Efficacy of Anti-HER2 Agents in Combination With Adjuvant or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Early and Locally Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Several (neo)adjuvant treatments for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer have been compared in different randomized clinical trials. Since it is not feasible to conduct adequate pairwise comparative trials of all these therapeutic options, network meta-analysis offers an opportunity for more detailed inference for evidence-based therapy.

Methods: Phase II/III randomized clinical trials comparing two or more different (neo)adjuvant treatments for HER2-positive breast cancer patients were included.

Validation of questionnaire on the Spiritual Needs Assessment for Patients (SNAP) questionnaire in Brazilian Portuguese.

Objectives: Spirituality is related to the care and the quality of life of cancer patients. Thus, it is very important to assess their needs. The objective of this study was the translation and cultural adjustment of the Spiritual Needs Assessment for Patients (SNAP) questionnaire to the Brazilian Portuguese language.

Genetic anticipation in BRCA1/BRCA2 families after controlling for ascertainment bias and cohort effect.

Background: Genetic anticipation, the earlier onset of disease in successive generations, has been reported in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), but little is known about its underlying mechanisms. Ascertainment bias has been suggested as a reason in previous studies. Likewise, cohort effect, which may be caused by environmental factors, can be misinterpreted as genetic anticipation.

Mutation spectrum and risk of colorectal cancer in African American families with Lynch syndrome.

Background & Aims: African Americans (AAs) have the highest incidence of and mortality resulting from colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States. Few data are available on genetic and nongenetic risk factors for CRC among AAs. Little is known about cancer risks and mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes in AAs with the most common inherited CRC condition, Lynch syndrome.

Germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2 and TP53 in patients at high-risk for HBOC: characterizing a Northeast Brazilian Population.

Considering the importance of BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2 and TP53 in the development of hereditary early-onset breast and ovarian cancer and that the genetic susceptibility profile of the Northeast population from Brazil has never been analyzed, this study aimed to verify the frequency of mutations of clinical significance in these genes in high-risk hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome patients from that region. DNA samples from 106 high-risk unrelated patients mostly from Bahia, the biggest state in the Northeast region, were analyzed. These patients underwent full BRCA1 gene sequencing, screening for common founder mutations in the BRCA2, CHEK2 and TP53 genes and genetic ancestry analysis with nine ancestry informative markers.

Multiagent chemotherapy for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle.

Adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle is a rare condition, with fewer than 60 cases described in the literature. Most reports highlight the histopathological characteristics of the tumor; however, the role of chemotherapy, especially in the metastatic setting, is poorly described. In this paper, we describe a patient with metastatic disease, who sustained a response to modified FOLFOX6 as first-line therapy.

Should extragonadal germ cell tumors be included in studies of families with testicular germ cell tumors?

Background: Family history is among the few established risk factors for testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT). Approximately 1.4% of newly diagnosed TGCT patients report a positive family history of TGCT.

Supportive care in head and neck oncology.

Purpose Of Review: Survival gains were achieved in head and neck cancer patients treated with a multidisciplinary approach, including platinum-based concurrent chemoradiation, with a substantial increase in toxicity. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of these toxicities - the focus of this review - are essential aspects in the daily care of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Recent Findings: Low-level laser is a promising therapy for prevention and treatment of mucositis.

Veress needle insertion in the left hypochondrium in creation of the pneumoperitoneum.

Purpose: To test the efficacy of the puncture in the left hypochondrium as an alternative method.

Methods: Sixty-two patients randomly distributed into two groups were studied: Group LH, puncture in the left hypochondrium (n=30), and Group ML, puncture in the abdominal midline (n=32). The following were assessed: needle positioning tests, number of failed attempts at needle insertion, and time needed for creation of pneumoperitoneum.

Evaluation of the positioning of the tip of the Veress needle during creation of closed pneumoperitoneum in pigs.

Purpose: Erroneous punctures and insufflations are frequent with the use of the Veress needle. Mistaken injections of gas in the preperitoneal space are not rare. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the correct positioning of the tip of the needle during creation of pneumoperitoneum.