Robotic approach for the treatment of gynecological cancers recurrences: A ten-year single-institution experience.

INTRODUCTION: Although the management of gynecological cancers recurrences may be challenging, due to the heterogeneity of recurrent disease, the aim of this work is to present a descriptive analysis of gynecological malignancies recurrences in our institution treated by robotic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review and analysis of data of patients who underwent robotic surgery for recurrent gynecological malignancies at Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, from January 2013 to January 2024. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients underwent successful robotic cytoreductive surgery. The median age was 63 years; the median BMI was 33 kg/m2 and most of the patients (59 %) were obese. In 12 cases (22 %) the relapse presented was the second or third relapse. The most frequent patterns of recurrence were represented by lymph nodes (41 %), followed by peritoneal (26 %), pelvic (22 %) and parenchymal (11 %). In all patients complete cytoreduction was achieved. In 29 patients (54 %) the surgical field was previous treated. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were, respectively, 270 min and 100 ml. There were 2 intraoperative complications, managed endoscopically; 10 early postoperative complications, and 3 late postoperative complications. The 2-year progression-free-survival and overall survival were, respectively, 39.8 % and 72.3 %. CONCLUSION: Robotic approach in the treatment of recurrent gynecological cancers should be considered in selected patients with oligometastatic disease, in high-volume centers with expert surgeons, particularly in obese patients.

Optimizing patient selection for secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study aimed to refine patient selection criteria for secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent endometrial cancer. The objective was to identify preoperative predictors of complete cytoreduction, assess surgical complexity, and propose a preoperative predictive scoring system to identify suitable candidates for secondary cytoreductive surgery. METHODS: Data from 331 women with recurrent endometrial cancer were analyzed across three Italian centers from January 2010 to December 2021. Patients were categorized based on treatment received (medical treatment, diagnostic laparoscopy/examination under anesthesia, or secondary cytoreductive surgery). Preoperative predictors, surgical complexity, complications, and a predictive scoring system were assessed. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Of the cohort, 56.2% underwent debulking surgery, 17.2% had diagnostic laparoscopy, and 26.6% received medical treatment. Patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery were younger, with a lower body mass index, better performance status, and fewer comorbidities. Single site locoregional relapse was common in secondary cytoreductive surgery patients. Age <65 years, single site relapse, lymph node, and hematogenous relapse were independent predictors of complete cytoreduction. A predictive scoring system demonstrated a clear relationship between the score and the likelihood of complete cytoreduction. CONCLUSION: This study identified age <65 years, single site recurrence, as well as nodal and hematogenous recurrence, as predictive factors for achieving optimal cytoreduction. A predictive scoring system incorporating these factors has been proposed to identify optimal candidates for secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent endometrial cancer. The scoring system showed promising predictive accuracy and could aid in refining the decision making process, ensuring appropriate patient selection for secondary cytoreductive surgery. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate and enhance the predictive model.

Feasibility and operative outcomes of surgery in the liver area in advanced ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to characterize intra-and postoperative complications according to a standardized anatomo-surgical classification for ovarian cancer metastases in the liver area. METHODS: Data from all patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing primary or secondary surgery with perihepatic liver involvement (May-2016 to May-2022), were retrospectively retrieved and classified according to a standardized anatomo-surgical classification, and clustered into four Classes: Class I "Peritoneal", Class II "Hepatoceliac-lymph-nodes", Class III "Parenchymal" and Class IV Mixed (≥ 2 classes). RESULTS: Data from 615 patients were collected. Intraoperative complications were observed in 15%, and severe postoperative complications in 17.6% of cases. While surgical complexity scores were similar, Class IV had longer operative times, higher blood loss, and a 30.4% intraoperative transfusion rate. Class II showed a higher prevalence of vascular injuries (8%). Classes II and IV were significantly associated with severe postoperative complications. Specific complications varied among classes, such as perihepatic collection and intrahepatic hematoma/abscess in Class III (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively), and pleuric effusion, sepsis, anemia, and "other complications" in Class IV (p = 0.002, p = 0.004, p = 0.03, p = 0.03, respectively). Multivariable analysis identified Class II and IV (Class II: OR 4.991, p = 0.045; Class IV: OR 5.331, p = 0.030), Surgical Complexity Score group 3 (OR:3.922, p = 0.003), and the presence of residual tumor (OR:1.748, p = 0.048) as independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Liver procedures during advanced ovarian cancer surgery are feasible with acceptable complication rates According to the anatomo-surgical classification, metastatic patterns are related to both different surgical outcomes and postoperative complication profiles.

Biomarker characterization in endometrial cancer in Europe: first survey data analysis from 69 pathological academic and hospital labs.

Introduction: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the commonest gynecological cancer affecting women in Western populations. To predict patient risk, the 2020 edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Female Genital Tract stressed the importance of integrated histo-molecular classification of the disease. This survey analysis poses attention on the most frequently used immunohistochemical and molecular markers adopted in daily categorization of ECs in European laboratories. Methods: We analyzed data collected through questionnaires administered to 40 Italian, 20 Spanish, 3 Swiss and 6 United Kingdom (UK) laboratories. We collected information regarding daily practice in EC evaluation, specifically concerning mismatch repair status (MMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI). Summary and descriptive statistical analyses were carried out to evaluate the current practice of each laboratory. Results: The results show that MMR status is mainly evaluated by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) on most EC samples. The most frequent approach for the analysis of MMR status is IHC of four proteins (PMS2, MSH6, MSH2, MLH1). MSI analysis by molecular methods is uncommon but useful as a supplemental tool in specific conditions. MLH1 promoter hypermethylation and BRAF V600 mutations analysis are performed in case of negative expression of MLH1/PMS2. Other markers (mainly p53 followed by POLE and PTEN) are investigated in particular in Spain and Switzerland in a consistent number of cases. Conclusion: Guidelines consultation and standardization of laboratory procedures are efficient means for EC prognostic risk stratification and improving the quality of care.

Robotic resection of left renal vein with preservation of left kidney for leiomyosarcoma: Case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Radical surgical resection with negative margins is the mainstay of treatment for retroperitoneal vascular leiomyosarcomas. Given the retroperitoneal location of these tumors, open surgery is, historically, the chosen surgical approach, however, it is burdened with high postoperative morbidity. In selected cases, the small dimension of the tumor and a favorable location, allow to perform a minimally invasive treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 67-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of a leiomyosarcoma arising from the left renal vein underwent a robotic resection of the left renal vein with preservation of the left kidney and a relative outflow trough the gonadal vessels. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day without any complications and there was no tumor recurrence noted during the 24-month follow-up period. DISCUSSION: Vascular retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas are very rare tumors requiring a complete en bloc gross tumor resection in order to achieving microscopically negative margins on the vein of origin. Thanks to the preoperative histological diagnosis and radiological study of the neoplasm, it was possible to proceed to a highly personalized and minimally invasive treatment with respect of oncological criteria. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, a minimally invasive surgery of vascular leiomyosarcoma could be a feasible and safe treatment option.

Distribution and prognostic role of BRCA status in elderly ovarian cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: In the era of target therapy and personalized medicine, BRCA mutational status has a major influence on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Our aim is to verify if the poorer prognosis of elderly ovarian cancer patients can be related to the biology of the tumor beyond their own morbidities and/or suboptimal treatments. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-institution study evaluating prognosis of patients with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and known BRCA status. We collected clinical and surgical characteristics and the distribution of BRCA mutational status according to age groups. RESULTS: 1840 patients were included in the analysis. The rate of BRCA mutated decreased over age-range from 49.7% in patients aged <50 years to 18.8% in ≥80 years old women. The prognostic role of BRCA status on survival is maintained when focusing on the elderly population, with improved Disease Free Survival (27.2 months vs 16.5 months for BRCA mutated and wild type respectively, p = 0.001) and Cancer Specific Survival (117.6 months vs 43.1 months for BRCA mutated and wild type respectively, p = 0.001) for BRCAmut compared to BRCAwt patients. In the multivariable analysis, among elderly women, upfront surgery and BRCA mutation are independent factors affecting survival. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients experiment a poorer prognosis due to multiple factors that include both their medical condition and comorbidities, under-treatment and most importantly disease characteristics. We found that beyond disparities, BRCA mutation is still the strongest independent prognostic factor affecting both the risk of recurrence and death due to disease.