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Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer death in Chile. Although recommended in international guidelines since 2006, perioperative chemotherapy was not available to patients in the public health system in Chile until 2016. We conducted an observational study to assess the feasibility of this strategy in public hospitals in Chile (Observational Study of Perioperative Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer - PRECISO). Patients with locally advanced, operable GC were offered to receive preoperative chemotherapy with Epirubicin + Cisplatin + Capecitabine (ECX) for three cycles followed by curative surgery. Staging included abdominal CT scan and laparoscopy if peritoneal carcinomatosis was suspected. Postoperative ECX for three cycles was recommended. Between August 2010 and March 2013, 110 patients were screened and 61 enrolled. Median age was 62 years (23-76 years) and most patients had good performance status at baseline (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (ECOG) 0: 42, ECOG 1: 19). Tumour site was proximal in 32 (52%) and medial and distal in 29 (48%) patients. All but four patients (n = 57, 93%) completed three cycles of preoperative chemotherapy. Fifty-six patients were operated and 54 (89%) had a curative resection. Thirty-three patients (54%) had pT0-2, and 18 (30%) had pN0 tumours, with two patients achieving a complete response. As of 20 December 2020, 39 patients died, 32 due to GC, one within 30 days of surgery, two due to intestinal obstruction at 5 and 3 months after surgery and four due to other causes. Five-year survival rate was 38%. We conclude that perioperative chemotherapy is feasible in public hospitals in Chile and should be offered to patients with locally advanced GC.

The thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of primary care consultation. The prevalence of a palpable thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over time. The clinical importance of studying a thyroid nodule is to exclude thyroid cancer, which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the Thyroid Study Group to develop a consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the thyroid nodule in Chile, aimed at non-specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among university academics, active researchers with publications on the subject and prominent members of scientific societies of endocrinology, head and neck surgery, pathology and radiology. A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the diagnosis and subsequent referral of patients with thyroid nodules, which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi methodology. The consensus was approved by the SOCHED board for publication.

Objectives To determine ultrasound (US) and clinical findings of thyroid microcalcifications in the absence of a nodule and their association with the risk of malignancy. Methods The Institutional Review Board approved a 5-year retrospective study. Twenty-one patients with clustered or scattered thyroid microcalcifications in the absence of nodules on US images who underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) were included. Demographic and clinical data, US findings, and pathologic results were registered. Patients with a suspicion of malignancy or papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on FNAB underwent thyroidectomy. Patients with benign results on FNAB underwent clinical and US surveillance. Results The mean age of the 21 patients was 33.2 years (29.5 years in patients with PTC patients and 39.4 years in those with benign findings; P = .034). Eleven of 21 patients had clustered microcalcifications (9 had cancer), and 10 of 21 patients had scattered microcalcifications (4 of 10 had cancer; P = 0.063). Sixty-two percent of the patients had FNAB findings that were suspicious for cancer or had a diagnosis of cancer. Eleven of 13 patients had surgical thyroidectomy performed in our institution; in all cases, Hashimoto thyroiditis was confirmed. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only age was significant (odds ratio, 0.9; P Conclusions Our study suggests that the presence of thyroid microcalcifications without a nodule is suspicious for PTC. We found that both patterns were suspicious for PTC, particularly in young patients. Special concern arises for those clustered microcalcifications on a background of Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Quality indicators in breast cancer surgery Introduction: Although clear guidelines for breast cancer management have been developed and wi- despread, there are many variations between centers and even among breast cancer surgeons, with impact in clinical outcomes. Use of quality indicators to assess surgical care allows comparison with standards and with other centers and monitoring changes post intervention. Objective: To apply quality indicators to breast cancer surgery and evaluate usefulness. Material and Methods: Selected indicators obtained from EUSOMA 2008 workshop were applied to 213 consecutive surgical treatment breast cancer patients from Hospital Militar de Santiago de Chile between 2006 and 2011, comparing results with previously defined standards. Results: Benign/malignant index in surgical biopsies: 1: 2.27 (minimum standard: 1/2; Optimum: 1/4), patients with complete pathologic report percentage: 99,2% (minimum: 95%, optimum: 98%), breast conserving surgery percentage: 80.20% (minimum: 70%, optimum: 80%), patients with sufficient axillary sampling percentage: 92.4% (minimum: 95%, optimum: 98%), correct axillary dissection indication per- centage: 100% (minimum: 95%, optimum: 98%) and patients who underwent single surgery percentage: 90.40% (minimum: 80%, optimum: 90%), most of them ranged between established standards. Conclusion: The use of quality indicators allows breast cancer surgery result evaluation, enabling comparison between centers and established standards, giving objective and reproducible information, helpful to plan process optimization. These or similar indicators are useful in all breast cancer treatment steps and for breast cancer unit accreditation processes. Our indicator values that are under the standard reveal that some specific local indicators are required.

Background: The quality of the archival samples stored at pathology services could be a limiting factor for molecular biology studies. Aim: To determine the quality of DNA extracted from gallbladder cancer samples at different institutions. Material and Methods: One hundred ninety four samples coming from fve medical centers in Chile, were analyzed. DNA extraction was quantifed determining genomic DNA concentration. The integrity of DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of different length fragments of a constitutive gene (β-globin products of 110, 268 and 501 base pairs). Results: The mean DNA concentration obtained in 194 gallbladder cancer samples was 48 ± 43.1 ng/µl. In 22% of samples, no amplification was achieved despite obtaining a mean DNA concentration of 58.3 ng/ul. In 81, 67 and 22% of samples, a DNA amplification of at least 110, 268 or 501 base pairs was obtained, respectively. No differences in DNA concentration according to the source of the samples were demonstrated. However, there were marked differences in DNA integrity among participating centers. Samples from public hospitals were of lower quality than those from private clinics. Conclusions: Despite some limitations, in 80% of cases, the integrity of DNA in archival samples from pathology services in our country would allow the use of molecular biology techniques.

Background: Overexpression/amplification of the HER2 gene in advanced gastric cancer is a predictor of response to adjuvant therapy with monoclonal antibodies. Aim: To determine the frequency of HER2 gene overexpression and amplification in advanced gastric cancer. Material and Methods: One hundred nine advanced gastric cancer biopsy specimens, from 76 men and 33 women aged 67 ± 14 and 62 ± 12 years respectively, were selected. Three histological patterns (diffuse, intestinal and mixed) were recognized. Automated immunohistochemistry was performed with monoclonal c-erbB-2 (NCL-356) Novocastra. Fluorescent in situ hybridiza- tion (FISH) for HER2 was performed in positive cases. Results: In 39% of cases, immunohistochemical staining was negative. It was 1+, 2+ and 3+ positive in 15, 36 and 11% of cases, respectively. It was positive in 16% and 3% of intestinal type and mixed carcinomas, respectively. It was negative in all diffuse carcinomas. FISH was performed in 39 (2 +) cases and in 11 (3 +) cases. The gene amplification was positive in two (2 +) and 11 (3 +) cases (11.9%). The overall concordance between immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization was 85%. Conclusions: In advanced gastric cancer, HER2 gene overexpression or amplification was observed in 11% and 12% of cases, respectively. (Rev Med Chile 2013; 141: 1411-1419)

Overexpression/amplification of the HER2 gene in advanced gastric cancer is a predictor of response to adjuvant therapy with monoclonal antibodies.To determine the frequency of HER2 gene overexpression and amplification in advanced gastric cancer.One hundred nine advanced gastric cancer biopsy specimens, from 76 men and 33 women aged 67 ± 14 and 62 ± 12 years respectively, were selected. Three histological patterns (diffuse, intestinal and mixed) were recognized. Automated immunohistochemistry was performed with monoclonal c-erbB-2 (NCL-356) Novocastra. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for HER2 was performed in positive cases.In 39% of cases, immunohistochemical staining was negative. It was 1+, 2+ and 3+ positive in 15, 36 and 11% of cases, respectively. It was positive in 16% and 3% of intestinal type and mixed carcinomas, respectively. It was negative in all diffuse carcinomas. FISH was performed in 39 (2 +) cases and in 11 (3 +) cases. The gene amplification was positive in two (2 +) and 11 (3 +) cases (11.9%). The overall concordance between immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization was 85%.In advanced gastric cancer, HER2 gene overexpression or amplification was observed in 11% and 12% of cases, respectively.

The quality of the archival samples stored at pathology services could be a limiting factor for molecular biology studies.To determine the quality of DNA extracted from gallbladder cancer samples at different institutions.One hundred ninety four samples coming from five medical centers in Chile, were analyzed. DNA extraction was quantified determining genomic DNA concentration. The integrity of DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of different length fragments of a constitutive gene (β-globin products of 110, 268 and 501 base pairs).The mean DNA concentration obtained in 194 gallbladder cancer samples was 48 ± 43.1 ng/µl. In 22% of samples, no amplification was achieved despite obtaining a mean DNA concentration of 58.3 ng/ul. In 81, 67 and 22% of samples, a DNA amplification of at least 110, 268 or 501 base pairs was obtained, respectively. No differences in DNA concentration according to the source of the samples were demonstrated. However, there were marked differences in DNA integrity among participating centers. Samples from public hospitals were of lower quality than those from private clinics.Despite some limitations, in 80% of cases, the integrity of DNA in archival samples from pathology services in our country would allow the use of molecular biology techniques.

Introduccion: La hidatidosis es una enfermedad endemica en Chile. Se presenta la experiencia clinica de un hospital en Santiago, desde 1996 al 2010. Metodos: Los casos fueron identificados usando las bases de datos institucionales y se analizaron las caracteristicas clinicas y patologicas, el tratamiento y la evolucion en forma retrospectiva. Resultados: Se identificaron 23 pacientes intervenidos en 30 oportunidades. La mediana de edad fue de 40 anos (rango 5 a 73) y 76,5% visito o residia en zonas endemicas en Chile. Los quistes abdominales fueron predominantes (78,3%) y la mayor parte de los pacientes eran sintomaticos (73,9%). Un 42,9% de aquellos con quistes sintomaticos toracicos reporto eliminacion de vesiculas con la tos. Un 41,2% presento eosinofilia y 57,1% tuvo serologia positiva para hidatidosis. Todos los pacientes fueron tratados quirurgicamente, en 60,9% en combinacion con albendazol. La mayoria de los quistes hepaticos fueron tratados con cirugia radical (88,9%) y los pulmonares predominantemente con quistostomia y capitonaje (83,3%). Un 24% de los quistes eran fertiles. La morbilidad post-quirurgica fue frecuente (37,9%) y 13,3% de la serie requirio reingresos por esta causa. Cerca de 25% de los pacientes estuvo hospitalizado por mas de 14 dias, un fenomeno asociado con la presencia de fiebre por complicacion septica al ingreso (p < 0,05). No se registraron recurrencias en la fraccion de pacientes seguidos por mas de dos anos. Conclusiones: La hidatidosis afecta principalmente a adultos en su cavidad abdominal. Aunque los pacientes fueron tratados exitosamente con cirugia, las complicaciones, estadias prolongadas y reingresos por esta causa no fueron infrecuentes.

El hematoma retroperitoneal espontaneo (HRE) se define como una coleccion hematica espontanea, situada en cualquiera de los compartimentos retroperitoneales. Dentro de las causas mas frecuentes se encuentran las roturas de aneurisma de aorta abdominal, tumores renales y suprarrenales, entre otras. Habitualmente es dificil realizar el diagnostico al ingreso del paciente, ya que la presentacion clinica es variable y puede simular otros cuadros de dolor abdominal o lumbar. Las tecnicas de imagen, especialmente la angiografia, tomografia computada y resonancia magnetica, son una herramienta fundamental en el diagnostico y manejo oportuno del cuadro. Presentamos el caso de un varon de 56 anos de edad con diagnostico de VIH en tratamiento, que debuto como un cuadro de dolor y masa abdominal palpable. Luego de un acabado estudio de imagenes, se diagnostico un HRE cuyo estudio histologico revelo un Linfoma de Burkitt.

Hydatidosis is a neglected parasitic disease that is endemic in Chile. We present the clinical experience of a single center in Santiago from 1996 to 2010.Cases were identified using hospital's database. Clinical and pathological features, treatment and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.In total, 23 patients were identified requiring 30 surgical interventions. Median age was 40 years old (range 5 to 73), and 76.5% visited or resided in regions of known endemicity in Chile. Abdominal cysts were predominant (78.3%), and most patients were symptomatic (73.9%). Elimination of cyst material by cough was reported in 42.9% of patients with symptomatic thoracic cysts. Eosinophilia was present in 41.2% of patients, and 57.1% had positive serology for hydatidosis. All patients underwent surgical treatment, in 60.9% in combination with albendazole treatment. While the majority of liver cysts (88.9%) were treated by complete cyst resection, lung cysts (83.3%) were predominantly treated by cyst resection plus capitonnage. Pathological examination revealed fertile cysts in 24%. Postsurgical morbidity was frequent (37.9%), and 13.3% of the series required readmission for this cause. Near 25% of patients remained in hospital14 days, a feature associated with fever during admission (p0.05). No recurrence was reported in the fraction of patients that were followed-up for 2 years or more.Our analysis of 23 cases demonstrates that patients were mainly adults suffering from abdominal cysts. Most patients were successfully treated by surgery with or without antiparasitic drugs but complications leading to prolonged hospital stays and readmissions were not infrequent.