We examined the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in 65 cases of laryngeal squamous dysplasia and carcinomas using in situ hybridization with signal amplification in paraffin sections. Hybridization was performed with biotinylated DNA probes for HPV 6/11, 16/18, 31/33 and wide-spectrum HPV (6, 11, 16, 30, 31, 45, 51 and 52). HPV DNA was found in 7 cases of the total sample (10.7%); it was also found in 4 out of 45 (8.8%) cases of invasive carcinoma and in 5 out of 33 (15.5%) cases of squamous dysplasia. Morphological signs suggestive of HPV infection were observed in 35.5% of our sample but they were not related to HPV DNA positivity. In conclusion, HPV probably plays little, if any, role in laryngeal carcinogenesis among the population studied.

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.

Schistosomiasis mansoni is found in different endemic areas of Brazil. It is a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide. Ectopic forms of the disease may affect the female reproductive system, representing a rare type of Schistosoma mansoni infection. A 26-year-old patient complained of vaginal discharge, dyspareunia and pain on palpation of the hypogastrium. Gynecological examination revealed an endocervical polyp. A biopsy was performed. Under microscopy, several granulomas surrounding degenerate and viable eggs of Schistosoma mansoni were seen. Treated with praziquantel, she was asymptomatic after four weeks of treatment. Vaginal discharge and dyspareunia may be secondary causes of cervicitis caused by Schistosoma mansoni. The search for eggs in routine vaginal smear or histological examination should be part of the gynecologic evaluation of patients from endemic areas, with the purpose of tracking ectopic schistosomiasis of the female genital tract.

BACKGROUND: Fundic gland polyps allegedly increased in frequency in recent decades, and had attracted great attention due to possible association with prolonged proton pump inhibitor therapy. Prolonged use of this drug could cause parietal cell hyperplasia, obstruction of glandular lumen and cystic dilation of the gland. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze clinical and pathological features of fundic gland polyps in patients with and without proton pump inhibitor therapy in a selected population from Brazil. METHODS: It was selected a sample of 101 Brazilian patients (78 females and 23 males), from a five years retrospective search of the files from a private pathology laboratory. The patients had an average age of 57 years and we included patients with a histological diagnosis of fundic gland polyp. The clinical data were obtained from their files and all histological slides were reviewed and examined with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Giemsa. RESULTS: Information about the use or non-use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was obtained in 84 patient files. In 17 cases we could not determine if PPI were used or not. Among those in which the information was available, a positive history of anti-acid therapy was observed in 63 (75.0%) patients. Parietal cell hypertrophy/hyperplasia and parietal cell protrusions were detected in most slides. Histological findings were identical in PPI users and PPI negative patients. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in just two samples. Epithelial dysplasia or adenocarcinoma were not observed in our cases. Histopathological analysis of fundic gland polyps could not distinguish between PPI and non-PPI related cases. Parietal cell cytoplasmic protrusions, an alleged marker of prolonged acid suppression therapy, was detected in both groups. CONCLUSION: Histological features could not discriminate anti-acid therapy related fundic glands polyps in our patients.

There have been arguments about the role of breast cancer screening at the population level, and some points of controversy have arisen, such the establishment of organized screening policies and the age at which to begin screening. The real benefit of screening has been questioned because the results of this practice may increase the diagnosis of indolent lesions without decreasing mortality due to breast cancer. The authors have proposed a study of incidence and mortality trends for breast cancer in a developing setting in Brazil to monitor the effectiveness of the official recommendations that prioritize the age group from 50 to 69 years. The database of the Cancer Registry and the Mortality Information System was used to calculate age-standardized and age-specific rates, which were then used to calculate incidence and mortality trends using the Joinpoint Regression Program. The results showed stability in trends across all ages and age-specific groups in both incidence and mortality. In conclusion, we found that incidence and mortality rates are compatible with those in regions with similar human development indexes, and trends have demonstrated stabilization. Thus, we do not endorse changes in the official recommendations to conduct screening for ages other than 50 to 69 years, nor should policy makers implement organized screening strategies. Considering the epidemiological transition of developing countries, breast cancer has become a growing burden in these areas 1. Brazil has been experiencing increasing incidence rates, especially in state capitals and more developed regions 2. Mortality rates have also remained high 3. Breast cancer is the type of cancer with the highest mortality rate among women. Brazilian cancer registries cover less than 50% of the Brazilian population, and incidence rates are obtained by estimates made by the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) every two years. It has been estimated that the mean age-standardized incidence rate for 2018-2019 in Brazil is 51.3 per 100,000 women; in the state capitals, the estimated rate is 64.0 per 100,000 women 4. Information regarding the impact of mortality comes from the analysis of the database of the Mortality Information System (SIM). For 2016, the age-standardized mortality rate in Brazil was 12.7 per 100,000 women 5. The role of screening has been discussed, including whether it has actually been effective in decreasing mortality and not just increasing survival and whether the difference is due only to the overdiagnosis of approximately 30% additional cases obtained by screening mammography 6-8. A major point of argument regarding screening has been the age at which to start. Many organizations associated with cancer control have advocated starting screening at the age of 40 years, emphasizing the associated increase in survival. However, we must consider the possibility of diagnosing indolent lesions, which inflates the incidence statistics and leads to consequent overtreatment that could be harmful to the patient 9-11 .