Abstract Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the de novo synthesis of fatty acids in the cytoplasm of tumour cells. Many tumour cells express high levels of FASN, and its expression is associated with a poorer prognosis. Cervical cancer is a major public health problem, representing the fourth most common cancer affecting women worldwide. To date, only a few in silico studies have correlated FASN expression with cervical cancer. This study aimed to investigate in vitro FASN expression in premalignant lesions and cervical cancer samples and the effects of a FASN inhibitor on cervical cancer cells. FASN expression was observed in all cervical cancer samples with increased expression at more advanced cervical cancer stages. The FASN inhibitor (orlistat) reduced the in vitro cell viability of cervical cancer cells (C-33A, ME-180, HeLa and SiHa) in a time-dependent manner and triggered apoptosis. FASN inhibitor also led to cell cycle arrest and autophagy. FASN may be a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer, and medicinal chemists, pharmaceutical researchers and formulators should consider this finding in the development of new treatment approaches for this cancer type.

The influence of different infectious agents and their association with human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical carcinogenesis have not been completely elucidated. This study describes the association between cytological changes in cervical epithelium and the detection of the most relevant aetiological agents of sexually transmitted diseases. Samples collected from 169 patients were evaluated by conventional cytology followed by molecular analysis to detect HPV DNA, Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2,Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, andTreponema pallidum, besides genotyping for most common high-risk HPV. An association between cytological lesions and different behavioural habits such as smoking and sedentariness was observed. Intraepithelial lesions were also associated with HPV and C. trachomatis detection. An association was also found between both simple and multiple genotype infection and cytological changes. The investigation of HPV and C. trachomatisproved its importance and may be considered in the future for including in screening programs, since these factors are linked to the early diagnosis of patients with precursor lesions of cervical cancer.

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de alterações encontradas na tomografia computadorizada (TC) de tórax em pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de cabeça e pescoço. Métodos: Foram analisadas retrospectivamente 209 TC de tórax de pacientes com carcinoma epidermoide de cabeça e pescoço. As alterações tomográficas foram estratificadas como: inflamatórias/infecciosas, parenquimatosas, nodulares incaracterísticas e nodulares metastáticas/tumorais Resultados: foram diagnosticadas alterações em 66,6 % dos exames. Destes, 25,3% representaram enfisema pulmonar; 18,8% micronódulos incaracterísticos; 12,9% metástases; 11,9% de linfonodomegalias torácicas; e, em 6,6%, foram detectadas tuberculose pulmonar ativa ou sequela, pneumonia ou sinais inflamatórios/infecciosos e espessamento ou derrame pleural. Conclusão: a prevalência de exames com alteração e o considerável índice de metástases detectadas, indicam que a TC de tórax deve ser solicitada para complementação diagnóstica e/ou estadiamento nos casos de câncer de cabeça e pescoço.

Objective: to assess the prevalence of abnormalities found by computed tomography (CT) of the chest in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods: we retrospectively analyzed chest CT exams of 209 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The CT findings were stratified as inflammatory / infectious, parenchymal, nodular uncharacteristic and nodular metastatic / tumoral Results: alterations were diagnosed in 66.6% of patients. Of these, 25.3% represented emphysema; 18.8%, uncharacteristic micronodules; 12.9%, metastases; 11.9%, thoracic lymph node enlargements; and in 6.6% we detected active pulmonary tuberculosis or its sequelae, pneumonia or inflammatory / infectious signs and pleural thickening or effusion. Conclusion: the prevalence of exams with alterations and the considerable rate of detected metastases indicate that chest CT should be required for diagnostic and / or staging in cases of head and neck cancer.

O câncer da tireoide é a neoplasia endócrina mais comum, correspondendo a cerca de 1% de todos os tipos de câncer. Sarcomas, linfomas e metástases para a glândula tireoide são raros e pouco descritos na literatura. OBJETIVO: Descrever tipos histológicos raros de câncer de tireoide em serviço de referência. MÉTODOS: Revisão de prontuários de pacientes admitidos com diagnóstico de câncer de tireoide no período de 1977 a 2010. Foram coletadas informações demográficas, diagnósticas, terapêuticas e histopatológicas. RESULTADOS: Foram revisados 3018 prontuários de pacientes admitidos com doença tireoidiana. Dos casos com diagnóstico de tumores raros, predominou o tipo histológico carcinoma anaplásico, com 22 casos (0,7%), seguido por 11 casos de carcinoma medular (0,36%), dois de sarcoma (0,07%), dois de linfoma (0,07%) e um de tumor carcinoide metastático (0,03%). Houve predomínio do gênero feminino (57%) e de caucasianos (84%). A apresentação clínica com nódulo tireoídeo palpável foi a mais frequente. Todos os casos de linfoma, sarcoma e carcinoma anaplásico evoluíram a óbito. CONCLUSÃO: Sarcomas, linfomas e metástases em tireoide são incomuns e tendem à evolução desfavorável.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, accounting for about 1% of all cancers. Sarcomas, lymphomas and metastases to the thyroid gland are rare and only with a handful of descriptions in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To describe rare histological types of thyroid cancer found in a reference center. METHODS: Medical chart review from admitted patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the period from 1977 to 2010. Demographic, diagnostic, therapeutic and histopathological information were collected. RESULTS: 3,018 records of patients admitted with thyroid disease were reviewed. Among the cases diagnosed with rare tumors there was a predominance of: anaplastic carcinoma: 22 cases (0.7%), followed by 11 cases of medullary carcinoma (0.36%); 2 cases of sarcoma (0.07%), 2 cases of lymphoma (0.07%) and one case of metastatic carcinoid tumor (0.03%). There were more females diagnosed (57%) as well as Caucasians (84%). The most frequent clinical presentation was a palpable thyroid nodule. All patients with lymphoma, sarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma died. CONCLUSION: Sarcomas, lymphomas and thyroid metastases are uncommon and tend to worse outcomes.

As lesões odontogênicas representam cerca de 1% dos tumores da cavidade bucal, sendo o ameloblastoma a afecção mais frequente. Trata-se de um tumor de origem epitelial, que afeta principalmente a mandíbula e, raramente, a maxila. Clinicamente, apresenta-se como tumor de crescimento lento, assintomático. Apesar de ser um tumor benigno, cursa com comportamento invasivo com alta taxa de recidiva, se não tratado adequadamente. OBJETIVO: Descrever os casos de ameloblastoma em serviço de referência. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 40 casos. As variáveis analisadas foram: idade, gênero, etnia, localização do tumor, tipo de tratamento, complicação e recorrência. RESULTADOS: O gênero mais atingido foi o masculino, 21 casos (52,5%), com predomínio da etnia caucasiana - 24 casos (60%). A média de idade foi de 35,45 anos, a localização mais comum foi na mandíbula - 37 casos (92,5%). Assimetria facial a queixa mais frequente. Dos 40 casos, 33 foram submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico. Dos que tiveram tratamento cirúrgico, 24 (72,72%) foram submetidos à ressecção segmentar, com recidiva em quatro (12,12%) casos. CONCLUSÃO:O ameloblastoma apresenta possibilidade de recidiva quando o tratamento cirúrgico não é realizado com ressecção ampla da lesão com margens de segurança.

Dental lesions represent about 1% of oral cavity tumors being ameloblastoma the most common one. It is a tumor of epithelial origin that mainly affects the jaw, and less commonly the maxilla. Its clinical presentation is that of an asymptomatic slow-growing tumor. Despite being a benign tumor, it has an invasive behavior with a high rate of recurrence if not treated properly. OBJECTIVE: To describe the cases of ameloblastoma in a reference department. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 40 cases. The variables analyzed were: age, gender, ethnicity, tumor location, type of treatment, complications and recurrence. RESULTS: The most affected gender was male - 21 cases (52.5%); with a predominance of Caucasians - 24 cases (60%). The mean age was 35.45 years; the most common location was in the jaw - 37 cases (92.5%). Facial asymmetry was the most frequent complaint. Of the 40 cases, 33 were submitted to surgery. Of those submitted to surgery, 24 (72.72%) underwent segmental resection, with recurrence in 4 (12.12%) cases. CONCLUSION:Ameloblastoma may relapse when treatment is not performed with broad surgical resection of the lesion with wide safety margins.