The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical surgery in stage IB2/IIA2 squamous cell cervical cancers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients diagnosed with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to radical hysterectomy compared to those who did not receive NACT before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a multicenter study including data of 6 gynecological oncology departments. The study is approved from one of the institution's local ethics committee. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on the receipt of NACT preceding their surgical intervention. Clinico-pathological factors and progression-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 87 patients were included. Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) was observed as 40% in the group receiving NACT, while it was 66.1% in the group not receiving NACT (p = 0.036). Deep stromal invasion (> 50%) was 56% in the group receiving NACT and 84.8% in the group not receiving NACT (p = 0.001). In the univariate analysis, application of NACT is statistically significant among the factors that would be associated with disease-free survival. Consequently, a multivariate analysis was conducted for progression-free survival, incorporating factors such as the depth of stromal invasion, the presence of LVSI, and the administration of NACT. Of these, only the administration of NACT emerged as an independent predictor associated with decreased progression-free survival. (RR:5.88; 95% CI: 1.63-21.25; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: NACT shouldn't be used routinely in patients with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical cancer before radical surgery. Presented as oral presentation at National Congress of Gynaecological Oncology & National Congress of Cervical Pathologies and Colposcopy (2022/ TURKEY).

Assessment of the differences in oncologic outcomes between patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and uterine serous carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate whether the recurrence rates, recurrence patterns, and survival outcomes differed according to the primary site of the tumor in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and uterine serous carcinoma (USC). METHODS: The population of this multicenter retrospective study consisted of patients who had USC or HGSOC. Progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) estimates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 247 patients with HGSOC and 34 with USC. Recurrence developed in 118 (51.1%) in the HGSOC group and 14 (42.4%) in the USC group (p = 0.352). The median time to recurrence was 23.5 (range, 4-144) and 17 (range, 4-43) months in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.055). The 3-year PFS was 52% in the HGSOC group and 47% in the USC group (p = 0.450). Additionally, 3-year DSS was 92% and 82% in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: HGSOC and USC are aggressive tumors with high recurrence and mortality rates in advanced stages. These two carcinomas, which are similar in molecular features and clinical management, may also have similar recurrence patterns, disease failure, and survival rates.

Defining the relationship between ovarian adult granulosa cell tumors and synchronous endometrial pathology: Does ovarian tumor size correlate with endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The main feature of adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) is their capacity to secrete hormones, with nearly all of them capable of synthesizing oestradiol. The primary goal of this study is to identify synchronized endometrial pathologies, particularly endometrial cancer, in AGCT patients who had undergone a hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised retrospectively of 316 AGCT patients from 10 tertiary gynecological oncology centers. AGCT surgery consisted of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, peritoneal cytology, omentectomy, and the excision of any suspicious lesion. The median tumor size value was used to define the relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer. The relationship between each value and endometrial cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, or hyperplasia with complex atypia, was detected in 7.3% of patients, and endometrial cancer in 3.1% of patients. Age, menopausal status, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, ascites, and CA-125 level were not statistically significant factors to predict endometrial cancer. There was no endometrial cancer under the age of 40, and 97.8% of women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia were over the age of 40. During the menopausal period, the endometrial cancer risk was 4.5%. Developing endometrial cancer increased to 12.1% from 3.2% when the size of the tumor was >150 mm in menopausal patients (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Endometrial hyperplasia, or cancer, occurs in approximately 30% of AGCT patients. Patients diagnosed with AGCT, especially those older than 40 years, should be evaluated for endometrial pathologies. There may be a relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer, especially in menopausal patients.

The role of cervical elastography in the differential diagnosis of preinvasive and invasive lesions of the cervix.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the role of cervical elastography in the differential diagnosis of preinvasive and invasive lesions of the cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 95 women participated in this prospective study and were divided into the following groups: 19 healthy subjects (group 1) with normal cervicovaginal smear (CVS) and negative human papillomavirus test (HPV DNA), 19 women with normal cervical biopsy and normal final pathological result of cervical biopsy (group 2), 19 women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (group 3), 19 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (group 4), and 19 women with cervical cancer (group 5). Clinical, demographic, histopathological, and elastographic results were compared between these groups. RESULTS: Comparing groups, age (40.42 ± 8.31 vs. 39.53 ± 8.96 vs. 38.79 ± 9.53 vs. 40.74 ± 7.42 vs. 54.63 ± 12.93, p < 0.001 respectively), gravida (1.74 ± 1.33 vs. 2.16 ± 1.68 vs. 2.21 ± 1.96 vs. 2.53 ± 1.93 vs. 4.63 ± 2.17 p < 0.001 respectively), parity (1.37 ± 0.68 vs. 1.68 ± 1.20 vs. 1.58 ± 1.30 vs. 2.00 ± 1.67 vs. 3.37 ± 1.61, p < 0.001 respectively), and the proportion of patients at menopause (10.5% vs., 15.8% vs. 10.5% vs. 5.3% vs. 57.9%, p < 0.01 respectively), a statistically significant difference was found (Table 1). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the number of abortions, BMI, mode of delivery, smoking, additional disease status, history of surgery, and family history (p > 0.05) (Table  2. As a result of the applied roc analysis, mean cervical elastographic stiffness degree (ESD) was found to be an influential factor in predicting cervical cancer (p < 0.05). The mean cut-off value was 44.65%, with a sensitivity of 94.7% and a specificity of 96.1% (Table 7). CONCLUSION: Measurement of ESD by elastography is a low-cost, easily applicable, and non-invasive indicator that can distinguish cervical cancer from normal cervical and preinvasive lesions. However, it is unsuitable for determining preinvasive cervical lesions from normal cervix.

Clinicopathological features of atypical glandular cells, not otherwise specified, on cervicovaginal pap smears.

OBJECTIVE: The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test is a standard screening test that detects cervical lesions and cancers. In this multicentric study, we performed a retrospective analysis of cytological results associated with atypical glandular cells, not otherwise specified (AGC-NOS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed Pap smear tests that resulted as AGC-NOS. A total of 254 women who underwent colposcopy due to a Pap smear result of AGC-NOS were included the study between 2003 and 2021. The ages, Pap smear results, HPV results if any, colposcopic biopsy results, endocervical and endometrial pathology results, and management of these patients were analysed. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-four patients with AGC-NOS Pap smear results were included in the study. A total of 70 (27.6%) patients had cervical and endometrial premalignant or malignant lesions. Malignancy was observed in 17 (6.7%) patients (endometrium, n = 11 [4.3%]; cervix, n = 6 [2.4%]). Isolated premalignant or malignant lesions of the cervix and endometrium were detected in 57 (22.4%) and 12 (4.7%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with AGC-NOS should undergo a careful evaluation with all clinicopathological features. Because cancer of the cervix and endometrium is not rare in patients diagnosed with AGC-NOS, colposcopic examination with endocervical sampling should be a priority based on a cervicovaginal smear. Endometrial sampling is also required according to the patient's clinic, age, and examination characteristics.

Oncologic outcome in patients with 2018 FIGO stage IB cervical cancer: Is tumor size important?

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prognostic factors and oncologic outcome in patients with 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB cervical cancer (CC) after radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 290 patients with type II or III radical hysterectomy + pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy and 2018 FIGO stage IB1-3 epithelial CC. Disease-free survival (DFS) estimates were determinate by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The mean age of study cohort was 52 ± 10.25 years. Five-year DFS was 93% in entire cohort. On univariate analysis, surgical border involvement (p = 0.007), lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (p = 0.040), uterine involvement (p = 0.040), and depth of cervical stromal invasion (p = 0.007) were found to have statistical significance for DFS. However, none of them were independent prognostic factors for the risk of recurrence. Tumor size according to 2018 FIGO staging criteria was not related with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical border involvement, LVSI, depth of cervical stromal invasion, and uterine involvement were predictors for DFS on univariate analysis. Tumor size was not predicting to recurrence in patient with 2018 FIGO stage IB1-3 CC.

The role of systemic immune inflammation index in predicting treatment success in tuboovarian abscesses.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the predictability of the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on the response to medical treatment in tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). METHODS: 296 patients with TOA in a tertiary center were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group1 (n = 165) included patients in whom medical treatment was successful, and Group2 (n = 131) included patients in whom surgery was required. Demographic, sonographic and laboratory findings were compared between groups. SII was calculated using peripheral blood parameters [SII = (platelets ∗ neutrophils)/lymphocytes]. RESULTS: Age, BMI, gravida, parity, smoking and menopausal status, CRP levels of patients were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Mass size (4.398 ± 0.306 vs 7.683 ± 0.689, p < 0.001), white blood cell (WBC) (8685.08 ± 3981.98 vs 9994.35 ± 4468.024, p = 0.008), Hb (12.18 ± 1.65 vs 11.68 ± 1.65, p = 0.010), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (151.26 ± 74.83 vs 230.77 ± 140.25, p < 0.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (4.21 ± 3.27 vs 6.07 ± 6.6, p = 0.003), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (0.300 ± 0.177 vs 0.346 ± 0.203, p = 0.041) and SII (1014.18 ± 781.71 vs 2094.088 ± 2117.58, p < 0.001) were statistically higher in group 2. ROC Analysis was used to determine the predictability of the variables and PLR (AUC = 0.718, p < 0.001), NLR (AUC = 0.593, p = 0.593), MLR (AUC = 0.576, p = 0.024), SII (AUC = 0.723, p < 0.001) and size of mass (AUC = 0.670, p < 0.001) were found to be significant. The SII, size of mass and bilateral involvement of adnexa were found to be the strongest prognostic factors for surgical intervention (OR:1.004 (1.002-1.005), OR:1.018 (1.010-1.027), OR:3.397 (1.338-8.627); p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.010 resspectively). CONCLUSION: SII, size of mass and bilaterality can be used to predict medical treatment success in patients with TOA.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma: a Turkish multicentric study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors for and determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on oncologic outcome in stage IVB pure serous endometrial carcinoma patients who received taxane and platinum. Forty-two patients with 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma were enrolled from six gynecologic oncology centers and a study group was created. The study group had a 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 32% and 2-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of 73%. On univariate analysis; lymphadenectomy (not performed vs. performed), paraaortic lymph node metastasis (positive vs. negative) and number of metastatic lymph node count (≤5 vs. >5) were found to have statistical significance for DFS (p < 0.001, p = 0.026 and p = 0.044, respectively). Adnexal metastasis (positive vs. negative) and type of cytoreductive surgery (maximal vs. optimal and suboptimal) had statistical significance for DSS (p = 0.041 and p = 0.015, respectively). Receiving NACT did not affect DFS and DSS in stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma patients. As our sample size was small, precise conclusions could not be made for suggesting the use of NACT in advanced stage uterine serous carcinoma. For more accurate results, more randomized controlled studies are needed in this patient group.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Endometrial carcinoma is the most common type of gynecologic tract malignancies and usually it is diagnosed at early stages. Although the favorable prognosis, uterine serous carcinoma (USC), one of the rarest subtypes, has a poorer prognosis when compared to other histological subtypes. USC has a propensity to spread beyond pelvis. Due to this aggressive behavior, surgical intervention could not be feasible in advanced stage disease.What do the results of this study add? Our study evaluated the prognostic factors that affect survival in advanced stage USC patients. Also we investigated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) could improve oncologic outcomes. Performing lymphadenectomy, presence of paraaortic lymph node and adnexal metastasis, number of metastatic lymph nodes and type of cytoreductive surgery improved survival in advanced stage USC patients. However, NACT did not have a statistical significance as a predictor for disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS).What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Maximal surgical effort should be performed in advanced stage USC according to our results. On the other hand, NACT had no impact on DSS and DFS rates. For this reason, we could not be able to suggest the routine use of NACT in advanced stage USC. But more randomized controlled trials are warranted for confirmation of our results.

Is hemoglobin A1c valuable for predicting concurrent endometrial cancer in diabetic women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia?

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c) level for endometrial cancer in diabetic women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred patients with EIN were retrospectively studied in a tertiary referral center in Turkey between January 2014 and December 2021. One hundred and thirteen diabetic patients with EIN who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups according to the final pathological results: Group 1 with benign findings (n = 29), Group 2 with EIN (n = 34) and Group 3 with endometrial cancer (n = 50). Demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics were compared among the three groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of HgA1c for concurrent endometrial cancer in EIN. RESULTS: Mean preoperative HgA1c levels were different among three groups (5.41 ± 0.64, 6.01 ± 0.72, 6.65 ± 1.15, p < 0.001, respectively). The highest value of HgA1c level was found in cancer group and difference within pairs was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Age and duration of menopause were also different among groups (p < 0.005). After adjustment of HgA1c level for age and duration of menopause differences were maintained (p < 0.001), the cutoff value was detected as ≥6.05% for HgA1c and sensitivity, specificity was 60%, 70%, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HgA1c could be used in prediction of endometrial cancer. The optimal cutoff value determined in our study could be considered in predicting endometrial cancer in diabetic women with EIN.

How do thiol disulfide balance and copper-ceruloplasmin levels change in women using copper intrauterine devices?

ObjectivesWe aimed to examine the change in plasma copper (Cu) level and copper transport proteins level before inserting Cu-IUD and after one menstrual cycle and to show the effect of this change on the thiol disulfide balance in women using copper-containing intrauterine device (Cu-IUD).MethodThirty-three reproductive women who admitted to the gynecology clinic and inserted Cu-IUD were examined in this study. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis, plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin levels and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity were measured using the blood samples collected just before inserting Cu-IUD and after one menstrual cycle.ResultsPlasma copper level (p = 0.006), ceruloplasmin (p < 0.001), Ceruloplasmin Ferroxidase (p = 0.005), thiol disulfide homeostasis parameters; native thiol (NT) (p = 0.004), and total thiol (p = 0.003) levels increased significantly.ConclusionAfter one menstrual cycle in women inserted intrauterine Cu-IUD for contraception, plasma levels of Cu, which is the oxidant molecule, increased significantly. Both plasma ceruloplasmin level and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity increased due to elevated Cu levels. This increased oxidant status in the acute period was balanced by the increase in the native thiol level.

Oncologic outcomes of patients with FIGO 2014 stage IB-IIA cervical adenocarcinoma who underwent radical surgery.

PURPOSE: To identify prognostic factors of early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma in patients with FIGO IB-IIA, who were treated with radical surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 64 patients with stage IB-IIA cervical adenocarcinoma who underwent radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy with or without adjuvant therapy between 1993 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathologic factors that affect the oncological outcomes were evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for the assessment of survival outcomes. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The 5-year recurrence-free survival and 5-year disease-specific survivals were 83% and 98%, respectively. Tumor size, stage of disease and uterine spread were significantly related prognostic factors for shorter recurrence-free survival. During the follow-up, nine (14.1%) patients recurred. Five of them were extrapelvic recurrence. No correlation was identified between histopathologic subtype and extrapelvic recurrence (p = 0.265). There was no difference between adjuvant only radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy on recurrence-free survival in a univariate analysis adjusting for prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: It is important to determine the prognostic factors that predict disease outcome in surgically treated cervical adenocarcinoma for tailored adjuvant treatment. Tumor size, stage and uterine spread are determinant factors for recurrence. Risk stratifications, including uterine spread may especially be useful for patients with AC.

Factor affecting lymph node metastasis in uterine papillary serous carcinomas: a retrospective analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with uterine serous cancer (USC) who underwent systematic staging surgery. Eighty patients who were operated on for pure uterine serous papillary carcinoma between 2008 and 2020 in our clinic were retrospectively analysed. The effects of demographic information and clinicohistopathological characteristics of the included patients on LNM were examined. The median age of the patients included in the study was 64.3 and the tumour diameter was 3.8 cm. At the time of diagnosis, 65.8% of the cases were in the advanced stage, while 34.2% were in the early stage. There was no LNM in 42 (52.5%) of the cases, only pelvic in six (7.5%), only paraaortic LNM in four (5%) patients, and both pelvic and paraaortic LNM in 24 (30%) patients. When factors that may affect LNM were evaluated with multivariate analysis, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and cytology positivity were found to be independent risk factors (p < 0.05). In addition, the rate of isolated paraaortic lymph node involvement in LNM positive patients is 5%, which is 100% associated with LVSI.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Uterine papillary serous carcinomas (UPSC) are an uncommon and aggressive histological subtype of endometrial cancer. The high risk of recurrence and tendency to migrate into the abdomen of these tumours is not always connected with lymph node and distant organ metastasis, tumour size, LVSI positive and depth of myometrial invasion.What do the results of this study add? Most patients with UPSC are diagnosed at an advanced stage. In this study, in which 80 patients with pure serous histology were evaluated retrospectively, and LVSI and peritoneal cytology positivity were found to be two important prognostic factors for lymph node metastasis.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? In this study, cytology and LVSI positivity were identified as two predictive markers for LNM, and it is seen that cytology positivity still maintains its importance in these tumours with peritoneal spread. Furthermore, patients with isolated paraaortic lymph node involvement were shown to be LVSI positive, and isolated paraaortic LNM should be investigated in patients with LVSI positivity.

Analysis of the prognostic factors determining the oncological outcomes in patients with high-risk early-stage cervical cancer.

We aimed to evaluate clinicopathological data in high-risk early-stage cervical cancer and to define the prognostic factors determining the oncological outcomes. This retrospective study included 158 patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy plus lymph node dissection. Each patient had at least one high-risk factor. The median tumour diameter of the study group was 30 mm (range, 6-80). Seventy-five (47.5%) patients had parametrial invasion, 32 (20.3%) had positive surgical margins, and 108 (68.4%) had lymph node metastasis. The median duration of follow-up was 42 months (range, 1-228). During this period, 28 patients developed recurrence, and the recurrent disease occurred in a distant area in 18 patients. Five-year disease-free survival was 77.5%, and five-year disease-specific survival was 85%. In multivariate analysis, adjuvant radiotherapy was identified as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence and death. The recurrence (Odds ratio: 10.139, 95% CI: 1.477-69.590, p = .018) and mortality rates (Odds ratio: 16.485, 95% CI: 2.484-109.408, p =.004) were higher in patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? The decision to proceed with adjuvant therapy in the patients with early-stage disease treated with surgery depends on the presence of risk factors in pathological examination. Various prognostic factors have been identified in cervical cancer (CC). However, there is a limited number of studies describing the prognostic factors in early-stage CC with high-risk factors.What do the results of this study add? In current study, the recurrence and mortality rates were higher in patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy. No relationship was found between the survival outcomes and the number of high-risk factors. Most of the patients who developed recurrence had the recurrence in the distant localisation. This result questioned the adequacy of adjuvant therapy.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? There is still a debate over the prognostic factors and the adjuvant treatment options in the patients with early-stage cervical cancer who possess high-risk factors. Adjuvant RT or adjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy must definitely be used in this patients. However, adjuvant therapy fails approximately 14-32%, thus multimodal treatment modalities must be developed to improve the recurrence rates and the survival.

Post-recurrence survival analysis of patients with pulmonary recurrence from gynaecologic cancers: a multi-institutional analysis of 122 patients.

In this retrospective study, patients with epithelial gynaecologic cancer with pulmonary recurrence (PR) were evaluated from five national gynaecologic oncology clinics. Patients with a diagnosis of primary endometrial, ovarian/fallopian tube/peritoneal, cervical or vaginal/vulvar tumours who developed an initial PR were included in the study A total of 122 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up time after recurrence was 7.5 (range, 1-84) months. The 2-year PRS was 48% in the main cohort. The risk of death was more than seven times higher in patients who did not receive salvage chemotherapy compared with those who did (hazard ratio: 7.6, 95% CI: 3.0-18.9; p < .001). When squamous cell carcinoma was compared with the other tumour types, the risk of death increased more than three times (hazard ratio: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4-9.6; p = .007).IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Pulmonary recurrence (PR) from gynaecologic malignancies is rare and can cause major clinical problem. Therefore, defining the clinical and pathologic characteristics and recurrence patterns are essential.What the results of this study add? This study demonstrates non-squamous subtype and salvage chemotherapy at PR were associated with improved survival.What of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? To the best of our knowledge, our study is the largest study to investigate the clinico-pathologic characteristics, recurrence patterns, treatment options, and post-recurrence survival (PRS) in patients with PR from epithelial gynaecologic cancers. Future research should examine the underlying causes of these findings.

Is Tumor Size Really Important for Prediction of Lymphatic Dissemination in Grade 1 Endometrial Carcinoma With Superficial Myometrial Invasion?

OBJECTIVES: Selection of patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC), in whom systematic lymph node dissection (LND) is indicated, is an important part of management to maintain optimal oncological outcomes, while avoiding unnecessary morbidities. According to the current approach, LND is recommended for the patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade 1 to 2 tumors and a primary tumor diameter (PTD) greater than 2 cm, even with myometrial invasion (MMI) of less than 50%. We aimed to determine incidence of LN metastasis in this particular group of patients with grade 1 tumors, superficial MMI, and a PTD greater than 2 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study only focused on women with FIGO grade 1 EEC having less than 50% MMI. Therefore, women with grade 2 or 3 tumors were excluded, as well as patients with 50% or greater MMI. We also excluded women with macroscopic extrauterine disease, as well as patients with cervical stromal involvement. Patients were divided into subgroups with regard to PTD; group 1 was composed of patients with PTD of 20 mm or less, whereas group 2 was composed of patients with PTD greater than 20 mm. All clinical and pathological variables were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Final pathology reports of 484 women with EEC who underwent surgical staging were analyzed. Among these women, there were 123 women in group 1 (PTD ≤ 20 mm) and 120 women in group 2 (PTD > 20 mm), with FIGO grade 1 tumors and superficial MMI. The median number of total LNs removed was 54 (range, 20-151). There were no women with pelvic and/or para-aortic LN metastasis in group 2, as well as in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that lymphadenectomy may be omitted in women with FIGO grade 1 EEC having superficial MMI regardless of PTD. Deferral of systematic LND in this subgroup of patients may lead to reductions in costs and surgical morbidity.

Comparison of Amniotic Fluid Cytokine Levels in Postterm and Term Pregnancy: a Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate amniotic fluid pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in women with postterm and term pregnancies in labor and not in labor. METHODS: The study involved three groups: postterm (Group 1, n = 29), term in labor (Group 2, n = 28), and control (Group 3, n = 30). All groups were compared with respect to age, gravidity, parity, obstetric history, gestation week, cervical dilatation and effacement, maternal serum C-reactive protein and white cell count, amniotic interleukin 4, 6, and 10 levels, birthweight, and cord blood pH. RESULTS: The amniotic fluid interleukin 10 level was 24.4 ± 8.8 pg/mL in the postterm group, 13.5 ± 5.1 pg/mL in the term in labor group, and 19.8 ± 5.4 pg/mL in the control group (p < 0.001). The amniotic fluid interleukin 4 level was 86.5 ± 57.7 pg/mL in the postterm group, 38.2 ± 29.2 pg/mL in the term in labor group, and 81.9 ± 68.4 pg/mL in the control group (p = 0.002). The amniotic fluid interleukin 6 level was 329 ± 135.1 pg/mL in the postterm group, 252.8 ± 138.7 pg/mL in the term in labor group, and 227.9 ± 114.4 pg/mL in the control group (p = 0.02). There was a positive correlation between gestational age and IL-10 levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic fluid IL-10 and IL-4 cytokine levels were increased in postterm pregnancy and they decreased with active labor.

A rare case of leiomyosarcoma localized in the Bartholin's gland area and review of the literature.

Sarcomas of the vulva in the Bartholin's gland area are extremely rare in adults and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. A 65-year-old female patient without any previous complaint presented to our hospital complaining of a genital lump with progressive enlargement over the last six months. Pelvic examination revealed a 6 × 5 cm solid mass lesion with irregular margins localized in the left Bartholin's gland. Preoperative pathology results indicated a benign lesion, which was subsequently totally excised. Histopathological examination of the lesion revealed leiomyosarcoma. When a lesion is localized in the Bartholin's gland area, preoperative biopsy may suggest benign cytology, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis and curative treatment. Total local excision is the first choice for vulvar-complicated masses in the Bartholin's gland area. The present case is the ninth well-documented case reported in the literature.

The Diagnostic Role of Vitamin D and Cathelicidin Levels in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and cathelicidin levels on pelvic inflammatory disease [PID] in reproductive aged women. METHODS: A total of 81 reproductive aged women, 43 with PID and 38 without PID, were included in the study. Five millilitres of venous blood were collected from subjects and controls for complete hemogram and serum for CRP, IL-6, 25(OH)D and cathelicidin. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the study group and the control group for 25(OH)D (study group, 47.3 ± 2.01 ng/mL, control group, 28.38 ± 1.35 ng/mL, p = 0.001), for cathelicidin (study group, 165.56 ± 65.92 ng/mL, control group, 10.34 ± 6.48 ng/mL, p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between 25(OH)D, cathelicidin, and other markers (WBC, CRP, and IL-6). Receiver operator curve analysis showed that the best cutoff value for 25(OH)D was 34.25 ng/mL, sensitivity 88%, and specificity 89%, and for cathelicidin 15 ng/mL, sensitivity 91%, specificity 90%. CONCLUSIONS: 25(OH)D and cathelicidin can be used as acute phase reactants like conventional markers in PID. Future studies are needed to understand the roles of these molecules in both diagnosis and follow-up of infectious situations.

Relationship between the body iodine status and menopausal symptoms during postmenopausal period.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of body iodine status on hot flashes and cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Two hundred and ten consecutive postmenopausal women without known any risk factor for cardiovascular disease risk or systemic disorder were recruited for the study. All participants underwent serum screening consisted of lipid profile including lipoprotein-a (Lp(a)) and urinary iodine excretion. Participants were also asked for the frequency and the duration of hot flashes. All parameters were assessed for the association between urine iodine excretion and other parameters. RESULTS: Urine spot iodine level was significantly correlated with Lp(a) (r = -0.287, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = -0.187, p = 0.006), cholesterol level (r = -0.573, p < 0.001), TG level (r = -0.211, p = 0.02), frequency of hot flashes per a day (r = -0.467, p < 0.001), durations of hot flashes (r = -0.424, p < 0.001), fasting glucose level (r = 0.331, p < 0.001), and fT3 level (r = 0.475, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with the urine iodine level (beta coefficient = -0.342, p < 0.001) after adjustment for LDL-C (beta coefficient = 0.225, p < 0.001), glucose (beta coefficient = 0.303, p < 0.001), and age (beta coefficient = 0.146, p < 0.017). CONCLUSION: Body iodine status during postmenopausal period is associated with the menopausal symptoms and lipid profile including Lp(a).

Association between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS waves: a prospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS, a non-invasive indicator of cardiovascular risk and myocardial ischemia, in women with uterine leiomyoma. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, a total of 47 patients diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma (case group) and 47 healthy individuals without uterine leiomyoma (control group) who had undergone bilateral tubal ligation surgery were included. Various demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and the presence of fragmented QRS were recorded. RESULTS: The leiomyoma group showed significantly higher body mass index (27.46±2.18 vs. 25.9±2.87 kg/m2, p=0.005) and waist circumference (91.34±9.30 vs. 84.97±9.3 cm, p=0.001) compared with the control group. Uterine volumes were also significantly higher in the leiomyoma group (235.75±323.48 vs. 53.24±12.81 mm3, p<0.001). The presence of fragmented QRS was detected in 18.1% of the patients. Multiple regression analysis identified age, fasting blood glucose value, and the presence of fragmented QRS as independent risk factors for the presence of leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS. The presence of fragmented QRS was identified as an independent risk factor for the presence of leiomyoma. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms connecting uterine leiomyoma and cardiovascular health.