Phase 2 trial of erlotinib combined with cisplatin and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based chemoradiation (CRT) is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in cervical cancer, and EGFR inhibition itself has antitumor effects and potentiates CRT. Results of a previous phase 1 trial of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib combined with cisplatin-based CRT (E + CRT) recommended a phase 2 erlotinib dose of 150 mg/day. METHODS: Eligibility criteria included International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB to IIIB epidermoid cervical cancer, no prior therapy, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2. Patients received erlotinib at a dose of 150 mg/day 1 week before and in combination with cisplatin (40 mg/m(2) administered weekly for 5 cycles) and radiotherapy (4500 centigrays in 25 fractions), followed by brachytherapy (4 fractions at a dose of 600 centigrays weekly). RESULTS: A total of 36 patients completed treatment with E + CRT. The median duration of therapy was 77 days and the median follow-up period was 59.3 months. The therapy was well tolerated overall, and 34 patients (94.4%) achieved a complete response. The 2-year and 3-year cumulative overall and progression-free survival rates were 91.7% and 80.6% and 80% and 73.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with E + CRT appears to be safe and exerts significant activity against locally advanced cervical cancer. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to date to demonstrate that a target agent has promising activity against locally advanced cervical cancer.

Quality of life and mental health in Brazilian women treated for invasive carcinoma of the cervix.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) and mental health (MH) of women surviving at least 2 years after treatment for invasive carcinoma of the cervix by radical hysterectomy (RH), chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, or by surgery followed by adjuvant therapy (RH + chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy). The QOL/MH of a control group of women with no history of malignancy was also assessed for comparison with the treated groups. METHODS: The levels of QOL and MH were assessed in 114 Brazilian women (57 patients with an average of 4 years since treatment completion and 57 control subjects). The 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, the Life Events Inventory, and a general survey for the assessment of sociodemographic data were applied to each participant of the study. RESULTS: No differences were noted among the 3 treatment groups or between these and the control group concerning the levels of QOL (either physical or MH aspects), anxiety, general health, or life events. However, lower levels of anxiety were detected in cancer survivors when compared with the control group (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: After at least 2 years, the QOL and the MH of Brazilian women treated for invasive carcinoma of the cervix were similar to those of women without malignancy and were not affected by the modality of treatment.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical (cytokeratins AE1/AE3) study of the parametrium of patients with early stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken in order to evaluate histopathological and immunohistochemical (cytokeratins AE1/AE3) characteristics of parametrial invasion in patients with early stage cervical cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix submitted to radical hysterectomy from November 2001 to September 2002 were prospectively studied. Histopathological studies were undertaken using tissue samples (n=60) taken from the parametrium, whose surgical margins were inked and the entire parametrial tissue was fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin for further analysis using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Specific patterns of parametrial involvement (continuous invasion, parametrial lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI) and/or parametrial lymph nodes' (PMLN) metastasis) were recorded. Parametrial samples, in which the histological examination showed no tumor involvement, were immunohistochemically assessed through monoclonal antibodies for cytokeratins AE1/AE3. Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were also recorded. RESULTS: Patient's mean age was 49+/-10 years (27-73 years). Histopathological analysis (H&E) showed parametrium involvement in 12 patients (40%) of whom 11 (92%) presented parametrial LVSI, 9 (75%) continuous invasion and 4 (33%) PMLN metastasis. Micrometastasis was detected in 3/18 (17%) of the patients with histologically negative parametrium by H&E evaluation. Parametrial involvement detected by H&E was associated with tumor recurrence (p=0.009) and survival (p=0.025). This association was not correlated with the presence of parametrial micrometastasis (p=1.00 and 1.00, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The process of parametrial spreading in patients with SCC of the cervix may develop several histopathological patterns, which are associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Our findings highlight the importance to ink the parametria, which is the only way to define the pattern of tumor spreading. The clinical significance of micrometastasis, detected in patients with histologically negative parametrium by H&E, remains to be clear.

Total inhibin is a potential serum marker for epithelial ovarian cancer.

CONTEXT: Total inhibin is the sum of precursors, subunits, and mature molecules of inhibin, which the normal ovary nearly stops to produce after menopause, whereas ovarian tumors still release. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the serum concentration of total inhibin has the sensitivity/specificity characteristics to become a diagnostic test for epithelial ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: This was a controlled, cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the University of Siena. PATIENTS: Blood specimens were collected from postmenopausal women with: 1) epithelial ovarian cancer, stage II-III (n = 89); 2) benign ovarian tumors (n = 25); 3) breast (n = 10), colon (n = 10), and stomach (n = 10) cancers; and 4) controls (n = 95). In the group of women with epithelial ovarian cancer, blood specimens were also collected after surgical removal of the tumor. In four cases of women with stage IIC mucinous tumor, blood specimens were collected during the follow-up time. INTERVENTION: Total inhibin was measured by a new double-antibody ELISA. RESULTS: Women with epithelial ovarian cancers showed serum total inhibin levels significantly higher than those with benign tumor or with nonovarian tumors or controls (P < 0.001). Patients with serous (n = 40) or mucinous tumors (n = 17) showed the highest total inhibin levels (P < 0.001). At 95% specificity, the total inhibin assay detected 37 of 40 (93%) serous tumors and 16 of 17 (94%) mucinous tumors. When total inhibin was combined with CA-125, all cases of serous and mucinous tumors were detected, and the overall sensitivity for epithelial ovarian cancers was 99% at 95% specificity. A significant decrease of total inhibin levels was shown in women with serous and mucinous carcinoma as result of surgery (P < 0.001). In the four women who were followed up, recurrence was associated to an increase of total inhibin levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present data show that total inhibin is a sensitive and specific marker of epithelial ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women. Total inhibin may therefore be combined with CA-125 for noninvasive diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer and may also be a useful serum marker to monitor disease-free intervals.

Randomized study of bipolar vessel sealing system versus conventional suture ligature for vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the use of bipolar vessel sealing system (BVSS) with conventional suture ligature in vaginal hysterectomy (VH) on a non-prolapsed uterus. STUDY DESIGN: Women referred for VH for uterine myoma were randomized to BVSS (n=45) or conventional suture ligature VH (n=45). Exclusion criteria were uterine prolapse and indication associated surgical procedures. Main outcome measures were operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, pain status, peri and post-operative complications. Data of patients were collected prospectively. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Student's t-test as appropriate. RESULTS: There were no differences in patients' mean age, parity and uterine size between groups. Patients in the BVSS group had a significantly reduced operating time (29.2+/-2.1 min vs. 75.2+/-5 min; p<0.001), operative blood loss (84+/-5.9 mL vs. 136.4+/-89.1 mL; p=0.001), requirement of surgical sutures (1.2+/-0.6 units vs. 7.4+/-0.3 units; p<0.001), pain status (1.6+/-0.4 vs. 3.6+/-0.4; p<0.001) and hospital stay (25.6+/-0.9h vs. 33.2+/-1.7h; p<0.001) compared to the control group. The overall complication rate in the study was 7.8% (7/90), and did not differ between patients of the BVSS and control group. CONCLUSION: Bipolar vessel sealing for vaginal hysterectomy appears to be an effective and safe haemostatic control method, with reduced operating time, peri-operative blood losses, post-operative pain and hospital stay.

Comparative study of autologous pubovaginal sling and synthetic transobturator (TOT) SAFYRE sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: To compare short-term results of autologous pubovaginal sling and synthetic transobturator (TOT) SAFYRE sling in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Twenty women referred for surgical treatment of SUI were assigned randomly to autologous pubovaginal sling or synthetic TOT sling. Inclusion criteria were primary treatment of SUI and urodynamic study showing SUI without detrusor overactivity. Pre- and postoperative quantification of the severity of incontinence was done by pad test and a validated questionnaire (King's Health Questionnaire). RESULTS: There were no differences in patients' mean age, parity, body mass index, rate of postmenopausal state, pelvic floor defects and mean Valsalva leak point pressure in the preoperative urodynamic study. Mean operating time (21.1 +/- 3.8 vs. 69.5 +/- 23.7 min; P < 0.001) and hospital stay (28.8 +/- 8.4 vs. 44.4 +/- 5.8 h; P < 0.001) was shorter in the TOT than the autologous group. The postoperative pad test (39.4 +/- 12.5 vs. 8.4 +/- 5.2 g; P = 0.01) and the absent in the improvement in the quality of life were significantly higher in the TOT group. CONCLUSION: Our initial results suggest that the synthetic TOT technique had worse effectiveness for treating female SUI compared to autologous pubovaginal sling.

Abdominal vs vaginal hysterectomy: a comparative study of the postoperative quality of life and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term results of the quality of life and satisfaction of patients submitted to total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for benign uterine disease. METHODS: Women referred for hysterectomy for uterine myoma were randomized to TAH (n=30) or VH (n=30). The exclusion criteria were uterine prolapse, indication associated surgical procedures and uterine size > or =300 cm3. After a month, follow-up questionnaires had a response rate of 100%, and consisted of an interview with application of SF-36 questionnaire (functional capacity, physical aspect and pain) and evaluation of satisfaction rate. RESULTS: There were no differences in the patients' mean age, parity, body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin levels and uterine size between groups. Lower postoperative quality-of-life scores were found in the TAH group when compared to the VH group in functional capacity (P=0.002), physical aspect (P=0.008) and pain (P=0.002). The general satisfaction rate with the surgery was similar in the two groups of patients (P=0.147). However, a higher rate of patients submitted to VH would choose the same therapeutic modality (65.5 vs 90%; P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: A better postoperative quality of life (functional capacity, physical aspect and pain) and higher satisfaction rate was found in the VH when compared to TAH.

[Hemodynamic repercussions of exaggerated lithotomy position for vaginal hysterectomy in cardiac patient: case report.]. / Repercussões hemodinâmicas do posicionamento em litotomia exagerada para histerectomia vaginal em paciente cardiopata: relato de caso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vaginal hysterectomy shortens surgery duration and may be performed with neuraxial block, which promotes better postoperative analgesia and lower systemic response to surgical procedure. This report aimed at describing hemodynamic changes promoted by exaggerated lithotomy position in cardiac patient. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 33 years old, with history of abnormal uterine bleeding and anemia. Ultrasound revealed myomas of approximately 420 cm(3). Patient had thrombophilia and dilated cardiomyopathy, with history of two ischemic strokes and two acute myocardial infarction. Monitoring consisted of invasive blood pressure and pulmonary artery catheter for continuous cardiac output measurement. Spinal anesthesia was performed with hyperbaric bupivacaine and morphine. Patient was placed in exaggerated lithotomy position being total hysterectomy performed by the Heaney technique and bilateral salpingectomy. Intraoperative intercurrences were post-positioning decreased cardiac output and increased right chambers pressure requiring dobutamine. CONCLUSIONS: Exaggerated lithotomy position may promote hemodynamic changes which should be considered when choosing the surgical technique.

Uncommon complications of sacrospinous fixation for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate uncommon complications following transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. CASE REPORTS: A series of three patients who developed uncommon complications following sacrospinous fixation are reported. A 64-year-old patient undergoing bilateral sacrospinous colpopexy for the treatment of an ICS stage III vaginal vault prolapse developed a perineal necrotizing infection. Another patient, a 69-year-old woman with total vaginal vault prolapse and anterior vaginal wall defect (ICS stage II), underwent a right transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy and anterior repair, presenting postoperatively with a perineal hernia. The third case consisted of a 71-year-old woman who underwent a right sacrospinous colpopexy with paravaginal repair, rectocele repair, and perineorrhaphy for treatment of an ICS stage III post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse, stage II cystocele secondary to a bilateral paravaginal defect, and a stage II rectocele. Six months later the patient developed a left lateral enterocele, which was successfully repaired with a left sacrospinous ligament fixation. DISCUSSION: Etiological factors and treatment considerations for these uncommon complications of sacrospinous colpopexy are discussed in detail, and prophylactic measures, when applicable, are emphasized.

Clinicopathological features influencing pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement in patients with carcinoma of the cervix.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate clinical and pathologic findings that predicted pelvic lymph node metastasis and parametrial and vaginal involvement in patients with stage IB carcinoma of the cervix. METHODS: 71 patients with diagnosis of stage IB (FIGO) cervical cancer were prospectively studied from December 1997 to August 2002. The patient's age, clinical stage (IB1 or IB2), histological classification, grade of differentiation, tumor volume, and lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI) were evaluated. Statistical methods included chi2 test and Fisher's exact test to evaluate significant differences between the groups. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The clinical stage was IB1 in 51 patients (71.8%) and IB2 in 20 patients (28.2%). The histological classification identified squamous cell carcinoma in 60 patients (84.5%) and adenocarcinoma in 11 patients (15.5%). The average tumoral volume was 22.8 +/- 24.3 cm3 (0.3-140.0 cm3). The tumor was well differentiated (G1) in 8 (11.3%), moderately differentiated (G2) in 40 (56.3%) and poorly differentiated in 23 (32.4%) of the cases. The presence of LVSI was detected in 14 patients (19.7%) and was associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement (p = 0.002, p = 0.001 and p < 0.001; respectively). The average number of positive pelvic lymph nodes was significantly higher in the patients with LVSI compared with patients without LVSI (2.47 +/- 2.8 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.74; p = 0.001). There was no association of age, clinical stage, histological classification, grade of differentiation or tumor volume with pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement. CONCLUSION: The presence of LVSI is significantly associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement in patients with stage IB cervical carcinoma.

Sentinel node detection in cervical cancer with (99m)Tc-phytate.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification using radioisotopic lymphatic mapping with technetium-99 m-labeled phytate in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for treatment of early cervical cancer. METHODS: Between July 2001 and February 2003, 56 patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage I (n = 53) or stage II (n = 3) underwent sentinel lymph node detection with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy ((99m)Tc-labeled phytate injected into the uterine cervix, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, at a dose of 55-74 MBq in a volume of 0.8 ml) and intraoperative lymphatic mapping with a handheld gamma probe. Radical hysterectomy was aborted in three cases because parametrial invasion was found intraoperatively and we performed only sentinel node resection. The remaining 53 patients underwent radical hysterectomy with complete pelvic lymphadenectomy. Sentinel nodes were detected using a handheld gamma-probe and removed for pathological assessment during the abdominal radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: One or more sentinel nodes were detected in 52 out of 56 eligible patients (92.8%). A total of 120 SLNs were detected by lymphoscintigraphy (mean 2.27 nodes per patient) and intraoperatively by gamma probe. Forty-four percent of SLNs were found in the external iliac area, 39% in the obturator region, 8.3% in interiliac region, and 6.7% in the common iliac area. Unilateral sentinel nodes were found in thirty-one patients (59%). The remaining 21 patients (41%) had bilateral sentinel nodes. Microscopic nodal metastases were confirmed in 17 (32%) cases. In 10 of these patients, only SLNs had metastases. The 98 sentinel nodes that were negative on hematoxylin and eosin were submitted to cytokeratin immunohistochemical analysis. Five (5.1%) micrometastases were identified with this technique. The sensitivity of the sentinel node was 82.3% (CI 95% = 56.6-96.2) and the negative predictive value was 92.1% (CI 95% = 78.6-98.3). The accuracy of sentinel node in predicting the lymph node status was 94.2%. CONCLUSION: Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative lymphatic mapping with (99m)Tc-labeled phytate are effective in identifying sentinel nodes in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy and to select women in whom lymph node dissection can be avoided.

Pubovaginal sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence for urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of pubovaginal sling for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in patients with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and patients with urethral hypermobility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients aging 22 to 73 years-old (mean = 49.6) with a median parity of 4.1 (range 0 - 14) who underwent pubovaginal autologous fascial sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence from August/1999 to August/2002 were prospectively analyzed. Objective pre and postoperative urodynamic evaluation was performed in all cases. The patients were divided into 2 groups: thirty-nine patients (62.9%) with urethral hypermobility (Valsalva leak point pressure equal or superior to 60 cm of H(2)O) and twenty-three patients (37.1%) with intrinsic sphincteric insufficiency (Valsalva leak point pressure below 60 cm of H(2)O). RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 24.8 months, ranging from 3 to 38 months. Three patients (4.8%) had detrusor overactivity before the operation, and 36 patients (58.1%) had voiding dysfunction before surgery. The postoperative objective cure rate was 88.7% for stress urinary incontinence. The study also showed that 32.2% of the patients had voiding dysfunction and 11.3% had detrusor overactivity. The mean hospital stay was 3.1 days (range 2 - 4). No difference in the above parameters was noticed between patients with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and those with urethral hypermobility. CONCLUSION: Construction of a pubovaginal sling is an effective technique for the relief of severe stress urinary incontinence, for both patients with urethral hipermobility and with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, having a cure rate of 88.7%. The high frequency of postoperative voiding urgency was not related to the detrusor overactivity as evaluated by urodynamic studies.

Expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB carcinoma of the cervix.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 both in the tumor and in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, as an attempt to use these proteins as possible markers for residual tumor in cervical cancer. METHODS: Thirty patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were submitted to radical hysterectomy (study group), and thirty patients with uterine myoma were submitted to vaginal hysterectomy (control group) and were prospectively studied from November 2001 to September 2002. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor or cervix, anterior vaginal margin (AVM), and posterior vaginal margin (PVM) and were immunohistochemically evaluated by monoclonal antibodies for p53, Ki-67, and CD31. Vaginal samples in which the histological examination showed tumor involvement were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Patient's mean age was 48.7 +/- 10.4 years (27-73 years). The clinical stage was IB1 in 22 patients (73.3%) and IB2 in eight patients (26.7%). The expressions of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 were significantly higher in the tumor than in the benign cervix (P < 0.001). Higher expressions of these markers were noted in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with cervical carcinoma compared to the vaginal margins of control patients. This association was demonstrated for p53 in the AVM proximal (P = 0.045), for Ki-67 in AVM proximal (P < 0.001), AVM distal (P < 0.001), PVM proximal (P = 0.009), and PVM distal (P < 0.001), and for CD31 in AVM proximal (P = 0.003) and AVM distal (P = 0.018). There was no difference in p53, Ki-67, and CD31 expression between the proximal and distal regions of the vaginal margins in patients with carcinoma of the cervix. CONCLUSION: The expressions of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 were significantly higher in both the histologically positive (cervical tumor) and negative (vaginal margins) tissues of patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer compared to the benign control tissues.

Repercussões hemodinâmicas do posicionamento em litotomia exagerada para histerectomia vaginal em paciente cardiopata: relato de caso

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A técnica de histerectomia vaginal possibilita menor tempo operatório e o uso do bloqueio do neuro-eixo, com os benefícios de melhor analgesia pós-operatória e menor resposta sistêmica ao procedimento cirúrgico. O objetivo deste relato foi descrever as alterações hemodinâmicas decorrentes do posicionamento em litotomia exagerada em paciente cardiopata. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente de 33 anos, G0P0A0, com história de sangramento uterino anormal e anemia. A ultra-sonografia evidenciava útero miomatoso com volume estimado de 420 cm³. Ela era portadora de trombofilia e miocardiopatia dilatada, com passado de dois acidentes vasculares encefálicos isquêmicos e dois infartos agudos do miocárdio. Foi monitorizada com pressão arterial invasiva e cateter de artéria pulmonar com medida de débito cardíaco contínuo. Realizada raquianestesia com bupivacaína hiperbárica e morfina. A paciente foi posicionada em litotomia exagerada sendo realizada histerectomia total pela técnica de Heaney e salpingectomia bilateral. Como intercorrência intra-operatória apresentou diminuição do índice cardíaco e aumento das pressões de câmaras direitas após o posicionamento, necessitando do uso de dobutamina. CONCLUSÕES: O posicionamento em litotomia exagerada pode ocasionar alterações hemodinâmicas que devem ser consideradas na escolha da técnica cirúrgica.

Prolapso de tuba uterina após histerectomia vaginal: relato de caso / Fallopian tube prolapse after vaginal hysterectomy: a case report

O prolapso de tuba uterina é complicação rara após histerectomia, com aproximadamente 80 casos descritos na literatura. A sintomatologia é inespecífica, podendo incluir sangramento genital, dispareunia e dor pélvica crônica. O diagnóstico diferencial deve ser feito com granuloma de cúpula vaginal e carcinoma de vagina. O tratamento deve ser individualizado, podendo ser realizado por via vaginal, abdominal ou laparoscópica. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente, 47 anos, com miomatose uterina, submetida a histerectomia vaginal, evoluindo com prolapso de tuba uterina após 11 meses de pós-operatório. O exame especular evidenciava lesão vegetante, friável e sangrante localizada na cúpula vaginal. Esses achados clínicos sugeriam o diagnóstico de prolapso de tuba uterina. A paciente foi submetida a nova intervenção cirúrgica, com ressecção da tuba uterina por via vaginal. O exame natomopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico e a paciente evoluiu com remissão completa da sintomatologia.

Pubovaginal sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence for urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of pubovaginal sling for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in patients with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and patients with urethral hypermobility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients aging 22 to 73 years-old (mean = 49.6) with a median parity of 4.1 (range 0 - 14) who underwent pubovaginal autologous fascial sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence from August/1999 to August/2002 were prospectively analyzed. Objective pre and postoperative urodynamic evaluation was performed in all cases. The patients were divided into 2 groups: thirty-nine patients (62.9 percent) with urethral hypermobility (Valsalva leak point pressure equal or superior to 60 cm of H2O) and twenty-three patients (37.1 percent) with intrinsic sphincteric insufficiency (Valsalva leak point pressure below 60 cm of H2O). RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 24.8 months, ranging from 3 to 38 months. Three patients (4.8 percent) had detrusor overactivity before the operation, and 36 patients (58.1 percent) had voiding dysfunction before surgery. The postoperative objective cure rate was 88.7 percent for stress urinary incontinence. The study also showed that 32.2 percent of the patients had voiding dysfunction and 11.3 percent had detrusor overactivity. The mean hospital stay was 3.1 days (range 2 - 4). No difference in the above parameters was noticed between patients with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and those with urethral hypermobility. CONCLUSION: Construction of a pubovaginal sling is an effective technique for the relief of severe stress urinary incontinence, for both patients with urethral hipermobility and with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, having a cure rate of 88.7 percent. The high frequency of postoperative voiding urgency was not related to the detrusor overactivity as evaluated by urodynamic studies.

Tumores trofoblásticos gestacionais / Gestational trophoblastic tumors

Os aspectos mais atuais da biologia, fatores prognósticos evoluçäo e tratamento dos tumores trofoblásticos gestacionais säo revistos, dando-se ênfase Ós condutas terapêuticas adotadas pelo Serviço de Oncologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Uso do CA 125 para diagnóstico pré-operatório do carcinoma epitelial ovariano em pacientes portadoras de massa pélvica / Use of CA 125 for preoperative diagnosis of ovarian epithelial carcinoma in patients with pelvic tumor

Os autores fizeram uma avaliaçäo do uso do marcador tumoral CA 125 no diagnóstico diferencial entre a massa pélvica de natureza benigna e a de substrato maligno. Foram atendidas e avaliadas 32 pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de massa pélvica a esclarecer, nos ambulatórios de Ginecologia, Medicina Geral de Adultos e Cirurgia do Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, no período de janeiro a abril de 1991. As dosagens séricas do anticorpo monoclonal CA 125 foram realizadas pré-operatoriamente em todos os casos, fazendo-se a correlaçäo com o diagnóstico cirúrgico e anatomo-patológico a posteriori. Os níveis de CA 125 atT 35U/ml säo insuficientes para o diagnóstico sorológico de massa pélvica maligna, mesmo em se tratando de adenocarcinoma ovariano. Porém, níveis séricos iguais ou acima de 65U/ml devem ser melhor avaliados para este objetivo.

Efeitos colaterais dos anticoncepcionais orais / Collateral effects of oral contraceptives

As complicaçöes graves que ocorrem em usuárias de contraceptivo oral säo infreqüentes, porém preocupantes. Através de uma seleçäo adequada da paciente sua incidência pode diminuir. Sempre que possível deve-se usar pílulas com dosagem de estrogênio igual ou abaixo de 50 microgramas. Os anticoncepcionais orais näo devem ser utilizados em pacientes hipertensas obesas, com mais de 35 anos. As fumantes devem ser alertadas do seu risco. Mulheres com cefaléia que surja ou piore durante o uso da pílula devem interromper o método. A contracepçäo oral deve ser suspensa antes de cirurgia (quatro semanas) ou para avaliaçäo de funçöes glandulares. Todas as condiçöes devem ser avaliadas quanto ao risco-benefício, desse modo através de uma útil e conveniente revisäo dos efeitos colaterais dos ACO, podemos selecionar adequadamente o método contraceptivo a ser utilizado