Lomboaortic Lymphadenectomy in Gynecological Oncology: Laparotomy, Laparoscopy or Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy?

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of paraaortic lymphadenectomy were compared for the treatment of gynecological malignancies to identify the most appropriate surgical approach. METHODS: Our retrospective, multicentric study included 1304 patients who underwent paraaortic lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancies. The patients were categorized into the following five groups based on treatment type: transperitoneal laparoscopy (group A, n = 198), extraperitoneal laparoscopy (group B, n = 681), robot-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopy (group C, n = 135), robot-assisted extraperitoneal laparoscopy (group D, n = 44), and laparotomy (group E, n = 246). RESULTS: The prevalence of cancer types differed according to the surgical approach: there were more ovarian cancers in group E and more cervical cancers in groups B and D (p < 0.001). Estimated blood loss was higher in group E (844.2 mL) than in groups treated with minimally invasive interventions (115.8-141.5 mL, p < 0.005). For infrarenal dissection, fewer nodes were removed in group C compared with the other approaches (16 vs. 21 nodes, respectively, p < 0.05). The average operative time ranged from 169 min for group A to 247 min for group E (p < 0.001). Length of hospital stay was 14 days for group E versus 3.5 days for minimally invasive procedures (p < 0.05). The early postoperative grade 3 and superior Dindo-Clavien complications occurred in 9-10% of the patients in groups B-D, 15% of the patients in group E, and only 3% and 4% for groups A and C, respectively. The most common complication was lymphocele. CONCLUSIONS: Laparotomy increases preoperative and postoperative morbidity. The robot-assisted transperitoneal approach demonstrated a poorer lymph node yield than laparotomy and extraperitoneal approaches.

Risk factors for failure of bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping in early-stage cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine clinical, tumoral and surgical factors associated with successful bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping (SBM) in early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: We performed an ancillary work on the data of two prospective trials on SLN biopsy for FIGO IA-IIA cervical cancer (SENTICOL I & II). Patients having Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for early-stage cervical cancer were included between 2005 and 2012 from 28 French oncologic centers. SLN was detected by a combined labeling technique (blue and isotopic). RESULTS: 405 patients were included for analysis: SLNs were identified on at least one side of the pelvis in 381 patients (94.1%) and bilaterally in 326 patients (80.5%). The mean age was 45.4 years [22-85 years]. Most patients had IB1 pathologic FIGO 2018 stage (81.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Surgeries were mainly performed by minimally invasive approach (368 patients - 90.9%). By multivariate analysis, lower SBM rate was significantly associated with Age ≥70 years (ORa = 0.02, 95%CI = [0.001-0.28], p = 0.004), tumor size larger than 20 mm (ORa = 0.46,95%CI = [0.21-0.99], p = 0.048) and Body-mass index higher than 30 kg/m2 (ORa = 0.28, 95%CI = [0.12-0.65], p = 0.003). SBM rate was significantly higher in high skills centers (>5patients/year) (ORa = 8.05, 95%CI = [2.06-31.50], p = 0.003) and in SENTICOL II (2009-2012) compared to SENTICOL I (2005-2007) (ORa = 2.6, 95%CI = [1.23-5.51], p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In early-stage cervical cancer, bilateral SLN detection rates is lower in patients aged more than 70years, patients with BMI≥30 kg/m2 and larger tumor ≥20 mm whereas stronger experience of SLN biopsy technique improves bilateral SLN detection.

Predictive factors of unexpected lymphatic drainage pathways in early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) topography in patients with early-stage cervical cancer and to determine factors associated with atypical lymphatic drainage pathway (LDP). METHODS: We analyzed the data of two prospective multicentric trials on SLN biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I and II) in women undergoing surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. SLN detection was realized with a combined labeling technique (Patent blue and radioactive tracer). Patients having bilateral SLN detection were included. Univariate and Multivariate analysis were performed by patients and by side to assess clinical and pathologic factors that may predict atypical LDP. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and July 2012, 326 patients with 1104 intraoperative detected SLNs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The SLNs were mainly located in the interiliac or external iliac area in 83.2%. The other localizations were: 9.2% in the common iliac area, 3.9% in the parametrium, 1.6% in the promontory area, 1.5% in the paraaortic area and 0.5% in other areas. Thirty-five patients (10.7%) had atypical SLN without SLN in typical area on one or both sides. In multivariate analysis, tumor size ≥20 mm appeared as an independent factor of having at least one exclusive atypical LDP (ORa = 3.95 95%CI = [1.60-9.78], p = 0.003). Multiparity decreased significantly the probability of having at least one exclusive atypical LDP (ORa = 0.16 95%CI = [0.07-0.39], p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size larger than 20 mm and nulliparity increase the risk of having exclusive atypical LDP in early-stage cervical cancer.

Networking for ovarian rare tumors: a significant breakthrough improving disease management.

BACKGROUND: Rare ovarian tumors represent >20% of all ovarian cancers. Given the rarity of these tumors, natural history, prognostic factors are not clearly identified. The extreme variability of patients (age, histological subtypes, stage) induces multiple and complex therapeutic strategies. METHODS: Since 2011, a national network with a dedicated system for referral, up to 22 regional and three national reference centers (RC) has been supported by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa). The network aims to prospectively monitor the management of rare ovarian tumors and provide an equal access to medical expertise and innovative treatments to all French patients through a dedicated website, www.ovaire-rare.org. RESULTS: Over a 5-year activity, 4612 patients have been included. Patients' inclusions increased from 553 in 2011 to 1202 in 2015. Expert pathology review and patients' files discussion in dedicated multidisciplinary tumor boards increased from 166 cases in 2011 (25%) to 538 (45%) in 2015. Pathology review consistently modified the medical strategy in 5-9% every year. The rate of patients' files discussed in RC similarly increased from 294 (53%) to 789 (66%). An increasing number (357 in 5 years) of gynecologic (non-ovarian) rare tumors were also registered by physicians seeking for pathological or medical advice from expert tumor boards. CONCLUSION: Such a nation-wide organization for rare gynecological tumors has invaluable benefits, not only for patients, but also for epidemiological, clinical and biological research.

A new strategy for prophylactic surgery in BRCA women: Combined mastectomy and laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy with immediate reconstruction by double DIEP flap.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic surgery remains the most effective modality for reducing both breast and ovarian cancer rate in woman at high risk, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Autologous breast reconstruction with bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap allows predictable and durable results. However, existing two-step approach separating salpingo-oophorectomy and reconstruction could even make DIEP flap impossible, or make insufflation more difficult during laparoscopy. Other authors described one-step procedure but with open laparotomy. The goal of this study was to verify the feasibility of a simultaneous procedure, including laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy. METHODS: We included BRCA mutation careers scheduled for simultaneous laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy, and bilateral breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps. The first step of the procedure was laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy and ports had to be strategically placed to avoid interference with the following procedure. The second step was bilateral breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps. We reviewed medical charts. Surgical procedure was analyzed for duration, revisions and surgical complications. RESULTS: During 1-year period, eight patients agreed to a simultaneous procedure. All of them were BRCA positive, mean age was 38.3years (range, 39-50), and mean BMI was 28.3kg/m(2) (range, 21-33). The mean duration of the entire procedure was 524minutes (range, 405-630) and the mean hospital stay 9.2 days (range, 8-14). There was 100% flap survival. No abdominal wall dehiscence occurred. CONCLUSION: One-step procedure for prophylactic surgery of ovarian and breast hereditary malignancies is feasible. First salpingo-oophorectomy with open laparoscopy then bilateral immediate or delayed breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps can be performed.

Contribution of Lymphoscintigraphy for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Women with Early Stage Endometrial Cancer: Results of the SENTI-ENDO Study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate detection rate and anatomical location of sentinel lymph node (SLN) at lymphoscintigraphy, to compare short and long lymphoscintigraphy protocols, and to correlate lymphoscintigraphic and surgical mapping of SLN in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: Subanalysis of the prospective multicenter study Senti-endo performed from July 2007 to August 2009. Patients with stage I and II EC received four cervical injections of 0-2 mL of unfiltered technetium sulphur colloid the day before (long protocol) or the morning (short protocol) before surgery. SLN detection used a combined technetium/patent blue labeling technique, and all patients had a systematic bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were enrolled in the study and 118 (94.5 %) underwent a lymphoscintigraphy. Of these 118 patients, 44 (37 %) underwent a short protocol and 66 (56 %) a long protocol (data on lymphoscintigraphy were not available in eight patients). Lymphoscintigraphic detection rate was 74.6 % (34 % for short protocol and 60.2 % for long protocol). No difference in the detection rate was observed according to lymphoscintigraphy protocol (p = 0.22), but a higher number of SLN was noted for the long protocol (p = 0.02). Aberrant drainage was noted on lymphoscintigraphy in 30.5 % of the patients. Paraaortic SLNs were exclusively detected using the long protocol. A poor correlation was noted between short (κ test = 0.24) or long lymphoscintigraphy (κ test = 0.3) protocol and SLN surgical mapping. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that preoperative lymphoscintigraphy allowed a high SLN detection rate and that long lymphoscintigraphy protocol was associated with a higher detection of aberrant drainage especially in the paraaortic area.

Prognostic significance of low volume sentinel lymph node disease in early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate prognostic significance of low volume disease detected in sentinel nodes (SN) of patients with early stages cervical cancer. Although pathologic ultrastaging of SN allows for identification of low volume disease, including micro-metastasis and isolated tumor cells (ITC), in up to 15% of cases, prognostic significance of these findings is unknown. METHODS: A total of 645 records from 8 centers were retrospectively reviewed. Enrolled in our study were patients with early-stage cervical cancer who had undergone surgical treatment including SN biopsy followed by pelvic lymphadenectomy and pathologic ultrastaging of SN. RESULTS: Macrometastasis, micrometastasis, and ITC were detected by SN ultrastaging in 14.7%, 10.1%, and 4.5% patients respectively. False negativity of SN ultrastaging reached 2.8%. The presence of ITC was not associated with significant risk, both for recurrence free survival and overall survival. Overall survival was significantly reduced in patients with macrometastasis and micrometastasis; hazard ratio for overall survival reached 6.85 (95% CI, 2.59-18.05) and 6.86 (95% CI, 2.09-22.61) respectively. Presence of micrometastasis was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in a multivariable model. CONCLUSION: Presence of micrometastasis in SN in patients with early stage cervical cancer was associated with significant reduction of overall survival, which was equivalent to patients with macrometastasis. No prognostic significance was found for ITC. These data highlight the importance of SN biopsy and pathologic ultrastaging for the management of cervical cancer.

[Sentinel lymph node biopsy in the management of early-stage ovarian cancer: A systematic review of the literature]. / Place du ganglion sentinelle dans la prise en charge du cancer de l'ovaire de stade précoce : revue de la littérature.

The initial management of early-stage ovarian cancer consists of staging surgery including pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The use of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure in this setting may decrease the morbidity associated with this surgery. The objective of this review was to evaluate the feasibility of the SLN procedure in ovarian cancer diagnosed at an early stage by comparing the different techniques used and their accuracy. A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov for articles in English or French about the SLN technique in ovarian cancer. Ten studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 179 patients. The main tracers used were Technetium-99m, indocyanine green, and patent blue, and the most common site of injection was the proper ovarian and unfundibulopelvic ligaments. The overall detection rate was 87.7%. Of the small number of cases of lymph node metastasis reported, the SLN procedure had a sensitivity of 90.9% and a negative predictive value of 98.8%. The sentinel node procedure appears to be feasible and safe and could be reliable in determining the lymph node status of patients with early-stage ovarian cancer.

Accuracy of 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography in the pretherapeutic detection of occult para-aortic node involvement in patients with a locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) are usually treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Extended-field chemoradiotherapy is indicated in case of para-aortic node involvement at initial assessment. 18-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18-FDG PET/CT) is currently considered to be the most accurate method of detection of node or distant metastases. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET at detecting para-aortic lymph node metastases in LACC patients with a negative morphological imaging. METHODS: Patients from five French institutions with LACC and both negative morphologic (magnetic resonance imaging, CT scan) and functional (PET or PET/CT) findings at the para-aortic level and distantly were submitted to a systematic infrarenal para-aortic node dissection either by laparoscopy or laparotomy. On the basis of pathological results, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of PET/CT were assessed for para-aortic lymph node involvement. RESULTS: A total of 125 LACC patients (stage IB2-IVA disease with two local recurrences) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All had an ilio-infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy, either by laparoscopy (n = 117) or laparotomy (n = 8). Twenty-one patients (16.8%) had pathologically proven para-aortic metastases. Among them, 14 (66.7%) had negative PET/CT. Overall morbidity of surgery was 7.2%. All but one of the complications were mild and did not delay chemoradiotherapy. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the PET/CT were 33.3, 94.2, 53.8, and 87.5%, respectively, for the detection of microscopic lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic staging surgery seems warranted in LACC patients with negative PET scan who are candidates for definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy or exenteration.

[Epithelial ovarian cancers and minimally invasive cytoreductive surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A systematic review]. / Cancers épithéliaux de l'ovaire et chirurgie de cytoréduction par voie mini-invasive après chimiothérapie néoadjuvante : revue systématique de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is associated with high mortality and often managed first with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by debulking surgery. Laparoscopic surgery with or without robotic assistance (Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)) may represent a beneficial option for these patients. The objective of this literature review is to clarify the place of MIS in the management of advanced EOC for selected patients. METHOD: Pubmed, Cochrane and Clinicaltrials.gov online databases were used for this review, to select English or French published articles. RESULTS: We selected 11 original articles published between 2015 and 2020, 6 of which compared MIS and laparotomy. Among these 11 studies, 8 were retrospective cohorts, 2 were phase II trials, and one was a case-control study. In total, there were 3721 patients, of which 854 (23%) were treated with MIS. The robotic assistance was used with 224 patients (26%) of those MIS patients. Looking specifically at MIS patients, the laparoconversion rate was 9.5%, the rate of complete resection (CC-0) was 83.4%. Finally, the MIS complication rate was 1% intraoperatively and 12% postoperatively. The rate of complete resection, postoperative complication, as well as overall survival (OS) were comparable between patients treated with MIS or laparotomy. One study found an improved disease-free survival (DFS) in MIS versus laparotomy (18 months versus 12 months; P=0.027). CONCLUSION: MIS seems feasible, effective, and reliable in comparison to laparotomy for the completion of cytoreductive surgery after NACT without compromising oncological safety. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the role of MIS in advanced EOC.

Usefulness of routine intraoperative staging of suspicious adnexal tumours: illustration by two cases of adult granulosa cell tumour.

Granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) account for less than 3% of all ovarian malignancies but are among the most common sex cord-stromal tumours. They may develop at any age. Symptoms related to oestrogen production by the tumour may occur. Because GCTs are uncommon and cannot be diagnosed preoperatively, their management is challenging. Surgery with salpingo-oophorectomy and painstaking staging is mandatory. Adjuvant chemotherapy is required in some patients. We report two cases of adult GCTs that illustrate the usefulness of extensive abdominal exploration in every patient with a suspicious ovarian mass, to obviate the need for a second staging procedure. With this strategy, the prognosis is excellent, although the possibility of late recurrences requires prolonged follow-up.

Diffusion MRI: Technical principles and application to uterine cervical cancer.

Imaging is involved in the management of uterine cervical cancer with several objectives: 1/to assess local and lymph node extension of the initial disease; 2/evaluate treatment response to conservative therapy; 3/detect recurrences. Pelvic MRI is the first-line examination in all these indications. It is the key element for delineation after image fusion when the indication of chemoradiation therapy is made. It is also essential for guiding the placement of applicators and optimising the dosimetry of brachytherapy. The diffusion-weighted acquisition is a sequence sensitive to the motion of water molecules. It allows distinguishing water molecules with free diffusion from water molecules with diffusion restricted by obstacles such as cell membranes or the cytoskeleton. The diffusion is thus connected to the cellularity of the explored tissue, and the cancers, being hypercellular, will present a high signal. It thus provides additional information thanks to a high contrast between the tumour and the surrounding tissues, facilitating detection, evaluation of the volume and extent of the disease.

[Update on malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours]. / Tumeurs non épithéliales malignes de l'ovaire.

Malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours represent less than 20% of ovarian cancers in adults. Apart from haematological tumours, there are mainly germ cell tumours and sex cordstromal ovarian tumours. These tumours affect young women and are diagnosed in early stages associated with a good prognosis. The management of malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours is difficult because they are rare and because we have to propose an appropriate oncological treatment, preserving fertility for these women of child-bearing age. We propose an update on recent data in the literature, focusing on management.

[Surgical treatment of early endometrial cancer: what are the benefits of laparoscopy?]. / Place de la coelioscopie dans le traitement des cancers de l'endomètre à un stade précoce (stade I).

The development of gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery has also spread into some areas of the pelvic cancer surgery. Nevertheless, in France, less than 5% of interventions for endometrial cancer are currently performed by laparoscopy. As compared with laparotomy, laparoscopy, which is equally effective, provides per- and postoperative benefits, with comparable recurrence and survival rates. Operators' training seems to be the most significant limitation to the development of laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of early endometrial cancer.

[Prophylactic hysterectomy in Lynch syndrome: Feasibility and outcomes]. / Faisabilité et résultats de l'hystérectomie prophylactique dans le syndrome de Lynch.

OBJECTIVES: Lynch syndrome (LS) is a hereditary predisposition to cancers, first of all, colo-rectal and endometrial cancers in women. Although recommended, gynecologic screening has never proven its benefit. Prophylactic surgery can be considered once the parental project is completed. There are few data regarding the assessment of prophylactic surgery. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the feasibility and morbidity of prophylactic hysterectomy in patients with Lynch syndrome. METHODS: This is a descriptive retrospective study of consecutive patients with LS undergoing prophylactic hysterectomy at the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital from 2002 to 2016. We collected demographic characteristics, results of preoperative assessment, intra- and postoperative data, final pathologic result as well as postoperative follow-up data. RESULTS: Forty patients were included in the study, and seventeen women had a history of colon cancer surgery. All hysterectomies were performed by laparoscopy, with two cases of laparoconversion. Two intraoperative complications occurred: serosal small bowel injuries and superficial bladder injury. Two early postoperative complications occurred (a peritonitis on small bowel perforation and a peritonitis on left ureteral injury) and two late complications (vesico-vaginal fistula and adhesive small bowel obstruction). All operative specimens were benign. With a median follow-up of 28 months [5-52], no patient had peritoneal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that prophylactic hysterectomy in Lynch syndrome should be done with caution. Per and postoperative complication rates appear to be higher than in general population, probably related to a more frequent history of colorectal cancer. However, total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy appears to be an effective strategy for preventing gynecological cancers in women with the Lynch syndrome.

Predictive factors of severe perioperative morbidity of radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy in early-stage cervical cancer: A French prospective multicentric cohort of 248 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the postoperative morbidity after radical hysterectomy (RH) for early-stage cervical cancer and to determine risk factors of severe perioperative morbidity. METHODS: Data of two prospective trials on sentinel node biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I & II) were analysed. Patients having a radical hysterectomy were included between 2005 and 2012 from 25 French oncologic centers. Postoperative complications were prospectively recorded in a pre-specified analysis. RESULTS: 248 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 44.5 years [25-85]. 88.7% of patients had a stage IB1 disease. There were 71.4% epidermoid carcinomas and 25% adenocarcinomas. 125 patients (50.4%) had a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal RH, 88 patients (35.5%) had a total laparoscopic RH, 26 patients (10.5%) had an open RH and 9 patients (3.6%) had a robotic-assisted RH. Sixteen patients (6.4%) had intraoperative complications. On a multivariate analysis, intraoperative complications were significantly associated with BMI >30 kg/m2. The urinary, lymphovascular and neurologic complications rates were respectively 34.3%, 20.6% and 19.8%. 31 patients (12.5%) had severe postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3 or CTCAE ≥ 3). On multivariate analysis, severe postoperative complications were associated with parametrial involvement, preoperative brachytherapy and inclusion in low surgical skills center. CONCLUSIONS: This study based on prospective data showed that RH has low severe postoperative complications. The main complications were urinary infections and lower limb lymphedema. Patients with early-stage cervical cancer should be referred to expert center to ensure best surgical outcomes.

Performance of office hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy for detecting endometrial disease in women at risk of human non-polyposis colon cancer: a prospective study.

The objective of this study was to report the value of diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy for the detection of complex atypical hyperplasia or cancer in asymptomatic human non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) patients. The secondary objective was to evaluate the accuracy of hysteroscopy, using endometrial biopsy as a gold standard. Consecutive patients at risk of HNPCC evaluated between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2006 were included if they underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy at least once. Patients with a history of hysterectomy and those unwilling to undergo diagnostic hysteroscopy were not included. Yearly follow-up evaluations included diagnostic hysteroscopy, with endometrial biopsy. Hysteroscopic and histologic findings were recorded and compared. We included 62 patients, of whom 13 had mismatch repair gene mutations and 49 met Amsterdam II criteria. Of 125 attempted hysteroscopies, 11 (8%) failed. Hysteroscopy showed normally appearing mucosa in 46 cases, nonmalignant lesions in 65 cases, and possibly malignant lesions in 3 cases with abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial biopsy was attempted in 116 cases and failed in 12 (10%). Three cases each of simple hyperplasia and of cancer were diagnosed. No preinvasive or invasive lesions were found in asymptomatic women. When compared to endometrial biopsy, sensitivity of hysteroscopy was 100% for the detection of hyperplasia or cancer. No cases of cancer were diagnosed in asymptomatic patients in our study. However, diagnostic hysteroscopy ensured the diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma in HNPCC women with bleeding. Nevertheless, usefulness and optimal modalities of screening remain to be determined.

Sentinel lymph nodes in endometrial cancer: is hysteroscopic injection valid?

We aimed to describe hysteroscopic peritumoral tracer injection for detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in patients with endometrial cancer and to evaluate tolerance of the procedure, detection rate and location of SLNs. Five patients with early endometrial cancer underwent hysteroscopic radiotracer injection followed by lymphoscintigraphy, then by surgery with hysteroscopic peritumoral blue dye injection, and radioactivity measurement using an endoscopic handheld gamma probe. SLNs and other nodes were sent separately to the pathology laboratory. SLNs were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin-saffron staining and, when negative, by immunohistochemistry. Tolerance of the injection by the patients was poor (mean visual analog scale score, 8/10). SLNs were detected in only two patients (external iliac and common iliac+paraaortic, respectively). Detection rates were 1/5 by radiotracer, 1/5 by dye, and 2/5 by the combined method. One SLN was involved in a patient whose other nodes were negative. In three patients no SLNs were found by radiotracer or blue dye. Of the 83 non sentinel nodes removed from these patients, none was involved. Hysteroscopic peritumoral injection may be more difficult than cervical injection and, in our experience, carries a lower SLN detection rate.

[Adnexal masses management: a prospective multicentric observational study]. / Prise en charge des masses annexielles organiques : résultats d'une enquête de pratique.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was first to describe the adnexal masses diagnoses and their management and secondly to assess the oncological relevance of these strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective multicentric observational study of organic adnexal masses was conducted between June and November 2005. All patients presenting an organic adnexal tumor and for which a definitive histological diagnosis was subsequently available were eligible. Baseline characteristics, mode of discovery, preoperative assessment, peroperative findings, surgical treatment and pathological findings were collected. RESULTS: Among the 278 patients treated for an adnexal mass during the study-period, 166 were included. Mean age was 42.8 years with a 25.3% menopause rate. The radiological assessment comprised an ultrasound examination in 98.8% of cases and an MRI in about one-fourth. The CA 125 marker was measured in half the patients and the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) marker in 19.9%. In all, 83.1% of tumors were found benign, 12.7% were malignant and 4.2% were borderlines on definitive histological examination. The surgical procedure comprised a cystectomy in 88 cases and an adnexectomy in 64 cases. Among those treated by cystectomy, one borderline tumor was found, whereas in those treated by adnexectomy, five borderline and 12 malignant masses were discovered. Peroperative conversion rates were 16% and 50% in borderline and malignant tumors. Accidental rupture of the cyst occurred in 29% of cases. A minimal preoperative assessment was defined, based upon the dimensions of the tumor and the dosage of at least one marker. These minimal criteria were met in only 28% of initial assessments. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Ovarian borderline tumors and carcinomas are an important contingent of this study (16.9%). Twenty percent of them are diagnosed in an emergency situation. The management observed in this study is adapted to benign lesions. On the other hand, the rate of inappropriate procedures as well as incomplete staging in case of borderline or carcinomas is quite high.

[Endometrial cancer in HNPCC syndrome]. / Cancer de l'endomètre du syndrome HNPCC Actualisation des données.

The Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer syndrome (HNPCC) has initially been described as a predisposition to colorectal cancers (CRC). Subsequently, other cancers, such as endometrial cancers (EC), have been added. The objective of this review was to update data on endometrial cancers of HNPCC syndrome. Endometrial cancers of the HNPCC syndrome are characterized by a younger age at diagnosis (46-48 year old), and a higher cumulative risk along life (30% at 70 years). Complex atypical hyperplasia seems to occur before the cancer, but the transition between precursors and cancer seems to be short. Histology of endometrial cancers of the HNPCC syndrome appears quite similar to that of sporadic cases, except for non-endometrioid lesions which seem more frequent and could occur in younger women. Screening of endometrial cancer in predisposed women should associate annual clinical examination, transvaginal sonography and endometrial sampling. Unfortunately, available data on screening by sonography show that this test seems poorly accurate, with no asymptomatic cancer or hyperplasia recognized and interval cancers between screenings. Endometrial biopsy appears as the most interesting method, since 11 asymptomatic cancers and 14 hyperplasia have been diagnosed in 175 mutation carriers. Diagnostic hysteroscopy seems also interesting, but requires further evaluation. Prophylactic hysterectomy confers a complete protection against endometrial cancer. However, perioperative morbidity (especially in women with history of colorectal surgery) and long-term effects of ovarian suppression should also be considered. Screening of endometrial cancer remains the main objective of the management of those patients. Endometrial biopsy should have a larger place.