Nilton Leite Xavier

Sexual function and chemotherapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

BackgroundThis cross-sectional, nested cohort study assessed Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores in postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving primary chemotherapy.MethodsThe FSFI questionnaire was administered to 24 postmenopausal women one month after diagnosis of breast cancer (post-diagnosis group) and one month after completion of the first cycle of primary anthracyclin-based chemotherapy (post-chemotherapy group). Scores were compared to those of 24 healthy postmenopausal women seeking routine gynecological care (control group). All patients were sexually active at the time of enrollment. Mean age was 57.29 ± 11.82 years in the breast cancer group and 52.58 ± 7.19 years in the control group.ResultsScores in all domains of the FSFI instrument were significantly lower in the post-diagnosis group than in controls (−41.3%, p < 0.001). A further major reduction in FSFI scores was evident on completion of one cycle of primary chemotherapy (down 46.7% from post-diagnosis scores, p < 0.003), again in all domains. Six patients (25%) ceased all sexual relations, in a significant change from baseline (p < 0.001). After one chemotherapy cycle, a further five patients ceased sexual activity, for a total of 11 (45.8%) participants – a borderline significant difference (p = 0.063).ConclusionThe present study shows that female sexual function as assessed by the FSFI declines significantly at two distinct points in time: upon diagnosis of breast cancer and after administration of systemic chemotherapy.

Sentinel lymph node identification and sampling in women with early breast cancer using 99mTc labelled dextran 500 and patent blue V dye

The status of the homolateral axillary lymph nodes is still the most important prognostic factor in early stage breast cancer. The information obtained from the pathological examination of the lymph nodes guides is of critical importance in the decision process regarding the use of postoperative adjuvant therapy. However, lymph node axillary dissection can be followed by significant locoregional morbidity. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) technique was developed as a means of avoiding the full exploration of the axilla and consists in the identification of the first lymph node in the lymphatic drainage system of the breast tumour in the homolateral axilla. It has been demonstrated that the status of the SLN is highly predictive for the presence or absence of tumour involvement in the remaining lymph nodes in the axilla. In this study we evaluated the SLN technique using both 99mTc labelled dextran 500 and patent blue V dye in relation to the classical lymph node resection a series of 56 women with early breast cancer who attended the Breast Unit of the Academic Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. To our knowledge this is the first report in the literature of the utilization of 99mTc dextran 500 for the SLN technique. As there are no similar commercially available dedicated radiopharmaceuticals labelled for use in lymphoscintigraphy studies, we report on an effective method to label dextran 500 with 99mTc which proved to be simple, inexpensive and yielded similar results for SLN identification compared with those given in the literature. The median age of the patients was 57 years (range 32-82 years). Seventeen patients were age 50 years or less, and 39 patients were older than 50 years. The median tumour size was 2.0 cm (range 0.8-7.0 cm). The mapping of the SLN was possible in all cases during the transoperative period by using a hand-guided gamma probe and a blue dye. A median of 2.0 (range 1-5) SLN were excised per patient. The median of axillary lymph nodes excised per patient was 21 (range 10-36). The calculated sensitivity and specificity of the method were 95.6% and 100%, respectively. The negative predictive value and overall accuracy were 97% and 98.2%, respectively. In conclusion, the SLN technique was feasible and produced similar positive results as previously reported in the literature.

Prevalence of vascular-endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in primary breast cancer.

Our objective was to determine the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 and specific tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in tumor samples obtained from patients with primary breast cancer. We attempted to correlate these findings with the status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) and clinical-pathological characteristics such as age, tumor size, histological type, histological grade, and vascular invasion. Tumor samples from 88 patients with primary breast cancer were analyzed. The immunoreactivity of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in tumors was correlated with clinical and pathological features, as well as SLN status. Nonparametric, Mann-Whittney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearmann tests were used. Categorical variables were analyzed by the Pearson test. No statistically significant correlation was found between the amount of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 and the presence of tumor cells in the SLN. However, larger tumor diameter (P < 0.01) and the presence of vascular invasion (P < 0.01) were correlated positively with a positive SLN. A significant correlation of higher VEGF levels (P = 0.04) and lower TIMP-1 levels (P = 0.04) with ductal histology was also observed. Furthermore, lower TIMP-2 levels showed a statistically significant correlation with younger age (<50 years) and larger tumor diameter (2.0-5.0 cm). A positive SLN correlated significantly with a larger tumor diameter and the presence of vascular invasion. Higher VEGF and lower TIMP-1 levels were observed in patients with ductal tumors, while higher TIMP-1 levels were observed in lobular tumors.

Scintigraphic sentinel node detection in breast cancer patients : paired and blinded comparison of 99mTc dextran 500 and 99mTc phytate

BackgroundBreast cancer surgery has evolved towards minimizing morbidity, maximizing cure rates and stratifying treatments according to disease stage. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is becoming standard practice in most centres. However, no standard radiopharmaceutical exists. ObjectivesTo blindly compare 99mTc dextran 500 and 99mTc phytate in the scintigraphic detection of sentinel lymph nodes. Endpoints were the detection of axillary or internal mammary lymph nodes, number of lymph nodes detected, detectability in the first versus the second hour of evaluation and the relationship between rate of detection and age or body mass index. MethodsForty-six patients with histological diagnosis of early breast cancer, without previous surgical treatment, were enrolled in our study. Each patient underwent lymphoscintigraphy twice: on one day with 99mTc dextran 500 and on another day with 99mTc phytate. Images were acquired 1 h and 2 h after tracer administration. ResultsEighty-eight lymphoscintigraphic studies were performed in 44 patients. On the first image (taken at 1 h), 34 patients from the 99mTc dextran group showed sentinel nodes compared with 28 positive examinations using 99mTc phytate (P=0.113). On the second image (taken at 2 h) 39 patients from the 99mTc dextran group showed positive results compared to 30 positive examinations using 99mTc phytate (P=0.036). There was no statistically significant correlation between the body mass index or age and the result of the lymphoscintigraphy. Conclusion99mTc dextran 500 is better than 99mTc phytate for use in a 2 h interval scintigraphic protocol because it demonstrates the sentinel node in a significantly higher number of patients and also showed more lymph nodes suitable for pathological examination.

Comparação dos resultados do tratamento cirúrgico da incontinência urinária de esforço por três diferentes técnicas cirúrgicas

Purpose: to analyze the prevalence of genuine urinary incontinence (GUI) recurrence, after at least two years of follow-up, in different surgical techniques used for its correction. Patients and Methods: fifty-five patients with diagnosis of GUI, submitted to surgery for its repair at the Servico de Ginecologia e Obstetricia do Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre from 1992 to 1996 and whose post-surgical follow-up was superior to 2 years were divided into three groups according to the surgical approach: Kelly-Kennedy (n = 24), Burch (n = 23) and Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz (n = 8). Results: there were no differences regarding recurrence rate, age at surgery and at recurrence time, estrogen therapy, number of pregnancies and vaginal delivery (p>0.05). Although posterior perineoplasty was more prevalent in the Kelly-Kennedy group, it did not influence the recurrence rate. The group submitted to the Burch approach had more years of menopause at the time of surgery. Conclusion: the recurrence rates of urinary incontinence comparing the three different techniques (Kelly-Kennedy, Burch and Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz) were, respectively, 29.2, 39.1 and 50%, which did not differ statistically. Considering the potential confusional bias for urinary stress incontinence, they did not differ among the groups. Nevertheless, we noticed that all women who had previous surgery presented recurrence of incontinence.

Necrotizing Fasciitis in Obstetric Patients

Purpose: the authors report their experience with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) cases which occurred in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, assessing the frequency of NF and analyzing the association between NF and certain risk factors cited in the literature. Methods: a retrospective study of patients a with diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis at the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre from January 1990 to December 1997. Results: two post-cesarean section and one post-surgical (because of ectopic pregnancy) NF cases were found. None of the patients presented clinical complications nor NF risk factors and all surgeries were urgent. The NF frequency in this study was 2.6/10.000 cesarians and mortality was zero. Discussion: NF is a clinical syndrome which does not occur very often but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This disease involves the surgical wound and the fascial plans. Fast handling and early and intensive treatment bring about good results and decrease in the mortality rate.

Intraoperative injection of technetium-99m-dextran 500 for the identification of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer

PURPOSE to determine the efficacy of intraoperative injection of Dextran-500-99m-technetium (Tc) for the identification of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer and analyze time to label the SLN in the axillary region. METHODS a prospective study between April 2008 and June 2009, which included 74 sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer in stages T1N0 and T2N0. After induction of anesthesia, 0.5 to 1.5 mCi of Dextran-500-99m-Tc filtered 0.22 µm in a volume of 5 mL was injected intraoperative using the subareolar technique for SLNB. After labeling with the radioisotope, 2 mL of patent blue was injected. The time elapsed between injection and the axillary hot spot, the in vivo and ex vivo counts of the hottest nodes, the background count, and the number of SLN identified were documented. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS program, version 18. RESULTS we identified the SLN in 100% of cases. The rate of SLN identification with the probe was 98% (73/74 cases). In one case (1.35%) the SLN was labeled only with the blue dye. The mean dose of radioisotope injected was 0.97 ± 0.22 mCi. The average time to label the SLN was 10.7 minutes (± 5.7 min). We identified on average of 1.66 SLN labeled with the radioisotope. CONCLUSION the procedure for SLN identification with an intraoperative injection of the radioisotope is oncologically safe and comfortable for the patient, providing agility to the surgical team.

Comparação da linfocintilografia com dextrano 500 com a do fitato na pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela no câncer de mama

OBJETIVO: comparar a acuracia de dois radiocoloides na marcacao do linfonodo sentinela (LNS) por imagem. METODOS: as pacientes foram incluidas no periodo de maio de 2002 a abril de 2004. Neste estudo duplo-cego, a paciente foi submetida duas vezes ao mesmo exame, mas com farmacos diferentes, sendo que os farmacos, tecnecio-99m-dextrano 500 (dextrano) e tecnecio-99m-fitato (fitato), foram injetados, na mama, em quatro pontos na area peritumoral e no subcutâneo superficialmente ao tumor, com volume de 2 ml, contendo de 1,0 a 1,5 mCi, em aliquotas de 0,4 ml. Para a obtencao das imagens, duas horas apos a injecao do radiofarmaco, usamos gama-câmera com colimador de alta resolucao. A drenagem linfatica axilar foi identificada em imagens radiograficas estaticas, anterior e lateral. A estatistica para pares discordantes foi realizada pelo teste de MacNemar e pelo teste Z para proporcoes. RESULTADOS: na analise das 40 pacientes, obtiveram-se 15 pares com imagens positivas iguais, 4 pares com imagens negativas e 21 pares com imagens distintas, seja porque uma era negativa, seja porque o numero de LNS marcados era diferente. A analise do desempenho quanto ao sucesso e insucesso mostrou 35 e 27 imagens positivas e 5 e 13 imagens negativas, respectivamente para o dextrano e o fitato, sendo que das negativas 4 eram comuns. O estudo estatistico pelo teste de MacNemar mostrou p=0,026, com odds ratio (OR) = 0,11 e IC 95% 0,01<OR<0,85. A taxa de sucesso foi 67,5% para o fitato e 87,5% para o dextrano 500 e a avaliacao da acuracia pelos percentuais tambem foi significante, com p=0,032. Pela ANOVA o numero de LNS apontados, foi altamente significante, com p=0,008. CONCLUSAO: este estudo demonstra que a linfocintilografia com dextrano 500 indica linfonodos com mais frequencia que o fitato, quando usados com a mesma metodologia, na obtencao da imagem do LNS de tumores da mama.