Analysis of vanishing endometrial cancer by pathological types.

PURPOSE: We asked why endometrial cancer sometimes vanishes. METHODS: A total of 454 patients diagnosed with endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EC) (via endometrial sampling) and treated in our clinic over the past 5 years were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: vanishing and residual, depending on whether a tumor was detected in the postoperative hysterectomy specimen. Patient age, numbers of pregnancies and deliveries, menopausal status, systemic disease status, hemogram parameters, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade, and invasion status (evident on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: ECs vanished in 42 (9.25%) patients. The vanishing rates were 19.7% (37/187) in FIGO grade 1 patients, 2.1% (5/238) in grade 2 patients, and 0% (0/29) in grade 3 patients. The average age was lower in the vanishing than the residual group, but the premenopausal status and grade 1 tumor rates were higher (both p < 0.001). An absence of invasion (as revealed by MRI) was more common in the vanishing group (p < 0.001). No recurrence developed in the vanishing group, but recurrences were noted in 3.3% (14/412) of the residual group. There were no significant between-group differences in any of the numbers of pregnancies or births, systemic disease status, or hemogram parameters (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vanishing EC is more likely in premenopausal women with endometrioid grade 1 EC (as revealed by endometrial biopsy) who lack myometrial invasion on MRI.

Whole-exome sequencing reveals new potential genes and variants in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency.

PURPOSE: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles before the age of 40 years due to the depletion or dysfunction of the ovarian follicles. POI is a highly heterogeneous disease in terms of etiology. The aim of this study is to reveal the genetic etiology in POI patients. METHODS: A total of 35 patients (mean age: 27.2 years) from 28 different families diagnosed with POI were included in the study. Karyotype, FMR1 premutation analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were conducted to determine the genetic etiology of patients. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients with POI were first evaluated by karyotype analysis, and chromosomal anomaly was detected in three (8.5%) and FMR1 premutation was detected in six patients (17%) from two different families. A total of 29 patients without FMR1 premutation were included in the SNP array analysis, and one patient had a 337-kb deletion in the chromosome 6q26 region including PARK2 gene, which was thought to be associated with POI. Twenty-nine cases included in SNP array analysis were evaluated simultaneously with WES analysis, and genetic variant was detected in 55.1% (16/29). CONCLUSION: In the present study, rare novel variants were identified in genes known to be associated with POI, which contribute to the mutation spectrum. The effects of detected novel genes and variations on different pathways such as gonadal development, meiosis and DNA repair, or metabolism need to be investigated by experimental studies. Molecular etiology allows accurate genetic counseling to the patient and family as well as fertility planning.

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: A Turkish uterine sarcoma group study analyzing prognostic factors and disease outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors associated with refractory disease, recurrence, or death as well as disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in low-grade endometrial sarcoma (LGESS). METHODS: A multi-institutional, retrospective study was conducted in a total of 124 patients, who received a curative-intent surgery. The exclusion criteria were as follows: i) history of any other invasive disease; ii) neoadjuvant therapy; iii) fertility sparing surgery; iv) a different diagnosis after review of the slides. RESULTS: All patients underwent hysterectomy, 96% had bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 65% had lymphadenectomy. Twelve (14.8%) of 81 patients undergoing lymphadenectomy had lymph node (LN) metastasis. Of those, 8 (9.8%) had pelvic LN metastasis whereas 4 (5.6%) had isolated paraaortic LN metastasis. Six of 8 (75%) patients with positive pelvic LNs had concurrent paraaortic LN metastasis. Among 124 patients, 3 patients (2.4%) had refractory disease following primary therapy. During a median follow-up of 45.5 months, 27 (22.3%) of 121 patients who achieved complete remission after primary therapy developed recurrence, and 10 patients (8.1%) died of disease. The 3-year DFS and OS were 76.9% and 93.8%, respectively. Stage was the sole independent prognostic factor in the whole cohort. When analyzing factors within subgroups of stage I and stage ≥II, there was no significant prognostic factor for stage I; however, lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly associated with disease outcomes for stage ≥II. While lymphadenectomy was related with improved DFS, chemotherapy was associated with poor DFS and OS. CONCLUSION: The risk of LN metastasis at pelvic as well as paraaortic lymphatic basins is not negligible to omit lymphadenectomy in stage ≥II LGESS. Moreover, lymphadenectomy provides significant DFS advantage in patients with extrauterine disease.

Serum markers for the early diagnosis of intestinal anastomotic leak after gyne-oncological operations.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the serum markers for the early diagnosis of intestinal anastomotic leak (AL) after the gyne-oncological operations. METHODS: Between September 2017 and March 2021, patients with an intestinal anastomosis performed during the gyne-oncological surgeries were identified from a tertiary centre in Turkey. As the local guideline of the clinic, all these patients were followed by measuring serum samples including procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) on postoperative day (POD) 1 through the day of discharge or the day of re-operation for AL. RESULTS: 12.5% (5/40) of the patients suffered an AL and 4 of them were re-operated. The mean albumin values on POD 3-4 and the mean platelet values on POD 1 were lower in the AL group (P < .05). Although it was not statistically significant (P > .05), median PCT values (ng/mL) on POD 8-10 were higher in the AL group compared with no leak group. The best cut-off point for PCT on POD 9 was determined to be 0.11 ng/mL (AUC: 0.917, Sensitivity = 100.0%, specificity = 66.7%, positive predictive value = 66.7%, negative predictive value = 100.0%). CONCLUSION: Serum PCT and CRP concentrations were not found to be helpful for the early diagnosis of AL in patients operated for gyne-oncological malignancies. Low levels of albumin and platelets in the first days after the operation may be clue for a possible AL.

Is the extent of lymphadenectomy a prognostic factor in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer?

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of adequate lymph node dissection (LND) (≥10 pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) and ≥ 5 paraaortic LNs removed) in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). METHODS: A multicenter department database review was performed to identify patients who had been operated and diagnosed with stage II EEC at seven centers in Turkey retrospectively. Demographic, clinicopathological, and survival data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 284 women with stage II EEC. There were 170 (59.9%) patients in the adequate lymph node dissection (LND) group and 114 (40.1%) in the inadequate LND group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the inadequate LND group was significantly lower than that of the adequate LND group (84.1% vs. 89.1%, respectively; p = 0.028). In multivariate analysis, presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-4.63; p = 0.009), age ≥ 60 (HR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.65-6.57; p = 0.001], and absence of adjuvant therapy (HR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.40-5.35; p = 0.003) remained as independent risk factors for decreased 5-year disease-free survival (DFS). Inadequate LND (HR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.18-4.63; p < 0.001), age ≥ 60 (HR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.25-5.72; p = 0.011), and absence of adjuvant therapy (HR: 4.95, 95% CI: 2.28-10.73; p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for decreased 5-year OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Adequate LND and adjuvant therapy were significant for the improvement of outcomes in FIGO stage II EEC patients. Furthermore, LVSI was associated with worse 5-year DFS rate in stage II EEC.

High-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma versus undifferentiated uterine sarcoma: a Turkish uterine sarcoma group study-001.

OBJECTIVE: Prognostic factors associated with high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGESS) and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS) have not been distinctly determined due to the repetitive changes in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. We aimed to compare clinicopathologic features and outcomes of patients with HGESS with those of patients with UUS. METHODS: A multi-institutional, retrospective, cohort study was conducted including 71 patients, who underwent surgery at 13 centers from 2008 to 2017. An experienced gynecopathologist from each institution re-evaluated the slides of their own cases according to the WHO2014 classification. Factors associated with refractory/progressive disease, recurrence or death were examined using logistic regression analyses. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival comparisons. RESULTS: The median disease-free survival (DFS) for HGESS and UUS was 12 months and 6 months, respectively. While the median overall survival was not reached in HGESS group, it was 22 months in the UUS group. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that patients with UUS had a significantly poorer DFS than those with HGESS (p = 0.016), although OS did not differ between the groups (p = 0.135). Lymphovascular-space involvement (LVSI) was the sole significant factor associated with progression, recurrence or death for HGESS (Hazard ratio: 9.353, 95% confidence interval: 2.539-34.457, p = 0.001), whereas no significant independent factor was found for UUS. CONCLUSIONS: UUS has a more aggressive behavior than HGESS. While no significant predictor of prognosis was found for UUS, LVSI is the sole independent prognostic factor for HGESS, with patients 9.3 times more likely to experience refractory/progressive disease, recurrence or death.

Does ovarian preservation have an effect on recurrence of early stage low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma?

Surgical treatment of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma consists of hysterectomy. The role of oophorectomy is yet to be established. We aimed to examine the effect of preserving the ovaries on the pattern of recurrences in patients with stage I disease. Thirty-four patients with stage I low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma were retrospectively analysed. Based on ovarian preservation the whole cohort was divided into two groups. Recurrence (liver, lung, groin and bone) was detected in 4 (11.8%) cases. No significant differences in overall survival or disease-free survival (DFS) were observed between the ovarian preservation and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) groups. Subset analysis revealed no significant difference in DFS between the ovarian preservation and BSO groups in the premenopausal arm. And also, the performance of pelvic (n = 2) or para-aortic lymphadenectomy (n = 6) or adjuvant hormonal therapy did not alter DFS significantly. The 5-year DFS rate for the group which received adjuvant radiotherapy was 62.5 and 94.4% for those which did not (p = .014). Preserving the ovaries had no adverse effect on the recurrence of stage I disease.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Due to the rarity of the disease and the common postoperative diagnosis, only retrospective studies have been reported on low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. This disease is commonly diagnosed in premenopausal patients during the early stage. There is no consensus on preserving the ovaries, particularly in young patients, due to the tumour's hormonal characteristics and the risk of late recurrences.What do the results of this study add? Ovarian preservation had no effect on the recurrence of stage I low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Lymphadenectomy and adjuvant hormonal treatment had no effect on DFS, and adjuvant radiotherapy decreased DFS in the current study.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Ovarian preservation should be considered, to prevent the negative effects of surgical menopause, particularly in young patients.

Life quality of endometrioid endometrial cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic malignancy in developed countries with increasing incidence worldwide. A total of 201 patients were enrolled and a cross-sectional study was performed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) after the approval by an institutional review board (University of Health Sciences, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Turkey, March 13, 2019, Approval no. 2019/4-27). Morbidly obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2) had lower physical functioning scores compared to non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2; p = .008) and non-morbidly obese patients (BMI < 40 kg/m2; p = .011). The overall sexual dysfunction rate was high (94.5%). No significant sexual function differences were observed among the study groups.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Previous efforts to assess the influence of obesity and BMI on endometrial cancer patient quality of life have indicated that obesity adversely affects physical function and the effects of obesity on sexual function remains vague. In addition, the influence of patient age, surgical approach, adjuvant therapy type and time after diagnosis on quality of life and sexual function have not been clearly defined.What do the results of this study add? Increased BMI is associated with impaired physical function in endometrial cancer patients. However, BMI does not appear to affect sexual function in this population.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? After endometrial cancer treatment, lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss should be implemented to improve the quality of life.

Does lymph node ratio have any prognostic significance in maximally cytoreduced node-positive low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma?

PURPOSE: To determine the prognostic impact of the lymph node ratio (LNR) in node-positive low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed women with LGSOC who had undergone maximal cytoreduction followed by standard chemotherapy in 11 centers from Turkey during a study period of 20 years. Sixty two women with node-positive LGSOC were identified. LNR was defined as the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) divided by the number of total LNs removed. We grouped patients pursuant to the LNR as LNR ≤ 0.09 and LNR > 0.09. The prognostic value of LNR was investigated by employing the univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox-regression model. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 45 months, the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 61.7% for women with LNR ≤ 0.09 and 32.0% for those with LNR > 0.09 (p = 0.046) whereas, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 72.8% for LNR ≤ 0.09 and 54.7% for LNR > 0.09 (p = 0.043). On multivariate analyses, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (Hazard Ratio [HR] 4.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88-9.27; p < 0.001), omental involvement (HR 3.48, 95% CI 1.36-8.84; p = 0.009) and LNR > 0.09 (HR 3.51, 95% CI 1.54-8.03; p = 0.003) were adverse prognostic factors for PFS. Additionally, LVSI (HR 6.56, 95% CI 2.33-18.41; p < 0.001), omental involvement (HR 6.34, 95% CI 1.86-21.57; p = 0.003) and LNR > 0.09 (HR 7.20, 95% CI 2.33-22.26; p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for decreased OS. CONCLUSION: LNR > 0.09 seems to be an independent prognosticator for decreased survival outcomes in LGSOC patients who received maximal cytoreduction followed by standard adjuvant chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the optimal laparoscopic method for benign ovarian mass extraction: a transumbilical route using a bag made from a surgical glove versus a lateral transabdominal route employing a standard endobag.

We compared two transumbilical (TU) routes of surgical specimen retrieval in women with ovarian masses treated via laparoscopy: a bag made from a surgical glove and lateral transabdominal (LTA) retrieval employing a standard endobag. A total of 109 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery to treat benign adnexal masses were retrospectively evaluated between 2014 and 2017. In total, 57 masses were removed via the TU route and 52 via the LTA route. We recorded the ovarian mass size; additional postoperative analgesic drug requirements. Postoperative incisional pain scores were assessed using a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS), time to discharge and procedure type. The mean VAS scores at 1 h (5.0 ± 1.7 vs. 6.3 ± 1.3; p < .001); 12 h (0.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1.2 ± 1.1; p = .004); and 24 h (0.1 ± 0.3 vs. 0.7 ± 0.6; p < .001) were lower in the TU-removal group. Furthermore, additional postoperative analgesic drug requirements were significantly higher in the LTA-removal group (10 (19.2%) vs. 3 (5.3%); p = .03). During laparoscopic surgery, removal of an ovarian mass via an umbilical port (compared to a lateral port) causes less postoperative pain and does not increase the risk of wound complications such as infection or hernia.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Laparoscopy has been used for the last 30 years. Constant improvement in the technique and equipment has allowed extensive, laparoscopic pelvic and abdominal surgery affording better outcomes than open surgery, an improved recovery, less pain, and fewer postoperative complications. However, mass removal remains a concern. Most laparoscopic specimens are larger than the initial trocar incision. Minimally invasive, adnexal mass surgery usually requires a trocar at least 10 mm wide to remove the mass. Alternatively, adnexal mass extraction from the abdominal cavity can proceed via a suprapubic, umbilical, or vaginal route.What do the results of this study add? During laparoscopic surgery, ovarian mass removal through an umbilical port using an endobag made from a surgical glove is useful due to the method requiring little funds, is easy to do, and results in a lower amount of postoperative pain than a removal via a lateral port using a standard endobag.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? A transumbilical route using a bag made from a surgical glove is easy, economical, and causes less postoperative pain to the patient than removal via a lateral port employing a standard endobag.

Cervical carcinosarcoma presented in advanced stage after high grade cervical displasia.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical carcinosarcomas (Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumour [MMMT] ) are very rare neoplasms. Fewer than 100 cases were documented until recently. Because of the rarity, etiologic factors, prognosis and treatment modalities are unclear. A 53 year-old woman presented with postmenauposal vaginal bleeding and abnormal cervical cytology. Cervical biopsy followed by loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conisation (CKC) was documented as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CIN III). Without follow-up, two years later, the patient was referred with a cervical 6,5 cm mass invading vagina, parametriums and rectum. Biopsy was reported as cervical carcinosarcoma with squmous carcinoma and homologous sarcoma component. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy provided partial response. Subsequently external beam whole pelvis radiotherapy with chemotherapy and brachytherapy was applied. In despite of the treatment, the patient developed sistemic recurrence and died of disease within 10 months. In previous reports most of the patients were in early stage and had better prognosis than uterine carcinosarcomas. Here in we present a case who had a history of high-grade cervical displasia and presented at advanced stage, managed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Does lymphadenectomy effect postoperative surgical morbidity and survival in patients with adult granulosa cell tumor of ovary?

AIM: To evaluate the effect of lymphadenectomy on surgical morbidity and survival in adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) of the ovary. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical treatment for AGCT between January 1993 and January 2016 were identified. Data were collected for patient age, menopausal status, surgical staging, lymphadenectomy, postoperative complications (anemia, wound infection, incisional hernia), length of hospital stay, follow-up duration, site and time for recurrence, management of recurrence and vital status. Histopathological records were also evaluated for number of cellular mitosis. RESULTS: Lymphadenectomy (pelvic-paraaortic) was performed in 53 (53%) of 98 patients. Decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level and increased wound infection and longer hospital stay were significantly higher in lymphadenectomy group (P = 0.003, 0.043 and <0.001, respectively). Tumor stage (HR 95% CI 14.9 [2.43-92.8]) and number of mitoses >5 (HR 95% CI 14.9 [2.43-92.8]) were significantly associated with recurrence (P = <0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Tumor stage was the only prognostic factor for predicting overall survival (HR 95% CI 8.47 [2.17-33.2]). Lymphadenectomy showed no effect on disease-free survival and overall survival both in multivariate Cox regression analyses (P = 0.46 and 0.69, respectively). Disease-free survival and overall survival were similar in lymphadenectomy and no lymphadenectomy groups (Log Rank P = 0.382, 0.741, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lymphadenectomy had no improved effect on survival and had negative effect on surgical morbidity in patients with AGCT.

A novel preoperative scoring system based on 18-FDG PET-CT for predicting lymph node metastases in patients with high-risk endometrial cancer.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model predicting the probability of pelvic-paraaortic node metastases in high-risk endometrial cancer patients. This trial included 41 high-risk endometrial cancer patients. All of the patients underwent an 18-FDG PET-CT followed by surgical staging, including a pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. We developed a useful scoring system combining weighted risk factors derived from a regression model: (3 × presence PET-CT involvement) + (3 × PET-CT maximum standardised uptake value ≥20) + (2 × diabetes comorbidity) + (1 × age ≥60 years) + (1 × body mass index ≥30). The area under the curve of the resulting score was 0.848. There was 75% sensitivity, 89% specificity and a 75% positive predictive value and 89% negative predictive value when a score of 6 was used as the cut-off. Our novel preoperative scoring system is an accurate method for the preoperative evaluation of lymph node metastases, and thus will aid gynaecological oncologists in selecting EC patients who may benefit from a lymphadenectomy. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynaecological malignancy. Surgical staging is currently the standard treatment and the gold standard for evaluating lymph node metastases (LNm) is a surgical assessment (Chan et al. 2006 ). Three previous randomised clinical studies failed to find a clear therapeutic role for the lymphadenectomy; thus, the utility of this surgical procedure in high-risk early-stage EC remains under debate (Benedetti Panici et al. 2008 ; Kitchener et al. 2009 ; Signorelli et al. 2015 ). Non-invasive techniques that accurately identify lymph node metastases would reduce costs and complications. What do the results of this study add? Our developed novel scoring system that is based on positron emission tomography-computer tomography (PET-CT) with 2-deoxy-2-(18F) flouro-2-D-glucose (FDG) may facilitate the identification of patients at an increased risk of LNm. What are the implications of these finding for clinical practice and/or further research? This study shows that our novel preoperative scoring system provides an accurate method for the preoperative evaluation of LNm, and thus could guide gynaecologic oncologists in selecting the high-risk endometrial cancer patients who may benefit from a systematic lymphadenectomy. Further larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm the accuracy and the feasibility of our scoring system.

Rectosigmoidectomy and Douglas Peritonectomy in the Management of Serosal Implants in Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer Surgery: Survival and Surgical Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of rectosigmoid resection (RR) and Douglas peritonectomy (DP) on postoperative complications and survival in advanced-stage ovarian cancer surgery. METHODS/MATERIALS: Patients who underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery including RR and DP between January 2007 and January 2013 were included. Patients with deeper invasion into the muscularis and mucosal layer reported in pathology results and colon wall injury necessitating suturing or resection suggesting invasion of implants into the colon wall were excluded. The decision for RR or DP was made according to the surgical team and patients' preference. Resections were performed with the suspicion of colon wall invasion. The collected data were age, previous operations, preoperative cancer antigen 125 and albumin levels, surgical procedures, duration of surgery, tumor histology, recurrence, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and length of hospital stay. Kaplan-Meir survival estimates were calculated and compared between the groups using the log-rank test. Cox proportional models were built to evaluate factors that affected disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS: Age, body mass index, preoperative cancer antigen 125 levels, albumin levels, and amount of ascites were similar between the groups. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery was performed in 15% of both groups. End colostomy was performed in 23.7% of the RR group, and only 5.08% of the patients underwent diverting ileostomy procedures. There was no significant difference in terms of surgical complications between the groups. Recurrence occurred in the RR and DP groups at rates of 42% and 47%, respectively. Only primary debulking surgery had an effect on overall survival (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.88). Overall survival and disease-free survival were similar in the RR and DP groups. CONCLUSIONS: Douglas peritonectomy showed similar survival and surgical outcomes to RR and provided shorter hospital stay and earlier admission to chemotherapy in the management of serosal implants during advanced-stage ovarian cancer surgery.

The Effect of Adenomyosis in Myometrial Invasion and Overall Survival in Endometrial Cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether adenomyosis had an effect on myometrial tumor invasion, stage of the disease, and survival in endometrial cancer. METHODS: Endometrial cancer patients encountered between 2007 and 2016 were identified from pathology records. Patients who underwent suboptimal surgical or medical treatment or with insufficient clinical or surgical data were excluded. Patients diagnosed as having concurrent adenomyosis constituted the study group. Control group patients were randomly selected in a paired design according to the tumor grades in the study group, and for each tumor grade, 4 times as many as patients were included. Tumor stage, histologic type and grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, presence and location of the adenomyosis in myometrial wall, distance from endometrial line, tumor in adenomyosis, adjuvant treatment, and relapse were primary outcomes.Age, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and type of operation were also recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed for overall survival. RESULTS: Of those 1242 endometrial cancer patients, 80 with concurrent adenomyosis were identified and compared with 320 patients without adenomyosis following a paired selection based on tumor grade. Higher rates of myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, tumor diameter, and adjuvant treatments were found in the nonadenomyosis group compared with adenomyosis group (P ≤ 0.001). In patients with adenomyosis, rates of early-stage disease and overall survival were significantly higher compared with the control group (P = 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that adenomyosis is significantly associated with lower stage in endometrial cancer that may suggest a possible limiting effect on endometrial cancer spread. In addition, despite similar rates in disease-free survival and endometrial cancer-related death, overall survival rate was significantly higher in the presence of adenomyosis and might be considered as a good prognostic factor for endometrial cancer.

Isolated pulmonary metastases in patients with cervical cancer and the factors affecting survival after recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the treatment options and survival of uterine cervical cancer (UCC) patients who develop isolated pulmonary metastases (IPM) and to establish risk factors for IPM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with UCC between June 1991 and January 2017 at the Gynecological Oncology Department, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, were investigated. In total, 43 cases with IPM were evaluated retrospectively. Additionally, 172 control patients diagnosed with UCC without recurrence were matched according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage when the tumor was diagnosed. They wereselected using a dependent random sampling method. RESULTS: Of the 890 patients with UCC, 43 (4.8%) had IPM. The presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and a mid-corpuscular volume (MCV) < 80 fL were statistically significant prognostic factors for IPM development in UCC patientsaccording to univariate regression analyses, and the presence of LVSI, a hemoglobin level < 12 g/dL, and an MCV < 80 fLwere statistically significant according to the multivariate regression analyses. We were unable to assess the role of lymph node status (involvement or reactive) as a prognostic factor in the development of IPM, because only seven patients (16.2%) in the case group underwent lymph node dissection. CONCLUSIONS: IPM typically develops within the first 3 years after the diagnosis of UCC, and survival is generally poor. An MCV < 80 fL and the presence of LVSI are significant risk factors for IPM development.

Stage IB1 cervical cancer treated with modified radical or radical hysterectomy: does size determine risk factors?

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate prognostic factors status at smaller tumors in patients with stageIB1 cervical cancer (CC) who underwent modified radical or radical hysterectomy. MATHERIAL AND METODS: Data from patients diagnosed with CC between January 1995 and January 2017 at the GynecologicalOncology Department, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital and Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital,Istanbul, Turkey, were investigated. A total of 182 stage IB1 CC cases were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to tumor size (< 2 cm and ≥ 2 cm). There were no complicationsassociated with the operation in patients with a tumor size < 2 cm. Among patients with a tumor size ≥ 2 cm, however, 0.9% (n = 1) developed bladder laceration, 0.9% (n = 1) rectum laceration, and 0.9% (n = 1) pulmonary emboli (P = 0.583). The rates of intermediate risk factors (depth of stromal invasion and lymphovascular space invasion) were significantly higher and lymph node involvement significantly more frequent in patients with a tumor size ≥ 2 cm. However, there were no significant differences in parametrial invasion or vaginal margin involvement between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate risk factors and lymph node metastasis were significantly less frequent in patients with small tumors measuring < 2 cm. However, although parametrial involvement and vaginal margin involvement were less common in patients with small tumors compared with large tumors (≥ 2 cm), the differences were not significant.

Effects of coffee consumption on gut recovery after surgery of gynecological cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Paralytic ileus that develops after elective surgery is a common and uncomfortable complication and is considered inevitable after an intraperitoneal operation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether coffee consumption accelerates the recovery of bowel function after complete staging surgery of gynecologic cancers. STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized controlled trial, 114 patients were allocated preoperatively to either postoperative coffee consumption with 3 times daily (n=58) or routine postoperative care without coffee consumption (n=56). Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy were performed on all patients as part of complete staging surgery for endometrial, ovarian, cervical, or tubal cancer. The primary outcome measure was the time to the first passage of flatus after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the time to first defecation, time to first bowel movement, and time to tolerance of a solid diet. RESULTS: The mean time to flatus (30.2±8.0 vs 40.2±12.1 hours; P<.001), mean time to defecation (43.1±9.4 vs 58.5±17.0 hours; P<.001), and mean time to the ability to tolerate food (3.4±1.2 vs 4.7±1.6 days; P<.001) were reduced significantly in patients who consumed coffee compared with control subjects. Mild ileus symptoms were observed in 17 patients (30.4%) in the control group compared with 6 patients (10.3%) in the coffee group (P=.01). Coffee consumption was well-tolerated and well-accepted by patients, and no intervention-related side-effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Coffee consumption after total abdominal hysterectomy and systematic paraaortic lymphadenectomy expedites the time to bowel motility and the ability to tolerate food. This simple, cheap, and well-tolerated treatment should be added as an adjunct to the postoperative care of gynecologic oncology patients.

Does BLOODCARE Powder Prevent Postoperative Chylous Ascites After Lymphadenectomy for Gynecological Malignancies?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intraoperative hemostatic cellulose agent (BLOODCARE powder [Life Line, Brno, Czech Republic]) on reducing the incidence of postoperative chylous ascites (PCA) after complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PPALN) in patients with gynecological cancers treated with laparotomy. METHODS: This case control study reviewed 150 patients with gynecological cancer who underwent PPALN. In the study group (n = 75), BLOODCARE powder was applied below the left renal vein and bilateral obturator fossa. In the control group (n = 75), no sealant agent was used after the procedure, such as fibrin glue or a hemostatic cellulose agent. RESULTS: The demographic and surgical characteristics of the patients in both groups were similar. Chylous ascites occurred in 9 cases (6%). The incidence of PCA was lower in the study group (1 [1.3%] vs 8 [10.7%]; P = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis indicated that using BLOODCARE powder during the surgery independently protected against the development of PCA. CONCLUSIONS: Using BLOODCARE powder during retroperitoneal surgery may prevent PCA. This simple, effective agent should be used after PPALN for gynecological cancers.

Outcomes of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer with intestinal metastasis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of advanced stage (stage IIIB-IVB) ovarian cancer (OC) patients with intestinal metastasis, and to investigate the factors that affect survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CS) for FIGO stage IIIB-IVB OC with metastasis in the intestinal system, at Tepecik Research and Treatment Hospital between 2008-2014, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with borderline ovarian tumor; those who had previously undergone radiation therapy and/or hysterectomy and patients having secondary or tertiary cytoreduction were excluded and 49 patients were included and analyzed in this study. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling, resection of bulky lymph nodes and omentectomy were performed. Optimal cytoreduction was accepted as that which left residual tumor ≤ one cm maximum size. RESULTS: The risk factors affecting OS interval were investigated according to Cox' regression analysis. Optimality of the primary CS (P = 0.008 and HR = 5.202) and cancer stage (P = 0.016 and HR = 6.083) were found to be statistically significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving optimal CS is the most important aim for the general surgeon carrying out an intestinal resection procedure. Although resection procedures are superior in providing the desired optimal results when compared to excision surgery, their higher complication rates and subsequent lower quality of life must be taken into consideration when choosing either resection or excision methods; surgical intervention should always be kept to the minimum possible.