Actual malignancy risk of either operated or non-operated presumed mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas under surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Despite the low malignant potential of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), surgery is still performed. The aim of this pragmatic study was to assess the outcome of surgery and surveillance for patients presenting with a presumed MCN at the first evaluation. METHODS: Data for patients with a presumed MCN observed from 2000 to 2016 at the Verona Pancreas Institute and San Raffaele Hospital were extracted from prospective databases. The endpoints were risk of malignancy at pathology and rate of misdiagnosis for the surgical series, expressed as an odds ratio (OR) with 95 per cent confidence interval, and disease-specific survival (DSS) for the surveillance cohort investigated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 424 patients were identified. In the surgical series (229 patients), the rate of misdiagnosis was 19.2 per cent. The rate of malignant MCNs was 10.9 per cent (25 patients). The overall rate of malignancy, including misdiagnoses, was 11.3 per cent (26 patients). Predictors of malignancy were mural nodules (OR 27.75, 95 per cent c.i. 4.44-173.61; P < 0.001), size at least 50 mm (OR 13.39, 2.01 to 89.47; P = 0.007), and carbohydrate antigen 19.9 level (OR 3.98, 1.19 to 13.30; P = 0.025). In the absence of mural nodules and enhancing walls, none of the resected presumed MCNs smaller than 50 mm were malignant. Only patients with high-risk stigmata undergoing surgery experienced a significantly reduced 5-year DSS compared with all other patients (88 versus 100 per cent; P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Presumed MCNs with mural nodules, enhancing walls or cysts of 50 mm or larger should be considered for upfront surgical resection owing to the high risk of malignancy. In the absence of these features, the incidence of malignancy is negligible, favouring surveillance in selected patients given the low risk of malignancy and the high rate of misdiagnosis. LAY SUMMARY: Malignant degeneration of presumed pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms takes several years, if it occurs at all. Mural nodules, enhancing walls or cysts of 50 mm or larger call for surgical resection owing to an increased risk of malignancy; otherwise, surveillance seems a good option.

Malignant degeneration of presumed pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms takes several years, if it occurs at all. Mural nodules, enhancing walls or cysts of 50 mm or larger call for surgical resection owing to an increased risk of malignancy; otherwise, surveillance seems a good option.

Surgery for cystic tumors of pancreas: Report of high-volume, multicenter Indian experience over a decade.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cystic neoplasms remain uncommon. Although data are accumulating on the incidence of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in the published literature, Indian data on these tumors are sparse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collated data from prospectively maintained databases of patients operated for cystic tumors of the pancreas from 2007 to 2016 at 7 academic centers across India to gain insights into clinical presentation and outcome of the operative treatment of these tumors. Data were compared with large series across the world to understand the regional differences in this pathology. RESULTS: Of the 423 patients, there were 98 (23.2%) serous cystic neoplasms, 128 (30.2%) mucinous neoplasms, 34(8%) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, and 121 (28.6%) solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasms managed in these 7 academic centers. Malignancy (adenocarcinoma, malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma) was reported in 39 (9.2%) patients. Median age at presentation was 41 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 3.4:1. At presentation, 81% of patients were symptomatic. A total of 66.7% of lesions were located in body and tail region of the pancreas. Median tumor size was 6 cm. Operative resection with curative intent was performed in 405 of these 423 patients. Major morbidity occurred in 12%, and 30-day perioperative mortality was 0.9%. Laparoscopic resections were performed in 18% and spleen-preserving resections were performed in 3% of patients. CONCLUSION: Female preponderance, young age, and a benign nature of most pancreatic cystic neoplasms were observed. Large size of tumors on presentation, fewer intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm resections, and a much greater incidence of solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasms were distinctive of this study. Although the proportion of laparoscopic resections and splenic preservation was less compared with Western centers, the perioperative morbidity and mortality was on par with established standards.

Padrão histopatológico e incidência de carcinomatose peritoneal ao diagnóstico em mulheres com câncer de ovário / Histopathological pattern and incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis at diagnosis in women with ovarian cancer

Objetivo: Descrever o padrão histopatológico e identificar a incidência de carcinomatose peritoneal no momento do diagnóstico de mulheres diagnosticadas com neoplasia de ovário. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e descritivo, baseado na análise secundária de dados correspondentes aos prontuários de mulheres adultas com diagnóstico de neoplasia de ovário de um serviço de referência em oncologia clínica. Foram analisados 40 prontuários entre janeiro de 2007 e janeiro de 2017. Resultados: Ao estadiamento segundo o sistema da International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, três mulheres (7,5%) apresentavam estadiamento clínico (EC) II, três (77,5%) estágio ECIII com carcinomatose peritoneal/invasão da pelve e seis (15%) estágio ECIV com metástases à distância, especialmente para pulmão e fígado. Em relação ao padrão histopatológico, 20 mulheres apresentaram adenocarcinoma seroso papilífero de alto grau (50%), 4 (10%) adenocarcinoma seroso papilífero de baixo grau, 3 (7,5%) adenocarcinoma endometrioide, 3 (7,5%) tumor de teca/granulosa, 3 (7,5%) carcinoma de células claras, 3 (7,5%) tumores não classificados, 2 (5%) disgerminoma e 2 (5%) com cistoadenocarcinoma mucinosos. Conclusão: É nítida a necessidade de mais estudos envolvendo essa patologia, de modo a favorecer o diagnóstico e a intervenção em estágios mais precoces e reduzir desfechos desfavoráveis. (AU)

Objective: To describe the histopathological pattern, and to identify the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis at the time of the diagnosis of women diagnosed with ovarian neoplasm. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study, based on the secondary analysis of data corresponding to the medical records of adult women diagnosed with ovarian neoplasm in a reference service of clinical oncology. A total of 40 medical records were analyzed between January 2007 and January 2017. Results: At the staging (FIGO system) of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, three women (7.5%) had clinical staging (EC) II staging, 31 (77.5%) were in the ECIII stage, with peritoneal carcinomatosis/pelvic invasion, six (15%) were in the ECIV stage, with metastases at a distance, especially to lung and liver. Regarding the histopathological pattern, twenty women had high-grade papillary serous adenocarcinoma (50%), 4 (10%) with low-grade papillary serous adenocarcinoma, 3 (7.5%) with endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 3 (7.5%) with granulosa-theca tumor, 3 (7.5%) with clear cell carcinoma, 3 (7.5%) with unclassified tumors, 2 (5%) with dysgerminoma, two (5%) with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Conclusions: There is a clear need for further studies involving this pathology, in order to favor diagnosis and intervention at earlier stages and to reduce unfavorable outcomes. (AU)

Pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: Epidemiology and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy. Our aim was to investigate the demographic, pathological characteristics, treatment modalities and survival of patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma via the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of SEER database's records on patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma diagnosed from 1988 to 2012. Primary outcome measures were clinico-pathological characteristics, observed and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: A total of 507 patients were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 67 years and most patients were female (68.4%). The tumors were mainly low grade (82.9%, grade I-II) and frequently localized (42.8%) in the body/tail of the pancreas (45.6%). According to Kaplan-Meier curves observed survival was 111 months (95%CI: 82.5, 139.5) vs 14 months (95% CI: 10.9, 17.1) vs 4 months (95%CI: 2.9, 5.1) for patients with localized, regional and distant disease, respectively. One-year disease-specific survival for patients with localized disease was 90.1%, vs. 56.7% for those with regional and 18.7% with distant tumor spread. CONCLUSIONS: Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas tend to be low grade tumors, localized to the pancreatic body/tail. Surgery as the primary therapeutic intervention and tumor stage are independent predictors of disease-specific survival.

Primary Retroperitoneal Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm: Authors' Experience and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystic neoplasm (PRMCN) is a rare retroperitoneal tumor with female predilection. It is classified into 3 types: benign mucinous cystadenoma (MCA), borderline mucinous cystadenoma (MCAb), malignant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCAc). This study retrospectively evaluates the prevalence of PRMCN among retroperitoneal neoplasms resected between June 2006 and January 2015 at a referral center. Authors' experience with PRMCN is reviewed, and a new case of PRMCN, incidentally diagnosed during pregnancy is reported. A literature review using PubMed is also presented, discussing several issues concerning clinicopathologic features, treatment options, and long-term outcome of PRMCN. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman was incidentally diagnosed with a 12-cm retroperitoneal cyst discovered by ultrasound at 36 weeks of gestation. Eight months later the patient was referred to the department of surgery, the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. By that time, the patient has sensed local discomfort. Physical examination revealed a right abdomen mass with mild tenderness. Computed tomographic scan depicted the cyst, located along the right paracolic gutter, displacing the right colon medially. The patient underwent complete laparoscopic resection of a 15-cm cyst, without its disruption. The cyst was drained inside an endobag and retrieved. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 1. The pathology was MCA. Long-term result was no evidence of disease for 9 months. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of PRMCN among resected retroperitoneal neoplasms was 1.95% (3/154 neoplasms). The treatment of choice is complete tumor resection. Surgical technique should be chosen depending on the surgeon's expertise and tumor factors affecting safe resection. Surgery timing during pregnancy should be dictated by both risk of malignancy and obstetric considerations. As for malignant PRMCN, radical surgery does not seem justified, especially in reproductive females. Adjuvant chemotherapy should probably be reserved for metastatic disease, recurrence, and tumor rupture. Long-term follow-up is lacking, although it is important to better define the prognosis of PRMCN.

[Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cysts]. / Diagnostik og behandling af pancreascyster.

Incidental cystic lesions of the pancreas are often detected due to the increased use of cross-sectional imaging. Since mucinous cysts have a malignant potential, whereas pseudocysts and serous cystadenomas are benign, the distinction is of key clinical importance. Current recommendations advocate the use of multiple imaging modalities (CT/MRI/endoscopic US/endoscopic US & fine-needle aspiration) during evaluation and follow-up. This review describes the most frequent cystic lesions of the pancreas and suggests a simple investigation and treatment algorithm.

[Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cysts].

Incidental cystic lesions of the pancreas are often detected due to the increased use of cross-sectional imaging. Since mucinous cysts have a malignant potential, whereas pseudocysts and serous cystadenomas are benign, the distinction is of key clinical importance. Current recommendations advocate the use of multiple imaging modalities (CT/MRI/endoscopic US/endoscopic US & fine-needle aspiration) during evaluation and follow-up. This review describes the most frequent cystic lesions of the pancreas and suggests a simple investigation and treatment algorithm.

Surgical resection and outcome of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in China: analysis of a 16-year experience from a single high-volume academic institution.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinicopathological features of surgically resected pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) at a single institution in China. METHODS: The medical charts of patients who operated in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between 1 January 1997 and 30 June 2013, were pathologically shown to have PCNs. RESULTS: There was a reliable increase trend not just in the overall number of patients (3 to 75) but additionally in the number of incidentally diagnosed patients across the periods (33.3% to 48.0%). In 83 of 111 cases, preoperative diagnoses matched with pathology, whereas the remaining cases (16/28) were misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer. The proportion of malignancy in mucin producing neoplasms was 24.3% (9 out of 37). Elevated serum carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was independently associated with malignancy. The overall survival rate was 96.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of PCNs within this series differs with that revealed in Western countries. Appropriate preoperative differential diagnosing of PCNs remains challenging. It is strongly recommended that patients with elevated CA19-9 or CEA levels undergo surgical resection.

Intraductal papillary neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms of the hepatobiliary system: demographic differences between Asian and Western populations, and comparison with pancreatic counterparts.

AIMS: To improve the characterization of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) and mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L). METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective review of pathology archives (1999-2011) in our three institutions identified cases of IPNB (n = 138) and MCN-L (n = 54). The IPNB/MCN-L ratio was 5.7:1 at Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul, which was significantly higher than those at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle (1:3.0) and King's College Hospital in London (1:6.3). This difference was mainly attributable to the considerably larger number of patients with IPNB in Seoul (n = 131) than in Seattle and London (n = 7). Western patients with IPNB were all non-Asian in ancestry. IPNB differed from pancreatic intraductal papillary neoplasm in its higher histological grade, more advanced stage of an associated invasive cancer, and worse prognosis. In contrast, MCN-L showed significantly lower histological grade than its pancreatic counterpart (P = 0.022). Unlike in pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasm, malignant transformation was very rare in MCN-L (10% versus 2%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated demographic differences in IPNB and MCN-L among regions. IPNB and MCN-L differ from their pancreatic counterparts in the risk of malignant transformation and patients' prognosis.

[Diagnosis and treatment of the epithelial ovarian cancer at the West African Cancer Center of Dakar]. / Prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique des tumeurs épithéliales malignes de l'ovaire dans le Centre Ouest-Africain de lutte Contre le Cancer de Dakar.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial ovarian cancer are the most frequent of ovarian cancer, their prognosis is very bad. The aim of this study is to describe the diagnosis, the treatment and to assess the survival rate of the patients. METHODS: It was a retrospective study realized at the Cancer Institute of Dakar from December 2000 to January 2007. We have collected 117 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The mean age was 49 years. Patients were comprised: 22 stage I, 32 stage II, 35 stage III and 26 stage IV. Primary surgery was performed to 34 patients and the other patients were treated with chemotherapy and surgery. The survival rate was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method and the Logrank test had allowed to compare the survival among age and optimal surgery. RESULTS: Optimal surgery R0 was done in 20 cases and surgical resection R2 was performed in 45 cases. Pathological exam had found 65 serous cystadenocarcinoma, 28 mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and 21 endometrioid cystadenocarcinoma, one malignant tumor of Brenner. Overall survival at five years was 13.3%. The survival among optimal surgery was 16.3 and 2.3% for suboptimal surgery. There was no significant difference of the survival among patients who were less than 40 years old (P = 0.334). CONCLUSION: Prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer is worse in Senegal as like as in the world. To improve the survival of our patients, we must detect the early diagnosis of these tumors and to introduce the neoadjuvant chemotherapy before optimal surgery.

Cyst features and risk of malignancy in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: International guidelines for the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas recommend surgical resection of those with specific characteristics. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of malignancy associated with each of these features of IPMNs. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE from January 1, 1996, to November 11, 2011, for studies that included any of the features mentioned in the consensus guidelines for surgical resection of main duct and branch duct IPMNs. Data were analyzed from 41 studies for the following features: cyst size greater than 3 cm, the presence of mural nodules, dilated main pancreatic duct, symptoms, and main duct vs branch duct IPMNs. Malignant IPMNs were defined as those with carcinoma in situ or more advanced histology. A separate meta-analysis was performed for each risk factor to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs). A random-effects model was used, based on the assumption of variation among study populations. RESULTS: The risks of malignancy associated with individual cyst features were as follows: cyst size greater than 3 cm (OR, 62.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 30.8-126.3), presence of a mural nodule (OR, 9.3; 95% CI, 5.3-16.1), dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (OR, 7.27; 95% CI, 3.0-17.4), and main vs branch duct IPMN (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.3-6.9). There was a moderate level of heterogeneity among studies (I(2) range, 34-67). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a meta-analysis, cyst features proposed by the international guidelines for resection of IPMN were highly associated with malignancy. However, based on our findings, not all cyst features should be weighted equally when considering risk of malignancy; cyst size greater than 3 cm was associated most strongly with malignant IPMN.

[Clinical approach to incidental pancreatic cystic lesions].

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are being incidentally recognized with increasing frequency and become a common finding in clinical practice. Despite of recent remarkable advances of radiological and endoscopic assessment and a better understanding of natural history of certain subgroups of cystic lesions, differentiating among lesions and making an optimal management plan is still challenging. A multimodal approach should be performed to evaluate incidentally detected cystic lesions. Emerging evidence supports selective nonoperative management for the majority of patients with cystic lesions, but, for those in whom a suspicion of malignancy remains, surgery is indicated. Concerning long-term follow-up, there is limited data to support the ideal modality, intensity, and duration. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of cystic lesions of the pancreas should be established.

Risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in relation to benign ovarian conditions and ovarian surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Some forms of ovarian neoplasms may be preventable through the removal of precursor lesions. We assessed the risk associated with a prior diagnosis of, and ovarian surgery following, ovarian cysts and endometriosis, with a focus on characterizing risk among tumor subgroups. METHODS: Information was collected during in-person interviews with 812 women with ovarian cancer diagnosed in western Washington State from 2002 to 2005 and 1,313 population-based controls. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The risk of a borderline mucinous ovarian tumor associated with a history of an ovarian cyst was increased (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.8), but did not vary notably according to receipt of subsequent ovarian surgery. While risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer was slightly increased among women with a cyst who had no subsequent ovarian surgery, it was reduced when a cyst diagnosis was followed by surgery (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9). This reduction in risk was most evident for serous invasive tumors. Women with a history of endometriosis had a threefold increased risk of endometrioid and clear cell invasive tumors, with a lesser risk increase among women who underwent subsequent ovarian surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest differences in the relation of ovarian cysts and endometriosis with risk of specific subtypes of ovarian cancer as well as the possibility that ovarian surgery in women with these conditions may lower the risk of invasive disease.

Changing incidence of pancreatic neoplasms: a 16-year review of statewide tumor registry.

OBJECTIVES: Although most pancreatic neoplasms are adenocarcinoma, there are many other histological types, some of which may be increasing in frequency. To better define these trends, we reviewed 16 years of data from a statewide tumor registry. METHODS: Using the State of Michigan tumor registry, all patients with primary pancreatic cancers from 1986 to 2002 were identified, and patients were excluded if there were insufficient data or the histological subtype was not clearly defined in the literature. RESULTS: There were 17,610 pancreatic neoplasms identified, and 2425 were excluded, leaving a final population of 15,185. Twenty-five types of primary pancreatic neoplasms were identified. The most common were adenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, nonfunctional neuroendocrine, adenosquamous, anaplastic, intraductal papillary mucinous, and acinar cell (8.37, 0.43, 0.18, 0.05, 0.04, 0.04, and 0.02 per 100,000 per year, respectively). The mean age at presentation was similar for tumor types, 69.2 years old, with the exception of endocrine neoplasms occurring at a younger age, 58.5 years old (P < 0.0005). There was a significant change in the incidence of nonfunctional neuroendocrine neoplasms, greater than 2-fold increase (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of most pancreatic neoplasms has changed a little; however, nonfunctional neuroendocrine neoplasms increased greater than 2-fold. The etiology of this change is unclear.

Risk factors for benign serous and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for benign serous and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors. METHODS: Cases were women newly diagnosed with benign serous ovarian tumors (n=230) or benign mucinous tumors (n=133) between 2002 and 2005. Control women were selected at random from the general population (n=752). All participants completed a comprehensive reproductive and lifestyle questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and to simultaneously adjust for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Current smoking was associated with a three-fold increase in risk of benign mucinous tumors (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.97-5.34), and there was a trend of increasing risk with increasing amount smoked (P<.001). Both recent obesity (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.30-2.88) and obesity at age 20 (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.88-10.20) were associated with increased risk of benign serous ovarian tumors, and having had a hysterectomy was also related to increased risk of serous (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.90-3.96), but not mucinous tumors. Ever having had a term pregnancy was inversely associated with both tumor types (combined OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.97), although greater numbers of pregnancies did not decrease risk further. Use of hormonal contraceptives was unrelated to risk. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest some differences in risk factors between benign serous and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors and that risk factors for benign serous tumors differ from those well established for ovarian cancer. The results also suggest that there is potential for prevention of these common conditions through avoidance of smoking and obesity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Ginkgo biloba and ovarian cancer prevention: epidemiological and biological evidence.

There is considerable interest in herbal therapies for cancer prevention but often with little scientific evidence to support their use. In this study, we examined epidemiological data regarding effects of commonly used herbal supplements on risk for ovarian cancer and sought supporting biological evidence. 4.2% of 721 controls compared to 1.6% of 668 cases regularly used Ginkgo biloba for an estimated relative risk (and 95% confidence interval) of 0.41 (0.20,0.84) (p=0.01); and the effect was most apparent in women with non-mucinous types of ovarian cancer, RR=0.33 (0.15,0.74) (p=0.007). In vitro experiments with normal and ovarian cancer cells showed that Ginkgo extract and its components, quercetin and ginkgolide A and B, have significant anti-proliferative effects ( approximately 40%) in serous ovarian cancer cells, but little effect in mucinous (RMUG-L) cells. For the ginkgolides, the inhibitory effect appeared to be cell cycle blockage at G0/G1 to S phase. This combined epidemiological and biological data provide supportive evidence for further studies of the chemopreventive or therapeutic effects of Ginkgo and ginkgolides on ovarian cancer.

Role of appendectomy at the time of primary surgery in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether appendectomy is warranted in patients with apparent early-stage ovarian cancer who undergo surgery for staging and cytoreduction and to determine the complication rate associated with appendectomy in such patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent appendectomy at the time of primary surgery for ovarian cancer at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1992 and December 2004 and who did not meet any of the following exclusion criteria: stage III or IV ovarian cancer, appendectomy as part of a second-look procedure or secondary tumor-reductive surgery, primary appendiceal cancer, primary gastrointestinal malignancy with metastasis to the appendix, incomplete clinicopathologic data, appendicitis as a preoperative diagnosis, primary fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or documented dual primary tumors. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included in this analysis. The median age was 47 years (range, 13-75). Median follow-up was 53 months (range, 3-147). Histologic diagnoses were as follows: invasive epithelial carcinoma, 35 patients (61%); tumor of low malignant potential, 15 patients (26%); malignant germ cell tumor, 4 patients (7%); and other, 3 patients (5%). Twenty-three patients (40%) had pure mucinous tumors. Forty-six patients (81%) had stage I and 11 patients (19%) had stage II disease. The median CA-125 level was 36.2 U/mL (range, 7-7900). No patient had evidence of appendiceal involvement. No patient suffered an intraoperative or postoperative complication directly related to appendectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Appendectomy at the time of surgery for apparent early-stage ovarian cancer is not associated with complications but should not be routinely recommended.

Outcome at second-look laparotomy: anaesthesia related risk factors.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To identify anaesthesia related risk factors associated with positive second-look laparotomy (SLL) findings in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who had previous optimal cytoreduction surgery under general anaesthesia. METHODS: A retrospective review of the anaesthesia and medical records of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent SLL at our institution and analysis of patient related (age, haemoglobin, albumin), anaesthesia related (duration of anaesthesia, anaesthetics and dosages, transfusion of blood products), tumour related (stage, grade, presence of ascites, adhesion, histological type, capsule penetration and CA-125) data and outcome of SLL was undertaken. RESULTS: The patients had SLL 305 +/- 215 days after the first operation. Of the 83 patients 28 (33.7%) were SLL (+). SLL (+) patients were significantly more likely to have a mucinous histological subtype, required intraoperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion and longer anaesthesia duration (p < 0.05). Type of induction agent, whether narcotics were used or not, type of volatile agent used, dosages of induction agents and dosages of narcotic and muscle relaxants did not vary significantly between the patients with and without cancer recurrence (p > 0.05). Duration of anaesthesia (OR, 1.03; CI, 1-1.05, p = 0.031) and histological subtype (OR, 16.1; CI, 1.8-141.7, p = 0.012), were the independent variables predicting cancer recurrence in the multivariate logistic regression. CONCLUSION: We emphasize that duration of anaesthesia and histological subtype are risk factors for cancer recurrence in early stage ovarian carcinoma. From our data it seems that interventions to shorten the duration of general anaesthesia or reversing immunosuppression induced by anaesthesia and surgery must be carefully considered.