30-Year Experience With 22 Cases of Malignant Transformation Arising From Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma: A Rare Disease.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with malignant transformation arising from ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MT-MCT). Methods: This retrospective study included patients with ovarian MCTs at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) during 1990.01-2020.12. When the pathologic histology was MT-MCT, detailed information was collected. Results: Overall, 7229 ovarian MCT patients and 22 patients with MT-MCT were enrolled. The rate of malignant transformation of all ovarian MCTs was 0.30%. Most patients with MT-MCT were 51 (21-75) years old, and the tumor mass size was 10 (3-30) cm. The typical clinical symptoms were mainly abdominal pain and distension. The levels of tumor markers were elevated on preoperative examination. Early diagnosis could be made by ultrasonic examination, pelvic enhanced MRI and CT. Most patients underwent debulking surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The most common histological type to exhibit malignant transformation was squamous cell carcinoma (59.1%), followed by adenocarcinoma (13.6%), carcinoid (9.1%), and borderline tumor (18.2%). The 5-year RFS and OS rates were 54.5% and 81.8%, respectively. Patients with FIGO stage I had the best RFS (P=0.047) and OS (P=0.018), followed by those with FIGO stage II-IV. Conclusion: MT-MCTs mainly occur in elderly females, are rare and have a poor prognosis. Advanced FIGO stage is a risk factor for survival. Although there is no standard treatment, cytoreductive debulking surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy could be considered. Perimenopausal and menopausal women with MCT should receive surgical treatment.

Effect and Management of Excess Weight in the Context of Fertility-Sparing Treatments in Patients With Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and Endometrial Cancer: Eight-Year Experience of 227 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oncologic and reproductive outcomes of fertility-sparing treatments (FSTs) in atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) and endometrial cancer (EC) patients with excess weight (EW). METHODS: This retrospective study comprised patients with AEH or EC who achieved a complete response (CR) after FST from 2010 to 2018. The clinical characteristics, oncological and reproductive outcomes were compared between the excess weight (EW) group (body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m2) and normal weight (NW) group (BMI<25 kg/m2). The risk factors associated with recurrence and unsuccessful pregnancy in patients with EW were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 227 patients were enrolled, including 139 (61.2%) in EW group and 88 (38.8%) in NW group. In patients with EW, the pregnancy rate, the live birth rate and the relapse rate were 29.8%, 23.4%, and 30.9%, respectively. In patients with NW, these rates were 61.1%, 47.2%, and 31.8%, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the time to remission (P=0.865) and disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.750). Patients in NW group achieved a better pregnancy rate than patients in the EW group (P=0.034). The patients with EW using ovulation induction to increase fertility tended to have a shorter time to pregnancy (P=0.042). However, no significant risk factors associated with unsuccessful pregnancy were identified after the multivariate analysis. In terms of DFS, the combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and LNG-IUD was better for patients with EW than GnRH-a or oral progestin therapy alone (P=0.044, adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.432, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.152-1.229), especially for patients with EW diagnosed with EC (P=0.032). CONCLUSION: FSTs for overweight and obese patients should be more individualized. GnRH-a and/or LNG-IUD may be options prior to FSTs in patients with EW. Further prospective studies are needed.

Tertiary lymphoid structure and B-cell-related pathways: A potential target in tumor immunotherapy.

The tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS), also referred to as the ectopic lymphoid structure, has recently become a focus of attention. The TLS consists of T-cell and B-cell-rich regions, as well as plasma cells, follicular helper T cells, follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), germinal centers (GCs) and high endothelial venules. TLSs can be divided into different subtypes and mature stages according to the density of FDCs and GCs. The TLS serves as an effective site in which an antitumor inflammatory response is generated through infiltrating immune cells. B-cell-related pathways, known as the CXC chemokine ligand 13/CXC chemokine receptor type 5 axis and the CC chemokine ligand (CCL)19/CCL21/CC-chemokine receptor 7 axis, play a key role in the generation and formation of TLSs. The aim of the present review was to systematically summarize updated research progress on the formation, subtypes, evaluation and B-cell-related pathways of TLSs. Furthermore, researchers have previously reported that TLSs are present in several types of solid cancers and that they are associated with survival outcomes. Therefore, studies on TLS in breast, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancers and melanoma were summarized and compared. The TLS and B-cell-related pathways require further investigation as important immune signals and promising new immunotherapy targets in the era of T-cell therapy revolution.

A Comparison of Laparoscopies and Laparotomies for Radical Hysterectomy in Stage IA1-IB1 Cervical Cancer Patients: A Single Team With 18 Years of Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH) and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) in managing early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised patients with FIGO stage IA1 with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), IA2, and IB1 cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy performed by a single gynecologic oncology team at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000-2018. The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, and survival outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The ARH and LRH groups consisted of 84 and 172 patients, respectively. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 89.3 and 95.9% in the ARH and LRH groups (P = 0.122, adjusted HR = 0.449, 95% CI: 0.162-1.239), respectively, while the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 95.2 and 98.8%, respectively (P = 0.578, adjusted HR = 0.650, 95% CI: 0.143-2.961). The presence of more than two comorbidities led to poor OS (P = 0.011). For patients with a BMI greater than 24 kg/m2, LRH was associated with better PFS (P = 0.039). Compared with ARH, LRH was associated with a shorter operation time (248.8 vs. 176.9 min, P < 0.001), less blood loss (670.2 vs. 200.9 ml, P < 0.001), and lower postoperative ileus rates (2.4% vs. 0%, P = 0.042). No significant differences were observed in PFS and OS between 2006-2012, 2013-2015, and 2016-2018 in the LRH group (P = 0.126 and P = 0.583). CONCLUSION: Compared with ARH, LRH yields similar survival and improved surgical outcomes in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. LRH is not inferior to ARH for select cervical cancer patients treated by a single team with adequate laparoscopy experience.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of Gynecologic Cancer with Spinal Metastases: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide key information on the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and potential prognostic factors in patients with metastatic spinal gynecologic cancer (MSGC), with a view to their application in clinical practice. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2020, we performed a retrospective analysis of 14 patients with MSGC who underwent surgical treatment in a single center. Surgical treatment was performed on 14 patients, and a total of 14 operations were performed. The survival time of patients after spinal surgery was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 51.9 years (range 25‒70). The average time from initial surgery to the discovery of spinal metastasis was 60.3 months (2‒180), and the average follow-up time was 19.2 months (2‒55). Spinal tumor progression was found in 9 patients, and 12 patients (85.7%) died during follow-up. In univariate analysis, extraosseous visceral metastasis (p = 0.024), revised Tokuhashi stage (p = 0.025), Tomita stage (p = 0.005), and number of spinal lesions (p = 0.038) were associated with overall survival (OS). Extraosseous visceral metastasis (p = 0.026), revised Tokuhashi stage (p = 0.014), Tomita stage (p = 0.001), and gynecological cancer type (p = 0.039) were associated with progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is an effective treatment for MSGC and relieves pain, restores function and rebuilds stability. Based on our single-center experience, extraosseous visceral metastasis, revised Tokuhashi stage, Tomita stage, and gynecological cancer type may be potential prognostic factors for OS.

A Prediction Model for Optimal Primary Debulking Surgery Based on Preoperative Computed Tomography Scans and Clinical Factors in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the predictive value of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans and clinical factors for optimal debulking surgery (ODS) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). METHODS: Patients with AOC in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III-IV who underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS) between 2016 and 2019 from nine tertiary Chinese hospitals were included. Large-volume ascites, diffuse peritoneal thickening, omental cake, retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement (RLNE) below and above the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), and suspected pelvic bowel, abdominal bowel, liver surface, liver parenchyma and portal, spleen, diaphragm and pleural lesions were evaluated on CT. Preoperative factors included age, platelet count, and albumin and CA125 levels. RESULTS: Overall, 296 patients were included, and 250 (84.5%) underwent ODS. The prediction model included age >60 years (P=0.016; prediction index value, PIV=1), a CA125 level >800 U/ml (P=0.033, PIV=1), abdominal bowel metastasis (P=0.034, PIV=1), spleen metastasis (P<0.001, PIV=2), diaphragmatic metastasis (P=0.014, PIV=2), and an RLNE above the IMA (P<0.001, PIV=2). This model had superior discrimination (AUC=0.788>0.750), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated its stable calibration (P=0.600>0.050). With the aim of maximizing the accuracy of prediction and minimizing the rate of inappropriate explorations, a total PIV ≥5 achieved the highest accuracy of 85.47% and identified patients who underwent suboptimal PDS with a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a prediction model based on two preoperative clinical factors and four radiological criteria to predict unsatisfactory debulking surgery in patients with AOC. The accuracy of this prediction model needs to be validated and adjusted in further multicenter prospective studies.

High-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: a retrospective study of factors influencing prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with progress-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China, from 2006 to 2016. The study retrospectively analyzed clinical and pathological data, and associations of these variables with PFS and OS were evaluated. RESULTS: The age of the patients at the time of diagnosis ranged from 16 to 73 years. Abnormal vaginal bleeding was the most commonly observed symptom. The tumor size ranged from 2 to 19 cm. The tumor locations were as follows: vulva (1 case), ovary (2 cases), broad ligament (2 cases), cervix (7 cases), and uterus (28 cases). A total of 34 (85%) and 6 (15%) patients underwent complete and ovarian preservation surgery, respectively. Notably, 33 (82.5%), 13 (32.5%), and 5 (12.5%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone treatment, respectively. Lymph node dissection was performed in 15 (37.5%) patients (positive rate: 7.4%), 16 (40%) patients underwent omentectomy (positive rate: 10%), and 12 (30%) patients underwent peritoneal lavage cytology (positive rate: 0%). Eighteen (45%) patients had lymphovascular space invasion, 13 (32.5%) patients had uterine fibroids, and 11 (27.5%) patients were diagnosed with endometriosis. Moreover, the levels of CA125 in the serum were measured prior to and following treatment. The median PFS and OS were 9 and 24 months, respectively. Eventually, 29 (72.5%) patients experienced relapse and 19 (47.5%) patients expired due to the disease. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced HG-ESS (stage II-IV) were associated with poor prognosis. The minimum value of CA125 and endometriosis were independent risk factors for PFS. The stage of disease, size of the tumor, minimum and average values of CA125, menopause, history of uterine leiomyoma, and endometriosis were independent risk factors for OS. The combination of surgery with radiotherapy and chemotherapy may improve the PFS of patients in the early stage of the disease.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery in advanced ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to performed a meta-analysis and systematic review on the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles. All statistical analyses were performed in Review Manager 5.3.5. RESULTS: In two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.81-1.06) or progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.86-1.09). Few adverse events (HR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19-0.72) and a high optimal debulking surgery rate (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.50-1.91) were observed with NACT. In 22 observational studies, primary debulking surgery (PDS) yielded better OS (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.19-1.60) but not progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.86-1.23). An increased optimal cytoreduction rate (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.12-1.22) was observed with NACT. Irrespective of the degree of residual disease, OS was longer in the PDS group than that in the NACT group. Patients with FIGO stage III (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.05-1.95) and IV (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06-1.23) disease had better survival with PDS. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with NACT-IDS improves perioperative outcomes and optimal cytoreduction rates, but it may not improve OS. NACT-IDS is not inferior to PDS-CT in terms of survival outcomes in selected AOC patients. Future studies should focus on candidate selection for NACT.

Fertility-sparing treatment of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a kind of uterine malignancy. Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was the main treatment. We evaluate the feasibility of fertility-sparing management in five patients with low-grade ESS who desired for childbearing. The patients aged 28-36 years old presented with symptoms of menometrorrhagia or without symptom. Ultrasound examinations demonstrated leiomyomas (with the diameter of 3.5-6 cm respectively). All the patients received conservative surgeries of local resection of the mass with uterine reconstruction. Then the adjuvant endocrine therapy was given to them with megestrol acetate (160-320 mg/day) or triptorelin (3.75 mg/28 days) for 5-6 months. The follow-up lasted 21-55 months. All the patients survived. Three of them underwent an uncomplicated pregnancy, and received cesarean delivery of a liveborn neonate. One of them is alive without disease recurrence. The other one found disease recurred during the megestrol acetate treatment, and received hysterectomy. We consider that fertility-sparing treatment is suitable in selected in young low-grade ESS patients especially for those whose lesion was with a clear borderline. Adjuvant endocrine therapy is recommended for about 6 months after operation.

Annexin A3 Is a Potential Predictor of Platinum Resistance in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients in a Prospective Cohort.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies and is rarely cured in the recurrent setting, mainly because of progressive chemoresistance, especially platinum resistance. In our previous studies, the platinum-resistance-related protein, annexin A3, was selected by comparative proteomics. In this study, we detected serum annexin A3 levels using a self-developed chemiluminescence immunoassay kit in a prospective EOC patient cohort. We also evaluated the capacity of serum annexin A3 levels to predict platinum resistance. Serum annexin A3 levels in healthy women exhibited a similar normal distribution (Z=0.723, P=0.673), allowing determination of a normal cutoff level of 0.11-1.45 ng/mL. Of the 89 EOC patients, 21 were platinum resistant and 68 were platinum sensitive. Residual disease after primary surgery (p=0.004) and serum annexin A3 levels (p=0.036) were both independent factors associated with platinum resistance. The AUC was 0.733 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.627-0.823). The optimal cutoff value for serum annexin A3 levels was 2.05 ng/mL. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that expression of annexin A3 as assessed by immunohistochemistry (P=0.005) and residual tumor size (P=0.000) had a significant influence on platinum resistance. The AUC of ROC curve of annexin A3 expression by immunohistochemistry was 0.664 (95% CI, 0.554-0.763) and the cut off value was ">=moderate scores". In conclusion, we demonstrate that annexin A3 is a secreted protein that may be measured in the peripheral blood using a self-developed, chemiluminescence immunoassay kit. Serum annexin A3 levels may be a potential predictor of platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Clear cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: clinical characteristics and feasibility of fertility-preserving treatment.

The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) in the post-diethylstilbestrol (DES) era and to evaluate the feasibility of fertility-preserving treatment. The records of 32 patients with CCAs who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 1986 to June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Three of the patients had undergone fertility-preserving treatment. The incidence of CCA among cervical adenocarcinomas was 15.2%. The median age was 38 years: 11 patients (34.4%) were diagnosed before 30 years of age and two (6.3%) after 70 years of age. Ten patients (31.2%) were nulliparous. No patient had been exposed to DES. Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) presented with obvious symptoms, and the cervix appeared abnormal in 26 patients (81.3%). Cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) tests were abnormal in all four patients in whom they were performed (three had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and one had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance). The distribution by stage was 56.3% stage I, 34.4% stage II, 6.3% stage III, and 3.1% stage IV. Treatments mainly included surgery for patients with stage I to IIA CCA and radiochemotherapy for patients with advanced CCA. The overall 5-year progression-free survival was 72.2%. Patients with stage I to IIA CCA had better 5-year progression-free survival than did patients with stage IIB to IV CCA (81.5% versus 40.0%, P=0.003). The three patients who had undergone fertility-preserving treatment had no recurrences. CCA may also affect adolescents and children without prior DES exposure, who are often misdiagnosed as having functional uterine bleeding. Radiotherapy appears to be effective for local control but to have no effect on distant recurrences. In our study, the prognosis of patients with early-stage CCA, including those who had undergone fertility-preserving treatment, was not inferior to that of patients with other types of cervical adenocarcinoma.

The occurrence of endometriosis with ovarian carcinomas is not purely coincidental.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and common benign gynecological disorders. STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of 226 patients with EOC treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between March 2011 and March 2012 were reviewed. Histological evaluations had been performed to determine the presence of coexisting pelvic endometriosis (n=17), uterine leiomyoma (n=66), adenomyosis (n=22), or endometrial polyps (n=17). RESULTS: Coexistence of endometriosis occurred in 35.3% and 36.4% of cases of the clear cell and endometrioid subtypes of EOC histology, respectively. Endometriosis was more likely associated with clear cell or endometrioid ovarian carcinoma, but less likely with high grade serous cancer. No differences were observed in the concurrence of uterine myoma, adenomyosis or endometrial polyps among the different subtypes of EOC. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to other common benign gynecological disorders, endometriosis showed close relationships with the clear cell and endometrioid subtypes of EOC specifically.

Prognostic analysis of endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer with or without endometriosis: a 12-year cohort study of Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: Clinicopathological characteristics and possible prognostic factors among women with endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer (EEOC) with or without concurrent endometriosis were investigated. STUDY DESIGN: A search of medical charts at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000 through 2012 identified patients with EEOC with or without endometriosis. RESULTS: Of 188 patients with EEOC, concurrent endometriosis was identified in 32 (17.0%). Patients with concurrent endometriosis were approximately 5 years younger, more likely to be premenopausal, more likely to have an early stage of EEOC, and less likely to have high-grade tumors compared to those without endometriosis. The univariate analysis showed that concurrent endometriosis was a significant prognostic factor for disease-free survival, but this association did not remain in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Women with EEOC and concurrent endometriosis showed distinct characteristics and had longer disease-free survival when compared to those without endometriosis.

Clinical analysis of ovarian epithelial carcinoma with coexisting pelvic endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the differences between women with endometriosis associated ovarian cancer and typical epithelial ovarian cancer. STUDY DESIGN: The medical charts of total 226 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between March 2011 and March 2012 were reviewed. Histology evaluation determined endometriosis associated ovarian cancer (n = 17) or non-endometriosis associated ovarian cancer (n = 209). RESULTS: Compared with non-endometriosis associated ovarian cancer, patients with endometriosis associated ovarian cancer were proved: (1) to be younger and more likely to be premenopausal at diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (P = .03 and .005, respectively); (2) to have lower preoperative serum level of Ca125 (mean: 122.9 vs 1377.5 U/mL, P < .001) and more likely to display normal Ca125 level (P < .001); (3) to be identified at the earlier stage (stage I, P < .001); (4) to have completely different distribution of histological subtypes (significant overrepresentation of clear cell and endometrioid carcinoma). CONCLUSION: As such, patients with endometriosis associated ovarian cancer differ from non-endomertiosis associated ovarian cancer in many of their critical clinical and biologic characteristics.

[Management of invasive cervical cancer in pregnancy: clinical analysis of 13 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and assess the outcome of treatment for cervical cancer during pregnancy. METHODS: A cohort of 13 patients with cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy from January 2001 to September 2011 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) was retrospectively studied. Clinical information, gestational age at diagnosis, treatment options and maternal and child outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients out of 2030 cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed during pregnancy with an incidence of 0.64% (13/2030). The Mean gestational age at diagnosis of 13 patients is 21(+6) weeks. Two cases were diagnosed during the first trimester, 8 cases at second trimester and 3 cases at third trimester respectively. Vaginal bleeding during the pregnancy was main clinical manifestation presented in 8 patients and all thirteen cases were diagnosed by biopsy with pathological types of squamous cell carcinoma in 10 cases. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage was I in eleven cases and stage II in two cases. Six patients of them received treatment promptly after diagnosis. The other 7 patients had delayed treatment with mean diagnosis-treatment interval time of 65 days due to fertility reasons, who ended pregnancy by cesarean section at mean gestational age of 34(+6) weeks, two of them received chemotherapy with cisplatin + fluorouracil (PF) or cisplatin respectively before the end of the pregnancy, while the one with PF chemotherapy experienced neonatal death. The rest 6 neonatal outcomes were good. As follow-up of 13 cases: 11 cases in stage I received surgical treatment, and two of which had recurrence respectively, 15 months and 7 months post surgery, and one case had died. One case of Stage II patients died and one had recurrence after 53 months after radiotherapy. The recurrence rate in 13 cases was 3/13 and the mortality rate was 2/13. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy were in early FIGO stage. For those patients diagnosed in late pregnancy with strong fertility demand, considering delayed treatment according to FIGO stage of the disease and fetus maturity is appropriate. Chemotherapy during pregnancy may cause neonatal complications.

[Identification of low-risk indicators of early stage cervical cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the low-risk indicators of early cervical cancer. METHODS: The medical records of 201 patients undergoing radical surgery between March 2000 and April 2011 for staging Ia2,Ib1 (tumor diameter≤2cm) cervix cancer were retrospectively reviewed, with particular focus on the pathological findings [parametrial involvement, positive margin, positive pelvic lymph node, and lymph vascular space invasion (LVSI)], treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: The operation duration ranged 75-330min (mean:188.87 min) and the intra-operative blood loss was approximately 100-2500 ml (mean: 583.33 ml). Pathology showed the rate of parametrial spread, positive margins, lymph node metastasis, LVSI was 0, 6.97%, 12.44%, and 17.41%. Based on the pathologic findings, the patients were classified as two groups: group A had 147 patients(73.13%) with no neoplasm or tumor diameter ≤2 cm,while group B had 54 patients (26.87%) with tumor diameter > 2 cm. The incidence of ≥ 1/2 cervical stromal invasion, LVSI, positive lymph node, underlying section of uterus involvement, and low tumor differentiation in group A and B were 20.14% vs. 85.19% (p = 0.000), 13.61% vs. 27.78%(p = 0.019), 9.52% vs. 20.37% (p=0.039), 4.82% vs. 14.81% (p=0.008), and 35.37% vs. 44.44% (p=0.025), respectively, with significant differences. Among the 163 patients who were followed up for more than 3 months, 10(6.13%) developed recurrence whereas no patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic parametrial involvement in clinical stage 1a2 and 1b1 cervical cancer is uncommon. Tumor size and cervical stromal invasion can be used to identify low-risk population that are worthy of consideration for studies of less radical surgery performed in conjunction with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Primary sarcoma of the ovary: clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic factors and evaluation of therapy.

BACKGROUND: The primary ovarian sarcoma is a very rare malignancy. The objective of this study was to further investigate the clinicopathologic features and outcome in patients with primary sarcoma of the ovary. METHODS: Between 1988 and 2007, 24 patients with primary ovarian sarcoma who underwent treatment at Peking Union Medical Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Response to treatment, progression and overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with ovarian sarcoma had a mean age of (54.3 ± 10.3) years, and 16 of them were postmenopausal. The most common symptom was abdominal pain, present in 14 patients. Of the 24 patients, 16 patients were pathologically diagnosed as carcinosarcoma (known as malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT)), 2 as ovarian leiomyosarcoma (LS) and 6 patients as ovarian endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). The patients in optimal debulking group had a median survival period of 28 months and 1-year survival rate of 71%. The patients in suboptimal debulking group had a significantly lower median survival of 6 months (P = 0.02) and 1-year survival rate of 29%. Among the patients, 23 patients received chemotherapy and most of regimens were based on platinum, 3 patients received chemoradiation. The mean number of courses of combined chemotherapy was 6.6 ± 5.0, and the response was unsatisfactory. The median survival for the entire group was 18.7 months. The one-year survival rate was 58%, and two-year survival rate only 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian primary sarcoma has a poor overall prognosis. Optimal debulking surgery appears to be of prognostic significance. There is a clear need for further study to explore the role and the regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy in primary ovarian sarcoma.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of 130 cases of mucinous borderline ovarian tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinicopathologic characteristics of mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (MBOT) and evaluate the risk factors for recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective study included age, the level of preoperative serum CA125, surgical procedures, surgical-staging and the risk factors for recurrence in 130 patients with MBOT who were treated from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 2008 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital was done. RESULTS: Preoperative serum CA125 and CA199 were elevated in 34% (33/96) and 50% (13/26) of patients respectively. Fifty-two radical surgeries included total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-ovarectomy (THBSO) and 78 fertility-sparing surgeries included 54 salpingo-oovarectomies (SO) and 24 cystectomy were done. Fifty-five cases underwent comprehensive surgical staging. Mean size of the tumors was (16 ± 10) cm and 90.0% (117/130) were limited to unilateral ovary. There were 59 (45.4%) cases, 62 (47.7%) cases, 2 (1.5%) cases and 7 (5.4%) cases in stage Ia, Ic, II, III, respectively. Forty-five (34.6%) concurrent with benign mucinous tumors, 14 (10.8%) ovarian intraepithelial carcinoma, 8 (6.2%) micro-invasive carcinoma and 4 (3.1%) pseudomyxoma peritonei were found. Median duration for follow-up was 56.3 months. Sixteen (12.3%) recurrences and 2 tumor related deaths were found. Median duration from surgery to recurrence was 25.6 months. Recurrent rate after THBSO (4%, 2/49) was significantly lower than that of SO (13%, 7/54) and cystectomy (17%, 4/24; P < 0.05). The recurrent rate of Ic or III was 18% (11/62) or 3/7, which were significantly higher than that of stage Ia (3%, 2/59; P < 0.05). Three of the 4 pseudomyxoma peritonei appeared of recurrence. While, the results showed that these were no effect on recurrent rate whether concurrent intraepithelial, microinvasive carcinoma or not comprehensive staging surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of MBOT were diagnosed in early stage and have favorable prognosis. Patients who take conservative surgery had higher recurrence rate than those radical surgery, but it doesn't affect survival. Late stage and concurrent pseudomyxoma peritonei are risk factors for recurrence.

[Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the differentially expressed genes in cardinal ligament between patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and postmenopausal women without POP by Human Genome Expression Chip and explore the potential molecular mechanism involved in POP. METHODS: From January to May, 2007, cardinal ligament samples were obtained from 3 postmenopausal patients with POP-Q stage III and 3 postmenopausal patients underwent hysterectomy due to other benign gynecologic diseases without POP in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. HE and Masson's trichrome staining was used to verify tissue origin and inspect histological changes. Those differentially expressed genes in cardinal ligaments were identified by Human Genome Chip and further interrogated with Gene Ontology (GO) and Pathway Analysis. Those remarkable expressed genes were confirmed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Alterations of ligament architecture in POP patients included disarrangement and collapse of smooth muscle bundles and collagen fibers. A total of 179 differentially expressed genes were screened between POP and non-POP cardinal ligament tissue, including 20 functional unknown genes. A total of 107 genes were upregulated in POP group, while 72 genes downregulated. Those differentially genes were revealed associated with multiple functional proteins and metabolic pathways by biological analysis. Among these, Wnt signaling pathway exhibited the most remarkable changes. Real-time quantitative PCR showed the genes of COL1A1, DKK1, SFRP1, FZD5, WNT16b in POP group (2.98+/-1.40, 3.03+/-0.48, 8.13+/-4.42, 5.19+/-3.50, 12.40+/-3.88) were upregulated significantly compared with non-POP group (1.09+/-0.08, 1.20+/-0.18, 0.41+/-0.51, 0.87+/-0.24, 1.40+/-0.47; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pathophysiology of POP is complex and associated with multiple functional proteins and metabolic pathways. Among these, the antagonist DKK1, SFRP1 in Wnt signaling pathway may contribute to a neurodegenerative role in POP development.

[Prognostic factors and reproductive outcomes of borderline ovarian tumors: a review of 186 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinicopathological characteristics of borderline ovarian tumors and to evaluate their prognostic factors and pregnancy rates/fertility outcomes after conservative surgery. METHODS: A total of 186 patients with borderline ovarian tumors receiving treatment at our hospital from 1990 to 2007 were retrospectively studied and followed-up post-operatively for at least six months. The effects of clinicopathological characteristics upon recurrence and mortality were analyzed by independent sample t test, Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 44 months. One hundred and nine patients underwent conservative surgery and 77 patients underwent radical surgery. Thirty-one relapses were reported. Only 3 died of disease. As demonstrated by multivariate analysis, surgical procedure, stage and pseudomyxoma peritonei were the independent prognostic factors for recurrence. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of conservative surgery is higher than that of radical surgery. However, conservative surgery is safe as it does not result in a higher mortality rate.