Conservative surgery in stage I adult type granulosa cells tumors of the ovary: Results from the MITO-9 study.

OBJECTIVE: About 30% of Adult type granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (AGCTs) are diagnosed in fertile age. In stage I, conservative surgery (fertility-sparing surgery, FSS), either unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO) or cystectomy are possible options. The aim of this study is to compare oncological outcomes of FSS and radical surgery (RS) in apparently stage I AGCTs treated within the MITO group (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer). METHODS: Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank test. The role of clinicopathological variables as prognostic factors for survival was assessed using Cox's regression. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twenty-nine patients were included; 32.6% received FSS, 67.4% RS. In the FSS group, 62.8% underwent USO, 16.7% cystectomy, 20.5% cystectomy followed by USO. After a median follow up of 84 months, median DFS was significantly worse in the FSS-group (10 yr DFS 50% vs 74%, in FSS and RS group, p = 0.006). No significant difference was detected between RS and USO (10 yr DFS 75% vs 70%, p = 0.5).Cystectomy-group showed a significantly worse DFS compared to USO (10 yr DFS 16% vs 70%, p < 0.001). Patients receiving cystectomy and subsequent USO showed a better prognosis, even though significantly worse compared to USO (10 yr DFS 41% vs 70%, p = 0.05). Between FSS and RS, no difference in OS was detected. At multivariate analysis, FIGO stage IC and cystectomy retained significant predictive value for worse survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the oncological safety of FSS in stage I AGCTs, provided that cystectomy is avoided; USO should be the preferred approach.

Laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of stage I adult granulosa cells tumors of the ovary: Results from the MITO-9 study.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery represents the mainstay of treatment of stage I adult type granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (AGCTs). Because of the rarity and indolent course of the disease, no prospective trials are available. Open surgery has long been considered the traditional approach; oncological safety of laparoscopy is only supported by small series or case reports. The aim of this study was to compare the oncological outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgery in stage I AGCTs treated within the MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer) Group. METHODS: Data from patients with stage I AGCTs were retrospectively collected. Clinicopathological features were evaluated for association with relapse and death. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. The role of clinicopathological variables as prognostic factors for survival was evaluated using Cox's regression model. RESULTS: 223 patients were identified. Stage 1A, 1B and 1C were 61.5%, 1.3% and 29.6% respectively. 7.6% were apparently stage I. Surgical approach was laparoscopic for 93 patients (41.7%) and open for 130 (58.3%). 5-years DFS was 84% and 82%, 10-years DFS was 68% and 64% for the laparoscopic and open-group (p = 0.6).5-years OS was 100% and 99%, 10 years OS was 98% and 97% for the laparoscopic and open-surgery group (p = 0.8). At multivariate analyses stage IC, incomplete staging, site of primary surgery retained significant prognostic value. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that surgical route does not affect the oncological safety of patients with stage I AGCTs, with comparable outcomes between laparoscopic and open approach.

Trend of decreasing length of cervical cone excision during the last 20 years.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the cervical conizations performed in the last 20 years in a single institution, with a particular interest in analyzing the trend of the length of cone excisions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent a CO2-laser cervical conization between January 1996 and December 2015. Cytological abnormalities on referral pap smear, colposcopic findings and pertinent clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of each woman were collected. In particular, the length of cone specimen was evaluated, taking into account all the factors potentially influencing the length of excision. RESULTS: A total of 1270 women who underwent cervical conization from January 1996 to December 2015 were included in the analysis. A mean cone length of 15.1 ± 5.7 mm was reported, and we observed a significant decrease in the length of cone excisions over the whole study period. Age (rpartial = 0.1543, p < 0.0001), see & treat procedure (rpartial = -0.1945, p < 0.0001) and grade II colposcopic findings (rpartial = 0.1540, p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with the length of cone excision on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In the last 20 years, a significant decrease in the length of cone excision was observed. In our opinion, this can be due to the acquired awareness by the gynecologists of the potential disadvantages of wide cone excision in term of adverse obstetric outcomes in future pregnancies.

Tertiary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: A multicentre MITO retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of tertiary cytoreductive surgery (TCS) on survival in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and to determine predictors of complete cytoreduction. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective study was conducted within the MITO Group on a 5-year observation period. RESULTS: A total of 103 EOC patients with a ≥6month treatment-free interval (TFI) undergoing TCS were included. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 71 patients (68.9%), with severe post-operative complications in 9.7%, and no cases of mortality within 60days from surgery. Multivariate analysis identified the complete tertiary cytoreduction as the most potent predictor of survival followed by FIGO stage I-II at initial diagnosis, exclusive retroperitoneal recurrence, and TCS performed ≥3years after primary diagnosis. Patients with complete tertiary cytoreduction had a significantly longer overall survival (median OS: 43months, 95% CI 31-58) compared to those with residual tumor (median OS: 33months, 95% CI 28-46; p<0.001). After multivariate adjustment the presence of a single lesion and good (ECOG 0) performance status were the only significant predictors of complete surgical cytoreduction. CONCLUSIONS: This is the only large multicentre study published so far on TCS in EOC with ≥6month TFI. The achievement of postoperative no residual disease is confirmed as the primary objective also in a TCS setting, with significant survival benefit and acceptable morbidity. Accurate patient selection is of utmost importance to have the best chance of complete cytoreduction.

Adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve disease-free survival in FIGO stage IC ovarian granulosa cell tumors: The MITO-9 study.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence-based management of granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (GCT) has been not yet standardized: surgery, including fertility-sparing procedures for young women, has been traditionally the standard treatment; on the other hand, chemotherapy has been used for treatment of advanced and/or recurrent disease. However, very limited experience, has been selectively focused on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IC patients. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of first line postoperative chemotherapy in patients with stage IC treated at the Italian Centers involved in the MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer) Group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional review of patients with GCT of the ovary at FIGO stage IC treated or referred to MITO centers was conducted. Surgical outcome, pathological findings and follow-up data were analysed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the predictors factors for disease free survival. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with primary GCT of the ovary at FIGO stage IC were identified. The median follow-up period was 96months (range 7-300). At multivariate analysis, surgical treatment outside MITO centers and incomplete surgical staging were independent poor prognostic indicators for recurrence; adjuvant chemotherapy did not retain significant predictive value for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This study raises the question about the value of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IC GCT: a comprehensive evaluation of a larger series is urgently needed in order to characterize stage IC substages who can be spared treatment toxicity.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery for isolated lymph node recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer: a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy is the standard treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but its use in nodal relapses is still debated. On the other hand, the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) remains controversial. Aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility and outcomes of SCS for the specific setting of recurrent ovarian cancer, exclusively relapsing in lymph nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis in five Italian Institutions (University of Torino, INT of Milano, CRO of Aviano, University of Pisa and INT of Napoli) from 2000 to 2012. Patients with EOC who underwent secondary surgery for isolated lymph node recurrence (ILNR) were selected. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were identified. At first diagnosis, patients received debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. The median disease free interval from completion of primary chemotherapy to nodal recurrence was 18 months. Nodal recurrence was para-aortic in 37 patients (50.7%), pelvic in 21 (28.8%), pelvic and para-aortic in 9 (12.3%), pelvic and inguinal in 3 (4.1%) and inguinal in 3 (4.1%). During SCS, in 1 patients nephrectomy was necessary for renal vein injury. No significant postoperative morbidity occurred. Median follow-up is 50 months. After secondary surgery, 32 (43.8%) are alive without disease, 18 (24.6%) are alive with disease and 23 patients (31.5%) are dead of disease. Five-year overall survival from the time of treatment of recurrent disease is 64%. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary surgery for ILNR of ovarian cancer is feasible, safe, with low morbidity and it is associated with a favorable outcome.

Long-term follow-up is crucial after treatment for granulosa cell tumours of the ovary.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of granulosa cell tumour (GCT) of the ovary in a large series of patients treated in MITO centres (Multicentre Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer) and to define prognostic parameters for relapse and survival. METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional review of patients with GCTs of the ovary treated or referred to MITO centres was conducted. Surgical outcome, intraoperative and pathological findings and follow-up data were analysed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the predictors for survival and recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients with primary GCT of the ovary were identified. The median follow-up period was 88 months (range 6-498). Of these, 33 patients had at least one episode of disease recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 53 months (range 9-332). Also, 47% of recurrences occurred after 5 years from initial diagnosis. At multivariate analysis, age and stage were independent poor prognostic indicators for survival; surgical treatment outside MITO centres and incomplete surgical staging retained significant predictive value for recurrence in both univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the generally favourable prognosis of GCTs of the ovary, with 5-year overall survival approaching 97%. Nevertheless, prognosis after 20 years was significantly poorer, with 20-year survival rate of 66.8% and a global mortality of 30-35. These findings support the need for lifelong follow-up even in early-stage GCT.

Weekly topotecan and cisplatin (TOPOCIS) as neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for locally-advanced squamous cervical carcinoma: Results of a phase II multicentric study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this phase II multicentric study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with weekly topotecan and cisplatin in locally-advanced squamous cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 2008 to January 2011, 92 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Eligibility criteria were: squamous or adenosquamous cervical cancer; clinical stages IB2, IIA, IIB; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS)≤ 2; neutrophils ≥1500/µL; platelets ≥100,000/µL, normal renal and liver function. Treatment consisted of six courses of weekly topotecan (2mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (40 mg/m(2)). All responsive and stable patients were submitted to radical surgery, while progressed cases underwent definitive radiotherapy±chemotherapy. Primary end-point was evaluation of efficacy and toxicity. All patients are evaluable for toxicity and efficacy. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of patients completed the six planned courses of chemotherapy, and 95% of courses were administered at a full dose and without interruption or delay. Mean age was 49 years (35-64 years). FIGO Stage distribution was 30 IB2, 13 IIA and 49 IIB. Treatment was well tolerated and no death occurred. G3-G4 haematological toxicity was observed in 28% of patients (5% out of cycles). Support therapies (blood transfusions and/or erythropoietin and/or Granocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) were given to 24% of patients. Clinical response rate was 77%. The nine progressed cases were irradiated, while the remaining 83 patients were submitted to radical surgery. An overall pathologic response was observed in 67% of patients, with an optimal response rate of 32% and a disease downstage in 57% of patients. Nodal metastases occurred in 36% of patients. Adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and or chemotherapy) was prescribed in 55% of patients, because of lymph node metastases, parametrial or vaginal involvement or cut-through margins. Median follow-up was 18 months: 76% of patients are alive and free from recurrence, 24% of patients relapsed and 13% died. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly topotecan and cisplatin showed an acceptable toxicity profile; the promising response rate warrants further investigation.

Obstetrical, fetal and postnatal effects of gestational antiblastic chemotherapy: how to counsel cancer patients.

At least one in a thousand pregnancies is complicated by cancer and, as the maternal age at pregnancy increases, numbers are growing. If chemotherapy cannot be postponed, both doctors and patients face complex medical and ethical issues. There is a conflict between optimal maternal therapy and fetal wellbeing. Treatment during the first trimester increases the risk of congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions and fetal death. Second and third trimester exposure is less risky, but it can cause intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight. Other effects on pregnancy after the first trimester include premature birth, stillbirth, impaired functional development, myocardial toxicity and myelosuppression. Counseling and management of these cases are difficult, because literature is mostly represented by case reports or retrospective series while randomized prospective studies or guidelines are lacking. Moreover, personal experience is often scanty due to the rarity of the condition. This article reviews the available data regarding the different aspects of systemic treatment of cancer during pregnancy to help oncologist and obstetricians in counseling their patients and treat them accordingly.

Multimodality approach in extra cervical locally advanced cervical cancer: chemoradiation, surgery and intra-operative radiation therapy. A phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine the rational of radical surgery with intra-operative high-dose radiotherapy after chemoradiation (RT-CT) in extra cervical locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2007, 42 LACC (stage IIA bulky-IVA) patients were treated at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the C.R.O. of Aviano in a Phase II Clinical Trial. Radiotherapy was administered to the whole pelvic region (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions) in combination with cisplatin (60 mg/mq) plus 5FU (750 mg/mq for 4 days) on first and fifth week of RT. Radical surgery with Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) was performed 6-8 weeks after the end of RT-CT treatment. RESULTS: After RT-CT, 35/42 patients (83%) underwent radical surgery and IORT treatment. At pathologic examination 8/35 (23%) patients showed complete response, while the rest (27/35) had residual disease either microscopic (17/27) or gross (10/27). The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) and the 5-year overall survival (OS) were 46% and 49% respectively. There were significant better DFS and OS when residual tumor was absent or limited to the cervix, respectively 78% versus 16% and 81% versus 20% (p < 0.001). All recurrences occurred within 24 months from treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RT-CT followed by surgery and IORT in LACC patients seems to be active in a subgroup of patients with pathological complete response to treatment or partial response with residual tumor limited to the cervix.

[First abdominal access in gynecological laparoscopy: which method to utilize?]. / Primo accesso addominale in laparoscopia ginecologica: quale tecnica utilizzare?

The choice of the technique to enter the peritoneal cavity, during a laparoscopy, depends on a lot of variables which hinder a standardized method and, actually, it appears impossible to show, with certainty, the best method to choose for the first abdominal access in gynecological laparoscopy. The preference for one or another technique depends on the operator experience, school and speciality of the surgeon, laparoscopical upgrading and the work environment; many surgical techniques are not yet used due the limits and fears of some surgeons to change the preference in first access approaching and for the lack of operating versatility by a method or another one. A review of the scientific literature, underlines that the major problems during the first laparoscopical abdominal access are two, vascular and intestinal and their percentage is variable. In this paper we describe the large range of methods for open and closed laparoscopy and for direct access, that permit to perform a first abdominal laparoscopical access, and their major possible problems.

Determination of tamoxifen and its metabolites in the endometrial tissue of long-term treated women.

Concentrations of tamoxifen and its metabolites were analysed in the endometrium of 23 post-menopausal asymptomatic breast cancer patients who were on chronic tamoxifen therapy. Small endometrial samples were collected during diagnostic hysteroscopy. Analysis of both serum and tissue for these compounds was performed by mass spectrometry. Tamoxifen and its metabolites were far more concentrated in the endometrium than in serum; tamoxifen was also significantly more concentrated in endometrium with hyperplastic changes than in atrophic endometrium. Endometrial polyps of an additional 9 women showed a trend to a lesser concentration of compounds. Increased concentration of tamoxifen compounds could possibly be explained by the avidity of these compounds for oestrogen receptors (ER).

Feasibility and pain control in outpatient hysteroscopy in postmenopausal women: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Three methods of diagnostic hysteroscopy have been tested for both women's compliance and feasibility of procedures in postmenopause. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-two postmenopausal women were enrolled in a three-arm study: 5 mm diagnostic sheath (Group 1, 119 women), 5 mm sheath with paracervical block (Group 2, 121 women), and 3.5 mm sheath (Group 3, 121 women). CO2 was the distention medium. Both feasibility of hysteroscopy (procedures failed due to stenosis or incomplete distention of cavity) and discomfort of women have been recorded. Pain perception has been measured on a visual numerical rating scale. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test for unpaired samples and chi-square test. RESULTS: Paracervical block was per se painful in 18.2% and bleeding from injection site occurred in 38.8%. Hysteroscopy failure due to stenosis occurred in 9%, 10% and 0.4% of the three groups respectively (p<0.01). Intolerable pain was reported by 17% of women in Group 1, 6% in Group 2 (p<0.05) and in none of Group 3 (p<0.01). Pain score improved from Group 1 to Group 3 (p<0.01). Hysteroscopy was incomplete because of gas leakage in 1.7% of both Group 1 and 2 and in 13.2% of Group 3 (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pain perception in postmenopausal women was reduced when paracervical block was used, but discomfort was even less with the narrow sheath hysteroscope. The narrow sheath will expose to a high percentage of inconclusive procedures but it can be overcome by changing to the large sheath hysteroscope without affecting patient pain perception.

Different patterns of postoperative bleeding following cytoreductive surgery for gynecological cancer.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To study the possible causes of postoperative bleeding following maximal cytoreductive surgery for gynecological cancers. METHOD: We have retrospectively reviewed all our cases of postoperative bleeding following major abdominal and pelvic cytoreductive surgery within a 48-hour period. In the postoperative period, replacement therapy was ineffective in achieving hemodynamic stability. During re-operation, the entire abdominal cavity was evaluated for bleeding sites that were adequately ligated or electrocoagulated. RESULTS: Of 942 women undergoing major cytoreductive surgery 22 women (2.3%) were re-operated for postoperative bleeding after a mean of 14.2 hours. Bleeding was either localized from a vessel in 9 women (40.9%) or diffuse (capillary oozing) in 13 women (59.1). Operative deaths have been as high as 36.8%. CONCLUSION: Postoperative bleeding following cytoreductive surgery can be from a single group of vessels or a capillary oozing from the edges or denuded areas of excised peritoneum.

Primary cytoreductive surgery with rectosigmoid colon resection for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The impact of radical bowel resection with multiple organ resection on the survival if patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma has not been well defined. The authors investigated whether primary cytoreductive surgery including rectosigmoid colon resection would affect the recurrence free interval and survival of these patients. METHODS: Between April 1990 and April 1997, 66 previously untreated Stage IIIC-IV ovarian carcinoma patients with macroscopic involvement of the rectosigmoid colon were enrolled. All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery with rectosigmoid colon resection to remove residual tumor less than 2 cm in greatest dimension and received 6 cycles of cisplatin-based postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 26 months (range, 7-104 months). In multivariate analysis, residual disease and depth of tumor infiltration of the bowel wall were independently associated with overall survival and recurrence free interval. Disease stage was independently associated only with overall survival. Residual tumor was the most strongly predictive factor for recurrence or death. The 2-year estimated survival rates according to the amount of residual tumor were 100% for 24 patients with no macroscopic residual disease and 77.3% for 28 patients with residual disease less than 1 cm. None of the 14 patients with residual disease larger than 1 cm were alive 2-years after operation. Overall, 48 patients (72.7%) developed disease recurrence: 43 (65.1%) in the abdomen, 19 (29.8%) in the liver, and 3 (4.5%) in the pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that cytoreductive surgery with rectosigmoid colon resection should be considered for ovarian carcinoma patients with bulky pelvic disease to help ensure that they are left with no residual disease after debulking surgery.

Treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) with the carbon dioxide laser.

The increasing incidence of VAIN especially in young women, the frequent relapses, and renewed interest in maintaining sexual function have prompted gynecologists to a conservative management of the disease. Over the last decades, surgery, 5-fluorouracil, chemosurgery, electrocautery and cryotherapy were used. Carbon dioxide laser ablation therapy of VAIN has been reported from various authors with different results. From June 1991 through December 1998, 39 patients affected by VAIN were treated with laser surgery (35 vaporizations and 4 excisions). To achieve complete elimination of all lesions, seven patients had two vaporizations and one patient three. One patient was submitted to six combined repeated treatments. Five patients were not evaluable and three presented persistence of VAIN. One patient died because of AIDS. The remaining 30 patients, treated with laser surgery, were lesion free: 7 patients were negative at 12-24 months, 10 at 24-36 months and 13 at 37-90 months. No important complications occurred. Sexual function was not compromised. Carbon dioxide laser is a safe and efficacious tool in the treatment of pre-neoplastic lesions of the vagina.

Multisite stimulation in refractory heart failure.

Since the early nineties, the employment of DDD pacing from a right ventricular site with a short AV delay in patients with severe heart failure has led to considerable conflicting results, so that the real benefit of this method remains to be defined even in selected patients, such as those with first-degree AV block, QRS duration > 140 ms due to left bundle branch block (LBBB), mitral regurgitation time > or = 450 ms and diastolic filling time < or = 200 ms. Indeed, the asynchronous activation induced by pacing the right apex is the most important limitation to the technique, particularly in patients without an LBBB pattern or in those with an incomplete LBBB pattern. Recent studies have also shown that pacing of the right interventricular septum provides no better results than pacing of the right apex, at least in selected patients with no LBBB pattern and no significant mitral regurgitation. Today, it has been suggested that permanent biventricular pacing could be proposed as a feasible and reliable approach to improving ventricular function through the synchronization of the septum and the apex of the left ventricle, particularly in patients with a marked delay in ventricular activation sequence. This technique may be performed by means of transvenous leads inserted through the coronary sinus into the cardiac veins to stimulate both ventricles simultaneously, starting from the right apex and left lateral wall. Consequently, this approach supplies a strong basis for initiating further studies to examine the chronic effects of left ventricular pacing in patients with severe heart failure. We also suggest that the new tissue Doppler imaging techniques could usefully be applied to accurately select candidates to biventricular pacing.

[Left ventricular aneurysm in a patient with mildly dilated cardiomyopathy]. / Aneurisma ventricolare sinistro in un paziente con cardiomiopatia "mildly dilated".

We describe the case of a patient with mildly dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular aneurysm, diagnosed in absence of a prior clinical history and anatomo-pathological features of myocardial infarction. To ascertain the diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy, the patient underwent cardiac catheterization with coronary angiography, that showed the lack of epicardial artery stenosis and a slow run-off of the contrast. An endomyocardial biopsy showed the presence of hypertrophic myocytes and interstitial fibrosis. Moreover, a thoracic high resolution computed tomography showed the features of pulmonary bilateral basal emphysema, interstitial thickening and bronchiectasis. Alfa1-anti-trypsin plasma levels were reduced. The patient, because of worsening of clinical and hemodynamic conditions, underwent at age of 36 a combined heart-lung transplantation. The pathological examination of the native organs confirmed the previous diagnosis. At the moment, this is the second report in the literature concerning the presence of left ventricular aneurysm in a patient with idiopathic cardiomyopathy without an underlying coronary artery disease or prior history of myocardial infarction.

[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in upper gastrointestinal tract occlusion in gynecologic oncology]. / La gastrostomia percutanea endoscopica (PEG) nelle occlusioni dell'alto tratto intestinale in ginecologia oncologica.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intestinal obstruction is a frequent cause of death in patients suffering from gynecological cancer, who have undergone multiple treatment in the form of surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The usual form of rescue treatment consists in the use of a nasogastric tube to administer support and analgesic treatment. Surgical gastrostomy is not a viable proposition in these extremely weak patients with large masses compressing and displacing the stomach. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), a technique first introduced for nutritional purposes, can be beneficially used to achieve decompression in these patients. METHODS: PEG was performed in a total of 67 patients who had already undergone multiple treatment for abdominal-pelvic neoplasia with upper gastrointestinal obstruction, who could no longer be operated and who had a life expectancy of less than sixty days. In three cases positioning was not possible owing to the lack of transillumination of the gastric and abdominal wall. 54/64 patients had previously undergone at least two operations. RESULTS: Esophagogastric lesions were found in 29% of patients, some of which were attributed to the nasogastric tube. Symptomatic wellbeing was obtained in 76.5% a few days after PEG. PEG remained in situ from 4 to 472 days. Slight peristomal infection was observed in 9% of cases. In seven cases it was necessary to add octreotide owing to the reappearance of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: PEG is relatively easy to use and allows obstructive symptoms to be resolved in the majority of patients. Special medical skills are not required and the patient may be easily managed at home together with support therapy and pain management. Once PEG has been performed, it is possible to take fluids and semi-liquid foods, offering the patient a chance to taste flavours which have often been forgotten. PEG enables neoadjuvant chemotherapy to be performed in patients with previously untreated intestinal obstruction.