Reducing the learning curve for the treatment of morphoeic (sclerosing) basal cell carcinoma of the face.

The treatment of morphoeic (or sclerosing) basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) of the face is associated with high rates of incomplete excision and recurrence. A principal risk factor for incomplete resection is the grade of surgeon. We did a prospective, randomised study of 40 consecutive patients with mBCC of the face. The extent of the tumour was assessed under standard conditions by consultant surgeons and compared with assessments by resident surgeons with the help of the Varioscope, a combination of microscope and loupe glasses with strong illumination and a maximal magnification of 7x. The data from a former retrospective study of all excisions of mBCC of the face during a five-year period at the hospital served as control. Residents with the support of the Varioscope achieved a rate of incomplete excisions similar to that of consultants under standard conditions. There was a significant reduction of the rate of incomplete resections by resident surgeons thanks to high magnification and good lighting (p=0.02). High magnification and good lighting were useful in learning how to recognise skin changes associated with mBCC of the face and achieving a low rate of incomplete excisions.

Comparative genetic analyses point to HCP5 as susceptibility locus for HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recently, genetic variations in MICA (lead single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] rs2596542) were identified by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to be associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japanese patients. In the present study, we sought to determine whether this SNP is predictive of HCC development in the Caucasian population as well. METHODS: An extended region around rs2596542 was genotyped in 1924 HCV-infected patients from the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study (SCCS). Pair-wise correlation between key SNPs was calculated both in the Japanese and European populations (HapMap3: CEU and JPT). RESULTS: To our surprise, the minor allele A of rs2596542 in proximity of MICA appeared to have a protective impact on HCC development in Caucasians, which represents an inverse association as compared to the one observed in the Japanese population. Detailed fine-mapping analyses revealed a new SNP in HCP5 (rs2244546) upstream of MICA as strong predictor of HCV-related HCC in the SCCS (univariable p=0.027; multivariable p=0.0002, odds ratio=3.96, 95% confidence interval=1.90-8.27). This newly identified SNP had a similarly directed effect on HCC in both Caucasian and Japanese populations, suggesting that rs2244546 may better tag a putative true variant than the originally identified SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirms the MICA/HCP5 region as susceptibility locus for HCV-related HCC and identifies rs2244546 in HCP5 as a novel tagging SNP. In addition, our data exemplify the need for conducting meta-analyses of cohorts of different ethnicities in order to fine map GWAS signals.

Carcinome baso-cellulaire géant de la paupière chez une patiente noire Camerounaise [Giant basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid in a black patient from Cameroon].

Basal cell carcinoma of the skin is the most common human cancer. It is also the most frequent malignant tumor of the eyelid. In Europe, its most common clinical presentation is a hard indurated, and sometimes ulcerated nodule. The authors report a giant palpebral basal cell carcinoma in a black non albinos Cameroonian patient. The ethnic origin, localization and macroscopic aspect are discussed. The problems connected with diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors in Africa are noted.

Control de márgenes quirúrgicos del carcinoma basocelular según la especialidad del cirujano

Introducción: el principal tratamiento del carcinoma basocelular (CBC) es la extirpación quirúrgica. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de márgenes afectados por el tumor, globalmente y en función del especialista que lo interviene. Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de de los informes histológicos de CBC (enero de 2009 - marzo de 2010), un análisis estadístico (Chi-cuadrado de Pearson, U de Mann-Whitney, test de Kruskal-Wallis) y multivariable mediante regresión

Manejo del carcinoma de páncreas avanzado con el doblete de gemcitabina y erlotinib: Experiencia del Hospital Universitario La Fe

El tratamiento del carcinoma de páncreas continúa siendo uno de los grandes retos de la Oncología Médica. Un mejor conocimiento de las vías moleculares que intervienen en su desarrollo ha contribuido al uso de nuevos agentes terapéuticos dirigidos frente a las mismas. Una de esas vías es la del EGFR. Moore et al llevaron a cabo en 2007 un ensayo fase III aleatorizado en el que compararon gemcitabina frente a gemcitabina y erlotinib (un inhibidor de EGFR) y en el que demostraron de forma estadísticamente significativa por primera vez una mejoría en supervivencia global al asociar un agente a la gemcitabina en el tratamiento del adenocarcinoma pancreático avanzado. Hemos adoptado el esquema empleado en el ensayo fase III de Moore como primera línea de tratamiento del carcinoma pancreático localmente avanzado e irresecable y metastático en nuestro centro y creo necesario analizar la toxicidad y la supervivencia observada en nuestro medio. Para ello presento los resultados de eficacia, toxicidad y supervivencia global en la serie de 55 pacientes tratados con dicho esquema entre octubre de 2007 y octubre de 2010 en nuestro centro.

Estudio Farmacogenético En Pacientes Con Carcinoma Rectal Tratados Con Quimorradioterapia Neoadyuvante Basada En Capecitabina

Estudio de los polimorfismos del gen de la timidilato sintasa y los genes reparadores del ADN ERCC1 y XRCC1 y su relación con la rdespuesta al tratamiento neoadyvante con qumiorradioterapia basada en capecitabin, en pacientes afecto de carcinoma colorrectal de localmente avanzado.

L'immunothérapie des carcinomes epidermoïdes de la sphère ORL [Immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma]

In the past decades, prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not improved despite substantial progress in treatment options. Since antitumoral immunity was described, immunotherapy has shown promising results as an adjunctive treatment in various cancer types. Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) have been identified and shown to stimulate selective T-cell-mediated antitumoral immune response. This article briefly reviews the work done in the field of immunotherapy of HNSCC in the past few years. It gives confidence that immunotherapy may play an important role in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Among various TAAs, the family of cancer testis antigens (CTAs) may be promising candidates for specific immune therapy in HNSCC. Ongoing studies will confirm whether CTAs may generate an immune response in clinical vaccine trials.

Carcinomes canalaires in situ: données anatomo-pathologiques actuelles [Ductal carcinoma in situ: current anatomo-pathologic data]

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), accounting for 15-25% of all breast cancers, is frequently diagnosed by mammographic examination. This heterogeneous disease requires a rigorous local treatment based, in about two-third of cases, on conservative surgery and radiotherapy. DCIS are currently classified on the basis of nuclear grade. Most lesions, and especially high nuclear grade DCIS, are limited to one quadrant. Micropapillary DCIS are likely to be of larger size/extent and thus a conservative approach is often difficult. A careful pathological examination of an oriented excisional biopsy is a pre-requisite for optimal therapy.

Factors pronòstics en pacients amb carcinoma de bufeta localment avançat tractats amb quimioteràpia neoadjuvant

Introducció En pacients amb carcinoma de bufeta localment avançat, la quimioteràpia neoadjuvant ha demostrat un benefici modest a la supervivència. No obstant això encara no s'ha identificat el subgrup de pacients que obtindria un major benefici Objectius Determinar la supervivència en pacients i analitzar els factors pronòstic. Material i mètodes Es van analitzar retrospectivament 112 pacients. Es correlacionar els factors clínics i patològics amb la supervivencia. Resultats La supervivència global a 5 anys va ser de 45%. La hidronefrosi,l'estadi clínic, la resecció quirúrgica completa, l'afectació ganglionar limfàtica, ganglis ressecats& 7, l'estadi patològic i la invasió limfovascular van ser significatius en l'anàlisi univariada. Conclusions L'estadi patològic i la resecció de més de 7 ganglis limfàtics apareixen com a factors pronòstics independents de supervivencia.

Thyroid function and prevalent and incident metabolic syndrome in older adults: the Health, Ageing and Body Composition Study.

OBJECTIVE: Both subclinical hypothyroidism and the metabolic syndrome have been associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease events. It is unknown whether the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome is higher as TSH levels increase, or in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism. We sought to determine the association between thyroid function and the prevalence and incidence of the metabolic syndrome in a cohort of older adults. DESIGN: Data were analysed from the Health, Ageing and Body Composition Study, a prospective cohort of 3075 community-dwelling US adults. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand one hundred and nineteen participants with measured TSH and data on metabolic syndrome components were included in the analysis. MEASUREMENTS: TSH was measured by immunoassay. Metabolic syndrome was defined per revised ATP III criteria. RESULTS: At baseline, 684 participants met criteria for metabolic syndrome. At 6-year follow-up, incident metabolic syndrome developed in 239 individuals. In fully adjusted models, each unit increase in TSH was associated with a 3% increase in the odds of prevalent metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = 0.02), and the association was stronger for TSH within the normal range (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.30; P = 0.02). Subclinical hypothyroidism with a TSH > 10 mIU/l was significantly associated with increased odds of prevalent metabolic syndrome (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.0-5.0; P = 0.04); the odds of incident MetS was similar (OR 2.2), but the confidence interval was wide (0.6-7.5). CONCLUSIONS: Higher TSH levels and subclinical hypothyroidism with a TSH > 10 mIU/l are associated with increased odds of prevalent but not incident metabolic syndrome.

Evalución con pet/ct 11c-colina de recidivas bioquímicas ocultas de carcinoma de próstata.

Introducció. Material y mètodes. El nostre objectiu és valorar la utilitat del PET/CT 11C-Colina a la recidiva bioquímica oculta del carcinoma de pròstata. Es van estudiar retrospectivament 58 pacients amb aument de PSA posttractament. La interpretació de les imatges fou visual. Resultats: El PET/CT fou positiu en 39 pacients (67%) (PSA mitjà: 11.7). Es van dividir els malats en 4 grups segons el valor del PSA (sensibilitat%): &1ng/ml:50% 1ng/ml -3ng/ml:60% 3ng/ml-5ng/ml:86% & a 5ng/ml:91% . Conclusió: La PET/CT 11C-Colina mostra una alta capacitat de detecció per valors de PSA superiors a 5ng/ml i pot ser útil en valors superiors a 1ng/ml.

Differential distribution of thyroid hormone receptor isoform in rat dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve in vivo and in vitro.

Using autoradiographic techniques carried out under precise conditions we previously demonstrated that both sensory neurons and peripheral glial cells in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) or sciatic nerve, possess specific [125I]-labeled T3 binding sites. Thyroid hormone receptors (TR) include several isoforms (TR alpha(1), TR alpha(2), TR beta(1), TR beta(2...)) The present study demonstrates that while sensory neurons and peripheral glial cells both possess functional TR, they express a differential expression of TR isoforms. Using a panel of antisera to specific for the TR alpha-common (alpha(1) and alpha(2)), TR alpha-1 or TR beta-1 isoforms, we detected TRs isoform localization at the cellular level during DRG and sciatic nerve development and regeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that during embryonic life, sensory neurons express TR alpha-common and TR beta-1 rather than TR alpha-1. The number of TR alpha-common and TR beta-1 positive neurons as well as the intensity of labeling increased during the first two postnatal weeks and remained more or less stable in adult life. TR alpha-1 immunoreactivity, which was undetectable in embryonic sensory neurons, became discreetly visible in neurons after birth. In developing DRG and sciatic nerves, Schwann cells exhibited TR alpha-common and TR alpha-1 rather than TR beta-1 immunolabeling. The appearance of TR alpha-common and alpha-1 isoform immunoreactivity in the sciatic nerve was restricted to a short period ranging from E17 up to two postnatal weeks. By comparing TR alpha-common and TR alpha-1 immunostaining we can deduce that Schwann cells primarily express TR alpha-1. Afterwards, in adult rat sciatic nerve TR alpha isoforms was no more detected. However transection of sciatic nerve caused a reexpression of TR alpha isoforms in degenerating nerve. The prevalence of TR alpha in Schwann cells in vivo was correlated with in vitro results. The differential expression of TR alpha and beta by sensory neurons and Schwann cells indicates that the feedback regulation of circulating thyroid hormone could occur by binding to either the alpha or beta TR isoforms. Moreover, the presence of multiple receptor isoforms in developing sensory neurons suggests that thyroid hormone uses multiple signaling pathways to regulate DRG and sciatic nerve development.

Hypertonie oculaire dans l'orbitopathie dysthyroidienne: considerations physiopathologiques, diagnostiques et therapeutiques. A propos de trois cas significatifs. [Intraocular high pressure in thyroid-associated orbitopathy: physiopathological mechanisms, diagnosis, and management. Three case reports]

PURPOSE: To determine the mechanisms and treatment of ocular hypertension in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy and to differenciate it from glaucomatous damage. DESIGN: Three case reports. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical findings, course, and treatment of the three patients. RESULTS: Elevated intraocular pressure in thyroid-associated orbitopathy observed in the three cases may involve different physiopathological abnormalities such as disturbances of venous circulation, compression by infiltrative muscles, and long corticosteroid use. In the first two cases, defects demonstrated in the perimetry are in consistent with glaucomatous damage. In the third case, visual field abnormalities may be compatible with a glaucomatous disease, but all defects resolved after therapy. Treatement was of the greatest difficulty for the three cases, associating antiglaucomatous medication, steroids, orbital radiotherapy, orbital decompression and extraocular muscle surgery. Intraocular pressure was controlled in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated intraocular pressure in thyroid-associated orbitopathy is distinguished from glaucomatous disease by its physiopathological mechanisms, clinical course, visual field defects, and treatment. The management of this hypertension is closely related to the treatment of dysthyroid orbitopathy.