Accuracy of surveillance serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen for cervical cancer recurrence after definitive chemoradiation.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrence remains a significant clinical problem for patients with cervical cancer, and early detection may improve outcomes. Serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a biomarker of prognosis and response to chemoradiotherapy. We hypothesized that elevated serum SCCA during surveillance is sensitive and specific for recurrence. METHODS: Pre-treatment and follow-up serum SCCA from patients treated with definitive-intent radiotherapy were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratory and analyzed retrospectively. Follow-up SCCA was defined as the value closest to recurrence, or as last available for patients without recurrence. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of follow-up SCCA for recurrence was determined for the whole cohort (Cohort 1), for patients with elevated (Cohort 2), and normal pre-treatment SCCA (Cohort 3). Patterns of failure were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of 227 patients in Cohort 1, 23% experienced recurrence, and 17% died of cervical cancer. Mean follow-up SCCA was 0.9 (±2.5) for patients with no recurrence and 6.0 (±18.7) for patients with recurrence (p=0.02). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of follow-up SCCA for recurrence in Cohort 1 were 38.5%, 97.1%, 80%, and 84.2%, and for patients in Cohort 2 were 54.5%, 95%, 78.3%, and 86.5%, respectively. Four of 86 patients in Cohort 3 had an elevated follow-up SCCA, two of these at the time of recurrence. Elevated pre-treatment SCCA and follow-up SCCA were associated with isolated pelvic recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance serum SCCA has high specificity and NPV for recurrence, and may be of limited utility in patients with normal pre-treatment SCCA.

ASCCP Committee Opinion: Adjuvant Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for Patients Undergoing Treatment for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Individuals treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) are at long-term risk of persistent or recurrent disease despite treatment. This committee opinion aims to summarize and provide evidence-based recommendations for adjuvant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination based on available, published literature. METHODS: A task force from the ASCCP Practice Committee reviewed current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and previously published literature about the role of adjuvant HPV vaccination in previously unvaccinated individuals undergoing treatment for CIN2+ and other HPV-related diseases. RESULTS: Current CDC guidelines recommend routine or catch-up HPV vaccination for individuals aged 9 to 26 years, and shared decision making regarding vaccination for individuals aged 27 to 45 years. Multiple published studies suggest a possible benefit for adjuvant HPV vaccination in previously unvaccinated individuals undergoing treatment for CIN2+. CONCLUSIONS: The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology recommends adherence to current CDC recommendations for vaccination of individuals aged 9 to 26 years and consideration of the possible benefit of adjuvant HPV vaccination during shared decision making for previously unvaccinated individuals aged 27 to 45 years who are undergoing treatment for CIN2+.

Improving cervical cancer survival-A multifaceted strategy to sustain progress for this global problem.

Cervical cancer is associated with profound socioeconomic and racial disparities in incidence, mortality, morbidity, and years of life lost. The last standard-of-care treatment innovation for locally advanced cervical cancer occurred in 1999, when cisplatin chemotherapy was added to pelvic radiation therapy (chemoradiation therapy). Chemoradiation therapy is associated with a 30%-50% failure rate, and there is currently no cure for recurrent or metastatic disease. The enormity of the worldwide clinical problem of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality as well as the egregiously unchanged mortality rate over the last several decades are recognized by the National Institutes of Health as urgent priorities. This is reflected within the Office of Research on Women's Health effort to advance National Institutes of Health research on the health of women, as highlighted in a recent symposium. In the current review, the authors address the state of the science and opportunities to improve cervical cancer survival with an emphasis on improving access, using technology in innovative and widely implementable ways, and improving current understanding of cervical cancer biology. LAY SUMMARY: Cervical cancer is associated with profound socioeconomic and racial disparities in incidence, mortality, morbidity, and years of life lost. In this review, the state of the science and opportunities to improve cervical cancer survival are presented with an emphasis on improving access, using technology in innovative and widely implementable ways, and improving current understanding of cervical cancer biology.

High visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratios portend a poor prognosis in patients with advanced endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Visceral adiposity has been established as a predictor of outcomes in various cancers. We aimed to determine the association of radiographic measurements of visceral fat with clinical outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with stage III-IV endometrial cancer who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2014 was performed. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and total adipose tissue (TAT;VAT+SAT) were assessed on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. Exploratory analysis was performed to establish the optimal cut-off values for VAT, SAT, and TAT to identify patients with poor prognostic body composition. Survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank tests, and cox-regression. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included. Forty-two (51%) patients had a low VAT/SAT ratio (<0.45) and 41 (49.4%) had a high VAT/SAT ratio (>0.45). There were no significant differences in demographics between the groups. The mean VAT, SAT, and TAT were 176.3 cm2, 379.3 cm2, and 555.3 cm2 respectively. Compared to patients with low VAT/SAT ratios, patients with high VAT/SAT ratios had a shorter recurrence-free survival (median 29.6 vs 32.3 months, P = 0.01) and shorter overall survival (median 56 vs 93.7 months, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Visceral fat measurements are predictive of outcomes in patients with advanced stage endometrial cancer. Specifically, VAT to SAT ratios are predictive of overall survival. Future studies should be pursued to identify potential therapeutic targets and biological mechanisms that underlie obesity's relationship with endometrial cancer.

A deficit-accumulation frailty index predicts survival outcomes in patients with gynecologic malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between scores from a 25-item patient-reported Rockwood Accumulation of Deficits Frailty Index (DAFI) and survival outcomes in gynecologic cancer patients. METHODS: A frailty index was constructed from the SEER-MHOS database. The DAFI was applied to women age ≥ 65 diagnosed with all types of gynecologic cancers between 1998 and 2015. The impact of frailty status at cancer diagnosis on overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: In this cohort (n = 1336) the median age at diagnosis was 74 (range 65-97). Nine hundred sixty-two (72%) women were Caucasian and 132 (10%) were African-American. Overall, 651(49%) of patients were considered frail. On multivariate analysis, frail patients had a 48% increased risk for death (aHR 1.48; 95% CI 1.29-1.69; P < 0.0001). Each 10% increase in frailty index was associated with a 16% increased risk of death (aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.21; P < 0.0001). In subgroup analyses of the varying cancer types, the association of frailty status with prognosis was fairly consistent (aHR 1.15-2.24). The DAFI was more prognostic in endometrial (aHR 1.76; 95% CI 1.41-2.18, P < 0.0001) and vaginal/vulvar (aHR 1.94; 95% CI 1.34-2.81, P = 0.0005) cancers as well as patients with loco-regional disease (aHR 1.94; 95% CI 1.62-2.33, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty appears to be a significant predictor of mortality in gynecologic cancer patients regardless of chronological age. This measure of functional age may be of particular utility in women with loco-regional disease only who otherwise would have a favorable prognosis.

Text-message-based behavioral weight loss for endometrial cancer survivors with obesity: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of a personalized text-message-based intervention to increase weight loss among endometrial cancer survivors with obesity. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled trial, endometrial cancer survivors with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) were randomized to a personalized SMS text-message-based weight loss intervention or enhanced usual care. Primary outcome was weight loss at 6 months; secondary outcomes were weight loss at 12 months and changes in psychosocial measures. We also compared clinical characteristics and weight change between trial participants and non-participants. RESULTS: Between May 18 and December 31, 2017, 80 endometrial cancer survivors with obesity consented to participate in the randomized trial. There were no differences in clinical characteristics between the two arms. Weight changes were similar in the two arms (P = 0.08). At 6 months, no differences in quality of life, physical activity, or body image were noted. Of 358 eligible patients, 80 became trial participants and 278, non-participants. Trial participants were younger (59.3 vs. 63.4 years, P < 0.001), more likely non-white (P = 0.02), on fewer medications (4 vs. 7, P < 0.001), and had a higher median BMI (38.7 vs. 37.6 kg/m2, P = 0.01) than non-participants. Weight change was similar between participants and non-participants (P = 0.85). At 6 months, similar percentages of participants and non-participants (47.7% vs. 44.4%) had gained weight, and similar percentages (9.2% vs. 11.2%) had lost at least 5% of their body weight. CONCLUSIONS: This text-message-based intervention did not increase weight loss among endometrial cancer survivors with obesity, nor did participation in the trial. Other weight management interventions should be promoted to increase weight loss. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03169023.

Impact of employment and insurance status on distress in gynecologic oncology patients.

OBJECTIVES: To study associations among employment, insurance status, and distress in gynecologic oncology patients; and to evaluate the impact of being unemployed or having no/Medicaid insurance on different distress problem areas. METHODS: In this single institution, cross-sectional analysis of gynecologic oncology patients, we screened for distress and problem areas using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network distress thermometer and problem list at outpatient appointments between 6/2017-9/2017. Primary outcome was self-reported high distress (score ≥ 5). The distress problem list included 5 categories-practical, family, emotional, physical, and other. Employment status included employed, unemployed, homemaker, and retired. Logistic regression was used to predict high distress from employment and insurance statuses, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Of 885 women, 101 (11.4%) were unemployed, and 53 (6.0%) uninsured or had Medicaid coverage. One in five patients (n = 191, 21.6%) indicated high distress. Unemployed patients were more likely than employed to endorse high distress [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-5.7, p < 0.001]. Compared to employed patients, a greater proportion of unemployed patients endorsed distress related to practical (p < 0.05), emotional (p < 0.001), physical (p < 0.01), and other (p < 0.05) problems. Uninsured/Medicaid patients were more likely to endorse high distress (aOR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.1, p < 0.001) and report family (p < 0.001), emotional (p < 0.001), and other (p < 0.01) problems than patients who had Medicare/commercial insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic oncology patients who are unemployed or have no/Medicaid insurance face high distress that appears to arise from issues beyond practical problems, including financial and/or insurance insecurities.

Cervical cancer risk and screening among women seeking assistance with basic needs.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, more than half of cervical cancers occur in women who are inadequately screened. Interventions to improve access to cervical cancer preventive care is critical to reduce health inequities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the need for cervical cancer screening among women seeking assistance with basic needs and to assess best approaches to facilitate Papanicolaou test referral. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of low-income female callers to 2-1-1 Missouri, a helpline for local health and social services. The need for cervical cancer screening was assessed. Callers were randomized to 1 of 3 arms, each providing a Papanicolaou test referral: verbal referral only, verbal referral and tailored print reminder, or verbal referral and navigator. The primary outcome was contacting a Papanicolaou test referral 1 month following intervention. Student t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze significant differences in continuous variables, whereas Fisher exact or χ2 tests were used for categorical variables. We stratified by number of unmet basic needs (0-1 vs ≥2) and compared success of contacting a Papanicolaou test referral among study groups (verbal referral vs tailored reminder vs navigator) using the Fisher exact test and χ2 test, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for nonadherence for Papanicolaou test at baseline and at 1 month follow-up, adjusting for race and ethnicity, age, insurance status, self-rated health, smoking, and study group. RESULTS: Among 932 female callers, 250 (26.8%) needed cervical cancer screening. The frequency of unmet basic needs was high, the most common being lack of money for unexpected expenses (91.2%) and necessities, such as food, shelter, and clothing (73.2%). Among those needing a Papanicolaou test, 211 women received screening referrals. Women in the navigator group (21 of 71, 29.6%) reported higher rates of contacting a Papanicolaou test referral than those exposed to verbal referral only (11/73, 15.1%) or verbal referral and tailored print reminder (9/67, 13.4%) (P=.03). Among 176 women with ≥2 unmet needs who received a Papanicolaou test referral, the provision of a navigator remained associated with contacting the referral (navigator [33.9%] vs verbal referral [17.2%] vs tailored reminder [10.2%]; P=.005). Assignment to the navigator group (adjusted odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-8.5) and nonwhite race (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.8) were independent predictors of contacting a Papanicolaou test referral. CONCLUSION: Low-income women seeking assistance with basic needs often lack cervical cancer screening. Health navigators triple the likelihood that women will make contact with Papanicolaou test services, but most 2-1-1 callers still fail to schedule Papanicolaou testing despite assistance from navigators. Interventions beyond health navigators are needed to reduce cervical cancer disparities.

Improving Cancer Patients' Insurance Choices (I Can PIC): A Randomized Trial of a Personalized Health Insurance Decision Aid.

BACKGROUND: Many cancer survivors struggle to choose a health insurance plan that meets their needs because of high costs, limited health insurance literacy, and lack of decision support. We developed a web-based decision aid, Improving Cancer Patients' Insurance Choices (I Can PIC), and evaluated it in a randomized trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible individuals (18-64 years, diagnosed with cancer for ≤5 years, English-speaking, not Medicaid or Medicare eligible) were randomized to I Can PIC or an attention control health insurance worksheet. Primary outcomes included health insurance knowledge, decisional conflict, and decision self-efficacy after completing I Can PIC or the control. Secondary outcomes included knowledge, decisional conflict, decision self-efficacy, health insurance literacy, financial toxicity, and delayed care at a 3-6-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 263 of 335 eligible participants (79%) consented and were randomized; 206 (73%) completed the initial survey (106 in I Can PIC; 100 in the control), and 180 (87%) completed a 3-6 month follow-up. After viewing I Can PIC or the control, health insurance knowledge and a health insurance literacy item assessing confidence understanding health insurance were higher in the I Can PIC group. At follow-up, the I Can PIC group retained higher knowledge than the control; confidence understanding health insurance was not reassessed. There were no significant differences between groups in other outcomes. Results did not change when controlling for health literacy and employment. Both groups reported having limited health insurance options. CONCLUSION: I Can PIC can improve cancer survivors' health insurance knowledge and confidence using health insurance. System-level interventions are needed to lower financial toxicity and help patients manage care costs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Inadequate health insurance compromises cancer treatment and impacts overall and cancer-specific mortality. Uninsured or underinsured survivors report fewer recommended cancer screenings and may delay or avoid needed follow-up cancer care because of costs. Even those with adequate insurance report difficulty managing care costs. Health insurance decision support and resources to help manage care costs are thus paramount to cancer survivors' health and care management. We developed a web-based decision aid, Improving Cancer Patients' Insurance Choices (I Can PIC), and evaluated it in a randomized trial. I Can PIC provides health insurance information, supports patients through managing care costs, offers a list of financial and emotional support resources, and provides a personalized cost estimate of annual health care expenses across plan types.

Modified frailty index is predictive of wound complications in obese patients undergoing gynecologic surgery via a midline vertical incision.

OBJECTIVES: There are limited methods to identify which obese patients will experience wound complications after undergoing gynecologic surgery. We sought to determine the association between frailty and postoperative wound complications and to develop a prediction model for wound complications in this patient population. METHODS: We reviewed prospectively collected data of obese patients undergoing laparotomy though midline vertical incisions from 7/2013-3/2016. Modified frailty index (mFI) was calculated using 11 comorbidities previously validated. The primary outcome was the composite rate of postoperative wound complication. Data was analyzed using Fisher exact test or Chi-square and t-tests or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Poisson regression models were used to generate relative risks. Prediction models were created with receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Of 163 patients included, 56 (34%) were considered frail. Wound complications occurred in 52 patients (31.9%): 28 (50%) frail and 24 (22.4%) non-frail patients (RR 2.23, 95%CI 1.29-3.85). Frail patients had significantly greater frequencies of wound breakdown (37.5% vs 15%, RR 2.51, 95%CI 1.31-4.81). After controlling for BMI, tobacco use, and maximum postoperative glucose, frailty remained an independent predictor of wound complication (aRR 1.88, 95%CI 1.04-3.40). The area under the curve for the predictive model incorporating frailty was 0.73 for wound complications. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with wound complications in obese patients undergoing gynecologic surgery via a midline vertical incision and is a useful tool in identifying the most high risk patients. Further prospective research is necessary to incorporate mFI into preoperative planning and counseling.

A fellow-run clinic achieves similar patient outcomes as faculty clinics: A safe and feasible model for gynecologic oncology fellow education.

OBJECTIVES: Fellow involvement in patient care is important for education, but effect on patient care is unclear. Our aim was to compare patient outcomes in gynecologic oncology attending clinics versus a fellow training clinic at a large academic medical center. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive gynecologic oncology patients from six attending clinics and one faculty-supervised fellow clinic was used to analyze differences based on patient demographics, cancer characteristics, and practice patterns. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS); secondary outcomes included recurrence-free survival (RFS), postoperative complications and chemotherapy within the last 30 days of life. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests. RESULTS: Of 159 patients, 76 received care in the attending clinic and 83 in the fellow clinic. Patients in the fellow clinic were younger, less likely to be Caucasian, and more overweight, but cancer site and proportion of advanced stage disease were similar. Both clinics had similar rates of moderate to severe adverse events related to surgery (15% vs. 8%, p = .76), chemotherapy (21% vs. 23%, p = .40), and radiation (14% vs. 17%, p = .73). There was no difference in median RFS in the fellow compared to attending clinic (38 vs. 47 months, p = .78). OS on both univariate (49 months-fellow clinic, 60 months-attending clinic vs. p = .40) and multivariate analysis [hazard ratio 1.3 (0.57, 2.75), P = .58] was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A fellow-run gynecologic oncology clinic designed to provide learning opportunities does not compromise patient outcomes and is a safe and feasible option for fellow education.

Assessing Physician Adherence to Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management of Abnormal Screening Results.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to survey obstetrician-gynecologists' cervical cancer screening practices and management of cervical abnormalities to ascertain adherence to guidelines. METHODS: From January to July 2019, obstetrician-gynecologists at 5 St. Louis area hospitals were surveyed online about cervical cancer screening and management practices through 13 clinical vignettes. Survey scores and the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) app use were compared using Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: When screening 30- to 65-year-old participants, 114 (98%) of the 116 total participants used co-testing, but only 71 (61%) screened at 5-year intervals. None used primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. For 21- to 29-year-old participants, 17 (15%) screened with annual cytology, whereas 14 (12%) used annual or every 3-year co-testing. Forty eight (41%) screened younger than 21 years, regardless of risk factors or only if immunocompromised. Eleven (9%) continued screening after total hysterectomy for benign indications. Only 2 (2%) responded to all clinical vignettes in adherence to guidelines. More than 30% of participants would pursue unnecessary HPV testing and/or loop electrosurgical excision procedure for persistent low-grade cytology. Fifty eight (48%) incorrectly reported hysterectomy as management for adenocarcinoma in situ on biopsy. Participants would undertreat young women with high-grade abnormalities including high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (48, 41%) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (65, 56%). Forty one (35%) reported exiting women from screening prematurely. The median score for participants using the ASCCP app was significantly greater than those who did not (79% vs 71%, p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Midwestern obstetrician-gynecologists' adherence to the guidelines for cervical cancer screening and management of abnormal results is suboptimal. Although co-testing for women aged 30-65 years has been broadly adopted, primary HPV testing has not. Physicians overscreen, overtreat low-grade lesions, and undertreat high-grade lesions in young women.

Novel treatment options in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: A review.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death due to gynecologic malignancy. The majority of advanced stage EOC patients, even those who respond well to frontline therapy, will ultimately recur and succumb to their disease. In platinum-sensitive EOC patients, or those who recur ≥6 months from initial diagnosis, treatment of recurrent disease has traditionally consisted of repeat platinum-based chemotherapy. Secondary cytoreduction remains controversial. Due to recent advances in molecularly targeted treatment options, outcomes for advanced stage EOC patients are significantly improving and hold great promise. This review discusses pivotal trials establishing platinum-based combination chemotherapy as the standard of care and addresses the utility of increasing a patient's platinum-free interval. It then discusses the role of anti-angiogenesis therapeutics, specifically bevacizumab, cediranib, and trebananib and their side effects. Lastly, it reviews key trials for the three poly-adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose polymerases (PARP) inhibitors that have been FDA-approved for maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent EOC: olaparib, rucaparib, and niraparib. This review concludes with a discussion regarding ongoing and future clinical trials.

Risk of cervical and vaginal dysplasia after surgery for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or cancer: A 6 year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the frequency of abnormal surveillance cytology leading to high-grade dysplasia after surgical management for high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar cancer and to determine whether prior hysterectomy reduces this risk. METHODS: Women who underwent surgery for high-grade VIN or vulvar cancer between 2006 and 2014 were identified retrospectively. Patients who underwent prior hysterectomy for any indication were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify clinical correlates of abnormal cytology after surgical treatment for VIN and vulvar cancer. RESULTS: During a median follow-up for 72 months, 302 women underwent surveillance with cytologic screening after vulvar surgery including 99 (33%) women with prior hysterectomy. 75 (25%) women had abnormal cytology results. Of those, 47 (63%) were low-grade and 28 (37%) were high-grade, including 2 (3%) cases of invasive cancer. The rates of high-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), or cancer were not significantly different despite prior hysterectomy (9% VAIN 2+, 7% CIN 2+). Multivariate analysis showed that correlates of high-grade cytology following treatment for VIN or vulvar cancer included non-white race [odds radio (OR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-7.8], prior abnormal cytology (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.6-7.6), and immunodeficiency (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.3-8.8). Prior hysterectomy did not significantly decrease risk of high-grade cytology (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.5-1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Women treated surgically for VIN/vulvar cancer have an 8% risk of at least high-grade dysplasia from surveillance screening and prior hysterectomy does not mitigate the risk. Extrapolating from current guidelines, we recommend surveillance cytology screening at least 6-12 months after treatment.

Continuous epidural infusion in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy: The new standard for decreased postoperative pain and opioid use.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of postoperative complications and opioid pain medication usage in gynecologic oncology patients who did and did not receive an epidural prior to undergoing exploratory laparotomy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy with the gynecologic oncology division at Washington University in St Louis between January 2012 and October 2015. Data on demographics, pathology, postoperative pain and opioid use, and incidence of postoperative complications were collected. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-one patients underwent laparotomy, 305 with an epidural and 256 without. Patients with an epidural used significantly less hydromorphone in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) (p = 0.003) and on postoperative day (POD)#1 (p = 0.05), less total opioids on POD#0 (p < 0.01), and more non-opioid pain medication on POD#1-3 (p < 0.01). Patients with an epidural had lower pain scores in the PACU (p = 0.01), on POD#0 (p < 0.01), POD#1 (p < 0.01), and POD#3 (p = 0.03). Patients with epidurals had shorter hospital length of stay (p < 0.01), no difference in hospital readmission or incidence of venous thromboembolism up to 90 days postoperatively, longer duration of Foley catheter (20.4 vs 10.3 h, p = 0.02) with no difference in postoperative urinary tract infection, higher incidence of postoperative hypotension (63% vs 36.3%, p < 0.01), and lower incidence of wound complications (5% vs 14.1%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative epidurals used in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery correlate with decreased postoperative opioid use, increased use of non-opioid pain medications, and improved pain relief postoperatively with acceptable postoperative risks and should be standard of care for these patients.

Association between body mass index and surgical menopausal symptoms in patients with early stage endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Premenopausal women may undergo surgical menopause after staging for their endometrial cancer. Our aim was to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and surgical menopausal symptoms. METHODS: We report a retrospective review of endometrial cancer patients whom underwent menopause secondary to their surgical staging procedure. Symptoms were classified as severe if treatment was prescribed, or mild if treatment was offered, but declined. Univariate analysis was performed with ANOVA and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Relative risks (RR) were generated from Poisson regression models. RESULTS: We identified 166 patients in whom the BMI (kg/m2) distribution was as follows: 33 (19.9%) had BMI <30, 49 (29.5%) had BMI 30-39.9, 50 (30.1%) had BMI 40-49.9, and 34 (20.5%) had BMI ≥50. There were no differences in race, age, or adjuvant treatment among the groups. Overall, 65 (39.2%) women reported symptoms of surgical menopause, including 19 (11.4%) mild and 46 (27.7%) severe. Symptom type did not differ by BMI; however, the prevalence of severe menopausal symptoms decreased with increasing BMI: <30 (45.5%), 30-39.9 (30.6%), 40-49.9 (22%), and ≥ 50 (14.7%); P = 0.002. Multivariate analysis confirmed that symptom prevalence decreased with increasing BMI. Compared to women with a BMI of <30, those with a BMI 40-49.9 (RR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.87) or ≥ 50 (RR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.70) were significantly less likely to experience menopausal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Women younger than 50 with BMI >40 and stage I endometrial cancer are significantly less likely than women with BMI <30 to experience menopausal symptoms after oophorectomy. This information may assist in peri-operative counseling.

Benefit of combination chemotherapy and radiation stratified by grade of stage IIIC endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal strategy for adjuvant therapy in stage IIIC endometrial cancer has not been determined. Our aim was to evaluate survival benefit of different treatments and to investigate if benefit varied by histologic grade. METHODS: We identified 199 patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer from 2000 to 2012 through the Siteman Cancer Center registry. All patients underwent surgical staging followed by no adjuvant therapy (NAT), radiation (RT), chemotherapy (CT) or chemoradiation (CRT). The association between adjuvant treatment and overall survival was explored using Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression analysis. Multivariable analysis was stratified by low- or high-grade to explore the interaction between grade and treatment. RESULTS: Most patients received CRT (50.3%) followed by CT (23.1%), RT (16.1%) and NAT (10.5%). Survival after CRT was superior to NAT (p<0.001), RT (p=0.010) and CT (p<0.001). After adjusting for covariates, treatment with RT, CT and CRT led to a 57% (p=0.024), 62% (p=0.003) and 83% (p<0.001) reduction in risk of death compared to NAT, respectively. With CRT as the reference, the adjusted hazard of death was higher with NAT (5.94, p<0.001), RT (2.56, p=0.009) and CT (2.24, p=0.004). Stratifying by grade, RT and CRT led to a 67% (p=0.039) and 85% (p<0.001) reduction in death, compared to NAT in low-grade patients. CT and CRT led to a 72% (p=0.003) and 83% (p<0.001) reduction in death, compared to NAT in high-grade patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that CRT should be the preferred adjuvant treatment strategy for patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer.

Yield of Cytology Surveillance After High-Grade Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to estimate the risk of high-grade cervical and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN/VAIN 2+) and cancer among women treated surgically for high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (HGVIN) and vulvar cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent surgery for HGVIN/vulvar cancer between 2006 and 2010. Univariate and multivariate analyses using stepwise selection were used to identify correlates of abnormal cytology after treatment for VIN and vulvar cancer. RESULTS: Among 191 women under surveillance for a median of 3.7 years who underwent treatment for HGVIN/vulvar cancer, primary vulvar lesions included VIN 2 (10, 5%), VIN 3 (102, 53%), and carcinoma (79, 41%). During follow-up, 71 (37%) had abnormal cytology, including 47 (25%) low grade, 23 (12%) high grade, and 1 (0.5%) carcinoma. Subsequent risk for VAIN 2+ was 11% (6/57) after previous hysterectomy and 8% for CIN 2+ (10/124) with intact cervix. Overall risk for CIN 3+ was 5%. Correlates of high-grade cytology after treatment for HGVIN/vulvar cancer included nonwhite race (odds ratio [OR] = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.50-7.36), immunodeficiency (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.76-9.94), and previous abnormal cytology (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.29-5.78). Stepwise multivariate analysis revealed immunosuppression as the only significant correlate of high-grade cytology after vulvar treatment (adjusted OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.26-10.83). CONCLUSIONS: Women with HGVIN/cancer should have cervical/vaginal cytology before vulvar surgery. Those with a negative cervical or vaginal cytology result should undergo cytology testing at 1- to 3-year intervals, based on the threshold for CIN 3+ set forth by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

See-and-Treat Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure for High-Grade Cervical Cytology: Are We Overtreating?

OBJECTIVES: To report the overtreatment rate for see-and-treat versus 3-step conventional strategy (cervical cytology, colposcopic biopsies, then LEEP) for patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology. Our second aim was to identify risk factors for overtreatment. METHODS: We included 178 women with HSIL cytology from our university-based colposcopy clinic who underwent LEEP between 2007 and 2014. Overtreatment was defined as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 or less on LEEP specimen. Differences between treatment groups were compared using chi-square test, 2-sample t test, or Mann-Whitney rank-sum test as appropriate. RESULTS: CIN2+ was found in 69 (80%) of women in the see-and-treat group and 69 (75%) of the conventional management group (P = 0.093), with overtreatment in 17 (20%) and 23 (25%, P = 0.403), respectively. Women who underwent see-and-treat (n = 86) were older (mean age, 36 vs 31 years; P = 0.007), and a greater proportion completed childbearing (30% vs 13%, P = 0.024). There were no differences in top hat excision; however, a higher proportion of the see-and-treat group had CIN2+ in endocervical samples (54% vs 27%, P = 0.047). Overtreatment, regardless of management strategy, was associated with age at time of LEEP, where older women were more likely to be overtreated (median age, 37 vs 32 years, respectively; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: A see-and-treat strategy minimizes risk of loss to follow-up with a similar overtreatment rate compared with conventional management. With CIN2+ in some three-fourths of women with HSIL, a see-and-treat should be favored especially when adherence to follow-up is questionable.