Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma in Chile: Differences in Tumor Thickness and Overall Survival Between Patients From Public and Private Health Care Centers.

INTRODUCTION: A low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with lower survival rates in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). In South America, there are few studies that analyze CMM data according to SES. OBJECTIVES: To determine the differences in microstaging and overall survival in CMM between public and private health care centers. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Histopathological reports with a diagnosis of CMM from two public hospitals (PuH) and one private health care center (PrH) in Santiago from 2008 to 2018 were included. Patients' death certificates were obtained to estimate overall survival. RESULTS: 1014 MMC were found. The mean age was 58.6 ± 16.8 years and 59.9% corresponded to female patients. Of these, 33.9% received treatment at PuH and 66.1% at PrH. Patients from PuH had an increased risk of having an invasive CMM and a >1 mm thickness melanoma compared to PrH (odds ratio 2.77 and 6.06, respectively). Patients with invasive CMM from the PuH were 6.29-fold more likely to die than a patient from the PrH. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a great disparity in tumor thickness between the socioeconomic status, reflecting a later detection and lower survival rate in PuH. Our results highlight a gap on which National Public Health should focus.

[Chromoblastomycosis. First allochthonous case treated in Chile]. / Cromoblastomicosis. Primer caso alóctono tratado en Chile.

Chromoblastomycosis is a fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, of chronic evolution, caused by dematiaceous fungi. The disease occurs worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, but in regions like Chile there is only one report of a human case more than 30 years ago. We present the case of a 46-year-old Haitian man, resident in Chile, with verrucous plaques in the right anterior tibial area of one year of evolution. The diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis was confirmed when muriform cells and dematiaceous colonies were observed in the histopathological analysis and the direct microscopy, respectively. After six months of treatment with systemic antimycotics and cryotherapy, complete remission of the lesions was achieved.

[Lymphogranuloma venerous genital in men who have sex with men: a non-imported case report in Chile]. / Linfogranuloma venéreo genital en un hombre que tiene sexo con hombre: reporte de caso no importado en Chile.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. In the past years, it has emerged as a relevant infectious agent, mainly affecting men who have sex with men (MSM), frequently associated with other sexually transmitted infections as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. Even though genital lesions correspond to the classical presentation of LGV, nowadays anorectal syndrome is more frequently reported. We present a MSM patient, HIV infected, being treated with antiretroviral drugs, with a history of recurrent genital herpes, also recently treated for a syphilis in a latent stage. He had no recent trips. He referred inguinal fistulized enlarged lymph nodes, associated with a painful genital ulcer, he denied anorectal or systemic symptoms. He had been treated with multiple antibiotic and antiviral drugs, with no clinical response. Molecular studies from the content of the fistulized lymph node identified C. trachomatis. The patient received doxycycline for 6 weeks, showing good clinical response.

Linfogranuloma venéreo genital en un hombre que tiene sexo con hombre: reporte de caso no importado en Chile / Lymphogranuloma venerous genital in men who have sex with men: a non-imported case report in Chile

Resumen El linfogranuloma venéreo (LGV) es una infección de transmisión sexual (ITS) causada por Chlamydia trachomatis. En los últimos años, ha emergido principalmente en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH). Es frecuente su asociación con otras ITS como el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y la sífilis. Si bien el compromiso genital es la forma de presentación clásica, el síndrome anorrectal constituye el principal cuadro clínico en la actualidad. Presentamos el caso de un HSH con infección por VIH en terapia anti-retroviral, herpes genital recurrente y sífilis latente tratada, sin viajes recientes al extranjero, con adenopatías inguinales fistulizadas a piel, asociada a una úlcera genital dolorosa, sin síntomas anorrectales ni sistémicos, refractario a múltiples tratamientos antibacterianos y antivirales. El estudio con RPC de secreción de la fístula fue positiva a C. trachomatis. Se trató con doxiciclina por seis semanas, con buena respuesta clínica, sin complicaciones.

Abstract Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. In the past years, it has emerged as a relevant infectious agent, mainly affecting men who have sex with men (MSM), frequently associated with other sexually transmitted infections as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. Even though genital lesions correspond to the classical presentation of LGV, nowadays anorectal syndrome is more frequently reported. We present a MSM patient, HIV infected, being treated with antiretroviral drugs, with a history of recurrent genital herpes, also recently treated for a syphilis in a latent stage. He had no recent trips. He referred inguinal fistulized enlarged lymph nodes, associated with a painful genital ulcer, he denied anorectal or systemic symptoms. He had been treated with multiple antibiotic and antiviral drugs, with no clinical response. Molecular studies from the content of the fistulized lymph node identified C. trachomatis. The patient received doxycycline for 6 weeks, showing good clinical response.

Cromoblastomicosis: primer caso alóctono tratado en Chile / Chromoblastomycosis: first allochthonous case treated in Chile

Resumen La cromoblastomicosis es una infección fúngica de la piel y del tejido subcutáneo, de evolución crónica, causada por hongos dematiáceos que se caracterizan por presentar melanina en su pared celular. La enfermedad se presenta en todo el mundo, principalmente en regiones tropicales y subtropicales. En Chile, solo hay un reporte de caso humano hace más de 30 años. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 46 años, haitiano, residente en Chile, con placas verrucosas en la zona tibial anterior de un año de evolución. El diagnóstico de cromoblastomicosis se confirmó al observar células muriformes en la histopatología y colonias dematiáceas en el cultivo micológico; además, en la miscroscopía directa se observaron conidias compatibles con Fonsecaea spp. Luego de seis meses de tratamiento con antimicóticos sistémicos y crioterapia, se logró la remisión completa de las lesiones.

Abstract Chromoblastomycosis is a fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, of chronic evolution, caused by dematiaceous fungi. The disease occurs worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, but in regions like Chile there is only one report of a human case more than 30 years ago. We present the case of a 46-year-old Haitian man, resident in Chile, with verrucous plaques in the right anterior tibial area of one year of evolution. The diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis was confirmed when muriform cells and dematiaceous colonies were observed in the histopathological analysis and the direct microscopy, respectively. After six months of treatment with systemic antimycotics and cryotherapy, complete remission of the lesions was achieved.

Sweet syndrome associated with secondary nodular syphilis in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract Sweet syndrome is an inflammatory disease characterized by fever, neutrophilia, papules and erythematous plaques, and a skin neutrophilic infiltrate. Syphilis has been reported among the infectious causes of Sweet syndrome. Syphilis can present atypical manifestations; a rare presentation is nodular syphilis, characterized by nodules with granulomas and plasma cells at histopathology. This case report presents a 20-year-old woman patient, with plaques and nodules, and systemic symptoms. The histopathological exam revealed both non-tuberculoid granulomas and a dense infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the dermis. These findings, plus laboratory abnormalities, characteristic of both conditions, were conclusive for Sweet syndrome and nodular syphilis association.

Sweet syndrome associated with secondary nodular syphilis in an immunocompetent patient.

Sweet syndrome is an inflammatory disease characterized by fever, neutrophilia, papules and erythematous plaques, and a skin neutrophilic infiltrate. Syphilis has been reported among the infectious causes of Sweet syndrome. Syphilis can present atypical manifestations; a rare presentation is nodular syphilis, characterized by nodules with granulomas and plasma cells at histopathology. This case report presents a 20-year-old woman patient, with plaques and nodules, and systemic symptoms. The histopathological exam revealed both non-tuberculoid granulomas and a dense infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the dermis. These findings, plus laboratory abnormalities, characteristic of both conditions, were conclusive for Sweet syndrome and nodular syphilis association.

Poroma no pigmentado inusualmente grande: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Unusually large unpigmented poroma: a case report and literature review

El poroma es un tumor benigno infrecuente derivado de la porción intraepitelial del epitelio ductal de la glándula sudorípara. La presentación clínica más habitual es un pápula o nódulo de color rosado a rojo, de pequeño diámetro, localizado con mayor frecuencia en palmas y plantas, generalmente asintomático. Debido a su variabilidad morfológica, los poromas son usualmente difíciles de reconocer, siendo la dermatoscopía una herramienta útil en su diagnóstico. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino con un gran tumor en su pierna derecha de 40 mm de diámetro, con características dermatoscópicas compatibles con poroma no pigmentado. El diagnóstico confirmatorio se realizó con una biopsia incisional seguido de la extirpación quirúrgica completa del tumor

Poroma is a rare benign tumour derived from the intraepithelial portion of the sweat glands' ductal epithelium. The most common clinical presentation is a pink to red papule or nodule, small in diameter, predominantly in the palms and soles and generally asymptomatic. Due to its morphologic variability, poromas are usually difficult to recognize, thus dermatoscopy becomes a useful aid in its diagnosis. We present the case of a male patient with a large tumour on his right leg, 40 mm in diameter, with dermatoscopic features consistent with nonpigmented poroma. Confirmatory diagnosis was made by incisional biopsy followed by the total surgical excision of the tumor.

Siringocistoadenoma papilífero y carcinoma basocelular en nevo sebáceo: reporte de caso / Papilliferous sarcomatocystoma and basal cell carcinoma in nevus sebaceous: case report

El nevo sebáceo o nevo de Jadassohn es un hamartoma cutáneo congénito poco frecuente formado por múltiples estructuras cutáneas. Presenta potencial de transformación a una variedad de neoplasias epidérmicas benignas y malignas, que suelen presentarse de manera individual. Si bien esta descrito en la literatura, es inusual el desarrollo de más de una neoplasia sobre un nevo sebáceo. En esta publicación se presenta el caso de un hombre de 62 años con una lesión de 3 años de evolución, cuyo estudio histopatológico demostró la presencia de un carcinoma basocelular y un siringocistoadenoma papilífero sobre un nevo sebáceo de Jadassohn.

Nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn is an infrequent cutaneous congenital hamartoma, formed by multiple cutaneous structures. It possesses a transformation potential to benign and malignant epidermic neoplasms, that usually present individually. Even though a few cases have been published, the coexistence of two or more tumors is rare. We hereby present the case of a 62 years old male, with a nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn history, that after excisional biopsy showed the presence of a basal cell carcinoma associated to a syringocystoadenoma papilliferum.

Pre-surgical high resolution ultrasound of facial basal cell carcinoma: correlation with histology.

The aim of this study was to analyze the scope of pre-surgical high resolution ultrasound in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is the most common human cancer. According to recent large prospective studies incomplete excision of BCC is higher than expected. Pre-operative imaging may aid surgical planning by identifying the extent and location of a neoplasm, which can be interesting at zones with higher risk of recurrences such as the face. These are slow growing tumors but there are some aggressive types described that can involve deeper structures. Twenty-five patients were studied (10 F/15 M, 48-91 years old; mean age 69.5+/-11.5 years) with suspicious facial lesions < or =1.5 cm. Pre-surgical ultrasound with compact linear 15-7 MHz probe was performed. Ultrasound reported the morphology and thickness of the tumors. The results were correlated with the histology. Ultrasound identified 29 suspicious facial lesions that were removed with tumor-free borders at the first surgery and confirmed by histology. The main location was the nose. Two subclinical satellite lesions at the nasal zone were detected under ultrasound which led to a change in the surgery plan. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value was used to compare tumor thickness measurements between ultrasound and histology. ICC was considered as very good (0.9). Therefore, ultrasound can be useful to plan BCC surgery, it can recognize lesions, layers of involvement and vascularity patterns in a non-invasive way. It can show subclinical satellite lesions, even though the number of subclinical cases is small and require further investigations. It has a good thickness correlation with histology and may be used as a technique to monitor disease changes following non-invasive medical treatments in the future.

Tabaquismo y carcinoma basocelular / Smoking and basal cell carcinoma

El efecto del tabaquismo en el ser humano ha sido extensamente estudiado. Varios trabajos demuestran mayor riesgo de carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) entre fumadores. Sin embargo, no se ha encontrado una clara relación entre tabaquismo y carcinoma basocelular (CBC). El principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el hábito de tabaquismo en 124 pacientes (55 hombres y 69 mujeres) con CBC (edad promedio de 67,94 años) y establecer el efecto del tabaquismo en los aspectos clínicos e histopatológicos del CBC. Se clasificó a los pacientes en fumadores y no fumadores. En cada CBC se estudió: localización específica dentro de la cara, diámetro mayor, ulceración y tipo histológico. Se usó chi cuadrado para el análisis estadístico. Solamente un 25 por ciento de los CBC resultaron ser fumadores. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a localización, ulceración, diámetro, tipo histológico y agresividad histopatológica entre fumadores y no fumadores. Este estudio no mostró ningún efecto de tabaquismo en los aspectos clínicos e histopatológicos del CBC. Nuevos estudios deberán realizarse en el futuro en relación al tabaquismo como factor de riesgo para melanoma maligno y CEC.

Síndrome de Zöllinger-Ellison / Zöllinger-Ellison's syndrome

Se presenta un caso de síndrome de Zöllinger-Ellison careacterizado por alta agresividad de la enfermedad ulcerosa péptica, marcada tendencia a la producción de fístulas, escasa respuesta a los bloqueadores H2 y difícil manejo quirúrgico. Se efectúa un análisis crítico del caso clínico y su manejo médico-quirúrgico a la luz de la información que existe actualmente sobre esta entidad