Malignant mixed mesodermal tumor in a young woman with polycystic ovary syndrome. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Malignant mixed mesodermal tumors (MMMTs) are uncommon, highly aggressive tumors of the uterus composed of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements, both likely to be derived from the same original stem cell. There is a strong association between endometrial adenocarcinoma and polycystic ovary disease. However, only two cases of MMMT occurring in women with polycystic ovaries have been reported. CASE: A 36-year-old woman with polycystic ovary disease developed an MMMT of the endometrium. CONCLUSION: Some cases of MMMT may be estrogen related.

Diabetes, hypertension and birth injuries: a complex interrelationship.

Seemingly coincidental occurrence of various pathological conditions may derive from common etiologic denominators. While reviewing 240 malpractice claims involving shoulder dystocia related fetal injuries, we found two antenatal complications in the background conspicuously often. Chronic or pregnancy induced hypertension was identifiable in 80 instances (33%). Pregnancy induced or preexisting diabetes was diagnosed 48 times (20%). Many of these patients were poorly controlled. The blood pressure was usually checked during the antenatal visits. However, about one-half of all patients received no diabetic screening. Therefore, this study may underestimate the actual incidence of diabetes. It has been calculated that the frequency of diabetes in pregnancy and that of hypertension, is about 5% in the United States. Thus, the rates of these complications in this selected group of gravidas was severalfold higher than in the general population. Since hypertension causes retarded fetal growth, it cannot be a direct cause of arrest of the shoulders at delivery. The likely common denominator is maternal diabetes a known predisposing factor both for preeclampsia and shoulder dystocia at birth. In the course of litigations for fetal injuries, demonstration of the predisposing role of seemingly unrelated shortcomings of the medical management may profoundly influence the outcome. This principle is demonstrated by the presentation of an actual malpractice action which resulted in a substantial settlement.

Cytoreductive surgery and intraoperative hyperthermic chemoperfusion for advanced ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Optimal cytoreductive surgery combined with intraoperative hyperthermic chemoperfusion (IHCP) is a therapy that potentially could improve survival in a select group of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to review the results of cytoreductive surgery and IHCP for advanced ovarian cancer and to identify factors that may predict which patients maximally benefit from this aggressive treatment. METHODS: Patients treated with cytoreduction followed by IHCP for ovarian cancer were identified from an IHCP database from 1/2001 through 3/2004. Several factors including resection status, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), and prior surgery were evaluated for their ability to predict survival in our cohort of patients. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with ovarian cancer treated with cytoreductive surgery followed by IHCP were identified. The 3-year overall survival rate for all thirteen patients was 55%. The median disease-free survival was 15.4 months (3-year disease-free survival, 11%). Several factors including PCI score (<6), ability to resect all gross disease, and previous surgical exploration appeared to impart an overall survival advantage. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IHCP coupled with optimal cytoreduction is a safe and effective treatment for advanced ovarian carcinoma. However, the proper selection of patients who will benefit most from the therapy is essential for the success of the treatment.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the uterine cervix.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare, yet aggressive soft tissue neoplasm that has not previously been reported to originate in the cervix. CASE: A 29-year-old woman was seen in consultation at our institution after having been diagnosed with a poorly differentiated carcinoma of the cervix, which was treated with radiation and chemotherapy. Examination of the original biopsy material with additional studies led to a diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma of the cervix. CONCLUSION: Epithelioid sarcoma can occur in the cervix and should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical neoplasms. Additional cases are needed to develop optimum treatment strategies and predict prognosis.