Perception of breast cancer and breast reconstruction in medical school students

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world and in Brazil, after non-melanoma skin cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the medical students' perception of breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Methods: This is a cross-sectional pilot study composed of students from the fifth and sixth year of medical school, in May 2016. Results: We questioned whether there is a possibility of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and the response was unanimous (100%). For a better characterization, we asked if the reconstruction could be done at the same time as the mastectomy, and 69 (57.5%) students said yes and 51 (42.5%) denied. In the analysis of surgical knowledge, we asked whether they knew any breast reconstruction technique, and 49 (40.83%) answered yes and 71 (59.16%) denied knowing. With regard to referral to a medical specialist who was better prepared to follow and perform breast reconstruction, 93 (77.5%) students chose plastic surgery and 26 (21.66%) chose mastology. Regarding the possibility of breast reconstruction in patients who need to undergo adjuvant radiotherapy, 66 (55%) answered yes, 51 (42.5%) did not answer, and three (2.5%) did not know how to respond. Regarding this possibility in patients with silicone implants, 59 (49.16%) answered yes, three (2.5%) answered no, and 58 (48.33%) said they did not know about the subject. Conclusion: We conclude that mastology has been gaining immense interest in the field of breast reconstruction, including in the academic world, based on the high percentage of respondents who stated that they are better prepared for this procedure than for plastic surgery for breast reconstruction

Mastoplasty with inclusion of prosthesis during abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients

INTRODUCTION: Augmentation mammaplasty during abdominoplasty reduces surgical time and has a better aesthetic effect as it only leaves a single scar. The authors of this study assessed the results obtained in post-bariatric patients undergoing this procedure in the plastic surgery service at Daher Hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal observational study. Of the 161 post-bariatric patients evaluated, 27 had indications for breast augmentation during abdominoplasty. The surgical technique consisted of classical abdominoplasty and creation of tunnels on the upper and middle abdomen for insertion of implants. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 50 years, with a mean of 42.4 years. The volume of the prosthesis ranged from 285 to 300 ml. The average body mass index was 22.2 kg/m2.The average surgical time period was 2 hours and 35 minutes. None of the following complications were observed: deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, skin necrosis, hematoma, capsular contracture and/or event. Two patients (7.4%) presented with seroma in the mammary region and one patient developed infection. CONCLUSION: The aesthetic results were satisfactory, as there was only a single scar for these two procedures in post-bariatric patients. Selecting the ideal patient was crucial for good operative success

Identification of cellular and genetic drivers of breast cancer heterogeneity in genetically engineered mouse tumour models

The heterogeneous nature of mammary tumours may arise from different initiating genetic lesions occurring in distinct cells of origin. Here, we generated mice in which Brca2, Pten and p53 were depleted in either basal mammary epithelial cells or luminal oestrogen receptor (ER) negative cells. Basal cell-origin tumors displayed similar histological phenotypes regardless of the depleted gene. In contrast, luminal ER negative cells gave rise to diverse phenotypes, depending on the initiating lesions, including both ER negative and, strikingly, ER positive Invasive Ductal Carcinomas. Molecular profiling demonstrated that luminal ER negative cell-origin tumours resembled a range of the molecular subtypes of human breast cancer, including basal-like, luminal B and ‘normal-like’. Furthermore, a subset of these tumours resembled the ‘claudin-low’ tumour subtype. These findings demonstrate that not only do mammary tumour phenotypes depend on the interactions between cell-of-origin and driver genetic aberrations, but also that multiple mammary tumour subtypes, including both ER positive and negative disease, can originate from a single epithelial cell type. This is a fundamental advance in our understanding of tumour etiology

Clinical Utility of Circulating Tumour Cell Androgen Receptor Splice Variant-7 Status in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Background Detection of androgen receptor splice variant-7 (AR-V7) mRNA in circulating tumour cells (CTCs) is associated with worse outcome in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, studies rarely report comparisons with CTC counts and biopsy AR-V7 protein expression. Objective To determine the reproducibility of AdnaTest CTC AR-V7 testing, and associations with clinical characteristics, CellSearch CTC counts, tumour biopsy AR-V7 protein expression and overall survival (OS). Design, setting, and participants CTC AR-V7 status was determined for 227 peripheral blood samples, from 181 mCRPC patients with CTC counts (202 samples; 136 patients) and matched mCRPC biopsies (65 samples; 58 patients). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis CTC AR-V7 status was associated with clinical characteristics, CTC counts, and tissue biopsy AR-V7 protein expression. The association of CTC AR-V7 status and other baseline variables with OS was determined. Results and limitations Of the samples, 35% were CTC+/AR-V7+. CTC+/AR-V7+ samples had higher CellSearch CTC counts (median CTC; interquartile range [IQR]: 60, 19–184 vs 9, 2–64; Mann-Whitney test p Conclusions Studies reporting the prognostic relevance of CTC AR-V7 status must account for CTC counts. Discordant CTC AR-V7 results and AR-V7 protein expression in matched, same-patient biopsies are reported. Patient summary Liquid biopsies that determine circulating tumour cell androgen receptor splice variant-7 status have the potential to impact treatment decisions in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Robust clinical qualification of these assays is required before their routine use

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

DN.: Gallbladder carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 24 cases. JBras Patol Med Lab.2011

Introduction: Despite preoperative procedures, gallbladder carcinoma is commonly detected intraoperatively or on anatomopathologic examination after cholecystectomy. Objective: To study the clinical-morphological aspects and evolution of patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma. Methods: We reviewed medical records and pathologic material of all patients diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma at our institution from 1997 to 2008. Results: Twenty-four cases with primary carcinoma were studied, predominantly among female patients, mean age of 61.1 years. The most common clinical symptom was upper right hypochondriac pain. Five patients were diagnosed in early stages and 19 were in advanced stages. Only seven patients were diagnosed with carcinoma preoperatively, all of them in advanced stages. As to macroscopic examination, three early cases were identified as type IIa, two type IIb and 13 advanced cases were flat and infiltrating. Histologically, there were 23 adenocarcinomas and one adenosquamous carcinoma. Simple cholecystectomy was performed in seven patients, extended cholecystectomy in four patients, cholecystectomy and omentectomy in one patient, and tumor biopsy in only two patients. The median survival rate for patients in early stages was 59 months, and for pT2, pT3 and pT4 stages were 22 months, nine months and three days, respectively. Conclusion: There was a prevalence of advanced neoplasias diagnosed through anatomopathological examinations with poor prognosis. Furthermore, earlier detection contributed to higher survival rate. Investigation of anatomopathologic features, specially the macroscopic patterns of gallbladder carcinoma, is essential to improve diagnostic accuracy and to provide a definite treatment

Gallbladder carcinoma: clinicopathological study of 24 cases Carcinoma da vesícula biliar: estudo clinicopatológico de 24 casos

INTRODUCTION: Despite preoperative procedures, gallbladder carcinoma is commonly detected intraoperatively or on anatomopathologic examination after cholecystectomy. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical-morphological aspects and evolution of patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: We reviewed medical records and pathologic material of all patients diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma at our institution from 1997 to 2008. RESULTS: Twenty-four cases with primary carcinoma were studied, predominantly among female patients, mean age of 61.1 years. The most common clinical symptom was upper right hypochondriac pain. Five patients were diagnosed in early stages and 19 were in advanced stages. Only seven patients were diagnosed with carcinoma preoperatively, all of them in advanced stages. As to macroscopic examination, three early cases were identified as type IIa, two type IIb and 13 advanced cases were flat and infiltrating. Histologically, there were 23 adenocarcinomas and one adenosquamous carcinoma. Simple cholecystectomy was performed in seven patients, extended cholecystectomy in four patients, cholecystectomy and omentectomy in one patient, and tumor biopsy in only two patients. The median survival rate for patients in early stages was 59 months, and for pT2, pT3 and pT4 stages were 22 months, nine months and three days, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was a prevalence of advanced neoplasias diagnosed through anatomopathological examinations with poor prognosis. Furthermore, earlier detection contributed to higher survival rate. Investigation of anatomopathologic features, specially the macroscopic patterns of gallbladder carcinoma, is essential to improve diagnostic accuracy and to provide a definite treatment.<br>INTRODUÇÃO: Não obstante estudos pré-operatórios, o câncer da vesícula biliar é frequentemente detectado durante a cirurgia ou no exame anatomopatológico após colecistectomias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as principais apresentações clinicomorfológicas e a evolução de pacientes com carcinoma da vesícula biliar. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados prontuários médicos e material anatomopatológico de todos os pacientes com carcinoma de vesícula biliar diagnosticados em nosso hospital de 1997 a 2008. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 24 carcinomas primários, com predomínio em mulheres, média de idade de 61,1 anos. A apresentação clínica mais frequente foi de dor em hipocôndrio direito. Cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados em estádios precoces e 19, em estádios avançados. O diagnóstico pré-operatório de câncer foi realizado em sete pacientes, todos em estádios avançados. Ao exame macroscópico, três cânceres precoces eram tipo IIa e dois, IIb. Treze casos avançados eram aplanados e infiltrantes, 23 eram adenocarcinomas e um era adenoescamoso. Colecistectomia simples foi realizada em sete pacientes, colecistectomia associada à ressecção do leito hepático em quatro, colecistectomia e omentectomia em um e apenas biópsia do tumor em dois pacientes. A média de sobrevida para os pacientes em estádio precoce foi de 59 meses e para os pT2, pT3 e pT4 foram 22 meses, nove meses e três dias, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Salienta-se a prevalência de neoplasias avançadas, com prognóstico ruim, diagnosticadas ao exame anatomopatológico. Detecção mais precoce contribuiu para melhor sobrevida. Conhecimento das características anatomopatológicas, especialmente dos padrões macroscópicos do câncer da vesícula biliar, é essencial para melhorar a acuidade diagnóstica e permitir o tratamento radical definitivo