Impact of preoperative brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy in stage IB2 (FIGO 2018) cervical cancer: An analysis of SENTICOL I-II trials.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy followed by radical surgery versus radical surgery alone in cervical cancer with tumor between 2 and 4 cm (FIGO 2018 IB2). MATERIAL AND METHODS: SENTICOL I and SENTICOL II were two French prospective multicentric trials evaluating sentinel node biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer between 2005 and 2012. Preoperative brachytherapy (low-dose rate or pulse-dose rate at the dose of 60Gy) could be performed 6 to 8 weeks prior to the radical hysterectomy, at the discretion of each center. SENTICOL I and SENTICOL II cohorts were retrospectively analysed to compare the outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy or upfront surgery in patients with IB2 cervical tumor. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included: 55 underwent upfront radical hysterectomy and 49 underwent preoperative brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy. Patients with preoperative brachytherapy were more likely to have no residual disease (71.4% vs. 25.5%, p < 0.0001) and to be defined as low risk according to Sedlis criteria (83.3% vs. 51.2%, p < 0.0001). Adjuvant treatments were required less frequently in case of preoperative brachytherapy (14.3% vs. 54.5%, p < 0.0001). Patients with preoperative brachytherapy experienced more postoperative complications grade ≥ 3 (24.5% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.03). Patients with preoperative brachytherapy had better 5-year disease-free survival compared to patients who underwent surgery alone, 93.6% and 74.4% respectively (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Although preoperative brachytherapy was significantly associated with more severe postoperative complications, better pathologic features were obtained on surgical specimens and led to a better 5-year disease-free survival in IB2 cervical cancer.

Should We Abandon Systematic Pelvic and Paraaortic Lymphadenectomy in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer?

BACKGROUND: Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) is a rare disease that accounts for 5% of all ovarian cancers and requires surgical complete debulking. To date, the prognostic value of pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy remains unclear in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort of patients with a diagnosis of LGSOC was registered in the Tumeurs Malignes Rares Gynécologiques national network, between January 2000 and July 2017, at 25 centers. All LGSOC were confirmed after pathological review and operated by primary debulking surgery (PDS) or interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT-IDS). Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included, 86.1% were stage III/IV, and 74.6% underwent lymph node dissection (LND). According to the Completeness of Cancer Resection (CCR) score, 83.7% had complete resection. Median OS was 130 months, and median PFS was 41 months. Pelvic and paraaortic LND had no significant impact on OS (p = 0.78) or DFS (p = 0.93), and this was confirmed in subgroups (advanced stages FIGO III/IV, CCR score 0/1 or 2/3, and timing of surgery PDS or NACT-IDS). Histological positive paraaortic lymph nodes had a significant negative impact on PFS in the whole population (HR 2.21, 1.18-4.39, p = 0.02) and in the CC0/CC1 population (HR, 2.28, 1.13-4.59, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic pelvic and paraaortic LND in patients with LGSOC improved neither overall nor PFS. A prospective trial would be necessary to validate these results but would be difficult to conduct due to the rarity of this disease.

Diagnostic value of frozen section examination of sentinel lymph nodes in early-stage cervical cancer at the time of ultrastaging.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of frozen-section pathologic examination (FSE) of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: Two French prospective multicentric database on SLN biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I and II) were analysed. Patients with IA to IIA1 2018 FIGO stage, who underwent SLN biopsy with both FSE and ultrastaging examination were included. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Between 2005 and 2012, 313 patients from 25 centers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Metastatic involvement of SLN was diagnosed in 52 patients (16.6%). Macrometastases, micrometastases and isolated tumor cells (ITCs) were found in 27, 12 and 13 patients respectively. Among the 928 SLNs analysed, FSE identified 23 SLNs with macrometastases in 20 patients and 5 SLNs with micrometastases in 2 patients whereas no ITCs were identified. Ultrastaging of negative SLNs by FSE found macrometastases, micrometastases and ITCs in additional 7, 11 and 17 SLNs. Ultrastaging increased significantly the rate of patients with positive SLN from 7% to 16.6% (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and the negative predictive value of FSE were 42.3% and 89.7% respectively or 56.4% and 94.1% if ITCs were excluded. False-negative cases were more frequent with tumor size ≥ 20 mm (OR = 4.46, 95%IC = [1.45-13.66], p = 0.01) and preoperative brachytherapy (OR = 4.47, 95%IC = [1.37-14.63], p = 0.01) and less frequent with patients included in higher volume center (>5 patients/year) (OR = 0.09, 95%IC = [0.02-0.51], p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: FSE of SLN had a low sensitivity for detecting micrometastases and ITCs and a high negative predictive value for SLN status. Clinical impact of false-negative cases has to be assessed by further studies.

Risk factors for failure of bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping in early-stage cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine clinical, tumoral and surgical factors associated with successful bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping (SBM) in early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: We performed an ancillary work on the data of two prospective trials on SLN biopsy for FIGO IA-IIA cervical cancer (SENTICOL I & II). Patients having Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for early-stage cervical cancer were included between 2005 and 2012 from 28 French oncologic centers. SLN was detected by a combined labeling technique (blue and isotopic). RESULTS: 405 patients were included for analysis: SLNs were identified on at least one side of the pelvis in 381 patients (94.1%) and bilaterally in 326 patients (80.5%). The mean age was 45.4 years [22-85 years]. Most patients had IB1 pathologic FIGO 2018 stage (81.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Surgeries were mainly performed by minimally invasive approach (368 patients - 90.9%). By multivariate analysis, lower SBM rate was significantly associated with Age ≥70 years (ORa = 0.02, 95%CI = [0.001-0.28], p = 0.004), tumor size larger than 20 mm (ORa = 0.46,95%CI = [0.21-0.99], p = 0.048) and Body-mass index higher than 30 kg/m2 (ORa = 0.28, 95%CI = [0.12-0.65], p = 0.003). SBM rate was significantly higher in high skills centers (>5patients/year) (ORa = 8.05, 95%CI = [2.06-31.50], p = 0.003) and in SENTICOL II (2009-2012) compared to SENTICOL I (2005-2007) (ORa = 2.6, 95%CI = [1.23-5.51], p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In early-stage cervical cancer, bilateral SLN detection rates is lower in patients aged more than 70years, patients with BMI≥30 kg/m2 and larger tumor ≥20 mm whereas stronger experience of SLN biopsy technique improves bilateral SLN detection.

Need for risk-adapted therapy for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: A large multicenter analysis of germ cell tumors' patients from French TMRG network.

BACKGROUND: Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare tumors, affecting young women with a generally favorable prognosis. The French reference network for Rare Malignant Gynecological Tumors (TMRG) aims to improve their management. The purpose of this study is to report clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes, to explore prognostic parameters and to help in considering adjuvant strategy for stage I patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from patients with MOGCT registered among 13 of the largest centers of the TMRG network were analyzed. We report clinicopathological features, estimated 5-year event-free survival (5y-EFS) and 5-year overall survival (5y-OS) of MOGCT patients. RESULTS: We collected data from 147 patients including 101 (68.7%) FIGO stage I patients. Histology identifies 40 dysgerminomas, 52 immature teratomas, 32 yolk sac tumors, 2 choriocarcinomas and 21 mixed tumors. Surgery was performed in 140 (95.2%) patients and 106 (72.1%) received first line chemotherapy. Twenty-two stage I patients did not receive chemotherapy. Relapse occurred in 24 patients: 13 were exclusively treated with upfront surgery and 11 received surgery and chemotherapy. 5y-EFS was 82% and 5y-OS was 92.4%. Stage I patients who underwent surgery alone had an estimated 5y-EFS of 54.6% and patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy 94.4% (P < .001). However, no impact on estimated 5y-OS was observed: 96.3% versus 97.8% respectively (P = .62). FIGO stage, complete primary surgery and post-operative alpha fetoprotein level significantly correlated with survival. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy does not seem to improve survival in stage I patients. Active surveillance can be proposed for selected patients with a complete surgical staging.

The French national network dedicated to rare gynecological cancers diagnosis and management could improve the quality of surgery in daily practice of granulosa cell tumors. A TMRG and GINECO group Study.

OBJECTIVE: The French national rare gynecological tumor network has been established to improve the quality of care through offering expertise in double reading histological diagnosis, reviewing cases and guiding management of these tumors through specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards and online clinical guidelines (www.ovaire-rare.com). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the development and implementation of this network by assessing the conformity of medical practice with the guidelines concerning the granulosa cell tumors (GCTs). METHODS: This is a French nationwide study, including 463 patients (out of the 639 identified patients) with a definitive diagnosis of GCT between 2011 and 2016. Surgical practices were analyzed for conformity with the current guidelines (www.ovaire-rare.org). Medical records, surgical and pathological reports were systematically analyzed. Total conformity was defined by a conservative (unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) or radical surgery (hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) including surgical staging (omentectomy, peritoneal biopsies and peritoneal cytology) according to the FIGO stage. Partial conformity referred to a conservative or radical surgery without surgical staging and non-conformity was defined as a non-optimal surgery as recommended by the guidelines. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 49 years old (range 10-89). The median size of tumor was 94 mm (range 5-400). Radical surgery was performed in 240 patients (52%); while a fertility-sparing surgery was performed in 98 cases (21%). A surgical staging was performed in 76 cases (16%) and an evaluation of the endometrium in 289 cases (62%). Surgery was fully compliant with the guidelines in 65 patients (14%), partially compliant in 213 patients (46%), non-compliant in 137 patients (30%) and not assessable in 48 cases (10%). A statistically significant difference for compliance was observed in restaging surgery (p < 0,001), radical surgery (p = 0,017) and the period (before or after) of the implementation of the network (p < 0,001). Survival analyses did not allow us to demonstrate a significant difference in overall survival nor in PFS although there was a trend in favor of optimal surgery compared to incomplete/non optimal surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgical management's conformity to the guidelines increases over time from 2011 to 2016. According to this study, the implementation of a national network dedicated to rare gynecologic tumors seems to significantly improve the surgical management of the patients with ovarian granulosa cell tumors.

Predictive factors of unexpected lymphatic drainage pathways in early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) topography in patients with early-stage cervical cancer and to determine factors associated with atypical lymphatic drainage pathway (LDP). METHODS: We analyzed the data of two prospective multicentric trials on SLN biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I and II) in women undergoing surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. SLN detection was realized with a combined labeling technique (Patent blue and radioactive tracer). Patients having bilateral SLN detection were included. Univariate and Multivariate analysis were performed by patients and by side to assess clinical and pathologic factors that may predict atypical LDP. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and July 2012, 326 patients with 1104 intraoperative detected SLNs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The SLNs were mainly located in the interiliac or external iliac area in 83.2%. The other localizations were: 9.2% in the common iliac area, 3.9% in the parametrium, 1.6% in the promontory area, 1.5% in the paraaortic area and 0.5% in other areas. Thirty-five patients (10.7%) had atypical SLN without SLN in typical area on one or both sides. In multivariate analysis, tumor size ≥20 mm appeared as an independent factor of having at least one exclusive atypical LDP (ORa = 3.95 95%CI = [1.60-9.78], p = 0.003). Multiparity decreased significantly the probability of having at least one exclusive atypical LDP (ORa = 0.16 95%CI = [0.07-0.39], p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size larger than 20 mm and nulliparity increase the risk of having exclusive atypical LDP in early-stage cervical cancer.

A GCIG international survey: clinical practice patterns of sentinel lymph node biopsies in cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the practice patterns among centers and physicians worldwide regarding sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) in cervical cancer (CC) patients. METHOD: A validated 35-item questionnaire regarding SLNB in CC supported by the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG), and sponsored by the North-Eastern German Society of Gynaecologic-Oncology (NOGGO) was sent to all major gynecological cancer societies across the globe for further distribution from October 2015 and continued for a period of 7 months. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-one institutions from around the world participated. One hundred and six (66%) of the participants were from university centers and 111 (69%) were gynecologic oncologists. One hundred and fifty-two (97%) performed lymphadenectomy (LNE) and 147 (94%) did so systematically; 97 (60%) used SLNB, due to lower morbidity (73%), reliability (55%) and time-saving (27%). In cases of positive SLNB (pN+), 39% of respondents stopped the operation and sent the patient for chemoradiation (CRT), 45% completed pelvic and paraaortic LNE, whereas 26% went on to perform a radical hysterectomy (RH) and systematic pelvic and paraaortic LNE. In case of negative SLNB (pN0), 39% of institutions still performed a systematic pelvic and paraaortic LNE. CONCLUSION: In this survey worldwide, SLNB adoption is an encouraging 60%, yet ample differences exist regarding strategy, and to a lower extent the techniques used. Lack of experience is the most common reason SLNB is not performed. Efforts to increase surgical education on SLNB technique and multicenter prospective trials providing evidence-based guidelines are warranted.

A new strategy for prophylactic surgery in BRCA women: Combined mastectomy and laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy with immediate reconstruction by double DIEP flap.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic surgery remains the most effective modality for reducing both breast and ovarian cancer rate in woman at high risk, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Autologous breast reconstruction with bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap allows predictable and durable results. However, existing two-step approach separating salpingo-oophorectomy and reconstruction could even make DIEP flap impossible, or make insufflation more difficult during laparoscopy. Other authors described one-step procedure but with open laparotomy. The goal of this study was to verify the feasibility of a simultaneous procedure, including laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy. METHODS: We included BRCA mutation careers scheduled for simultaneous laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy, and bilateral breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps. The first step of the procedure was laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy and ports had to be strategically placed to avoid interference with the following procedure. The second step was bilateral breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps. We reviewed medical charts. Surgical procedure was analyzed for duration, revisions and surgical complications. RESULTS: During 1-year period, eight patients agreed to a simultaneous procedure. All of them were BRCA positive, mean age was 38.3years (range, 39-50), and mean BMI was 28.3kg/m(2) (range, 21-33). The mean duration of the entire procedure was 524minutes (range, 405-630) and the mean hospital stay 9.2 days (range, 8-14). There was 100% flap survival. No abdominal wall dehiscence occurred. CONCLUSION: One-step procedure for prophylactic surgery of ovarian and breast hereditary malignancies is feasible. First salpingo-oophorectomy with open laparoscopy then bilateral immediate or delayed breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps can be performed.

Long-term clinical outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy in early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of early-stage cervical cancer (CC) is primarily based on surgery. Adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy can be necessary in presence of risk factors for relapse (tumor size, deep stromal invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), positive margins, parametrial or lymph node involvement), increasing the risk of treatment toxicity. Preoperative brachytherapy can reduce tumor extension before surgery, potentially limiting the need for adjuvant radiotherapy. This study reports long-term clinical outcomes on efficacy and toxicity of preoperative pulse-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy in early-stage CC. METHODS: All patients treated at Institut Curie between 2007 and 2022 for early-stage CC by preoperative brachytherapy were included. A PDR technique was used. Patients underwent hysterectomy associated with nodal staging following brachytherapy. RESULTS: 73 patients were included. The median time from brachytherapy to surgery was 45 days [range: 25-78 days]. With a median follow-up of 51 months [range: 4-185], we reported 3 local (4 %), 1 locoregional (1 %) and 8 metastatic (11 %) relapses. At 10 years, OS was 84.1 % [95 % CI: 70.0-100], DFS 84.3 % [95 % CI:74.6-95.3] and LRFS 92.8 % [95 % CI:84.8-100]. Persistence of a tumor residue, observed in 32 patients (44 %), was a significant risk factor for metastatic relapse (p = 0.02) and was associated with the largest tumor size before brachytherapy (p = 0.04). Five patients (7 %) experienced grade 3 toxicity. One patient (1 %) developed grade 4 toxicity. Ten patients (14 %) received adjuvant radiotherapy, increasing the risk of lymphedema (HR 1.31, 95 % CI [1.11-1.54]; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PDR preoperative brachytherapy for early-stage cervical cancer provides high long-term tumor control rates with low toxicity.

Accuracy of a nomogram for prediction of lymph-node metastasis detected with conventional histopathology and ultrastaging in endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: We developed a nomogram based on five clinical and pathological characteristics to predict lymph-node (LN) metastasis with a high concordance probability in endometrial cancer. Sentinel LN (SLN) biopsy has been suggested as a compromise between systematic lymphadenectomy and no dissection in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer. METHODS: Patients with stage I-II endometrial cancer had pelvic SLN and systematic pelvic-node dissection. All LNs were histopathologically examined, and the SLNs were examined by immunohistochemistry. We compared the accuracy of the nomogram at predicting LN detected with conventional histopathology (macrometastasis) and ultrastaging procedure using SLN (micrometastasis). RESULTS: Thirty-eight of the 187 patients (20%) had pelvic LN metastases, 20 had macrometastases and 18 had micrometastases. For the prediction of macrometastases, the nomogram showed good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.76, and was well calibrated (average error =2.1%). For the prediction of micro- and macrometastases, the nomogram showed poorer discrimination, with an AUC of 0.67, and was less well calibrated (average error =10.9%). CONCLUSION: Our nomogram is accurate at predicting LN macrometastases but less accurate at predicting micrometastases. Our results suggest that micrometastases are an 'intermediate state' between disease-free LN and macrometastasis.

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.

[A curriculum based certification of competence in gynaecologic surgical oncology]. / La certification de compétence en chirurgie cancérologique gynécologique au vu d'un parcours de formation.

OBJECTIVE: In France, we are lacking an identified pathway for training in gynaecological cancer surgery. The four competent French learned societies, the SFOG, the CNGOF, the SFCO and the SCGP, supported by the CNU of Obstetrics &Gynaecology- and UNICANCER, agreed to materialize this course and attest it by a certification awarded by a national jury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The national committee of certification in gynaecological oncology made up of 10 members, representing the 6 concerned organizations, set itself 5 objectives: the definition of the eligibility criteria for training centres; the determination of a check-list to be filled by the candidate; the determination of a targeted curriculum for the training in gynecological oncological surgery; the determination of the assets necessary for the certification of a candidate already in practice; and the practical organization of the certification. RESULTS: Criteria for approval of centres for training included 150 gynaecological cancer cases per year, among which 100 excisional surgeries, including 20 advanced-stage ovarian cancers. For certification of candidate who followed the curriculum established by the committee or by validation of prior experience for an actual practitioner, a candidate must validate a logbook and fill out a checklist including 4 parts: theoretical and practical training; research and publications; teaching and subscription to a continuing education program. The accomplished elements of the logbook and the checklist will be evaluated by a score. The first certification session is planned for the end of 2021. CONCLUSION: The optimisation of the surgical management of patients treated for gynaecological cancer is achieved through the identification of a training course and the certification, by a national jury, of the skills of surgeons who have completed it.

Accuracy of 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography in the pretherapeutic detection of occult para-aortic node involvement in patients with a locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) are usually treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Extended-field chemoradiotherapy is indicated in case of para-aortic node involvement at initial assessment. 18-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18-FDG PET/CT) is currently considered to be the most accurate method of detection of node or distant metastases. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET at detecting para-aortic lymph node metastases in LACC patients with a negative morphological imaging. METHODS: Patients from five French institutions with LACC and both negative morphologic (magnetic resonance imaging, CT scan) and functional (PET or PET/CT) findings at the para-aortic level and distantly were submitted to a systematic infrarenal para-aortic node dissection either by laparoscopy or laparotomy. On the basis of pathological results, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of PET/CT were assessed for para-aortic lymph node involvement. RESULTS: A total of 125 LACC patients (stage IB2-IVA disease with two local recurrences) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All had an ilio-infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy, either by laparoscopy (n = 117) or laparotomy (n = 8). Twenty-one patients (16.8%) had pathologically proven para-aortic metastases. Among them, 14 (66.7%) had negative PET/CT. Overall morbidity of surgery was 7.2%. All but one of the complications were mild and did not delay chemoradiotherapy. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the PET/CT were 33.3, 94.2, 53.8, and 87.5%, respectively, for the detection of microscopic lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic staging surgery seems warranted in LACC patients with negative PET scan who are candidates for definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy or exenteration.

Usefulness of routine intraoperative staging of suspicious adnexal tumours: illustration by two cases of adult granulosa cell tumour.

Granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) account for less than 3% of all ovarian malignancies but are among the most common sex cord-stromal tumours. They may develop at any age. Symptoms related to oestrogen production by the tumour may occur. Because GCTs are uncommon and cannot be diagnosed preoperatively, their management is challenging. Surgery with salpingo-oophorectomy and painstaking staging is mandatory. Adjuvant chemotherapy is required in some patients. We report two cases of adult GCTs that illustrate the usefulness of extensive abdominal exploration in every patient with a suspicious ovarian mass, to obviate the need for a second staging procedure. With this strategy, the prognosis is excellent, although the possibility of late recurrences requires prolonged follow-up.

Challenges and advances in cervix cancer treatment in elder women.

With population ageing, cancer treatments in elder patients is becoming a true public health care issue. There is an authentic dilemma between patient's frailty, residual life expectancy and the toll that take anticancer treatments. Since elder patients are almost always excluded from clinical trials, it is hard to get robust scientific data on the tolerability of oncologic treatments and to set in place recommendations. Cervix cancer is traditionally diagnosed in younger women but it has a 2nd incidence peak between 60 and 70 years old. Cervix cancer in elder patients is a subject to many questions in terms of screening and is a therapeutic challenge. This article reviews literature data on these different aspects, from screening to surgery, from radiotherapy to brachytherapy, from chemotherapy to supportive care, from immunotherapy to geriatric assessment. We tried to show how modern therapeutic innovations may benefit elder patients. Expected benefits in terms of efficacy and toxicity may overcome the long-lasting tendency to undertreatment in elder patients and improve their quality of life after cancer treatment. In 2020, there seems to be less and less reasons justifying that elder women with cervix cancer may not receive the appropriate treatment.

[French recommendations for ovarian cancer management during pregnancy]. / Recommandations pour la prise en charge du cancer de l'ovaire pendant la grossesse.

Evaluation of the fetus using prenatal ultrasound has resulted in increased detection of asymptomatic adnexal masses during pregnancy. Such masses are rarely malignant (1/10 000 to 1/50 000 pregnancies), but the possibility of borderline or cancer must be considered. It is a common assumption by both patients and physicians that if an ovarian cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, treatment necessitates sacrificing the well-being of the fetus. However, in most cases, it is possible to offer appropriate treatment to the mother without placing the fetus at serious risk. The care of a pregnant woman with cancer involves evaluation of sometimes competing maternal and fetal risks and benefits. These recommendation approaches attempt to balance these risks and benefits; however, they should be considered advisory and should not replace specific interdisciplinary consultation with specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, and pediatrics, as well as imaging and pathology, as needed. Second level ultrasound including Doppler is needed. MRI is not often necessary, and CA 125 is of low contribution. We suggest surgery be performed after 15 SA for ovarian masses which (1) persist into the second trimester, (2) are greater than 5 to 10 cm in diameter, or (3) have solid or mixed solid and cystic ultrasound characteristics. During antepartum surgical staging and debulking, homolateral salpingo-oophorectomy and peritoneal cytology and exploration are necessary. Women found to have advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer should consider having completion of the debulking of the reproductive organs at the conclusion of the pregnancy. If chemotherapy is indicated, we recommend delaying administration, if possible, after the delivery or at least after 20 SA in order to minimize the potential fetal toxicity.

[Update on malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours]. / Tumeurs non épithéliales malignes de l'ovaire.

Malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours represent less than 20% of ovarian cancers in adults. Apart from haematological tumours, there are mainly germ cell tumours and sex cordstromal ovarian tumours. These tumours affect young women and are diagnosed in early stages associated with a good prognosis. The management of malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours is difficult because they are rare and because we have to propose an appropriate oncological treatment, preserving fertility for these women of child-bearing age. We propose an update on recent data in the literature, focusing on management.

[Surgical treatment of early endometrial cancer: what are the benefits of laparoscopy?]. / Place de la coelioscopie dans le traitement des cancers de l'endomètre à un stade précoce (stade I).

The development of gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery has also spread into some areas of the pelvic cancer surgery. Nevertheless, in France, less than 5% of interventions for endometrial cancer are currently performed by laparoscopy. As compared with laparotomy, laparoscopy, which is equally effective, provides per- and postoperative benefits, with comparable recurrence and survival rates. Operators' training seems to be the most significant limitation to the development of laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of early endometrial cancer.

[Diagnostic value of imaging (ultrasonography, doppler, CT, MR, PET-CT) for the diagnosis of a suspicious ovarian mass and staging of ovarian, tubal or primary peritoneal cancer: Article drafted from the French Guidelines in oncology entitled "Initial management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer" developed by FRANCOGYN, CNGOF, SFOG, GINECO-ARCAGY under the aegis of CNGOF and endorsed by INCa]. / Valeur diagnostique de l'imagerie (échographie, doppler, scanner, IRM et TEP-TDM) pour le diagnostic d'une masse ovarienne suspecte et le bilan d'extension d'un cancer de l'ovaire, des trompes ou péritonéal primitif. Article rédigé sur la base de la recommandation nationale de bonnes pratiques cliniques en cancérologie intitulée « Conduites à tenir initiales devant des patientes atteintes d'un cancer épithélial de l'ovaire ¼ élaborée par FRANCOGYN, CNGOF, SFOG, GINECO-ARCAGY sous l'égide du CNGOF et labellisée par l'INCa.

Transvaginal ultrasound is the first-line examination allowing characterizing 80 to 90% of adnexal masses (LP1). If performed by an expert, a subjective analysis is optimal. If performed by a non-expert, combining the use of Simple Rules with subjective analysis can achieve the diagnostic performance of an expert (LP1). Whichever the chosen model (subjective analysis by an expert or combination of the Simple Rules with a subjective analysis by a non-expert), a second-line examination will have to be proposed in the complex or indeterminate cases (about 20% of the masses) (grade A). The best-performing second-line test for characterization is pelvic MRI (LP1). If read by an expert, a pathological hypothesis can or should be suggested (grade D). In case of non-expert reading, the use of the ADNEXMR score allows a reliable assessment of the positive predictive value of malignancy to guide the patient towards the best management (gradeC). For preoperative assessment and evaluation of resectability of ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, it is recommended to perform a chest abdomen and pelvis CT with contrast agent injection (LP2, grade B). In the event of a contraindication to the injection of iodinated contrast agent (severe renal insufficiency, GFR <30mL/min), an abdomen and pelvis MRI completed with a non-injected chest CT may be proposed (LP3, grade C). By analogy, the same examinations are recommended to evaluate the disease after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (LP3, Recommendation grade C). Further studies will be required to determine whether PET-CT provides better lymph node assessment before retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenectomy. PET-CT may be used to eliminate lymph node involvement in the absence of suspicious lymph nodes on morphological examination (LP3, grade C). The report should specify the localizations leading to a risk of incomplete cytoreductive surgery and lesions outside the field explored during surgery.