Tamoxifeno e Espessamento Endometrial Assintomático

Tamoxifen is a first-line agent for adjuvant treatment of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer, and is used to reduce the risk of this condition in high-risk individuals. Retrospective studies established an association between tamoxifen use, endometrial thickness and endometrial cancer. There have been many attempts to identify an effective screening program for tamoxifen-related endometrial cancer, which have led to the use of transvaginal ultrasound and invasive procedures. The use of a 5mm endometrial cut-off in vaginal ultrasound is known to raise the number of endometrial biopsies with no gain in early cancer diagnosis. A review of the scientific literature was performed in order to establish the best available evidence for endometrial evaluation of asymptomatic breast cancer patients on tamoxifen.

Breast Cancer Presents With a Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) pose quite an uncommon neurological complication, affecting less than 1% of patients with breast cancer. Nearly one third of these patients lack detectable onconeural antibodies (ONAs), and improvement in neurologic deficits with concomitant cancer treatments is achieved in less than 30% of cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old, premenopausal woman presented with facial paralysis on the central left side accompanied by a left tongue deviation, an upward vertical nystagmus, moderate spastic paraparesis, dystonic posturing of the left foot, lower limb hyperreflexia and bilateral extensor plantar reflex. After ruling out all other potential neurologic causes, PNS was suspected but no ONAs were found. A PET-CT scan detected increased metabolism in the right breast, as well as an ipsilateral thoracic interpectoral adenopathy. Core biopsy confirmed the presence of an infiltrating duct carcinoma. After breast surgery, the neurologic symptoms disappeared. One week later, the patient was readmitted to the hospital with a bilateral fatigable eyelid ptosis, and two weeks later, there was a noticeable improvement in eyelid ptosis, accompanied by a rapid and progressive development of lower spastic paraparesis. She started adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy with marked clinical and neurological improvement, and by the end of radiotherapy, there were no signs of neurologic impairment. CONCLUSION: This case study highlights the importance of a high level of vigilance for the detection of PNS, even when ONAs are not detected, as the rapid identification and treatment of the underlying tumor offers the best chance for a full recovery.

Leg Ulcers in Antiphospholipid Syndrome Secondary to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin

BACKGROUND: Despite encouraging reports on the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in antiphospholipid syndrome, the clinical value of this treatment is not well established, and most of the data are based on case reports and small series of patients. OBSERVATION: We describe the significant improvement of leg ulcers with IVIg in a 61-year-old female, with diabetes mellitus, venous peripherical insufficiency and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome to systemic lupus erythematosus. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates a rare cause of leg ulcers and documents that IVIg may be an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of selected patients with antiphospholipid syndrome when conventional strategies using subcutaneous heparin and low-dose aspirin are insufficient.