HPV ctDNA detection of high-risk HPV types during chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care for patients diagnosed with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC), a human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer that relapses in 30%-60% of patients. This study aimed to (i) design HPV droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays for blood detection (including rare genotypes) and (ii) monitor blood HPV circulating tumor DNA (HPV ctDNA) levels during CRT in patients with LACC. METHODS: We analyzed blood and tumor samples from 55 patients with HPV-positive LACC treated by CRT in a retrospective cohort (n = 41) and a prospective cohort (n = 14). HPV-ctDNA detection was carried out by genotype-specific ddPCR. RESULTS: HPV ctDNA was successfully detected in 69% of patients (n = 38/55) before CRT for LACC, including nine patients with a rare genotype. HPV-ctDNA level was correlated with HPV copy number in the tumor (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). HPV-ctDNA positivity for HPV18 (20%, n = 2/10) was significantly lower than for HPV16 (77%, n = 27/35) or other types (90%, n = 9/10, P = 0.002). HPV-ctDNA detection (positive versus negative) before CRT was associated with tumor stage (P = 0.037) and lymph node status (P = 0.02). Taking into account all samples from the end of CRT and during follow-up in the prospective cohort, positive HPV-ctDNA detection was associated with lower disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.048) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0013). CONCLUSION: This is one of the largest studies to report HPV-ctDNA detection before CRT and showed clearance of HPV ctDNA at the end of treatment in most patients. Residual HPV ctDNA at the end of CRT or during follow-up could help to identify patients more likely to experience subsequent relapse.

A multivariate Th17 metagene for prognostic stratification in T cell non-inflamed triple negative breast cancer.

A diversity of T helper (Th) subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17) has been identified in the human tumor microenvironment. In breast cancer, the role of Th subsets remains controversial, and a systematic study integrating Th subset diversity, T cell inflammation, breast cancer molecular subtypes, and patient prognosis, is lacking. In primary untreated breast cancer samples, we analyzed 19 Th cytokines at the protein level. Eight were T cell-specific, and subsequently measured in 106 prospectively-collected untreated samples. The dominant Th cytokines across all breast cancer samples were IFN-γ and IL-2. Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) were expressed at low levels and not associated with any breast cancer subtype. Th17 cytokines (IL-17A and IL-17F) were up-regulated in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), specifically in T cell non-inflamed tumors. In order to get insight into prognosis, we exploited the METABRIC transcriptomic dataset. We derived Th1, Th2, and Th17 metagenes based on manually curated Th signatures, and found that a high Th17 metagene was of good prognosis in T cell non-inflamed TNBC. Multivariate Cox modeling selected the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI), Th2 and Th17 metagenes as additive predictors of breast cancer-specific survival, which defined novel and highly distinct prognostic groups within TNBC. Our results reveal that Th17 is a novel prognostic composite biomarker in T cell non-inflamed TNBC. Integrating immune cell and tumor molecular diversity is an efficient strategy for prognostic stratification of cancer patients.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy after concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer compared to laparotomy: A multi institutional prospective pilot study of cost, surgical outcome and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopy allows hysterectomies after chemoradiation to be performed without opening the abdominal wall. We measured the costs and quality of life for locally advanced cervical cancer patients operated on via laparoscopy compared to laparotomy. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted an observational prospective multicenter study on locally advanced cervical cancer patients undergoing an extrafascial hysterectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We assessed the costs from the medical visit before surgery up to the first month after surgery from the providers' perspective and measured the quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24 up to six months. RESULTS: Sixty two patients (39 laparoscopy and 23 laparotomy) from December 2008 to November 2011 were included. There was no difference in operative time, or intraoperative and post-operative complication rates between the two groups. Intraoperative transfusion and abdominal drain were significantly lower in the laparoscopy group (respectively, p = 0.04 and p < 0.01), as well as the duration of hospital stay (7.3 d vs. 5.7 d, p < 0.001). All patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy were discharged to home, whereas 4 laparotomy patients used convalescence homes (p = 0.01). Mean costs at one month were €10,991 for laparotomy and €11,267 for laparoscopy (p = 0.76). Sexual activity is better for the laparoscopy group at six months (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy for an extrafascial hysterectomy after CRT in locally advanced cervical cancer patients brought better quality of life with similar costs compared to laparotomy, and should therefore be the first choice for surgeons.

Clinico-pathology and prognosis of endometrial cancer in patients previously treated for breast cancer, with or without tamoxifen: a comparative study in 363 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinic-pathologic variables and the prognosis of endometrial cancer in patients with and without previous breast cancer, with and without Tamoxifen. METHODS: We analyzed patients treated for an endometrial carcinoma from 1994 to 2004: patients without breast cancer (group 1), patients with a previous breast cancer without tamoxifen (group 2) and patients treated for breast cancer with tamoxifen (group 3). Survival rates were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a Log rank test, multivariate analysis was performed with a Cox regression model. RESULTS: 363 patients were analyzed. 80 patients had a previous history of breast cancer (43 received tamoxifen). Although it was not statistically significant, more carcinosarcomas were observed in patients in group 3 than patients in groups 1 and 2 (11.7% versus 4.2% and 5.4% respectively, p = 0.17).) Median follow-up was 87 months [2-185]. 5-year overall survival rate was respectively in groups 1, 2 and 3: 82%, 73.2%, and 61% (p = 0.0006). 5-year local relapse-free survival rate was respectively: 95.9%, 93.1% and 82.5% (p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, factors affecting overall survival rate were: age ≥65 ans (HR 3.62, p < 0.0001), FIGO stage (HR 3.33 p < 0.0001 for locally advanced stage versus early stage, HR 8.87 p = 0.03 for distant extension versus early stage), and group 3 (HR 2.83 p < 0.001 versus group 1). CONCLUSION: Patients with endometrial cancer previously treated for breast cancer show a worse prognostic, particularly if they reveived tamoxifen.

[The role of nipple-sparing mastectomy in breast cancer: a comprehensive review of the literature]. / Mastectomie avec conservation de la plaque aréolo-mamelonnaire et cancer du sein. Mise au point.

BACKGROUND: The role of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) for breast cancer is controversial as there is concern regarding its oncological safety and complication rate. We carried out a review of the literature to quantify the incidence of occult nipple malignancy in breast cancer, identify the factors influencing occult nipple malignancy, quantify locoregional recurrence rates and quantify NSM complication rates. METHODS: A search of the literature was performed using PubMed. Keywords used were "mastectomy", "nipple involvement", "nipple-sparing mastectomy", "skin-sparing mastectomy" "occult nipple malignancy" "occult nipple disease" "breast cancer recurrence". Articles were analyzed regarding incidence of occult nipple malignancy, potential factors influencing the incidence of occult malignancy and recurrence/complications following NSM. The incidence of occult nipple disease was compared between groups using Chi(2) or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Student's t-tests for continuous variables. P values were considered significant<0.05. We identified nearly 30 studies compiling nearly 10 000 cases examining the rate of occult nipple malignancy and 23 studies compiling 2300 cases providing information on the rate of local recurrence after NSM. RESULTS: The overall rate of occult nipple malignancy was 11.5 %. Primary tumour characteristics influencing occult nipple malignancy were tumour-nipple distance<2cm, grade, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, HER2 positive, ER/PR negative, tumour size>5cm, retro-areolar/central location and multicentric tumours. The overall nipple recurrence rate following NSM was 0.9 %, skin flap recurrence rate was 4.2 %. Full and partial thickness nipple necrosis rates were 2.9 % and 6.3 % respectively. CONCLUSION: NSM for primary breast cancer is appropriate in carefully selected patients. All patients should have retro-areolar sampling. There is strong evidence to suggest that suitable cases are well circumscribed single or multifocal lesions that have a TND>2cm. Tumours should be graded 1-2 and not have LVI, axillary node metastasis or HER2 positivity.

Extensive pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: identification of predictors of associated infiltrating carcinoma and lymph node metastasis before immediate reconstructive surgery.

AIM: To identify predictors for infiltrating carcinoma and lymph node involvement, before immediate breast reconstructive surgery, in patients with an initial diagnosis of extensive pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (DCIS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2009, 241 patients with pure extensive DCIS in preoperative biopsy had underwent mastectomy. Axillary staging (sentinel node and/or axillary dissection) was performed in 92% (n = 221) of patients. Patients with micro-invasive lesions at initial diagnosis, recurrence or contralateral breast cancer were excluded. RESULTS: Respectively 14% and 21% of patients had a final diagnosis of micro-invasive carcinoma (MIC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Univariate analysis showed that the following variables at diagnosis were significantly correlated with the presence of either MIC or IDC in the mastectomy specimen: palpable tumor (p = 0.002), high grade DCIS (p = 0.002) and detection of an opacity by mammography (p = 0.019). Axillary lymph node (ALN) involvement was reported in 9% of patients. Univariate analysis suggested that a body mass index higher than 25 (p = 0.007), a palpable tumor (p = 0.012) and the detection of an opacity by mammography (p = 0.044) were associated with an increased rate of ALN involvement. CONCLUSION: Skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction (IBRS) has become increasingly popular, especially for patients with extended DCIS of the breast. This study confirmed that extended DCIS is associated with a substantial risk of finding MIC or IDC on the surgical specimen but also ALN involvement. Adjuvant systemic treatment and/or radiotherapy could be indicated for some of these patients after the surgery. Patients should be informed of the rate of 1) complications associated to IBRS that will potentially delay the introduction of systemic or local therapy 2) complications associated to radiotherapy after IBRS.

Evaluation and impact of residual disease in locally advanced cervical cancer after concurrent chemoradiation therapy: results of a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis and impact of residual disease (RD) after concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (FIGO IB2-IVA). METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included 159 patients who were treated with completion surgery after CRT between 2006 and 2012. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 4-6 weeks after CRT and compared to pathological evidence of residual disease. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted and univariate/multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between RD and the outcome. RESULTS: Residual disease was present in 45.3% of the patients and detected by MRI in 57.1%. The MRI had a 29.2% false positive rate and an 11.1% false negative rate. The overall survival (OS) rates at 3 and 5 years were 78.6% (CI 95% [71%-86.9%]) and 76.5% (CI 95% [68.2%-85.7%]), respectively. The disease free survival (DFS) rates at 3 and 5 years were 73.4% (CI 95% [65.6%-82%]) and 71.1% (CI 95% [62.7%-80.1%]), respectively. RD greater than 10 mm decreased DFS (HR = 4.84, p = 0.03), whereas RD between 1 and 10 mm (HR = 0.31, p = 0.58) and less than 1 mm (HR = 0.37, p = 0.54) had no impact on DFS. The OS was not changed by RD. DISCUSSION: The MRI accuracy value is not sufficient to select patients who might benefit from completion surgery. Residual disease over 10 mm decreased DFS but did not impact OS.

Prediction of axillary lymph node status in male breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether predictive factors of axillary lymph node metastasis in female breast cancer (BC) are similar in male BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to May 2011, we recorded 80 non-metastatic male BC treated at Institut Curie (IC). We analysed the calibration and discrimination performance of two nomograms [IC, Memorian Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)] originally designed to predict axillary lymph node metastases in female BC. RESULTS: About 55% and 24% of the tumours were pT1 and pT4, respectively. Nearly 46% demonstrated axillary lymph node metastasis. About 99% were oestrogen receptor positive and 94% HER2 negative. Lymph node status was the only significant prognostic factor of overall survival (P = 0.012). The area under curve (AUC) of IC and MSKCC nomograms were 0.66 (95% CI 0.54-0.79) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.52-0.76), respectively. The calibration of these two models was inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-variate models designed to predict axillary lymph node metastases for female BC were not effective in our male BC series. Our results may be explained by (i) small sample size (ii) different biological determinants influencing axillary metastasis in male BC compared with female BC.

[A case of cutaneous mammary re-irradiation]. / Un cas de ré-irradiation cutanée mammaire.

In early-stage breast cancer, radiotherapy delivered after conservative surgery leads to a reduction in the risk of local recurrences by approximately two thirds. However, some local recurrences can occur in a previously irradiated region and be relevant for a second radiotherapy, exposing to an increased risk of adverse effects. We describe here the observation of a 66-year-old woman treated for a triple negative ductal infiltrative carcinoma of the left breast, who presented an early locoregional recurrence, notably as skin nodules, developed within the irradiated volume and progressing on chemotherapy. The patient was treated by re-irradiation performed concomitantly to oral chemotherapy by capecitabine.

Validation over time of a nomogram including HER2 status to predict the sentinel node positivity in early breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The molecular subtypes of breast cancer have different axillary status. A nomogram including the interaction covariate between estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 has been recently published (Reyal et al. PLOS One, May 2011) and allows to identify the patients with a high risk of positive sentinel lymph node (SLN). The purpose of our study was to validate this model on an independent population. METHODS: We studied 755 consecutive patients treated at Institut Curie for operable breast cancer with sentinel node biopsies in 2009. The multivariate model, including age, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion and interaction covariate between ER and HER2 status, was used to calculate the theoretical risk of positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) for all patients. The performance of the model on our population was then evaluated in terms of discrimination (area under the curve AUC) and of calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow HL test). RESULTS: our population was significantly different from the training population for the following variables: median tumor size in mm, lymphovascular invasion, positive ER and age. The nomogram showed similar results in our population than in the training population in terms of discrimination (AUC=0.72 [0.68-0.76] versus 0.73 [0.7-0.75] and calibration (HL p=0.4 versus p=0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant differences between the two populations concerning variables which are part of the nomogram, the model was validated in our population. This nomogram is robust over time to predict the likelihood of positive SLN according to molecular subtypes defined by surrogate markers ER and HER2 determined by immunohistochemistry in clinical practice.

Necrosis in breast cancer patients with skin metastases receiving bevacizumab-based therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Bevacizumab has entered daily practice in advanced breast cancer patients, in whom skin metastases occurrence is a common event. Wound healing impairment has been described with bevacizumab, and this study looks at possible deleterious side effects of bevacizumab in patients with skin metastases. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed a series of 12 patients with advanced breast cancer presenting extensive skin metastases, and who received bevacizumab based therapy. RESULTS: Nine patients who initially presented with erosive skin lesions developed extensive and durable skin necrosis, as well as delayed healing of surgical flaps, despite early discontinuation of bevacizumab therapy and intensive skin care in a specialised unit. Skin necrosis was usually associated with extensive tumoural involvement of the skin. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab may be harmful in selected breast cancer patients with metastatic cutaneous involvement.

Outcome in early cervical cancer following pre-operative low dose rate brachytherapy: a ten-year follow up of 257 patients treated at a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of preoperative low dose rate uterovaginal brachytherapy (LDR-UVBT) followed by radical surgery in the treatment of early cervical carcinoma. METHODS: 257 patients treated at Institut Curie from 1985 to 2008 for cervical carcinoma less than 4cm (FIGO stages Ib1, IIA and IIB) were studied. Patients received preoperative LDR-UVBT followed by hysterectomy Piver II type, with pelvic lymph nodes dissection (PLND). Predictive factors for pathological response to brachytherapy were analyzed with logistic regression, as well as survival rates. RESULTS: 44% of patients had residual tumor, 4.3% of patients had parametrial invasion and 17.9% of patients had lymph node involvement. Predictive factors for an incomplete pathological response were: initial clinical tumor size 20mm (OR 2.1), pN1 (OR 2.77), glandular carcinoma (OR 2.51) and lymphovascular invasion (OR 4.35). 7.4% and 2.7% of patients had respectively grade 2 and grade 3 post-therapeutic late complications. Median follow up was 122 months [1-282]. Five-year actuarial overall survival and disease free survival were respectively 83% CI [78.3-87.5] and 80.9% CI [76.3-85.7]. In multivariate analysis, factors affecting significantly the overall survival and disease free survival rates were: lymph node involvement (RR 4.53 and 8.96 respectively), parametrial involvement (RR 5.69 and 5.62 respectively), smoking (RR 3.07 and 2.63 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative LDR-UVBT results in good disease control with a low complications rate. Its accuracy could be improved by a better selection of patients. Lymph nodes and parametrial evaluation remains a challenging issue that should be achieved with imaging and minimal invasive surgery.

[Preoperative concomitant radiochemotherapy in bulky carcinoma of the cervix: Institut Curie experience]. / Chimioradiothérapie concomitante préopératoire dans les carcinomes du col utérin de stades IB2 à IIB : expérience de l'institut Curie.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment results of patients (pts) with Figo stage IB2, IIA, IIB cervical carcinoma (CC) treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy, followed by extended radical hysterectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 148 women treated at the Institut Curie for operable Figo Stage IB2 to IIB, biopsy proved CC. Among them, 70 pts, median age 46 years, were treated using the same regimen associating primary radiocisplatinum based chemotherapy, intracavitary LDR brachytherapy, followed by extended radical hysterectomy. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to draw survival curves. Comparisons of survival distribution were assessed by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Complete histological local-regional response was obtained in 56% of the pts (n=39). Residual macroscopic or microscopic disease in the cervix was observed in 28 pts (40%). All but one had in situ microscopic residual CC. Lateral residual disease in the parametria was also present in nine pts, all with residual CC. Pelvic lymph nodes were free from microscopic disease in 56 pts (80%). Eight of 55 (11%) radiological N0 patients had microscopic nodal involvement, as compared to 6/15 (40%) radiological N1 (p=0.03). Seventeen pts (25%) had residual cervix disease but negative nodes. After median follow-up of 40 months (range, 8-141), 38/70 patients (54.1%) are still alive and free of disease, six (8.6%) alive with disease, and 11 (15.8%) patients were lost for follow-up but free of disease. CONCLUSION: The treatment of locally advanced CC needs a new multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment approach using new therapeutic arms to improve the survival and treatment tolerance among women presenting this disease.

High rates of breast conservation for large ductal and lobular invasive carcinomas combining multimodality strategies.

The literature reports low rates of breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancers not amenable to initial breast-conserving surgery. This study aims to compare the outcome of lobular vs ductal carcinomas after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Between 1989 and 1999, 750 patients with clinical stage II/IIIA ductal (672) or lobular (78) invasive breast carcinomas were treated at the Institut Curie with primary anthracycline-based polychemotherapy followed by either breast conservation (surgery and/or radiotherapy) or mastectomy. Median follow-up was 10 years. Clinical response to primary chemotherapy was significantly worse for lobular than for ductal carcinomas (47 vs 60%; P=0.04), but only histological grade remained predictive in multivariate analysis. Breast conservation was high for both ductal and lobular carcinomas (65 and 54%; P=0.07), due, in part, to the use of radiotherapy, either exclusive or preoperative, for respectively 26 and 40% of patients. The lobular type had no adverse effect, neither on locoregional control nor on overall survival, even in the group of patients treated with breast conservation.

An update on breast cancer prevention trials.

In recent years, the question of whether breast cancer can be prevented has been examined in a number of large clinical trials, employing either selective estrogen receptor modifiers such as tamoxifen and raloxifene or aromatase inhibitors. In this paper, we review the most prominent studies, all of which are either under way or in follow-up.

[Laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumor: analysis of 54 patients and clinical outcomes]. / Traitement coelioscopique des tumeurs frontières (borderline) de l'ovaire: analyse d'une série de 54 patientes et implications thérapeutiques.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumor (BOT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated using a laparoscopic approach for a BOT between January 1984 and January 2002. RESULTS: A conservative management was initially performed in 45 patients (83%). Twenty-six patients underwent a reassessment surgery and 7 (27%) of them were upstaged following this procedure. Seven (13%) patients recurred in a remaining ovary following conservative surgery (5 patients) or on the peritoneum (2 patients). Three port-site localizations were observed. None of the patients treated with conservative management had recurrent disease under the form of ovarian carcinoma. Nine spontaneous pregnancies were observed in 6 patients from a group of 19 patients desiring pregnancy. All patients are today alive and disease-free. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that laparoscopic treatment could be safely performed in young patients with early stage BOT. Such procedure should be further evaluated in patients with BOT and peritoneal implants.

[Axillary lymphadenectomy with muscular padding, without drainage]. / Le curage de l'aisselle avec capitonnage musculaire sans drainage.

OBJECTIVE: Axillary padding without drainage appeared to be a valuable alternative technique to vacuum drainage. The technique employs local muscles or the axillary aponeurosis for padding. We report here the clinical evaluation of muscular padding without drainage. The analysis of these results prompted us to also do a literature search for other alternatives aimed at reducing morbidity due to vacuum drainage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Muscular padding was prospectively performed by 8 different surgeons on a total of 152 patients at the Centre Rene-Huguenin (Saint-Cloud, France). Follow-up has attained 3.5 years. A comparative assessment of pain was conducted in 30 patients operated on with vacuum drainage. RESULTS: This technique is easy to learn and reproducible. It facilitates post-operative follow-up, always allowing discharge at the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day without any home nursing. The late sequels are not increased. In contrast, pain was twice more intense during the first post-operative weeks compared with vacuum drainage, and the seroma rate was also increased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Despite good efficacy, this worsening of pain is a major obstacle to the routine use of muscular padding. A technical improvement has been published very recently where the axillary aponeurosis was used to pad the axilla. It seems to be equally efficient but less painful than muscular padding. This technique is under clinical evaluation and could appear as a valuable option to vacuum drainage. Other alternatives are discussed. Most studies lack a direct comparison with vacuum drainage and a satisfactory evaluation of quality of life is also omitted. New studies with quality of life scales are ongoing. They should allow us to choose options that take this aspect into account in the future.

Prognosis of stage III or IV primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma.

AIMS: To study the prognosis of patients with stage IIIC/IV primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PSPC) (study group) compared with that of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) (control group). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study including a study group of 37 patients who were matched with a control group of 37 patients. Patients were matched for the histologic subtype (serous tumor), tumor stage, tumor grade, residual disease at the end of debulking surgery (initial or interval) and age (+/-5 years). RESULTS: Debulking surgery was performed initially or at interval surgery in respectively, 10 and 27 patients in the study group and 17 and 20 in the control group. All patients were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (combined with paclitaxel in 33) in both groups. The overall survival rate at 3 years in the study and control groups was, respectively, 60% versus 55% (NS). However, event-free survival rates at 3 years (CI 95%) were statistically different (respectively, 29% in the study group versus 16% in the control group: p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal disease is more bulky in patients with PSPC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is more often required to achieve optimal debulking surgery in PSPC. Overall survival of patients with PSPC is similar to that of their EOC counterparts. Thus, the management of PSPC should not be different from that of advanced stage EOC.

Laparoscopic myomectomy: predicting the risk of conversion to an open procedure.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) has some advantages over laparotomy; however, it is reputed to be technically difficult, and the risk of conversion to laparotomy might be an obstacle in using this procedure. The aim of this study was to identify the pre-operative factors affecting the risk of conversion to an open procedure (either laparoscopic assisted myomectomy or laparotomy), and to develop a simple prediction model based on available pre-operative data with the use of multiple logistic regression. METHODS: A total of 426 women presenting with a subserous or intramural myoma measuring 20 mm or more underwent LM between March 1989 and October 1999. Of these patients, 378 had successful LM. Forty eight patients [11.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.3--14.3] had a conversion to an open procedure. A total of 265 women had adequate pre-operative ultrasonography (US) and were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The best prediction model included four pre-operative factors that were found to be independently related to the risk of conversion: size > or = 50 mm at US (adjusted OR = 10.3; 95% CI = 2.8--37.9), intramural type (adjusted OR = 4.3; 95% CI = 1.3--14.5), anterior location (adjusted OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.3-9.0) and pre-operative use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (adjusted OR = 5.4; 95% CI = 2.0--14.2). The regression coefficients were then scaled and rounded to integers to provide an estimate of the risk for conversion. For a given patient with selected characteristics the predicted risk varied from 0--73%. CONCLUSIONS: This prediction model provides a useful tool that enables multiple criteria to be taken into account simultaneously to help select cases for LM. GnRH agonists should been used only in selected cases. US evaluation is essential before performing LM.