Genomic profile in gestational and non-gestational choriocarcinomas.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational (GC) (derived from the placenta) and non-gestational (NGC) choriocarcinomas are trophoblastic diseases originated from abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic cells. These rare tumors share similar morphology and pathological features and differ on chemotherapy response, genetic origin and prognosis. In this study, the genomic profile of choriocarcinomas was performed according to their origin (GC or NGC) aiming to better understand these poorly characterized diseases. METHODS: Thirteen patients were included in this study; 10 presented previous history of hydatidiform mole and six developed metastasis. Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers (D15S659, APOC2, D5S816, BAT25, D3S1614, D3S1311, D1S1656, APC-D5S346, D3S1601, D18S70, D8S1110 and D11S1999) were investigated to distinguish GC from NGC. All choriocarcinomas were evaluated by copy number alterations using array CGH. RESULTS: Eight cases were classified as GC and five as NGC. Although potentially polymorphic, NGC exhibited significant gain of 21p11. Rare copy number alterations (CNA) were detected as a frequent event in GC including gains of 1p36.33-p36.32 (3 cases), 17q25.3 (4 cases), and losses of 9q33.1 (5 cases), 17q21.3 (3 cases) and 18q22.1 (4 cases) (varying from 724 to 3,053 Kb). DISCUSSION: Two tumor suppressor genes are candidates to be involved in GC: TRIM32 (9q33.1) and CDH19 (18q22.1). Gains of CBX2, CBX4 and CBX8 were frequently found in high risk prognostic score in GC. The in silico functional interaction analysis revealed the involvement of PTEN and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. These data pointed out significant genomic alterations in GC, opening new avenues to better characterize the pathobiology of this disease.

A pilot study addressing the impact of religious practice on quality of life of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.

The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether religious practice can modify quality of life (QoL) in BC patients during chemotherapy. QoL and religion practice questionnaire (RPQ) scores were evaluated in a sample of BC patients in different moments. Before chemotherapy initiation, women with lower physical and social functional scores displayed higher RPQ scores. On the other hand, low RPQ patients worsened some QoL scores over time. Body image acceptance was positively correlated with religious practice and specifically praying activity. This preliminary study suggests the importance of religion in coping with cancer chemotherapy.

Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma after human chorionic gonadotropin normalization following hydatidiform mole: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma (PPC) is rare and frequently leads to death. CASES: Two young patients presented with previous molar pregnancy and spontaneous serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) normalization. Patient 1 was referred to our center after partial response to chemotherapy. Pulmonary lobectomy was performed, and hCG rapidly declined. During further chemotherapy, liver metastasis was detected by positron emission tomography. Right hepatectomy was performed, and hCG declined for 28 days, but increased again despite chemotherapy. This patient died from hepatic failure 3 years after diagnosis. Patient 2 presented with persistently high hCG, though the affected organ was not identified. Chemotherapy was unsuccessful. Patient reevaluation showed an isolated pulmonary mass. Pulmonary lobectomy was performed; 2 weeks later, hCG was normal and consolidation with 2 cycles of chemotherapy was administered. The patient has been in remission for 24 months. PPC was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry in both cases. Gestational origin of the tumor was confirmed by molecular genetic analysis (polymorphic microsatellite markers). CONCLUSION: The possibility of choriocarcinoma cannot be overlooked in young women with an isolated pulmonary mass. Early diagnosis, prompt chemotherapy, and surgical resection in a specialized center improves the prognosis.

(99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy used to evaluate tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer: A quantitative analysis.

To evaluate the tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, (99m)Tc-sestamibi breast scintigraphy was proposed as a quantitative method. Fifty-five patients with ductal carcinoma were studied. They underwent breast scintigraphy before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, along with clinical assessment and surgical specimen analysis. The regions of interest on the lesion and contralateral breast were identified, and the pixel counts were used to evaluate lesion uptake in relation to background radiation. The ratio of these counts before to after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed. The decrease in uptake rate due to chemotherapy characterized the scintigraphy tumor response. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the mean scintigraphic tumor response and histological type. Dunn's multiple comparison test was used to detect differences between histological types. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare means between quantitative and qualitative variables: scintigraphic tumor response vs. clinical response and uptake before chemotherapy vs. scintigraphic tumor response. The Spearman's test was used to correlate the quantitative variables of clinical reduction in tumor size and scintigraphic tumor response. All of the variables compared presented significant differences. The change in (99m)Tc-sestamibi uptake noted on breast scintigraphy, before to after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, may be used as an effective method for evaluating the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, since this quantification reflects the biological behavior of the tumor towards the chemotherapy regimen. Furthermore, additional analysis on the uptake rate before chemotherapy may accurately predict treatment response.

Acute coronary syndrome associated with continuous 5-Fluorouracil infusion in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer-a case report with a discussion on this clinical dilemma.

INTRODUCTION: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is considered to be the backbone of colorectal cancer (CRC) systemic therapy since the great majority of recommended regimens include its administration. A clinical picture consisting of chest pain, sometimes cardiac enzyme elevation, electrocardiogram abnormalities consistent with myocardial ischemia, and normal coronary angiogram associated with 5-FU administration have been infrequently reported. The clinical dilemma is: which chemotherapy regimen should we use in CRC patients with a previous acute coronary syndrome (ACS) associated with 5-FU? CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 55-year-old otherwise healthy woman with metastatic colon adenocarcinoma who presented an ACS probably secondary to arterial vasospasm while receiving continuous intravenous 5-FU infusion (mFOLFOX6 regimen). After the ACS, the patient was treated with raltitrexate plus oxaliplatin (TOMOX) and subsequently with irinotecan plus cetuximab with no other cardiac event. CONCLUSION: The risk of cardiotoxicity associated with 5-FU is low but real. The probable mechanism is arterial vasospasm, as suggested by our case report. Both the use of the TOMOX regimen and irinotecan plus cetuximab seems to be safe regimens to be considered in this clinical scenario.

Assessment of quality of life and psychologic aspects in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life (QoL) and psychological aspects in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). METHODS: This cross-sectional self-report study was conducted among 54 women. Validated question-naires assessed QoL (WHO-QOL-bref), symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]). RESULTS: Most patients rated overall QoL as good (44.44%) and were satisfied with their health status (42.59%). Mean QoL domain score was lowest for psychologic health (53.86 +/- 21.46) and highest for social relationships (65.74 +/- 22.41). BDI mean was 15.81 +/- 11.15, indicating dysphoria. STAI means were 46 +/- 6.46 for trait-anxiety and 43.72 +/- 4.23 for state-anxiety, both evidencing medium-high anxiety. Among employed patients, environment domain mean was the highest (p = 0.024). Presence of children resulted in lowest means for physical health (p = 0.041) and environment (p= 0.045). Patients desiring children showed significantly higher means for physical health (p = 0.004), psychological health (p = 0.021) and environment (p = 0.003). Chemotherapy had no significant influence on QoL (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study evidenced psychological impact on GTD patients, suggesting specialized care centers should provide psychological interventions during treatment and follow-up of GTD patients, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Acute coronary syndrome during chemotherapy: report of three cases / Síndrome coronariana aguda durante o uso da quimioterapia: relato de três casos

Eventos vasculares (EV) venosos são frequentes durante o tratamento quimioterápico. Os EV arteriais são incomun se podem ser graves se não diagnosticados e tratados corretamente. Os autores descrevem três casos incomuns de síndromes coronarianas agudas diagnosticadas durante a quimioterapia. O paciente 1, com tumor de células germinativas de testículo, não apresentava nenhum fator de risco para doença coronariana e tinha apenas 27 anos,no entanto, apresentou uma parada cardiorrespiratória com diagnóstico post-mortem de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM). O paciente 2, com adenocarcinoma de pulmão, era ex-tabagista, apresentava uma história familiar de coronariopatia e apresentou um IAM durante o segundo ciclo de gencitabina e cisplatina. O paciente 3, com diagnóstico de carcinoma de células escamosas de tonsila palatina direita, apresentou três eventos vasculares maiores durante o tratamento com 5-fluorouracil e cisplatina. Era hipertenso, diabético e ex-tabagista. A quimioterapia, especialmente quando utilizada a cisplatina, pode estar relacionada com eventos coronarianos agudos.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of first pregnancy after chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in Brazilian women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes of first pregnancy after chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in Brazilian patients. METHODS: This study included 252 subsequent pregnancies after chemotherapy for GTN treated between 1960-2005. Correlations of maternal and perinatal outcomes with chemotherapy regimen (single or multiagent) and the time interval between chemotherapy completion and first subsequent pregnancy were investigated. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in adverse maternal outcomes in women who conceived <6 months than 6-12 months (76.2% and 19.6%; p<0.0001; OR=13.12; CI 95%=3.87-44.40) and >12 months (76.2% and 21.7%; p<0.0001; OR=11.56; CI 95%=3.98-33.55) after chemotherapy. Spontaneous abortion frequency was higher <6 months (71.4%) than 6-12 months (17.6%; p<0.0001; OR=11.66; CI 95%=3.55-38.22) and >12 months (9.4%; p<0.0001; OR=23.97; CI 95%=8.21-69.91) after chemotherapy. There was no difference in adverse perinatal outcomes (stillbirth, fetal malformation, and preterm birth) related to the interval after chemotherapy and subsequent pregnancy. The overall occurrence of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes did not significantly differ between patients on single or multiagent regimens. CONCLUSION: Adverse maternal outcomes and spontaneous abortion were more frequent among patients who conceived within 6 months of chemotherapy completion. In these cases, careful prenatal monitoring and hCG level measurement 6 weeks after the completion of any new pregnancy are recommended.

Lung cancer: histology, staging, treatment and survival.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze principal histological types of lung cancer, as well as the staging, treatment and survival of lung cancer patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on the analysis of medical charts of patients treated at the Botucatu School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas over a six-year period. RESULTS: From January of 2000 to January of 2006, 240 patients with lung cancer, most (64%) of whom were male, were treated. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (37.5%), followed by adenocarcinoma (30%), neuroendocrine carcinoma (19.6%) and large cell carcinoma (6.6%). Only 131 patients (54.6%) were treated. Of those, 52 patients (39.7%) received only chemotherapy, 32 (24.4%) were treated with chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, and 47 (35.9%) were submitted to surgery alone or surgery accompanied by chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy. Only 27 patients (20.6%) were submitted to surgery alone. Concerning staging, 34.4% presented stage IV at the time of diagnosis, 20.6% presented stage IIIB, 16.8% presented stage IIIA, and the remaining 28.2% were classified as stage I or II. Five-year survival was 65% for those in stage I and 25% for those in the remaining stages. CONCLUSIONS: Of the various histological types, the most common was squamous cell carcinoma and the least common was large cell carcinoma. Most cases presented advanced stages at the moment of diagnosis, and less than 30% of the cases presented early stages. This accounts for the low survival rate and the small number of patients submitted to surgical treatment alone, the majority being submitted to chemotherapy alone.

Câncer de pulmão: histologia, estádio, tratamento e sobrevida / Lung cancer: histology, staging, treatment and survival

OBJETIVO: Analisar os principais tipos histológicos, estádio, tratamento e sobrevida dos portadores de câncer de pulmão. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo a partir da análise dos prontuários de pacientes acompanhados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, num período de seis anos. RESULTADOS: De janeiro de 2000 a janeiro de 2006, foram acompanhados 240 doentes com câncer de pulmão, com predominância do sexo masculino (64 por cento). O tipo histológico mais freqüente foi o carcinoma escamoso (37,5 por cento), seguido pelo adenocarcinoma (30 por cento), carcinoma neuroendócrino (19,6 por cento) e carcinoma de grandes células (6,6 por cento). Apenas 131 pacientes (54,6 por cento) foram tratados. Destes, 52 pacientes (39,7 por cento) foram submetidos à quimioterapia exclusiva, 32 (24,4 por cento) realizaram quimioterapia associada à radioterapia e 47 (35,9 por cento) foram submetidos à cirurgia associada ou não à quimioterapia exclusiva e/ou radioterapia. Somente 27 pacientes (20,6 por cento) foram submetidos à cirurgia exclusiva.Em relação ao estadiamento, 34,4 por cento apresentavam, no momento do diagnóstico, estádio IV, 20,6 por cento estádio IIIB, 16,8 por cento estádio IIIA e os outros 28,2 por cento pertenciam aos estádios I e II. A sobrevida em cinco anos foi de 65 por cento para o estádio I e 25 por cento para os estádios remanescentes. CONCLUSÕES: O tipo histológico predominante foi o carcinoma escamoso e o de menor freqüência foi o carcinoma de grandes células. A maioria se encontrava em estádio avançado ao diagnóstico, estando nos estádios iniciais menos de 30 por cento dos casos. Isto justifica a baixa sobrevida e a pequena quantidade de pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico exclusivo, em comparação à maioria que foi submetida à quimioterapia exclusiva.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze principal histological types of lung cancer, as well as the staging, treatment and survival of lung cancer patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on the analysis of medical charts of patients treated at the Botucatu School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas over a six-year period. RESULTS: From January of 2000 to January of 2006, 240 patients with lung cancer, most (64 percent) of whom were male, were treated. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (37.5 percent), followed by adenocarcinoma (30 percent), neuroendocrine carcinoma (19.6 percent) and large cell carcinoma (6.6 percent). Only 131 patients (54.6 percent) were treated. Of those, 52 patients (39.7 percent) received only chemotherapy, 32 (24.4 percent) were treated with chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, and 47 (35.9 percent) were submitted to surgery alone or surgery accompanied by chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy. Only 27 patients (20.6 percent) were submitted to surgery alone. Concerning staging, 34.4 percent presented stage IV at the time of diagnosis, 20.6 percent presented stage IIIB, 16.8 percent presented stage IIIA, and the remaining 28.2 percent were classified as stage I or II. Five-year survival was 65 percent for those in stage I and 25 percent for those in the remaining stages. CONCLUSIONS: Of the various histological types, the most common was squamous cell carcinoma and the least common was large cell carcinoma. Most cases presented advanced stages at the moment of diagnosis, and less than 30 percent of the cases presented early stages. This accounts for the low survival rate and the small number of patients submitted to surgical treatment alone, the majority being submitted to chemotherapy alone.

Carcinoma de pequenas células do esôfago: estudo clínico patológico de dois casos / Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: clinical pathologic study of two cases

RACIONAL: O carcinoma de pequenas células primário do esôfago é tumor raro, agressivo, morfologicamente indistinguível de seu correspondente no pulmão. OBJETIVO: Apresentar os aspectos clínico-patológicos de dois pacientes com carcinoma de pequenas células do esôfago. RELATO DE CASOS: Paciente 1: masculino, 56 anos com disfagia progressiva há seis meses e emagrecimento, com antecedentes de tabagismo e etilismo. A endoscopia mostrou lesão vegetante dos 30 aos 40 cm da arcada dentária superior e o exame anatomopatológico, diagnosticou neoplasia maligna indiferenciada de pequenas células com marcadores imunoistoquímicos positivos para cromogranina e sinaptofisina, caracterizando a linhagem neuroendócrina da neoplasia. Após dois ciclos de quimioterapia (cisplatina e etoposide) associada à radioterapia ele apresentou remissão da disfagia. Paciente 2: masculino, 55 anos, com queixas de pirose, disfagia, rouquidão há seis meses, com emagrecimento de 10 kg no período. A endoscopia mostrou lesão vegetante à 30 cm da arcada dentária superior, obstrutiva. O exame anatomopatológico revelou carcinoma de pequenas células, com os mesmos marcadores imunoistoquímicos positivos para linhagem neuroendócrina. Tomografia computadorizada mostrou metástases hepáticas. Frente ao estadio avançado da doença optou-se pela indicação de gastrostomia. O paciente desenvolveu pneumonia e faleceu dois meses após o diagnóstico. CONCLUSÃO: A evolução dos portadores de carcinoma de pequenas células do esôfago depende do estadiamento da doença e apesar da alta agressividade biológica, este tumor apresenta boa resposta à quimioterapia associada à radioterapia.

BACKGOUND: Small-cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus is a rare tumor, aggressive, and morphologically indistinguishable from its correspondent well-known tumor in the lung. AIM: To present the clinical-pathological aspects of two patients presenting small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus. CASES REPORT: Patient 1- a 55-year-old man presenting progressive dysphagia for 6 months, weight loss, and previous smoking and alcohol abuse history. Endoscopy showed a polypoid lesion, located 30 to 40 cm from the superior arcade. Anatomopathological analysis revealed undifferentiated small-cell carcinoma and positive immunohistochemical staining for neuroendocrine markers, including chromogranin and synaptophysin. The patient presented dysphagia remission after two cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide) and radiotherapy. Patient 2 - a 55-year-old man complaining pirosis, dysphagia, and hoarseness for 6 months, associated to a 10 kg weight loss. Endoscopy showed an obstructive polypoid lesion located 30 cm from the superior dental arcade. Anatomopathological study revealed small-cell carcinoma and positive immunohistochemical staining for neuroendocrine tumor. Computed tomography showed liver metastases. Considering the advanced stage of the tumor, gastrostomy was performed. The patient developed pneumonia and died within two months. CONCLUSION: The evolution of patients presenting small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus depends on the tumor staging. Despite of its aggressiveness, the respective tumor responds positively to combined chemo-radiotherapy.

Qualidade de vida e aspectos psicológicos em pacientes com doença trofoblástica gestacional / Quality of life and psychological aspects in pacients with gestational trophoblastic disease

Doença trofoblástica gestacional (DTG) é um grupo de anomalias proliferativas em células trofoblásticas placentárias que levam a diferentes quadros evolutivos: remissão espontânea, invasão miometrial, metástase e recorrência. O medo da doença, da quimioterapia e da recorrência, bem como a incerteza quanto a futuras gestações são fatores de estresse que afetam consideravelmente a qualidade de vida das pacientes com DTG. Todos esses transtornos resultam em estresse psicológico, social e sexual no momento do diagnóstico, ao longo do seguimento e até mesmo após a cura. A fim de aperfeiçoar a assistência, a qualidade de vida tem sido avaliada em pacientes com diferentes doenças. Entretanto, poucos estudos têm como foco a influência da DTG sobre aspectos psicológicos, sociais e sexuais. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a revisão de estudos sobre qualidade de vida e aspectos psicológicos em pacientes com doença trofoblástica gestacional.

Tratamento da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional de alto risco resistente à quimioterapia / Therapy of high risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia resistant to chemotherapy

Neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional (NTG) de alto risco inclui os estadios I, II ou III: escore de risco sete ou mais ou estadio IV da classificação atual FIGO 2000. Embora bem estabelecidos os protocolos EMA-CO como primeira linha e EP-EMA como primeira ou segunda linha de tratamento, aproximadamente 30 porcento das pacientes com NTG de alto risco desenvolvem resistência ou apresentam recidiva seguindo a remissão. Ao constatar-se a resistência ou recidiva, deve-se proceder à reavaliação imediata da paciente, com base no Sistema de Estadiamento FIGO 2000, para clarear o tratamento de resgate em tempo hábil - poliquimioterapia e/ou cirurgia e/ou radioterapia. Não existe protocolo ideal para o tratamento de pacientes com NTG de alto risco resistente à quimioterapia. Assim sendo, o tratamento deve ser individualizado de acordo com a condição clínica da paciente e a experiência do centro especializado. Este estudo refere-se à NTG de alto risco resistente à quimioterapia, apresentando os principais regimes alternativos de poliquimioterapia, a quimioterapia de alta dose, o tratamento de consolidação, o papel da cirurgia e da radioterapia e o seguimento pós-remissão completa.

A curva de regressão da gonadotrofina coriônica humana é útil no diagnóstico precoce da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional pós-molar? / Are curves of human chorionic gonadotropin useful in the early diagnosis of post-molar trophoblastic neoplasia?

OBJETIVO: avaliar a utilidade da curva de regressão normal da gonadotrofina coriônica humana (hCG) no diagnóstico precoce de neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional pós-molar (NTG). MÉTODOS: estudo longitudinal, incluindo 105 pacientes com mola hidatiforme completa (MHC) acompanhadas no Centro de Doenças Trofoblásticas de Botucatu, entre 1998 e 2005. Os títulos da hCG sérica foram mensurados quinzenalmente em todas as pacientes. Curvas individuais de regressão da hCG das 105 pacientes foram estabelecidas. A comparação entre a curva de regressão normal estabelecida em nosso serviço com as curvas individuais da hCG foi usada no rastreamento e diagnóstico (platô/ascensão) de NTG. O número de semanas pós-esvaziamento quando a hCG excedeu o limite normal foi comparado com o número semanas em que a hCG apresentou platô/ascensão. RESULTADOS: das 105 pacientes com MHC, 80 apresentaram remissão espontânea (RE) e 25 desenvolveram NTG. Das 80 pacientes com RE, 7 (8,7 por cento) apresentaram, inicialmente, dosagem da hCG acima do normal, mas, no devido tempo, alcançaram a remissão. Todas as 25 pacientes com NTG apresentaram desvio da curva normal da hCG em 3,8±2,5 semanas e mostraram platô ou ascensão em 8,4±2,9 semanas (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: a curva de regressão normal da hCG pós-molar pode ser útil para diagnóstico de NTG.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the usefulness of the normal human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regression curve in the early diagnosis of post-molar trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). METHODS: a longitudinal study including 105 patients with complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) followed up at the Botucatu Center of Trophoblastic Diseases from 1998 to 2005. Serial serum hCG titers were measured fortnightly in all patients. Individual curves of the 105 patients were built. Comparison between the normal regression curve established at our center with individual hCG curves was used to screen and diagnose (plateau/rise) GTN. The number of weeks postevacuation when hCG levels exceeded the normal limits was compared with the number of weeks when hCG reached plateau/rise. RESULTS: among the 105 patients with CHM, 80 reached spontaneous remission (SR) and 25 developed GTN. Among the 80 SR patients, 7 (8.7 percent) initially showed hCG concentrations above normal but eventually achieved remission. All the 25 GTN patients showed deviation from the normal hCG curve at 3.84±2.57 weeks and reached plateau or rise at 8.40±2.94 weeks (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: the normal regression curve of post-molar hCG is useful in the early diagnosis of GTN.

Tratamento da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional resistente ao metotrexate / Treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia resistant to methotrexate

O presente estudo tem como objetivo revisar o tratamento da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional resistente à quimioterapia primária de acordo com as proposições dos centros de referência relatadas na literatura, e também o consenso da FIGO (2003). Neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional é extremamente responsiva à quimioterapia apropriada, no entanto o fenômeno da quimiorresistência é observado em 10 a 30 porcento dos casos. Constatada a resistência ao metotrexate, deve ser feito o reestadiamento da paciente segundo padronização da FIGO 2000, e sendo de baixo risco, o tratamento recomendado é agente único alternativo, actinomicina-D. Se houver resistência à segunda linha de agente único de quimioterapia, indica-se tratamento com quimioterapia combinada, de acordo com o protocolo de cada serviço. A histerectomia é opção oferecida à paciente com neoplasia trofoblástica e quimiorresistência, entretanto é necessária cuidadosa investigação de metástases antes da cirurgia. O encaminhamento antecipado para centros de referência otimiza o tratamento das pacientes, possibilitando abordagem multidisciplinar, identificação precoce de resistência e mudança rápida para novo protocolo de quimioterapia.

Gravidez após quimioterapia para neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional / Pregnancy after chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Desde que a quimioterapia foi efetivamente comprovada para o tratamento da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional, agentes antiblásticos têm sido considerados como alternativa à histerectomia. O aumento do uso destes recursos como modalidade de tratamento primário e o desenvolvimento de quimioterapia segura têm permitido a grande número de mulheres manter o potencial reprodutivo a despeito da exposição aos quimioterápicos, mutagênicos e teratogênicos em animais e humanos que os recebem no início da gravidez. Não obstante, a magnitude do risco para a mãe e o concepto após exposição aos agentes antineoplásicos ainda não está bem estabelecida. É objetivo deste artigo rever os resultados de gestações ocorridas após quimioterapia para neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional.

Tumor de células germinativas de testículo simulando câncer de pâncreas / Testicular germ cell tumor mimicking pancreatic cancer

Durante as últimas duas décadas, os tumores de células germinativas de origem gonadal ou extragonadal se transformaram no modelo de tumor sólido curável, principalmente em função da boa sensibilidade à quimioterapia baseada em cisplatina. Em cerca de 90 por cento dos casos, se apresentam com sintomas testiculares e nos casos restantes em função de metástases. Apresentamos um caso atípico que simulou inicialmente um câncer de pâncreas, atrasando o diagnóstico. Salientamos a importância de se pensar em tumor de células germinativas, principalmente em homens jovens com icterícia obstrutiva e massa em topografia de pâncreas, já que um linfonodo retroperitoneal metastático pode simular um tumor primário em pâncreas, tanto clinicamente como aos exames de imagem.Sabendo ser um câncer com tendência a rápido crescimento, mas curável em grande parte dos casos, o atraso no diagnóstico pode dificultar o tratamento de um paciente em condições inadequadas.