O Short Physical Performance Battery é uma ferramenta discriminativa para identificar baixa qualidade de vida em mulheres na pós-menopausa sobreviventes do câncer ginecológico

Adverse events due to cancer treatment (changes in weight, reduced muscle capacity and mobility) hinder the quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors. Nevertheless, the identification of discriminative predictors of QoL in post-menopausal women (PW) survivors of gynecological cancer (PW-SGC) has been ignored. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of muscle capacity, mobility and body mass index (BMI) on the deterioration of QoL in PW (n = 35; 62.1 ± 8.2 years) and PW-SGC (n = 51; 60.8 ± 11.4 years). Methods: The QoL questionnaire (SF-36), anthropometrical evaluation (BMI), hand-held dynamometry (HHD) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were applied in all volunteers. Results: The participants had overweight, low SF-36 scores and normal HHD, and no significant differences were found between both groups, however the SPPB score was higher in the PW group (p < 0.001). Linear regression analyses for QoL indicated the BMI (beta = -0.27) and the SPPB (beta = 0.57) were the strongest and most significant predictors in PW and PW-SGC, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) for the SPPB score was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.57-0.87; P = 0.015) in the PW-SGC group and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.47-0.75; P = 0.181) in PW. Conclusion: The present study showed that the importance of BMI and mobility (SPPB) for QoL differ between PW and PW-SGC. For PW-SGC, the strongest independent predictor of QoL was mobility (SPPB), whereas BMI was the strongest contributor in PW. Moreover, the SPPB test is a discriminative predictor (or assessment tool) for identifying the low quality of life in postmenopausal women survivors of gynecological cancer.Efeitos adversos do tratamento (modificações da massa corporal e reduções da capacidade muscular e mobilidade) podem modificar a qualidade de vida (QV) de sobreviventes de câncer. Semelhantemente, a menopausa e o envelhecimento podem promover alterações antropométricas e da função física. Portanto, torna-se necessário o levantamento de ferramentas para predizer, distintamente, a QV em mulheres na pós menopausa (PM) e em mulheres na pós menopausa sobreviventes de câncer ginecológico (PMSCG). Objetivo: Examinar a contribuição da força, mobilidade e do índice de massa corporal (IMC) sobre as alterações da QV em PM (n = 35; 62,1±8,2 anos) e PMSCG (n = 51; 60,8±11,4 anos). Métodos: Aplicou-se questionário de QV (SF-36), avaliação antropométrica (IMC), dinamometria de preensão manual (DPM) e short physical performance battery (SPPB). Resultados: Participantes apresentaram sobrepeso, baixo score em SF-36 e DPM normal, sem diferenças entre os grupos. O score de SPPB foi maior em PM (p<0,001). Análise de regressão linear de QV, indicou IMC (beta = -0,27) e o SPPB (beta = 0,57), como os mais fortes preditores em PM e PMSCG, respectivamente. A área sob a curva para o score do SPPB foi 0,74 (95% CI: 0,57-0.87; P = 0,015) em PMSCG e 0,62 (95% CI: 0,47-0,75; P = 0,181) em PM. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que para PMSCG o principal preditor da QV foi a mobilidade (SPPB), enquanto o IMC foi o mais forte contribuidor em PM. Portanto, o SPPB é um teste específico para identificar reduções na QV pacientes sobreviventes de câncer ginecológico

Giant luteinized follicular cyst of pregnancy

Os cistos funcionais geralmente não causam sintomas ou requerem intervenção cirúrgica. Relatamos o caso de uma primigesta de 17 anos, idade gestacional de 10 semanas e 2 dias, e ultrassonografia mostrando cisto anecoico em região parauterina direita sem septos, com maior diâmetro de 13,5cm, volume 632ml e Doppler sem vascularização periférica. A paciente permaneceu oligossintomática durante a gestação. Com 37 semanas e 6 dias, a gestação foi interrompida, quando o cisto apresentava 2.600 ml pela ultrassonografia. A extração fetal foi realizada por cesariana, e um grande cisto anexial visualizado à direita foi removido. A análise histopatológica da peça cirúrgica revelou lesão cística revestida por células luteinizadas com núcleos discretamente hipercromáticos e levemente pleomórficos, com estroma fibroso subjacente com células luteinizadas esparsas, caracterizando cisto folicular luteinizado gigante da gravidez. A prevalência de massas ovarianas na gravidez é rara, geralmente não ultrapassam o diâmetro de 5 cm, e desaparecem espontaneamente no segundo trimestre. A paciente do relato de caso apresentou cisto de 632 ml, aumentando de volume para 2600 ml no momento do parto. O diagnóstico pré-operatório definitivo de massas ovarianas ainda é difícil, e os critérios preditivos de malignidade incluem o uso de marcadores tumorais, ultrassonografia e Doppler. A associação desses testes deve orientar o clínico para definir o melhor momento para a intervenção cirúrgica.Functional cysts usually do not cause symptoms or require surgical intervention. We reported a 17-year-old primigravida, gestational age of 10 weeks and 2 days, and ultrasound showing anechoic cyst in the right parauterine region without septa, with a larger diameter of 13.5cm, 632ml, and Doppler color without peripheral vascularization. The patient was oligosymptomatic during gestation. At 37 weeks and 6 days, gestation was interrupted, when the cyst had 2600 ml by ultrasonography. Fetal extraction was performed by cesarean delivery, and a large adnexal cyst visualized on the right was removed. The histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen revealed a cystic lesion coated by luteinized cells with discrete hyperchromatic and slightly pleomorphic nuclei, with underlying fibrous stroma with sparse luteinized cells, characterizing a giant luteinized follicular cyst of pregnancy. The prevalence of ovarian masses in pregnancy is rare, usually not exceeding 5 cm in diameter, and disappearing spontaneously in the second trimester. The patient in the case report had a cyst of 632 ml, increasing in volume to 2600 ml at the time of delivery. Definitive preoperative diagnosis of ovarian masses is still difficult, and predictive criteria for malignancy include the use of tumor markers, ultrasound, and Doppler. The association of these tests should guide the clinician to define the best time for surgical intervention. The association of these tests should guide the clinician to define the best time for surgical intervention

Utilization of Interferon in Gynecologic and Breast Cancer

The usual treatment of gynecologic cancer has been surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. New therapies are being developed to improve efficacy of treatment. Interferons are inducible secretory glycoproteins that have immunomodulatory, antiviral, anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative effects. Their potential antitumor effect has been demonstrated in many studies. Some patients obtain beneficial effects; in other patients the treatment failure can occur. IFNs can modulate the immune response and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. When any alteration in gene expression occurs, there is modulation of the receptors of other cytokines and enzymes that control cell function. These alterations can influence the differentiation, cell proliferation rate and apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms that control apoptotic cell death can be improved through cancer management using IFN in single, combination or adjuvant treatment. Malignant cells generally present defects in programmed cell death and apoptosis. Immunomodulation and angiogenesis inhibition are indirect antitumor mechanisms mediated by apoptosis. With regard to immunomodulation, IFNs can have antitumor effects through increases in cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. Angiogenesis inhibition can result from endothelial cell apoptosis. This factor is important in inhibiting tumor genesis and forming metastases. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of Interferon in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies/breast cancer and mechanisms of action

Mast cells and M2 macrophages in ovarian cancer

The objectives of this study were to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of markers of mast cells and M2 macrophages in benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms and to examine the prognostic value of this expression in ovarian cancer. The study was performed with samples from 32 patients, divided into benign (n = 16) and malignant (n = 16) neoplasm groups. Samples obtained by surgical resection were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis. Higher proportions of M2 macrophages (p = .041) and mast cells (p = .0054) were present in malignant than benign ovarian neoplasms. Histological grade 2/3 was related to higher proportions of M2 macrophages compared with grade 1 (p = .0102). Stages II-IV were also related to higher proportions of M2 macrophages (p = .0102). Logistic regression revealed that M2 macrophages predicted malignancy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.017; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.003–1.037; p = .017], but that mastocytes had greater predictive value for this outcome (OR = 1.127; 95% CI, 1.018–1.105; p = .013). M2 macrophages predicted more advanced histological grades (OR = 1.060; 95% CI, 1.010–1.218; p = .003). The proportions of M2 macrophages and mast cells were greater in malignant than in benign ovarian neoplasms. Larger proportions of cells expressing M2 macrophages were related to more advanced histological grades and disease stages, and thus to worse prognoses for ovarian cancer.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Concentrations of mast cells and M2 macrophages have been observed in several tumour types, but their significance remains uncertain. What do the results of this study add? The proportions of M2 macrophages and mast cells were greater in malignant than in benign ovarian neoplasms. Larger proportions of cells expressing M2 macrophages were related to higher histological grades and more advanced stages of the disease. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Larger proportions of cells expressing M2 macrophages were related to worse prognoses for malignant ovarian neoplasia. The discovery of new prognostic factors in ovarian cancer may be the target of studies on new treatments and immunotherapies for this disease. In addition, it can help guide the oncologist towards more aggressive treatments for patients with worse prognostic factors

Helper T Lymphocyte Response in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Intraepithelial Neoplasia Submitted to Immunotherapy with Pegylated Interferon-α

Immunotherapy in cancer patients is a very promising treatment and the development of new protocols and the study of the mechanisms of regression is imperative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of cytokines in helper T (CD4+) lymphocytes during immunotherapy with pegylated IFN-α in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). We conducted a prospective study with 17 patients with CIN II-III using immunotherapy with pegylated IFN-α subcutaneouly weekly, and using flow cytometry we evaluated the peripheric CD4+ T lymphocytes. The results show that in the regression group the patients presented a significant increase in the amount of IFN-γ during the entire immunotherapy, compared with the group without a response. The amount of CD4+ T lymphocytes positive for IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β is significantly lower in patients with good clinical response. The results also demonstrate that patients with regression have a higher amount of intracellular TNF-α in CD4+ T lymphocytes before the start of treatment. Analyzing these data sets, it can be concluded that immunotherapy is a viable clinical treatment for patients with high-grade CIN and that the regression is dependent on the change in the immune response to a Th1 pattern

Cytokines and Prognostic Factors in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Introduction Ovarian cancer has a high mortality and delayed diagnosis. Inflammation is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, and the inflammatory response is involved in almost all stages of tumor development. Immunohistochemical staining in stroma and epithelium of a panel of cytokines in benign and malignant ovarian neoplasm was evaluated. In addition, immunostaining was related to prognostic factors in malignant tumors. Method The study group comprised 28 ovarian benign neoplasias and 28 ovarian malignant neoplasms. A panel of cytokines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (Th1: IL-2 and IL-8; Th2: IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10; and TNFR1). Chi-square test with Yates’ correction was used, which was considered significant if less than 0.05. Results TNFR1, IL-5, and IL-10 had more frequent immunostaining 2/3 in benign neoplasms compared with malignant tumors. Malignant tumors had more frequent immunostaining 2/3 for IL-2 in relation to benign tumors. The immunostaining 0/1 of IL 8 was more frequent in the stroma of benign neoplasms compared with malignant neoplasms. Evaluation of the ovarian cancer stroma showed that histological grade 3 was significantly correlated with staining 2/3 for IL-2 ( P = 0.004). Women whose disease-free survival was less than 2.5 years had TNFR1 stromal staining 2/3 ( P = 0.03) more frequently. Conclusion IL-2 and TNFR1 stromal immunostaining are related prognostic factors in ovarian cancer and can be the target of new therapeutic strategies

Utilization of human papillomavirus testing for cervical cancer prevention in a university hospital

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and cost of using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybrid capture in the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in patients with cytological abnormalities (ASCUS/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion - LSIL), and the feasibility of implementing these methods in Brazil's Unified National Health System (SUS). Colposcopy gave a negative predictive value of 92.86% and efficiency of 87.8% for diagnosing CIN. The sensitivity of PCR and hybrid capture for detecting CIN was 83.33% and 66.67%, respectively, and the negative predictive value for diagnosing CIN2/CIN3 was 100% and 94.74%, respectively. The annual cost for 80 patients was lower when all patients with ASCUS/LSIL were referred for colposcopy than when HPV testing was performed and those with positive results were referred for colposcopy. Therefore, at present, it is financially unfeasible for the National Health System to implement HPV testing to screen patients with cytological abnormalities (ASCUS/LSIL). However, considering that large-scale use might make such methods cheaper, PCR should be the chosen method, since it is less expensive, more sensitive, and has a high negative predictive value

Is Ovarian Cancer Prevention Currently Still a recommendation of Our Grandparents?

<div><p>Abstract Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecologic tumors because in most of the cases (75%), the disease is diagnosed in advanced stages. Screening methods are not available since the disease is rare, and the tested methods, such as ultrasound and CA125, were not able to decrease the mortality rate for this type of cancer. This article discusses the main risk factors for ovarian cancer, and the potential clinical and surgical strategies for the prevention of this disease.</p></div