Growing teratoma syndrome of the ovary presenting with liver metastasis: report of a case.

Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is a rare condition among patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors who present with enlarging metastatic masses during appropriate systemic chemotherapy in the context of normalized serum markers. This is an infrequent event in the progression of testicular tumors, and is even less common in the case of ovarian germ cell tumors. The pathogenesis of GTS is not completely understood and diagnosis can only be made with certainty after complete pathologic examination. Although histologically benign, GTS may present an enveloping growth with aggressive local expansion, which can be related to substantial morbidity and mortality. Surgery is the only recommended treatment and early recognition of this syndrome is essential as it offers hope for curative resection and avoids the use of ineffective chemotherapy. The authors present a brief review of the literature, along with the case report of a 37-year-old woman presenting GTS with liver involvement who was successfully treated by debulking surgery followed by major liver resection. This report demonstrates that complete surgical resection results in excellent disease control. More importantly, it highlights that clinicians need to be aware of the possible development of GTS when monitoring their patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. These patients require coordinated care between oncologist, gynecologists, and general surgeons to obtain the best possible outcomes.

Comparison of functional outcomes with purely laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the functional outcomes and complication rates following laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LS) with those occurring in robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALSCP) in obese women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comparative retrospective multicentre study was made, involving 39 obese women (BMI≥30 kg/m2) who underwent LS, and 17 obese women who underwent RASCLP. The operative parameters (length of operation, associated procedures, complication rate and length of hospitalization) and the objective and subjective results were evaluated at 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: The median (IQR) BMI was 30.5 kg/m2 (30-32) in the LS group vs 31.6 kg/m2 (30-34) in the RALSCP group (P=0.402). The anatomical results were comparable in both groups (LS vs RALSCP): post-operative stage of prolapse (POP-Q-ICS): stage 0-1: 34/39 (88%) vs 16/17 (94.1%), P=0.7; stage 2: 4/39 (10%) vs 0/17 (0%), P=0.7; stage 3-4: 1/39 (2%) vs 1/17 (5.9%), P=0.7. The complication rate was similar in both groups (LS vs RALSCP): bladder injury 2.5% (1/39) vs 0% (0/17), P=0.6, laparoconversion 5.1% (2/39) vs 5.9% (1/17), P=0.5. The overall reoperation rate was (LS vs RALSCP): 18% (7/39) vs 5.9% (1/17), P=0.4. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy have equal results in obese women. The complication rates and outcomes appear to be similar in both groups of obese women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Quality indicators in ovarian cancer surgery: report from the French Society of Gynecologic Oncology (Societe Francaise d'Oncologie Gynecologique, SFOG).

BACKGROUND: Based on registries, the European experience has been that <50% of patients are treated according to protocols and/or benefit from the minimum required surgery for ovarian cancer. The French Cancer Plan 2009-2013 considers the definition of qualitative indicators in ovarian cancer surgery in France. This endeavour was undertaken by the French Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SFOG) in partnership with the French National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and all concerned learned societies in a multidisciplinary mindset. METHODS: The quality indicators for the initial management of patients with ovarian cancer were based on the standards of practice determined from scientific evidence or expert consensus. RESULTS: The indicators were divided into structural indicators, including material (equipment), human (number and qualification of staff), and organizational resources, process indicators, and outcome indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The enforcement of a quality assurance programme in any country would undoubtedly promote improvement in the quality of care for ovarian cancer patients and would result in a dramatic positive impact on their survival. Such a policy is not only beneficial to the patient, but is also profitable for the healthcare system.

Germline RAD51C mutations in ovarian cancer susceptibility.

Several genes might explain BRCA1/2 negative breast and ovarian family cases. Deleterious mutations in few genes involved in the Fanconi complex are responsible for Fanconi anemia at the homozygous state and breast cancer (BC) susceptibility at the heterozygous state (BRCA2, PALB2, BRIP1). RAD51C plays an important role in the double-strand break repair pathway and a biallelic missense mutation in the RAD51C gene was found in a Fanconi anemia-like disorder. Subsequently, six monoallelic pathogenic mutations were identified after screening 480 BRCA1/2 negative breast and ovarian cancer (BC/OC) pedigrees. Several reports were unsuccessful to replicate these results. To investigate whether germline mutations in RAD51C are associated with an increased risk of developing BC/OC, we screened, by Sanger sequencing of the coding sequence, 117 index cases of breast and ovarian families from French or European origin, and negative for BRCA1/2 mutations. In our study, we found 3 pathogenic mutations among 117 families screened which corresponds to a 2.6% frequency. Our results confirm that RAD51C is a susceptibility gene for ovarian and BC and that this gene should be screened for mutations in families with multiple BC/OC.

[Influence of body mass index on the outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: a comparative retrospective study]. / Impact de l'indice de masse corporelle sur les résultats de la promontofixation robot-assistée : étude comparative rétrospective.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on a robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALS) to treat genital prolapse. METHODOLOGY: The study focused on a group of 56 women who went through a robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALS) between 2009 and 2013. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BMI (kg/m(2)): BMI<25 (n=28), 25≤BMI<30 (n=16), BMI≥30 (n=12). The operating parameters, results and short-term complications were analysed according to the patients' BMI. RESULTS: The median BMI was 22.5kg/m(2) in group 1, 26.1kg/m(2) in group 2, and 31.6kg/m(2) in group 3 (P<0.001). The operation time was respectively 250 minutes (130-380), 230 minutes (150-410) and 255 minutes (170-370), for groups 1, 2 and 3 (P=0.689). The 3 groups spent 4 days in the hospital (P=0.562). Only one laparotomy in group 3 was reported (P=0.214). The rate of early complications was similar in groups 1, 2 and 3 with 3/28, 0/16 and 0/12 respectively. Anatomical short-term results were identical in the 3 groups with a satisfactory anatomical correction in 100% of all cases (ICS POP-Q<2). CONCLUSION: In this small group, we observed that the BMI had no impact neither on the operation time nor on the rate of complication.

[Combined flow cytometry determination of S-phase fraction and DNA ploidy is an independent prognostic factor in node-negative invasive breast carcinoma: review of a series of 271 patients with stage I and II breast cancer]. / L'évaluation conjointe du contenu en ADN et de la fraction de cellules en phase S est un paramètre pronostique indépendant dans les cancers du sein de stades I et II.

PURPOSE: To assess the significance of S-phase fraction (SPF) and DNA ploidy evaluated by DNA flow cytometry as prognostic markers in stage I or II breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 271 patients, treated by surgery, radiotherapy+/-systemic therapy was analysed (median follow up: 64 months). Standardized flow cytometry cell preparation from frozen samples and consensus rules for data interpretation were followed. Three SPF classes were defined on the basis of tertiles after adjustment for ploidy. Four groups were defined based on combinations of DNA ploidy (DIP: diploid; ANEUP: aneuploid) and SPF: DIP and low SPF (DL, N=37), DIP and medium or high SPF (DMH, N=76), ANEUP and low SPF (AL, N=24), ANEUP and medium or high SPF (AMH, N=68). Local control rate (LCR), disease-free survival (DFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and overall survival (OS) were correlated with DNA ploidy, SPF, DL to AMH groups, T and N stages, SBR grading, age, and hormonal status on univariate and multivariate analysis (Cox model). RESULTS: On univariate analysis, DFS and LCR were higher for DIP tumours. High SPF values were associated with shorter DFS. LCR, MFS, DFS, and OS rates were significantly different with an increasingly poorer prognosis from DL to AMH. On multivariate analysis, groups DL to AMH, histological node involvement and T stage were independently associated with MFS, and DFS. In N- patients, DL to AMH remained independent for MFS and DFS. For SBR III tumours, MFS and OS were significantly different in DL to AMH groups. These results strongly support the use of combined evaluation of DNA ploidy and SPF as independent parameters in clinical trials for N- stage I and II breast cancer.

[Ductal carcinoma in situ treated with radiation therapy and additional boost]. / Carcinomes canalaires in situ du sein traités par chirurgie conservatrice et irradiation avec complément dans le lit opératoire.

PURPOSE: Women with ductal carcinoma in situ are treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy. The impact of an additive boost radiation is under evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All women treated for ductal carcinoma in situ with breast-conserving surgery and whole breast radiation therapy at a total dose of 45Gy with a boost radiation from 1990 to 2008 have been included in this retrospective monocentric retrospective study. RESULTS: We included 171 patients. Boost radiation to the surgical bed was delivered by brachytherapy in 66 patients (39%), by direct en-face electron beam in 86 patients (50%), and by tangential fields using photon beams in 19 patients (11%). Median follow-up was 95.1months. Eight local relapses (4.6%) have occurred. The 10-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 97%. The 10-year overall survival rate was 98%. On multivariable analysis, brachytherapy (P=0.05; HR=5.15; IC=1-26.3) was associated with a reduction risk of local recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: In our experience, women treated for a ductal carcinoma in situ with breast-conserving surgery and whole breast radiation therapy with a boost radiation have a high 10-year local recurrence-free survival rate.

Possibility of conservative local treatment after combined chemotherapy and preoperative irradiation for locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate the outcome and the possibility of breast conservation therapy for patients with locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer after primary chemotherapy followed by external preoperative irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between April 1982 and June 1990, 97 patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic and noninflammatory breast cancer were treated. The median follow-up was 93 months from the beginning of treatment. The induction treatment consisted of four courses of chemotherapy (doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil) followed by preoperative irradiation (45 Gy to the breast and nodal areas). A fifth course of chemotherapy was given after irradiation therapy. Three different loco-regional approaches were proposed, depending on the tumoral response. In 37 patients (38%) with residual tumor larger than 3 cm in diameter or located behind the nipple or with bifocal tumors, mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed. Sixty other patients (62%) benefited from conservative treatment: 33 patients (34%) achieved complete remission and no surgery was done but additional radiation boost was given to the initial tumor bed; 27 patients (28%) who had a residual mass less than or equal to 3 cm in diameter were treated by wide excision and axillary dissection followed by a boost to the excision site. After completion of local therapy, all patients received a sixth course of chemotherapy. A maintenance adjuvant chemotherapy regimen without anthracycline was prescribed (12 monthly cycles). RESULTS: The 5-year actuarial loco-regional relapse rate was 16% after radiotherapy alone, 16% following wide excision and radiotherapy, and 5.4% following mastectomy. The 5-year loco-regional relapse rate was significantly higher after conservative local treatment (wide excision and radiotherapy, and radiotherapy alone) than after mastectomy (p= 0.04). After conservative local treatment, the 5-year breast conserving rate of patients with loco-regional disease-free status was 84%. For all patients included in this study, the 5-year breast-conserving rate of those who were loco-regional disease-free was 52%. In multivariate analysis, the possibility of breast conservative treatment was significantly related to the initial tumor size and age (more conservative treatment for tumor size < 6cm and age < 50 years). Five- and 10-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates were 80, 69, 73, and 61% respectively. Five- and 10-year overall survival rates were not influenced by the local treatment (conservative vs. nonconservative local treatment, p = 0.9). On the other hand, local failure significantly decreased the 5- and 10-year overall survival rates (p , 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, three factors had a significant impact on overall survival and disease-free survival: tumor response after induction chemotherapy, initial tumor size, and clinical stage. Arm lymphedema was noted in 12.5% (8 out of 64) of the patients treated with axillary dissection and in 3% (1 out of 33) without axillary dissection. Cosmetic results were satisfactory in 79% of patients after wide excision and radiotherapy and in 71% of patients treated by radiotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Induction chemotherapy followed by preoperative irradiation may permit the selection of some patients with locally advanced breast cancer for conservative treatment. However, the impact of this treatment modality on long-term survival remains to be established.

Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium treated with combined irradiation and surgery: study of 437 patients.

PURPOSE: To identify prognostic factors and treatment toxicity in a series of operable endometrial adenocarcinomas. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between November 1971 and October 1992, 437 patients (pts) with endometrial carcinoma, staged according to the 1988 FIGO staging system (225 Stage IB, 107 Stage IC, 4 Stage IIA, 35 Stage IIB, 30 Stage IIIA, 6 Stage IIIB, and 30 Stage IIIC), underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy without (n = 140) or with (n = 297) pelvic lymph node dissection. The chronology of adjuvant RT was not randomized and depended on the usual practices of the surgical teams. Seventy-nine pts (Group I) received preoperative low-dose-rate uterovaginal brachytherapy (mean dose [MD]: 57 Gy). Three hundred fifty-eight pts (Group II) received postoperative RT. One hundred ninety-six pts received low-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy alone (MD: 50 Gy). One hundred fifty-eight pts had external beam pelvic RT (MD: 46 Gy) followed by low-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy (MD: 17 Gy). Four pts had external beam pelvic RT alone (MD: 47 Gy). The mean follow-up from the beginning of treatment was 128 months. RESULTS: The 10-year disease-free survival rate was 86%. From 57 recurrences, only 12 were isolated locoregional recurrences. The independent factors decreasing the probability of disease-free survival were as follows: histologic type (clear-cell carcinoma, p = 0.038), largest histologic tumor diameter >3 cm (p = 0.015), histologic grade (p = 0.008), myometrial invasion > 1/2 (p = 0.005), and 1988 FIGO staging system (p = 9.10(-8)). In Group II, the addition of external beam pelvic RT did not seem to independently improve vaginal or pelvic control. The postoperative complication rate was 7%. The independent factors increasing the risk of postoperative complications were stage FIGO (p = 0.02) and pelvic lymph node dissection (p = 0.011). The 10-year rate for Grade 3 and 4 late radiation complications according to the LENT-SOMA scoring system was 3.1%. External beam pelvic RT independently increased the rate for Grade 3 and 4 late complication (RR: 5.6, p = 0.0096). CONCLUSION: Postoperative external beam pelvic RT increases the risk of late radiation complications. After surgical and histopathologic staging with pelvic lymph node dissection, in subgroup of "intermediate-risk" patients (Stage IA Grade 3, IB-C and II), postoperative vaginal brachytherapy alone is probably sufficient to obtain a good therapeutic index. Results for patients with Stage III tumor are not satisfactory.

Local recurrences and distant metastases after breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy for early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To identify predicting factors for local failure and increased risk of distant metastases by statistical analysis of the data after breast-conserving treatment for early breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1976 and December 1993, 528 patients with nonmetastatic T1 (tumors < or = 1 cm [n = 197], >1 cm [n = 220]) or T2 (tumors < or = 3 cm [n = 111]) carcinoma of the breast underwent wide excision (n = 435) or quadrantectomy (n = 93) with axillary dissection (negative nodal status [n-]: 396; 1-3 involved nodes: 100; >3 involved nodes: 32). Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy to the entire breast via tangential fields. Patients with positive axillary lymph nodes received 45 Gy to the axillary and supraclavicular area. Patients with positive axillary nodes and/or inner or central tumor locations received 50 Gy to the internal mammary lymph node area. A boost dose was delivered to the primary site by iridium 192 Implant in 298 patients (mean total dose: 15.2+/-0.07 Gy, range: 15-25 Gy) or by electrons in 225 patients (mean total dose: 14.8+/-0.09 Gy, range: 5-20 Gy). The mean age was 52.5+/-0.5 years (range: 26-86 years) and 267 patient were postmenopausal. Histologic types were as follows: 463 infiltrating ductal carcinomas, 39 infiltrating lobular carcinomas, and 26 other histotypes. Grade distribution according to the Scarff, Bloom, and Richardson (SBR) classification was as follows: 149 grade 1, 271 grade 2, 73 grade 3, and 35 nonclassified. The mean tumor size was 1.6+/-0.3 cm (range: 0.3-3 cm). The intraductal component of the primary tumor was extensive (EIC = IC > or = 25%) in 39 patients. Tumors were microscopically bifocal in 33 cases. Margins were assessed in the majority of cases by inking of the resection margins and were classified as positive in 13 cases, close (< or = 2 mm) in 21, negative (>2 mm tumor-free margin) in 417, and indeterminate in 77. Peritumoral vascular invasion was observed in 40 patients. Tamoxifen was administered for at least 2 years in 176 patients. At least six cycles of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy were administered in 116 patients. The mean follow-up period from the beginning of the treatment was 84.5+/-1.7 months. RESULTS: First events included 44 isolated local recurrences, 8 isolated axillary node recurrences, 44 isolated distant metastases, 1 local recurrence with synchronous axillary node recurrence, 7 local recurrences with synchronous metastases, and 2 local recurrences with synchronous axillary node recurrences and distant metastases. Of 39 pathologically evaluable local recurrences, 33 were classified as true local recurrences and 6 as ipsilateral new primary carcinomas. Seventy patients died (47 of breast carcinoma, 4 of other neoplastic diseases, 10 of other diseases and 9 of unknown causes). The 5- and 10-year rates were, respectively: specific survival 93% and 86%, disease-free survival 85% and 75%, distant metastasis 8.5% and 14%, and local recurrence 7% and 14%. Mean intervals from the beginning of treatment for local recurrence or distant metastases were, respectively, 60+/-6 months (median: 47 months, range: 6-217 months) and 49.5+/-5.4 months (median: 33 months, range: 6-217 months). After local recurrence, salvage mastectomy was performed in 46 patients (85%) and systemic hormonal therapy and/or chemotherapy was administered to 43 patients. The 5-year specific survival rate after treatment for local recurrence was 78+/-8.2%. Multivariate analysis (multivariate generalization of the proportional hazards model) showed that the probability of local control was decreased by the following four independent factors: young age (< or = 40 yr vs. >40 yr; relative risk [RR]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-5.8, p = 0.0002), premenopausal status (pre vs. post; RR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4-6, p = 0.0048), bifocality (uni- vs. bifocal; RR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.6-2.8,p = 0.018), and extensive intraductal component (IC <25% vs. IC > or = 25%; RR: 2.6, 95% CI: 13-5.2, p = 0

Multidisciplinary treatment approach to locally advanced non-inflammatory breast cancer using chemotherapy and radiotherapy with or without surgery.

Between April 1982 and December 1987, 82 locally advanced non-metastatic and non-inflammatory breast cancers were treated (42 stage IIIA, 40 stage IIIB). The median follow-up is 70 months from the beginning of the treatment. The initial treatment consisted of 4 courses of chemotherapy (doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil) followed by irradiation (45 Gy to the breast and nodal area). A fifth course of chemotherapy was given after radiation therapy. Three different locoregional approaches were proposed depending on the tumoral response. In 32 patients (39%) with residual tumor larger than 3 cm in diameter or located behind the nipple or with multifocal tumors, mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed. Fifty other patients (61%) benefited from conservative treatment: 32 patients (39%) achieved complete remission and received a boost to the initial tumor bed; 18 patients (22%) who had a residual mass less than or equal to 3 cm in diameter were treated by tumorectomy and axillary dissection followed by a boost to the tumorectomy site. After completion of local therapy, all patients received a sixth course of chemotherapy. A maintenance adjuvant chemotherapy regimen without anthracycline was prescribed (12 monthly cycles). Three- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 81.7% and 72% respectively. Five-year locoregional relapse rate (with or without other sites of failure) was 8.8%. In a multivariate analysis, disease-free survival was significantly influenced by the N-stage (p < 0.0001), initial tumor size (p = 0.01), and tumor response after initial chemotherapy (p = 0.02). Five-year breast conservation probability was 58.4%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preoperative radiation therapy and surgery in the treatment of "bulky" squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stage Ib, IIa, and IIb operable tumors).

Forty-two women with "bulky" squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, larger than 5 cm, were treated between 1982 and 1988. The median follow-up was 5 years (from 37 to 106 months). The age range was from 25 to 77 years (mean: 49). There were 14 stage Ib, 5 stage IIa, and 23 stage IIb operable patients. Forty grays were delivered at mid-plane of the pelvis (23 fractions in 31 days) using the four-field technique (6-18 MV). External beam radiation therapy was followed by 20 Gy of intracavitary radiation therapy. Forty-eight days later total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH-BSO) and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival was 83 and 81%, respectively. The 5-year locoregional control rate was 83%. Thirteen patients suffered from mild to severe complications (31%) but there were only two long-term (5%) complications.

Primary chemotherapy and preoperative irradiation for patients with stage II larger than 3 cm or locally advanced non-inflammatory breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate possibility of breast-conserving therapy and outcome for patients with locally advanced non-inflammatory breast cancer (LABC) and stage II >3 cm in diameter after primary chemotherapy (CT) followed by external preoperative irradiation (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1982 and 1990, 147 patients were treated by four courses of induction CT (doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil) followed by preoperative RT (45 Gy to the breast and nodal areas) and a fifth course of CT. Three different loco-regional approaches were proposed depending on tumour characteristics and tumour response. After completion of local therapy, all patients received a sixth course of CT and a maintenance adjuvant CT regimen without anthracycline. RESULTS: Mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed in 52 patients, and conservative treatment in 95 patients (48 achieved complete remission and received additional radiation boost to initial tumour bed; 47 had a residual mass < or =3 cm in diameter and were treated by wide excision and axillary dissection followed by a boost to the excision site. Ten-year actuarial loco-regional failure rate was 20% after RT alone, 23% after wide excision and RT and 6% after mastectomy (P = 0.85). After multivariate analysis, possibility of breast-conserving therapy was related to initial tumour size. Ten-year overall survival rate was 66%; it was not influenced by local treatment (conservative vs. non-conservative local treatment, P = 0.89). However, local failure significantly decreased overall survival (P < 0.0001). After multivariate analysis, tumour response after induction CT and clinical stage had a significant impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that induction CT followed by preoperative RT may permit the selection of some patients with LABC or stage II >3 cm for conservative treatment. The impact of this treatment modality on long term survival remains to be established.

Early breast cancer: influence of type of boost (electrons vs iridium-192 implant) on local control and cosmesis after conservative surgery and radiation therapy.

Between December 1981 and December 1988, 329 consecutive patients with stage I and II breast cancers who underwent wide excision (n = 261) or quadrantectomy (n = 68) with (n = 303) or without (n = 26) axillary dissection were referred to radiotherapy. Final margins of resection were microscopically free from tumor involvement in all cases. Radiotherapy consisted in 40-45 Gy over 4-4.5 weeks to the breast, with (n = 168) or without (n = 161) regional nodal irradiation of 45-50 Gy over 4.5-5 weeks. A mean booster dose of 15 Gy was delivered to the primary site by iridium-192 implant in 169 patients (group 1) or by electrons in 160 patients (group 2). Twenty-seven percent (n = 88) of patients received tamoxifen for > or = 2 years. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 22% (n = 71) of patients. Groups 1 and 2 were not strictly comparable. Group 1 patients were significantly younger, had smaller tumors, were treated with cobalt at 5 x 2 Gy per week and axillary dissection was more frequently performed. Group 2 patients were more frequently bifocal and more frequently treated by quadrantectomy and tamoxifen, and irradiation used accelerator photons at 4 x 2.50 Gy per week. No difference in terms of follow-up and survival rates was observed between the two groups. For all patients the 5- and 10-year local breast relapse rates were 6.7% and 11%, respectively. No difference was observed regarding local control either by the electron or the iridium-192 implant boosts. Axillary dissection and age had an impact on the breast cosmetic outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Treatment of bowel endometriosis: a report of six cases of colorectal endometriosis and a survey of the literature.

From October 1989 to September 1994, we performed six intestinal resections for rectal and sigmoidal endometriosis. The average age of the patients was 32 years old, and most had symptoms. In all cases coloscopy showed a normal mucosa. Patients had successfully been treated with hormones previously, but had relapsed when the treatment was stopped. Bowel resection was segmental, with immediate end to end anastomosis in five patients, and partial in one patient. Genital endometriosis was diagnosed in three cases and was then treated during the same procedure. A low colorectal anastomosis was complicated by a fistula, but no recurrence was observed after surgical treatment. Intestinal endometriosis tract is in 70% of cases located on the rectosigmoid. An association with genital endometriosis tract is observed in 80% of the cases. Deep rectosigmoidal endometriosis with symptoms is resistant to hormonal therapy and necessitates a surgical treatment by intestinal resection. The pelvis has always to be explored, with full evaluation and surgical treatment of genital endometriosis when necessary. Appendicular endometriosis should be removed surgically. Postoperative treatment can be additionally prescribed in cases of genital endometriosis and for leftover digestive location.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer.

About 80% of patients with breast cancer ultimately die of metastatic disease at 20 years. Distant metastases are more important as a cause of death than local or regional relapses. It is for this reason that adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary, especially in young patients and those with extensive disease. Initial chemotherapy preceding any local or regional treatment is justified on the grounds that both surgery and anaesthesia lead to immunodepression. Further, the value of initial chemotherapy has been demonstrated in many experimental and clinical trials by Nissen-Meyer, Bonadonna and Cooper (1-3). In the present study 145 patients, including 67 with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), were treated with 4-6 weeks of Velbe, thiotepa, methotrexate, fluorouracil and prednisone, with Adriblastin added for patients with IBC, T greater than 7 cm, or N2, N3. Because of tumour regression of greater than 50% observed in 80% of the patients, the majority (123 patients) then received radiotherapy alone (cobalt + iridium), resulting in complete remission in all these cases. Maintenance treatment with the same drugs was prescribed for 6-18 months depending on the initial stage. Tumour regression appears to be an important prognostic factor. Median follow-up is only 17 months, the longest being 42 months. Overall survival at 2 years for IBC is 90%, with a disease-free survival of 80%. Cosmetic results are excellent. While these results are encouraging, longer follow-up is needed to confirm this improvement.

[Breast cancers, apparently non-metastatic, treated by prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy, combined with or without excision surgery. Preliminary results]. / Cancers du sein, en apparence non métastasés, traités par chimiothérapie première et radiothérapie, associées ou non à une chirurgie d'exérèse. Résultats préliminaires.

Combined treatment modality was applied in 51 consecutive patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma between December 1982 and December 1984. The treatment was started with 4 cycles of chemotherapy with combination of adriamycin, vincristine, 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide. This was followed by high-energy radiotherapy (45 Gy to the breast and lymphatic areas), with or without surgery. After radiotherapy, the response rate was 76%: 39/51 (complete response 39%: 20/51). Twenty-nine patients (57%) were treated conservatively (20 treated by radiotherapy alone and 9 treated by tumorectomy with axillary dissection followed by interstitial implantation). For 22 patients (43%), the mastectomy with axillary dissection was necessary. The three year overall survival rate and disease free survival rate were 88, and 86%. Local recurrences occurred in one patient (2%). The toxicity with this combined treatment regime was low. The cosmetic results were acceptable when a conservative treatment was proposed.

[Infiltrating carcinoma of the uterine cervix: epidemiology, prognostic factors, therapeutic strategies]. / Carcinomes infiltrants du col utérin: épidémiologie, facteurs pronostiques, stratégie thérapeutique.

In industrialized countries cervical cancer has decreased over the past decades. This, thanks to wide spread screening campaigns of precancerous lesions and microinvasive diseases through regular pap smears starting from the beginning of sexual activity. The diagnostic is realized earlier, thus increasing the rate of curability. Unfortunately, the absence of such programs in underdeveloped countries has made cervical cancer the second cause of death by cancer among the world female population. This general review treats in a non exhaustive manner epidemiology and prognostic factors and secondly exposes the therapeutic methods that has become available in recent years.

[Breast cancer: chemotherapy preceding locoregional treatment with extension of the indications for conservative treatment]. / Cancer du sein: chimiothérapie précédant le traitement loco-régional avec extension des indications du traitement conservateur.

About 80 per cent of patients with breast cancer ultimately die of metastatic disease in the following twenty years. Distant metastases are more important as cause of death than loco-regional relapses, it is why adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary, especially in young patients and in those with extensive disease. Initial chemotherapy preceding any locoregional treatment is justified on the basis that both surgery and anesthesia lead to immuno-depression. Further, the value of initial chemotherapy has been demonstrated in many experimental and clinical trials of Nissen-Meyer, Bonadonna and Cooper. We have treated 145 patients, including 67 with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), with 4 to 6 weeks of Velbe, Thiotepa, Methotrexate Fluorouracil and Prednisone with Adriblastine added for those patients with IBC or T greater than 7 cm, or N2 N3. Because of tumor regression of more than 50 per cent observed in 80 per cent of the patients, the majority (123 patients) then received radiotherapy alone (cobalt + iridium) and are in a complete remission in all these cases after curietherapy. Maintenance treatment with the same drugs was prescribed for 6 to 18 months depending on the initial staging. Tumor regression appears to be an important prognostic factor. Median follow-up is only 17 months, the longest one being 42 months. The overall survival at 2 years for IBC, is 90 per cent with a disease-free survival of 80 per cent. Cosmetic results are excellent. While these results are encouraging, longer follow-up is needed to confirm this improvement.

[Inserm ad hoc committee: Recommendations for the management of women with a genetic risk for developing cancer of the breast and/or the ovary]. / Expertise collective Inserm-FNCLCC: recommandations portant sur la prise en charge des femmes ayant un risque d'origine génétique de développer un cancer du sein et/ou de l'ovaire.

BACKGROUND: Almost 10% of breast and ovarian cancer are inherited, and the majority are linked to BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations. Despite the uncertainty, consensus guidelines were defined to assist practitioners', and patients' decisions about the health care decisions to be made. METHODOLOGY: The ad hoc committee consisted of 14 experts designated by the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. They all attended eleven workshops at which a systematic analytical review of more than 3,500 articles was carried out. Five additional experts critically analyzed the first version of the report. PROCESS: Two thresholds were defined on a probability scale giving the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer, to serve as a means of deciding as whether an intervention is worthwhile. The first threshold is that above which an intervention can be envisaged or recommended; the second is that under which an intervention can be ruled out; between the two, the decision has to be made on a each by case basis. SCREENING AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES ANALYZED: About breast cancer: 1) hormonal interventions; 2) primary prevention (diet, family planning and chemoprevention); 3) screening (breast self-examination, clinician breast examination, tumor markers, imaging); 4) prophylactic mastectomy. About ovarian cancer: 1) hormonal stimulation; 2) screening (clinical screening, ultrasound and tumor markers); 3) prophylactic oophorectomy. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: With each strategy the following points were dealt with: the information to be delivered to the consult and, the procedure and the indications. The committee's opinion about BRCA mutation screening is that population-based or even large scale implementation are not justified. The committee feels that specific management is indispensable and advocates the use of defined and evaluated procedures, and involvement in clinical trials.