OBJECTIVE: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the possibility of not draining the axilla following axillary dissection. METHODS: The study included 240 breast cancer patients who underwent axillary dissection as part of conservative treatment. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they were subjected to axillary drainage. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01267552. RESULTS: The median volume of fluid aspirated was significantly lower in the axillary drainage group (0.00 ml; 0.00 - 270.00) compared to the no drain group (522.50 ml; 130.00 - 1148.75). The median number of aspirations performed during conservative breast cancer treatment was significantly lower in the drainage group (0.5; 0.0 - 4.0) compared to the no drain group (5.0; 3.0 - 7.0). The total volume of serous fluid produced (the volume of fluid obtained from drainage added to the volume of aspirated fluid) was similar in the two groups. Regarding complications, two cases (2.4%) of wound dehiscence occurred in the drainage group compared to 13 cases (13.5%) in the group in which drainage was not performed, with this difference being statistically significant. Rates of infection, necrosis and hematoma were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Safety rates were similar in both study groups; hence, axillary dissection can feasibly be performed without drainage. However, more needle aspirations could be required, and there could be more cases of wound dehiscence in patients who do not undergo auxiliary drainage.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Tem sido sugerido que há um grande aumento na incidência do câncer de mama em mulheres jovens na última década. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a incidência do câncer de mama em mulheres jovens (até 39 anos) em Goiânia, entre 1988 e 2003, comparando com os demais grupos etários. DESENHO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo utilizando o banco de dados do Registro de Câncer de Base populacional de Goiânia/Goiás, Brasil. MÉTODOS: As incidências foram calculadas de acordo com os grupos etários: até 39 anos, 40 a 59 anos e, 60 anos acima. A mudança da média percentual anual (MMPA) foi estimada para os diferentes grupos usando a regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: No período, foram registrados 3.310 novos casos. A incidência padronizada foi de 2,89/100.000 em 1988 tendo aumentado para 6,37/100.000 em 2003 (R² = 0,52) para o grupo com até 39 anos (p < 0,003). Para o grupo de 40 a 59 anos a incidência foi de 14,39/100.000 em 1988 e de 41,70/100.000 em 2003 (R² = 0,85; p < 0,001); para o grupo de 60 anos e acima foi de 17,62/100.000 e 28,49/100.000, respectivamente (R² = 0,67; p < 0,001). A MMPA foi de 5,22%, 5,53% e 4,54% para os grupos etários de até 39 anos, 40 a 59 e 60 ou mais, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de câncer de mama em mulheres jovens em Goiânia vem aumentando significativamente, entretanto esse aumento é semelhante ao observado nos demais grupos etários.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that there has been a large increase in breast cancer incidence among young women over the last decade. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of breast cancer among young women up to 39 years of age in Goiânia, between 1988 and 2003, and to compare this with other age groups. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study using the database of the Population-based Cancer Registry of Goiânia, State of Goiás, Brazil. METHODS: The incidence was calculated according to age groups: up to 39 years, 40 to 59 years and 60 years and over. Average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) were estimated for the different age groups using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Over this period, 3,310 new cases were recorded. The standardized incidence was 2.89/100,000 in 1988 and increased to 6.37/100,000 in 2003 (R² = 0.52) for the group aged up to 39 years (p < 0.003). For the group from 40 to 59 years old, the incidence was 14.39/100,000 in 1988 and 41.70/100,000 in 2003 (R² = 0.85; p < 0.001). For the group aged 60 years and over, it was 17.62/100,000 and 28.49/100,000, respectively (R² = 0.67; p < 0.001). The AAPCs were 5.22%, 5.53% and 4.54% for the age groups up to 39, 40 to 59 and 60 years and over, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of breast cancer among young women in Goiânia has been increasing significantly, although this change was similar to the increase in other age groups.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A mastectomia radical modificada continua a ser amplamente usada para o tratamento de câncer de mama. Porém, até agora, a preservação do músculo peitoral secundário (técnica de Madden) não foi prospectivamente comparada à técnica de Patey. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar as duas técnicas de mastectomias radicais modificadas, analisando o grau de dificuldade e as complicações. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo randomizado, realizado na Unidade de Mama do Hospital Araújo Jorge, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil. MÉTODOS: 430 pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama com indicação de mastectomia radical modificada foram incluídas no programa. Foram disponíveis para análise 426 pacientes, das quais 225 alocadas no grupo Patey e 201 no grupo Madden. A análise foi feita por intenção de tratamento, usando-se o Qui-quadrado ou o teste t de Student, quando aplicáveis. RESULTADOS: A distribuição das características demográficas pacientes foi semelhante entre os grupos. A duração média da cirurgia foi de 105 minutos (DP ± 29.9) e 102 (DP ± 33) para o grupo Patey e Madden, respectivamente (p = 0,6). O tempo de internação foi de 2,3 dias para ambos os grupos. A média de linfonodos ressecados foi de 20,3 (DP ± 7,6) para Patey e 19,8 (DP ± 8,1) para Madden (p = 0,5). Não houve diferenças entre as complicações vasculares, nervosas, hematomas, infecções, bem quanto à dificuldade relatada pelo cirurgião. CONCLUSÃO: A retirada do músculo pequeno peitoral não influenciou nenhuma das variáveis estudadas. As técnicas de mastectomias radicais modificadas, Patey e Madden, foram semelhantes em todos os critérios observados, podendo ser executadas de acordo com a preferência do cirurgião.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Modified radical mastectomy is widely utilized in breast cancer treatment. However, no prospective comparison has yet been made between the Madden technique (preservation of the pectoralis minor muscle) and the Patey technique (resection of this muscle). The aim of this work was to compare these two modified radical mastectomy techniques, by analyzing their degrees of difficulty and complications. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized trial at the Breast Unit of Hospital Araújo Jorge, Goiás; and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Goiás. METHODS: 430 patients with breast cancer with an indication for modified radical mastectomy were included in the program, of whom 426 patients were available for analysis (225 allocated to Patey and 201 to Madden). The chi-squared and Student t tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: The patients’ demographics were well balanced between the two groups. The mean duration of the surgical procedures was 105 (± 29.9) and 102 minutes (± 33), for the Patey and Madden groups, respectively (p = 0.6). Hospitalization duration was 2.3 days for both groups. The mean number of lymph nodes resected was 20.3 (± 7.6) for Patey and 19.8 (± 8.1) for Madden (p = 0.5). There were no differences in terms of vascular or nerve sections, hematomas or infections. The surgeons reported the same degree of difficulty for the two methods. CONCLUSION: The removal of the pectoralis minor muscle did not influence any of the variables studied. Therefore, either technique can be performed, at the surgeon’s discretion.

Objetivo: avaliar a taxa de linfedema em pacientes tratadas cirurgicamente para câncer de mama e sua relação com o tipo de cirurgia, idade e peso das pacientes. Métodos: foram estudadas 109 pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama, submetidas à mastectomia radical modificada com conservação do músculo peitoral maior ou de ambos os peitorais. Considerou-se como linfedema quando houve diferença maior que 2,0 cm entre as circunferências dos membros superiores, mensurados acima e abaixo do olécrano. Resultados: observou-se uma taxa total de 14% de linfedema (15 casos). Entre as pacientes em que foram conservados ambos os músculos peitorais, a taxa foi de (9%), ao passo que quando se empregou a conservação apenas do grande peitoral, a taxa foi de 15% (p<0,4). Notou-se uma relação significativa entre a freqüência de linfedema e o peso e a idade das pacientes. O linfedema foi observado em apenas uma das 34 pacientes com menos de 46 anos e nenhuma das 19 pacientes com até 50 kg de peso apresentou linfedema. Conclusão: Na presente série, o linfedema de membro superior esteve associado a pacientes mais idosas e de maior peso.

Purpose: to evaluate the rate of lymphedema and its relation to the type of surgery, age and weight of the patient. Methods: one hundred and nine patients with breast cancer, submitted to modified radical mastectomy sparing the pectoralis major or both pectorales, were studied. Differences of more than 2.0 cm between the diameters of the upper members, measured above and below the elbow, were considered as due to lymphedema. Results: a total rate of 14% of this complication was observed (15 cases). In mastectomies sparing both pectoralis muscles, a smaller rate was observed (9%), when compared to 15% using Patey's technique. However, the difference was not significant. There was a significant relationship between the incidence of lymphedema and the patient's weight and age. The lymphedema was observed in only one of the 34 patients younger than 46 years old, and none of the 19 patients with up to 50 kg presented lymphedema. Conclusion: in the present series lymphedema of the upper limb was associated with the older and heavier patients.

O carcinoma espinocelular do parênquima mamário é um tipo raro de neoplasia, representando menos de 1% de todos os carcinomas mamários. Esse trabalho relata a condução de um caso diagnosticado e tratado no Serviço de Ginecologia e Mama do Hospital Araújo Jorge/ACCG. São discutidos a apresentação clínica, o diagnóstico e o prognóstico destes tumores.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the mammary tissue is a very rare neoplasm, representing less than 1% of all breast carcinomas. The present study reports a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast, treated at the Hospital Araújo Jorge/ACCG. The tumor diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are also discussed.

Estudo conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a confiabilidade, acurácia e dificuldades do exame de congelação, utilizando-se pequenos fragmentos de tumores mamários obtidos com a biópsia histológica por agulha grossa (bioptycut). Durante 13 meses, 37 pacientes foram submetidas ao Bioptycut (pistola BIP 2.2 ou Promag 1.2, agulhas l4G), sendo que, de cada uma delas, foram retirados no mínimo dois fragmentos, um a fresco para congelação e outro submerso em formol para inclusão posterior em parafina. O estudo de congelação constituiu-se de exame citológico do "imprimir" da peça e de exame histológico usando cortes através de congelação. Os cortes foram feitos usando criostato e micrótomo, com cortes de 8µ. O tamanho do tumor puncionado variou de 1cm a 12cm (média 4,8cm). A congelação foi conclusiva em 33 casos (89%), sendo trinta carcinomas e três benignos, e inconclusiva em quatro casos (11%). A obtenção deste dia:nóstico se deu pelo "imprint" e corte em 29 casos (78%), só pelo "imprint" em quatro casos (11 %), em dois casos tanto o corte quanto o "imprint" foram inadequados e dois não foram descritos. Posteriormente foram obtidas peças por exérese da lesão (até a análise) em 28 casos, dos quais 25 carcinomas e três tumores benignos (11 %). Houve um caso de congelação conclusiva de benignidade, em que a exérese posterior revelou se tratar de carcinoma (falso-negativo). Não houve falsos-positivos. A sensibilidade foi de 96% e a especificidade de 100%. Assim, conclui-se que o exame por congelação, usando-se peças obtidas com bioptycut se mostrou confiável, evitando biópsias abertas em 81 % dos casos, garantindo rapidez e melhor preparo das pacientes para terapêutica definitiva.

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the reliability, accuracy and difficulties of froozen section, by using small fragments of breast tumors obtained through core needle biopsy. During 13 months, 37 patients with breast lumps underwent core needle biopsy (bioptycut), using two types of guns of 2.2 and 1.2, with 14G needles. At least two specimens were taken from each of these patients: one was kept fresh, for froozen section, and the other was immersed in formal saline to be later imbedded in paraffin. The froozen section constitutes in a cytological examination of the imprinting of the sample and of a histological examination using cuts made by freezing. The 8-m cuts were made with cryostat and microtome. The tumor size ranged from 1 to 12cm (average 4.8cm). Froozen section was conclusive in 33 cases (89%): thirty were carcinomas and three benign tumors. In four cases (11 %) this test was not conclusive. This diagnosis was achieved by imprint and cut in 29 cases (78%), only by imprint in four cases (11%). In two cases both the cut and the imprint were inadequate. Two cases were not described. Later, 28 samples were obtained through exeresis of the lesions (until analysis). Twenty-five were found to be carcinomas, while three were benign tumors (11 %). There was a conclusive case of benign diagnosis through the froozen section which the later exeresis proved that it was a carcinoma (false negative). There were no false positive cases. Sensitivity was of 96% and specificity was of 1 00%. It is concluded that the froozen section, using small samples obtained through bioptycut was shown to be reliable, and in 81 % of the cases open biopsies were avoided. This ensured a faster definite therapy and better patient preparation.