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OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus DNA and genotypes in breast cancer and normal breast tissue samples obtained from women from the northeast region of Brazil.METHOD:One hundred three breast cancer samples and 95 normal breast samples, as the non-malignant controls, were studied. DNA extraction was verified by human beta-globin gene amplification, and polymerase chain reaction was conducted based on HPV L1-specific consensus primers MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+, followed by nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction with type-specific primers for the E6/E7 consensus region.RESULTS:Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 51 (49.5%) breast carcinoma samples and 15 (15.8%) normal breast samples (p<0.0001). Human papillomavirus genotypes 6 and 11 were identified in 15.2% of all samples.CONCLUSIONS:The high frequency of human papillomavirus infection in breast cancer samples indicates a potential role of this virus in breast carcinogenesis in the studied participants.

In recent years the development of extremely accurate techniques for the removal of lymph nodes has been seen, such as the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) technique. The technique is based on the staggered progression occurring in the lymphatic drainage of neoplasias, and is currently the main prognostic and diagnostic factor in women suffering from mammary carcinoma. This research aims at assessing the sentinel lymph node biopsy accuracy in female dogs suffering from mammary carcinoma. Forty-one dogs with cytological diagnosis of the tumor were used in the research. After injecting a Patent Blue V dye, mastectomy was conducted jointly with lymphadenectomy (for both sentinel and non-sentinel lymph nodes). The material was then serially sectioned and microscopically evaluated by routine H&E stain and immunohistochemical study with the markers for pancytokeratin AE1/AE3 and myoepithelial cells CK14. The study revealed that 46.3% (19/41) of the animals presented nodal metastasis. The sensitivity and specificity values found for SLNB were respectively 89.5% and 100%, with a kappa coefficient of 0.90 and p < 0.0001. Therefore, the SLNB technique offers high sensitivity in the early detection of metastases, allowing higher precision in the staging of oncological patients and, therefore, offering higher chances of survival.

Purpose:To evaluate and present our initial results of a new marker (hemosiderin) for mammary sentinel lymph node identification in an experimental model. Methods: Skins mapped like a lymphatic duct draining to the axilla in patients submitted to breast biopsy, in our mastology service, stimulated us to try it in an animal model (female dogs). Our theory was that some blood derivate (hemosiderin) was captured by macrophages and accessed the lymphatic ducts in direction to the axilla. Six female dogs of no defined race were studied. We injected 0,2 ml of technetium on both superior mammary glands. After ten minutes, a 2,5 ml solution of hemolized blood (hemosiderin) from the own animal was injected in the subareolar lymphatic plexus on the left superior mammary gland and 2,5 ml of patent blue concomitantly and equally on the contralateral gland. Ten minutes after, incisions on both axilas were made to search, through the lymphatic mapping and a gamma probe, the sentinel lymph nodes. Results: Seven brown sentinel lymph nodes were indentified and also radiomarked on the left axilla. Six blue sentinel lymph nodes were identified and also radiomarked on the right axilla. Conclusion: Preliminary studies of a potential new dye for sentinel lymph node identification are presented. It may be the change of the current use of the blue dyes and their severe side-effects on patients submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsies. Key words: Breast Neoplasms. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. Hemosiderin. RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar e apresentar resultados preliminares de um novo marcador (hemossiderina) para a identificação de linfonodos sentinela mamários em um modelo experimental. Métodos: Durante acompanhamento de dois casos de biópsias excisionais de tumores da mama, no nosso serviço de mastologia, observou-se trajeto pigmentado no quadrante inferior externo daquelas mamas, sugerindo ser marcação cutânea do ducto de drenagem linfática a partir da papila mamária em direção a axila homolateral. Levantamos a hipótese que um derivado sanguíneo (hemossiderina) foi capturado por macrófagos obtendo acesso aos ductos linfáticos em direção à axila. Seis cadelas sem raça definida foram estudadas. Injeção de 0,2 ml de tecnécio foi realizada em ambas as mamas superiores. Após 10 minutos, uma solução de 2,5 ml de sangue hemolizado (hemossiderina) do próprio animal foi injetado no plexo linfático subpapilar da mama esquerda e 2,5 ml de azul patente na mama contralateral concomitantemente e igualmente. Após mais 10 minutos, incisões axilares foram realizadas para a procura, pela coloração e com um gama probe, dos linfonodos sentinela. Resultados: Sete linfonodos sentinela castanhos e radiomarcados foram identificados na axila esquerda. Seis linfonodos sentinela azuis e radiomarcados foram identificados na axila direita. Conclusão: São apresentados estudos preliminares de um potencial novo marcador para identificação do linfonodo sentinela. Este poderá mudar o uso dos corantes vitais e de seus efeitos adversos em pacientes submetidos à biópsi...

Introduction: In 2020, a total of 2,510 new cases of breast cancer were estimated in Ceará State, 14% above the figures of 2019. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, postponing screening and assessing the risks and benefits of elective procedures was needed, rescheduled until after their control. Objective: We sought to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the care of a Reference Service for Breast Cancer Diagnosis. Methods: Time series study, with analysis of the production of the consultations carried out from March to June of the current year in a service located in Fortaleza City, Ceará State. Results: There was a reduction of up to 84% in the services offered, with emphasis on mammography and ultrasound procedures, with 95 and 100%, respectively. The diagnosis of new cases and the performance of surgeries reduced by up to 60 and 56%, respectively. The months with the greatest impact were April and May, with a progressive resumption in June. Conclusion: The study evaluated a reference service of relevance in the state reality. Considering that many cases are identified during screening, postponing mammograms contributed to a delayed diagnosis. The findings are believed to pose severe consequences, considering the annual increase in the incidence of the disease, the low screening coverage, the high number of cases in advanced staging, the ascending mortality, and the low supply of diagnostic services. Diverting attention exclusively to the pandemic represents a worldwide challenge, but cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and cannot be neglected. There is concern that delaying screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer may cost more lives than COVID-19 itself. Post-pandemic requires planning to promote harm reduction resulting from the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of the repressed demand, in a disaggregated and overloaded system.