Prevalence of high-risk HPV and its genotypes-Implications in the choice of prophylactic HPV vaccine.

The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types varies geographically between various countries and different parts of the same country. The efficacy of the HPV vaccines is dependent on the prevalent HPV types. Here, we have studied the prevalence of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) and its genotypes in women in our population. Cervical samples of 2443 women were screened for the presence of hrHPV using the careHPV system. To determine the HPV genotypes, viral DNA was isolated from the hrHPV-positive samples, nested PCR was used to amplify the L1 hypervariable region, and was subjected to Sanger sequencing. The prevalence of hrHPV was found to be 2%. HPV16 (52%), HPV33 (40%), HPV18 (4%), HPV31 (2%), and HPV66 (2%) genotypes were found in this study. In Kerala, HPV16 and HPV33 genotypes were found to be significantly higher compared with the other HPV types detected. As the bivalent (Cervarix) and quadrivalent (Gardasil-4) vaccines offer limited cross-protection against HPV33, nonavalent (Gardasil 9) vaccine would be more effective in preventing cervical carcinoma in Kerala.

A prospective study evaluating the impact of implementing the ERAS protocol on patients undergoing surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Information on the benefits of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) when applied to advanced ovarian cancer() is minimal. The study objectives were to prospectively evaluate whether the implementation of ERAS in AOC patients improves post-operative recovery, and reduces the length of hospital stay (LOHS), without increasing the readmission rate or surgery-related complications; and to investigate ERAS protocol compliance. METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study carried out at a single university teaching hospital. Patients undergoing laparotomy for advanced ovarian cancer (stages IIb-IV) from March 2017 to February 2018 were managed using an ERAS protocol. The conventional management (CM) period extended from January 2016 to December 2016. The primary outcome was reduction in LOHS. Secondary outcomes were ERAS protocol compliance, incidence of post-operative complications, and readmission rate. RESULTS: The CM and ERAS groups each comprised 45 patients. Both the groups were comparable in terms of clinicopathological and operative characteristic. Median LOHS of the full cohort, primary debulking cohort, interval debulking cohort, staging surgery cohort (all 6 vs 4 days; p<0.001), and complex cytoreductive surgery cohort (5 vs 4 days; p=0.019) were significantly reduced in the ERAS group. The overall compliance for the ERAS protocol was 90.6%. Occurrence of moderate or severe (17.8% vs 0%; p=0.003) and ≥grade 2 extended Clavein-Dindo complications (22.2% vs 0%; p=0.001); and hospital stay due to occurrence of complications (31.1% vs 2.2%; p<0.001) were also significantly reduced in the ERAS group. There was no difference in the 30-day readmission rates. CONCLUSION: The results from our investigation suggest that the ERAS program can be successfully implemented in advanced ovarian cancer patients even in low-resource settings provided the program is modified to meet local needs so as not to increase healthcare costs.

Long-term drug delivery using implantable electrospun woven polymeric nanotextiles.

A woven nanotextile implant was developed and optimized for long-term continuous drug delivery for potential oncological applications. Electrospun polydioxanone (PDS) nanoyarns, which are twisted bundles of PDS nanofibres, were loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) and woven into nanotextiles of different packing densities. A mechanistic modeling of in vitro drug release proved that a combination of diffusion and matrix degradation controlled the slow PTX-release from a nanoyarn, emphasizing the role of nanostructure in modulating release kinetics. Woven nanotextiles, through variations in its packing density and thereby architecture, demonstrated tuneable PTX-release. In vivo PTX-release, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution were evaluated in healthy BALB/c mice by suturing the nanotextile to peritoneal wall. The slow and metronomic PTX-release for 60 days from the loosely woven implant was extremely effective in enhancing its residence in peritoneum, in contrast to intraperitoneal injections. Such an implantable matrix offers a novel platform for therapy of solid tumors over prolonged durations.

Brain metastases in women with epithelial ovarian cancer: multimodal treatment including surgery or gamma-knife radiation is associated with prolonged survival.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of treatment modality on survival in patients with brain metastases from epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of cases of ovarian cancer with brain metastases treated at institutions in three countries (Canada, China, and India) and conducted a search for studies regarding brain metastases in ovarian cancer reporting survival related to treatment modality. Survival was analyzed according to treatment regimens involving (1) some form of surgical excision or gamma-knife radiation with or without other modalities, (2) other modalities without surgery or gamma-knife radiation, or (3) palliation only. RESULTS: Twelve patients (mean age 56 years) with detailed treatment/outcome data were included; five were from China, four from Canada, and three from India. Median time from diagnosis of ovarian cancer to brain metastasis was 19 months (range 10 to 37 months), and overall median survival time from diagnosis of ovarian cancer was 38 months (13 to 82 months). Median survival time from diagnosis of brain metastasis was 17 months (1 to 45 months). Among patients who had multimodal treatment including gamma-knife radiotherapy or surgical excision, the median survival time after the identification of brain metastasis was 25.6 months, compared with 6.0 months in patients whose treatment did not include this type of focused localized modality (P = 0.006). Analysis of 20 studies also indicated that use of gamma-knife radiotherapy and excisional surgery in multi-modal treatment resulted in improved median survival interval (25 months vs. 6.0 months, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the subset of patients with brain metastases from ovarian cancer, prolonged survival may result from use of multidisciplinary therapy, particularly if metastases are amenable to localized treatments such as gamma-knife radiotherapy and surgical excision.

Objectif : Explorer les effets de la modalité de traitement sur la survie chez les patientes qui présentent des métastases cérébrales attribuables au cancer épithélial de l'ovaire. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une analyse rétrospective des cas de cancer de l'ovaire donnant lieu à des métastases cérébrales qui ont été traités dans des établissements se situant dans trois pays (Canada, Chine et Inde); de plus, nous avons mené une recherche qui visait les études ayant traité des métastases cérébrales associées au cancer de l'ovaire qui faisaient mention des taux de survie liés aux modalités de traitement. La survie a été analysée en fonction de schémas de traitement mettant en jeu (1) une forme quelconque d'excision chirurgicale ou de radiochirurgie par scalpel gamma avec ou sans autres modalités, (2) d'autres modalités sans chirurgie ni radiochirurgie par scalpel gamma ou (3) des modalités palliatives seulement. Résultats : Douze patientes (âge moyen : 56 ans) comptant des données détaillées en ce qui concerne le traitement / les issues ont été admises à l'étude; cinq d'entre elles étaient de la Chine, quatre du Canada et trois de l'Inde. Le délai médian entre le diagnostic de cancer de l'ovaire et l'apparition de métastases cérébrales était de 19 mois (plage de 10 à 37 mois), et la durée de survie médiane globale à la suite du diagnostic de cancer de l'ovaire était de 38 mois (de 13 à 82 mois). La durée de survie médiane à la suite du diagnostic de métastases cérébrales était de 17 mois (de 1 à 45 mois). Chez les patientes ayant subi un traitement multimodal qui faisait appel à la radiochirurgie par scalpel gamma ou à l'excision chirurgicale, la durée de survie médiane à la suite de l'identification des métastases cérébrales était de 25,6 mois, par comparaison avec 6,0 mois chez les patientes dont le traitement ne faisait pas appel à ce type de modalité localisée ciblée (P = 0,006). L'analyse de 20 études a également indiqué que le recours à la radiochirurgie par scalpel gamma et à l'excision chirurgicale dans le cadre d'un traitement multimodal a donné lieu à une amélioration de l'intervalle de survie médian (25 mois vs 6,0 mois, P < 0,001). Conclusion : Dans le sous-ensemble des patientes qui présentent des métastases cérébrales attribuables au cancer de l'ovaire, le recours à un traitement multidisciplinaire pourrait mener à une prolongation de la survie, particulièrement lorsque les métastases se prêtent à des traitements localisés tels que la radiochirurgie par scalpel gamma et l'excision chirurgicale.

Association of molecular subgroups with pathological parameters in endometrial carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The integration of molecular features into the already existing pathological classification of endometrial carcinomas will offer significant prognostic information. As the literature search reveals, there are no studies from India that have classified these carcinomas based on molecular subtypes. The aim of the study was to classify endometrial carcinomas into four subtypes based on their molecular and immunohistochemical features and to find out the association of each of these molecular subtypes with the other pathological parameters. METHODS: A prospective study was done on 37 consecutive cases of fresh hysterectomy specimens, biopsy-proven as endometrial carcinomas between November 2019 and August 2020. Three immunohistochemical markers (p53, mismatch repair proteins,MutS homolog6 and Postmeiotic seggregation 2 respectively[MSH6, and PMS2]), along with DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequencing of selected regions of the POLE gene was performed in each of the 37 cases. Endometrial carcinomas were subclassified into four subtypes, and the association of each of these four subtypes with the other pathological parameters was also explored. Statistical analysis was done using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) Version 20.0 software (IBM SPSS, USA). RESULTS: Among the 37 cases studied, eight (21.6%) cases were p53 abnormal, eight (21.6%) cases showed MMR-D (mismatch repair deficient), one case (2.7%) showed mutation of POLE, and 21 cases (56.8%) were assembled under p53 wild-type. Higher grade endometrial carcinomas showed more (80.0%) p53 abnormal (P < 0.001). All the p53 wild-type (100%) were of Type 1 endometrial carcinoma subtype (P = 0.001) and low-grade type (90.5%; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that the type of carcinoma and grade correlates with p53 expression, p53 abnormal being associated with higher grade and type 2 endometrial carcinomas, whereas p53 wild-type is associated with low-grade and type 1 endometrial carcinoma. There was only one case of the POLE subtype identifiable in our study.

Endometriosis in clear cell and endometrioid carcinoma ovary: its impact on clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes.

Background: Malignant transformation in endometriosis was first described by Sampson in 1925. There is now sufficient evidence of its association specifically with endometrioid (EOC) and clear cell ovarian cancer (CCOC). Whether endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) is a distinct clinicopathological entity from non-endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (NEAOC) remains uncertain. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of endometriosis on clinical characteristics and survival outcomes in EOC and CCOC. Methods: This is a retrospective single-institution analysis of patients diagnosed with CCOC AND EOC between 2010 and 2021. Demographic and clinical presentation data were obtained from medical records. Patients were followed up till March 2023. Statistical analysis was done using the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 Windows. Results: Of the 77 cases of CCOC and EOC ovary, 38 had histopathologically proven endometriosis. There was no difference in age (51.62 and 50.05 years, respectively), body mass index, parity, menopausal status and CA 125 levels at presentation. Ascites was more frequent in the absence of endometriosis (30% versus 8.1%, p = 0.015). However, this did not translate to a statistical difference in the stage, with the majority presenting in the early stage. (94% versus 83%). All 78 patients underwent primary cytoreduction with equal rates of optimal resection.There was no difference in the mean disease-free interval between EAOC and NEAOC (107.6 and 109.4 months, p 0.484). Recurrences were predominantly pelvic in both groups. The disease-specific survival was 111.7 and 120.1 months, respectively, with and without endometriosis. This was however not statistically significant (p 0.751). Conclusion: In the Indian population, endometriosis did not have any impact on the age at presentation, CA 125 levels, stage of the disease and survival outcomes in EOC and CCOC ovary.

Co-Creation of Breast Cancer Risk Communication Tools and an Assessment of Risk Factor Awareness: A Qualitative Study of Patients and the Public in India.

BACKGROUND: Low awareness of BC and its associated risk factors causes delays in diagnosis and impacts survival. It is critical to communicate BC risk to patients in a format that they are easily able to understand. Our study aim was to develop easy-to-follow transmedia prototypes to communicate BC risk and evaluate user preferences, alongside exploring awareness of BC and its risk factors. METHODS: Prototypes of transmedia tools for risk communication were developed with multidisciplinary input. A qualitative in-depth online interview study was undertaken using a pre-defined topic guide of BC patients (7), their relatives (6), the general public (6), and health professionals (6). Interviews were analyzed using a thematic approach. FINDINGS: Most participants preferred pictographic representations (frequency format) of lifetime risk and risk factors and storytelling using short animations and comic strips (infographics) for communicating genetic risk and testing: "In a short time, they explained it very well, and I liked it". Suggestions included minimizing technical terminology, decreasing the delivery speed, "two-way dialogue", and using local "language for different locations". There was low awareness of BC, with some understanding of age and hereditary risk factors but limited knowledge of reproductive factors. INTERPRETATION: Our findings support use of multiple context-specific multimedia tools in communicating cancer risk in an easy-to-understand way. The preference for storytelling using animations and infographics is a novel finding and should be more widely explored.

A prospective observational study assessing the feasibility and factors affecting same-day discharge in patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery for gynecological cancers.

Although robotic-assisted surgery is being increasingly used in the management of gynecologic cancers, most surgeons discharge patients on the next day of surgery citing concerns about immediate post-operative complications. Present study was conducted to evaluate the safety, factors influencing and quality of life for gynaecological cancer patients undergoing same-day discharge after robotic-assisted surgery. This is single institutional prospective observational study as pragmatic cohort including all well-selected gynecological cancer patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery from September 2017 to June 2019. Patients were divided into two study groups [Same-day discharge (SDD) group vs. Next-day discharge (NDD) group] according to day of discharge. The entire cohort included 152 patients (38 in SDD group and 114 in NDD group). The difference between both SDD vs. NDD was significant for parameters including Age ≥ 70 years (0% vs. 18.4%, p: 0.010); Operative time > 60 min (39.5% vs. 60.5%, p: 0.024); patients with third-party insurance covering surgery (2.6% vs. 25.4%, p: 0.005) and place of residence ≥ 60 km from hospital (13.1% vs. 51.8%, p: < 0.0001). The quality of life was similar in both groups and none of the patients required readmission or emergency room visits. Same-day discharge after robot-assisted surgery in gynecologic cancer patients is a safe and feasible option. Younger patients, short surgical time, surgery early in the day, no claim for third-party insurance, residing nearby hospital within 60 km radius were influencing factors favouring same-day discharge.

A Study on the Detection Rates and Location of Sentinel Lymph Node in Patients with Gynecologic Cancers.

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node mapping is emerging as an accurate technique to assess the lymph nodal status while reducing surgical and postoperative morbidity. Present study looks into the detection rates and location of sentinel nodes during Sentinel node mapping when Indocyanine green dye was used as a tracer. Methods: This is a single institutional study with details retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. All patients who underwent sentinel node mapping using ICG dye for atypical hyperplasia, endometrial and cervical cancers from February 2015 to April 2020 were included. Location of the sentinel node was taken from the graphical record maintained during surgery. The data obtained are expressed as number and percentage and/or mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Chi-square test was performed to compare categorical variables. Results: Two hundred and seventy-nine patients underwent sentinel node mapping with ICG dye during this period. Mapping was successful in 270 patients (96.8%) with 85% having successful bilateral mapping. Obturator was the most common location (52%) followed by external iliac (34%). There was no significant difference in detection among patients with BMI less than 30 or more than 30. The detection rate across various histologies of endometrial cancer was also similar. Conclusion: Sentinel node mapping using ICG dye has got excellent overall and bilateral detection rates making it a valuable tool. Obturator was found to be the most common location for the sentinel node. Mapping using ICG dye yield good detection rates in all histologies of endometrial cancer and in patients with high BMI.

Reducing the cost of robotic hysterectomy: assessing the safety and efficacy of using prograsp forceps in lieu of needle holder for vaginal cuff closure.

Robotic-assisted surgery is criticized for its high cost. As surgeons get more experienced in robotic surgery, modifications to existing techniques are tried to reduce surgical costs. Vaginal cuff closure using prograsp forceps in lieu of needle holder can be safe and cost-effective in patients undergoing robotic-assisted hysterectomy. The objective of this study is to compare the safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of using prograsp forceps in lieu of needle holder for suturing the vaginal cuff after robotic-assisted hysterectomy. This was a single-institution retrospective review of patients who underwent robotic-assisted hysterectomy for benign and malignant conditions from October 2015 to August 2018. Patients were stratified based on whether prograsp forceps or needle holder was used for suturing vaginal cuff. Data obtained included demographic, surgical data, and postoperative outcomes. Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to compare qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. 367 patients underwent robotic-assisted hysterectomies during this period. 75 patients belonged to the needle holder cohort; 292 patients had vaginal cuff closure using prograsp forceps. Vault closure time was comparable between the groups (6.4 vs. 6.6 p = 0.33). There were no significant differences in the postoperative vault-related complications between groups. There was no instrument damage in either group. Using prograsp saved 220 USD in instrument-related charges. This study shows that using prograsp in lieu of needle holder for suturing is safe, there is no increase in operative time or complications, and there is a cost advantage.

Vulvar carcinoma in Fanconi Anaemia: A case report with review of literature.

Fanconi anaemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with bone marrow failure and congenital malformations. The impaired DNA repair pathways in Fanconi anaemia predispose patients to a high risk of cancers of squamous cell origin, particularly in the head and neck region. Cancers of the vagina and vulva are rare in Fanconi anaemia. Here, we report a case of a 44-year-old female with Fanconi anaemia who developed an ulcerated lesion on the clitoris that extended into the labia majora. A biopsy of the lesion showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was treated with wide local excision of the vulval lesion. The patient developed neutropenia post-procedure but recovered in one week time. We have followed up the patient regularly since the procedure. No further issues have been detected to date.

An analysis of operating time over the years for robotic-assisted surgery in gynecology and gynecologic oncology.

Robotic-assisted surgery has a shorter learning curve enabling the surgeons to do complex surgeries in a minimally invasive way. This study analyzed how the time taken for robotic-assisted procedures in gynecology and gynecologic oncology has changed over the years in a university teaching institution. Details were taken from a prospectively maintained electronic database after obtaining permission from the hospital ethics committee. All patients who underwent robotic surgery for gynecologic problems at this center from February 2015 till December 2019 were included. The clinical, perioperative, postoperative and pathologic details were collected from the prospectively maintained database. To analyze quantitative data, student t test was used. Chi-square test was performed to compare categorical variables. 655 patients underwent robotic-assisted surgery during this period. The majority of the patients underwent surgery for uterine cancer (49%). There was a significant improvement in total surgical time (250 vs. 165 min), docking time (12.6 vs 8.9 min), and console time (130 vs. 95 min) between the first and second year (2015-16). The next 2 years (2017 and 18) did not show a significant decrease in the total surgery time and console time, but docking times improved in 2017 (5.5 vs 8.5 min) compared to 2016. In 2019, there was a significant improvement in all surgical times compared to previous years. This study shows that robotic surgery has a lot of scope for improvement in surgical performance beyond its first and second years. The surgical performance as seen from the improved surgical times keeps on improving even after many years.

Modifications Made for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Oncology Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period.

The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the world and our country today. Minimally invasive surgery was initially thought to have a higher risk of spreading the disease through aerosolisation of viral particles through the pneumoperitoneum. This article outlines the various protective measures taken for minimally invasive surgery to decrease the aerosol spread at a Gynecologic Oncology unit during the COVID pandemic period. Precautions taken during anesthesia, trocar insertion, surgery and special precautions for smoke evacuation with viral filters are outlined.

Impact of Intraoperative Tumor Spillage in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: a Retrospective Single-Institution Analysis.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare female reproductive system tumor which is difficult to distinguish from uterine leiomyoma preoperatively. Manual and power morcellation are used to remove the large uterus through the vagina or small abdominal incision. Worse outcome with use of power morcellation is now clear but impact of manual morcellation on survival outcome not established till date. The objective of the present study was to find impact of tumor spillage and to evaluate influencing factors for oncological outcome and prognosis in uterine leiomyosarcoma patients. This is a single-institutional retrospective cohort study including all uterine leiomyosarcoma patients from January 2005 to December 2017. Role of intraoperative tumor spillage and other influencing factors on oncological outcome were assessed. Thirty-three patients with median follow-up period of 49.7 months were evaluated. Stage 1 and absence of tumor spill had significant association with prolonged progression-free survival. Stage 1 uterine leiomyosarcoma (56.8 vs 6.8 months, p = < 0.001), intraoperative tumor spillage (p = 0.03) and progression-free survival > 15 months (68.5 vs 12.2 months, p = < 0.001) were favourable prognostic factors to predict better survival outcome but unable to establish significance on multivariate analysis. Survival plot did not reach median limit for stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma patients with preoperative suspicion. Age, site of recurrence and mitotic index had no significant association with better survival in the present study. Stage I disease and absence of tumor spillage during surgery improved progression-free survival but did not affect overall survival. Progression-free survival more than 15 months can predict better overall survival.

Long-term survival outcome of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A single institutional study.

BACKGROUND: A number of patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer do survive beyond 5 years. The long-term follow-up data are limited, especially for the Indian setting. We evaluated the 10-year survival outcome and influencing clinicopathological factors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery (PCS) or interval cytoreductive surgery (ICS) from 2005 to 2008 was conducted. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for prognostic clinicopathological factors analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients with a median age of 54.5 (18-79) years were evaluated. The median follow-up period was 11.2 years. The overall survival (OS) rates at 5, 7, and 10 years were 37%, 23%, and 18%, respectively. The median OS (MOS) was 46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 36-55.8) months and progression-free survival (PFS) was 19.5 (15.3-23.6) months. Long-term survival was significantly predicted by R0 resection (complete cytoreduction with no macroscopic residual disease) and PFS >20 months while prolonged PFS was influenced by age ≤55 years and R0 resection. For the R0 resection group, patients who underwent PCS had better overall survival in comparison with ICS [72.1(25.2-119) months vs 47.4 (34.9-59.9)months] on 10 years follow-up but was not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: Patients with age ≤55 years, R0 resection, PFS >20 months have a better 10-year survival outcome. Among R0 resection, patients undergoing PCS have clinically a better outcome on 10-year follow-up.

COVID-19 and its impact on gynaecologic oncology practice in India-results of a nationwide survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the world has caused major disruptions in healthcare delivery and practice. A survey was conducted to assess the changes in the care of gynaecologic oncology patients in India. METHODS: An online survey enquiring about the patient volumes and surgical load, and changes in practice protocols for endometrial, ovarian, cervical and vulval cancers was conducted in May, 2020. RESULTS: The total number of responses received was 153. Barring duplicates, 148 were analysed. There was a significant drop in gynaecologic oncology patients attending government hospitals as compared to the non-government sector. The drop was not significantly different in areas having low versus high COVID-19 case volumes. The treatment of endometrial cancers remained the same although there was a marked shift from minimal access surgery to conventional surgery. Advanced ovarian cancer was mostly managed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cervical and vulval cancer management remained the same, but radiotherapy protocols were modified by most. CONCLUSION: Based on clinician responses, it appears that most practices across India have suffered a fall in patient volumes. The responses from government sectors point towards a bigger hit in this segment of practice. While the management of endometrial cancers and cervical cancers was mostly unchanged, most cases of advanced ovarian cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cervical cancer, when managed by chemoradiation, was likely to have altered radiation schedules.

Pathological Complete Response in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Survival Outcome and Its Relevance as a Surrogate End Point.

Background Pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy has emerged as a reliable surrogate marker for improved survival in breast cancer (BC), but its role as a surrogate end point is still controversial. Aims and Objectives The aim of the study is to investigate the clinical course of BC patients with pCR and to evaluate the relevance of pCR as a surrogate end point for survival. Materials and Methods This was a single-institution retrospective analysis done at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Records of BC patients from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, respectively. pCR and survival association were evaluated using regression analysis ( R 2 ). Results Of 224 patients included in the study pCR rate was 15.2%. The median duration of follow-up was 61 months (range: 3-151 months). DFS (73.4 vs. 46.1%, p = 0.032) and OS (82.5 vs. 56.4%, p = 0.022) of pCR cohort was significantly higher than non-pCR cohort. Recurrence rate was significantly lower in the pCR cohort at: All distant sites ( p = 0.01 3), visceral sites ( p = 0.007), both bone and visceral sites ( p = 0.007), and nodal sites ( p = 0.007). There was no difference in the bone-only recurrence ( p = 0.3 15). Death rate was significantly lower in pCR cohort ( p = 0.007). The R2 value for pCR as a surrogate for DFS and OS was 0.006 and 0.004, respectively. Conclusion pCR is a favorable prognostic factor associated with improved survival. However, there is no association between pCR and survival.

Retrospective Analysis of Factors Affecting Recurrence in Borderline Ovarian Tumors.

Background Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are an intermediate form of neoplasia, between benign and malignant. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristic profile of BOTs and to determine the predictors of recurrence in BOTs. Methods A retrospective review of all patients diagnosed, treated, and followed up for BOTs between 2010 and 2017 at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, India, was conducted. Clinicopathological details and details of management, outcome, and survival were retrieved, and data were analyzed descriptively and for survival. Results A total of 103 patients were identified. During the median follow-up of 46.0 months, 15 (14.6%) patients developed recurrent disease, 6 (5.82%) had recurrence with progression to invasive carcinoma, and 9 had recurrent disease with borderline or benign histology. Mucinous tumors were found to have more recurrences than serous BOT (17.8 vs. 12.3%). Disease-related deaths (5/103 [4.9%]) were observed only in patients with progression to invasive carcinoma. Univariate analysis indicated that staging surgery was the most important prognostic factor that affected the disease-free survival ([DFS] 103 vs. 97 vs. 71 months, respectively, for complete staging vs. fertility-preserving staging vs. conservative surgery; p < 0.05). Conclusions Conservative surgery was associated with a higher risk of recurrence. Fertility-preserving staging surgery is an acceptable option in younger patients. The overall survival is not affected by the mode of surgery.

Efficacy of laparoscopic-guided transversus abdominis plane block for patients undergoing robotic-assisted gynaecologic surgery: A randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block has been used regularly as part of multimodal analgesia for caesarean sections and other lower abdominal surgeries. Adequate postoperative analgesia provided with regional blocks allows faster postoperative recovery and better patient satisfaction. In our study, we are comparing the analgesic efficacy of laparoscopic-guided TAP block with port infiltration using a local anaesthetic in patients undergoing gynaecologic robotic surgeries. METHODS: After obtaining approval from the hospital ethics committee, Central Trial Registry of India (CTRI) clearance and written informed consent from patients, this prospective double-blinded randomised control trial was conducted on patients undergoing robotic-assisted gynaecologic surgery under general anaesthesia. Group B patients received bilateral TAP block under direct laparoscopic vision with 15 ml of 0.1% ropivacaine on each side and Group C patients received routine port site infiltration with 30 ml of 0.1% ropivacaine. Postoperative pain score was measured till 24 hours, need for rescue analgesics, complications associated were noted. Independent two sample 't' test, Mann Whitney u test, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Pain score was significantly lower in Group B patients up to 24h (P < 0.001). The use of rescue analgesic was also significantly less in group B compared to Group C (P < 0.001). No adverse events were noted in both groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-guided TAP block is effective and superior to port site infiltration in providing postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing robotic-assisted gynaecologic surgery.

A Prospective Observational Study Evaluating the Accuracy of MRI in Predicting the Extent of Disease in Endometrial Cancer.

This prospective study looks into the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting the depth of MI, cervical invasion, lymph node metastasis, and extrauterine spread (EUS) of disease in endometrial cancer. Between June 2014 and December 2015, 58 patients with biopsy-proven endometrial cancer who underwent MRI prior to surgery were included in the study. MRI findings like myometrial invasion, extrauterine spread, lymph nodal metastasis, and cervical invasion were compared against the histopathology report. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy of MRI for myometrial depth assessment were 75.0%, 73.08%, 77.2%, 70.37%, and 74.14 respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy of MRI in assessing lymph node spread were 88.64%, 66.67%, 95.12%, 44.44%, and 86.0% respectively. As for predicting extrauterine spread and cervical invasion, MRI showed poor sensitivity (37.5% and 50% respectively) and a high specificity (92% and 100% respectively). Our study shows that preoperative MRI has high sensitivity and specificity to predict myometrial invasion and lymph node involvement. But, it is not sensitive enough to predict cervical involvement or extrauterine spread.