Perioperative chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer in Chile: from evidence to daily practice.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer death in Chile. Although recommended in international guidelines since 2006, perioperative chemotherapy was not available to patients in the public health system in Chile until 2016. We conducted an observational study to assess the feasibility of this strategy in public hospitals in Chile (Observational Study of Perioperative Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer - PRECISO). Patients with locally advanced, operable GC were offered to receive preoperative chemotherapy with Epirubicin + Cisplatin + Capecitabine (ECX) for three cycles followed by curative surgery. Staging included abdominal CT scan and laparoscopy if peritoneal carcinomatosis was suspected. Postoperative ECX for three cycles was recommended. Between August 2010 and March 2013, 110 patients were screened and 61 enrolled. Median age was 62 years (23-76 years) and most patients had good performance status at baseline (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (ECOG) 0: 42, ECOG 1: 19). Tumour site was proximal in 32 (52%) and medial and distal in 29 (48%) patients. All but four patients (n = 57, 93%) completed three cycles of preoperative chemotherapy. Fifty-six patients were operated and 54 (89%) had a curative resection. Thirty-three patients (54%) had pT0-2, and 18 (30%) had pN0 tumours, with two patients achieving a complete response. As of 20 December 2020, 39 patients died, 32 due to GC, one within 30 days of surgery, two due to intestinal obstruction at 5 and 3 months after surgery and four due to other causes. Five-year survival rate was 38%. We conclude that perioperative chemotherapy is feasible in public hospitals in Chile and should be offered to patients with locally advanced GC.

Paragangliomas múltiples asociados a mutación del gen SDHB: Caso clínico / Multiple paragangliomas associated to a SDHB gene mutation: Report of one case

Paragangliomas are tumors arising from sympathetic and parasympathetic tissues. The classic associated syndromes are neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and von Hippel-Lindau. Germline mutations of succinate dehydroge-nase subunits genes, are associated with familial paraganglioma syndromes 1,2,3 and 4. We report a 29-year-old woman with a family background of pheochromocytoma and history of paroxysmal headache, nausea, sweating, palpitations, associated with severe hypertension. The patient had elevated plasma noradrenalin and urinary normetanephrines. Imaging studies revealed three retroperitoneal extra-adrenal masses. The clinical and laboratory study of classic syndromes associated with para-ganglioma was negative. The patient was operated and the pathological study of the surgical specimen was consistent with paragangliomas. The genetic study showed a mutation in the SDHB succinate dehydrogenase gen, Exon 2 of CCTCA c.300_304 (p.P56delYfsX5).

Insuficiencia suprarrenal y crisis addisoniana como primera manifestación de cáncer de pulmón y metástasis suprarrenal bilateral: Caso clínico / Addisonian crisis caused by metastatic lung cancer: Report of one case

Addisonian crisis as a first manifestation of metastatic disease secondary to cancer is uncommon. We report a 63-year-old man with a history of one year of fatigue, weakness, weight loss and repeated symptomatic hypoglycemia. The cortisol stimulation test with ACTH confirmed primary adrenal insufficiency. While receiving adequate treatment with oral hydrocortisone, he presented an adrenal crisis that was treated properly. A CT scan of the lung demonstrated a nodule in the upper right lobe and bilateral adrenal tumors. The biopsy of the lesion revealed a lung adenocarcinoma. The staging with positron emission tomography using 18 fluoroglucose (PET/CT18F- FDG) showed hypermetabolic uptake in the primary lung tumor and in both adrenal glands, suggesting metastatic implants.

[Addisonian crisis caused by metastatic lung cancer. Report of one case]. / Insuficiencia suprarrenal y crisis addisoniana como primera manifestación de cáncer de pulmón y metástasis suprarrenal bilateral. Caso clínico.

Addisonian crisis as a first manifestation of metastatic disease secondary to cancer is uncommon. We report a 63-year-old man with a history of one year of fatigue, weakness, weight loss and repeated symptomatic hypoglycemia. The cortisol stimulation test with ACTH confirmed primary adrenal insufficiency. While receiving adequate treatment with oral hydrocortisone, he presented an adrenal crisis that was treated properly. A CT scan of the lung demonstrated a nodule in the upper right lobe and bilateral adrenal tumors. The biopsy of the lesion revealed a lung adenocarcinoma. The staging with positron emission tomography using 18 fluoroglucose (PET/CT18F- FDG) showed hypermetabolic uptake in the primary lung tumor and in both adrenal glands, suggesting metastatic implants.

[Multiple paragangliomas associated to a SDHB gene mutation: report of one case]. / Paragangliomas múltiples asociados a mutación del gen SDHB: Caso clínico.

Paragangliomas are tumors arising from sympathetic and parasympathetic tissues. The classic associated syndromes are neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and von Hippel-Lindau. Germline mutations of succinate dehydrogenase subunits genes, are associated with familial paraganglioma syndromes 1,2,3 and 4. We report a 29-year-old woman with a family background of pheochromocytoma and history of paroxysmal headache, nausea, sweating, palpitations, associated with severe hypertension. The patient had elevated plasma noradrenalin and urinary normetanephrines. Imaging studies revealed three retroperitoneal extra-adrenal masses. The clinical and laboratory study of classic syndromes associated with paraganglioma was negative. The patient was operated and the pathological study of the surgical specimen was consistent with paragangliomas. The genetic study showed a mutation in the SDHB succinate dehydrogenase gen, Exon 2 of CCTCA c.300_304 (p.P56delYfsX5).