Differential diagnosis of mesenchymal neoplasms of the digestive tract by cell block and immunohistochemistry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of the cell block (CB) technique with immunohistochemistry in patients with mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract collected by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). METHODS: Tissue samples from consecutive patients with subepithelial lesions collected by EUS-FNA, without analysis by on-site cytopathology, were evaluated by the same pathologist only using CBs in AAF fixative. Sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and underwent complementary immunohistochemical staining for SMA, CD117, DOG-1 and S100 in the presence of mesenchymal neoplasms. Specimens were defined as diagnostic when sufficient tissue was present for histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry analysis. If they were insufficient for complete evaluation, the specimens were considered nondiagnostic. RESULTS: Between September 2012 and December 2016, a total of 158 patients (median age: 57 years, 64.5% women) underwent EUS-FNA with an average of three needle passes for every lesion. The median lesion size was 17 mm. There were 113 mesenchymal neoplasms confirmed by immunohistochemistry (66 leiomyomas, 44 GISTs, two schwannomas, one leiomyosarcoma). The overall diagnostic yield of CBs was 84.17%. However, diagnosis was obtained in 98.5% (133/135) of the cases after exclusion of 23 cases in which EUS-FNA sampling was insufficient or without tumoural tissue. Only two mesenchymal neoplasms were not confirmed by CBs even after immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: CBs collected by EUS-FNA and analysed by immunohistochemistry showed a high diagnostic yield in patients with mesenchymal neoplasms, even without on-site cytopathology.

End-to-end versus end-to-side motor and sensory neurorrhaphy in the repair of the acute muscle denervation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to experimentally compare end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy in perineural window model after motor nerve lesion, evaluating which one was the most effective to preserve nerves. Also, differences in motor and sensorial nerve regeneration were tested to verify differences in nerve regeneration. METHODS: A total of 20 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups, and, in each one, a different treatment was performed: besides the control group, and end-to-end or end-to-side graft with motor or sensorial nerves was performed. Silastic sheet was used as a mechanical barrier to prevent innervation from adjacent nerves. After 16 weeks, the specimens were histologically assessed and wet weight was evaluated as a direct parameter of atrophy. RESULTS: The end-to-end neurorrhaphy group presented the best results in terms of mass preservation, but it did not differ significantly from the control group. Motor nerves presented similar results in muscular atrophy. The end-to-side neurorrhaphy group with sensory nerve as donor showed the worst results. CONCLUSIONS: The use of sensory nerves to preserve skeletal muscle trophism is not justified, since, according to our model, it affects 50% to 80% of the muscle mass in a period of 16 weeks. End-to-side neurorrhaphy was demonstrated to be an option for re-enervation of a nerve-deprived motor muscle in selected cases.

Immunohistochemical assessment of symptomatic postmenopausal endometrial polyps in tamoxifen users and nonusers: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial polyps are common in postmenopausal women, and the effect of tamoxifen use (a risk factor for endometrial polyps) on their pathogenesis is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of hormone receptors and markers for proliferation/apoptosis (Ki-67 and Bcl-2) in endometrial polyps in postmenopausal users and nonusers of tamoxifen. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study in a tertiary-level academic hospital. METHODS: 46 women (14 tamoxifen users and 32 nonusers) with postmenopausal bleeding underwent hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps. Polyp samples were immunohistochemically assessed for detection of Ki-67, Bcl-2 and estrogen and progesterone receptors. RESULTS: Analysis on the glandular component of the polyps revealed progesterone receptor expression in the polyps of 96.9% of the nonusers of tamoxifen, and 92.3% of the tamoxifen users (P = 0.499). All polyps in nonusers and 92.3% of those in users were also positive for estrogen receptors (P = 0.295). Ki-67 was expressed in 75% of the polyps in the tamoxifen users and 82.8% of those in the nonusers. All endometrial polyps expressed Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS: The immunohistochemical analysis on endometrial polyps demonstrated that, although tamoxifen is considered to be a risk factor for endometrial polyps, there were no significant differences in the expression of hormone receptors between users and nonusers of tamoxifen. There were no between-group differences in Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression, and all patients displayed inhibition of apoptosis by Bcl-2, thus supporting the theory that polyps develop due to inhibition of apoptosis, and not through cell proliferation.

MnSOD gene polymorphism association with steroid-dependent cancer.

Oxidative stress enhances carcinogenesis due to DNA damage. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) Val16Ala polymorphism has been recently associated with breast and prostate cancer. The role of oxidative stress in male breast cancer is poorly investigated due to the low prevalence of this neoplasia. We studied the relationship between prostate cancer (PC), male (MBC) and female breast cancer (FBC) and this polymorphism in a case-control study. Human genetic polymorphism Val16Ala of MnSOD was obtained from blood and paraffin-embedded tumor samples. The polymorphism was determined in 11 cases of MBC, 51 cases of PC, 89 cases of FBC and 372 age-adjusted healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques using restriction enzyme Hae III. Chi-square or Fisher test were used to compare the MnSOD frequency distribution. The observed genotypic frequencies of all samples were AA = 9.6% (n = 50), VV = 25.4% (n = 133) and AV = 64% (n = 340), all at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Breast and prostate cancer risk was elevated in male and female patients with the Ala/Ala genotype compared to controls (p = 0.006, odds ratio = 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.393-4.541). Even though the frequency of the Ala allele was low (9.6%) in the studied population, these data support the hypothesis that MnSOD and oxidative stress play a significant role in breast cancer risk both in males and females and also brings new information on the role of this polymorphism in prostate cancer. This is the first study which provides some evidence that genetic polymorphism in the MnSOD gene may be associated with an increased risk of male breast cancer. Studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the findings.

Prognostic value of the immunohistochemistry correlation of Ki-67 and p53 in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx.

UNLABELLED: Prognostic histological factors may contribute to determine the evolution of this neoplasia. AIM: To correlate p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression with age, histological degree, lymph node involvement and pathological staging in patients with laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas. METHODS: We assessed thirty consecutive cases of laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas submitted to immunohistochemistry to check the expression of p53 e Ki-67 antibodies. RESULTS: Mean age was of 56.2 years and the immunoexpression of the markers was observed in the group with more than 50 years of age, especially that o the ki-67 antibody (p=0.032). There was no relation between p53 and Ki-67 with lymph node involvement. Ki-67 was expressed in 70% of the high histology level cases and in 80% in the low histology ones; while p53 was of 70% only in the high level cases. Pathology staging showed that in the group of advanced carcinomas, p53 expression was of 61.5%, while Ki-67 proved positive for the early cases (100%) and advanced (73.1%). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between p53 and Ki-67 immunoexpression in laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma, except in the group of patients with more than 50 years of age, when Ki-67 expression was significantly higher.

Immunohistochemical expression of p16 and p53 in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

This study was undertaken to examine the expression of p16 and p53 in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vulva. We also analyzed the relationship between p16 and p53 immunoexpression in women younger vs. older than 55 years of age. Seventyseven histologic samples of vulvar tissue, treated surgically between June 2000 and November 2004 at the Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa (Porto Alegre, Brazil), were investigated. We analyzed 28 cases of VIN, 37 cases of SCC and 12 normal vulvar tissues. The percentage of immunohistochemical positivity for p16 had the following distribution across the groups: VIN: 21.4% (6/28), cancer: 24.3% (9/37) and control: absent (p=0.202). p53 expression showed the following percentages: VIN: 60.7% (17/28), cancer: 18.9% (7/37) and control: 8.3% (1/12) (p=0.01). p16 expression in the cancer group (mean age: 63.4 years) was positive in 6 and 3 cases of women younger or older than 55 years, respectively (54.5% vs. 11.5%, p=0.01). p53 expression was not detected in young females with cancer, while it was expressed in 7/26 (26.9%) cases of the group of females older than 55 years of age (p=0.08). Our results suggest an increase in the immunohistochemical expression of p16 protein in young women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, and a possible association with a low expression of p53.

[Cox-2 and CD105 expression in breast cancer and disease-free survival]. / Expressão da cox-2 e CD105 no câncer de mama e sobrevida livre de doença.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the expression of CD105 in primary breast cancer, and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in primary breast cancer and in the respective axillary lymph nodes. METHODS: Seventy two women from 18 to 80 years of age, with a diagnosis of Ductal Infiltrative Breast Cancer, stage II, histological type non special, with their respective axillary lymph nodes were submitted to surgical treatment at the "Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição" between 2001 and 2002. Immunohistochemical analyses of CD 105 in the primary breast cancer and of COX 2 in the local axillary lymph node were compared for local recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 72 patients with primary tumors, 40 had positive axillary lymph nodes, while 32 were negative. For each primary tumor, only one lymph node was analyzed. . Fifteen patients had local recurrence after 26 months (CI 95% 24-28). Presence of COX-2 in the primary tumors was verified in 52 cases, and presence of CD105 in 34 cases. These independent prognostic factors were not correlated to local recurrence (P= 0.203 e P=0.145, respectively). The period free of local recurrence for patients with positive expression of COX-2 in axillary lymph nodes (with metastasis or not) was of 19 months, while patients with negative expression had a 28.3 months long period free of local recurrence. CONCLUSION: The positive expression of COX-2 in axillary lymph nodes (either positive or negative) seems to be an independent prognostic factor for local recurrence.

The role of ischemic preconditioning at the gracilis muscle of rats in the early phase of reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: Verify the role of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in ischemia and reperfusion injury on gracilis muscle of rats. METHODS: Wistar rats (n=30) were distributed in three groups, I/R and IPC groups were subdivided concerning ischemia time. A near-amputation model of the posterior limb was produced by a hip joint level incision, preserving the vascular bundle and the femur bone and ischemia was induced for 2 h and 4 h, G-I 2 h/R (n=6) and G-I 4 h/R (n=6), followed by 1 h of vascular reperfusion. The preconditioned groups, G-PCI 2 h (n=6) and G-PCI 4 h (n=6), were preceded by 3 cycles of 5 min of ischemia followed by 5 min of vascular reperfusion before sustained ischemia. In the Control Group, C-G (n=6) animals were subjected to regional approach. The analysis was done with Light Microscopy (LM). RESULTS: The levels of fibril fragmentation were progressive in the G-I 2 h/R (67% of muscle preservation) and in the G-I 4 h/R (0% of muscle preservation). However in the group of the precondition the lesion degree being in level similar to the group controls in the G-I 2 h/R (100% of muscle preservation) while at G-I 4 h/r occur less protection (67% of muscle preservation). The degree of tissue inflammatory reaction was worst at G-I 4 h/R (0% without inflammation signals) than at G-I 2 h/R (50% without inflammation signals); while in the precondition group G-IPC-2 h (83% without inflammation signals) was better than the G-IPC-4 h (67% without inflammation signals). The vascular stasis was absent only in 17% of the G-I 4 h/R and in 33% of the G-I 2 h/R. In precondition group, however, the vascular stasis was absent in 33% at G-IPC 2 h and absent in 50% at G-IPC 4 h. CONCLUSION: The IPC showed, in an earlier phase, a beneficial role at I/R derived injury on gracilis muscle of rats, as proven for the largest preservation of the fibers muscular, smaller inflammatory reaction and smaller vascular stasis.

Expression of Ki-67 and squamous intraepithelial lesions are related with HPV in endocervical adenocarcinoma.

To estimate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) status and the expression of p53, Ki-67 and bcl-2 in cases of endocervical adenocarcinoma, and the relation with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and age, 229 cases were selected, treated between 1995 and 2003 in the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao. All samples were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction to determine HPV status. Immunohistochemical technique was used to investigate the expression of p53, Ki-67 and bcl-2. The joint occurrence of endocervical adenocarcinoma and SIL were estimated too. In the 229 evaluated cases, 182 cases (79.48%) were associated with the presence of the HPV. The most common types were HPV18 (93 cases - 51.09%) and HPV16 (62 cases - 34.06%). Expression of Ki-67 (p=0.009) and the presence of SIL (p=0.018) were associated to HPV infection. Expression of p53 (p=0.647) and bcl-2 (p=0.671) were not related to HPV status. The mean age of the patients was 53.2 years, without clear correlation between age group and HPV (p=0.095). The presence of HPV, especially type 18 in endocervical adenocarcinoma suggests that this agent can be an important cofactor in the development and progression of glandular neoplasms of the uterine cervix. The joint occurrence of endocervical adenocarcinoma and SIL may support this hypothesis. HPV may promote an increased proliferation index in endocervical adenocarcinoma, shown by the expression of Ki-67.

Main prognostic and predictive immunohistochemical factors in breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Breast cancer is a constant focus of studies on prevention and treatment. Immunohistochemistry is a useful tool for defining the conducts toward the treatment of this disease. Objective: To evaluate patients' survival according to prognostic and predictive immunohistochemical factors. Method: This is a retrospective cohort study. Medical reports of 787 patients were analyzed, which contained parts of surgical specimens of the mastectomy or quadrantectomy procedures. A total of 404 patients were eligible for the study. Results: The mean age at diagnosis of the disease was 55.4 years. The main diagnosis was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (80.7%). Of the total, 45% of the patients had tumors of up to 2 cm in diameter, and 32.9% had lymph node involvement. Among the patients, and according to luminal molecular classification, 48.3% were classified as luminal A, 27% were luminal B, 12.1% were recipient of human epidermal growth factor type 2 (HER2), and 12.6% were triple-negative. Furthermore, of 23.3% patients with tumor recurrence, 12.6% of them died. The 1% increase in Ki-67 values increases the risk of death and recurrence by 2% and 1%, respectively. The presence of lymph node metastasis increases, on average, 4.78 times and 2.63 times the risk of death and recurrence, respectively. Conclusion: The triple negative molecular classification had the lowest overall survival and the greatest risk of recurrence. The luminal A classification presented the best prognosis. Tumor size, lymph node metastasis, skin invasion, and presence of Ki-67 were shown to be the prognostic and predictive factors that most influenced the patients' survival.

Analysis of pattern of occurrence of thyroid carcinoma between 2001 and 2010.

INTRODUCTION: An ongoing discussion is found in medical literature about the reasons for changes in thyroid carcinoma incidence patterns over the last decades. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of thyroid carcinoma cases over a decade. METHODS: Cross-sectional study over an historical cohort. Medical records of 628 thyroid cancer cases in a single center were reviewed. 597 patients were included. Microcarcinoma cases were selected for a qualitative analysis phase, in which medical records were reviewed for better understanding of thyroid nodule and thyroid cancer diagnosis process. RESULTS: An increase in the proportion of cases with thyroid cancer diagnosis was observed throughout the decade; new cases were predominantly tumors of less than 2 cm, with histopathological signs of low aggressiveness. There was an increase in proportion of cases with malignant cytological results among microcarcinomas. CONCLUSION: There is a trend for increase in thyroidectomies due to cancer in this institution, with proportional increment of cases with histopathological characteristics indicative of early disease. Among microcarcinomas, there is an increasing group represented by cancer cases that were not incidentally diagnosed, related to an enhancement in preoperative diagnostic methods.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: does the association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis affect the clinicopathological characteristics of the disease?

INTRODUCTION: Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignant thyroid neoplasm. The effect of the concurrent presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinoma remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and clinicopathological parameters in thyroid papillary carcinoma cases, based on an historical institutional cohort analysis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study obtained from a historical cohort, including all cases submitted to thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma in a single institution during an 11-year period study. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were enrolled; 148 (35.4%) also had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A female predominance among cases associated to Hashimoto's thyroiditis was observed. The thyroid tumor, in cases associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, had a smaller mean diameter, lower frequency of extra-thyroid extension, and earlier clinicopathological staging. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of papillary thyroid carcinoma cases are associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There are associations among these cases with several histopathological factors already recognized for their prognostic value, which by themselves could impact outcomes.

Predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in solitary papillary thyroid carcinomas: a retrospective study.

Identifying risk factors for neck lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is important for patient prognosis establishment. We conducted a retrospective study among 317 patients with solitary PTC. Factors associated with clinically evident LNM were evaluated. LNM were identified in 69 (21.7%) patients. Central compartment (17.3%) and lateral compartment (9.4%) were involved. Thyroid capsule invasion and extrathyroidal extension were found to be independent risk factors for both central and lateral compartment metastasis in multivariate analysis. Larger diameter was associated with central compartment metastasis in logistic regression model, whereas male gender only with lateral compartment metastasis. As closer tumors were positioned in relation to glandular capsule we expected rising rates of nodal spread. It was unlikely to find clinically evident neck LNM among patients with centrally located tumors.

Immunohistochemical assessment of symptomatic postmenopausal endometrial polyps in tamoxifen users and nonusers: a case control study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Endometrial polyps are common in postmenopausal women, and the effect of tamoxifen use (a risk factor for endometrial polyps) on their pathogenesis is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of hormone receptors and markers for proliferation/apoptosis (Ki-67 and Bcl-2) in endometrial polyps in postmenopausal users and nonusers of tamoxifen. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study in a tertiary-level academic hospital. METHODS: 46 women (14 tamoxifen users and 32 nonusers) with postmenopausal bleeding underwent hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps. Polyp samples were immunohistochemically assessed for detection of Ki-67, Bcl-2 and estrogen and progesterone receptors. RESULTS: Analysis on the glandular component of the polyps revealed progesterone receptor expression in the polyps of 96.9% of the nonusers of tamoxifen, and 92.3% of the tamoxifen users (P = 0.499). All polyps in nonusers and 92.3% of those in users were also positive for estrogen receptors (P = 0.295). Ki-67 was expressed in 75% of the polyps in the tamoxifen users and 82.8% of those in the nonusers. All endometrial polyps expressed Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS: The immunohistochemical analysis on endometrial polyps demonstrated that, although tamoxifen is considered to be a risk factor for endometrial polyps, there were no significant differences in the expression of hormone receptors between users and nonusers of tamoxifen. There were no between-group differences in Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression, and all patients displayed inhibition of apoptosis by Bcl-2, thus supporting the theory that polyps develop due to inhibition of apoptosis, and not through cell proliferation.

Mesenchymal stem cells and nanofibers as scaffolds for the regeneration of thyroid cartilage.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study has been to establish an alternative approach in the form of regeneration of the thyroid cartilage. STUDY DESIGN: Four 1-month old pigs (Sus scrofa) were used (divided into 3 groups) and submitted to general anesthetic to perform cervictomy with exposure of the thyroid cartilage in a total of 12 (twelve) samples. METHOD: A resection of 4.0 cm(2) of cartilage was carried out in the right upper region and in the left upper and lower left region of the cartilage, where a scaffold with or without stem cells was implanted. In the left lower region, no biomaterial was implanted and the defect was left open (lesion control [L]). RESULTS: The average extension of the cartilaginous neoformation of L group was 136.3 µm (± 9.6) and 387.7 µm (± 43.2) in the scaffold (SCA) group, presenting a significant statistical difference (P < 0.01). The analysis carried out on the lesion site sections of the cartilage of the larynx of the animals from the SCA group + mesenchymal stem cells (SCA+MSC) showed an average of the extension of neocartilage of 825.4 µm (± 122.1), showing a more extensive area of neocartilage when compared to the other groups. These results demonstrated a high significantly statistical difference (P < 0.001) when compared with the L and SCA groups. CONCLUSION: In 100% of the cases for which SCA+MSCs were used, a significant success in the cartilage growth and closing of the lesion in the thyroid cartilage was obtained compared to the other two groups for which MSCs were not used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma: association with histopathological prognostic factors.

UNLABELLED: Papillary carcinoma is the most common thyroid malignancy. Many variants of this tumor have been described, with different morphological and molecular characteristics. Although most cases have excellent prognosis, the relationship between tumor architecture and its biological behavior remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To present the experience of a single center on the prevalence of thyroid papillary carcinoma variants and their relationship with other histopathological prognostic factors. METHOD: Retrospective study of all the cases submitted to thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma in the same institution over 11 years. RESULTS: We included 517 patients, 81.9% of them were women. The average age was 47.2 years. The variants recognized to have higher aggressiveness potential corresponded to 5.6% of the sample. We found an association of tumor subtypes with greater lesion diameter, T staging, lymphovascular and gland capsule invasion. CONCLUSION: A small percentage of papillary carcinoma cases is represented by variants recognized by their greater potential for aggression. There are associations between these variants and several other histopathological factors already recognized for their prognostic value, which may, by themselves, influence the outcome of these cases.

The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on hormone receptor status, HER2/neu and prolactin in breast cancer.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Histological and immunohistochemical findings may vary in cases of breast cancer. Possible changes in tumor markers between biopsies performed before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are controversial and pose a challenge when a clinical decision is needed. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to compare the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin receptors and HER-2/neu in breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy; and (ii) to correlate the expression of these tumor markers with partial tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Immunohistochemical staining for breast tumor markers was performed in 90 cases of breast cancer. Statistical analysis was carried out using Fisher's exact test, McNemar's test, Spearman's correlation and the Kappa index with linear weighting (k). RESULTS: Agreement between markers before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was fair to moderate (k = 0.37-0.51). The immunohistochemical expression of HER-2/neu and prolactin receptors showed a significant, albeit weak correlation before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HER-2/neu, rho = 0.34; P = 0.0009; k = 0.35 [95% CI, 0.19-0.51]). Prolactin status changed in 28/90 cases (P = 0.001; McNemar's test), whereas no changes were found in estrogen or progesterone receptors. No association was found between tumor marker expression and tumor response. CONCLUSIONS: It seems prudent to reevaluate immunohistochemical markers such as HER-2/neu after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, since the findings will guide the strategy for implementation of adjuvant systemic treatment. No correlation was found between the tumor markers analyzed in the present study and partial tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Analysis of pattern of occurrence of thyroid carcinoma between 2001 and 2010 / Análise do padrão de ocorrência do carcinoma de tireoide entre 2000-2010

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: An ongoing discussion is found in medical literature about the reasons for changes in thyroid carcinoma incidence patterns over the last decades. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of thyroid carcinoma cases over a decade. METHODS: Cross-sectional study over an historical cohort. Medical records of 628 thyroid cancer cases in a single center were reviewed. 597 patients were included. Microcarcinoma cases were selected for a qualitative analysis phase, in which medical records were reviewed for better understanding of thyroid nodule and thyroid cancer diagnosis process. RESULTS: An increase in the proportion of cases with thyroid cancer diagnosis was observed throughout the decade; new cases were predominantly tumors of less than 2 cm, with histopathological signs of low aggressiveness. There was an increase in proportion of cases with malignant cytological results among microcarcinomas. CONCLUSION: There is a trend for increase in thyroidectomies due to cancer in this institution, with proportional increment of cases with histopathological characteristics indicative of early disease. Among microcarcinomas, there is an increasing group represented by cancer cases that were not incidentally diagnosed, related to an enhancement in preoperative diagnostic methods.

RESUMO Introdução: Persiste uma discussão na literatura sobre as razões para as mudanças no padrão de incidência do carcinoma de tireoide nas últimas décadas. Objetivo: Analisar as características clinicopatológicas dos casos de carcinoma de tireoide ao longo de uma década. Método: Estudo transversal sobre uma coorte histórica. Os registros médicos de 628 casos de câncer de tireoide de um único centro foram revisados. Foram incluídos 597 pacientes. Os casos de microcarcinoma foram selecionados para uma fase de análise qualitativa, na qual os registros médicos foram revisados para melhor entendimento do processo de diagnóstico do nódulo e do câncer. Resultados: Observamos um aumento na proporção de casos com diagnóstico de câncer de tireoide ao longo da década; os novos casos foram predominantemente de tumores < 2 cm, com sinais histopatológicos de baixa agressividade. Houve aumento na proporção de casos com resultado citológico maligno entre os microcarcinomas. Conclusão: Há uma tendência de crescimento nas tireoidectomias por câncer na nossa instituição, com incremento proporcional de casos com características histopatológicas indicativas de doença precoce. Entre os microcarcinomas, há um grupo em ascensão representado por casos com diagnóstico não-ocasional de câncer, relacionados à melhora dos métodos diagnósticos pré-operatórios.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: does the association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis affect the clinicopathological characteristics of the disease? / Carcinoma papilífero da tireoide: a associação com tireoidite de Hashimoto influencia nas características clínico-patológicas da doença?

INTRODUCTION: Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignant thyroid neoplasm. The effect of the concurrent presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinoma remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and clinicopathological parameters in thyroid papillary carcinoma cases, based on an historical institutional cohort analysis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study obtained from a historical cohort, including all cases submitted to thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma in a single institution during an 11-year period study. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were enrolled; 148 (35.4%) also had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A female predominance among cases associated to Hashimoto's thyroiditis was observed. The thyroid tumor, in cases associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, had a smaller mean diameter, lower frequency of extra-thyroid extension, and earlier clinicopathological staging. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of papillary thyroid carcinoma cases are associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There are associations among these cases with several histopathological factors already recognized for their prognostic value, which by themselves could impact outcomes. .

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma papilífero é a neoplasia maligna mais comum da tireóide. O efeito da coexistência da tireoidite de Hashimoto (TH) no prognóstico do carcinoma papilífero da tireóide (CPT) permanece controverso. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre TH e parâmetros clínico-patológicos entre pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma papilífero da tireóide obtidos através da análise de uma série histórica institucional. MÉTODO: Coorte transversal com base em uma coorte histórica, envolvendo todos os casos submetidos à tireoidectomia total por motivo de carcinoma papilífero, realizadas na mesma Instituição ao longo de 11 anos. RESULTADOS: Um total de 417 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo, estando 148 (35,4%) associados à TH. Observamos preponderância de mulheres entre os casos associados à TH. Esses casos se apresentaram com menor média de diâmetro tumoral, menor frequência de comprometimento extra-tireoidiano e estadiamento clínico-patológico mais precoce. Conclusões: Um percentual expressivo de casos de CPT apresenta-se associado à TH. A associa ção entre esses casos com vários fatores histopatológicos já reconhecidos por seu valor prognóstico, pode, por si só, influenciar no desfecho desses pacientes. .

Are the pure in situ breast ductal carcinomas and those associated with invasive carcinoma the same?

It has been reported that pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast has morphologic differences from the in situ component of the invasive ductal carcinoma, as well estrogen and progesterone receptors expression according to their cytokeratin expression. However, there is no data comparing other tumor markers without using the cytokeratin expression. The objective of this study is to compare the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), HER-2/neu, p53, and Ki67 between pure ductal in situ carcinoma (pDCIS) and the in situ component of the invasive ductal carcinoma (DCIS + IDC) of the breast, and the in situ component to the invasive component of the same tumor (DCIS + IDC). The immunohistochemistry expression of the tumor markers was performed in 45 cases of pDCIS and DCIS + IDC, yielding a total of 90 cases. Statistical analysis was carried out using Fisher exact test, having a P < 0.05, and Kappa index (kappa) to assess intratumoral concordance. In DCIS + IDC, the in situ and invasive components did not show a significant difference and Kappa index (kappa) was high (0.7-1) for positive and negative expression. ER and PR were significantly different between the pDCIS and DCIS + IDC (ER: 86.7 vs. 66.7% P = 0.04; PR: 80% vs. 55.6% P = 0.02). These findings suggest that in situ component of DCIS + IDC and pDCIS are distinct conditions.