High serum progesterone levels on the day of embryo transfer in patients undergoing artificial frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer: Is there a ceiling effect?

Objective: To evaluate the potential ceiling effect of high serum progesterone levels on the day of embryo transfer for pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing artificial frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FET) cycles. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 595 patients who underwent artificial FET cycles. We evaluated progesterone levels and found that 40.6 ng/mL corresponded to the 90th percentile and 23.9 ng/mL corresponded to the 50th percentile. Based on these findings, we categorized progesterone levels as <20 ng/mL (n=220, 37.0%), 20-40 ng/mL (n=312, 52.4%), and ≥40 ng/mL (n=63, 10.6%). The primary outcome measures were the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR). Results: Blastocyst morphology grades, including expansion, trophectoderm, and inner cell mass grades, were significantly associated with clinical pregnancy (p<0.001 for all). Progesterone levels between 20 and 40 ng/mL were associated with higher CPR (p=0.043). In the multivariate analysis, only blastocyst expansion and inner cell mass grades were independently and significantly associated with CPR [p=0.011, odds ratio (OR)=1.6, (confidence interval) CI 95%=1.13-2.39, and p=0.007, OR=1.65, CI 95%=1.14-2.39, respectively]. The progesterone level and trophectoderm grade were not statistically significant. Regarding LBR, only blastocyst expansion grades 4 and trophectoderm grades A or B were significantly associated. Conclusion: Based on these data, we speculate that if serum progesterone levels exceed 40 ng/mL on the day of embryo transfer in patients undergoing artificial FET cycles, there is no need to reduce the progesterone dose.

Individualized luteal phase support in frozen-thawed embryo transfer after intramuscular progesterone administration might rectify live birth rate.

Background: The serum P concentrations are suggested to have an impact on pregnancy outcome. However there is no consensus about the optimal progesterone cut-off during the luteal phase. Few studies evaluated the effectiveness of a "rescue protocol" for low serum P concentrations and most of these studies used vaginal progesterone administration. There is paucity of data on the effectiveness of rescue protocol using intramuscular progesterone (IM-P) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study included 637 single or double blastocyst FETs with artificially prepared endometrium receiving 100 mg IM progesterone (P) after incremental estrogen treatment. Serum P concentrations were evaluated using blood samples obtained 117-119 hours after the first IM-P administration and 21 ± 2 hours after the last IM-P administration. Patients with serum P concentrations <20.6 ng/ml on the ET day were administrated 400 mg vaginal progesterone for rescue. Results: Demographic and cycle characteristics were similar between patients receiving rescue vaginal P (embryo transfer (ET)-day P concentration < 20.6 ng/ml) and patients who did not need rescue vaginal P (ET-day P concentration ≥ 20.6 ng/ml). Clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates were similar between two groups: 52.9%(45/85) vs 59.6%(326/552), p=0.287; 11.1%(5/45) vs 14.1%(46/326), p=0.583; and 47.1%(40/85) vs 50.7%(280/552), p=0.526, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the female age (p = 0.008, OR=0.942, 95% CI = 0.902-0.984) and embryo quality (ref: good quality for moderate: p=0.02, OR=0.469, 95% CI =0.269-0.760; for poor: p=0.013, OR= 0.269, 95% CI = 0.092-0.757) were independent variables for live birth. Following rescue protocol implementation, ET-day P concentration was not a significant predictor of live birth. Conclusions: Rescue vaginal P administration for low ET day serum P concentrations following IM-P yields comparable live birth rates.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in assisted reproductive technology treatment does not increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.

The aim of the study is to compare the perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in which granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was used with those in which it was not. In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 122 dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies were reviewed. Pregnancies were divided into two groups, G-CSF-treated and non-G-CSF treated. Maternal age, gestational week at birth, oligohydramnios, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, first-trimester bleeding, gestational diabetes, rupture of membrane, foetal congenital anomalies, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, birth weight (BW), small for gestational age, BW discordance, Apgar score and placental weight were compared between the groups.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administrations increase pregnancy outcomes and do not have a negative effect on perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies.What the results of this study add? This study showed that the perinatal outcome of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies conceived after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment was similar in the GSF administrated and non-GSF administrated groups.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Using G-CSF to increase the success of ART does not seem to have an adverse outcome in the dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Analysis of prognostic factors in Grade 3 endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic factors of patients with Grade 3 endometrioid endometrial cancer (G3EEC). METHODS: This four-center, retrospective study included a total of 129 women with G3EEC. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and survival data were collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Predictors of outcome were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Median age at the time of diagnosis was 63 (range 39-87) years and median follow up was 37 (range 6-126) months. For the entire cohort, the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 54.3% and 63.6%, respectively. The 5-year DFS rates for lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) -positive and -negative patients were 41.6% and 88.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year OS rates for LVSI-positive and -negative patients were 54.7% and 88.3%, respectively (P = 0.001). Positive LVSI status was identified as the independent prognostic factor for decreased DFS and OS (hazard ratio [HR] 5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65-18.86; P = 0.006 versus HR 4.4, 95% CI 1.33-14.58; P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSION: LVSI seems to be an independent prognostic factor for decreased DFS and OS in G3EEC patients.

Diet and pravastatin administration prior to in vitro fertilization treatment may improve pregnancy outcome in women with dyslipidemia.

In this study, we aimed to identify whether using statins may increase the chance of pregnancy in In Vitro Fertilisation / Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) patients with hyperlipidaemia. Therefore, in this retrospective cohort study, 70 patients constituted the study population and all patients were managed by lipid lowering diet. Ten mg pravastatin (pravachol DEVA, Istanbul, Turkey) was added to therapy in case of resistant hypercholesterolaemia after 15 days of the diet. Fifty-one patients were treated with diet only and the remaining nineteen patients were offered both diet and pravastatin. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly better with the patients who used pravastatin (68.4% vs. 39.2%, p = .029). Ongoing pregnancy rates were 63.2% and 33.3% with pravastatin and diet only, respectively, which were statistically significant (p:.024). According to multivariate analysis, pravastatin use was found independently and statistically significant for clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rate after IVF/ICSI in patients with dyslipidemia (HR 3.79; 95% CI 1.31-10.97; p:.014 and HR 3.18; 95% CI 1.22-8.27; p:.018). When we analysed stratified data according to the AMH levels, we noticed that as AMH levels increased, the pregnancy rates increased; the most benefit from pravastatin was in the group with AMH levels >2 ng/mL.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Dyslipidemia in In IVF/ICSI patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had negative impact on pregnancy ratesWhat the results of this study add? The findings of the study support that pravastatin may help to improve pregnancy outcome, especially in normal and high responders, regardless of whether decreased serum LDL or total cholesterol level.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? As a result of our data, we speculated that it should be routine to investigate the lipid profile in every IVF/ICSI patient and should be treated accordingly, if necessary.

Gut dysbiosis may be associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of different intestinal microorganisms of patients with normal pregnancies and HG and to compare these frequencies between the two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was carried out in Baskent University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and included 20 patients; 10 of whom had normal pregnancies and 10 of whom had HG. A stool flora scan was routinely planned for all patients. Transient and continuous fecal bacteria and fungal flora were analyzed. All data were evaluated statistically and their relationships with clinical condition were discussed. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 20 pregnant women with a mean age of 31.5 years. All patients were nonsmokers and free of chronic diseases and of any medications. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria groups, fungal colonies, and parasites were examined and bowel pH values were measured separately for each patient. Bacterial and fungal species outside the reference ranges were recorded for each patient. There was a statistically significant increase in Clostridium spp. (p:.01) and Candida spp. (p:.033) and a statistically significant decrease in Bifidobacterium spp.(p:.008) in patients with HG compared to women with normal pregnancies. There was a significant difference between the group with HG and the group with normal pregnancies in terms of flora dysbiosis (p:.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that gut dysbiosis may be a factor in HG. The effect of the severity of gut dysbiosis on the disease may be the subject of future studies.

Dydrogesterone primed luteal phase stimulation may be better than follicular phase stimulation in patients with diminished ovarian reserve.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of luteal phase stimulation (LPS) and follicular phase stimulation (FPS) in two separate menstrual cycles (2-5 months intervals) of the same patient, utilizing LPS with dydrogesteron only. METHODS: This retrospective case control study was conducted with patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) (Group 1) and infertile patients with Anti-Müllerian hormone >1.2 ng/mL (Group 2) undergoing two ovarian stimulations (FPS and LPS with dydrogesteron only) and two oocyte retrievals in two separate menstrual cycles (2-5 months intervals) in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of Baskent University, Ankara, between April 2019 and December 2019. RESULTS: In group 1, the number of frozen embryos was significantly higher in LPS when compared to FPS; 1.71 vs. 0.54, (p < .001), respectively. In group 2, the number of frozen embryos was higher in LPS when compared to FPS (0.8 vs. 0.4) however the difference did not reach a statistical significance (p: 0.157). CONCLUSION: LPS may be beneficial especially in the patients with diminished ovarian reserve with follicular asynchronization in the menstrual onset. In addition, it should be kept in mind that dydrogesterone only may be used instead of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist to prevent possible luteinizing hormone rise in LPS.

Repeated dose of prostaglandin E2 vaginal insert when the first dose fails.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of patients treated with repeated-dose prostaglandin E2 (dinoprostone) vaginal insert when the first dose fails. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 1.043 pregnant women who received dinoprostone for labor induction between November 2012 and August 2015. Pregnant women were divided into two groups according to the number of dinoprostone administrations: group 1, single-dose dinoprostone (n=1.000), and group 2, repeated-dose dinoprostone (n=43). Intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal outcomes of the pregnant women were compared. RESULTS: Vaginal delivery rate was 65% in group 1 and 30.2% in group 2 (p=0.001). The need for the neonatal intensive care unit was found in 44 pregnant women (4.4%) in group 1 and 6 pregnant women (13.6%) in group 2 (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: When obstetric and neonatal data were evaluated in our study, we observed that dinoprostone administration was associated with increased cesarean rates and adverse neonatal outcomes with repeated-dose dinoprostone when the first dose failed.

Factors affecting parametrial involvement in cervical cancer patients with tumor size ≤4 cm and selection of low-risk patient group

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting parametrial involvement in cervical cancer patients with tumor size ≤4 cm and selection of the low-risk patient group based on long-term oncologic outcomes. Material and Methods: Cervical cancer patients operated in the gynecologic oncology division between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. One-hundred and sixty-eight patients with tumor size ≤4 cm were identified. Of these, 159 (86.8%) underwent radical hysterectomy plus pelvic-para-aortic lymphadenectomy and nine (13.2%) underwent fertility-sparing surgery [radical trachelectomy (n=7); large conization (n=2)]. Factors affecting parametrial invasion, including lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), deep stromal invasion (DSI), lymph node metastases, and tumor size, were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Median age was 49.5 years and median tumor size was 2.5 cm (0.45-4 cm). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, the risk of parametrial involvement was increased with LVSI with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.45 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-10.8] and DSI with a HR of 4.1 (95% CI: 1.18-14.8), while tumor size of ≤2 cm was only significant in univariate analyses. Furthermore, 26 early-stage patients were identified with low-risk factors and they had no parametrial involvement, lymph node metastases, recurrence, or death from disease over 77 months. Conclusion: Parametrial involvement in low-risk cervical cancer is very rare and less radical procedures may be safe in these patients.

Risk factors for cervical stromal involvement in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of cervical stromal involvement in women with endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EEC). METHODS: A total of 795 patients with EEC who underwent comprehensive surgical staging including pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection between January 2007 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including age, menopausal status, serum CA-125 levels, tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), depth of myometrial invasion, positive peritoneal cytology, cervical stromal involvement, histologic grade, recurrence, and follow-up duration were recorded. RESULTS: Median follow up was 49 months. Cervical stromal invasion was found in 88 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of LVSI (hazard ratio [HR] 2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.25, P = 0.045), a primary tumor diameter of at least 3 cm (HR 3, 95% CI 1.31-7.25, P = 0.010), and at least 50% deep myometrial invasion (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.37-5.41, P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for cervical stromal involvement in patients with EEC. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that presence of LVSI, a primary tumor diameter of at least 3 cm, and LVSI of at least 50% seem to be independent predictors of cervical involvement in women with EEC.

Comparison of placental α microglobulin-1 protein assay (Amnisure) with speculum examination for the diagnosis of premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM): a clinical evaluation.

In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of Premature Preterm Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) cases diagnosed by classical speculum examination and by placental alpha microglobulin-1 protein (PAMG-1) assay. The medical records of all patients with singleton pregnancies that were diagnosed with PPROM were retrospectively reviewed. Singleton pregnancies with PPROM diagnosis that was confirmed either by direct visualisation of amniotic fluid leaking through the cervix or by placental alpha microglobulin-1 protein (PAMG-1) assay if no amniotic fluid leakage was documented were included in the study. Demographics, prenatal and postnatal characteristics were reviewed from the medical charts and were recorded. The study included 138 pregnancies with PPROM; 111 patients in clinical speculum examination group and 27 in PAMG-1 assay group. There were no significant differences in maternal and pregnancy characteristics between the clinical speculum examination and PAMG-1 assay groups. Foetal outcomes were comparable between clinical speculum examination and PAMG-1 assay groups. In the clinical speculum examination group, there were nine (8.1%) chorioamnionitis cases, however, there were no chorioamnionitis cases in the PAMG-1 assay group during the latency period (p = .21).Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Placental alpha microglobulin-1 protein assay uses immunochromatography method to detect trace amount of placental alpha microglobulin-1 protein in vaginal fluids and has high sensitivity and specificity for ROM diagnosis. However, to the best of our knowledge, the clinical outcome of ROM cases detected by classical speculum examination and by placental alpha microglobulin-1 protein assay has not been compared in the literature previously.What do the results of this study add? Although statistically insignificant, cases diagnosed by PAMG-1 assay had lower risk of chorioamnionitis during latency period.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Whether cases diagnosed by PAMG-1 assay represent a milder form of rupture of membranes than cases diagnosed by classical speculum examination group warrants further research.

A novel technique for prediction of preterm birth: fetal nasal flow Doppler.

OBJECTIVES: Absence of fetal breathing movements (FBM) has been found to be a good predictor of preterm delivery in symptomatic patients. However, analysis of FBM patterns and Doppler measurement of them for preterm birth prediction have not been performed before. In this study, we aimed to investigate and analyze FBM patterns in symptomatic preterm labor patients by fetal ultrasonography and nasal Doppler. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study. Singleton pregnant patients between 24 and 37 gestational weeks diagnosed with preterm labor were included in the study. Patients were evaluated in three groups: no FBM (Group 1), regular FBM (Group 2), irregular FBM (Group3). RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were available for the final analysis after exclusion. Preterm delivery rate in 24 h in groups were 91.7, 32.7 and 100%, respectively. The absence of FBM (Group 1) was statistically significant for preterm delivery in for both 24 (91.7 vs. 42.6%, p=0.002) and 48 h (91.7 vs. 49.2%, p=0.006) when compared with fetal breathing positive Group 2 and 3. In fetal nasal Doppler analyses in Group 2, the inspiration/expiration number rate was significantly lower in the patients who delivered in 24 h (0.98±0.2 vs. 1.25±0.57, p=0.015). By using fetal nasal Doppler, combination of absence of FBM or irregular FBM or regular FBM with inspiration number/expiration number (I/E) <1.25 detects 94.6% of patients who will eventually deliver in the first 24 h after admission. CONCLUSIONS: Examining FBM patterns and using nasal Doppler may help the clinician to differentiate those who will deliver preterm and may be an invaluable tool for managing preterm labor patients.

May myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol (40:1) treatment be a good option on normal-weighted polycystic ovary syndrome patients without insulin resistance?

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol (MI:DCI) (40:1) treatment in normal-weight polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients without insulin resistance. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included PCOS patients without insulin resistance who were diagnosed in the gynecology and obstetrics clinic of Baskent University Konya Practice and Research Hospital between January 2016 and October 2019 and received at least 6 months of MI:DCI (40:1) treatment. The patients were divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI). Twenty-nine anovulatory patients without insulin resistance with a BMI of 18-25 were included in group 1 (normal-weight group), whereas 17 patients without insulin resistance with BMI > 25 were included in group 2 (obese/overweight group). Ovulation status of both groups was compared after MI:DCI treatment. RESULTS: Ovulation was detected in 23 of 29 patients in the normal-weight group, whereas it was detected only in 5 of 17 patients in the obese/overweight group; this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001) (Table 2, Figure 1). Post-treatment progesterone levels of both groups were compared and in the normal-weight PCOS group was significantly higher than the obese/overweight group (P < 0.001) (Table 2, Figure 2). In addition, spontaneous pregnancy following treatment was observed in six of the seven (85.7%) patients in the normal-weight group who wanted to conceive, whereas it was observed in only two of the six (33.3%) patients in the obese/overweight group who wanted to conceive. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that MI:DCI (40:1) treatment may be a first-line treatment in normal-weight PCOS patients without insulin resistance.

The Effects of Transobturator Tape Surgery on Sexual Functions in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can adversely affect the patient's sexual function. AIM: To evaluate the sexual functions in women who underwent transobturator tape (TOT) surgery because of stress urinary incontinence and factors affecting the treatment results. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2 tertiary level clinics between 2013 and 2019 and included sexually active patients with a diagnosis of SUI who underwent TOT operation. The preoperative and postoperative (6 months after surgery) Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) scores of the patients were evaluated. The patients were evaluated according to the score changes of an increased score (benefited) and the same or lower score (did not benefit). The PISQ-12 questionnaire has 3 subdomains of behavioral-emotive (Q: 1-4), physical (Q: 5-9), and partner-related (Q: 10-12). Each question is scored from 0 to 4, giving a total ranging from 0 to 48. A higher PISQ-12 score indicates better sexual function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: PISQ-12. RESULTS: The study included 117 patients with a median age of 52 years (range, 32-67 years), and 51.3% of the patients were postmenopausal. When the preoperative and postoperative PISQ-12 scores were evaluated in the whole group, there was a statistically significant improvement (from 24.66 to 26.52, P = .001). In the analysis of domains, there was a statistically significant improvement in physical score (from 11.68 to 13.53, P < .001), whereas behavioral-emotive and partner-related scores did not significantly change. In the multivariate analysis of menopausal status, parity and presence of diabetes mellitus were all independently and significantly associated with poor PISQ-12 outcome (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.41-4.81, P = .002; OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03-2.47, P = .034; and OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.28-4.58, P = .007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both physical and psychological statuses should be taken into consideration when planning treatment in patients with urinary incontinence, and it should be noted that postsurgical sexual function status may not be positively affected in postmenopausal, multiparous, and diabetic patients. Kizilkan Y, Tohma YA, Senel S, et al. The Effects of Transobturator Tape Surgery on Sexual Functions in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence. Sex Med 2020;8:777-782.

Is placental KISS-1 expression associated with first trimester abortion spontaneous?

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have examined biological markers during the first trimester to predict the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. One such marker is kisspeptin, which is encoded by the KISS-1 gene. We aimed to determine whether firsttrimester pregnancy losses were associated with levels of placental KISS-1 expression. METHODS: This prospective case control study was conducted at a tertiary center. The study group included 27 and 24 patients who underwent dilation and curettage at <10 weeks of gestation, due to first trimester spontaneous pregnancy loss and for elective termination (control), respectively. Placental and decidual tissues from all patients were sectioned and immunohistochemically analyzed for kisspeptin. RESULTS: Age, gravida status, parity number, gestational week, and number of previous abortions did not significantly differ between the groups. KISS-1 expression levels were significantly lower in the group with spontaneous abortion compared with the group with elective termination. The median staining intensity of KISS-1 expression in the elective and spontaneous termination groups were 3 (strong) and 2 (moderate), respectively (P=0.004). KISS-1 expression levels were significantly lower among patients with previous abortions in the elective termination group (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: KISS-1 expression levels were found to be significantly reduced in patients with spontaneous pregnancy loss; KISS-1 plays an important role in the implantation and continuation of pregnancy.

Prognostic impact of p16 and p53 gene expressions in stage 1a epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is rarely detected at stage 1a. Most of the patients have a good prognosis and there are limited factors that affect their survival. In the present study, we evaluated the p16 and p53 gene expressions of stage 1a EOC patients. Prognostic effects of these gene expressions, as well as those of other factors on short term survival were analyzed. METHODS: Our study included 29 patients. The specimens of the ovary with cancer were stained for p16 and p53. Gene expressions and other prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 51 years (27-84). The mean numbers of dissected pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes were 27 and 12, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 33.7±18.9 months. During this period, recurrence occurred in two patients. One of the patients had grade 2 mucinous carcinoma and died of the disease at month 12 after the recurrence occurred at month 7. The second patient had clear cell carcinoma and recurrence occurred at month 34. p16 and p53 gene expressions or other factors were not associated with overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival in the short term. The lower p16 positivity rate in the non-clear cell group was found to be statistically significant (P=0.003). Both p53 and p16 positivity rates were higher in the high-grade carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The levels of none of the common prognostic factors, including those of p16 and p53 gene expression, were associated with the progression-free survival or OS of stage 1a in the short term. Appropriate surgical staging and non-omission of subclinical metastases seem to be of central importance.

The Role of Analysis of NK Cell Subsets in Peripheral Blood and Uterine Lavage Samples in Evaluation of Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine the role of analyses of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood and uterine lavage samples in evaluation of patients with unexplained RIF. METHODS: This retrospective single-institution case-control study included two different cohorts between 2017-2019. First cohort included patients examined with peripheral blood samples for evaluation of possible immunologic problems in patients with unexplained recurrent implantation failure; in the study period, a total of 75 consecutive patients with RIF (study group; n: 42) or infertile patients without RIF (control group; n: 33) were included. Second cohort included those patients whose uterine samples were assessed for immunologic problems; RIF (study group ; n: 16) or infertile patients without RIF (control group; n: 25). RESULTS: In the first cohort, the percentage of NK cells (CD3-CD16+56+) is statistically significantly lower (9.8 vs. 12.6, respectively, p: 0.038) in the study group than those of the controls whereas there was no statistical significance in the absolute number of NK cells (CD3-CD16+56+). In the second cohort, the only remarkable finding in uterine lavage samples was significantly increased uNKs cells (CD3-CD16dim56bright) percentages in controls (9.95 vs 12.7, respectively, p: 0.026) compared to those of study group. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that the analysis of NK cell subtypes in peripheral blood does not seem appropriate to investigate the patients with RIF and we suggest that uterine lavage samples instead of peripheral blood samples be implemented and evaluated.

Fertility preservation in early-stage endometrial cancer and endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia: A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the pregnancy and oncologic outcomes after fertility-sparing treatment of atypical hyperplasia (AH)/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) and early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective cohort study included patients who had applied to Baskent University's Ankara Hospital between January 2007 and October 2018 with either AH/EIN (n: 27; Group A) or EEC (n: 30; Group B), and who had the desire to preserve their fertility. The medical records of all patients included in the study were reviewed retrospectively from the hospital records. RESULTS: There were 2 (7.4%) and 5 (16.7%) recurrences, whereby one patient from Group A and two patients from Group B underwent staging surgery. In Group A, 8 patients attempted pregnancy after their treatment and 4 of them (50%) became pregnant, while 3 of them (37.5%) had a live birth. In Group B, there were 17 patients who wanted to become pregnant following treatment of the disease; 8 of them (47%) became pregnant after treatment, 5 of them (16.6%) had a live birth, 1 experienced intrauterine exitus (at 21st gestational week, 350 g), and 2 currently have ongoing pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic resection of visible lesions and full endometrial curettage prior to hormonal therapy as a fertility-preserving approach for women of reproductive age with endometrial malignancies can achieve promising oncologic and obstetric responses.

Comparison of no adjuvant treatment and radiotherapy in early-stage cervical carcinoma with intermediate risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of receiving no adjuvant treatment (NAT) or radiotherapy after radical hysterectomy in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 Stage IB1-IB3 cervical cancer with intermediate risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Baskent University School of Medicine's Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Ankara, Turkey between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016. In total, 134 women with at least two intermediate risk factors (positive LVSI, deep stromal invasion, and tumor size ≥4 cm) were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: NAT and radiotherapy. RESULTS: There were 66 patients in the NAT group and 68 in the radiotherapy group. The median follow-up time was 61.05 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were similar in both groups (84.1% vs 82.9%, respectively; P=0.57), while the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 80.2% and 78.2% in the NAT and radiotherapy groups, respectively (P=0.25). Most importantly, both groups had similar local recurrence rates: 8 (12.1%) in the NAT group and 9 (13.2%) in the radiotherapy group (P=0.82). Multivariant analyses showed that the only independent risk factor for recurrence was tumor size ≥4 cm with a hazard ratio of 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.12-5.24; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant treatment improved neither DFS nor local recurrence rates.

Factors associated with surgical morbidity of primary debulking in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) requires an aggressive surgical approach. The important part of literature on ovarian cancer surgery emphasize residual tumor and survival analyses. Morbidity issue keeps in background. Therefore, we aimed to report on morbidity of cytoreductive surgery for EOC in this study. METHODS: EOC patients who underwent primary debulking were evaluated. Intraoperative and postoperative complications that occurred within 30 days after the surgery and factors that affect morbidity were considered. RESULTS: The study involved 359 patients. Forty-six intraoperative complications occurred in 42 (11.6%) patients. Advanced stage and cancer antigen level of 125 were independently and significantly associated with operative complications (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2,73; P=0.044, and HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05-2.06; P=0.025, respectively). The need for intensive care unit admission was significantly higher in patients with intraoperative complications (28.6% vs. 8.8%, P=0.001). Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were significantly higher in extended surgery than in standard surgery (18.9%vs. 8.5%, P=0.005 and 38.7% vs. 10.9%, P<0.001, respectively). Intraoperative and postoperative transfusion need, hospital stay duration, and chemotherapy start day were also significantly higher in extended surgery than in standard surgery. Hundred postoperative complications occurred in 70 patients. Age, extended surgery, presence of ascites, and presence of operative complications were independently and significantly associated with postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Morbidity of extensive surgical approach should be kept in mind in ovarian cancer surgery aimed at leaving no residual tumor. Patient-based management with an appropriate preoperative evaluation may avoid morbidity of extended/extensive surgical approaches.