Bone scan positivity in non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer: external validation study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tables predicting the probability of a positive bone scan in men with non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer have recently been reported. We performed an external validation study of these bone scan positivity tables. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients seen at a tertiary care medical center (1996-2012) to select patients with non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Abstracted data included demographic, anthropometric, and disease-specific data such as patient race, BMI, PSA kinetics, and primary treatment. Primary outcome was metastasis on bone scan. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using generalized estimating equations to adjust for repeated measures. Risk table performance was assessed using ROC curves. Results: We identified 6.509 patients with prostate cancer who had received hormonal therapy with a post-hormonal therapy PSA ≥2ng/mL, 363 of whom had non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Of these, 187 patients (356 bone scans) had calculable PSA kinetics and ≥1 bone scan. Median follow-up after castrate-resistant prostate cancer diagnosis was 32 months (IQR: 19-48). There were 227 (64%) negative and 129 (36%) positive bone scans. On multivariable analysis, higher PSA at castrate-resistant prostate cancer (4.67 vs. 4.4ng/mL, OR=0.57, P=0.02), shorter time from castrate-resistant prostate cancer to scan (7.9 vs. 14.6 months, OR=0.97, P=0.006) and higher PSA at scan (OR=2.91, P <0.0001) were significantly predictive of bone scan positivity. The AUC of the previously published risk tables for predicting scan positivity was 0.72. Conclusion: Previously published risk tables predicted bone scan positivity in men with non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer with reasonable accuracy.

Overall survival prediction in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with radium-223

ABSTRACT Objective Radium-223(223Ra) is indicated for patients (p) with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRCP). Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of baseline clinical variables associated with overall survival (OS) and toxicity of 223Ra. Its purpose was to identify the factors that can predict a better response to treatment and provide information regarding the most appropriate time for the application of 223Ra. Materials and Methods Prospective study in 40p with mCRPC treated with 223Ra. End points were OS, progression-free survival and time to progression. The follow-up parameters were: doses received, hemoglobin (Hb), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), platelet count (PC), prostate specific antigen (PSA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and WHO's Cancer Pain Ladder. The use of other treatments was also evaluated. Results Median OS was 17.1 months(mo) (CI95%6.5-27.7); 26/40p received complete treatment of 223Ra, without reaching a median OS and 14p received incomplete treatment with a median OS 13.6mo(CI95%1.6-25.6). Median follow-up was 11.2mo (range:1.3-45.2). The univariate analysis showed that factors as VAS, ECOG, Hb and ALP values were independently associated with OS. First line treatment with 223Ra was started in 11/40p, while 19p had been heavily pre-treated and 13p received concomitant treatment. Conclusions 223Ra therapy require an adequate selection of patients to obtain the greatest clinical benefit. Low basal Hb, hight basal ALP, bone marrow involvement and an altered ECOG were the main factors that decreased OS in our patients. 223Ra should be considered relatively early in the course of treatment.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pelvic tumors submitted to surgical treatment / Características epidemiológicas dos pacientes com tumores pélvicos submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico

ABSTRACT Objective: Describe the epidemiological profile of patients with primary or secondary neoplastic lesions in the pelvis who required a surgical procedure such as hemipelvectomy. Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated 69 patients located in the database of a São Paulo educational institution, subject to surgical hemipelvectomy treatment between January 1990 and December 2013. All patients had previous diagnosis of bone tumor (primary or metastatic) in the pelvis (ilium, ischium, pubis, and/or sacrum). Results: Analyzing the data obtained in this study, it was observed that these are partly similar to those found in the literature, with primary bone malignancies as the main diagnosis; general injuries affecting the pelvic area I (pelvic bone) and its most frequent complication, infection. The differences are mainly due to rarity of the bone tumors evaluated in this study, and the type of surgical procedure in question, which is even more unusual. Conclusion: Building a picture that conveys the reality of each diagnosis and that indicates which characteristics of these patients would better resemble an absolute or relative indication for the realization of hemipelvectomy is harder by the rarity of these cases.

RESUMO Objetivo: Traçar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com lesões neoplásicas na pelve, primárias ou secundárias, para as quais foi necessário procedimento cirúrgico do tipo hemipelvectomia. Métodos: Foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, 69 pacientes localizados no banco de dados de uma instituição de ensino de São Paulo, submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico tipo hemipelvectomia entre janeiro de 1990 e dezembro de 2013. Todos os pacientes apresentavam diagnóstico prévio de tumor ósseo (primário ou metastático) na pelve (ílio, ísquio, púbis e/ou sacro). Resultados: Ao analisar os dados obtidos no presente estudo, observou-se que esses são em parte semelhantes aos encontrados na literatura mundial, apresentam como principal diagnóstico as neoplasias malignas ósseas primárias. Em geral, as lesões acometeram a zona I pélvica (osso ilíaco) e a complicação mais frequentemente observada foi a infecção. As diferenças encontradas são devidas principalmente à raridade dos tumores ósseos avaliados nesses estudos e ao tipo de procedimento cirúrgico em questão, esses ainda mais incomuns. Conclusão: Construir um panorama que transmita a realidade de cada diagnóstico e indique quais as características que esses pacientes apresentam que mais se aproximariam como indicações relativas ou absolutas para o procedimento de hemipelvectomia encontra na raridade desses casos o seu maior obstáculo.

Análise bioética do uso de protocolos clínicos de oncologia em adolescentes / Bioethical analysis of the use of clinical oncologic protocols in adolescents

Os protocolos clínicos são recomendações normativas atreladas a várias abordagens terapêuticas que tomaram por bases os estudos que têm a medicina baseada em evidências para compor as suas estruturações. Nesse contexto, os protocolos clínicos em adultos são utilizados em várias especialidades médicas, notadamente na oncologia, com conflitos bioéticos descritos ao longo de sua história e aplicação. Apesar das limitações inerentes às suas bases de estruturação, os protocolos clínicos têm suas utilidades defendidas incorporadas à prática médica, como meios para justificar as ações trazendo-os até o campo da relação médico-paciente na tomada de decisão. O câncer infanto-juvenil é considerado raro, sendo necessário a reunião de centros nacionais e internacionais em prol da padronização de protocolos clínicos específicos. Há conflitos relacionados ao uso dos protocolos clínicos de primeira linha, atrelados a situações de vulnerabilidade causadas pelo contexto social de desigualdades que os adolescentes e seus pais vivem. Nesse cenário, o impacto do câncer restringe ainda mais o exercício da autonomia desses adolescentes, numa fase de desenvolvimento de suas capacidades para sua sobrevida no futuro. Esse estudo tem por objetivo a análise bioética na aplicação de protocolos clínicos de primeira escolha em adolescentes com tumores sólidos numa unidade hospitalar de oncologia pediátrica, tendo como referências nacionais e internacionais de livros, web sites e artigos científicos em revistas especializadas nos últimos cinco anos. O método utilizado foi qualitativo por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas de oito oncologistas pediátricos, dezesseis pais e cinco adolescentes de idades entre 14 a 17 anos. Os resultados encontrados evidenciam conflitos na aplicação dos protocolos clínicos que limitam o exercício da autonomia de todos os participantes, e que nos adolescentes é agravado pelo impacto e tratamento da doença associados a desigualdade social que vivenciam e que compromete sua perspectiva de sobrevida com qualidade de vida e desenvolvimento do cuidado de si

Clinical protocols are normative recommendations tied to various therapeutic approaches that have taken the basis of studies that have evidence-based medicine to compose their structures. In this context, clinical protocols in adults are used in several medical specialties, notably in oncology with bioethical conflicts described throughout its history and application. Despite the inherent limitations of their structuring bases, the clinical protocols remain with their incorporated uses incorporated into medical practice, as means to justify the actions bringing them to the field of the doctor-patient relationship in the decision-making. Childhood and adolescent cancer is considered rare, and it is necessary to gather national and international centers for the standardization of specific clinical protocols. There are conflicts related to the use of first-line clinical protocols, linked to situations of vulnerability caused by the social context of inequalities that adolescents and their parents live. In this scenario, the impact of cancer further restricts the exercise of autonomy of these adolescents, in a phase of developing their capacities for their survival in the future. This study has as its objective the bioethical analysis in the application of clinical protocols of first choice in adolescents with solid tumors in the hospital unit of pediatric oncology, with national and international reference books, web sites and scientific articles in specialized journals in the last 5 years. The method used was qualitative semi-structured interviews of eight pediatric oncologists, sixteen parents and five adolescents from ages 14 to 17 years. The results highlight conflicts in the application of clinical protocols that limit the exercise of autonomy of all participants, and that in adolescents is compounded by the impact and treatment of the disease associated with social inequality experience and which compromises your prospect of survival with the quality of life and developing the care of themselves

Incidencia de fracturas patológicas por metástasis en el fémur proximal en un hospital de concentración / Incidence of proximal femur pathologic fractures secondary to metastasis in a national reference orthopedic hospital

Resumen: Objetivo: Reportar la incidencia de fracturas en terreno patológico secundarias a metástasis que se presentaron en un hospital de referencia nacional en un período de cinco años. Métodos: Se registraron los ingresos totales a nuestro centro, así como los pacientes que satisficieran la condición de presentar una fractura de fémur proximal en terreno patológico. Con base en información oficial, se calculó el tamaño de población derechohabiente potencial de acuerdo al área de influencia. Con base en los datos se hizo el cálculo de la incidencia anual y de la densidad de incidencia. Resultados: Se identificaron 98 fracturas en 95 individuos. El cálculo de la densidad de incidencia fue de 0.70/100,000 personas durante el período de observación. Se incluyeron 54 sujetos femeninos y 41 masculinos con un promedio de edad de 65.3 años, aunque el rango fue muy variable (de 18 a 90 años). La mayor parte de las personas presentó metástasis por tumores sólidos. De los casos, 29% fue tratado de manera conservadora y el resto requirió tratamiento quirúrgico que incluyó desde osteosíntesis hasta artroplastía protésica. El promedio de estancia hospitalaria fue ligeramente mayor a una semana. Conclusiones: La incidencia reportada es relativamente baja. Encontramos una gran variedad de orígenes y localizaciones anatómicas. No se puede, al momento, generalizar tratamientos o predecir supervivencia.

Abstract: Objective: To report the incidence of pathological fractures secondary to metastasis at a national referral hospital during a 5-year period. Methods: Total admissions to our center were recorded, together with the patients who met the requirement of having a proximal femur fracture in a pathological area. The potential number of beneficiaries was estimated based on official figures and the hospital's area of influence. The annual incidence rate and the incidence density were calculated using the latter data. Results: 98 fractures were identified in 95 patients. The calculated incidence density was 0.70/100,000 population during the observation period. Fifty-four female patients and 41 male patients were included. Mean age was 65.3 years, with a very wide age range (18-90 years). Most patients had metastasis of solid tumors. Twenty-nine percent of patients were treated conservatively and the rest of them required surgery that included from osteosynthesis to prosthetic arthroplasty. The mean length of stay was over one week. Conclusions: The reported incidence of this type of fractures is relatively low. We found a wide variety of anatomical origins and locations. As of now, it is not possible to generalize the treatment or predict the survival.

Serum alkaline phosphatase predicts survival outcomes in patients with skeletal metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Bone metastasis is frequently associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The diagnosis and follow-up of bone metastatic patients usually relies on skeletal X-ray and bone scintigraphy, which are time-consuming and costly. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum alkaline phosphatase offers clinical value in predicting the clinical response and survival outcome for skeletal metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Serum alkaline phosphatase was measured at baseline and then before each cycle of treatment in 416 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with bone metastasis. The correlations between the pre-treatment and post-treatment alkaline phosphatase levels and the treatment efficacy were analyzed using the chi-square test. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and then compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Patients with elevated pre-treatment alkaline phosphatase (>110 IU/L) had significantly worse progression-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P<0.001) than those with a normal level of this marker (≤110 IU/L). Patients with elevated post-treatment alkaline phosphatase had worse progression-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P<0.001) compared with those with a normal level. Patients with normal pre-treatment and post-treatment alkaline phosphatase showed the most favorable prognosis. The Cox multivariate analysis revealed that only the pre-treatment and post-treatment alkaline phosphatase levels were independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival (HR ϝ 1.656, P<0.001; HR ϝ 2.226, P<0.001) and for overall survival (HR ϝ 1.794, P<0.001; HR ϝ 2.657, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum alkaline phosphatase appears to be a significant independent prognostic index in patients with skeletal metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which could reflect the short-term treatment response ...

Coordinated hospital-home care for kidney patients on hemodialysis from the perspective of nursing personnel / Cuidado coordenado hospital-domicílio para pacientes renais em hemodiálise sob a perspectiva do profissional de enfermagem / Cuidado coordinado hospital-hogar para enfermos renales en hemodiálisis desde la perspectiva del personal de enfermería

OBJECTIVE: To examine, from the nursing perspective, the needs and challenges of coordinated hospital-home care for renal patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: A qualitative analysis was conducted with an ethnographic approach in a hemodialysis unit in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Semistructured interviews were conducted with nine nurses, selected by purposeful sampling. Structured content analysis was used. RESULTS: Nurses recounted the needs and challenges involved in caring for renal patients. They also identified barriers that limit coordinated patient care in the hospital and the home, mainly the work overload at the hemodialysis unit and the lack of a systematic strategy for education and lifelong guidance to patients, their families and caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the importance and necessity of establishing a strategy that goes beyond conventional guidance provided to caregivers of renal patients, integrating them into the multidisciplinary group of health professionals that provide care for these patients in the hospital to establish coordinated hospital-home care that increases therapeutic adherence, treatment substitution effectiveness and patient quality of life. .

OBJETIVO: estudar, sob a perspectiva do enfermeiro, as necessidades e desafios do cuidado coordenado hospital-domicílio no atendimento a pacientes renais em hemodiálise. MÉTODOS: foi realizada uma análise qualitativa, com abordagem etnográfica, em uma unidade de hemodiálise em San Luis Potosí, México. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com nove enfermeiros, selecionados através de amostragem proposital. Foi utilizada uma análise de conteúdo estruturado. RESULTADOS: os enfermeiros relatam necessidades e desafios envolvidos nos cuidados de pacientes renais. Também apontam barreiras que limitam os cuidados do paciente no hospital e em casa, de maneira coordenada, principalmente a sobrecarga de trabalho na unidade de hemodiálise e a falta de uma estratégia sistemática para educação e orientação vitalícia dos pacientes, familiares e cuidadores. CONCLUSÕES: este estudo mostra a importância e a necessidade de se estabelecer uma estratégia além da orientação convencional fornecida a cuidadores de pacientes renais, integrando-os ao grupo multidisciplinar de profissionais de saúde que prestam atendimento a esses pacientes no hospital, para um cuidado coordenado hospital-domicílio, aumentando a adesão à terapêutica, eficácia do tratamento de substituição e qualidade de vida do paciente. .

OBJETIVO: examinar, desde la perspectiva del personal de enfermería, las necesidades y desafíos del cuidado coordinado hospital-hogar en la atención a enfermos renales en hemodiálisis. MÉTODOS: se realizó una evaluación cualitativa con enfoque etnográfico en una unidad de hemodiálisis en San Luis Potosí, México. Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve enfermeras, seleccionadas mediante muestreo intencional. Se empleó análisis de contenido estructurado. RESULTADOS: el personal de enfermería refiere las necesidades y desafíos que implica el cuidado al enfermo renal. Señalan también las barreras que limitan el cuidado del enfermo en el hospital y en el hogar de manera coordinada, principalmente, la sobrecarga de trabajo en la unidad de hemodiálisis y la falta de una estrategia sistemática para la educación y orientación permanente a los enfermos, sus familiares y cuidadores. CONCLUSIONES: este estudio muestra la importancia y necesidad de establecer una estrategia que supere la orientación convencional que se brinda a los cuidadores de enfermos renales, integrándolos al grupo multidisciplinar de profesionales de la salud que brindan atención a estos enfermos en el hospital, para establecer un cuidado coordinado hospital-hogar que permita incrementar la adhesión a la terapéutica, la efectividad del tratamiento sustitutivo y la calidad de vida del enfermo. .

Response to sorafenib treatment in advanced metastatic thyroid cancer / Resposta ao tratamento com sorafenibe em pacientes com carcinoma metastático de tireoide

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of sorafenib in progressive radioiodine resistant metastatic thyroid carcinoma.Subjects and methods: Off-label observational study. Sorafenib 400 mg twice daily was evaluated. Therapy duration was 12 ± 3 months (range 6-16 months).Results: Eight patients were included (seven papillary, one insular variant). The eight patients meeting study criteria received sorafenib 400 mg orally twice a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity developed. One patient showed a partial response with tumor regression of -35%, six months after the beginning of the treatment; five patients exhibited stable disease and two patients had progressive disease and died. Thyroglobulin decreased within 4 weeks in all patients by 50% ± 23%.Adverse events: one patient had heart failure, and recovered after sorafenib withdrawal. However, she died five months later of sudden death.Conclusion: These data suggest a possible role for sorafenib in the treatment of progressive metastatic DTC. Adverse event are usually manageable, but severe ones may appear and these patients should be strictly controlled.

Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia do sorafenibe no carcinoma de tireoide metastático progressivo e refratário à iodoterapia.Sujeitos e métodos: Estudo observacional do efeito do sorafenibe off-label administrado 400 mg duas vezes ao dia. A duração da terapia foi de 12 ± 3 meses (variação de 6-16 meses).Resultados: Oito pacientes foram incluídos (sete com variante papilífera e um com variante insular). Os oito pacientes que preencheram os critérios do estudo receberam o sorafenibe 400 mg por via oral duas vezes por dia até progressão da doença ou toxicidade inaceitável. Um paciente apresentou uma resposta parcial com regressão tumoral da lesão alvo de 35% seis meses após o início do tratamento; cinco pacientes apresentaram doença estável e dois pacientes progrediram e morreram. A tireoglobulina diminuiu 50% ± 23% em 4 semanas em todos os pacientes.Eventos adversos: um paciente teve insuficiência cardíaca e morreu por morte súbita cinco meses após a retirada do sorafenibe.Conclusão: Esses dados sugerem um possível papel para sorafenibe para o tratamento do CDT metastático progressivo.

Implicações sociais enfrentadas pelas famílias que possuem pacientes com sarcoma ósseo / Social implications faced by bone sarcoma patients' families

O grupo de oncologia ortopédica proporciona atendimento médico e psicossocial aos pacientes internados e em tratamento ambulatorial, portadores de tumores músculos-esqueléticos. Nesta pesquisa, nosso objetivo foi conhecer o perfil socioeconômico dos paciente-familiares e as mudanças ocorridas após a constatação do diagnóstico. A amostra foi composta por 25 famílias de pacientes com osteossarcoma de membro inferior. A pesquisa ocorreu no período de setembro a outubro/2005, através de formulários com questões fechadas e abertas, utilizando para análise qualitativa o discurso do sujeito coletivo. O estudo foi prospectivo, descritivo, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Dos entrevistados, 68 por cento eram do sexo feminino, 44 por cento destes eram genitoras; 76 por cento estavam trabalhando e 28 por cento possuíam vínculo empregatício. 60 por cento possuía renda entre 2 a 5 salários mínimos. Após o diagnóstico, 92 por cento tiveram aumento de gastos; 80 por cento apresentaram dificuldade com a quimioterapia; 56 por cento relacionam o transporte como dificultador para aderir ao tratamento. 100 por cento desesperaram-se diante da descoberta do câncer. O câncer ocasiona mudanças nos papéis dos membros da família. Existe o receio da recidiva da doença que leva a família a ter medo da morte, fazendo-se necessário um trabalho em conjunto com a equipe multiprofissional.

The orthopaedic oncology group provides medical and psychosocial care to patients, both in hospital and outpatient facilities, with musculoskeletal tumors. With this research we aimed to know the socioeconomical profile of the patients/ families, as well as the changes occurred after such diagnosis is received. The sample was constituted of 25 families of patients with osteosarcoma on lower limbs. The study was conducted between September and October 2005 by means of forms containing open and closed questions, using the collective subject speech for qualitative analysis. The study had a prospective, descriptive design with quanti-qualitative approach. Among the respondents, 68 percent were females including 44 percent of mothers; 76 percent worked, and 28 percent of these had formal jobs. 60 percent had a family income amounting 2-5 minimum wages. After diagnosis, 92 percent faced increased expenses; 80 percent reported challenges with the chemotherapy; 56 percent mention transportation as the major factor affecting compliance to treatment. 100 percent feel desperate when they first know they have cancer. Cancer causes changes in family members' roles. There is always the fear of recurrence, which ultimately lead the family to fear death, thus requiring a joint effort with a multidisciplinary team.

Retrospective evaluation of bone pain palliation after samarium-153-EDTMP therapy

OBJETIVO: O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito paliativo da dor e a toxicidade medular associados ao tratamento com Samário-153-EDTMP em pacientes com metástases ósseas. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado de forma retrospectiva, a partir do levantamento de prontuário de 178 pacientes submetidos a tratamento com 1mCi/kg de 153Sm-EDTMP devido à dor por metástases ósseas. Os prontuários de 73 pacientes foram considerados adequados para análise dos parâmetros clínicos (intensidade da dor) e laboratoriais (hemograma). A intensidade da dor foi avaliada em escala de 0 a 10 pelo próprio paciente, antes e durante 8 semanas após o tratamento. Hemograma completo foi realizado antes do tratamento e a cada semana nas 8 semanas seguintes. Estudos de dosimetria foram realizados em 41 dos 73 pacientes, baseados na excreção urinária e retenção do radioisótopo, sendo a dose de radiação absorvida correlacionada à toxicidade medular. RESULTADOS: Redução importante na intensidade da dor (diminuição de 75 a 100% do basal) foi constatada em 36 pacientes (49%), com redução de 50-75%, 25-50% e 0-25% em, respectivamente, 20 (27%), 10 (14%) e 7 (10%) casos. Não se observou variação significativa da resposta entre os pacientes com tumor primário de mama (n=29) ou de próstata (n=36). Toxicidade medular foi observada em 75,3% dos pacientes (71,2% com leucopenia e 53,4% com plaquetopenia), em geral de grau leve a moderado e com recuperação ao término da 8º semana. A dose média de medula foi de 347±65 cGy, havendo baixa correlação entre a dosimetria medular e a queda da contagem de leucócitos (coeficiente de correlação linear de 0,40) ou de plaquetas (coeficiente de correlação linear = 0,48). CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento com Samário-153-EDTMP permitiu um adequado controle da dor por metástases ósseas, com significativa redução na intensidade da dor. A toxicidade medular transitória foi a principal reação adversa observada, em geral de grau leve a moderado, apresentando baixa correlação com as medidas dosimétricas.

Occult breast carcinoma presenting with axillary lymph node metastases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Occult primary breast carcinoma is uncommon. Most reported series encompass a large periods of time with great variability in diagnostic and treatment approaches. The objective of the present study was to review the recent experience with this type of presentation of breast cancer in the University of Alabama at Birmingham. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinicopathological data of female patients presenting with axillary metastasis of adenocarcinoma with unknown primary and normal clinical and mammographic breast exam seen at UAB between 1985 and 1998. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified. Mean age was 56 years. Sixty per cent were white and postmenopausal. All patients had biopsy proven adenocarcinoma consistent with breast primary. All but one patient underwent an axillary dissection. Nine out of ten patients received some type of local treatment to the breast. Three of them underwent mastectomy and no invasive carcinoma was demonstrated in the surgical specimens. Six patients received radiation therapy to the breast. All patients received chemotherapy. With mean follow-up time of 48 months, two patients developed local recurrence to the axilla and four developed distant metastasis and eventually died. At last follow-up six patients are alive with no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: In presence of axillary metastasis from an unknown breast primary, an extensive work-up evaluation is not necessary. An axillary dissection is recommended to provide prognostic indicators as well as local control. A breast conservation approach seems to be feasible without affect the local control and survival.

The use of a modular titanium endoprosthesis in skeletal reconstructions after bone tumor resections: method presentation and analysis of 37 cases

We analyzed 37 patients who underwent segmental wide resection of bone tumors and reconstruction with a modular titanium endoprosthesis at the Orthopaedic Oncology Group, between 1992 and 1998. Twelve patients were male and 25 were female, with a mean age of 30 years (9 - 81). The mean follow-up was 14 months (2 - 48). The diagnoses were: steosarcoma (14 cases), metastatic carcinoma (10), Ewing's sarcoma (4), giant cell tumor (4), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (3), chondrosarcoma (1), and aneurysmal bone cyst (1). Eleven articulated total knee, 8 partial proximal femur with bipolar acetabulum, 8 partial proximal humerus, 3 total femur, 2 partial proximal tibia, 2 diaphyseal femur, 2 diaphyseal humerus, and 1 total proximal femur with cementless acetabulum endoprosthesis implant procedures were done. The complications related to the procedure included: infection (5 cases), dislocation (3), module loosening (1), and ulnar nerve paresthesia (1). We used the following criteria for the clinical evaluation: presence of pain, range of motion, reconstruction stability, surgical and oncologic complications, and patient acceptance. The results were good in 56.8 per cent of the cases, regular in 32.4 per cent and poor in 10.8 per cent.

Epidemiología de las neoplasias malignas en niños residentes del Distrito Federal (1982-1991) / Epidemiology of malignant neoplasia in children from Mexico City (1982-1991)

Introducción. Poco se conoce en México sobre la epidemiología de las neoplasias malignas en niños. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la incidencia, tendencia y otras características epidemiológicas de las neoplasias malignas en niños residentes del Distrito Federal (DF) durante el período 1982-1991. Material y métodos. Tipo de estudio: encuesta hospitalaria. población de estudio: expedientes de los 6 principales hospitales que atienden niños con neoplasias malignas en el DF. Resultados. Se estudió un total de 1069 casos. Hubo una tendencia al incremento de las neoplasias (tasa en 1982 de 24.08 y en 1991 de 69.8 x 10 6); asimismo hubo tendencia para las leucemias, enfermedad de Hodgkin, histiocitosis, tumores del sistema nervioso central (TSNC), óseos y de células germinales (TCG). La relación hombre/mujer fue de 1.4. En 1991 la incidencia más alta fue para los niños menores de 5 años; para este año la incidencia más alta fue para las leucemias (23.3), linfomas (10.8), retinoblastoma (6.2), TSNC y TCG (5.8). La incidencia más alta se encontró en las delegaciones Benito Juárez e Iztacalco; la edad más frecuente de los padres fue entre 20 y 30 años; las ocupaciones más frecuentes fueron obreros y profesionista; el antecedente familiar de cáncer fue del 16.9 por ciento. El 96.8 por ciento de los casos nació de embarazo de términó y sólo el 5.8 por ciento nació con bajo peso. Conclusiones. Se encontró una incidencia menor a la reportada mundialmente, pero una tendencia al incremento. La mayor incidencia se encontró en los niños menores de 5 años: Asimismo, se encontró consistencia con el patrón latinoamericano de neoplasias y otros datos consistentes con lo reportado en la literatura internacional