Predictability of lymph node involvement in uterus-confined endometrioid endometrial cancer by tumour size, pattern and location measured with transvaginal ultrasonography: can we save time?

We aimed to investigate whether transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUSG)-measured tumour size, pattern and location were significant predictors for lymph node metastasis in the uterus-confined endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients. A total of 213 patients with EEC were recruited and 73 of them were considered eligible and were analysed according to lymph node involvement. Tumour size, pattern and location measured by transvaginal ultrasound were recorded. Thereafter, patients were distributed according to their lymph node involvement and were compared with respect to these parameters. The patients' median age was 56 (27-80). Mean of the resected lymph nodes was 29.68 and 33.5 in lymph-node-negative and positive patients, respectively (p=.525). Tumour diameter was measured >2 cm on transvaginal ultrasound in 28 (48.3%) and 13 (86.7%) cases of the lymph node-negative and positive arms, respectively (p=.008). Transvaginal ultrasound revealed that 18 (31.0%) tumours in lymph node-negative and two (13.3%) in the node positive patients had polypoid pattern (p=.171). Seventeen (54.8%) tumours of the lymph node-negative group and three (42.9%) of the node positive group were determined in the lower uterine segment (p=.250). While tumour diameter measured with TVUSG was predictable for lymph node involvement in the uterus-confined EEC, its pattern and location were not.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? In clinically early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC), it has been recognised for decades that selective lymphadenectomy is a more acceptable strategy than the systematic lymphadenectomy, owing to the low rate of lymph node metastases in the patients. Preoperative imaging, frozen section and recently accepted lymph node concept are the prominent methods in designating appropriate candidates for lymphadenectomy. The measurement of tumour diameter or size obtained intraoperatively by frozen section assessment is one of the parameters used in MAYO criteria for selective lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer patients.What do the results of this study add? In our study, tumour diameter measured with transvaginal ultrasonography was predictable for lymph node involvement in the uterus-confined EEC.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Transvaginal ultrasonography-measured tumour diameter can be considered in deciding to proceed with pelvic lymphadenectomy while waiting for the frozen section result. It should be remembered that this approach could be considered only in clinics using MAYO criteria for selective lymphadenectomy, and it needs to be confirmed with more prospective studies.

Morphological features of the secretory phase endometrium in women with unexplained infertility.

In this study, we evaluated the structural features of the endometrial tissues, the immunohistochemical expression of MUC-1, which plays an important role in implantation, and the biochemical markers during the implantation window. Randomly chosen 18 fertile and 18 unexplained infertile women that have 27-32 days long menstrual cycle, normal hormonal values, normal USG findings of ovary and endometrium were included. Five, six, and seven days after ovulation, endometrial biopsies were taken and prepared in accordance with light and electron microscopy tissue preparation methods. Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine MUC-1 expression in the tissues. Serum hormone levels were determined. The MUC-1 immunoreactivity, as well as the serum levels of FSH, LH, TSH, estrogen, progesterone, and total testosterone did not differ significantly between the two groups; however, prolactin levels were higher in the infertile group. In the unexplained infertile samples, intraepithelial lymphocytes were frequently observed, the microvilli of the surface columnar epithelium were widespread, cells with pinopodes as well as vesiculated cells were minimal, pinopode development was insufficient, and the development of the endometrial glands was deficient. It was concluded that these structural differences observed in the surface and glandular epithelium of the endometrium in unexplained infertile patients may be due to the insufficiency of these cells in responding to steroid hormones; therefore, these changes may affect the implantation of the blastocyst in the endometrium.

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressions in type 2 endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic importance of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and/ or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressions in type 2 endometrial cancer. Study design Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 53 cases with type 2 endometrial cancer were analyzed. One-third of our cases had serous adenocarcinoma (32%), 11 had clear cell (21%) and 25 had mixed-type adenocarcinoma (47%). PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions in tumor tissue and microenvironment were detected by immunohistochemistry. Clinical and pathological characteristics including age, stage, initial symptom, surgical procedure, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), lymph node invasion, adjuvant therapy, and survival were reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the prognostic factors. RESULTS: PD-1 expression in tumor tissue and microenvironment was detected in 22 (42%) and 28 (53%) cases, respectively. PD-L1 expression was detected in tumor and microenvironment in 8 (15%) and in 15 cases (28%), respectively. Expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions in tumor area was associated with shorter survival (p = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively) but PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions in microenvironment were not found to be related with survival. PD-1 (p = 0.006) and PD-L1 expressions (p = 0.001) in addition to LVSI (p = 0.005), myometrial invasion (p = 0.015), lymph node involvement (p = 0.019), and suboptimal cytoreduction (p = 0.042), were found to be associated with poor prognostic indicators. PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions in tumor and lymph node involvement were determined as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions in type 2 endometrial cancers were found to be poor prognostic indicators.

The prognostic analysis of the some clinicopathological parameters and gene protein expressions in malignant mesothelioma.

INTRODUCTION: Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumour that originates in serous surfaces. The primary end point of this study was to invastigate the relationship of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with the c-Met, EGFR, PTEN, PDGFR-alpha, PI3K/AKT and mTOR expression levels in the tumour tissue of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 53 patients diagnosed with mesothelioma between 2005 and 2016. The cases were separated into 2 groups as pleural and peritoneal. The effects on OS and PFS were examined of the c-Met, EGFR, PTEN, PDGFR-alpha, PI3K/AKT and mTOR expression levels and also clinicopathological parameters and the treatments given. In the statistical analysis of the data obtained, IBM SPSS vn 20.0 software was used. RESULT: Of the 53 patients included in the study, 39 (73.6%) were diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and 14 (26.4%) with peritoneal mesothelioma. According to the c-Met and mTOR expression, OS and PFS of the peritoneal cases with high expression (2+, 3+) was seen to be significantly better than that of the peritoneal cases with low expression (0, 1+) (p<0.05). According to the PDGFR expression, OS and PFS of the pleural cases with low expression (0, 1+) was seen to be significantly better than that of the pleural cases with high expression (2+, 3+) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The examination of c-MET, PDGFR-alpha and m-TOR expression in the in the tumor tissue of mesothelioma cases may be important in determining prognosis.

A Single-Institution Radical Surgery Results in Stage IB2/IIA2 (Bulky) Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of radical surgery in patients with stage IB2 to IIA2 cervical cancer who were operated on at our center between 2002 and 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven cases of patients with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical cancer who underwent primary radical surgery between 2002 and 2015 were enrolled in this study. Patients' files and pathological reports were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical, pathological, and clinical variables were analyzed and their impact on survival period was researched. Disease-free survival and overall survival periods were determined using the Kaplan-Meier test. The P value was considered significant if less than 0.05. RESULTS: Type C2 radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy (5 pelvic, 42 pelvic and para-aortic) was performed for all of the 47 patients in accordance with the Querleu-Morrow classification. Thirty-three of the cases were stage Ib2 and 14 cases were IIa2. Five years of overall survival was 80%. Recurrence was noted in 10 (7 pelvic, 3 extrapelvic) patients. Adjuvant therapies were needed for 83% of the patients. A univariate analysis was made for all included variables in this research and, other than recurrence, none of them was found to be statistically significant on OS and DFS. CONCLUSIONS: Although adjuvant therapies are often resorted to, primary radical surgery is also a reasonable treatment option for stage IB2/IIA2 cervical cancer, especially in young premenopausal patients when preserving ovarian functions is desired.

The clinical characteristics and outcomes of cases with pure ovarian clear cell, mixed type and high-grade serous adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the cases with pure ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (OCCC), mixed type (clear plus serous or clear plus endometrioid or serous plus clear plus endometrioid) ovarian adenocarcinoma (MOC) and high-grade serous ovarian adenocarcinoma (HGSOC). METHODS: A retrospective comparison was conducted in 32 cases with pure OCCC, 23 cases with MOC and 28 cases with HGSOC followed between January 1999 and October 2011. Clinico-pathologic characteristics including histopathologic subtypes, age, stage, presence of ascites and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis, endometriosis and optimal cytoreduction, and also survival rates were compared in these three groups. RESULTS: The cases with pure OCCC were younger than the cases with MOC and HGSOC (p = 0.004). The median pre-operative CA-125 level was lower in the pure OCCC than in MOC and HGSOC (p = 0.006) (p = 0.001, p = <0.001, respectively). Bilaterality and peritoneal carcinomatosis were more frequently seen in the HGSOC group (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The majority of the cases (65 %) had stage I or II disease in the pure OCCC group, but most of the cases in the HGSOC group had advanced stage disease (p < 0.001). Endometriosis was found in 16 cases (16/55, 29 %) in the OCCC group. No significant difference was detected with regard to the median survival rate among three groups (p = 0.517), while the stage of disease was found to be the only important factor for survival (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Pure OCCC, MOC and HGSOC represent distinct clinical characteristics. Clinical characteristics of MOC are more similar to those of HGSOC.

ERCC1 and RRM1 as a predictive parameter for non-small cell lung, ovarian or pancreas cancer treated with cisplatin and/or gemcitabine.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the impact of RRM1 and ERCC1 expression on response to cisplatin and/or gemcitabine chemotherapy in patients with lung, ovarian or pancreatic cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with lung, ovarian or pancreatic cancer, who used cisplatin and/or gemcitabine therapy were included; hospital files were examined and RRM1 and ERCC1 expression were evaluated with an immunohistochemical method on tissue cross sections from paraffin blocks of the tumour. RESULTS: Out of 89 patients, 51%, 30% and 19% had lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancer, respectively. The response rates to the therapy in patients with lung and ovarian cancer having low ERCC1 expression were 62% and 90%, respectively (p = 0.028 and p = 0.044, respectively). No significant association was found between ERCC1 expression and response to therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer (p = 0.354). Therapeutic response rates in patients with lung and pancreatic cancer with low RRM1 expression were 60% and 82%, respectively. Survival rates were higher in patients with lung cancer in which ERCC1 and RRM1 expressions were low. Median survival duration in patients with ovarian cancer showing low ERCC1 and RRM1 expressions was longer than that seen in patients with high expressions. Although no significant correlation was found between ERCC1 and the survival in ovarian cancer (p = 0.183), there was a significant correlation between RRM1 expression and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a predictive value of ERCC1 in lung and ovarian cancers, and also RRM1 in lung and pancreatic cancers.

Tumor-free distance from outermost layer of cervix is of prognostic value in surgically treated cervical cancer patients: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at determining if tumor-free distance (TFD) from outermost layer of cervix predicts surgicopathologic factors and outcome in surgically treated cervical cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixteen surgically treated cervical squamous cell carcinomas between 1991 and 2010 with FIGO stage IB/2A were identified and re-evaluated histologically regarding the TFD. TFD was defined as the distance between outermost layer of cervix and deepest cervical stromal invasion. Depth of invasion (DOI) and TFD were expressed as continuous variables and compared with traditional surgicopathologic variables and survival to determine their prognostic significance. RESULTS: The mean DOI was 10.3 mm and the mean TFD was 4.2 mm. The most common stage was IB1 (60 patients, 51.7 %). The mean number of removed pelvic lymph nodes was 32.2 (median 30; range 8-78). Positive pelvic lymph nodes were found in 27 (23 %) of the patients. Sixty-eight patients had lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI). Sixty-eight patients (59 %) received postoperative radiotherapy where the following items were present: tumor diameter >4 cm, positive lymph nodes, LVSI and positive surgical margins. With the median follow-up of 53 months (3-219 months); 14 patients had local and 13 patients had distant metastases (5 of the patients had both at the time of recurrence). With logistic regression analysis, TFD was a predictor of pelvic lymph involvement (p = 0.028) and LVSI (p = 0.008) while DOI was a predictor of LVSI (p = 0.044). In Cox regression analysis, increased TFD was associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.007). DFS curves (for TFD cut off value 2.5 mm) according to Kaplan-Meier were found to be statistically significant (log rank test = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that TFD is predictive of pelvic lymph node involvement, LVSI and patient outcome in surgically treated cervical cancer patients. However, prospective measurement of TFD is still necessary to determine its value in clinical practice.

Prognostic importance of survivin, Ki-67, and topoisomerase IIα in ovarian carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Stage, tumor grade and histological subtype determine the clinical behavior in ovarian tumors. Some additional factors are related to tumor cell biology and are the useful predictors for identifying the patients with poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of survivin, Ki-67 and Topoisomerase IIα (TOPO IIα) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients with EOC were included in this study. Survivin, Ki-67 and TOPO IIα expressions were studied by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Nuclear staining for all antibodies was scored on a three-tiered system and more than 10 % staining was accepted as expression. The relationship between the expressions of survivin, Ki-67, TOPO IIα and clinicopathological parameters including age, stage, grade, platinum resistance and survival was evaluated. RESULTS: Survivin, Ki-67 and TOPO IIα expressions were found in 20, 82 and 86 % of the tumors, respectively. Ki-67 and TOPO IIα expressions were found to be related to poor overall survival (p = 0.005, 0.004, respectively), while survivin expression was not associated with overall survival. There was no association between TOPO IIα and Ki-67 expressions and histological subtype, stage or grade. However, we found an important relationship between TOPO IIα expression and platinum resistance (p = 0.044). Platinum resistance was found to be an independent prognostic factor in EOC. CONCLUSION: Ki-67 and TOPO IIα expressions were found to be related to poor overall survival, and TOPO IIα expression was found to be associated with platinum resistance.

Issues with the targeted therapy of non­small cell lung cancer with thyroid metastases: A case report.

Lung cancer is a common malignancy that has usually already metastasized at the time of diagnosis; however, thyroid metastases are extremely rare. Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion has been observed in 3-7% of cases of lung adenocarcinoma. ALK inhibitor therapy has been shown to exert a positive effect on disease progression. The present study describes the case of a patient with ALK-positive non-small cell lung carcinoma and thyroid metastases who exhibited a minimal response to ALK inhibitor therapy in the primary lesion, but had a complete pathological response in the thyroid, as confirmed by a thyroid biopsy. The present case report undermines the need for further evidence from genomic testing following this different tumor course in thyroid tissue.

Prognostic significance of omental disease and the role of omentectomy in non-endometrioid endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Non-endometrioid endometrial cancers (non-EEC) have different management from endometrioid endometrial cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of omental disease and the role of omentectomy in non-endometrioid endometrial cancer and discuss the current literature with the findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included two hundred-three patients with non-EEC who underwent surgical treatment and follow-up between January 1996 and December 2018 in a University Hospital Gynecologic Oncology Center. The patients were divided into three groups according to whether omentectomy was performed and the presence of omental metastasis. The patient's demographics, clinical characteristics such as stage, grade, histopathologic type, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), myometrial invasion, lymph node involvement, and survival outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The study included 203 patients. Twenty-five patients (12%) had omental metastases. LVSI was reported in 57.3%, 88.0%, and 43.2% of the non-omentectomy, no-omental metastasis, and omental metastatic groups, respectively (p = 0.001). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates according to the tumor grade, peritoneal cytology, and lymphadenectomy were also compared and were found to be statistically similar. The five-year OS rates were 70.6% for the group without omental metastases and 16.2% for the group with omental metastases, respectively (p = 0.001). In the group of omentectomy, the five-year DFS rates were 62.2% in cases without omental metastasis and 13.0% in cases with omental metastasis (p = 0.001). The five-year OS rates of 86.3% and DFS rates of 80.0% in the group without omentectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In non-endometrioid tumors, the survival rate was better in the group that did not undergo omentectomy. Based on these results, we can say that omentectomy may not be necessary for non-endometrioid tumors whose omentum is found to be normal in intraoperative visual examination.

Reproducibility of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosis is good, but influenced by the diagnostic style of pathologists.

Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) applies specific diagnostic criteria to designate a monoclonal endometrial preinvasive glandular proliferation known from previous studies to confer a 45-fold increased risk for endometrial cancer. In this international study we estimate accuracy and precision of EIN diagnosis among 20 reviewing pathologists in different practice environments, and with differing levels of experience and training. Sixty-two endometrial biopsies diagnosed as benign, EIN, or adenocarcinoma by consensus of two expert subspecialty pathologists were used as a reference comparison to assess diagnostic accuracy of 20 reviewing pathologists. Interobserver reproducibility among the 20 reviewers provided a measure of diagnostic precision. Before evaluating cases, observers were self-trained by reviewing published textbook and/or online EIN diagnostic guidelines. Demographics of the reviewing pathologists, and their impressions regarding implementation of EIN terminology were recorded. Seventy-nine percent of the 20 reviewing pathologists' diagnoses were exactly concordant with the expert consensus (accuracy). The interobserver weighted κ values of 3-class EIN scheme (benign, EIN, carcinoma) diagnoses between expert consensus and each of reviewing pathologists averaged 0.72 (reproducibility, or precision). Reviewing pathologists demonstrated one of three diagnostic styles, which varied in the repertoire of diagnoses commonly used, and their nonrandom response to potentially confounding diagnostic features such as endometrial polyp, altered differentiation, background hormonal effects, and technically poor preparations. EIN diagnostic strategies can be learned and implemented from standard teaching materials with a high degree of reproducibility, but is impacted by the personal diagnostic style of each pathologist in responding to potential diagnostic confounders.

Pediatric invasive mucormycosis cured with high dose liposomal amphotericin B.

Amphotericin B remains the mainstay medical treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis. Optimal dose is not defined. We described a case of pulmonary mucormycosis, which had been treated with 42.55 g (during to 45 weeks) liposomal amphotericin B. In medical literature this case is one of the highest doses of lyposomal amphotericin B administered to a pediatric patient.

Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein 2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in human normal endometrium and endometriotic tissues.

Endometriosis is a gynocological disease characterized by the presence of the endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. This disease affects % 6-10 of women with reproductive age and it causes serious problems such as pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and infertility. Although endometriosis is one of the most investigated disease of gynecology, its pathogenesis is not clear completely. In recent years, many studies revealed the inflammatory nature of endometriosis. Many of the immune cells and their secretory products cytokines and chemokines has been detected in body fluids of women with endometriosis. Cytokines are protein or glycoprotein in structures and hormon-like molecules that act generally in a paracrine fashion to regulate immun responses. They involved in chemotaxis, cell proliferation, cell activation, motility, adhesion and morphogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine secreted by the macrophages, monocytes, neutrophiles, T cells and natural killer cells. It stimulates increase in the level of the chemokines in body fluids. Monocyte chemotactic protein 2 (MCP-2) is a chemokine act to recruit and activate monocytes into sites of inflammation area. The aim of this study to investigate the ultrastructural properties and whether the expression and localization of TNF-α and MCP-2 in the eutopic endometrium (normal endometrium of women with endometriosis) and endometritic tissues of women with endometriosis. Eutopic endometrial and endometriotic tissue samples were obtained from women with endometriosis between 20-41 y and normal endometrial tissues were collected from 5 women without endometriosis as a control group. Tissues were processed for light and electron microscopy and examined. The epithelial cells of endometriotic tissues were revealed strongly cytoplasmic TNF-α and MCP-2 immunreactivities. Eutopic endometrial tissues were also stained prominently for both TNF-α and MCP-2. Furthermore, a significant increase in stromal macrophages were observed in endometriotic tissues. Moreover, the ultrastructural observations on the normal and endometriotic tissues were exhibited microvilli-rich cells and ciliated cells. These findings suggest that TNF-α and MCP-2 may be involved in normal endometrial biology and in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Could the Long-Term Oncological Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer also Be Valid for the High-Intermediate- and High-Risk Patients? A Multi-Center Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group Study Conducted with 2745 Endometrial Cancer Cases. (TRSGO-End-001).

This study was conducted to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of laparotomy and laparoscopic surgeries in endometrial cancer under the light of the 2016 ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification system, with particular focus on the high-intermediate- and high-risk categories. Using multicentric databases between January 2005 and January 2016, disease-free and overall survivals of 2745 endometrial cancer cases were compared according to the surgery route (laparotomy vs. laparoscopy). The high-intermediate- and high-risk patients were defined with respect to the 2016 ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification system, and they were analyzed with respect to differences in survival rates. Of the 2745 patients, 1743 (63.5%) were operated by laparotomy, and the remaining were operated with laparoscopy. The total numbers of high-intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer cases were 734 (45%) patients in the laparotomy group and 307 (30.7%) patients in the laparoscopy group. Disease-free and overall survivals were not statistically different when compared between laparoscopy and laparotomy groups in terms of low-, intermediate-, high-intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer. In conclusion, regardless of the endometrial cancer risk category, long-term oncological outcomes of the laparoscopic approach were found to be comparable to those treated with laparotomy. Our results are encouraging to consider laparoscopic surgery for high-intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer cases.

The impact of morbid obesity on survival of endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Morbid obesity is identified as patients with a body mass index more than 40 kg/m2. Obesity is known as a risk factor for endometrial cancer due to the increase of the deposited estrogen. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of morbid obesity on the survival of endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The archival records and pathologic reports of patients with endometrial cancer who underwent surgery and were followed up in Çukurova University Gynecologic Oncology Center between January 1996 and December 2018 were reviewed, retrospectively. Data regarding body mass index and survival was reported in 520 patients. These patients were stratified into two groups according to their body mass index, <40 and ≥40 kg/m2. The groups' clinic, pathologic features, and survival rates were compared. RESULTS: There were 146 patients in the morbidly obese group and 374 patients in the obese group. The mean age of the groups was 58.5 and 56.2 years, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 51.6 months. Comorbidities were significantly higher in the morbidly obese group. The five-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 78.3% and 85.3% in the morbidly obese group, and 81.6% and 90.1% in the obese group, respectively. Although the groups' clinical and pathologic features were homogeneously distributed, disease-free and overall survival rates were significantly different (p=0.053 and p=0.054, respectively). CONCLUSION: Morbidly obese patients with endometrial cancer were associated with 2.7-fold increased risk of death and 1.7-fold increased risk of recurrence compared with those who had body mass index <40 kg/m2. It is important to deal with the frequent comorbidities in this special group, which could be simply altered by lifestyle changes. Morbidly obese patients with endometrial cancer should be encouraged in lifestyle changes and consulted by dieticians and endocrinologists.

Prognostic significance of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in uterine carcinosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and prognostic importance of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and/ or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS). STUDY DESIGN: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 59 cases with UCS were analyzed. PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions in tumor tissue and microenvironment were detected by immunohistochemistry. Clinical and pathological characteristics including age, stage, initial symptom, surgical approach, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), lymph node invasion, adjuvant therapy, and survival were evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the outcomes and prognostic factors. RESULTS: PD-1 expression in tumor tissue and microenvironment was detected in 15 (25 %) and 18 (30 %) cases, respectively. PD-L1 expression in tumor tissue and microenvironment was detected in 15 (25 %) and 12 cases (20 %), respectively. PD-L1 expression in tumor was associated with longer survival and median survival was 38 and 15 months in cases with and without PD-L1 expressions, respectively (p = 0.019). Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (p = 0.014), myometrial invasion (p = 0.008) and PD-L1 expression were found to be prognostic for UCS's. PD-L1 expression was found to be an independent good prognostic factor with Cox regression analysis (OR 3.9; 95 % CI: 1.4-11.0) for overall survival. CONCLUSION: PD-1 and/or PD-L1 expression are important due to their expressions in one fourth of the cases with UCS and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade may be a new avenue in UCS.

Use of the ELISA (Em2-Em18) and Western Blotting Methods on Diagnosis of Alveolar Echinococcosis

Objective: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is one of the most lethal parasitic zoonoses in the Northern Hemisphere, and early serological detection is important to start treatment and to improve survival. A total of 50 sera samples of patients diagnosed as having various diseases were examined for by two different serological diagnostic methods. Methods: Em2-Em18 ELISA (Bordier Affinity Products, Crissier, Switzerland) and Echinococcus Western Blot immünoglobulin G (IgG) (LDBIO Diagnostics, Lyon, France) were used for analyisis. Results: A high titer of antibodies was found in 9 of 10 patients diagnosed as having AE with Em2-Em18 ELISA, in 2 of 21 patients with cystic echinococcosis, in 1 of 2 patients with fascioliasis and in 1 patient with chronic hepatitis. The Echinococcus Western Blot IgG test, used as a confirmatory test, showed IgG antibody in 85.7% (18/21) of patients with CE, while all serum samples of 10 patients with AE were evaluated as positive. This method yielded an incorrect diagnosis in the patient with chronic hepatitis and in the patient with granulomatous inflammation with caseification. Samples taken from patients with liver-related diseases and other parasitic-related diseases were found to be negative. Conclusion: The serological methods used in the study were found to be important in the early diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis in the endemic areas, since it could be used in sero-epidemiological studies.

Laparoscopic surgery for low, intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the long-term outcomes of the laparotomy (LT) and laparoscopic surgery and to evaluate the results according to low, intermediate, and high-risk groups of endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: We identified 801 patients with EC and these patients were classified as group 1, who underwent LT (n=515); and group 2, who underwent laparoscopy (LS) (n=286). Patient's demographics, clinical characteristics such as stage, grade, histopathologic type, lymphovascular space invasion, myometrial invasion, lymph node involvement, and risk groups, peri- and post-operative outcomes, and survival outcomes were compared between the groups according to risk classification. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of both groups were similar except age. Shorter hospital stay and fewer complications were observed in group 2. The overall survival (OS) were similar in the low, low-intermediate, high-intermediate and high-risk groups (p=0.269, 0.476, 0.078, and 0.085; respectively) for LS compared to LT. The covariate analysis revealed that the death and recurrence risks were approximately twice higher in the LT group than in the LS group (odds ratio [OR]=1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2-3.1 for OS; OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.2-3.3 for disease-free survival). CONCLUSION: The results of our study support the well-known positive aspects of LS as well as safe and effective use in cases of intermediate and high-risk EC.

Early propranolol treatment ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in experimental septic lung.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have indicated an improved prognosis in sepsis with ß-blocker agents; however, the underlying action mechanism is still under debate. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of propranolol on endothelial dysfunction in septic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP) was used to generate sepsis. Adult male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 4 groups: group 1 was a sham group, group 2 received sterile saline, group 3 received 10 mg/kg of propranolol 3 days before the intervention, and group 4 received 10 mg/kg of propranolol 30 min after CLP. Six rats from each group were sacrificed 24 h postoperatively. The remaining rats were followed for survival. We have also evaluated the effects on systemic inflammation, coagulation and the lung tissue with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels, as well as tissue TNF-α scores were elevated in septic rats. Electron microscopic examination of the lung tissue showed endothelial dysfunction in the sepsis group. Pretreatment significantly improved survival. Moreover, pre-treatment altered serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) levels and post-treatment reduced serum PAI-1 and VEGFR-1 levels. In both the preand post-treatment groups, electron microscopic examination revealed improvement of the destroyed lung endothelium and showed only mild alterations in the cytoplasmic organelles, especially in the mitochondria of the endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the improved outcome with ß-blockers in sepsis may be due to the ameliorated endothelial dysfunction. Further studies focusing on the potential effect of ß-blockers on the endothelium may lead to a better understanding of sepsis.