 months. This case highlights the need to consider angiomyxoma in the differential diagnosis for tumors of unknown cause in the vulvar region.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva: case report / Angiomixoma agressivo da vulva: relato de caso

Female patient, 42-years-old, complaining of difficulty in urinating and swelling in the vulvar area for one year. Her gynecological examination showed extensive injury in the vulvar region and the biopsy done was inconclusive. The removal of the lesion was conducted. After the procedure, the patient remains free of recurrence for 15 months. This case highlights the need to consider angiomyxoma in the differential diagnosis for tumors of unknown cause in the vulvar region.

Paciente do gênero feminino, 42 anos, com queixas de dificuldade ao urinar e aumento de volume na região vulvar há 1 ano. Ao exame ginecológico, apresentava extensa lesão na região vulvar. Biópsia da lesão foi inconclusiva. Realizou-se a exérese da lesão. A paciente permanece livre de recorrências há 15 meses. Este caso destaca a necessidade de considerar o angiomixoma no diagnóstico diferencial de massas de causa desconhecida na região vulvar.

A case of conventional treatment failure in visceral leishmaniasis: leukocyte distribution and cytokine expression in splenic compartments.

BACKGROUND: In this paper we study the distribution of leukocyte populations and of cytokine-producing cells in the spleen of a patient with visceral leishmaniasis resistant to clinical treatment. It is the first attempt to compare the distribution of leukocyte populations and cytokine-producing cells in the splenic compartments of a patient with visceral leishmaniasis with those observed in patients without the disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old male, farmer, was hospitalized on several occasions with diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis and received all recommended treatments for the disease with only transient improvement followed by relapse. He was eventually subjected to splenectomy in order to control the effects of hypersplenism and to potentially overcome infection. After surgery and combined chemotherapy, the disease evolved to cure. In comparison with the spleens of the other two patients without visceral leishmaniasis, an increase was observed in the CD4/CD8 ratio and in the number of IL-10- and FoxP3-producing cells, while the number of IL-17-producing cells was lower in the spleen of the patient with visceral leishmaniasis. CONCLUSION: This report confirms previous data on changes in the CD4/CD8 ratio in the spleens of patients with visceral leishmaniasis. Additionally the data presented herein suggests that splenic FoxP3- and IL-17-producing cells are involved in the chronicity of visceral leishmaniasis.

Idiopathic popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm: emergency diagnosis and treatment / Pseudoaneurisma idiopático da artéria poplítea: abordagem diagnóstico-terapêutica na urgência

Pseudoaneurysms or false aneurysms of the popliteal artery are uncommon arterial disorders. These disorders most commonly result from trauma and iatrogenic lesions following orthopedic procedures. The authors report a rare case of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm in which etiology was unknown. The authors also demonstrate that Doppler ultrasonography may be sufficient for planning vascular surgical procedures and that the open surgical approach is the treatment of choice for cases in which the symptomatic lesion causes local compression...

Pseudoaneurismas ou aneurismas falsos de artéria poplítea são doenças arteriais incomuns. Eles resultam, mais frequentemente, de traumatismos e lesões iatrogênicas após procedimentos ortopédicos. Os autores relatam um raro caso de pseudoaneurisma de artéria poplítea para o qual não foi encontrada etiologia. Demonstram ainda que a ultrassonografia com Doppler pode ser suficiente para o planejamento de procedimentos cirúrgicos vasculares, sendo a abordagem aberta a escolha para casos em que se tenha uma lesão com sintomas compressivos locais...

Epidemiological and histopathological profile of cutaneous melanoma at a center in northeastern Brazil from 2000 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: While representing only 3-4% of malignant skin tumors, cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal. Statistical knowledge about the biological behavior of this tumor is essential for guiding daily outpatient practice and aiding public health policies. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the profile of patients with cutaneous melanoma attending a pathology department in Teresina (state of Piauí) between 2000 and 2010. METHODS: Retrospective study of melanoma patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 in the São Marcos Hospital in the city of Teresina. The pathology laboratory reports were studied and all the statistical analyses performed using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: A total of 25 in situ, 199 invasive and 89 metastatic melanomas of unknown primary site were observed. Histological types found were nodular (52.8%), superficial spreading melanoma (18.6%), acral (10.6%) and lentigo maligna (9.5%). In 144 (73.4%) cases the Breslow thickness was >1 mm. Metastasis was found in 28.6% of invasive melanomas and nodular melanoma, Clark IV/ V, Breslow > 1 mm, mitotic index > 6 and ulcerated lesions were more likely to metastasize. CONCLUSION: Most melanomas presented Breslow> 1mm. The main factors associated with metastasis were nodular type, Clark IV / V, Breslow > 1mm, mitotic index > 6 and ulcerated lesions.

Epidemiological and histopathological profile of cutaneous melanoma at a center in northeastern Brazil from 2000 to 2010 / Perfil epidemiologico e histopatologico do melanoma cutaneo em um centro do nordeste brasileiro de 2000 a 2010

BACKGROUND: While representing only 3-4% of malignant skin tumors, cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal. Statistical knowledge about the biological behavior of this tumor is essential for guiding daily outpatient practice and aiding public health policies. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the profile of patients with cutaneous melanoma attending a pathology department in Teresina (state of Piauí) between 2000 and 2010. METHODS: Retrospective study of melanoma patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 in the São Marcos Hospital in the city of Teresina. The pathology laboratory reports were studied and all the statistical analyses performed using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: A total of 25 in situ, 199 invasive and 89 metastatic melanomas of unknown primary site were observed. Histological types found were nodular (52.8%), superficial spreading melanoma (18.6%), acral (10.6%) and lentigo maligna (9.5%). In 144 (73.4%) cases the Breslow thickness was >1 mm. Metastasis was found in 28.6% of invasive melanomas and nodular melanoma, Clark IV/ V, Breslow > 1 mm, mitotic index > 6 and ulcerated lesions were more likely to metastasize. CONCLUSION: Most melanomas presented Breslow> 1mm. The main factors associated with metastasis were nodular type, Clark IV / V, Breslow> 1mm, mitotic index > 6 and ulcerated lesions. .

FUNDAMENTOS: Apesar de representar apenas 3-4% dos tumores malignos de pele, o melanoma cutâneo é o mais agressivo e letal deles. O conhecimento estatístico do comportamento biológico deste tumor em nosso meio ambiente é fundamental para orientar a prática ambulatorial diária e para auxiliar políticas de saúde pública. OBJETIVOS: Analisar o perfil de pacientes com melanoma cutâneo diagnosticados em serviço de referência em patologia em Teresina-Piauí no período de 2000 a 2010. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com melanoma diagnosticados entre 2000 e 2010 no Hospital São Marcos, Teresina-Piauí-Brasil. Estudou-se laudos histopatológicos e realizou-se análises estatísticas com o programa SPSS 19,0. RESULTADOS: Um total de 25 melanomas in situ, 199 invasivos e 89 metastáticos de sítio primário desconhecido foram observados. Tipos histológicos encontrados foram nodular (52,8%), melanoma extensivo superficial (18,6%), acral (10,6%) e lentigo maligno (9,5%). Em 144 (73,4%) casos o índice de Breslow foi >1 mm. Verificou-se metástases em 28,6% dos melanomas invasivos e melanoma nodular, Clark IV/V, Breslow >1 mm, índice mitótico ≥6 e lesões ulceradas estavam mais propensos a metástases. CONCLUSÃO: Melanomas com Breslow >1mm foram os casos predominantes. Principais fatores ...

Doença de Kikuchi-Fujimoto: relato de caso / Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

A doença de Kikuchi-Fujimoto é uma linfadenite necrosante rara de bom prognóstico, cujo diagnóstico diferencial inclui principalmente as neoplasias linfoides. Relata-se um caso peculiar de doença de Kikuchi-Fujimoto em paciente jovem, do sexo masculino, com acometimento inguinal bilateral e diagnóstico histopatológico.

The Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare necrotizing lymphadenitis of good prognosis, differential diagnosis includes mainly lymphoid neoplasms. We report a peculiar case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in a young patient, male, with bilateral inguinal involvement and histopathological diagnosis

Assessment of tumor regression in patients with rectal carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis among both genders worldwide and the second in developed countries. The high incidence of local recurrence (20-70%) remains perhaps the major complication of surgery for rectal cancer, besides the persistent high rate of distant metastasis (30-35%) in this disease. Object: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in pathologic characteristics of rectal cancer patients, analyzing the possible morphological parameters influencing the response to preoperative treatment. Material and Methods: We retrospectively selected all the patients who had received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by excisional surgery for rectal carcinoma between 2003 and 2009 in Hospital São Marcos, Teresina - Piauí - Brazil. The clinical and pathological features for each patient were retrieved. The correlation between tumor regressiongrade (TRG) and other parameters were studied with the Pearson chi-square test. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 19.0. Results: From January 2003 to December 2009, 79 patients with rectal cancer were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Pathologicexamination of resected specimens revealed complete tumor regression (TRG1) in 18%, partial tumor regression (TRG2-4) in 71% and no regression (TRG5) in 11% of the patients. Of all the patients, 48% had their tumor downstaged at the time of pathologic examination. We found correlation (p < 0.05) between different levels of tumor regression and necrosis, histological type, differentiation grade and metastasis. Conclusion: Pathological complete response was 18% and was positive correlated with high histological differentiated, usual adenocarcinoma and absence of necrosis and metastasis

Drenagem linfática ambígua em paciente com melanoma cutâneo primário: importância da linfocintilografia / Ambiguou lymphattic drainage in patient with primary cutneous melanoma:: the importance of lymphoscintigraphy

Introdução. Na maioria dos pacientes, a drenagem linfática do melanoma atinge primeiro uma base linfonodal padrão. Porém, um linfonodo sentinela pode ser identificado em uma localização anormal, particulamente quandoa lesão cutânea é localizada em tronco, cabeça ou pescoço. A linfocintilografia mostra-se como método objetivo e confiável para localização de linfonodo sentinela e mostra que a predição dessa drenagem não é possível por parâmetros clínicos. Relato de caso. Paciente de 58 anos com melanoma maligno na região subescapular direita, sem linfonodos palpáveis, foi submetida à excisão da lesão com margens e pesquisa de linfonodo sentinela. A linfocintilografiapré-operatória revelou drenagem axilar bilateral, e a análise histopatológica desses linfonodos não evidencioumetástases.Comentários. No presente caso, o uso da linfocintilografia foi extremamente útil, especialmente por identificar a presença de drenagem linfonodal para cadeias bilaterais. Este caso reforça a utilidade da técnica no melanoma cutâneo primário.

Introduction. Although in most patients lymphatic drainage from the primary melanoma first reaches a standard lymph node basin, a sentinel lymph node may be identified in an unusual location, in particular when the skin lesion is located in trunk, head and neck. Lymphoscintigraphy provides an objective and reliable method of locating sentinel lymph node and demonstrates that confident prediction of their location is not possible on clinical grounds. Case report. A 58-year-old woman presenting a malignant melanoma located in the right subscapular region, withno palpable lymph nodes, was underwent a lesion excision with margins and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The preoperative lymphoscintigraphy revealed bilateral axillary drainage and the histopathological examination of these lymph nodes did not show presence of metastatic cells.Comments. In the present case, the use of lymphoscintigraphy was extremely useful, especially for identify the presence of lymphatic drainage for two distinct basins. This case reinforces the usefulness of lymphoscintigraphy technique in primary cutaneous melanoma.

The effect of raloxifene on telomerase expression in breast carcinoma samples from postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of raloxifene on the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in invasive ductal breast carcinoma of postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 20 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II, estrogen receptor-positive ductal carcinoma diagnosed by incisional biopsy, who received 60 mg of raloxifene orally for 28 days prior to definitive surgery. On the 29th day of treatment, definitive surgery was performed and a second tumor sample was taken for analysis. The catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) was evaluated semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry in the tumor samples obtained prior to and following raloxifene use and the results were analyzed using the McNemar test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The samples of 17 patients (85%) were classified as positive for telomerase expression prior to raloxifene treatment, while only 6 (30%) remained positive following raloxifene treatment (p<0.0026). CONCLUSION: In the present study, raloxifene significantly reduced the expression of hTERT in estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors from postmenopausal women.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cases of skin melanoma: initial experiences at a center in northeastern Brazil.

The incidence of skin melanoma is increasing worldwide. The presence of lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor of this disease, the thicker the lesion the greater the likelihood of lymph node involvement. Approximately 20% of patients with Breslow depth 1-4 mm have lymph node metastasis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is standard procedure in the management of patients with skin melanoma, reflecting progress in the treatment of this disease since this procedure avoids an unnecessary radical lymphadenectomy, thus reducing the morbidity of treatment. This paper describes a series of cases involving sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma patients in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil between 2008 and 2009.

Cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital Mesoblastic Nephroma (CMN) is a rare pediatric renal tumor. It comprises two histological subtypes, namely classic and cellular, with the second accounting for two thirds of all cases and being more often associated with poor prognosis. It remains a diagnostic challenge for pathologists due to its similarity with other more frequent pediatric kidney neoplasms. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 2-year- old girl who presented with a left renal mass. After nephrectomy, the specimen analysis showed, on gross examination, an extensive, granular and whitish tumor lesion occupying almost the entire kidney, invading the renal sinus, capsule and perirenal fat, with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis. Histologically, it was characterized by ovoid spindle cells, mitoses and no cell atypia, which led to a diagnosis of cellular mesoblastic nephroma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was carried out, but tumor recurrence occurred in the first year, presenting as an unresectable tumor that did not respond to adjuvant chemotherapy and the patient died at 4 years of age. DISCUSSION: The cellular variant tends to be more aggressive, with a survival rate of 85% versus 100% for the classic variant. Recurrence generally occurs in the first year, particularly with the cellular variant.

Linfonodo sentinela em melanoma: experiência inicial de um centro do nordeste brasileiro / Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cases of skin melanoma: initial experiences at a center in northeastern Brazil

A incidência do melanoma cutâneo é crescente em todo o mundo. A presença de metástases em linfonodos é o mais importante fator prognóstico, sendo que a probabilidade de envolvimento linfonodal é maior nas lesões de maior espessura, ocorrendo em 20 por cento dos pacientes com Breslow, de 1 a 4mm. A pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela já é padrão em melanoma e representou um avanço no tratamento da doença, por evitar linfonodectomias radicais desnecessárias, diminuindo a morbidade do tratamento. Apresentamos uma série de casos de pesquisa de linfonodo sentinela em pacientes com melanoma, em Teresina-Piauí, nos anos de 2008 e 2009.

The incidence of skin melanoma is increasing worldwide. The presence of lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor of this disease, the thicker the lesion the greater the likelihood of lymph node involvement. Approximately 20 percent of patients with Breslow depth 1-4 mm have lymph node metastasis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is standard procedure in the management of patients with skin melanoma, reflecting progress in the treatment of this disease since this procedure avoids an unnecessary radical lymphadenectomy, thus reducing the morbidity of treatment. This paper describes a series of cases involving sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma patients in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil between 2008 and 2009.