Persistent cervical cancer disparities among American Indian/Alaska Native women: a systematic scoping review exploring the state of the science in this population.

PURPOSE: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience significantly higher incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer. The objective of this systematic scoping review is to characterize the volume and nature of research being conducted specific to the AI/AN population regarding cervical cancer and related clinical themes. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center. Search strategies identified eligible publications from 1990 through 4 February 2022. Two reviewers independently abstracted study data, including clinical area, number of participants and percent inclusion of AI/AN, intervention or risk factor, outcomes reported, Indian Health Service (IHS) Region, and funding source. We used published algorithms to assess study design. RESULTS: Database searches identified 300 unique citations. After full-text evaluation of 129 articles, 78 studies and 9 secondary publications were included (total of 87). Approximately 74% of studies were observational in design, with cross-sectional methodology accounting for 42.7% of all included studies. The most common clinical theme was cervical cancer screening. The most common intervention/exposure was risk factor, typically race (AI/AN compared with other groups) (69%). For studies with documented funding sources, 67% were funded by the US Government. CONCLUSION: Of the small number of publications identified, the majority are funded through government agencies, are descriptive and/or cross-sectional studies that are hypothesis generating in nature, and fail to represent the diversity of the AI/AN populations in the US. This systematic scoping review highlights the paucity of rigorous research being conducted in a population suffering from a greater burden of disease.

Predictors of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in the Postpartum Period for Individuals Aged 18-26.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination during the postpartum period is an opportunity for vaccine eligible individuals to be vaccinated. Objective: Identify predictors of vaccine acceptance in the postpartum period among patients aged 18-26. Study Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the rate of HPV vaccination to eligible postpartum patients aged 18-26 who delivered between January 2021 and May 2023 at our institution. Clinical and demographic data were extracted. Comparisons were made between fully vaccinated individuals and those who were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Variables significantly associated with vaccination status or acceptance were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Of the 1,130 patients who met the study inclusion criteria, 42.1% were eligible for postpartum HPV vaccination. The average age was 23 years, the majority White (74.5%), and English speaking (93.1%). Nineteen percent of eligible patients accepted HPV vaccination, with differences between those who accepted or declined the vaccine identified in: preferred language, tobacco use, delivering provider's specialty, and receiving any vaccination during pregnancy. Spanish-speaking patients had >5× the odds of accepting the vaccine compared with English-speaking patients. Smokers, patients delivered by a family medicine provider, and those who accepted any vaccine during pregnancy had more than twice the odds of receiving the vaccine postpartum. Conclusion(s): The postpartum period remains an opportunity to provide HPV vaccination. Our study identified patients less likely to be vaccinated prior to delivery, as well as patients who are more likely to accept vaccinations postpartum.

Low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm metastatic to the ovary: A case report and intraoperative assessment guide.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm is increasing. Preoperatively, it may present similarly to primary ovarian malignancy. This case report describes a case of presumed ovarian malignancy with final pathologic diagnosis of low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. We also propose several surgical strategies to approach this conundrum. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A postmenopausal woman with abdominal pain was found to have a 30 cm abdominopelvic mass with elevated CA-125 and CEA presumably a primary ovarian malignancy. During surgical staging, intraoperative findings were notable for an appendiceal mass. Intraoperative surgical oncology consultation recommended appendectomy for diagnostic purposes. Following primary surgery and final pathologic diagnosis, she underwent cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: Low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm should be within the differential diagnosis of gynecologic surgeons when presented with a patient with large volume ascites and biopsy of acellular mucin. Intraoperatively, an abnormal appearing appendix with normal appearing gynecologic structures should trigger suspicion for appendiceal rather than ovarian origin. Preoperative symptoms, imaging studies, tumor markers, and frozen section pathology may not be able to differentiate between appendiceal and epithelial ovarian malignancies. CONCLUSION: A recognition of mucinous material and abnormal appearing appendix should prompt the surgeon to consider performing an appendectomy to obtain primary pathologic diagnosis. A high level of suspicion could better optimize the patient for a joint case with the appropriate surgeons. Given the documented disguise of low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm as primary ovarian cancer and its increasing incidence, diagnosis and general understanding of treatment should be understood.