Feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in multiple unilateral synchronous breast cancer: results of a French prospective multi-institutional study (IGASSU 0502).

BACKGROUND: To prospectively determine the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in preoperatively diagnosed multiple unilateral synchronous invasive breast cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Interest of Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Multiple Invasive Breast Cancer (IGASSU) study was a prospective multi-institutional study with initial breast surgery, SLNB, and systematic axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Patients eligible for the IGASSU study had an operable invasive multiple synchronous tumor (MST), defined as two or more physically separate invasive tumors in the same or different quadrant. RESULTS: From 1 March 2006 to 31 August 2007, 216 patients were prospectively included from 16 institutions. Of these patients, 211 were assessable. The SLNB-identified rate was 93.4% (197 of 211). The false-negative rate (FNR) was 13.6% (14 of 103) [95% confidence interval (CI) 7% to 20%], and the accuracy was 92.9% (183 of 197) (95% CI 89% to 96%). In a univariate analysis, tumor location (only external location versus other location) was the only clinicopathological factor influencing the FNR [22% (11%-33%) versus 7% (4%-10%)], even then median aggregate histological tumor size was smaller in external tumors [17 mm (range 12-80 mm) versus 34 mm (range 8-90 mm), P = 0.016]. CONCLUSION: With a FNR of 13.6%, we do not recommend SLNB as a routine procedure for MST, even for small tumor.

Breast-conserving surgery with or without radiotherapy vs mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ: French Survey experience.

From March 2003 to April 2004, 77 physicians throughout France prospectively recruited 1289 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients and collected data on diagnosis, patient and tumour characteristics, and treatments. Median age was 56 years (range, 30-84). Ductal carcinoma in situ was diagnosed by mammography in 87.6% of patients. Mastectomy, conservative surgery alone (CS) and CS with radiotherapy (CS+RT) were performed in 30.5, 7.8 and 61.7% of patients, respectively. Thus, 89% of patients treated by CS received adjuvant RT. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) and axillary dissection (AD) were performed in 21.3 and 10.4% of patients, respectively. Hormone therapy was administered to 13.4% of the patients (80% tamoxifen). Median tumour size was 14.5 mm (6, 11 and 35 mm for CS, CS+RT and mastectomy, respectively, P<0.0001). Nuclear grade was high in 21% of patients, intermediate in 38.5% and low in 40.5%. Excision was considered complete in 92% (CS) and 88.3% (CS+RT) of patients. Oestrogen receptors were positive in 69.8% of assessed cases (31%). Treatment modalities varied widely according to region: mastectomy rate, 20-37%; adjuvant RT, 84-96%; hormone treatment, 6-34%. Our survey on current DCIS management in France has highlighted correlations between pathological features (tumour size, margin and grade) and treatment options, with several similar variations to those observed in recent UK and US studies.

Clinical experience with 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in patients with breast microcalcifications.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography can improve the diagnostic value of mammography for the differentiation of benign and malignant breast microcalcifications. In 41 women presenting 45 clusters of microcalcifications, a 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography was performed before open biopsy. There were 24 malignant lesions (53%). The sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography were 58.3% and 81%, and the positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were 78% and 63%, respectively. SE and PPV increased for lesions over 10 mm and for the younger patients (under 50 years). No correlation was found between true positive uptake and breast cancer invasiveness: 69% (9/13) for invasive lesions and 45% (5/11) for noninvasive lesions (P = 0.48). 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography was more often positive in high grade than in low- or intermediate-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (P = 0.03). The results were analysed according to the morphologic aspect of the microcalcifications. 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography could not be used for routine evaluation of all the microcalcifications detected by mammography.

Experimental assessment of tumor growth and dissemination of a microscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis after CO2 peritoneal insufflation or laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Based on clinical observations and previous animal studies, laparoscopic surgery for malignant disease is regarded as controversial. We used a rat model to measure and compare the tumor growth, proliferation, and dissemination of a microscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis after CO(2) intraperitoneal insufflation or laparotomy. METHODS: Peritoneal carcinomatosis was induced in three groups of 27 BD IX rats each with intraperitoneal injections of 106 DHD/K12 cells, an aneuploid tumor cell line. At 48 h after tumor cell injection, the animals were randomly divided into three groups to undergo different types of intervention. All animals were anesthetized for 20 min (Halothane). The control group had no surgical intervention (group C), group I had CO(2) insufflation (7 mmHg),and group L had a midline laparotomy (5-cm). Neither bowel manipulation nor any other traumatic action was performed. Two weeks later, the rats were killed and the incidence, type, and dissemination of carcinomatosis were evaluated. We also measured the tumor's weight. Malignant omentum was sampled for flow cytometry analysis (DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction). RESULTS: The incidence of carcinomatosis did not differ among the groups. The mean score of macroscopic characteristics of the carcinomatosis was 2.8 +/- 1.9 in group L, 2.9 +/- 1.9 in group I, and 3 +/- 1.9 in group C (NS). The location of the implants did not differ, except for parietal peritoneum location, which was more frequent in group L (p < 0.01). The tumor weight was 4.96 g +/- 3.2 in group L, 5.55 g +/- 3.2 in group C, and 5.75 g +/- 3.4 in group I (NS). The percentage of aneuploid cells and S-phase fraction did not differ statistically among the groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that CO(2) insufflation does not cause more effects than laparotomy when tumors cells are present before the beginning of the surgery. Further studies are needed to determine the influence of other steps in laparoscopic surgery on tumor growth and dissemination.

[A comparative study of metastatic patterns of ductal and lobular carcinoma of the breast from two matched series (376 patients)]. / Etude comparative de l'évolution métastatique des carcinomes canalaires et lobulaires du sein à partir de deux séries appariées (376 patientes).

Five studies comparing metastatic patterns of lobular and ductal carcinoma have reported conflicting results. These results are based on the evaluation of heterogeneous groups, without taking clinical differences into account. The aim of this clinical study is to compare metastatic patterns of matched ductal and lobular carcinomas. One hundred eighty-eight lobular carcinomas were matched with 188 ductal carcinomas who showed identical ages, menopausal status, TNM, and dates of treatment. Hepatic, lung and brain metastases are more frequent in ductal carcinoma. Metastases to the gastrointestinal system, gynecologic organs, and peritoneum are more characteristic of lobular carcinoma. Life table analysis of overall and disease free survival shows no significant differences. The metastatic patterns of ductal and lobular carcinomas are different, and physicians should be aware that the classical staging of the breast cancer is not fit to lobular carcinoma. fit to lobular carcinoma. Could we define patients presenting high metastatic risks? Could we use CA. 125, sonography, laparoscopy in the staging? Should we change the whole therapeutic approach of lobular carcinoma?

[Standards, options and recommendations: concomitant radiochemotherapy for cancer of the cervix: a critical analysis of the literature and update of SOR]. / Radiochimiothérapie concomitante dans les cancers du col de l'utérus: analyse critique des données et mise à jour des standards, options, et recommandations. Groupe de travail SOR.

INTRODUCTION: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the National Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Cancer Centres (CRLCC) and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To update, according to the methodology of SOR, the Standards, Options and Recommendations for the management of patients with cancer of the cervix, and in particular, the place of concomitant radiochemotherapy. METHODS: Data have been identified by a literature search using Medline (to April 1999) and the personal reference lists of experts. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent national and international reviewers and to the medical committees of the CRLCC. RESULTS: The principle recommendations concerning the place of radiochemotherapy in the treatment of cancer of the cervix are: 1) the available data shows a significant increase in local control (level of evidence A) and of overall survival (level of evidence B1) following concomitant radiochemotherapy as compared to radiotherapy alone or the combination of radiotherapy-hydroxyurea. For stages IB, IIA, proximal IIB with bad prognostic factors (tumour size greater than 4 cm and/or invasion of pelvic nodes and/or microscopic invasion of the parametrium) and without lumbo-aortic nodal invasion, concomitant radiochemotherapy can be considered as standard treatment. This benefit is less clear for stages distal IIB, III et IVA without para-aortic nodal invasion (level of evidence C) and must be confirmed (expert agreement); 2) the toxicity of radiochemotherapy is essentially haematologic and gastrointestinal (level of evidence B1) and is greater than that of radiotherapy alone (level of evidence B1); 3) these results have been obtained by the combination of chemotherapy based on cisplatin alone, or in combination with 5FU. Although of equal benefit, the toxicity of the cisplatin/5FU/hydroxyurea combination was greater than that of cisplatin alone in a trial comparing the two protocols. A significantly longer survival have also been obtained by the combination of chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin (level of evidence C). These results must be confirmed; 4) the exact means of delivering the chemotherapy has not been clearly established. In fact, in these trials, some protocols use cisplatin weekly at a dose of 40 mg/m2 and others every three or four weeks at doses ranging from 50 to 75 mg/m2. Subsequent randomised studies are likely to establish optimal schema for the delivery of chemotherapy when combined with external radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

[Standards, Options and Recommendations for the surgical management of carcinoma of the endometrium]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations pour la prise en charge chirurgicale des patientes atteintes de cancer de l'endomètre.

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Cancer Centres and specialists from French Public Universities, General Hospitals and Private Clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project for the surgical management of carcinoma of the endometrium. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline and personal reference lists of members of the expert groups. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent reviewers, and to the medical committees of the 20 French Cancer Centres. RESULTS: The main recommendations for the surgical management of carcinoma of the endometrium are: 1) where-ever possible, surgery is the primary treatment of both localised and advanced disease; 2) surgery is performed according to the stage of the cancer and the status of the patient; 3) surgery for stages I and II disease entails total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A modified radical hysterectomy is undertaken in cases of macroscopic cervical involvement. An omenectomy is recommended for serous papillary types. Pelvic lymphadenectomy for the purposes of precise staging is undertaken if the patient is of good performance status and without bad pronostic factors. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy can be undertaken to determine involvement of para-aortic nodes; 4) surgery for stages III and IV: radical surgery must be undertaken if at all possible with additional treatment as indicated. In the case of advanced disease, debulking surgery is indicated.

Inflammatory breast metastasis from primary ovarian cancer: case report.

A case of an inflammatory breast metastasis from ovarian carcinoma is reported. Recognition of this inflammatory lesion as being metastatic is useful in avoiding inadequate treatment.

[Concomitant radiochemotherapy for cancer of the cervix: critical analysis based on the Standards, Options and Recommendations methodology]. / Radiochimiothérapie concomitante dans les cancers du col de l'utérus: analyse critique des données et mise à jour des Standards, Options et Recommandations.

INTRODUCTION: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the National Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Cancer Centres (CRLCC) and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To update, according to the methodology of SOR, the Standards, Options and Recommendations for the management of patients with cancer of the cervix, and in particular, the place of concomitant radiochemotherapy. METHODS: Data have been identified by a literature search using Medline (to April 1999) and the personal reference lists of experts. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent national and international reviewers and to the medical committees of the CRCC. RESULTS: The principle recommendations concerning the place of radiochemotherapy in the treatment of cancer of the cervix are 1/ the available data shows a significant increase in local control (level of evidence A) and of overall survival (level of evidence B1) following concomitant radiochemotherapy as compared to radiotherapy alone or the combination of radiotherapy-hydroxyurea. For stages IB, IIA, proximal IIB with bad prognostic factors (tumour size greater than 4 cm and/or invasion of pelvic nodes and/or microscopic invasion of the parametrium) and without lumbo-aortic nodal invasion, concomitant radiochemotherapy can be considered as standard treatment. This benefit is less clear for stages distal IIB, III and IVA without para-aortic nodal invasion (level of evidence C) and must be confirmed (expert agreement). 2/ the toxicity of radiochemotherapy is essentially haematologic and gastrointestinal (level of evidence B1) and is greater than that of radiotherapy alone (level of evidence B1). 3/ these results have been obtained by the combination of chemotherapy based oncisplatin alone, or in combination with 5-FU. Although of equal benefit, the toxicity of the cisplatin/5-FU/ hydroxyurea combination was greater than that of cisplatin alone in a trial comparing the two protocols. A significantly longer survival have also been obtained by the combination of chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin (level of evidence C). These results must be confirmed. 4/ the exact means of delivering the chemotherapy has not been clearly established. In fact, in these trials, some protocols use cisplatin weekly at a dose of 40 mg/m2 and others every three or four weeks at doses ranging from 50 to 75 mg/m2. Subsequent randomised studies are likely to establish optimal schema for the delivery of chemotherapy when combined with external radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

[Standards, options, and recommendations for the radiotherapy of patients with endometrial cancer. FNCLCC (National Federation of Cancer Campaign Centers) and CRLCC (Regional Cancer Campaign Centers)]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations pour la radiothérapie des patientes atteintes de cancer de l'endomètre.

OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project for the radiotherapy of carcinoma of the endometrium. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline and personal reference lists of members of the expert groups. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent reviewers, and to the medical committees of the 20 French Cancer Centres. RESULTS: The main recommendations for the radiotherapy of carcinoma of the endometrium are: 1) For grade 1 and 2 stage IA tumours, follow-up alone is standard as additional treatment. For grade 1 and 2 stage IB tumours, vaginal brachytherapy or follow-up alone are options. For grade 3, stage IB tumours and stage IC disease, there are two treatment options: external pelvic radiotherapy with a brachytherapy boost or vaginal brachytherapy. 2) Treatment for stage II disease can be preoperative when stage II disease has been suggested by a positive endometrial curettage. Postoperative vaginal brachytherapy is given for stage IIA tumours if the penetration of the myometrium is less than 50% or if the tumour is grade 1 or 2. In the case of deep penetration, or higher grade disease, or for stage IIB external radiotherapy with brachytherapy boosting must be undertaken routinely. 3) After surgery, for stage IIIA disease, either external pelvic radiotherapy or abdomino-pelvic radiotherapy is indicated, along with medical treatment in certain patients. For stage IIIB tumours, postoperative external radiotherapy with brachytherapy (if possible) should be undertaken. For stage IIIC tumours, standard treatment is external (pelvic or pelvic and para-aortic) radiotherapy followed or not by a brachytherapy boost. In case of extrauterine sites involved abdomino-pelvic irradiation is recommended. 4) Standard treatment for inoperable stage I and II disease is external radiotherapy and brachytherapy. For patients with inoperable stage III or IV disease, treatment is often symptomatic, combining external radiotherapy and medical treatment.

[Surgical treatment for endometrial adenocarcinoma: first approaches. Review of the literature]. / Traitement chirurgical des adénocarcinomes de l'endomètre: voies d'abord. Revue de la littérature.

Three surgical approaches have been described for the treatment of women presenting an endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to appreciate the current criteria that would offer guidelines for this choice. We reviewed the data available in the literature (search Medline). Only laparotomy and laparoscopy permit the carrying out of all the routine surgical staging according to the FIGO's criteria (classification 1988). Only one randomised study compares the results obtained by laparotomy and laparoscopy. Laparoscopy patients had significantly less morbidity. Overall survival did not differ in both groups with a limited follow-up. The other not randomised studies show that laparoscopy is usually proposed to patients having a lower IMC and presenting limited stages. No randomized study had compared laparotomy with the only vaginal surgery. The latter is generally proposed for patients having an associated comorbidity and presenting limited stages. In such cases, no difference in survival is highlighted. Obesity does not represent an absolute contra indication for any way. It makes the surgery generally more complex. A suspicious ovarian lesion, a large uterus are, currently, an indication for laparotomy. Laparoscopy can be accepted only if the uterine volume is lower than 500 g and without deep myometrial infiltration. Laparotomy surgery is the standard. The main indication of vaginal surgery is to permit treatment to high operatory risk patients. Laparoscopy is an option for the early stages. It is not recommended if an ovarian lesion or a deep uterine parietal infiltration are suspected. Whatever the route used, the surgeon must be trained.

[Is ambulatory surgery suitable for cancer patients?]. / La chirurgie ambulatoire est-elle adaptée aux patients cancéreux?

The aim of this inquiry was to question 50 patients before a traditional hospitalization in a regional center, in order to know their opinion about one-day surgery. Among 44 answers from 41 women and 3 men, 29 were against, 11 favourable and 4 without opinion. After their hospitalization, only 4 changed their mind. The main reasons, in case of unfavourable answer, were lack of security and fear of pain. Psychologic aid in traditional hospitalization is frequently cited (34%). This has to be taken into account in ambulatory cases.

[Intestinal metastases from breast cancer. Apropos of 8 cases]. / Métastases intestinales des cancers du sein. A propos de huit cas.

Eight patients with intestinal metastases from breast cancer are described. The different clinical presentations and pathological types are studied. The difficulty in distinguishing such uncommon secondary sites of breast cancer from primary intestinal cancer is emphasized. Attention should be paid to intestinal symptoms in women with a history of infiltrating lobular breast cancer: in agreement with recent literature data the lobular type seems mainly responsible for gastrointestinal and peritoneal involvement originating from breast cancer (7 cases out of 8 in our series). Prolonged survival could be obtained if no metastases elsewhere were found with appropriate treatment including ablative surgery, chemotherapy and hormonotherapy.

[Retroperitoneal perforation of duodenal ulcer responsible for abscess]. / Perforation rétropéritonéale d'un ulcère duodénal responsable d'un abcès.

The authors report a case of retroperitoneal perforation of a duodenal ulcer. This is a rare condition which is exceptionally responsible for abscess formation. If often has a poor prognosis. In the present case, the abscess was infrahepatic. The diagnosis of the origin of the abscess was established by radiological opacification via percutaneous puncture. Surgical drainage and irrigation performed via an extraperitoneal approach centered over the cavity, combined with triple-agent antibiotic therapy (penicillin, gentamicin, metronidazole) ensured collapse followed by sterilisation of the abscess cavity. The ulcer was cured by medical treatment. This case differs from the published case in terms of the diagnostic procedures classically used (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and small bowel series), the infrahepatic site of the abscess and the extraperitoneal surgical treatment which avoided dissemination to the peritoneal cavity.

[Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and peritoneal carcinosis: review]. / Coelioscopie au CO2 et carcinose péritonéale: revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to demonstration the relations between CO(2) laparotomy and peritoneal carcinosis. The first part of this review presents published observations of disseminated peritoneal carcinosis after laparoscopy with CO(2) insufflation. The second part deals with the possible effects of CO(2) laparoscopy on the mechanism of carcinosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a Medline search for cases of peritoneal dissemination after CO(2) laparoscopy. We present here the published results as well as data from comparative studies conducted in humans and animals on the effects of each step of CO(2) laparoscopy on carcinogenesis and the progress of carcinosis. RESULTS: Most of the published cases on peritoneal dissemination after CO(2) laparoscopy concerned management of ovarian carcinomas where malignancy was not diagnosed before the operation and not treated immediately with laparotomy. The significance of peritoneal dissemination appears to be related to the delay between laparoscopy and laparotomy. No comparative study in humans has been published. For animal studies, it has been difficult to design valid animal modes. Those we present show that laparoscopy has no negative influence on tumor growth but that it may affect peritoneal dissemination. Laparoscopy can participate in diffusion of tumor cells either due to repeated manipulation with contaminated instruments or because of the insufflation itself. These cells can be seeded on traumatized areas of the peritoneum or parietal wall or on the port tracts. The recent work by Volz has proven the effect of CO(2) which can cause a change in the ultra-structure of the peritoneum. This may facilitate peritoneal seeding of the malignant cells. No other study has shown any evidence of increased intraperitoneal tumor growth. Only primary results of post-laparoscopy liver metastasis have diverged. Laparoscopy does not seem to have a negative effect on general immunity, but possible changes in intraperitoneal immunity remain to be elucidated. CONCLUSION: Observations concerning peritoneal dissemination are found in cases where CO(2) insufflation was used for laparoscopy, but no studies have proven certain risk greater for laparoscopy than for laparotomy. Maximum precautions must be taken during the management of suspicious ovarian lesions.

[Isolated peritoneal metastases from an lobular infiltrating breast carcinoma. Value of laparoscopy]. / Localisations péritonéales isolées d'un carcinome lobulaire infiltrant du sein. Place de la coelioscopie.

The authors report a case of peritoneal metastasis from an infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast. This case report enhances the frequency of this type of secondary location in the lobular carcinoma, with special attention to the diagnostic problems.

[Uterine metastasis of breast cancer. Report of 8 cases]. / Métastases utérines des cancers du sein. A propos de 8 observations.

The authors report a retrospective clinicopathologic study of 8 cases of uterine metastases from breast cancer. This is the largest surgical series dealing with this subject to be published to date. Not autopsy case has been considered. Much information has come out of this analysis and out of the international literature review: secondary location in the uterus can occur many years after the diagnosis and treatment of primary cancer of the breast; infiltration of the endometrium appears as common as infiltration of the myometrium; the histological type is nearly always invasive lobular carcinoma. The later was found in seven out of eight cases; the evaluation of hormone receptor levels in the surgical specimens has shown that most breast cancers metastasizing to the uterus are hormone-dependent.

[Demons-Meigs' syndrome. A case of thecoma and ovarian fibroma]. / Le syndrome de Demons-Meigs. A propos d'un fibrothécome et d'un fibrome ovariens.

The authors report two cases of Demons-Meigs' syndrome, one following an ovarian fibrothecoma and the other an ovarian fibroma. There was a striking rise in the serum CA 125 level which was higher than 200 UI/ml, suggestive of cancer of the ovary in both cases. With the help of the literature data, the clinicopathological features of this rare condition and the different hypotheses concerning its aetiology are commented.

[Spontaneous hepatic hematoma during pregnancy]. / Hématome hépatique spontané pendant la grossesse.

Spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage is a rare complication in pregnancy. It usually occurs in multiparous women who have toxaemia of pregnancy. We give a case history of a primigravid patient who was not toxemic. The hepatic haemorrhage presented as blood in the peritoneal cavity which in turn gave rise to abdominal pain with hypovolaemic shock. The surgical treatment consisted in removing the segment of the liver that had been bleeding. The physiopathology of hepatic haemorrhage as described in the literature shows that there was evidence of consumptive coagulopathy with coalescence of periportal areas of liver necrosis. Treatment therefore is that of hepatic trauma. Maternal mortality runs at 70%.

[Is ultrasound screening for ovarian cancer possible in 1998?]. / Le dépistage échographique du cancer de l'ovaire est-il possible en 1998?

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynecologic cancer death, as most patients present with advanced disease, in which the prognosis is poor. Five year-survival is only 35% for all stages, while it exceeds 90% in stage I. Consequently, there has been heightened interest in the development of screening modalities that can detect ovarian cancer at an early stage to reduce the mortality of this disease. Unfortunately, transvaginal sonography and color Doppler imaging still have a high false positive rate and low specificity increasing the number of surgical procedures, even among women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer. Psychological impact and economical cost has also to be discussed when considering such programs.