Predictors of Survival After Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in South America: The InterCHANGE Study.

PURPOSE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) incidence is high in South America, where recent data on survival are sparse. We investigated the main predictors of HNSCC survival in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia. METHODS: Sociodemographic and lifestyle information was obtained from standardized interviews, and clinicopathologic data were extracted from medical records and pathologic reports. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of 1,463 patients, 378 had a larynx cancer (LC), 78 hypopharynx cancer (HC), 599 oral cavity cancer (OC), and 408 oropharynx cancer (OPC). Most patients (55.5%) were diagnosed with stage IV disease, ranging from 47.6% for LC to 70.8% for OPC. Three-year survival rates were 56.0% for LC, 54.7% for OC, 48.0% for OPC, and 37.8% for HC. In multivariable models, patients with stage IV disease had approximately 7.6 (LC/HC), 11.7 (OC), and 3.5 (OPC) times higher mortality than patients with stage I disease. Current and former drinkers with LC or HC had approximately 2 times higher mortality than never-drinkers. In addition, older age at diagnosis was independently associated with worse survival for all sites. In a subset analysis of 198 patients with OPC with available human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 data, those with HPV-unrelated OPC had a significantly worse 3-year survival compared with those with HPV-related OPC (44.6% v 75.6%, respectively), corresponding to a 3.4 times higher mortality. CONCLUSION: Late stage at diagnosis was the strongest predictor of lower HNSCC survival. Early cancer detection and reduction of harmful alcohol use are fundamental to decrease the high burden of HNSCC in South America.

Comparison of the QuantiFERON-TB and tuberculin skin test for detection of latent tuberculosis infection in cancer patients in a developing country.

Cancer patients have an increased risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection. It is unknown which strategy on screening should be used in this population in developing countries. We aimed to determine the concordance between the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON®-TB (QFT) assay in order to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection in cancer patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study of the agreement of diagnostic tests. Prevalence and agreement between tests were calculated. A logistic regression to assess predictors of discordance was performed. The accuracy of the TST to predict QFT results by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was evaluated. We included 149 adults with cancer without active tuberculosis. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection was 21.5% (n=32), defined as positive results on either test. Test agreement was moderate for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (κ=0.43, 90% CI 0.26-0.6). No predictor was associated with the chance of discordant results. Agreement improved slightly using a cut-off point ≥8 mm (κ=0.5, 90% CI 0.35-0.66). In a moderate-incidence setting, a moderate agreement was found between tests in cancer patients. Modification of the cut-off points of test results achieved marginally better agreement between the TST and QFT.

Proximal-Type Epithelioid Sarcoma: Report of an Unusual Case in the Uterine Cervix.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal neoplasm (less than 1% of all sarcomas) with epithelioid morphology. Among the 2 subtypes, proximal represents only one-third of cases and commonly involves deep tissues of pelvic region, including the perineum, genital area, and groin, and occurs more frequently in older patients who present a more aggressive course. In the female genital tract, proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma (PES) mainly affects the vulva and is extremely uncommon in the uterus. To our knowledge, only a few cases of PES involving the cervix and uterine body have been previously reported in the literature. We report a 23-year-old woman who presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding. She was found to have a cervical mass, which was resected and diagnosed as a hemangioendothelioma. However, 2 months later, the mass recurred and the histopathological analysis at our institution demonstrated a PES confined to the uterine cervix. It is important to include this neoplasm in the differential diagnosis of epithelioid tumors that can involve the female genital tract because it has a significant impact on prognosis and treatment.

Guía colombiana para el diagnóstico de la deficiencia de lipasa ácida / Colombian Guidelines for Diagnosis of Lipase Acid Deficiency

Resumen Introducción: la deficiencia de lipasa ácida lisosomal (LAL-D) es una entidad de herencia autosómica recesiva que lleva a la acumulación de esteres de colesterol y triglicéridos en el hígado, bazo y otros órganos. La edad de inicio y la tasa de progresión son muy variables, lo que posiblemente sea explicado por las mutaciones presentes en el gen LIPA. Las manifestaciones clínicas son las mismas que para otras patologías hepáticas, cardiovasculares y metabólicas, lo que hace difícil reconocerla en la práctica clínica. Objetivo: proveer una guía que permita a los clínicos reconocer los principales grupos de riesgo en los cuales se debe sospechar de LAL-D y mejorar su diagnóstico. Metodología: este documento se diseñó como un consenso de expertos en el cual participaron médicos especialistas en gastroenterología, hepatología, endocrinología, genética, patología y pediatría. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura acerca de las manifestaciones clínicas y de las herramientas para el diagnóstico de LAL-D y se siguió la metodología de técnica de grupo nominal. Resultados: se generaron algoritmos diagnósticos por consenso para cada uno de los grupos de riesgo, que facilitaran la sospecha y el diagnóstico de LAL-D. Conclusiones: esta guía propone algoritmos para el diagnóstico de LAL-D con base en el consenso clínico, que buscan optimizar la ruta diagnóstica en los pacientes con dicha patología.

Abstract Introduction: Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is an inherited autosomal recessive entity that leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and triglyceride esters in the liver, spleen and other organs. The age of onset and rate of progression vary greatly, possibly explained by mutations of the LIPA gene. Clinical manifestations are the same as those of other hepatic, cardiovascular and metabolic pathologies which makes it difficult to recognize in clinical practice. Objective: The objectives of these guidelines is to help clinicians recognize the major groups at risk for LAL-D and to improve its diagnosis. Methodology: This document was designed as a consensus of experts in gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology, genetics, pathology and pediatrics. A review of the literature regarding clinical manifestations and tools for diagnosis of LAL-D was conducted and the nominal group technique was followed. Results: Diagnostic algorithms which facilitate suspicion and diagnosis of LAL-D were generated by consensus for each of the risk groups. Conclusions: This guide proposes algorithms for the diagnosis of LAL-D based on clinical consensus. The algorithms seek to optimize diagnosis for patients with this pathology.