Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Single Institution Experience

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ADCC) ranks among the least common malignant endocrine tumors. Surgical resection is considered the most important treatment for this neoplasm. Medical records of patients with the diagnosis of ADCC between 1990 and 2000 were reviewed. Patient and pathologic factors were analyzed with overall survival as the primary endpoint. Statistical analysis was performed by the method of Kaplan-Meier. There were a total of 17 patients, with a mean age of 56 years. Twelve per cent presented as an asymptomatic mass, 41 per cent as a functional tumor, and 47 per cent as a nonfunctioning tumor. Primary treatment was surgical resection in 71 per cent. There was no operative mortality and one complication. Seven patients presented with stage II, five with stage III, four with stage IV, and in one could not be determined. Median follow-up was 12.8 months, median survival 67, 13, and 3 months for stages II, III, and IV, respectively. Older age, distant metastasis, nonoperative management, positive margins, advanced tumor stage, and venous invasion were significantly associated with worse overall actuarial survival. Survival for ADCC is poor. Factors associated with a worse prognosis were stage of disease, nonoperative management, positive surgical margins, vascular invasion, and older age. </jats:p

Colorectal cancer in Mexico: should a middle income country invest in screening or in treatment?

Cancer, Mexico, Health systems, Middle income countries, Colorectal cancer, I11, I12, I18,

Lymphatic Mapping Establishes the Role of BRAF Gene Mutation in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To define the role of BRAF gene mutation in the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: BRAF gene mutation is frequently detected in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Its role in pathogenesis or progression is under investigation. METHODS: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy for papillary thyroid cancer were accrued. BRAF mutation was assessed in primary tumors and matched sentinel lymph nodes by a quantitative real-time PCR assay. RESULTS: Tissue specimens from 103 consecutive patients were evaluated. BRAF mutation of the primary tumor was detected in 34 (33%) patients. In 26 of 34 (76%) patients with BRAF mutation, concomitant lymph node metastasis was detected. On the contrary, in 69 patients with BRAF mutation-negative primary tumors, only 12 (17%) patients had lymph node metastasis (χ(2), P < 0.0001). BRAF mutation was detected in 20 of 26 (77%) lymph node metastases matched to BRAF mutation-positive primary tumors; it was not detected in lymph node metastases matched to BRAF mutation-negative primary tumors. Univariate analysis identified age, stage, tumor size, and BRAF mutation as prognostic factors for lymph node metastasis. In multivariate analysis, only BRAF mutation remained a significant prognostic factor for lymph node metastasis (odds ratio = 10.8, 95% confidence interval, 3.5–34.0, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: BRAF mutation may be a key genetic factor for the metastatic progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The study demonstrates that this gene mutation is a significant risk factor for locoregional lymph node metastasis and has potential utility as a surrogate marker