O avanço verificado no enfrentamento de neoplasias malignas por meio dos sistemas de saúde envolve melhorias nas áreas de vigilância, organização de redes de assistência, programas específicos voltados às prevenções primária e secundária e, obviamente, aos avanços técnico-científicos que caracterizam a abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica. Embora seja notável o reconhecimento de avanços no manejo de neoplasias malignas em todas as áreas citadas, o câncer da boca permanece com indicadores de morbidade e mortalidade que parecem não acompanhar o acúmulo científico no conhecimento da doença. O presente manuscrito objetiva discutir os motivos desse descompasso, a necessidade de reorientação de prioridades na abordagem do câncer da boca e sua efetivação como política pública de saúde.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in minimizing the severity of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. A total of 24 consecutive patients receiving > 5000 cGy radiotherapy (RT) involving the major salivary glands bilaterally were assigned to either the preventive acupuncture group (PA, n = 12), treated with acupuncture before and during RT, or the control group (CT, n = 12), treated with RT and not receiving acupuncture. After RT completion, clinical response was assessed in all patients by syalometry, measuring the resting (RSFR) and stimulated (SSFR) salivary flow rates, and by the visual analogue scale (VAS) regarding dry mouth-related symptoms. Statistical analyses were performed with repeated-measures using a mixed-effect modeling procedure and analysis of variance. An alpha level of 0.05 was accepted for statistical significance. Although all patients exhibited some degree of impairment in salivary gland functioning after RT, significant differences were found between the groups. Patients in the PA group showed improved salivary flow rates (RSFR, SSFR; p < 0.001) and decreased xerostomia-related symptoms (VAS, p < 0.05) compared with patients in the CT group. Although PA treatment did not prevent the oral sequelae of RT completely, it significantly minimized the severity of radiation-induced xerostomia. The results suggest that acupuncture focused in a preventive approach can be a useful therapy in the management of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing RT.

Introduction Ameloblastomas are neoplasms that have inspired great controversy and clinical interest; their incidence, radiographic features, treatment and behavior are still discussed quite often in the literature. In 2017, the classification of these lesions underwent modifications in terminology with the introduction of prospective views based on updates in current genetic studies. Objective To describe the most important features of the new classification, as well as to evaluate the prevalence and the clinical and radiographic characteristics of 136 ameloblastomas. Methodology The clinical-pathological characteristics of 136 patients diagnosed with ameloblastoma in two large hospitals in São Paulo were analyzed. All the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained slides were reviewed using an optical microscope (Olympus Cover) and tumors were classified according to the new WHO criteria (2017). Two independent evaluators analyzed the slides; in cases where there was disagreement a third evaluator was used and the result was established in consensus. Results 71% of the lesions were of the conventional type, the predominant histopathological pattern being plexiform (40%), 72% of the tumors showed cortical expansion, and 84% had a radiographic pattern of the multilocular type. The treatment of choice in most cases was segmental resection (45%) and recurrence was present in 13% of the cases. Conclusion Studies with clinical-pathological correlations will be necessary in the near future, in order to provide new therapies that are more effective and conservative, improving the quality of life of patients effected.