Local Control of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix Treated with CT-based Three-dimensional Image-Guided Brachytherapy with or without Central Shielding.

The purposes of this retrospective study were to analyze local control of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with computed tomography (CT)-based image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT), as well as the factors affecting local control. A total of 39 patients were analyzed. The prescribed dose to the pelvis was 45-50 Gy with or without central shielding (CS). IGBT was delivered in 1-5 fractions. The total dose for high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was calculated as the biologically equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions. The median follow-up period was 29.3 months. The 2-year overall survival and local control rates were 97% and 91%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the dose covering 90% of the HR-CTV (D90) and tumor size were found to be significant factors for local control. The cutoff values of tumor size and D90 for local control were 4.3 cm (area under the curve [AUC] 0.75) and 67.7 Gy (AUC 0.84) in the CS group and 5.3 cm (AUC 0.75) and 73.7 Gy (AUC 0.78) in the group without CS, respectively. However, though the local control of CT-based IGBT was favorable, the results suggested that the dose required for tumor control may differ depending on the presence of CS.

Erratum: Pre-operative evaluation of circulating KL-6 levels as a biomarker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its correlation with tumor MUC1 expression.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6254.].

Pre-operative evaluation of circulating KL-6 levels as a biomarker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its correlation with tumor MUC1 expression.

Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), a mucinous sialylated sugar chain on human mucin-1 glycoprotein (MUC1), is a diagnostic marker for interstitial lung diseases. Furthermore, elevated serum KL-6 levels have been observed in certain malignant tumor types of epithelial origin. The expression of MUC1 has been observed in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and is considered a potential therapeutic target. In the present study, KL-6 serum levels were investigated in patients clinically suspected of having malignant ovarian tumors. A total of 219 patients were enrolled in the study, which analyzed their serum KL-6 levels in addition to tumor expression of MUC1 using immunohistochemistry. High serum KL-6 levels were predominantly observed in patients with EOC, and did not occur in patients with benign or borderline tumors. The level of serum KL-6 was highly correlated with tumor stage, grade and histological type, and demonstrated superior sensitivity for the detection of ovarian cancer compared with that of serum cancer antigen 125. High serum KL-6 was significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival. In addition, tumor MUC1 expression status was significantly correlated with serum KL-6 levels. These data suggest that serum KL-6 may be a useful, non-invasive biomarker surrogate for tumor MUC1 expression in future clinical trials of MUC1-targeted therapy.

[Combination Therapy of Pregabalin with Tramadol for Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Gynecological Cancer Receiving Taxane Containing Chemotherapy].

Taxane-based regimens are often used in gynecologic cancer chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy( CIPN)is one of the typical side effects caused by taxanes. Grade 2 or higher CIPN is observed in 5% to 30% of ovarian cancer patients who are treated with paclitaxel, which is recognized as one of the unmanageable side effects leading to treatment interruption. We retrospectively investigated the significance of combination therapy of pregabalin with tramadol for CIPN in patients with gynecological cancer. In the current study, 19 patients(19/22; 86%)were administered pregabalin with tramadol orally for at least 1week, and we observed improvement of the CIPN in 15 patients(15/19; 79%).We suggest that the combination therapy of pregabalin with tramadol has a positive impact on the CIPN in patients under a taxane-based chemotherapy.

Synchronous mucinous metaplasia and neoplasia of the female genital tract with external urethral meatus neoplasm: A case report.

•We present a case of multiple mucinous metaplasia and neoplasia of cervix, endometrium, fallopian tube, ovary, and mesenterium with external urethral meatus neoplasm.•Immunohistochemistry showed almost same pattern in each neoplasms.•PCR-direct sequencing showed no existence of both KRAS and GNAS mutations.•This report suggests a possibility of synchronous mucinous metaplasia and neoplasia "beyond" female genital tract.