Predictive value of PET-CT imaging versus AGO-scoring in patients planned for cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging in comparison to AGO-scoring in patients planned for cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 patients who had received a PET-CT for suspicion of recurrent ovarian cancer between 12/2003 and 08/2007 were included in the retrospective analysis. Indication for PET-CT was based on blood tumor markers Ca 125 or Ca 72-4 and clinical symptoms. Scanning was performed on a Philips Gemini System covering the body from the neck to the thighs one hour after administration of 200MBq fluorodesoxyglucose. PET-CT, surgery and the patient records were reviewed to analyze the predictive value of PET-CT in comparison to an AGO-scoring system based on clinical parameters with regard to the prediction of full resectability of abdominal tumor spread. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of this data showed a sensitivity of 73% (95% C.I., 39-94%) and specificity of 80% (95% C.I., 29-97%) for AGO-scoring with a positive predictive value of 89% and a negative predictive value of 57%. PET-CT achieved a sensitivity of 100% (95% C.I., 72-100%) and specificity of 60% (95% C.I. 15-94%), with a positive predictive value of 85% and negative predictive value of 100%. Further analysis of the data of operated patients with concordant PET-CT and AGO-score (12/16) showed a very good prediction of full resectability with a sensitivity of 100% (95% C.I., 63-100%), specificity of 75% (95% C.I., 20-96%), positive predictive value of 89% and negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: PET-CT and the AGO-score offer good tools to determine patients for full resectability in recurrent ovarian cancer. PET-CT has a higher negative and the AGO score a higher positive predictive value, and the combination of both improves the diagnostic accuracy.

The high-grade endometrial sarcoma: a rare entity.

INTRODUCTION: With an estimated incidence of one to two per one million women, the endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare disease. It is subclassified into a high-grade and a prognostically better low-grade type. Evidence-based data for a standardized therapy is lacking. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old obese nulligravida presented with persistent vaginal bleeding after the operation of an acute adnextorsion at another hospital. The repeat gynecological ultrasound examination showed a 5.3x5.3x3.6 cm vascularized, partially inhomogeneous mass in the uterus. A fractioned curettage yielded a differential diagnosis of malignant muellerian mixed tumor or a non-differentiated endometrial sarcoma. For completion of the operative treatment, laparotomy with hysterectomy, adnexectomy, and pelvine lymphonodectomy were performed. The final histological report described a 7 cm non-differentiated endometrial sarcoma with infiltration of the left ovary and 25 tumor-free lymph nodes. DISCUSSION: Standard therapy for resectable sarcoma is abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy. So far, there is little data from studies reporting radio- or chemotherapy treatment of small patient numbers in an adjuvant setting. CONCLUSION: The ESS is a very rare disease of the uterus. Due to missing clinical data, it remains a multidisciplinary therapeutic challenge requiring individual decisions. To receive more information on this rare disease, treatment should be performed according to international protocols.