Histologic review of melanomas by pathologists trained in melanocytic lesions may change therapeutic approach in up to 41 9% of cases

Abstract: Melanoma Guidelines of the Brazilian Dermatology Society recommend histologic review by pathologists trained in melanocytic lesions whenever possible. Out of 145 melanoma cases identified at a private clinic in São Paulo/Brazil, 31 that had been submited to histologic review were studied to evaluate whether revision had led to change in therapeutic approach.. Differences in original/reviewed reports were found in 58.1% (n=18) of the reports, leading to changes in therapeutic approach in 41.9% (n=13). Change in diagnosis was observed in 6 out of 31 (19,3%) cases. These findings suggest that second opinion by pathologists trained in melanocytic lesions is likely to show significant differences from the original report.

Histologic review of melanomas by pathologists trained in melanocytic lesions may change therapeutic approach in up to 41.9% of cases.

Melanoma Guidelines of the Brazilian Dermatology Society recommend histologic review by pathologists trained in melanocytic lesions whenever possible. Out of 145 melanoma cases identified at a private clinic in São Paulo/Brazil, 31 that had been submited to histologic review were studied to evaluate whether revision had led to change in therapeutic approach.. Differences in original/reviewed reports were found in 58.1% (n=18) of the reports, leading to changes in therapeutic approach in 41.9% (n=13). Change in diagnosis was observed in 6 out of 31 (19,3%) cases. These findings suggest that second opinion by pathologists trained in melanocytic lesions is likely to show significant differences from the original report.

Brazilian guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of primary cutaneous melanoma - Part II.

The last Brazilian guidelines on melanoma were published in 2002. Development in diagnosis and treatment made updating necessary. The coordinators elaborated ten clinical questions, based on PICO system. A Medline search, according to specific MeSH terms for each of the 10 questions was performed and articles selected were classified from A to D according to level of scientific evidence. Based on the results, recommendations were defined and classified according to scientific strength. The present Guidelines were divided in two parts for editorial and publication reasons. In this second part, the following clinical questions were answered: 1) which patients with primary cutaneous melanoma benefit from sentinel lymph node biopsy? 2) Follow-up with body mapping is indicated for which patients? 3) Is preventive excision of acral nevi beneficious to patients? 4) Is preventive excision of giant congenital nevi beneficious to patients? 5) How should stages 0 and I primary cutaneous melanoma patients be followed?

Brazilian guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of primary cutaneous melanoma - Part II

Abstract The last Brazilian guidelines on melanoma were published in 2002. Development in diagnosis and treatment made updating necessary. The coordinators elaborated ten clinical questions, based on PICO system. A Medline search, according to specific MeSH terms for each of the 10 questions was performed and articles selected were classified from A to D according to level of scientific evidence. Based on the results, recommendations were defined and classified according to scientific strength. The present Guidelines were divided in two parts for editorial and publication reasons. In this second part, the following clinical questions were answered: 1) which patients with primary cutaneous melanoma benefit from sentinel lymph node biopsy? 2) Follow-up with body mapping is indicated for which patients? 3) Is preventive excision of acral nevi beneficious to patients? 4) Is preventive excision of giant congenital nevi beneficious to patients? 5) How should stages 0 and I primary cutaneous melanoma patients be followed?.

Guidelines of the Brazilian Dermatology Society for diagnosis, treatment and follow up of primary cutaneous melanoma - Part I

Abstract: The last Brazilian guidelines on melanoma were published in 2002. Development in diagnosis and treatment made updating necessary. The coordinators elaborated ten clinical questions, based on PICO system. A Medline search, according to specific MeSH terms for each of the 10 questions was performed and articles selected were classified from A to D according to level of scientific evidence. Based on the results, recommendations were defined and classified according to scientific strength. The present Guidelines were divided in two parts for editorial and publication reasons. In the first part, the following clinical questions were answered: 1) The use of dermoscopy for diagnosis of primary cutaneous melanoma brings benefits for patients when compared with clinical examination? 2) Does dermoscopy favor diagnosis of nail apparatus melanoma? 3) Is there a prognostic difference when incisional or excisional biopsies are used? 4) Does revision by a pathologist trained in melanoma contribute to diagnosis and treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma? What margins should be used to treat lentigo maligna melanoma and melanoma in situ?.

Guidelines of the Brazilian Dermatology Society for diagnosis, treatment and follow up of primary cutaneous melanoma--Part I.

The last Brazilian guidelines on melanoma were published in 2002. Development in diagnosis and treatment made updating necessary. The coordinators elaborated ten clinical questions, based on PICO system. A Medline search, according to specific MeSH terms for each of the 10 questions was performed and articles selected were classified from A to D according to level of scientific evidence. Based on the results, recommendations were defined and classified according to scientific strength. The present Guidelines were divided in two parts for editorial and publication reasons. In the first part, the following clinical questions were answered: 1) The use of dermoscopy for diagnosis of primary cutaneous melanoma brings benefits for patients when compared with clinical examination? 2) Does dermoscopy favor diagnosis of nail apparatus melanoma? 3) Is there a prognostic difference when incisional or excisional biopsies are used? 4) Does revision by a pathologist trained in melanoma contribute to diagnosis and treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma? What margins should be used to treat lentigo maligna melanoma and melanoma in situ?

Dermatophytosis and immunovirological status of HIV-infected and AIDS patients from Sao Paulo city, Brazil.

Over the past decades, more people became infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Because of that the incidence of fungal infections rose dramatically. It happened because this virus can modify the course of fungal diseases, leading to altered clinical pictures. The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological and biological aspects of dermatophytosis in HIV-positive and AIDS patients living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 84 (44 HIV-positive and 40 AIDS) patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were tested for dermatophyte infections, as well as for the CD4(+) /CD8(+) and HIV viral load counts. Tinea unguium was most frequently observed in AIDS patients, whereas Tinea pedis was mostly observed in HIV-positive patients. The most frequent dermatophyte species was Trichophyton rubrum. CD4(+) counts and CD4(+) /CD8(+) ratios were not associated with a higher risk for dermatophytosis. On the other hand, viral load higher than 100 000 copies/ml was associated with a higher frequency of dermatophytosis. The results suggest to that although dermatophytosis is common in HIV-positive and AIDS patients, the degree of immunosuppression does not seems to correlate with increased risk of this fungal infection. In addition, high viral load as a predictive risk factor for dermatophyte infection should be subject of further evaluations.

Cutaneous adverse reactions to chemotherapy with taxanes: the dermatologist's point of view.

Chemotherapy with taxanes has recently become part of the treatment for many advanced neoplastic diseases, specially breast and lung cancer. Their main noncutaneous adverse reactions include neutropenia and mucositis, which eventually lead to drug discontinuation. Cutaneous adverse reactions are frequent and significantly interfere with the patient's quality of life. Treatments are poorly effective, but special recommendations may improve symptoms and prevent relapses requiring drug rechallenge.

Efeitos colaterais cutâneos de quimioterapia com taxanos: O ponto de vista do dermatologista / Cutaneous adverse reactions to chemotherapy with taxanes: The dermatologist's point of view

Taxanos são drogas quimioterápicas cada vez mais utilizadas no tratamento adjuvante de um grande número de cânceres, principalmente câncer de mama e de pulmão. Os efeitos colaterais não cutâneos mais importantes e limitantes do uso destas drogas são neutropenia e mucosite. Os efeitos colaterais cutäneos, além de muito frequente, interfere de forma importante na qualidade de vida dos doentes. Não existem tratamentos totalmente eficazes, mas algumas orientações podem diminuir os sintomas e prevenir recidivas em novas sessões de quimioterapia.

Chemotherapy with taxanes has recently become part of the treatment for many advanced neoplastic diseases, specially breast and lung cancer. Their main noncutaneous adverse reactions include neutropenia and mucositis, which eventually lead to drug discontinuation. Cutaneous adverse reactions are frequent and significantly interfere with the patient's quality of life. Treatments are poorly effective, but special recommendations may improve symptoms and prevent relapses requiring drug rechallenge.

Rapid identification of Fonsecaea by duplex polymerase chain reaction in isolates from patients with chromoblastomycosis.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis. F. pedrosoi and other dematiaceous fungi are usually identified by morphologic studies. We have developed a duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ribosomal DNA for rapid and more specific identification of the genus Fonsecaea. DNA samples from 103 isolates of Fonsecaea species and other dematiaceous fungi were amplified by PCR using universal and specific primers targeting ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the ribosomal DNA. Universal primers were used for detection of non-Fonsecaea DNA. Fonsecaea-specific PCR product was found in 70 (68.0%) isolates including 4 strains that did not develop conidiogenesis. Thirty non-Fonsecaea and 3 Fonsecaea compacta isolates were negative by duplex PCR. These results were confirmed by DNA sequencing analysis indicating the high specificity of the duplex PCR assay. In conclusion, the duplex PCR is a rapid and specific assay for identification of Fonsecaea isolates mainly for the strains that are difficult to identify by morphologic methods.

É a biópsia incisional útil na classificação dos carcinomas basocelulares? / Is incisional biopsy helpful in the histopathological classification of basal cell carcinoma?

FUNDAMENTOS: O carcinoma basocelular é tumor constituído por diferentes tipos histológicos, que demonstram diversificado potencial de agressividade. Sabe-se que a correlação entre os tipos histológicos de carcinoma basocelular encontrados no material de biópsia pré-operatória e no material da peça cirúrgica excisional não é total. Na literatura essa correlação varia de 42,7 a 80 por cento. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a correlação entre os tipos histológicos de carcinoma basocelular nas biópsias incisionais e respectivas peças cirúrgicas excisionais. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 70 casos de carcinoma basocelular primário submetidos a biópsia pré-operatória e cirurgia excisional. A avaliação histológica foi feita de modo padronizado, determinando tanto o tipo histológico predominante quanto os tipos histológicos acessórios encontrados no material das biópsias préoperatórias e nas peças cirúrgicas excisionais. RESULTADOS: Houve 78,3 por cento de correlação entre tipo histológico predominante da biópsia e peça cirúrgica e 87 por cento de correlação entre tipo histológico predominante e/ou tipo histológico acessório da biópsia e tipo histológico predominante da peça cirúrgica. CONCLUSÃO: A biópsia pré-operatória é útil para predizer o tipo histológico predominante de carcinoma basocelular da peça cirúrgica excisional na maioria dos casos. No entanto, é importante ressaltar que, quando descrito apenas o tipo histológico predominante encontrado na biópsia, ocorre 21,7 por cento de falha no diagnóstico.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma is a tumor with many histologic types, each one with different aggressiveness potential. The known correlation between histologic types found in preoperative biopsy samples and excisional specimens is not absolute. Correspondence rates vary from 42.7 to 80.0 percent in medical literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between histologic types of basal cell carcinoma in preoperative biopsies and their respective excised surgical specimens. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 70 primary basal cell carcinoma cases submitted to preoperative biopsies and excisional surgery. The histologic evaluation was performed according to standard practice determining both the predominant and secondary histologic types found in preoperative biopsy materials and surgically excised specimens. RESULTS: There was a 78.3 percent correlation rate between the predominant histologic type of the biopsy and the surgical specimen, and an 87 percent correspondence between the predominant histologic type and/or secondary histologic type of the biopsy and/or predominant histologic type of the surgical specimen. CONCLUSION: The preoperative biopsy is useful for predicting the predominant basal cell carcinoma histologic type of the surgical excisional specimen in most cases. Nevertheless, when only the predominant histologic type found in biopsy is described, there is a 21.7 percent failure rate in diagnosis. When both predominant histologic types and secondary histologic types found in the biopsy are described, diagnostic failure drops to 13 percent.

Doença de Paget pigmentada do mamilo simulando melanoma cutâneo: importância da imuno-histoquímica na diferenciação dessas doenças / Pigmented Paget's disease of the nipple mimicking cutaneous melanoma: importance of the immunohistochemical profile to differentiate between these diseases

A variante pigmentada da doença de Paget mamária é rara, com cerca de 12 casos relatados, e pode mimetizar clínica e histologicamente o melanoma. Como na forma clássica, em geral associa-se à neoplasia da mama acometida, com origem principalmente no carcinoma intraductal que se estende à epiderme através de ducto lactóforo. A fisiopatologia da hiperpigmentação permanece desconhecida. Relata-se o caso de paciente de 49 anos que apresentou lesão pigmentada do mamilo, suspeita de melanoma. O exame histológico não foi suficiente para confirmar o diagnóstico, sendo necessária realização de perfil imuno-histoquímico. Apesar de incomum, o diagnóstico de doença de Paget deve ser lembrado como diferencial de melanoma em lesões pigmentadas dessa região, em ambos os sexos.

Pigmented mammary Paget's disease is a rare dermatosis, with approximately 12 reported cases in the literature, which can mimic cutaneous melanoma both clinically and histologically. As for classical mammary Paget's disease, the pigmented variant is associated with neoplasia of the breast, originating mainly from intraductal mammary carcinoma that extends to the epidermis of the nipple and areola through a lactiferous duct. Physiopathology of hyperpigmentation remains unknown. We present a 49-year-old female patient who presented with a pigmented lesion of the nipple suspected of melanoma. Histological examination was not sufficient to confirm diagnosis. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of Paget's disease. Although uncommon, pigmented Paget's disease must be reminded as a differential diagnosis of melanoma in pigmented lesions of the nipple, in both genders.

Eumicetoma podal por Acremonium kiliense: registro de um caso / Podalic eumycotic mycetoma caused by Acremonium kiliense: report of one case

Os autores registram um caso de eumicetoma de gräos branco-amarelados, em paciente do sexo masculino, procedente da Bahia, com lesöes no pé esquerdo, provocadas por Acremonium kiliense (Grütz, 1925). O exame histopatológico näo demonstrou a presença de gräos, revelados, todavia, ao exame "a fresco", todos eles com estrutura de eumicetos. Discreta regressäo do quadro inflamatório com o uso de itraconazol, após tratamento prolongado

Atypical disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent child, caused by an aberrant variant of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum

O presente trabalho registra caso de histoplasmose em paciente de 5 anos, HIV negativo, natural e procedente da cidade da Sao Paulo, com lesoes cutaneas nao diagnosticadas clinicamente. Exame histopatologico negativo para infeccao fungica. Cultivos em duas ocasioes, positivos para Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum (amostras 361 e 387). Sorologia negativa para anticorpos anti-Histoplasma capsulatum e Paracoccidioides brasiliensis pelas provas de Imunodifusao dupla e ...

Etiopatogenia da dermatite seborréica: estado atual / Etiopathogenic of seborrheic dermatitis: actual state

Dermatite seborréica (DS) é dermatose extremamente comum; os aspectos etiopatogênicos ainda säo, no entanto, controversos. Alguns autores acreditam que a Malassezia furfur seja o organismo causal, porém o fungo é isolado da maioria dos indivíduos normais o que contraria essa teoria. Parece que a DS é decorrente de um processo inflamatório que leva à hiperproliferaçäo de queratinócitos e alteraçäo na composiçäo dos lipídios com aumento do colesterol e triglicérides e diminuiçäo de ácidos graxos. Essa alteraçäo aumenta o pH da pele e favorece a supercolonizaçäo pela Malassezia furfur. A populaçäo aumentada de M. furfur, por meio de seus metabólitos, ativa o complemento levando à liberaçäo de fatores quimiotáticos que perpetuam o processo inflamatório. Fatores constitucionais, fisiológicos e ambientais säo relevantes na etiopatogenia da DS, que é considerada multifatorial. O tratamento inclui cuidados gerais, principalmente na DS infantil, exposiçäo a raios ultravioleta e terapêutica tópica e/ou sistêmica.