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Prostate cancer differently affects different regions of the world, displaying higher rates in more developed areas. After the implementation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, several studies described rising rates globally, but it is possible that indolent lesions are being detected given the lack of changes in mortality data. The Brazilian government recommends against PSA screening in the male population regardless of age, but the Urology Society issued a report recommending that screening should start at 50 years old for certain men and for those aged ≥75 years with a life expectancy exceeding 10 years. In this study, we examined the incidence and mortality rates of invasive prostate cancer over time in the Sergipe state of Brazil. The databases of the Aracaju Cancer Registry and Mortality Information System were used to calculate age-standardized rates for all prostate tumors (International Classification of Diseases 10th edition: C61 and D07.5) in the following age ranges: 20–44, 45–54, and ≥65 years. We identified 3595 cases of cancer, 30 glandular intraepithelial high-grade lesions, and 3269 deaths. Using the Joinpoint Regression Program, we found that the incidence of prostate cancer dramatically increased over time until the mid-2000s for all age groups, after which the rates declined. Prostate cancer mortality rates increased until 2005, followed by a non-significant annual percent change of 22.0 in 2001–2005 and a stable rate thereafter. We noticed that the increases and decreases of the incidence rates of prostate cancer were associated with the screening recommendations. Meanwhile, the increased mortality rates did not appear to be associated with decreased PSA testing; instead, they were linked to the effects of age and improvements in identification of the cause of death. Thus, we do not believe a PSA screening program would benefit the population of this study.

Non-melanoma skin cancers have the highest incidence of all malignancies worldwide. However, cancer registries rarely include data on non-melanoma skin cancers because they tend to be under-reported. To determine incidence rates and changes over time for non-melanoma skin cancers in a mid-sized Brazilian population. We calculated age-standardized rates, adjusted to the world population using the direct method, from 1996-2012 in the Aracaju Cancer Registry and then calculated incidence trends using the Joinpoint Regression Program. We analysed 11,476 cases (5,695 men and 5,781 women) of non-melanoma skin cancer collected during the study period. The histological subtypes in men were 84.5% basal cell carcinoma, 14.5% squamous cell carcinoma, and 1% other histological subtypes, whereas the corresponding percentages in women were 89.1%, 10%, and 0.9%, respectively. Average incidence age-standardized rates were 228.6 (95% CI: 221.6; 235.6) per 100,000 men and 145.4 (95% CI: 141.0; 149.9) per 100,000 women. The incidence mostly increased in the first years for the series and then stabilized. The under-reporting of non-melanoma skin cancers, due to removal of lesions without histopathological confirmation, decisions to keep skin lesions under observation instead of excising them, and deferring medical examination, is a potential pitfall of this study. Age-standardized incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer was high during the study period, but tended to stabilise in the latter years of the study.

Cervical cancer is a health issue that disproportionately affects developing countries, where the Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) remains an important screening tool. Brazilian government recommendations have focused screening on the female population aged from 25 to 64 years old. In this study, we examined the incidence and mortality rates of invasive cervical cancer lesions and the incidence rates of in situ precancerous cervical lesions, aiming to calculate their respective statistics over time in a mid-sized Brazilian city, Aracaju. The 1996-2015 database from the Aracaju Cancer Registry and Mortality Information System was used to calculate age standardized rates for all invasive cervical tumors (International code of diseases, ICD-10: C53) and preinvasive cervical lesions (ICD-10: D06) in the following patient age ranges; ≤ 24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and ≥ 65 years old. We identified 1,030 cancer cases, 1,871 in situ lesions and 334 deaths. Using the Joinpoint Regression Program, we calculated the annual percentage incidence changes and our analyses show that cervical cancer incidence decreased up to 2008, increased up to 2012 and decreased again thereafter, a significant trend in all age groups from 25 years. The incidence of precursor lesions increased from 1996 to 2005 and has since decreased, a result significant in all age groups until 64 years. Cervical cancer mortality has decreased by 3.8% annually and trend analysis indicates that Pap smears have been effective in decreasing cancer incidence and mortality. However, recent trends shown here show a decreasing incidence of in situ lesions and may indicate either a real decrease or incomplete catchment. Thus, we suggest health policies should be re-considered and include sufficient screening and HPV vaccination strategies to avoid cervical cancer resurgence in the population.

Summary Introduction: Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) is a rare neoplasm of low malignant potential with uncertain behavior, diagnosed mainly in young women. Method: Our report comprises a series of cases of SPTP reviewed retrospectively, highlighting clinical, tomographic and immunohistochemical features, treatment performed and outcomes. Results: Thirteen patients were found to have pancreatic [solid] masses on computed tomography scan measuring a mean diameter of 8.8 cm. All patients underwent complete surgical excision. Immunohistochemistry confirmed diagnosis in all cases. Conclusion: SPTP occurs more frequently in young women. Diagnostic suspicion lies on the finding of a bulky, solid and cystic pancreatic mass. Imaging findings might provide diagnostic information before resection. Conservative approaches can be used in selected cases and survival rates are usually excellent following complete resection. Resumo Introdução: O tumor sólido pseudopapilífero do pâncreas é uma neoplasia rara de baixo potencial de malignidade e com comportamento incerto, diagnosticado principalmente em mulheres jovens. Método: Uma série de casos dessa patologia é revisada retrospectivamente, focalizando os aspectos clínicos, tomográficos e imuno-histoquímicos, o tratamento realizado e o desfecho. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 13 pacientes com massas pancreáticas, por meio de tomografia computadorizada, com diâmetro médio de 8,8 cm. Todas as pacientes submeteram-se a ressecção cirúrgica completa. A imuno-histoquímica confirmou o diagnóstico em todos os casos. Conclusão: Esses tumores ocorrem frequentemente em mulheres jovens. Suspeita-se do diagnóstico ao encontrar uma volumosa tumoração sólido-cística no pâncreas. As imagens podem fornecer informações diagnósticas antes da ressecção. Podem-se empregar abordagens conservadoras em pacientes selecionados, e a sobrevida geralmente é excelente com a ressecção completa.

Granite can be a rock with significative radioactivity levels due to its content in radioisotopes of K, U e Th. The Braga granite has been extensively used from the past in historical buildings of this city in North Portugal. A gamma radiation assessment has been made in quarry samples of the Braga granite with different weathering degree, in order to assess radiation risks in historical buildings, derived from their content in radionuclides. The specific activities of radioisotopes in 238U and 232Th decay chains and radioactive 40K were measured by gamma spectrometry on samples with different weathering degree. The results were used to calculate the gamma building index (Iγ; EU technical guidance RP112) a other indices to estimate the radiological hazard of the rock as building material. Specific activities are above world averages and all the samples have Ig >1 (the threshold that implies specific studies for building materials). This result can be especially relevant for historical building where this granite is used as bulk material, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, projeto estratégico PEst-OE/CTE/UI0697/2011, info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

OBJETIVO: Determinar a freqüência, as causas, o sítio específico e as manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais das infecções em crianças e adolescentes após a implantação de dispositivos neurológicos (DVP) no Hospital Governador João Alves Filho (Aracaju SE). MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, não controlado de 50 pacientes, submetidos a DVP (58 procedimentos), no período de janeiro de 2003 a outubro de 2004. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se taxas de infecção por procedimento de 27,6%, taxas de infecção de índice cirúrgico zero, 1 e 2 de 25,7% e 30,4%, respectivamente (NNIS-CDC). A infecção de sítio cirúrgico foi a principal complicação com 50% das infecções. CONCLUSÃO: Taxa de infecção por procedimento, paciente e índice de risco cirúrgico mostraram-se elevadas. Não houve significância estatística com relação à idade, etiologia da hidrocefalia, ao tipo de procedimento (derivação primária e reinserção), tempo de internação pré-operatória, duração da cirurgia, antibioticoprofilaxia, cateter SNC prévio e índice de risco cirúrgico. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency, etiology, site and clinical and laboratory findings of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus managed in Hospital Governador João Alves Filho, Aracaju SE, Brazil. METHOD: A non-controlled prospective observational study comprising 50 patients that underwent VPS (58 procedures) from January/2003 to October/2004. RESULTS: Infection rate per procedure was 27.6%; surgical risk index (NNISS-CDC) 0 and 1-2 were 25.7% and 30.4% respectively; surgical site infection was the main complication with 50% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Infection rates per procedure, per patient, and per surgical risk index were high. No statistical differences were found related to the following: age, etiology of hydrocephalus, type of procedure, pre-operative length of stay, duration of procedure, antibiotic prophylaxis, previous central nervous system catheter, and surgical risk index.

To determine frequency, etiology, site and clinical and laboratory findings of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections in children and adolescents with hydrocephalus managed in Hospital Governador João Alves Filho, Aracaju SE, Brazil.A non-controlled prospective observational study comprising 50 patients that underwent VPS (58 procedures) from January/2003 to October/2004.Infection rate per procedure was 27.6%; surgical risk index (NNISS-CDC) 0 and 1-2 were 25.7% and 30.4% respectively; surgical site infection was the main complication with 50% of the cases.Infection rates per procedure, per patient, and per surgical risk index were high. No statistical differences were found related to the following: age, etiology of hydrocephalus, type of procedure, pre-operative length of stay, duration of procedure, antibiotic prophylaxis, previous central nervous system catheter, and surgical risk index.