In the present study, we examined the relationship between cell phenotype and cell survival of three human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines (A549, NCI-H596 and NCI-H520). Cells in exponential growth at various densities were incubated for 24 h at 37ºC in a 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere and then exposed to UV radiation for 1 min (256 nm, 40 W, source-to-target distance 100 cm). After two days the surviving cells were quantified by sulforhodamine ß staining and DNA fragmentation assay. The differences in UV sensitivity at 60 x 10³ cells/cm² among the cell lines were not related to the proliferative state of the cells but to the extent of intercellular contact. In contrast to A549 and NCI-H596, irradiated NCI-H520 cells presented lower DNA fragmentation and an aggregated cell culture phenotype even prior to confluence, suggesting that a contact-effect mechanism provides further protection against UV radiation.

INTRODUÇÃO. O carcinoma epidermóide de esôfago (CEE) tem uma importante associação com neoplasias do trato aerodigestivo e, provavelmente, compartilham dos mesmos fatores de risco. Além destes, outras neoplasias podem estar associadas com o carcinoma de esôfago. OBJETIVO. Analisar, retrospectivamente, pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide do esôfago tratados pelo Grupo de Cirurgia do Esôfago, Estômago e Intestino Delgado (GCEEID) do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), no período de janeiro/88 a junho/95, os quais tinham neoplasias associadas ao CEE. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS. Dentre os 261 pacientes estudados, 19 (7,28%) tinham neoplasia associada ao CEE. Dez pacientes apresentaram tumores sincrônicos e 9, metacrônicos. O sexo predominante foi o masculino, com 17 casos. A média de idade ficou em 62,52 anos no momento do diagnóstico da neoplasia esofágica. RESULTADOS. Os tumores aerodigestivos, na sua totalidade carcinomas escamosos, representaram o tipo histológico predominante da neoplasia associada em 68,42% dos casos. O sítio mais freqüente da neoplasia aerodigestiva associada foi a árvore respiratória (53,8%), seguido da cavidade oral e orofaringe (23%) e laringe (23%). Dos 19 pacientes, 12 eram tabagistas e nove ingeriam bebidas alcoólicas regularmente. Para o tratamento do CEE, optou-se por cirurgia em seis pacientes. A neoplasia associada foi tratada com cirurgia radical em 11 pacientes e radioterapia em cinco. Surpreendentemente, foram diagnosticados quatro casos (21%) de adenocarcinomas gástricos associados ao CEE, tratados com cirurgia radical em três pacientes. CONCLUSÃO. Os autores ressaltam a importância do estadiamento criterioso dos pacientes com CEE devido a associação significativa com outras neoplasias, principalmente com tumores aerodigestivos. Alertam para o seguimento desses pacientes e discutem a possibilidade de fatores de risco comuns: fumo e álcool. Nesta casuística, encontrou-se associação importante com neoplasias gástricas.

INTRODUCTION. The esophageal epidermoid cancer has an important association with aerodigestive tract neoplasms and possibly share the same risk factors. Furthermore, other neoplasms can be associated with esophagus cancer. OBJECTIVE. To analyze retrospectively the patients with esophageal epidermoid cancer (EEC) and associated neoplasms, treated by the Esophagus Stomach and Small Intestine Group of Surgery at Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre from January 1988 to June 1995. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Nineteen (7.28%) of the 261 studied patients had associated neoplasms to the EEC. Ten patients presented synchronic tumours and 9 metachronic ones. The predominant sex was the masculine with 17 cases. The mean age was 62.52 years in the moment of the esophageal cancer diagnostic. RESULTS. The aerodigestive tumours, squamous carcinomas in totality, represented the predominant associated neoplasm histological type in 68.42% of the cases. The most frequent associated aerodigestive tumours site was the respiratory tract (53.8%), followed by the oral cavity and oropharynx (23%) and larynx (23%). In our sample, twelve patients were smokers and 9 were alcohol abusers. In relation to the EEC treatment, surgery was performed in 6 patients. The associated neoplasm was treated with radical surgery in 11 patients and radiotherapy in 5. Surprisingly 4 cases (21%) of gastric adenocarcinoma associated to the EEC were diagnosed, treated with radical surgery in 3 patients. CONCLUSION. The authors call attention to the importance of a criterial staging as well as the follow up in patients with EEC owing to the significant association with others neoplasms, principally with aerodigestive tumours, and discuss the common risk factors possibility: tobacco and alcohol use. Important association with gastric neoplasms were found in this casuistry.