Fallopian tube origin of supposed ovarian high‐grade serous carcinomas

INTRODUCTION: Serous carcinomas are the most frequent histologic type of ovarian and peritoneal cancers, and can also be detected in the endometrium and fallopian tubes. Serous carcinomas are usually high-grade neoplasms when diagnosed, yet the identification of an associated precursor lesion remains challenging. Pathological examination of specimens obtained from prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies that were performed for patients harboring BRCA1/2 mutations suggests that high-grade serous carcinomas may arise in the fallopian tubes rather than in the ovaries. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence and extent of fallopian tube involvement in cases of serous pelvic carcinomas. METHODS: Thirty-four cases of serous pelvic carcinoma with clinical presentations suggesting an ovarian origin were analyzed retrospectively. Histologic samples of fallopian tube tissues were available for these cases and were analyzed. Probable primary site, type of tubal involvement, tissues involved in the neoplasia and vascular involvement were evaluated. RESULTS: Fallopian tube involvement was observed in 24/34 (70.6%) cases. In 4 (11.8%) of these cases, an intraepithelial neoplasia was present, and therefore these cases were hypothesized to be primary from fallopian tubes. For an additional 7/34 (20.6%) cases, a fallopian tube origin was considered a possible primary. CONCLUSIONS: Fallopian tubes can be the primary site for a subset of pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas

Torção anexial após tratamento da Síndrome de Mcune-Albright com agonista de GnRH: relato de caso

Adnexal torsion may occur in girls and adolescents. Often it is associated with ovarian diseases resulting in ovarian enlargement. Adnexal torsion may involve the ovary, fallopian tube or both, and the main sympton is acute pelvic pain. An 8-year-old girl complaining of acute pelvic and abdominal pain, who was previously diagnosed with precocious puberty and who received treatment with a GnRH analog, is reported. Ultrasound demonstrated a normal-sized uterus and bilaterally enlarged ovaries with multiple internal cysts. At laparotomy, we found a complete torsion in the right adnexa. The histological examination revealed massive edema associated with multiple antral follicles and reduction of the follicular reserve.Torção anexial pode ocorrer em crianças e adolescentes do sexo feminino. Frequentemente está associada com doenças ovarianas que resultam em crescimento da gônada. A torção anexial pode comprometer os ovários isoladamente, as tubas uterinas ou ambos e o sintoma principal é dor pélvica aguda. Descrevemos um caso de dor pélvica aguda em uma menina de 8 anos de idade, com diagnóstico prévio de puberdade precoce e que estava em tratamento com análogo de GnRH. O exame ultra-sonográfico demonstrava útero de tamanho normal com ovários aumentados bilateralmente e múltiplos cistos. Na laparotomia foi encontrado torção completa do anexo direito. O exame histológico demonstrou edema maciço de ovário associado com múltiplos cistos antrais e redução da reserva folicular

Adenossarcoma Mülleriano com componente sarcomatoso predominante, após tratamento adjuvante do câncer de mama com tamoxifeno

Müllerian adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth presented by a 52-year-old female patient after adjuvant tamoxifen treatment for breast carcinoma is described. The diagnosis was made on histological basis after curettage and complementary total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The immunohistochemical study showed high expression of estrogen receptors in the epithelial component of the lesion and irregularly positive findings in the stroma. The proliferative activity evaluated by Ki-67 immunoexpression was higher in the stroma than the epithelium. Some of the stromal cells showed rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. The association of tamoxifen use and development of mesenchymal neoplasms is discussed.É descrito o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 52 anos, com adenossarcoma Mülleriano com componente sarcomatoso predominante, que se apresentou após tratamento adjuvante com tamoxifeno para câncer de mama. O diagnóstico foi feito em bases histológicas após curetagem uterina e histerectomia total complementar com anexectomia bilateral. O estudo imuno-histoquímico mostrou alta expressão de receptores de estrogênio no componente epitelial da lesão e positividade irregular no estroma. A atividade proliferativa avaliada através da imunoexpressão do Ki-67 foi maior no estroma do que no epitélio. Algumas células estromais mostraram diferenciação rabdomioblástica. A associação entre uso de tamoxifeno e desenvolvimento de neoplasias mesenquimais é discutida

Conização, exame de congelação e histerectomia planejada no tratamento de neoplasia intra-epitelial de alto grau

PURPOSE: We tested the role of frozen section examination of the cone specimen in the evaluation of the resection margin status and to rule out invasion in patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia underwent conization followed by frozen section examination and planned hysterectomy. The results of the definitive paraffin exam were compared with frozen section examination. RESULTS: In the evaluation of the margins by frozen section examination, 16 patients (64%) had positive cone margins and 9 (36%) had negative margins. The definitive paraffin examination of margin status was concordant in all the cases. Intraoperative diagnosis of invasion was made in 5 cases, and 1 of these was microinvasive. Among the remaining 20 cases, we detected 2 additional microinvasive carcinomas after paraffin study, so the diagnosis of the frozen section examination was concordant with the paraffin sections in 23/25 cases (92%). Two cases of microinvasive carcinoma were diagnosed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by frozen section examination and had less than 2 mm stromal invasion. CONCLUSIONS: In high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, frozen section examination can provide immediate and precise evaluation of the cone margin status in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It can identify frank invasion and permit adequate treatment in a one-stage procedure. In early microinvasive disease, frozen section examination fails to detect the area of invasion but reliably detects clear resection margins.OBJETIVOS: Foi avaliado o papel do exame intra-operatório de congelação no diagnóstico de invasão e no estado das margens cirúrgicas em pacientes com neoplasia intra-epitelial de alto grau. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Vinte e cinco pacientes com neoplasia intra-epitelial de alto grau foram submetidas a conização cervical seguida de histerectomia. O resultado do exame definitivo em parafina foi comparado com o exame de congelação. RESULTADOS: Dezesseis pacientes (64 %) tiveram margens comprometidas e 9 (36 %) livres. O diagnóstico definitivo na parafina foi concordante em todos os casos no diagnóstico do estado das margens. Em cinco casos foi diagnosticada invasão, sendo 1 caso de carcinoma microinvasivo. Entre os 20 casos restantes foram detectados 2 carcinomas microinvasivos adicionais após o exame em parafina. Desta forma o exame intra-operatório de congelação foi concordante com o exame definitivo em 23/25 casos (92 %). Dois casos de carcinoma microinvasivo foram diagnosticados como neoplasia intra-epitelial de alto grau no exame de congelação e apresentavam invasão estromal menor que 2 cm. CONCLUSÕES: O exame intra-operatório de congelação é capaz de predizer o estado das margens cirúrgicas em todos os casos de neoplasia intra-epitelial de alto grau assim como o diagnóstico de invasão franca. Nos casos de carcinoma microinvasivo este exame falha na detecção de invasão, entretanto é capaz de garantir margens livres de ressecção

A comparison of CA125, HE4, risk ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA), and risk malignancy index (RMI) for the classification of ovarian masses

OBJECTIVE: Differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms is essential for creating a system for patient referrals. Therefore, the contributions of the tumor markers CA125 and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) as well as the risk ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) and risk malignancy index (RMI) values were considered individually and in combination to evaluate their utility for establishing this type of patient referral system. METHODS: Patients who had been diagnosed with ovarian masses through imaging analyses (n = 128) were assessed for their expression of the tumor markers CA125 and HE4. The ROMA and RMI values were also determined. The sensitivity and specificity of each parameter were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves according to the area under the curve (AUC) for each method. RESULTS: The sensitivities associated with the ability of CA125, HE4, ROMA, or RMI to distinguish between malignant versus benign ovarian masses were 70.4%, 79.6%, 74.1%, and 63%, respectively. Among carcinomas, the sensitivities of CA125, HE4, ROMA (pre-and post-menopausal), and RMI were 93.5%, 87.1%, 80%, 95.2%, and 87.1%, respectively. The most accurate numerical values were obtained with RMI, although the four parameters were shown to be statistically equivalent. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in accuracy between CA125, HE4, ROMA, and RMI for differentiating between types of ovarian masses. RMI had the lowest sensitivity but was the most numerically accurate method. HE4 demonstrated the best overall sensitivity for the evaluation of malignant ovarian tumors and the differential diagnosis of endometriosis. All of the parameters demonstrated increased sensitivity when tumors with low malignancy potential were considered low-risk, which may be used as an acceptable assessment method for referring patients to reference centers

Hipotireoidismo após ressecção de tumor struma ovarii: relato de caso

Struma ovarii é um tumor infreqüente com poucos relatos de casos abordando detalhadamente a função tireoidiana. Na maioria dos casos têm sido demonstrado que o struma ovarii produz hipertireoidismo, entretando não existe relatos de desenvolvimento de hipotireoidismo após a retirada deste tumor. Uma mulher branca de 62 anos foi submetida a oforectomia direita com diagnóstico anatomopatológico de struma ovarii. Após seis dias da cirurgia, a paciente desenvolveu fraqueza, mialgia, sonolência, náusea e hipotensão arterial. Exames laboratoriais demonstraram níveis elevados de hormônio tireo-estimulante (TSH) e baixos de T3 e T4. Foi iniciado terapia de reposição de tiroxina e a paciente recuperou seus parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais. Não existe, até o momento, relato de hipotireoidismo seguindo a exerese de struma ovarii. Este é o primeiro caso de uma mulher com função tireoidiana prévia normal que desenvolveu hipotireoidismo clínico após a ressecção de um tumor ovariano struma ovarii.Struma ovarii is an infrequent ovarian tumor, and there are only few reports with detailed data of thyroid function. In several cases, malignant struma ovarii have been shown to produce hyperthyroidism, but there is no reported case of hypothyroidism following struma ovarii tumor resection. A 62-year-old white woman underwent right ovary resection that had a pathologic diagnosis of struma ovarii. After 6 days, she developed weakness, myalgia, somnolence, nausea, and arterial hypotension. Laboratory tests showed a high level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and a decreased level thyroxin. Thyroxin replacement therapy was initiated, and the patient became completely asymptomatic. This is the first reported case of a previously asymptomatic woman who developed a definite clinical hypothyroidism after resection of a struma ovarii tumor

O jornalismo de saúde televisivo e a população portuguesa com mais de 60 anos

A presente investigação procura analisar a relação da população idosa portuguesa, com 60 ou mais anos, com o jornalismo de saúde televisivo. Para esse efeito, a amostra elegida para estudo foram os alunos de seis Universidades Sénior da Região Oeste: Alfeizerão, Caldas da Rainha, Landal, Nazaré, Pataias e Peniche. A escolha desta amostra está relacionada com o facto de a autora ter pré-definido alguns critérios de seleção dos participantes, tais como “ver noticiários televisivos” e “ter capacidade de raciocínio e aptidão para apreender e compreender a informação” - fatores à partida garantidos, uma vez que se trata de idosos ativos e com a capacidade para estudar na universidade. No total, participaram 147 séniores. Para estudar a vertente do jornalismo de saúde em televisão, a autora optou por entrevistar jornalistas e pivôs que estivessem, de alguma forma, relacionados com a temática da saúde. Dado que o estágio da autora decorreu na “Rádio e Televisão de Portugal” (RTP), todos os jornalistas entrevistados pertenciam – no momento da entrevista – a esta mesma estação televisiva. O objetivo de analisar a relação da população sénior com o jornalismo de saúde em televisão ascende da vontade da autora em querer perceber de que forma é que esta relação é mantida, de que forma é que a mesma se desenvolve e, ainda, quais as consequências que dela advêm.The current investigation seeks to analyze the relationship between Portuguese elderly population and television health journalism. For this purpose, the sample chosen to this study are students from six Senior Universities in the West Region of Portugal: Alfeizerão, Caldas da Rainha, Landal, Nazaré, Pataias e Peniche. The choice of this sample is related with the fact the author has established some criteria to select the participants, such as “watching television news” and “having reasoning ability and skills to understand and comprehend the information” - factors that are guaranteed in advance, since since they have the skills to study at the university. In total, 147 seniors participated in the study. To study the strand of health journalism in television, the author chose to interview journalists and news anchors that are somehow related to the subject . Since the author’s internship took place at “Rádio e Televisão de Portugal” (RTP), all the interviewed journalists were employees of the company, at the time of the interview. The goal of analyzing the relationship between senior population and health journalism in television rises from the author’s desire to understand how this relationship is maintained, how it develops and the consequences

Ultra-sonografia com Doppler colorido e uso de contraste na diferenciação dos tumores ovarianos

The objective of this study was to differentiate benign ovarian tumors from malignant ones before surgery using color and pulsed Doppler sonography, and to compare results obtained before and after use of contrast medium, thereby verifying whether contrast results in an improvement in the diagnostic sensitivity. METHODS: Sixty two women (mean age 49.9 years) with ovarian tumors were studied, 45 with benign and 17 with malignant tumors. All women underwent a transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonographic exam. A study of the arterial vascular flow was made in all tumor areas, as well as an impedance evaluation of arterial vascular flow using the resistance index. RESULT: Localization of the vessels in the tumor revealed a greater proportion of malignant tumors with detectable internal vascular flows (64%) than benign tumors with such flows (22%). There was a considerable overlap of these findings. The use of contrast identified a greater number of vessels with confirmation in the totality of tumors, but did not improve the Doppler capacity in tumoral differentiation. Malignant tumors presented lower values of resistance index than the benign ones, whether or not contrast was used. The cutoff value for resistance index that better maximized the Doppler sensitivity and specificity was 0.55. Through this value, an increase of the sensitivity after contrast use was obtained, varying from 47% to 82%, while specificity remained statistically unchanged. CONCLUSION: Although the injection of a microbubble agent improved the sensitivity of the method detecting vascularization of tumors, a positive finding for vascularization by this method was not clinically useful in the differentiation of benign and malignant ovarian tumors.O objetivo deste estudo foi diferenciar tumores ovarianos benignos e malignos antes da cirurgia através da ultra-sonografia com uso de Doppler colorido pulsátil e comparar os resultados obtidos antes e após o uso de contraste. MÉTODO: Foram estudadas sessenta e duas mulheres (idade média de 49,9 anos) com tumores ovarianos, sendo 45 benigos e 17 malignos. Todas foram submetidas a ultra-sonografia transvaginal com Doppler colorido. A pesquisa de fluxo vascular foi realizado em todas as áreas tumorais, assim como a avaliação da impedância através do índice de resistência. RESULTADOS: A localização dos vasos no tumor revelaram uma maior proporção de fluxo vascular interno detectável nos tumores malignos (64%) do que nos tumores benignos (22%). Houve entretanto uma considerável sobreposição destes achados. O uso de constrate foi capaz de identificar um grande número de vasos na totalidade dos tumores, mas não melhorou a capacidade do Doppler na diferenciação entre tumores benignos e malignos. Os tumores malignos apresentaram valores mais baixos de índice de resistência.IR do que os benignos, independentemente do uso de contraste. O valor de corte do índice de resistência. que maximizou a sensibilidade e a especificidade do Doppler foi de 0,55. Com este valor foi obtido um aumento na sensibilidade após o uso de contraste, variando de 47% a 82 %, enquanto a especificidade se manteve equivalente. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a injeção de agentes produtores de microbolhas aumentem a sensibilidade do método na diferenciação da natureza do tumor, este valor não se mostrou clinicamente util na avaliação de tumores ovarianos