Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Centre Study of Epidemiologic, Clinic and Histopathological Factors.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected the early diagnosis of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: To compare epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics in patients undergoing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery before and after the beginning of the pandemic. MATERIAL & METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including two case series: (1) patients operated on for SCC in the year after the first state of alarm in Spain (15 March 2020), and (2) patients with SCC operated on in the previous year. Epidemiological, clinical and histopathological variables, tumour stage and risk grade were collected. RESULTS: 248 patients were included (127 undergoing surgery before the pandemic and 121 after the pandemic). After the beginning of the pandemic, the percentage of high-risk SCC significantly increased from 35.3% to 46.2% (p=0.011). However, no significant differences were found in thickness, perineural invasion or metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has not been a significant reduction in the number of SCC operated on after the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in high-risk SCC. All this could lead to an increase in skin cancer mortality in the future.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Centre Study of Epidemiologic, Clinic and Histopathological Factors. / [Artículo traducido] Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en el carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo: un estudio unicéntrico de los factores epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected the early diagnosis of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: To compare epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics in patients undergoing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery before and after the beginning of the pandemic. MATERIAL & METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including two case series: (1) patients operated on for SCC in the year after the first state of alarm in Spain (15 March 2020), and (2) patients with SCC operated on in the previous year. Epidemiological, clinical and histopathological variables, tumour stage and risk grade were collected. RESULTS: 248 patients were included (127 undergoing surgery before the pandemic and 121 after the pandemic). After the beginning of the pandemic, the percentage of high-risk SCC significantly increased from 35.3% to 46.2% (p=0.011). However, no significant differences were found in thickness, perineural invasion or metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has not been a significant reduction in the number of SCC operated on after the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in high-risk SCC. All this could lead to an increase in skin cancer mortality in the future.

Cemiplimab in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Real-World Experience in a Monographic Oncology Center.

Management of advanced cSCC is challenging, and many available systemic medications have modest efficacy. Cemiplimab has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of advanced cSCC in clinical trials, but real-world data are still limited. With the objective of evaluating the efficacy of cemiplimab in a real-world clinical setting, we conducted a prospective observational study of 13 patients with advanced cSCC. Six patients (46%) had locally advanced disease, while 7 (54%) had metastatic disease. A total of 8 patients (62%) responded to cemiplimab. Five (38%) showed a partial response, while 3 (23%) showed a complete response. Four patients with an initial partial response presented subsequent disease progression during follow-up. Six patients (46%) developed AEs, most of which were mild (G1). PFS was 5.9 months, with a median follow-up was 9 months. In conclusion, cemiplimab demonstrated its utility in the treatment of advanced cSCC, with acceptable response rates, a remarkable number of complete responses, and a very good safety profile.

Cemiplimab in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Real-World Experience in a Monographic Oncology Center. / [Artículo traducido] Cemiplimab en el carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo avanzado: experiencia del mundo real en un centro oncológico monográfico.

Management of advanced cSCC is challenging, and many available systemic medications have modest efficacy. Cemiplimab has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of advanced cSCC in clinical trials, but real-world data are still limited. With the objective of evaluating the efficacy of cemiplimab in a real-world clinical setting, we conducted a prospective observational study of 13 patients with advanced cSCC. Six patients (46%) had locally advanced disease, while 7 (54%) had metastatic disease. A total of 8 patients (62%) responded to cemiplimab. Five (38%) showed a partial response, while 3 (23%) showed a complete response. Four patients with an initial partial response presented subsequent disease progression during follow-up. Six patients (46%) developed AEs, most of which were mild (G1). PFS was 5.9 months, with a median follow-up was 9 months. In conclusion, cemiplimab demonstrated its utility in the treatment of advanced cSCC, with acceptable response rates, a remarkable number of complete responses, and a very good safety profile.

Skin Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Spain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. / Incidencia y mortalidad del cáncer cutáneo en España: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to describe the incidence and mortality of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases and reviewed articles from the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (REDECAN) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated and statistical heterogeneity was measured using the I(2) index. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis because of the heterogeneity of the data. RESULTS: Thirty-two papers were included in the systematic review. The crude incidence rate for basal cell carcinoma was 113.05 (95% CI, 89.03-137.08) cases per 100 000 person-years for the studies based on the registration methodology normally used by registries (in which only 1 tumor with histological confirmation is counted per person). However, the same incidence rate calculated on the basis of clinical and histologic criteria and counting tumors rather than individual patients was 253.23 (95% CI, 273.01-269.45) cases per 100 000 person-years. The incidence was 38.16 (95% CI, 31.72-39.97) cases per 100 000 person-years for squamous cell carcinoma, 8.76 (95% CI, 7.50-10.02) cases per 100 000 person-years for melanoma, and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.15-0.40) cases per 100 000 person-years for Merkel cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The registration methodology normally used by cancer registries probably underestimates the incidence rates of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma in Spain. The incidence rates of cutaneous melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma are lower in Spain than in other European countries.

Rare tumors of the rectum. Narrative review.

Most rectal neoplasms are adenocarcinomas, but there is a small percentage of tumors which are of other histological cell lines such as neuroendocrine tumors, sarcomas, lymphomas and squamous cell carcinomas, which have special characteristics and different treatments. We have reviewed these rare tumors of the rectum from a clinical and surgical point of view.

Unravelling the enigma: A rare case of primary gastric squamous cell carcinoma with aggressive metastasis.

This report details a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the stomach, a condition accounting for only a fraction of gastric carcinomas. A 46-year-old male patient with dysphagia, abdominal pain, and haematemesis was diagnosed with primary gastric SCC displaying aggressive metastasis, an exceptionally low-incidence condition affecting mainly males in their sixth decade of life. Primary gastric SCC, though clinically similar to adenocarcinoma, involves a bleaker prognosis, lacking standardized treatment protocols. Histopathology and imaging confirmed the diagnosis, highlighting the challenges in managing advanced cases. Palliative chemotherapy showed partial remission but led to severe neuropathy. The case underscores the urgent need for research to understand the pathogenesis, effective management, and therapeutic targets for primary gastric SCC, emphasizing its scarcity and poor prognosis in medical literature. Increased clinical awareness and ongoing research are crucial for improving outcomes in such rare presentations.

In-vivo lymphoscintigraphy of sinonasal tumors identifies retropharyngeal node and level I as predominant sentinel nodes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by in- vivo lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT-CT imaging, the lymphatic drainage patterns of para-nasal sinus(PNS) tumors. To confirm or refute the belief of the retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) being the significant draining lymph node for such tumors. METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted on previously untreated PNS tumors with no clinico-radiological evidence of lymph node metastasis. Lymphoscintigraphy undertaken by nasal endoscopic assisted peritumoral injection of 99mTc Sulfur colloid. Injections were classified as anterior or posterior as per a vertical line along the maxillary sinus ostium. RESULTS: 17 patients were included. Lymphoscintigraphy successfully identified 17 sentinel nodes in 15 patients and was unsuccessful (lymphoscintigraphy failure) in 2 patients. Predominant sites of sentinel lymphatic drainage were noted to be the RPLN (n = 8; 47%), and Level I (n = 7; 42%). Occasional drainage was identified at the peri-parotid node(n = 1) and at Level II (n = 1). Contralateral drainage was noted in 2 patients (level I-1 and RPLN-1). Anterior injections drained predominantly to Level I (6/8) and RPLN (2/8), while posterior injections drained predominantly to the RPLN ( 6/7). The relative risk of RPLN being identified as the sentinel node was significantly higher for posteriorly placed injections than for anteriorly placed injections (RR- 3.43; 95% CI-1.0-11.8, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The RPLN is noted as a frequent draining node for sino-nasal tumours and merits routine attention in all sino-nasal tumors. The radio-colloid SPECT-CT technique described here offers an excellent in-vivo technique to further explore and validate the lymphatic drainage pathways of these tumours.

Primary urethral carcinoma: Results from a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare neoplastic disease arising in the urethra, without any evidence of a previous or synchronous carcinoma of the entire urinary tract. Since rare diseases are often incorrectly diagnosed and managed, the aim of this study was to analyze the experience of a single urology center in the treatment of PUC, focusing on neoplasms arising from the male anterior urethra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with neoplasms at the level of the penile and bulbar urethra who presented at our tertiary referral center between January 1988 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with carcinoma of the prostatic urethra were excluded. The diagnosis was obtained with the aid of urethroscopy and lesion biopsy. Local staging was performed by means of contrast-enhanced MRI in selected patients. Staging was achieved by clinical examination, ultrasonography, and CT scan. Radical surgery (radical cystectomy + total penectomy + bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy) was proposed to patients with ≥T2 tumors or cN+ with a good performance status, proximal tumor and without severe comorbidities. In case of nodal involvement, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was additionally offered. Patients with localized disease (

Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell cancer.

AIM: To determine the utility of [18F]FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors for the response to neoadjuvant treatment, progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients (29 men) diagnosed with SCC were retrospectively evaluated over a 6-year interval. Metabolic parameters were determined: maximum SUV (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmed), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from baseline PET/CT study. After treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, response to treatment and patient survival were assessed. The comparison of parameters between groups of responders and non-responders was carried out using a Mann-Whitney U test ROC curves and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for analysis of prognostic factors and survival curves. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 22.4 months, with 22 recurrence-progressions and 25 deaths. Significant differences were demonstrated between responders and non-responders with respect to tumor size, MTV and TLG. Survival analysis found significant differences for SCE and CSS depending on these three parameters. CONCLUSION: Metabolic parameters MTV and TLG, and tumor size were prognostic factors for neoadjuvant treatment response, PFS, and CSS in patients diagnosed with SCC. Neither SUVmax nor SUVmed were predictive for any of the evaluation criteria. Results could help to personalize patient treatment.

Primary urethral carcinoma: Results from a single center experience. / Carcinoma uretral primario: resultados de la experiencia de un único centro.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare neoplastic disease arising in the urethra, without any evidence of a previous or synchronous carcinoma of the entire urinary tract. Since rare diseases are often incorrectly diagnosed and managed, the aim of this study was to analyze the experience of a single urology center in the treatment of PUC, focusing on neoplasms arising from the male anterior urethra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with neoplasms at the level of the penile and bulbar urethra who presented at our tertiary referral center between January 1988 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with carcinoma of the prostatic urethra were excluded. The diagnosis was obtained with the aid of urethroscopy and lesion biopsy. Local staging was performed by means of contrast-enhanced MRI in selected patients. Staging was achieved by clinical examination, ultrasonography, and CT scan. Radical surgery (radical cystectomy + total penectomy + bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy) was proposed to patients with ≥T2 tumors or cN + with a good performance status, proximal tumor and without severe comorbidities. In case of nodal involvement, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was additionally offered. Patients with localized disease (

Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell cancer. / Parámetros cuantitativos de la PET/TC basal con 18F-FDG como factores pronósticos en el carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago.

AIM: To determine the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors for the response to neoadjuvant treatment, progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients (29 men) diagnosed with SCC were retrospectively evaluated over a 6-year interval. Metabolic parameters were determined: maximum SUV (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmed), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from baseline PET/CT study. After treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, response to treatment and patient survival were assessed. The comparison of parameters between groups of responders and non-responders was carried out using a Mann-Whitney U test. ROC curves and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for analysis of prognostic factors and survival curves. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 22.4months, with 22 recurrence-progressions and 25 deads. Significant differences were demonstrated between responders and non-responders with respect to tumor size, MTV and TLG. Survival analysis found significant differences for SCE and CSS depending on these three parameters. CONCLUSION: Metabolic parameters MTV and TLG, and tumor size were prognostic factors for neoadjuvant treatment response, PFS, and CSS in patients diagnosed with SCC. Neither SUVmax nor SUVmed were predictive for any of the evaluation criteria. Results could help to personalize patient treatment.

Tissue-Sparing Outcome of Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Squamous Cell Carcinomas. / Ahorro de tejido tras la cirugía micrográfica de Mohs en los carcinomas de células escamosas.

BACKGROUND: Micrographic Mohs Surgery (MMS) offers the highest cure rates and healthy skin tissue sparing effect compared with standard excision. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the tissue-sparing properties of MMS in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in comparison with standard excision (SE). METHODS: A bidirectional, descriptive study, including 94 cases of SCC, was performed, on patients with histologic diagnosis of SCC (in situ, well differentiated, moderately differentiated, and undifferentiated), that where operated with MMS between 2013 and 2018 at Hospital de Clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela in Montevideo, Uruguay. Tumor size and defect area after MMS were measured in 2 perpendicular directions. The suspected defect area was calculated with standard excision using a 4-mm margin for low risk lesions and a 10-mm margin for high risk lesions. The primary outcome of this study was the size of the defect area post MMS compared with the calculated defect area with standard excision. RESULTS: The median tumor size was 1,41mm2, and the median defect size after MMS was 4,12mm2. The median defect size calculated for standard surgical excision was 8,36mm2. LIMITATIONS: We do not use all National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria. We define low and high risk lesions just taking into account anatomical location, size, histopathology and whether it was a primary or recurrent tumor. CONCLUSION: Our results show that MMS has a tissue-sparing effect of at least 52% compared to SE.

Cáncer De Laringe En Adolescencia Y Virus De Papiloma Humano: Reporte De Un Caso

Introducción: El carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeza y cuello, es una malignidad rara en la población pediátrica. Su incidencia ha ido en aumento en las últimas décadas y los principales factores de riesgo descritos son inmunosupresión y transmisión vertical del virus del papiloma humano (VPH). Presentación del caso: presentamos a un paciente masculino de 14 años con historia de 2 años de disfonía intermitente que luego progreso a estridor laríngeo por lo cual se le realizo traqueostomía con micro laringoscopia directa, donde se evidenció una lesión de aspecto verrucoso y bordes irregulares comprometiendo hemilaringe derecha y paralizándola. Se le toma biopsia y se reporta carcinoma de células escamosas moderadamente invasor (p16 positivo). Luego de evaluación multidisciplinaria, tratándose de una enfermedad localmente avanzada, se decide tratamiento con quimio radioterapia definitiva con intención de preservación orgánica. Conclusión: debido a lo poco común del cáncer de laringe en la población pediátrica y la poca evidencia que hay en cuanto a opciones de tratamiento, limita nuestro conocimiento de esta patología solo a reporte de casos y revisiones de la literatura. consideramos necesario realizar este reporte de caso para agregar información sobre esta patología poco común (provisto por Infomedic International)

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare malignancy in the pediatric population. Its incidence has been increasing in the last decades and the main risk factors described are immunosuppression and vertical transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV). Case presentation: we present a 14-year-old male patient with a 2-year history of intermittent dysphonia that later progressed to laryngeal stridor, for which he underwent tracheostomy with direct micro laryngoscopy, where a lesion of verrucous aspect and irregular borders was evidenced, compromising the right hemilaringeal region and paralyzing it. A biopsy was taken and a moderately invasive squamous cell carcinoma (p16 positive) was reported. After multidisciplinary evaluation, being a locally advanced disease, it was decided to treat with definitive chemo-radiotherapy with the intention of organ preservation. Conclusion: due to the rarity of laryngeal cancer in the pediatric population and the lack of evidence regarding treatment options, our knowledge of this pathology is limited to case reports and literature reviews. We consider it necessary to make this case report to add information on this uncommon pathology. (provided by Infomedic International)

Squamous cell carcinoma subsequent to scarring caused by sporotrichosis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease caused by the Sporothrix schenckii species complex. It is usually acquired by trauma with plants. Lymphatic-cutaneous is the most common clinical manifestation. CASE REPORT: The present case describes the development of an epidermoid carcinoma as a late complication on a long evolution sporotrichosis scar. During a period of 50 years, the patient had lesions in the right hand. Sporotrichosis was diagnosed and treated with potassium iodide. Eleven years after the healing of the lesions, a squamous cell carcinoma on the scar of this mycosis was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The chronic sporotrichosis injury was probably the cause of the tumor developed on the scar.

Overexpression SPRY2 Suppresses Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Via Inactivation of ERK/AKT Signaling / La Sobreexpresión SPRY2 Suprime la Evolución del Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago Mediante la Inactivación de la Señalización ERK/AKT

SUMMARY: Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal cancers. Invasion and metastasis are the main causes of poor prognosis of esophageal cancer. SPRY2 has been reported to exert promoting effects in human cancers, which controls signal pathways including PI3K/AKT and MAPKs. However, the expression of SPRY2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the detailed role of SPRY2 in the regulation of cell proliferation, invasion and ERK/AKT signaling pathway in ESCC. It was identified that the expression level of SPRY2 in ESCC was remarkably decreased compared with normal tissues, and it was related to clinicopathologic features and prognosis ESCC patients. The upregulation of SPRY2 expression notably inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca-109 cells. In addition, the activity of ERK /AKT signaling was also suppressed by the SPRY2 upregulation in Eca-109 cells. Our study suggests that overexpression of SPRY2 suppress cancer cell proliferation and invasion of by through suppression of the ERK/AKT signaling pathways in ESCC. Therefore, SPRY2 may be a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

El cáncer de esófago es uno de los cánceres gastrointestinales más agresivos. La invasión y la metástasis son las principales causas de mal pronóstico del cáncer de esófago. Se ha informado que SPRY2 ejerce efectos promotores en los cánceres humanos, que controla las vías de señales, incluidas PI3K/AKT y MAPK. Sin embargo, la expresión de SPRY2 en el carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago (ESCC) y su mecanismo subyacente aún no están claros. En el presente estudio, nuestro objetivo fue investigar el papel detallado de SPRY2 en la regulación de la proliferación celular, la invasión y la vía de señalización ERK/AKT en ESCC. Se identificó que el nivel de expresión de SPRY2 en ESCC estaba notablemente disminuido en comparación con los tejidos normales, y estaba relacionado con las características clínico-patológicas y el pronóstico de los pacientes con ESCC. La regulación positiva de la expresión de SPRY2 inhibió notablemente la proliferación, migración e invasión de células Eca-109. Además, la actividad de la señalización de ERK/AKT también fue suprimida por la regulación positiva de SPRY2 en las células Eca-109. Nuestro estudio sugiere que la sobreexpresión de SPRY2 suprime la proliferación y la invasión de células cancerosas mediante la supresión de las vías de señalización ERK/AKT en ESCC. Por lo tanto, SPRY2 puede ser un marcador de pronóstico prometedor y un objetivo terapéutico para la ESCC.

Avaliação dos principais fatores de risco associados ao desenvolvimento do carcinoma espinocelular: revisão narrativa de literatura / Evaluation of the main risk factors associated with the development of spinocellular carcinoma: narrative literature review

Introdução: A detecção precoce de lesões malignas na cavidade oral é crucial para a prevenção do câncer oral. Cirurgiões-dentistas desempenham um papel vital ao compreender os fatores de risco do carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) a fim de facilitar essa prevenção. No entanto, a identificação do câncer bucal é complexa, sendo a falta de capacitação um obstáculo para diagnósticos oportunos. Objetivo: Este estudo visa apresentar, por meio de uma revisão de literatura, os fatores de risco associados ao desenvolvimento do CEC a estudantes e profissionais da área. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizada uma busca de artigos científicos publicados entre 2015 e 2023 nas bases de dados SciELO, Pubmed e ScienceDirect. As palavras-chave foram escolhidas com base nos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS), abrangendo "Neoplasias Bucais" e "Carcinoma Oral de Células Escamosas". Resultados: Foram identificados 502 documentos. Após critérios de exclusão, 26 artigos científicos originais relacionados ao tema foram considerados elegíveis. Conclusão: O papel do cirurgião-dentista é essencial na prevenção e detecção precoce do câncer oral, exigindo total atualização sobre os fatores de risco para um desempenho eficaz.

Introduction: Early detection of malignant lesions in the oral cavity is crucial for the prevention of oral cancer. Surgeons-dentists play a vital role in understanding the risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in order to facilitate this prevention. However, the identification of oral cancer is complex, being the lack of training an obstacle for timely diagnoses. Objective: This study aims to present, through a literature review, the risk factors associated with the development of CEC to students and professionals of the area. Materials and methods: A search was carried out for scientific articles published between 2015 and 2023 in the SciELO, Pubmed and ScienceDirect databases. The keywords were chosen based on the Describers in Health Sciences (DeCS), encompassing "Buccal Neoplasms" and "Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma". Results: Foram identified 502 documents. After exclusion criteria, 26 original scientific articles related to the topic were considered eligible. Conclusion: The role of dental surgery is essential in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer, requiring full updating on risk factors for effective performance.

Histoplasmosis oral como diagnóstico diferencial de cáncer oral. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Oral histoplasmosis as a differential diagnosis of oral cancer. Case series and literature review

Objetivo: La histoplasmosis es una infección fúngica sistémica prevalente en la región del Río de la Plata. Puede exhibir manifestaciones orales, cutáneas y/o sistémicas. Las lesiones bucales significan un desafío diagnóstico debido a su semejanza clínica con el carcinoma oral de células escamosas (COCE). El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar una serie de casos de histoplasmosis oral enfatizando la importancia del diagnóstico diferencial clínico con el COCE. Casos clínicos: Se describen casos de histoplasmosis oral diagnosticados en los últimos 5 años en la Cátedra de Estomatología "A" de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. En forma paralela, se realizó una revisión de la literatura de los últimos 10 años. Los casos corresponden a 9 pacientes, 6 varones y 3 mujeres, cuya edad promedio fue de 58,6 años. 4 pacientes eran VIH positivos. Se planteó la sospecha de COCE en 5 pacientes, cuya presentación clínica intraoral consistía en úlceras o lesiones ulcerovegetantes, mayormente únicas, ubicadas en la encía. La revisión bibliográfica arrojó un resultado de 48 artículos que incluyeron 60 casos de histoplasmosis oral, con una prevalencia mayor en hombres y similitudes clínicas con COCE en el 80% de los casos. La lesión más predominante fue la úlcera en el 85% de los casos, ubicada en lengua, seguido por el paladar. El diagnóstico de histoplasmosis oral es desafiante y requiere un amplio diferencial, ya que se asemeja a múltiples patologías, debiendo ser considerada ante lesiones ulcerativas orales. Un diagnóstico preciso, de manera interdisciplinaria, es esencial para un tratamiento efectivo.(AU)

Aim: Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal infection prevalent in the Río de la Plata region. It could present oral, cutaneous and/or systemic manifestations. Oral lesions represent a diagnostic challenge due to their clinical similarity to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The objective of this work is to present a case series of oral histoplasmosis emphasizing the importance of clinical differential diagnosis with OSCC. Clinical cases: Cases of oral histoplasmosis diagnosed in the last 5 years in the Oral Medicine Department "A" of the Facultad de Odontología of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina are discribed. Alongside, a literature review of the last 10 years was carried out. 9 patients are described, 6 men and 3 women, whose average age was 58.6 years. 4 patients were HIV positive. The suspicion of OSCC was raised in 5 patients, whose intraoral clinical presentation consisted of single ulcers or vegetating ulcers, mostly single, located in the gingiva. The literature review included a total of 48 articles with 60 cases of oral histoplasmosis, with a higher prevalence in men and clinical similarities with OSCC in 80% of cases. The most predominant lesion was the ulcer in 85% of the cases, mostly located on the tongue, followed by the palate. The diagnosis of oral histoplasmosis is challenging and requires a wide differential, since it can mimic multiple pathologies, and should be considered in oral ulcerative lesions. An accurate diagnosis, in an interdisciplinary framework, is essential for effective treatment.(AU)

Empleo de fotomarcación con ácido 5-aminolevulínico para la comparación de la extensión tumoral de carcinomas cutáneos clínicamente, dermatoscópicamente y por fotomarcación corroborado con la cirugía micrográfica de Mohs / Use of photomarking with 5-aminolevulinic acid for the comparison of tumor extension of skin carcinomas clinically, dermatoscopically, and by photomarking corroborated with Mohs micrographic surgery / Uso de fotomarcação com ácido 5-aminolevulínico para a comparação da extensão tumoral de carcinomas cutâneos clinicamente, dermatoscopicamente e por fotomarcação corroborada com a cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs

Introducción: La fotomarcación es una técnica no invasiva que consiste en la aplicación de un fotosensibilizador y la posterior visualización con lampara de Wood para determinar los márgenes de cáncer de piel no melanoma. Esto podría ser de utilidad en conjunto con la cirugía micrográfica de Mohs, al definir de manera más precisa los márgenes histológicos tumorales. Objetivo: Comparar los límites tumorales entre la demarcación clínica, la dermatoscópica y la demarcación con ALA en carcinomas cutáneos, y corroborarlos con el defecto quirúrgico obtenido por la CMM. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo. Se compararon las áreas tumorales de cáncer de piel no melanoma observadas por clínica, dermatoscopía, fotomarcación y defecto quirúrgico final. Resultados: El promedio del área clínica fue 1,77 cm2 (DE 0,55), el promedio de área dermatoscópica fue 1,93 cm2 (DE 0,55), el promedio del área por fotomarcación fue 2,14 cm2 (DE 0,55) y el promedio del área del defecto quirúrgico final fue 4,41 cm2 (DE 1,12). Conclusiones: No se logró comprobar que la fotomarcación tenga una ventaja estadísticamente significativa respecto a la marcación clínica y dermatoscópica. Se requieren más estudios para determinar el rol de esta técnica.

Introduction: Photomarking is a non-invasive technique that involves the application of a photosensitizer and subsequent visualization with a Wood's lamp to determine the margins of non-melanoma skin cancer. This could be useful in conjunction with Mohs micrographic surgery by more precisely defining the histological tumor margins. Objective: To compare the tumor limits between clinical demarcation, dermatoscopic demarcation, and ALA demarcation in cutaneous carcinomas, and corroborate them with the surgical defect obtained by MMS. Method: Observational, descriptive, and prospective study. The tumor areas of non-melanoma skin cancer observed by clinic, dermatoscopy, photomarking, and final surgical defect were compared. Results: The average clinical area was 1,77 cm2 (SD 0.55), the average dermatoscopic area was 1,93 cm2 (SD 0,55), the average area by photomarking was 2,14 cm2 (SD 0,55), and the average area of the final surgical defect was 4,41 cm2 (SD 1,12). Conclusions: It was not possible to demonstrate that photomapping provides a statistically significant advantage over clinical and dermatoscopic marking. Further studies are needed to determine the role of this technique.

Introdução: A fotomarcação é uma técnica não invasiva que envolve a aplicação de um fotossensibilizador e a subsequente visualização com lâmpada de Wood para determinar as margens do câncer de pele não melanoma. Isso poderia ser útil em conjunto com a cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs ao definir de forma mais precisa as margens histológicas tumorais. Objetivo: Comparar os limites tumorais entre a demarcação clínica, a demarcação dermatoscópica e a demarcação com ALA em carcinomas cutâneos, e corroborá-los com o defeito cirúrgico obtido pela CMM. Método: Estudo observacional, descritivo e prospectivo. Foram comparadas as áreas tumorais de câncer de pele não melanoma observadas por clínica, dermatoscopia, fotomarcação e defeito cirúrgico final. Resultados: A média da área clínica foi de 1,77 cm2 (DP 0,55), a média da área dermatoscópica foi de 1,93 cm2 (DP 0,55), a média da área por fotomarcação foi de 2,14 cm2 (DP 0,55) e a média da área do defeito cirúrgico final foi de 4,41 cm2 (DP 1,12). Conclusões: Não foi possível comprovar que a fotomarcação tenha uma vantagem estatisticamente significativa em relação à marcação clínica e dermatoscópica. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar o papel dessa técnica.

Downregulation of Notch4 - a prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Oral verrucous carcinoma is a special form of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma which possesses specific clinical, morphologic and cytokinetic features that differ from other types of oral cancers and hence diagnosis requires immense experience in histopathology. Hence it is certainly important to distinguish such a lesion from other oral tumors as treatment strategies vary widely between them. OBJECTIVE: In search of a critical diagnostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma, Notch4 receptor, one of the key regulatory molecules of the Notch signaling family has been aberrantly activated in the progression of several types of tumors. However its function in oral verrucous carcinoma remains unexplored. Thus the present study aims in determining the differential expression pattern of Notch4 in oral verrucous carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Ten patients reported positive for oral cancer (5 patients with oral verrucous carcinoma and 5 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma). Five normal tissue samples were also obtained and evaluated for clinicopathological parameters and immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction for Notch4 expression. RESULTS: Our results reveal that the expression of Notch4 was considerably high in oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions compared to normal tissue, whereas in oral verrucous carcinoma, irrespective of the clinicopathological features, complete regulação descendente of Notch4 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings strongly support the fact that Notch4 is downregulated in oral verrucous carcinoma and could be considered as a suitable prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma. This distinguishing marker can help in improving therapeutic options in patients diagnosed with oral verrucous carcinoma.