Clinical and multiparametric MRI features for differentiating uterine carcinosarcoma from endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to differentiate uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) from endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) by the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated clinical and MRI findings in 17 patients with UCS and 34 patients with EAC proven by histologically. The following clinical and pathological features were evaluated: post- or pre-menopausal, clinical presentation, invasion depth, FIGO stage, lymphaticmetastasis. The following MRI features were evaluated: tumor dimension, cystic degeneration or necrosis, hemorrhage, signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2WI), relative SI of lesion to myometrium on T2WI, T1WI, DWI, ADCmax, ADCmin, ADCmean (RSI-T2, RSI-T1, RSI-DWI, RSI-ADCmax, RSI-ADCmin, RSI-ADCmean), ADCmax, ADCmin, ADCmean, the maximum, minimum and mean relative enhancement (RE) of lesion to myometrium on the arterial and venous phases (REAmax, REAmin, REAmean, REVmax, REVmin, REVmean). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate prediction ability. RESULTS: The mean age of UCS was higher than EAC. UCS occurred more often in the postmenopausal patients. UCS and EAC did not significantly differ in depth of myometrial invasion, FIGO stage and lymphatic metastasis. The anterior-posterior and transverse dimensions were significantly larger in UCS than EAC. Cystic degeneration or necrosis and hemorrhage were more likely occurred in UCS. The SI of tumor on T2WI was more heterogeneous in UCS. The RSI-T2, ADCmax, ADCmean, RSI-ADCmax and RSI-ADCmean of UCS were significantly higher than EAC. The REAmax, REAmin, REAmean, REVmax, REVmin and REVmean of UCS were all higher than EAC. The AUCs were 0.72, 0.71, 0.86, 0.96, 0.89, 0.84, 0.73, 0.97, 0.88, 0.94, 0.91, 0.69 and 0.80 for the anterior-posterior dimension, transverse dimension, RSI-T2, ADCmax, ADCmean, RSI-ADCmax, RSI-ADCmean, REAmax, REAmin, REAmean, REVmax, REVmin and REVmean, respectively. The AUC was 0.997 of the combined of ADCmax, REAmax and REVmax. Our study showed that ADCmax threshold value of 789.05 (10-3mm2/s) can differentiate UCS from EAC with 100% sensitivity, 76.5% specificity, and 0.76 AUC, REAmax threshold value of 0.45 can differentiate UCS from EAC with 88.2% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 0.88 AUC. CONCLUSION: Multiparametric MRI features may be utilized as a biomarker to distinguish UCS from EAC.

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma: combined multiparametric MRI and tumour marker HE4 to evaluate tumour grade and lymphovascular space invasion.

AIM: To assess the value of semi-quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging parameters combined with human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in predicting the pathological grade and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) of endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2018 and December 2021, 60 women (mean age, 55 [range, 32-77] years) with EAC underwent preoperative pelvic MRI and HE4 level measurements. The positive enhancement integral (PEI), time to peak, maximum slope of increase (MSI), and maximum slope of decrease were measured by manually drawing a region of interest on the neoplastic tissue. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the diagnostic efficiency of the single parameter and combined factors. RESULTS: Lower apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were observed in high-grade tumours (G3) than in low-grade tumours (G1/G2). PEI, MSI, and HE4 levels were higher in the high-grade tumours than in the low-grade tumours (p<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for G3 diagnosis using multiparametric MRI combined with HE4 was 0.929. ADC values were significantly lower in the EAC with LVSI than in those without LVSI. Tumours with LVSI showed higher PEI and HE4 levels than those without LVSI (p<0.05). The AUC for LVSI-positive diagnosis using multiparametric MRI combined with HE4 was 0.814. CONCLUSION: Semi-quantitative DCE-MRI, ADC values, and serum HE4 levels can be used to predict tumour grade and LVSI, and the prediction efficiency of multiparametric MRI combined with serum HE4 is better than that of any single factor.

Preoperative prediction of lymphovascular space invasion in endometrioid adenocarcinoma: an MRI-based radiomics nomogram with consideration of the peritumoral region.

BACKGROUND: Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) of endometrial cancer (EC) is a postoperative histological index, which is associated with lymph node metastases. A preoperative acknowledgement of LVSI status might aid in treatment decision-making. PURPOSE: To explore the utility of multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiomic features obtained from intratumoral and peritumoral regions for predicting LVSI in endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 334 EEA tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Axial T2-weighted (T2W) imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping were conducted. Intratumoral and peritumoral regions were manually annotated as the volumes of interest (VOIs). A support vector machine was applied to train the prediction models. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop a nomogram based on clinical and tumor morphological parameters and the radiomics score (RadScore). The predictive performance of the nomogram was assessed by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) in the training and validation cohorts. RESULTS: Among the features obtained from different imaging modalities (T2W imaging and ADC mapping) and VOIs, the RadScore had the best performance in predicting LVSI classification (AUCtrain = 0.919, and AUCvalidation = 0.902). The nomogram based on age, CA125, maximum anteroposterior tumor diameter on sagittal T2W images, tumor area ratio, and RadScore was established to predict LVSI had AUC values in the training and validation cohorts of 0.962 (sensitivity 94.0%, specificity 86.0%) and 0.965 (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 85.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The intratumoral and peritumoral imaging features were complementary, and the MRI-based radiomics nomogram might serve as a non-invasive biomarker to preoperatively predict LVSI in patients with EEA.

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum: A case report. / é˜´é“ç›´è‚ éš”å­å®«å† è†œæ ·è ºç™Œ1例.

Primary endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum is rare. Its pathogenesis is not clear and there is no standard treatment. One patient with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum arising from deep infiltrative endometriosis was admitted to Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The patient presented with incessant menstruation and abdominal distension. She had bilateral ovarian endometriotic cystectomy 6 years ago. Imaging findings suggested a pelvic mass which might invade the rectovaginal septum. Pathological results of primary surgery confirmed endometrioid carcinoma of the pelvic mass arising from the rectovaginal septum. Then she had a comprehensive staged surgery. Postoperative chemotherapy was given 6 times. No recurrence or metastasis was found during the 2-year follow-up. The possibility of deep infiltrating endometriosis and its malignant transformation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a new extragonadal pelvic lesion in a patient with a history of endometriosis, which would avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

The impact of preoperative imaging on wait times, surgical approach and overall survival in endometrioid endometrial cancers.

OBJECTIVES: Routine preoperative axial imaging studies (CT/MRI) are not recommended for endometrioid endometrial cancer as they are unlikely to change management and may delay surgery. This study evaluated the association of receiving preoperative imaging on various outcomes. METHODS: A population-based cohort of Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer cases from 2006 to 2016 were identified from the Cancer Registry in Ontario, Canada. Wait time to surgery, type of surgery and overall survival were evaluated in patients with and without preoperative imaging. Predictive factors for wait time > 56 days and aggressive surgery (radical hysterectomy / lymphadenectomy) were determined using multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: 13,050 cases were included. 22.6% of patients received preoperative imaging, mainly CT scans. Most patients (95.9%) received no neoadjuvant treatment. Patients with preoperative imaging were more likely to have neoadjuvant treatment (11.7% vs. 1.8%) and less likely to have surgery at 180 days post diagnosis (87.9% vs 94.6%). Patients with preoperative imaging had median wait time to surgery of 64 days (47-87), compared to 53 days (36-74) than those without imaging (p < 0.001). Multivariable modeling showed preoperative imaging was associated with decreased odds of having surgery within 56 days (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.62-0.75), and increased odds (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.53-1.95) of having aggressive surgery. The 5-year overall survival for patients with imaging was 84.8% versus 91.1% for patients without preoperative imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative imaging was associated with longer wait times to surgery, more aggressive surgery, surgery with a gynecologic oncologist and increased use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment. In early-stage disease there was no observed improvement in overall survival for patients with preoperative imaging. Further research on potential benefits of preoperative imaging in higher risk patients is required.

Volumetric ADC histogram analysis for preoperative evaluation of LVSI status in stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of volumetric ADC histogram metrics for evaluating lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) status in stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC). METHODS: Preoperative MRI of 227 patients with stage I EAC were retrospectively analyzed. ADC histogram data were derived from the whole tumor with ROIs drawn on all slices of DWI scans (b = 0, 1000 s/mm2). The Student t-test was performed to compare ADC histogram metrics (minADC, maxADC, and meanADC; 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of ADC; skewness; and kurtosis) between the LVSI-positive and LVSI-negative groups, as well as between stage Ia and Ib EACs. ROC curve analysis was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ADC histogram metrics in predicting LVSI status in EAC. RESULTS: The minADC and meanADC and 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of ADC were significantly lower in LVSI-positive EACs compared with those in the LVSI-negative groups for stage I, Ia, and Ib EACs (all p < 0.05). MeanADC ≤ 0.857 × 10-3 mm2/s, meanADC ≤ 0.854 × 10-3 mm2/s, and the 90th percentile of ADC ≤ 1.06 × 10-3 mm2/s yielded the largest AUC of 0.844, 0.844, and 0.849 for evaluating LVSI positivity in stage I, Ia, and Ib tumors, respectively, with sensitivity of 75.4%, 75.0%, and 76.2%; specificity of 80.0%, 83.1%, and 82.1%; and accuracy of 79.3%, 81.5%, and 79.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Volumetric ADC histogram metrics might be helpful for the preoperative evaluation of LVSI status and personalized clinical management in patients with stage I EAC. KEY POINTS: • Volumetric ADC histogram analysis helps evaluate LVSI status preoperatively. • LVSI-positive EAC is associated with a reduction in multiple volumetric ADC histogram metrics. • MeanADC and the 90th percentile of ADC were shown to be best in evaluating LVSI- positivity in stage Ia and Ib EACs, respectively.

A comparative analysis of MRI findings in endometrial cancer: differentiation between endometrioid adenocarcinoma, serous carcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of endometrial cancers and to reveal the differences between endometrioid carcinoma (EC), serous carcinoma (SC), and clear cell carcinoma (CCC). METHODS: In this study, 274 consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed endometrial cancer (231 ECs, 25 SCs, and 18 CCCs) who underwent MRI before hysterectomy were enrolled. MRI images were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the three pathologies. RESULTS: The maximum diameters (55.6 ± 34.7 vs. 39.3 ± 21.6 vs. 39.4 ± 26.8 mm) (p < 0.05) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (1.11 ± 0.21 vs. 0.84 ± 0.17 vs. 0.86 ± 0.16 × 10-3 mm2/s) (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in CCCs than in ECs and SCs, respectively. Infiltrative growth pattern (33% vs. 6%) (p < 0.01) was more frequent in CCCs than in ECs. Peritoneal dissemination (16% vs. 0%) (p < 0.01) and heterogeneous signal on diffusion-weighted (61% vs. 32%) (p < 0.05) images were more frequent in SCs than in ECs, respectively. Abnormal ascites (12% vs. 11% vs. 0%) and heterogeneous signal on T1-weighted (28% vs. 50% vs. 9%), T2-weighted (64% vs. 72% vs. 36%), and fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted (80% vs. 90% vs. 46%) images were more frequent in SCs and CCCs than in ECs, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SCs frequently exhibited a heterogeneous signal with peritoneal dissemination and abnormal ascites. Alternatively, CCCs tended to have a larger tumor size and higher ADC values with an infiltrative growth pattern, heterogeneous signal, and abnormal ascites. KEY POINTS: • SCs tend to have a heterogeneous signal intensity with peritoneal dissemination and abnormal ascites compared to ECs. • CCCs tend to have a heterogeneous signal intensity with an infiltrative growth pattern and abnormal ascites compared to ECs. • CCCs have a larger tumor size and higher ADC values compared to ECs and SCs.

Transvaginal Ultrasound Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Assessing Myometrial Infiltration in Endometrioid Low Grade Endometrial Cancer: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing myometrial infiltration (MI) in patients with low grade endometrioid endometrial cancer. METHODS: Observational prospective study performed at a single tertiary care center from 2016 to 2020, comprising 156 consecutive patients diagnosed by endometrial sampling as having an endometrioid grade 1/grade 2 endometrial cancer. TVS and MRI were performed prior to surgical staging for assessing MI, which was estimated using subjective examiner's impression and Karlsson's method for both TVS and MRI. During surgery, intraoperative assessment of MI was also performed. Definitive pathological study considered as reference standard. Diagnostic accuracy for ultrasound, MRI, and intraoperative biopsy was estimated and compared. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of TVS for detecting deep MI were 75 and 73.5% for subjective impression and 65 and 70% for Karlsson method, respectively (P = .54). Sensitivity and specificity of MRI for detecting deep MI were 80 and 87% for subjective impression and 70 and 71.3% for Karlsson method. MRI subjective impression showed a significant better specificity than MRI Karlsson method (P = .03). MRI showed better specificity than TVS when subjective impression was considered (P <.05), but not for Karlsson method. Sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative were 75 and 97%, respectively. Intraoperative biopsy showed better specificity than ultrasound and MRI either using examiner's impression or Karlsson method (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRI revealed a significant higher specificity than TVS when assessing deep myometrial infiltration. However, the intraoperative biopsy offers a significant better diagnostic accuracy than preoperative imaging techniques.

Predictability of lymph node involvement in uterus-confined endometrioid endometrial cancer by tumour size, pattern and location measured with transvaginal ultrasonography: can we save time?

We aimed to investigate whether transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUSG)-measured tumour size, pattern and location were significant predictors for lymph node metastasis in the uterus-confined endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients. A total of 213 patients with EEC were recruited and 73 of them were considered eligible and were analysed according to lymph node involvement. Tumour size, pattern and location measured by transvaginal ultrasound were recorded. Thereafter, patients were distributed according to their lymph node involvement and were compared with respect to these parameters. The patients' median age was 56 (27-80). Mean of the resected lymph nodes was 29.68 and 33.5 in lymph-node-negative and positive patients, respectively (p=.525). Tumour diameter was measured >2 cm on transvaginal ultrasound in 28 (48.3%) and 13 (86.7%) cases of the lymph node-negative and positive arms, respectively (p=.008). Transvaginal ultrasound revealed that 18 (31.0%) tumours in lymph node-negative and two (13.3%) in the node positive patients had polypoid pattern (p=.171). Seventeen (54.8%) tumours of the lymph node-negative group and three (42.9%) of the node positive group were determined in the lower uterine segment (p=.250). While tumour diameter measured with TVUSG was predictable for lymph node involvement in the uterus-confined EEC, its pattern and location were not.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? In clinically early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC), it has been recognised for decades that selective lymphadenectomy is a more acceptable strategy than the systematic lymphadenectomy, owing to the low rate of lymph node metastases in the patients. Preoperative imaging, frozen section and recently accepted lymph node concept are the prominent methods in designating appropriate candidates for lymphadenectomy. The measurement of tumour diameter or size obtained intraoperatively by frozen section assessment is one of the parameters used in MAYO criteria for selective lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer patients.What do the results of this study add? In our study, tumour diameter measured with transvaginal ultrasonography was predictable for lymph node involvement in the uterus-confined EEC.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Transvaginal ultrasonography-measured tumour diameter can be considered in deciding to proceed with pelvic lymphadenectomy while waiting for the frozen section result. It should be remembered that this approach could be considered only in clinics using MAYO criteria for selective lymphadenectomy, and it needs to be confirmed with more prospective studies.

Combined use of ICG and technetium does not improve sentinel lymph node detection in endometrial cancer: Results of the COMBITEC study.

OBJECTIVE: There is scarce evidence available about the benefit of combining technetium (99mTc) and indocyanine green (ICG) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the overall and bilateral pelvic detection rates of SLNs in two retrospective cohorts: ICG exclusive vs. combined ICG+99mTc. METHODS: The COMBITEC study (COMBined ICG and Technetium for SLN detection in Endometrial Cancer) consisted of a multicentre retrospective study (February 2015-June 2020) including patients diagnosed with endometrial atypical hyperplasia or early-stage endometrial carcinoma who underwent SLN biopsy by cervical injection of ICG with or without 99mTc in four different referral centers in Spain. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients were included, 51% (n = 92) in ICG group and 49% (n = 88) in ICG+99mTc group. Eighty-seven percent of the patients presented endometrioid histology, and over 99% of the procedures were performed by a minimally invasive approach. Both groups were comparable regarding their basal characteristics, except for a higher body mass index in ICG+99mTc group and a bigger proportion of robotic-assisted procedures in ICG group. Overall detection rate was 92.8% without significant differences between groups (ICG: 94.6% vs ICG+99mTc: 90.9%, p = .34). No significant differences were observed neither in bilateral pelvic nor aortic mapping rate. When 99mTc was used, surgical procedures were significantly longer. In 7.3% of mapped patients, at least one positive SLN was found (ICG: 10.3% vs ICG+99mTc: 3.9%, p = .109). Empty node packet rates and number of SLNs retrieved per patient were also similar between cohorts. CONCLUSION: Combining preoperative 99mTc to intraoperative ICG did not improve SLN detection in endometrial cancer, but resulted in longer procedures.

Gaussian mixture model-based cluster analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient values: a novel approach to evaluate uterine endometrioid carcinoma grade.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to perform Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based cluster analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) data of patients with endometrioid carcinoma, and to evaluate the relationship between histological grade and the ratios of the different clusters in each patient. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 122 patients (training: n = 63; and validation: n = 59) imaged between May 2015 and February 2020. In the training cohort, manual segmentation was performed on the ADC maps to obtain the ADC data of each patient, and these ADC data were summated to obtain the "All-patient" ADC data. Cluster analysis (three clusters) was performed on this All-patient ADC data, and the ADC ranges of each cluster were defined as follows: cluster 1, 490-699 × 10-6 mm2/s; cluster 2, 700-932 × 10-6 mm2/s; and cluster 3, over 933 × 10-6 mm2/s. In the training and validation cohorts, the ADC data of each patient was classified into three clusters according to these ADC ranges. The cluster ratios of each patient were calculated and compared with histological grade. RESULTS: In the training cohort, a significant positive correlation was found between the cluster 1 ratio and histological grade (ρ = 0.34, p = 0.0059). The cluster 1 ratios of high-grade lesions (grade 3) were significantly higher than those of low-grade lesions (grades 1 and 2) (p = 0.0084). A similar significant positive correlation was found between the cluster 1 ratio and histological grade in the validation cohort (ρ = 0.44, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The cluster 1 ratio containing voxels with low ADC was significantly correlated with the histological grade of endometrioid carcinoma. KEY POINTS: • We performed Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based cluster analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) data of patients with endometrioid carcinoma. • The cluster 1 ratio, which included low ADC values, was significantly positive correlated with histological grade in the training and validation cohorts. • The GMM-based cluster analysis of voxel-based ADC data was effective for grading endometrioid carcinoma.

Diagnostic Accuracy in Assessment of Depth of Myometrial Invasion in Low-grade Endometrioid Carcinoma: A 2 Center Comparative Study by MRI and Intraoperative Assessment.

The role of lymphadenectomy in endometrial carcinomas is controversial, especially in low-grade endometrioid carcinomas. In many institutions, lymphadenectomy in the latter neoplasms is undertaken only when there is deep myometrial invasion, defined as invasion involving 50% or more of the myometrium (FIGO stage IB). There has been considerable debate as to the best modality to detect deep myometrial invasion. In Europe, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used modality while in North America, intraoperative assessment (IOA) is undertaken in most, but not all, institutions. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these 2 modalities in identifying deep myometrial invasion in low-grade endometrioid carcinomas. Two patient cohorts were studied from Belfast, UK (n=253) and Boston, USA (n=276). With respect to detecting deep myometrial invasion, MRI had a sensitivity of 72.84%, positive predictive value of 75.64% and a positive likelihood ratio of 6.59 (95% confidence interval; 4.23-10.28). IOA had a sensitivity of 78.26%, positive predictive value of 80% and a positive likelihood ratio of 20.00 (95% confidence interval; 10.35-38.63). The superior positive likelihood ratio suggests that IOA is better than MRI in determining deep myometrial invasion and the nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals suggest this is a significant finding. However, there are significant resource implications associated with IOA and preoperative MRI carries other advantages that are discussed herein.

Diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative evaluation of low-grade endometrioid endometrial carcinoma: prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prediction of deep myometrial invasion (DMI) and cervical stromal invasion (CSI) in patients with low-grade (Grade 1 or 2) endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). METHODS: This was a prospective study including all patients with low-grade EEC diagnosed between October 2013 and July 2018 at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Preoperative staging was performed using TVS and MRI, followed by surgical staging. Final histology was considered as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic accuracy were calculated for both imaging techniques in the prediction of DMI and CSI, and the agreement index was calculated for both techniques. The STARD 2015 guidelines were followed. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients with low-grade EEC were included consecutively. Sensitivity was higher for TVS than for MRI both for the prediction of DMI (69% (95% CI, 53-82%) vs 51% (95% CI, 36-66%), respectively) and CSI (43% (95% CI, 27-61%) vs 24% (95% CI, 12-41%), respectively). Specificity was similar for TVS and MRI in the prediction of DMI (87% (95% CI, 78-93%) vs 91% (95% CI, 82-96%)) and equal in the prediction of CSI (97% (95% CI, 91-99%) for both). The agreement index between TVS and MRI was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.76-0.90) for DMI and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85-0.96) for CSI. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic performance of TVS is similar to that of MRI for the prediction of DMI and CSI in low-grade EEC, and TVS can play a role as a first-line imaging technique in the preoperative evaluation of low-grade EEC. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ultrasound-based risk model for preoperative prediction of lymph-node metastases in women with endometrial cancer: model-development study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a preoperative risk model, using endometrial biopsy results and clinical and ultrasound variables, to predict the individual risk of lymph-node metastases in women with endometrial cancer. METHODS: A mixed-effects logistic regression model for prediction of lymph-node metastases was developed in 1501 prospectively included women with endometrial cancer undergoing transvaginal ultrasound examination before surgery, from 16 European centers. Missing data, including missing lymph-node status, were imputed. Discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of the model were evaluated using leave-center-out cross validation. The predictive performance of the model was compared with that of risk classification from endometrial biopsy alone (high-risk defined as endometrioid cancer Grade 3/non-endometrioid cancer) or combined endometrial biopsy and ultrasound (high-risk defined as endometrioid cancer Grade 3/non-endometrioid cancer/deep myometrial invasion/cervical stromal invasion/extrauterine spread). RESULTS: Lymphadenectomy was performed in 691 women, of whom 127 had lymph-node metastases. The model for prediction of lymph-node metastases included the predictors age, duration of abnormal bleeding, endometrial biopsy result, tumor extension and tumor size according to ultrasound and undefined tumor with an unmeasurable endometrium. The model's area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.68-0.78), the calibration slope was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.79-1.34) and the calibration intercept was 0.06 (95% CI, -0.15 to 0.27). Using a risk threshold for lymph-node metastases of 5% compared with 20%, the model had, respectively, a sensitivity of 98% vs 48% and specificity of 11% vs 80%. The model had higher sensitivity and specificity than did classification as high-risk, according to endometrial biopsy alone (50% vs 35% and 80% vs 77%, respectively) or combined endometrial biopsy and ultrasound (80% vs 75% and 53% vs 52%, respectively). The model's clinical utility was higher than that of endometrial biopsy alone or combined endometrial biopsy and ultrasound at any given risk threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Based on endometrial biopsy results and clinical and ultrasound characteristics, the individual risk of lymph-node metastases in women with endometrial cancer can be estimated reliably before surgery. The model is superior to risk classification by endometrial biopsy alone or in combination with ultrasound. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparison of lymphoscintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) for sentinel lymph node detection in endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer, and lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors. Increasing evidence shows that sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping is an effective alternative to comprehensive lymphadenectomy. Single photon emission CT with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is associated with a high SLN detection rate. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of SPECT/CT with that of lymphoscintigraphy in detecting SLNs in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: Between May 2014 and October 2018, 151 patients with endometrial cancer were enrolled in this study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Kagoshima University Hospital. Inclusion criteria were patients with endometrial cancer, older than 18 years, and with pre-operative International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging of I and II. All patients underwent pre-operative CT, and patients with suspected peritoneal dissemination and lymph node metastasis were excluded from this study. Pelvic SLNs were detected by injection of tecnetium-99m-labeled phytate into the uterine cervix. The number and locations of SLNs detected using lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT were evaluated. JMP software (version 14, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, USA) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients who underwent pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT were included in the study. The median age was 57 years (range 24-79), and the median body mass index was 24.3 kg/m2 (range 16-40). The final pathology was as follows: 135 (89%) endometrioid carcinoma, 11 (7%) serous carcinoma, one (1%) clear cell carcinoma, and four (3%) other histotypes. Based on SPECT/CT, 204 pelvic SLNs were detected. The bilateral pelvic SLN detection rate was better for SPECT/CT (43% (65/151)) than for lymphoscintigraphy (32% (48/151)) (p<0.0001). The overall pelvic SLN detection rate (at least one pelvic SLN detected) was also better with SPECT/CT (77% (16/151)) vs lymphoscintigraphy (68% (102/151)) (p<0.0001). The distribution of SLN locations detected using SPECT/CT was as follows: external iliac, 91 (45%); obturator, 61 (30%); common iliac, 28 (14%); internal iliac, 19 (9%); para-aortic, 2 (1%); parametrium, 2 (1%), and presacral, 1 (1%). The SLN detection rate using SPECT/CT was significantly worse in patients of advanced age (p<0.0001). DISCUSSION: Overall and bilateral SLN detection rate was better with SPECT/CT than with lymphoscintigraphy in patients with stage I/II endometrial cancer.

Novel classification of ovarian metastases originating from colorectal cancer by radiological imaging and macroscopic appearance.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of secondary ovarian tumors originating from colorectal cancer has previously been based upon history of malignancy and radiological findings of bilateral masses with a "stained glass appearance." The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed investigation of the radiological and macroscopic features of ovarian metastases originating from colorectal cancer, which remain to be fully characterized. METHODS: Study participants were 48 consecutive patients with ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer who underwent resection of ovarian tumors at the National Cancer Center Hospital between August 1998 and January 2019. Ovarian tumors were classified into subgroups using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and macroscopic appearance. RESULTS: CT/MRI findings and macroscopic appearance were classified into the following four types: type 1 (oval, homogeneous-solid) (n = 5); type 2 (heterogeneous-solid, small in size with multinodular surface) (n = 3); type 3 (solid-cystic, predominantly solid) (n = 18); and type 4 (cystic-solid, multilocular with solid components) (n = 22). Type 1 mimics Krukenberg tumors, type 2 mimics ovarian metastases from breast cancer, type 3 mimics primary ovarian endometrioid cancer, and type 4 mimics primary ovarian mucinous cancer, with a "stained glass appearance". Twenty-eight (58%) patients had bilateral metastases. Eleven patients (23%) underwent hysterectomy and/or pelvic lymph node dissection in addition to ovarian resection. CONCLUSION: We introduced a novel classification system for ovarian metastases originating from colorectal cancer, which may be beneficial for assessing ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer and avoiding unnecessary surgery due to misdiagnosis of primary ovarian tumors.

Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of serous, endometrioid, and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: pathological correlation.

BACKGROUND: Primary epithelial ovarian cancer is divided into several subtypes. The relationships between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and their subtypes have not yet been established. PURPOSE: To investigate whether ADC values of epithelial ovarian cancer vary according to histologic tumor cellularity and evaluate the difference of clear cell carcinoma (CCC), high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), and endometrioid carcinoma (EC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 51 cases of epithelial ovarian cancer (17 CCC, 20 HGSC, and 14 EC) identified by magnetic resonance imaging with pathological confirmation. All patients underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and the ADC values of lesions were measured. We counted the tumor cells in three high-power fields and calculated the average for each case. The Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used to analyze correlation between ADC values and tumor cellularity. The ADC values of HGSC, EC, and CCC were compared using the Steel-Dwass test. RESULTS: The ADC values of all cases were significantly inversely correlated with tumor cellularity (rs = -0.761; P < 0.001). The mean ± SD ADC values (×10-3 mm2/s) of CCC, HGSC, and EC were 1.24 ± 0.17 (range 0.98--1.65), 0.84 ± 0.10 (range 0.67--1.06), and 0.84 ± 0.10 (range 0.67--1.07). The mean ± SD tumor cellularity of CCC, HGSC, and EC was 162.88 ± 63.28 (range 90.33--305.67), 440.60 ± 119.86 (range 204.67--655.67), and 461.02 ± 81.86 (range 333.33--602.33). CONCLUSION: There is a significant inverse correlation between ADC values and tumor cellularity in epithelial ovarian cancer. The mean ADC value of CCC was higher than those of HGSC and EC, seemingly due to the low cellularity of CCC.

Preoperative prediction of deep myometrial invasion and tumor grade for stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma: a simple method of measurement on DWI.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the utility of the tumor area ratio (TAR) for predicting deep myometrial invasion and tumor grade in stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEA). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 86 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I EEA. All patients underwent unenhanced contrast MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) procedures. The volume and maximum area of the tumor and uterus were obtained, and the tumor volume ratio (TVR) and TAR were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences in indexes (TVR and TAR) between the different tumor grades and between superficial and deep myometrial invasion. RESULTS: The TVR and TAR values for deep myometrial invasion and high-grade EEA tumors were significantly higher than the values for superficial myometrial invasion and low-grade tumors (all p = 0.000). According to the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher for TAR than for TVR for tumors with deep myometrial invasion (0.936 vs. 0.844, p = 0.045). However, no significant differences in the AUCs for TVR and TAR were observed between high- and low-grade tumors (0.865 vs. 0.863, p = 0.956). A TAR ≥ 34.6% predicted deep myometrial invasion in EEA with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 85.0%, 84.8%, and 86.0%, respectively. A TAR ≥ 38.9% predicted high-grade tumors with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 83.3%, 81.1%, and 82.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TAR is useful for predicting deep myometrial invasion and high-grade stage I EEA KEY POINTS: • TAR is useful for predicting risk factors for EEA. • TAR is easy to obtain and has high accuracy. • TAR has excellent interobserver repeatability agreement (ICC range 95.1-99.6%).

Endometrial Carcinoma With an Unusual Morphology in a Patient With Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: A Case Study.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a cohesinopathy, which is characterized by multiple structural anomalies as well as mental and growth retardation. A 36-yr-old nulliparous woman with oligomenorrhea was referred to us due to a mass in the uterine corpus. She had been clinically diagnosed with CdLS during infancy based on her specific facial features as well as growth and intellectual retardation. Imaging examinations and an endometrial biopsy revealed endometrial endometrioid carcinoma and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She underwent a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The tumor was mainly located at the uterine isthmus and exhibited diffuse exophytic growth. Microscopically, the grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma consisted of extremely well-differentiated glands and showed myometrial invasion. Both swollen ovaries had a thick fibrous cortex and multiple follicles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a gynecologic malignancy in an adult patient with CdLS. Several gene mutations have been reported to be causative of CdLS; however, a potential role of these mutations in the pathogenesis of PCOS and subsequent endometrial cancer remains controversial. In this case, PCOS seemed to underlie the endometrial carcinogenesis and then concurrent loss of PTEN and PAX2 expression, confirmed by immunohistochemistry, can facilitate tumor progression. Our case suggests that adult female patients with CdLS can have PCOS and subsequent endometrial carcinoma. As patients with CdLS often have difficulties recognizing and/or reporting menstrual disorder, their care providers should pay particular attention to menstrual cycle irregularities due to the risk of endometrial cancer.

Synchronous primary cancers of endometrium and ovary vs endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ultrasound characteristics of patients with synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary vs those of patients with endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis. METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective observational study of patients with a histological diagnosis of endometrial cancer and an ovarian malignant mass, who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination at our unit. Based on the histological diagnosis, patients were classified into two groups: those with synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary (synchronous group) and patients with endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis (metastasis group). We compared the ultrasound features of ovarian malignant masses and of endometrial cancers between the two groups. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, χ2 test or Fisher's exact test were used for comparisons of variables between the two histological groups, as appropriate. RESULTS: We identified 131 patients, of whom 51 had synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary (synchronous group) and 80 had endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis (metastasis group). On ultrasound examination, ovarian masses in the synchronous group were more often multilocular-solid and less often bilateral than those in the metastasis group. With respect to the ultrasound features of the endometrial lesions, the median largest diameter was 29 (range, 11-118) mm in the synchronous group in comparison with 51.5 (range, 6-150) mm in the metastasis group (P < 0.0001). Endometrial lesions in the synchronous group presented more often with no myometrial infiltration and less often with a multiple-vessel pattern on color Doppler compared with the endometrial lesions in the metastasis group. CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary have significantly different sonomorphological patterns compared with endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis. Ovarian masses in women with synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary appeared as unilateral multilocular-solid or solid masses, whereas ovarian masses in women with endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis were mostly bilateral solid masses. The different sonomorphology of these two cancers may facilitate their preoperative identification, helping the surgeon to determine optimum management for the patient. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.