Hydrosalpinx in a premenarcheal 14-year-old girl with the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the isthmus of the fallopian tube: A case report.

Hydrosalpinx is rare in childhood, and its pathogenesis may differ from that in reproductive-aged women. Herein, we report a case of hydrosalpinx in a premenarcheal 14-year-old girl, which might be caused by thickening of the smooth muscle of the fallopian tube. The patient had recurrent right lower abdominal pain and was referred to our hospital with a suspected adnexal tumor. Laparoscopy revealed a hydrosalpinx with complete obstruction of the fimbria and scar-like stenosis of the proximal ampulla. Right salpingectomy was performed because of a severe hydrosalpinx. As the patient was a virgin and a vaginal culture showed normal flora, ascending infection to the fallopian tube was not considered to be the cause of the hydrosalpinx. Histopathological examination revealed that the resected fallopian tube had a markedly dilated lumen with no inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemically, estrogen- and progesterone-positive smooth muscle proliferation was found at the isthmus of the fallopian tube.

Landscape of somatic mutated genes and inherited susceptibility genes in gynecological cancer.

Traditionally, gynecological cancers have been classified based on histology. Since remarkable advancements in next-generation sequencing technology have enabled the exploration of somatic mutations in various cancer types, comprehensive sequencing efforts have revealed the genomic landscapes of some common forms of human cancer. The genomic features of various gynecological malignancies have been reported by several studies of large-scale genomic cohorts, including The Cancer Genome Atlas. Although recent comprehensive genomic profiling tests, which can detect hundreds of genetic mutations at a time from cancer tissues or blood samples, have been increasingly used as diagnostic clinical biomarkers and in therapeutic management decisions, germline pathogenic variants associated with hereditary cancers can also be detected using this test. Gynecological cancers are closely related to genetic factors, with approximately 5% of endometrial cancer cases and 20% of ovarian cancer cases being caused by germline pathogenic variants. Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome and Lynch syndrome are the two major cancer susceptibility syndromes among gynecological cancers. In addition, several other hereditary syndromes have been reported to be associated with gynecological cancers. In this review, we highlight the genes for somatic mutation and germline pathogenic variants commonly seen in gynecological cancers. We first describe the relationship between clinicopathological attributes and somatic mutated genes. Subsequently, we discuss the characteristics and clinical management of inherited cancer syndromes resulting from pathogenic germline variants in gynecological malignancies.

Synchronous bilateral primary ovarian cancer with right endometroid carcinoma and left high-grade serous carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most frequent gynecologic malignancy; it has a poor prognosis and often occurs bilaterally. Most cases of synchronous bilateral ovarian cancer (SBOC) are metastases from the other ovary, while bilateral primary ovarian cancer is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 47-year-old Japanese woman with a complaint of abdominal pain for 1 month. Imaging results revealed bilateral ovarian tumors with suspicion of malignancy. The patient underwent a laparotomy with total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, partial omentectomy, and resection of suspected dissemination in the peritoneum. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies showed that the right ovarian tumor was an endometrioid carcinoma (G2) and had no association with endometriotic lesions. However, the left ovarian tumor was a high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). The final staging was stage 1 right endometrioid carcinoma and stage IIb left HGSC. Six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel, docetaxel, and carboplatin were administered. The patient showed no signs of recurrence 24 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the combination of histological types in this case may be the first report of primary bilateral ovarian cancer. In SBOC, it is important to differentiate the subtypes of histology using immunostaining, in addition to morphopathology.

Comparison of treatment outcomes between first-line chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer (Tohoku gynecologic cancer unit: TGCU-RS001 study).

BACKGROUND: Outcomes with and without bevacizumab as first-line chemotherapy in Japanese-only ovarian cancer patients have not been reported. In this study, we report a retrospective study conducted at the Tohoku Gynecologic Cancer Unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 453 patients with stage III/IV ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer who received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups: bevacizumab (168 patients) and without bevacizumab (285 patients). The primary endpoint was the rate of platinum-resistant recurrence and the secondary endpoints were the antitumor response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse events. RESULTS: The objective response rates for patients with measurable diseases treated with and without bevacizumab were 84.5% and 73.0%, respectively (P = 0.0066). Platinum-resistant recurrence in the groups treated with and without bevacizumab was noted in 31 (18.4%) and 111 (38.6%) patients, respectively (P < 0.0001). The median progression-free survival for the bevacizumab and without bevacizumab groups was 23 and 15 months, respectively (P = 0.0002), and the median overall survival was not reached and 49 months, respectively (P = 0.0005). Hypertension of grade 3 or higher was observed in 21 patients (12.5%) in the bevacizumab group (P < 0.001), and proteinuria was observed in 18 patients (10.7%) and 1 patient (0.3%) in the bevacizumab and without bevacizumab groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Intestinal perforation was observed in only one patient (0.6%) in the bevacizumab group. CONCLUSION: Combination and maintenance with bevacizumab in primary chemotherapy for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer was effective in reducing platinum-resistant recurrence rates and prolonging progression-free and overall survival.

Rare Hereditary Gynecological Cancer Syndromes.

Hereditary cancer syndromes, which are characterized by onset at an early age and an increased risk of developing certain tumors, are caused by germline pathogenic variants in tumor suppressor genes and are mostly inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Therefore, hereditary cancer syndromes have been used as powerful models to identify and characterize susceptibility genes associated with cancer. Furthermore, clarification of the association between genotypes and phenotypes in one disease has provided insights into the etiology of other seemingly different diseases. Molecular genetic discoveries from the study of hereditary cancer syndrome have not only changed the methods of diagnosis and management, but have also shed light on the molecular regulatory pathways that are important in the development and treatment of sporadic tumors. The main cancer susceptibility syndromes that involve gynecologic cancers include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome as well as Lynch syndrome. However, in addition to these two hereditary cancer syndromes, there are several other hereditary syndromes associated with gynecologic cancers. In the present review, we provide an overview of the clinical features, and discuss the molecular genetics, of four rare hereditary gynecological cancer syndromes; Cowden syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, DICER1 syndrome and rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome 2.

Surgical margin status and recurrence pattern in invasive vulvar Paget's disease: A Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between surgical margin status and recurrence pattern in invasive vulvar Paget's disease. METHODS: This is a preplanned secondary analysis of a previously organized nationwide retrospective study in Japan (JGOG-1075S). Women with stage I-IV invasive vulvar Paget's disease who received surgical treatment from 2001-2010 were examined (n=139). Multivariable analysis was performed to assess local-recurrence, distant-recurrence, and all-cause mortality based on surgical margin status. RESULTS: The median age was 70 years. The majority had stage I disease (61.2%), and the median tumor size was 5.0cm. Nodal metastasis was observed in 15.1%. Simple vulvectomy (46.0%) was the most common surgery type followed by radical vulvectomy (28.1%). More than half received vulvar reconstructive surgery (59.0%). Positive surgical margin was observed in 35.3%, and close margin <1cm was observed in 29.5%. Vulvectomy type was not associated with surgical margin status (P=0.424). The median follow-up was 5.8 years. Positive surgical margin was associated with increased local-recurrence (5-year cumulative rates for positive versus negative margin: 35.8% versus 15.0%, P=0.010) but not distant-recurrence (18.3% versus 16.0%, P=0.567). Positive surgical margin was also associated with increased all-cause mortality (5-year overall survival rates for positive versus negative margin: 72.6% versus 88.2%, P=0.032). In multivariable analysis, positive surgical margin remained an independent factor associated with increased risk of local-recurrence (hazard ratio 2.80, 95% confidence interval 1.18-6.63) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.87, 95% confidence interval 1.20-6.83). CONCLUSION: Positive surgical margin appears to be common in invasive vulvar Paget's disease that is associated with increased local-recurrence and all-cause mortality risks. Role of alternative surgical technique or adjuvant therapy merits further investigation to improve local disease control.

PET/MR imaging for the evaluation of cervical cancer during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Malignancy during pregnancy is increasing, and the most common type of malignancy is uterine cervical cancer. When planning the treatment of cervical cancer, it is important to look for signs of metastasis before surgery, especially metastasis to the lymph nodes. In this report, we assessed the diagnostic value of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) for evaluating cervical cancer propagation before surgery, with a focus on pregnant women. CASE PRESENTATION: 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/MRI was performed in seven pregnant cervical cancer patients (28-34 years old) at 9-18 gestational weeks. In case #5, a second PET/MRI was performed at 24 gestational weeks. Of seven FDG-PET/MRI examination series in six cases (cases #1-6), FDG-PET/MR imaging could detect cervical tumors with abnormal FDG accumulation; these tumors were confirmed with a standardized uptake value max (SUV max) titer of 4.5-16. A second PET/MRI examination in case #5 revealed the same SUV max titer as the first examination. In these six imaging series (cases #1-5), there were no signs of cancer metastasis to the parametrium and lymph nodes. However, in case #6, abnormal FDG accumulation in the left parametrial lymph nodes was also detectable. Pathological examination showed lymph node metastasis in case #6. In case #7, PET/MRI could not detect any abnormal FDG accumulation in the cervix and other sites. Cone biopsy demonstrated only micro-invasive squamous cell carcinoma. After treatment for cervical cancer, all seven patients have had no recurrence of disease within the follow-up period (2.8-5.6 years), and their children have developed appropriately. CONCLUSION: PET/MRI is an effective imaging tool to evaluate cervical cancer progression in pregnancy.

Successful pregnancy and term delivery after treatment of unicornuate uterus with non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy with local methotrexate injection followed by laparoscopic resection: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in a rudimentary horn is an extremely rare type of ectopic pregnancy. A rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy is associated with a risk of spontaneous rupture and bleeding during surgery due to the increased uterine blood flow. Recent advances in imaging modalities have enabled laparoscopic surgery to be performed in cases without rupture in the early stages of pregnancy. However, there are few reports of successful pregnancies and deliveries after treatment of rudimentary horn pregnancies. We report the successful management of a case of non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy by local injection of methotrexate followed by complete laparoscopic excision along with a review of the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 29-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 2, nullipara. She was diagnosed with a left unicornuate uterus with a right non-communicating rudimentary horn on hysterosalpingography and magnetic resonance imaging. A gestational sac with a heartbeat was observed in the right rudimentary uterine horn at 6 weeks of gestation. A diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in a non-communicating rudimentary horn was made. Color Doppler detected multiple blood flow signals around the gestational sac, which were clearly increased compared to the left unicornuate uterus. Her serum human chorionic gonadotropin level was 104,619 mIU/ml. A 100 mg methotrexate injection into the gestational sac was administered, and laparoscopic surgery was performed on day 48 after the methotrexate treatment. The right rudimentary horn and fallopian tube were successfully excised with minimal bleeding. A spontaneous normal pregnancy was established 6 months after the surgery. The pregnancy was uneventful, and a baby girl was born by elective cesarean section at 38w0d. CONCLUSION: Combined local methotrexate injection and laparoscopic surgery are safe treatment options for patients with a unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy.

Successful laparoscopic resection of ovarian abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a 13-year-old girl: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian abscesses, which occur mostly in sexually active women via recurrent salpingitis, occur rarely in virginal adolescent girls. Here, we present a case of an ovarian abscess in a virginal adolescent girl who was diagnosed and treated by laparoscopy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old healthy girl presented with fever lasting for a month without abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging indicated a right ovarian abscess. Laparoscopic surgery revealed a right ovarian abscess with intact uterus and fallopian tubes. The abscess was caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The patient recovered completely after excision of the abscess, followed by antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian abscess may occur in virginal adolescent girls; Staphylococcus aureus, an uncommon species causing ovarian abscess, may cause the infection.

Reduced Claudin-12 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cervical Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Within the claudin (CLDN) family, CLDN12 mRNA expression is altered in various types of cancer, but its clinicopathological relevance has yet to be established due to the absence of specific antibodies (Abs) with broad applications. METHODS: We generated a monoclonal Ab (mAb) against human/mouse CLDN12 and verified its specificity. By performing immunohistochemical staining and semiquantification, we evaluated the relationship between CLDN12 expression and clinicopathological parameters in tissues from 138 cases of cervical cancer. RESULTS: Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the established mAb selectively recognized the CLDN12 protein. Twenty six of the 138 cases (18.8%) showed low CLDN12 expression, and the disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly decreased compared with those in the high CLDN12 expression group. We also demonstrated, via univariable and multivariable analyses, that the low CLDN12 expression represents a significant prognostic factor for the DSS of cervical cancer patients (HR 3.412, p = 0.002 and HR 2.615, p = 0.029, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that a reduced CLDN12 expression predicts a poor outcome for cervical cancer. The novel anti-CLDN12 mAb could be a valuable tool to evaluate the biological relevance of the CLDN12 expression in diverse cancer types and other diseases.

[A Case Report of Uterine Metastasis Four Years after Breast Surgery for Breast Cancer].

We report a case of uterine metastasis of the breast cancer. The patient was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and underwent partial right mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Tamoxifen was administered as adjuvant endocrine therapy. Four years after the surgery, she had irregular genital bleeding, and was referred to our hospital for cytological diagnosis of uterine cancer. Postoperative pathological diagnosis showed uterine metastasis of breast cancer, and it was decided to treat the recurrence of breast cancer with aromatase inhibitors and CDK4/6 inhibitors, a molecular targeted therapy. The patient has been progression-free for 5 months.

Successful management of a submucosal fibroid using a hysteroscopic morcellator system in a patient with a history of total proctocolectomy: A case report.

Transcervical resection is widely used in the management of submucosal fibroids. However, uterine perforation and thermal bowel injuries are known complications associated with the procedure. This is a case report of a 44-year-old woman who presented with heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia. Magnetic resonance imaging and hysteroscopy revealed multiple fibroids, including a submucosal type 1 fibroid. She had previously undergone a total proctocolectomy with intestinal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Because there was a high risk of permanent colostomy in the event of a bowel injury, an electrode-free, operative hysteroscopy using the Intrauterine Bigatti Shaver (IBS), a hysteroscopic morcellator system, was employed to prevent thermal bowel injury. The fibroid was completely removed using the IBS system with no complications. Therefore, we recommend the electrode-free use of a hysteroscopic morcellator system in patients with a history of extensive pelvic surgery.

Establishing a Treatment Algorithm for Puerperal Genital Hematoma Based on the Clinical Findings.

Postpartum hemorrhage within 24 hours after delivery remains the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Puerperal genital hematoma (PGHA) is a rare complication of postpartum hemorrhage, and PGHA can be life-threatening if hemostasis is not properly achieved. However, a reliable management algorithm for PGHA based on the clinical findings has not been developed. The objectives were to evaluate the management strategies for PGHA and identify the clinical findings that help select the treatment for PGHA. The medical records of women who were treated for PGHA in our department were reviewed, and data regarding the clinical findings and the treatment strategy for PGHA were analyzed. Thirty-four women who underwent treatment for PGHA were identified and divided into three groups according to the final procedure that achieved hemostasis: conservative management (CM) (n = 9), surgical management (SURG) (n = 15), and arterial embolization management (AEM) (n = 10). Regarding the clinical findings on initial evaluation, the shock index was significantly higher in the AEM group than in the CM or SURG group; and initial platelet count and fibrinogen level were significantly lower in the AEM group than in the CM group. There was no significant difference in any computed tomography (CT) finding among the three groups. In conclusion, this study clearly shows the difference in clinical findings among treatment strategies for PGHA. We suggest that the clinical findings of shock index, platelet count, and fibrinogen level together with CT findings are helpful and valuable for selecting the treatment strategy for PGHA.

Unique Learning System for Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Myoma and Adenomyosis for Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Cooperation with Interventional Radiologists: Evaluation of UAE From the Point of View of Gynecologists Who Perform UAE.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a unique learning system for uterine artery embolization (UAE) and examine its feasibility and clinical outcomes for the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas and adenomyosis when performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in cooperation with interventional radiologists (IVRs). DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred seventy-three patients who underwent UAE for symptomatic leiomyomas and adenomyosis. INTERVENTIONS: We examined the medical records of patients who underwent UAE for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas and adenomyosis at our department between 2003 and 2012 using our learning system for UAE for obstetrician-gynecologists in cooperation with IVRs. The charts of all patients were reviewed, and data on etiologic factors, past medical history of leiomyomas and adenomyosis, symptoms, details of UAE, and clinical outcomes after UAE were extracted. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 173 patients who underwent 177 UAEs were identified, including 4 patients who underwent embolization twice because of primary treatment failure or symptom recurrence. During the study period, 2 gynecologists successfully acquired endovascular skills. The technical success rate was 97.7% (174 of 177). The duration of fluoroscopy in procedures performed by obstetrician-gynecologists who acquired endovascular skills was not significantly different from that in procedures performed by IVRs at our institution; however, this duration was significantly longer in procedures performed by obstetrician-gynecologists who did not have sufficient experience with our learning protocol for UAE because of inadequate live observation of UAEs performed by skilled IVRs. Complications that necessitated discontinuation of the procedure occurred in 2.3% of cases (4 of 177). The clinical outcomes were similar to those reported in previous studies. Adverse events after UAE included myeloid passages in 7.0% (11 of 158), infections in 2.5% (4 of 158), vaginal discharge in 2.5% of patients with leiomyomas (4 of 158), and vaginal discharge in 7.1% of patients with adenomyosis (1 of 14). All the adverse events were adequately treated by the obstetrician-gynecologists themselves. The timing of hysterectomy due to complications or recurrence of symptoms after UAE varied widely. CONCLUSION: UAE performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in cooperation with radiologists can be achieved safely and successfully with acceptable clinical outcomes. Live observation of the procedure performed by skilled IVRs is essential to improving the skills and reducing the fluoroscopic time of obstetrician-gynecologists.

Clinical efficacy of nedaplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer: a Tohoku Gynecologic Cancer Unit Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of nedaplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with that of cisplatin-based CCRT in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: The medical records of patients with cervical cancer who had undergone CCRT between 2003 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 129 patients were treated postoperatively with CCRT (n = 52) or primary CCRT (n = 77). A total of 29 patients were treated with nedaplatin-based postoperative CCRT and 23 patients were treated with cisplatin-based postoperative CCRT. A total of 28 patients were treated with nedaplatin-based postoperative CCRT, and 49 patients were treated with cisplatin-based postoperative CCRT. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the treatment groups. RESULTS: With postoperative CCRT, there were no significant differences in recurrence rate (P = 1.0000), PFS (log-rank: P = 0.8503), and OS (log-rank: P = 0.8926) between the two treatment groups. With primary CCRT, there were no significant differences in PFS (log-rank: P = 0.7845) and OS (log-rank: P = 0.3659). The frequency of acute toxicity was not significantly different between the cisplatin-based postoperative CCRT group and the nedaplatin-based postoperative CCRT group. CONCLUSIONS: Nedaplatin-based postoperative CCRT is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for both early-stage and advanced-stage cervical cancer patients.

Paclitaxel-carboplatin for advanced or recurrent carcinosarcoma of the uterus: the Japan Uterine Sarcoma Group and Tohoku Gynecologic Cancer Unit Study.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) have shown antitumor activity in carcinosarcoma of the uterus (CS). The purpose of this prospective multi-institutional study was to determine the response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and to assess the toxicity of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with CS. METHODS: We conducted a phase II study in which patients were administered paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) over a 3-h period followed by carboplatin (area under the serum concentration-time curve = 6) intravenously over a 30-min period on day 1 of each treatment cycle (3 weeks) until disease progression or adverse effects prohibited further therapy. Eligible patients had histologically confirmed, advanced stage (III or IV), persistent or recurrent measurable disease, and no prior chemotherapy. RESULTS: Six patients were enrolled between February 2006 and April 2009. The median age of the patients was 61 (range 48-77) years; one patient was stage IIIC (17 %) and five were stage IVB (83 %). Three patients (50 %) (1 at stage IIIC and 2 at stage IVB) received total abdominal hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as part of the initial treatment; five (83 %) had homologous tumors and one (17 %) had a heterologous tumor. The median cycle number administered was 4.8 (range 2-7). The RR was 66.7 % (complete response, 2; partial response, 2); the PFS was 9.1 months and OS was not reached. The frequently observed Grade 4 toxicities were neutropenia (3 patients, 50 %). Manageable neutropenic sepsis developed in one patient. CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective multi-institutional study in Asia showing that PC may be effective and tolerable for the treatment of advanced or recurrent CS.

Successful Management of Ovarian Cancer Progressing on Olaparib by Niraparib Following Cytoreduction: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Polyadenosine 5'-diphosphoribose polymerase inhibitors (PARP-Is) are novel, effective agents for treating newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, the effect of PARP-I on the progression of recurrent EOC has not yet been determined. In particular, there is limited evidence regarding retreatment with PARP-I for recurrent EOC that has progressed on PARP-I in the short term. CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old woman with a BRCA1 mutated EOC relapsed five months after starting olaparib maintenance following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery. Although the platinum-free interval was within six months, secondary cytoreductive surgery was performed because the tumor was locoregional. Following two cycles of weekly nedaplatin, niraparib induced a complete response, and the patient maintained a progression-free status for 15 months. CONCLUSION: Even with short-term progression on PARP-I, local control combined with different platinum agents and PARP-I can be used to achieve good responses.

Diaphragmatic clear cell carcinoma with Lynch syndrome after surgery for atypical endometrial hyperplasia and ovarian endometriosis: A case report.

Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of the diaphragm is rare, with an origin that is reported to be associated with malignant transformation of extraperitoneal endometriosis. Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome caused by germline pathogenic variants in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Women with LS have a significantly increased lifetime risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. CCC is a common histology of endometriosis- and LS-associated malignancy. The present study describes the case of a 51-year-old woman with an intra-abdominal mass found during a routine physical examination. The patient had undergone total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy for atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) and ovarian endometriosis, respectively, 3 years previously. Enhanced computed tomography showed a mass on the surface of the liver. Laparoscopic examination of the abdominal cavity revealed a tumor on the underside of the right diaphragm, which was then surgically excised. Pathological examination of the excised tumor, along with immunohistochemistry, led to a diagnosis of CCC. Since LS was suspected due to the genetic family history of the patient, microsatellite instability analysis was performed on the diaphragmatic tumor, and the results were positive. Immunohistochemistry was performed for MMR proteins in AEH and CCC cells, both of which revealed loss of MSH2 and MSH6 expression. Following detailed genetic counseling, genetic testing of MMR genes was performed, revealing a germline pathogenic variant in MSH2 (c.1000C>T, p.Gln344*), thus confirming the diagnosis of LS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of concurrent diaphragmatic CCC and LS. Patients with LS and endometriosis are at risk of developing ovarian cancer or intra-abdominal malignant tumors. In addition, immunohistochemistry screening for MMR proteins should be considered in patients with AEH and a family history of LS-related cancer, to enable early clinical intervention in cases of endometrial cancer.

Association between specific human leukocyte antigen alleles and development of thyroid immune-related adverse event.

Aim: Inherent variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been revealed epidemiologically to influence the development of autoimmune diseases. HLA alleles may thus also be associated with the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as thyroid irAE. Materials & methods: In this case-control study, 71 cancer patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors were enrolled and HLA-genotyped and the frequency of HLA alleles was compared. Results: A*26:01, DPA1*01:03 and DPB1*02:01 were significantly more frequent in patients with thyroid irAE than in patients without any irAEs (35.0 vs 3.2% [p = 0.004], 80.0 vs 45.2% [p = 0.020] and 55.0 vs 25.8% [p = 0.044], respectively). Conclusion: A*26:01, DPA1*01:03 and DPB1*02:01 appear to be associated with thyroid irAE.

Everyone has a unique combination of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) in their body that help the immune system identify threats. HLAs were named from the fact that they were first identified on the surface of human leukocytes. Afterward, HLAs were also found on all human cells. HLAs present antigens to immune cells. These HLAs also influence how the immune system attacks cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that can help the immune system fight cancer, but they sometimes cause severe adverse events. In this study, we investigated whether specific HLA genes are related to the development of an adverse event that affects the thyroid in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We found an association between three HLA genes (A*26:01, DPA1*01:03 and DPB1*02:01) and the development of the thyroid adverse event. However, larger studies are needed to confirm and generalize these initial exploratory findings.

Differentiation of ovarian serous carcinoma from ovarian clear cell carcinoma using a 10-gene signature selected by comprehensive gene expression analysis.

AIM: Ovarian serous carcinoma (OSC) and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) are two major histological types of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), each with different biological features and clinical behaviors. Although immunostaining is commonly used for differential diagnosis between OSC and OCCC, correct identification of EOC with mixed-type histology is sometimes a diagnostic challenge. The aim of the present study was to explore candidate genes as potential diagnostic biomarkers that distinguish OSC from OCCC. METHODS: A total of 57 surgical specimens were obtained from EOC patients who had previously undergone primary debulking surgery. Total RNAs were extracted from fresh-frozen tissues of EOC patients, and were used for comprehensive gene expression analysis using DNA microarray technology. RESULTS: Ten candidate genes, FXYD2, TMEM101, GABARAPL1, ARG2, GLRX, RBPMS, GDF15, PPP1R3B, TOB1, and GSTM3 were up-regulated in OCCC compared to OSC. All EOC patients were divided into two groups according to hierarchical clustering using a 10-gene signature. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the 10 candidate genes would be an excellent marker for distinguishing OSC from OCCC. Furthermore, the molecular signatures of the 10 genes may enlighten us on the differences in carcinogenesis, and provide a theoretical basis for OCCC's resistance to chemotherapy in the future.