The Current Burden of Follow-up of Stage 1A1 Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the current burden and consistency of stage 1A1 cervical cancer follow-up within Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of women diagnosed with and treated of, between 2007 and 2011, stage 1A1 cervical cancer in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. Data were collected on referral cytology, definitive method of treatment, posttreatment cytology, and rate of recurrence. Outcomes included rate of recurrence, abnormal cytology, and number of interventions during follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 78 women diagnosed with stage 1A1 cervical cancer, 43 had a LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone) as definitive treatment. Ninety percent of stage 1A1 cervical cancers were diagnosed following abnormal screening cytology. Almost 86% of all cytology post-LLETZ were negative. Only 1 woman had a recurrence. No posthysterectomy vault smears were low-grade dyskaryosis or worse. CONCLUSIONS: There is a very low rate of abnormal cytology after LLETZ. Vault smears are of limited benefit in the management of women posthysterectomy for stage 1A1 cervical cancer.

Multifocal FIGO Stage IA1 Squamous Carcinoma of the Cervix: Criteria for Identification, Staging, and its Good Clinical Outcome.

Multifocal squamous cervical carcinomas account for up to 25% of IA1 tumors identified on excisional biopsy, yet there are no uniformly accepted histopathologic criteria for defining and staging these lesions. Here, we use a strict case definition and meticulous specimen processing from colposcopist to pathologist to identify and follow-up 25 cases of multifocal IA1 cervical squamous carcinomas identified in excisional biopsies. We stage these tumors using the dimensions of the largest focus and a minimum of 2 mm between each foci to define multifocality. The cases are followed up for a median of 7 yr with no episodes of tumor recurrence or metastasis. We also show that the prevalence of residual preinvasive (20%) and invasive disease (5%) on repeat excision/surgery are comparable to data available for unifocal IA1 cases. Our study supports the hypothesis that multifocal lesions should be staged according to largest individual focus of invasion and we emphasize the importance of meticulous specimen handling to appropriately identify multifocal tumors. In addition, our analysis suggests that outcomes are comparable to unifocal lesions and supports the hypothesis that they may be managed in a similar manner.

Fertility conserving management of early cervical cancer: our experience of LLETZ and pelvic lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND: Presently, for those diagnosed with early cervical cancer who wish to conserve their fertility, there is the option of radical trachelectomy. Although successful, this procedure is associated with significant obstetric morbidity. The recurrence risk of early cervical cancer is low and in tumors measuring less than 2 cm; if the lymphatics are negative, the likelihood of parametrial involvement is less than 1%. Therefore, pelvic lymph nodes are a surrogate marker of parametrial involvement and radical excision of the parametrium can be omitted if they are negative. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report our experience of the fertility conserving management of early cervical cancer with repeat large loop excision of the transformation zone and laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, a retrospective review of cases of early cervical cancer who had fertility conserving management within Glasgow Royal Infirmary was done. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent fertility conserving management of early cervical cancer. Forty were screen-detected cancers; 2 were stage IA1, 4 were stage IA2, and 37 were stage IB1. There were 2 central recurrences during the follow-up period. There have been 15 live children to 12 women and there are 4 ongoing pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest case series described and confirms the low morbidity and mortality of this procedure. However, even within our highly select group, there have been 2 cases of central recurrent disease. We, therefore, are urging caution in the global adoption of this technique and would welcome a multicenter multinational randomized controlled trial.

Vulvar reconstruction using the "lotus petal" fascio-cutaneous flap.

INTRODUCTION: Vulvar reconstruction using the "lotus petal" fascio-cutaneous flap offers a relatively novel means to restore symmetry and functionality after extirpative gynecologic or oncologic procedures. We sought to assess the success rates and morbidity in a large series of consecutively treated patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 59 consecutive cases of lotus petal flaps performed at a single institution to more accurately assess success and complication rates. RESULTS: We identified 80 flaps performed among the 59 patients between September 1, 2008 and March 30, 2013. The median (range) age was 59 years (24-89) and the median (range) BMI was 27 kg/m(2) (19-34). The indications for vulvar/perineal excision were as follows: 39 (66.1%) vulvar carcinoma or melanoma, 12 (20.3%) vulvar dysplasia, 5 (8.5%) colorectal disease and 3 (5.1%) cases of hidradenitis suppurativa. The mean defect area, determined by post-fixation pathology specimen was 29 cm(2). Medical or surgical complications occurred in 36% of patients of which superficial wound separation was the most common (15%). There were no cases of complete flap loss, but partial loss occurred in 7 (8.8%) cases. 3 (5.1%) patients required re-operation prior to discharge with one case requiring skin grafting. Delayed surgical revision was required in 4 patients for partial flap loss (2) or stricture/stenosis (2). CONCLUSION: The lotus petal flap is safe for use in gynecologic reconstruction, with acceptable short- and long-term complication rates. Previous reports of smaller series likely underestimate the risk of complications through case selection.

Survey on the management of early cervical cancer among members of the GCIG.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the different imaging and treatment options offered to patients with early cervical cancer by members of the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed and disseminated electronically to members of the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup and was completed online. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two members viewed the questionnaire; 88 members started it; however, only 64 members fully completed it. Most (89.9%) of respondents used the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification system when staging cervical cancer, using adjuncts to clinical staging: 33 respondents (37.5%) advocated computed tomography, 61 respondents (69.3%) advocated magnetic resonance imaging, 26 respondents (29.6%) positron emission tomography-computed tomography, and 36 respondents (40.9%) advocated staging lymphadenectomy, with 69.4% (50) performing lymphadenectomies laparoscopically. The external iliac nodal group was the nodal group that was consistently part of the lymphadenectomy with other nodal groups variably removed depending on the stage. All centers offered fertility-conserving surgery in stage IA1 cervical cancer and most up to and including stage IB1 with no lymphovascular space invasion. The fertility-conserving procedures performed varied among respondents: 20.3% (15 respondents) abdominal radical trachelectomy, 47.35 (35 respondents) radical vaginal trachelectomy, 58.1% (43 respondents) trachelectomy, 97.3% (72 respondents) cone biopsy, and 67.6% (50 respondents) large loop excision of the transformation zone. When fertility conservation was not desired, there was variation in the surgical techniques offered. Chemotherapy was used to downstage tumors preoperatively in 16.4% (11) before fertility-conserving surgery and 50.8% (34) before radical surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There are wide variations in the use of preoperative imaging, when pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes are removed, and as to which surgical procedure should be offered in the management of cervical cancer both when fertility conservation is and is not an issue.

Multidisciplinary management of anal intraepithelial neoplasia and rate of progression to cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To describe the regional burden of AIN and rate of progression to cancer in patients managed in specialist and non-specialist clinic settings. METHODS: Patients with a histopathological diagnosis of AIN between 1994 and 2018 were retrospectively identified. Clinicopathological characteristics including high-risk status (chronic immunosuppressant use or HIV positive), number and type of biopsy (punch/excision) and histopathological findings were recorded. The relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and progression to cancer was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 250 patients identified, 207 were eligible for inclusion: 144 from the specialist and 63 from the non-specialist clinic. Patients in the specialist clinic were younger (<40 years 31% vs 19%, p = 0.007), more likely to be male (34% vs 16%, p = 0.008) and HIV positive (15% vs 2%, p = 0.012). Patients in the non-specialist clinic were less likely to have AIN3 on initial pathology (68% vs 79%, p = 0.074) and were more often followed up for less than 36 months (46% vs 28%, p = 0.134). The rate of progression to cancer was 17% in the whole cohort (20% vs 10%, p = 0.061). On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 3.02, 95%CI 1.58-5.78, p < 0.001), high risk status (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.43-8.74, p = 0.006) and increasing number of excisions (OR 4.88, 95%CI 2.15-11.07, p < 0.001) were related to progression to cancer. CONCLUSION: The specialist clinic provides a structured approach to the follow up of high-risk status patients with AIN. Frequent monitoring with specialist assessments including high resolution anoscopy in a higher volume clinic are required due to the increased risk of progression to anal cancer.