Assessment of oncological safety and utility of hysteroscopy in high grade endometrial cancers: Results from an Israel gynecologic oncology group study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare survival measures of women with Stage I high-grade endometrial cancer who underwent either hysteroscopy or a non-hysteroscopic procedure as a diagnostic procedure. STUDY DESIGN: 298 patients with stage I high grade endometrial cancer who underwent surgery between 2002 and 2014. Patients were divided into two groups: hysteroscopy and non-hysteroscopy (curettage or office endometrial biopsy). Clinical, pathological, and survival measures were compared between the groups. High grade histology included endometroid grade -3, uterine serous papillary carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma. RESULTS: There were 71 patients in the hysteroscopy group and 227 patients in the non-hysteroscopy group. The median follow-up was 52 months (range 12-120 months). There were no differences between the groups in the 5-year recurrence-free survival (73.9 % vs. 79.7 %; p = 0.65), disease-specific survival (79.3 % vs. 83.6 %; p = 0.87), and overall survival (65.7 % vs. 80.3 %; p = 0.35). CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic diagnosis in women with early-stage and high-grade endometrial cancer does not adversely affect the survival outcomes.

Carboplatin hypersensitivity: evaluation and successful desensitization protocol.

AIM: Carboplatin-induced immediate hypersensitivity reactions are relatively common among patients with gynecological malignancies. Once this occurs, the patient might be at risk for future carboplatin-induced reactions. This study evaluated the efficacy of allergic consultation, carboplatin skin testing and desensitization as a single intervention strategy in this population. METHODS: Patients with a well-documented immediate reaction to carboplatin were offered allergy consultation, carboplatin skin testing and a desensitization plan in a single visit between scheduled chemotherapy sessions. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with an immediate reaction were evaluated. After allergist assessment, 44 (89%) of 49 patients skin tested had a positive result. A total of 207 carboplatin desensitization cycles were administered to 49 women. Among them, 10 patients had a mild immediate hypersensitivity reaction during desensitization. Five patients subsequently tolerated carboplatin administered in the prolonged desensitization protocol. CONCLUSIONS: In the data presented, we propose a strategy that is both cost effective and very convenient for the patient. The diagnostic procedure, including allergist consultation and skin test, can be completed in less than 2 h. In most cases where carboplatin is indispensable, desensitization can be administered without overnight hospitalization.