Increasing age predicts poor cervical cancer prognosis with subsequent effect on treatment and overall survival.

PURPOSE: Stage and histology are well-established prognostic factors for cervical cancer, but the importance of age has been controversial and a clear role for this factor has not yet been defined. Thus, we aim with this study to evaluate the significance of age as an independent prognostic factor in women with cervical cancer and evaluate the therapeutic consequences and survival outcomes as they relate to this factor. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to retrospectively analyze patients diagnosed with cervical cancer from 1973 to 2013 in the United States. Data collected included demographics, tumor histology and stage, treatment details, and survival outcomes. Age was grouped into 20-49, 50-69, ≥70 years. Stage was localized (FIGO IA-IB1), regional (IB2-IVA), and distant (IVB). Treatments were classified as "aggressive" (surgery, external beam radiation therapy [XRT] + brachytherapy [BT], surgery + BT, surgery + XRT, or surgery + XRT + BT) or "nonaggressive" (XRT alone, BT alone, or no treatment). Statistical analysis performed on these data included the use of the Log-Rank test, χ2 analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Forty-six thousand three hundred fifty women with cervical cancer were identified using the SEER database. 54% were aged <50 years, 33% 50-69 years, and 13% ≥70 years. Older women, particular those over age 70 years, show significantly decreased survival trends when stratified by stage and histology (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, taking stage, histology, race, and treatment into account, increasing age demonstrates negative prognostic significance with a hazard ratio of 2.87 for women over age 70 years and 1.46 for women aged 50-69 years. In addition, women over 70 years, regardless of stage, are significantly more likely to receive nonaggressive treatment regimens (<0.0001), or no treatment at all (p < 0.0001). Finally, older women gain a significant survival advantage from treatment, even with less-aggressive regimens, as compared with no treatment at all (p < 0.0001), with BT alone showing the greatest survival benefit (p < 0.0001 vs no treatment; p < 0.0087 vs XRT) among less-aggressive therapies. When evaluated by stage, BT continues to hold a significant survival advantage for localized, regional, and distant disease in individuals over age 70 years (localized: p = 0.0009 vs no treatment; regional and distant: p < 0.0001 vs no treatment), with both an overall survival and disease-specific survival benefit over XRT seen as well for women with distant disease (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Older women with cervical cancer show a poor overall survival trend that remains consistent among various stages and histologic subtypes. Risk analysis of this study population supports that age is an independent negative prognostic factor, even when accounting for stage, histology, and race. Furthermore, older women receive less-aggressive treatment as compared with their younger counterparts, with a significant number receiving no treatment at all. Despite this, older women still obtain a significant survival benefit with less-aggressive therapies, particularly with BT alone. Most interesting is that BT shows a survival benefit for older women among all cervical cancer stages, supporting the immense potential clinical benefit. In fact, women over 70 years with more advanced stage disease showed a significant survival benefit, both overall survival and disease-specific survival, with BT over external beam radiotherapy as well. Previous studies have created a foundation of literature, which shows that inclusion of BT in treatment regimens among all age groups improves survival and that older women in general are less likely to be adequately treated for cervical cancer. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that it demonstrates that older women, who we show are at risk for a poorer overall prognosis because of their age, are not only receiving appropriate treatment less often, they are also dying more frequently because of it. Our data support that older women are a high-risk group of patients who would benefit significantly from treatment, even if that treatment is BT alone. BT for cervical cancer is a tolerable procedure, even for most elderly women, and should, therefore, remain a standard clinical option for this population, regardless of their stage or histology at diagnosis.

Treatment-Related Radiation Toxicity Among Cervical Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify incidence of and factors associated with severe late toxicity in women treated with radiation for cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with cervical cancer treated with radiation as primary or adjuvant therapy from 2005 to 2017 in a single academic institution were included. Records were reviewed for demographic information, Charlson Comorbidity Index, treatment details, toxicities, and outcomes. Patients with and those without severe late gastrointestinal toxicity (SLGIT), severe late genitourinary toxicity (SLGUT), or any SLGIT or SLGUT, defined as any toxicity (AT), were compared. Overall survival and progression-free survival were also compared. RESULTS: Of 179 patients identified, 21.2% had AT, 17.3% had SLGIT, and 10% had SLGUT. Estimated AT rate at 3 years was 24.2%. The mean duration of follow-up was 37 months (range, 3-146 months). Most patients (84.1%) received 3-dimensional conformal therapy, and 15.9% received intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Factors associated with AT were lower body mass index (24.9 vs 28.3, P = 0.043), white race (63.2% vs 44%, P = 0.035), and active tobacco smoking during treatment (59.5% vs 40.2%, P = 0.036). Any toxicity was not associated with 3-dimensional versus intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning, low-dose versus high-dose-rate brachytherapy or time to complete radiation treatment. Higher total cumulative radiation dose to clinical target volume was associated with SLGIT. Progression-free survival and overall survival were similar among patients with AT compared to those without toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cervical cancer, radiation toxicity is correlated with lower body mass index, white race, and smoking. Despite technologic advances in radiotherapy planning and delivery, toxicity remains high and interventions to reduce the burden of treatment are needed.

Low-grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma Primarily Arising in the Vagina: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rareform of endometrial cancer, comprising < 0.2% of all uterine malignancies and 10% of all uterine sarcomas. To date, the English-language literature contains 6 reports of extrauterine ESS arising primarily in the vagina. We describe the seventh such case, and the first case in which the origin is at the introitus of the vagina. CASE: A 43-year-old, nulligravid, Caucasian woman presented for an annual gynecologic examination and was found to have an asymptomatic 5 x 5-mm, rubbery, soft tissue mass at the 5 o'clock position of the vaginal introitus. As has been reported in several cases of low-grade ESS, this case originated at a site of endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience as well as a thorough review of the literature, it appears that early stage low-grade ESS arising in the vagina can be treated effectively with surgical resection followed by close observation for recurrence.

A phase I-II evaluation of veliparib (NSC #737664), topotecan, and filgrastim or pegfilgrastim in the treatment of persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix: an NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition by veliparib during cytotoxic topotecan administration with filgrastim or pegfilgrastim neutrophil support in women with persistent or recurrent uterine cervix cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This phase I-II trial examined twice-daily oral veliparib (10 mg) given during once-daily intravenous topotecan (0.6 mg/m²) on days 1 to 5 of each treatment cycle. Cycles were repeated every 21 days until disease progression or until toxicity prohibited further therapy. Toxicity and objective response rate were primary endpoints. RESULTS: Twenty-seven women were enrolled. Frequently reported grade 3 or higher treatment-related toxicities were anemia (59%), thrombocytopenia (44%), leukopenia (22%), and neutropenia (19%). There were 2 partial responses (7% [90% confidence interval, 1%-22%]). Four patients had a disease progression date more than 6 months after the start of veliparib-topotecan therapy. Patients with low immunohistochemical expression (0-1+) of PARP-1 in their primary uterine cervix cancer were more likely to have a longer progression-free interval (hazard ratio, 0.25; P = 0.02) and survival (hazard ratio, 0.12; P = 0.005) after veliparib-topotecan therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical activity of a veliparib-topotecan combination was minimal in women with persistent or recurrent uterine cervix cancer. Women whose uterine cervix cancers express PARP-1 at low levels may benefit preferentially from PARP inhibitors combined with cytotoxic therapies, suggesting further study of PARP expression as an integral triage biomarker.

Necrotizing fasciitis after placement of intraperitoneal catheter.

•Necrotizing fasciitis has not previously been reported in association with placement of intraperitoneal port at time of cytoreductive surgery.•Consensus is lacking regarding the placement of intraperitoneal ports at the time of bowel surgery.•Delayed placement of intraperitoneal ports may be considered in patients undergoing bowel resection.

Quantitative multiparametric MRI of ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: To identify parameters associated with ovarian malignancy using multiparametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, women with ovarian masses underwent preoperative imaging with 3 T MRI. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI with pharmacokinetic modeling, quantitative T2 mapping, and diffusion-weighted imaging with quantitative mapping of the water diffusion parameters were performed. Ovarian masses had one or more discreet regions of interest, categorized as cystic or solid, and histologically diagnosed as benign or malignant. Mean region of interest (ROI) values were compared between benign and malignant masses using generalized estimating equations. In addition, we compared classification accuracy for the mean ROI value to a combination of histogram characteristics (standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) from T2 map ROIs using logistic regression and ROC curve. The significance level was P = 0.05. RESULTS: Several DCE-MRI parameters differentiated solid benign from malignant masses. Toft's rate constant (kep ) was significantly higher in malignant masses (P < 0.001), as well as quantitative T2 values (P = 0.003), and signal intensity on T2 weighted imaging (P = 0.008). A linear combination of the mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis of T2 within solid regions (area under the curve [AUC] 0.90) provided better classification accuracy than the mean of T2 alone (AUC 0.81). CONCLUSION: Quantitative parameters from DCE-MRI and T2 mapping can differentiate benign from malignant ovarian masses.

Water-fat MRI for assessing changes in bone marrow composition due to radiation and chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of using fat-fraction imaging for measuring marrow composition changes over large regions in patients undergoing cancer therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen women with gynecologic malignancies who were to receive radiation and/or chemotherapy were recruited for this study. Subjects were imaged on a 3T magnetic resonance (MR) scanner at baseline (after surgery but before radiation or chemotherapy), 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. Water-fat imaging was used to generate high-resolution, 3D signal fat fraction (sFF) maps extending from mid-femur to L3. Treatment changes were assessed by measuring marrow sFF in the L4 vertebra, femoral necks, and control tissues. RESULTS: Pretreatment and 6-month scans were compared in nine women. sFF increased significantly in both the L4 vertebral marrow (P = 0.04) and the femoral necks (P = 0.03), while no significant change was observed in control regions. Qualitatively, chemotherapy changes were more uniform in space, whereas the radiation-induced changes were largest in marrow regions inside and close to the target radiation field. CONCLUSION: Water-fat MRI is sensitive to changes in red/yellow marrow composition, and can be used for quantitative and qualitative assessment of treatment-induced marrow damage.

Vulvar and vaginal cancer.

Vulvar cancer is becoming more common as the population ages and is primarily a disease of the elderly. Most vulvar cancers are diagnosed at a localized stage and can be cured with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. More conservative therapy has been the mainstay in vulvar cancer treatment, which has lessened short-term and long-term morbidity without sacrificing efficacy. Recent national and international studies continue to prove the value of sentinel lymph node technology, which is moving toward a new standard of care for women with early stage vulvar cancer. Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that also affects elderly women. Prognosis is poor; however, adequate treatment can be delivered with a combination of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy, and with surgical resection for a select group of patients.

Ovarian Cancer Tests and Treatment.

Lack of symptoms in early-stageovarian cancer leads to a high mortality rate overall. Tests and therapy are discussed here, along with the symptom index.

Idiopathic Adrenal Hemorrhage in a Patient with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic unilateral adrenal hemorrhage is rare. Described is the first case reported in the setting of nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. CASE: A primigravida presented with abdominal pain, fever, and a right upper quadrant mass during the workup for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. She was diagnosed with idiopathic unilateral adrenal hemorrhage. She was treated with surgical resection and single-agent chemotherapy and had complete remission. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic unilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare condition and must be considered in the presentation of abdominal pain, fever, and an abdominal mass.

Cervical Cancer Tests and Treatment.

Advances in screening and treatment of cervical cancer have been made in recent years. Here we discuss tests, stages of disease, and strategies for treatment.

A prospective clinical trial of lenalidomide with topotecan in women with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lenalidomide is an anti-angiogenic IMiD(®) immunomodulatory drug. The objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), overall safety profile, and activity of oral lenalidomide in combination with topotecan in women with advanced epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma. METHODS: In this Phase I/II open-label, dose-escalation study, patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma with disease progression or recurrence following first-line therapy with a platinum agent and paclitaxel were eligible. The Phase I trial utilized a standard dose-escalation design to define the MTD and evaluate the safety profile of lenalidomide and topotecan. The starting doses were lenalidomide 5 mg, days 1-14, and intravenous topotecan 1.25 mg/m(2), days 1-5 of a 21-day cycle. Only the lenalidomide dose was escalated, in 5-mg increments up to 25 mg. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. The Phase II portion was designed to evaluate the antitumor activity based on objective response rate of lenalidomide and topotecan. RESULTS: Five women with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma were enrolled, each receiving 5 mg oral lenalidomide and 1.25 mg/m(2) topotecan. Four patients discontinued because of dose-limiting toxicity, most commonly grade 4 neutropenia (n = 3). One patient discontinued because of lack of therapeutic effect. The study was terminated early for reasons of toxicity. CONCLUSION: The addition of lenalidomide to topotecan is not a feasible drug combination in women with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma because of dose-limiting toxicity.

Effect of patient age on outcomes and compliance in women with minimally abnormal pap tests.

OBJECTIVE: To assess follow-up and histologic outcomes by age for an indigent urban cohort of women with minimally abnormal cytology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of Pap tests was performed (January 2, 2002, to June 30, 2005). Adolescents (age < 21) and women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) Pap results were studied and followed for outcomes at 2 years. The chi2 test was performed to evaluate differences among groups; statistical significance was established as p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 2,266 women were studied--676 adolescents, 1,063 women aged 21-30 years, and 527 women > 30 years of age. Results included 619 ASCUS/ high-risk HPV and 1,647 LSIL results. Compliance was similar across age-groups; 31% never returned for follow-up. CIN2 was detected in 18.8% of adolescents, 21.6% of women aged 21-30, and 15.7% of women > 30 years (p = 0.53). CIN3 was detected in 8.5% of adolescents, 8.1% of women aged 21-30, and 7.7% of women > 30 years (p = 0.55). CONCLUSION: Adolescents and women had similar rates of loss to follow-up after having a minimally abnormal Pap test. The likelihood of detecting CIN2-3 was similar regardless of age.