Does sentinel node mapping impact morbidity and quality of life in endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of post-operative complications and quality of life (QoL) related to sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy vs systematic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer. METHODS: A prospective cohort included women with early-stage endometrial carcinoma who underwent lymph node staging, grouped as follows: SLN group (sentinel lymph node only) and SLN+LND group (sentinel lymph node biopsy with addition of systematic lymphadenectomy). The patients had at least 12 months of follow-up, and QoL was assessed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cervical Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and EORTC-QLQ-Cx24. Lymphedema was also assessed by clinical evaluation and perimetry. RESULTS: 152 patients were included: 113 (74.3%) in the SLN group and 39 (25.7%) in the SLN+LND group. Intra-operative surgical complications occurred in 2 (1.3%) cases, and all belonged to SLN+LND group. Patients undergoing SLN+LND had higher overall complication rates than those undergoing SLN alone (33.3% vs 14.2%; p=0.011), even after adjusting for confound factors (OR=3.45, 95% CI 1.40 to 8.47; p=0.007). The SLN+LND group had longer surgical time (p=0.001) and need for admission to the intensive care unit (p=0.001). Moreover, the incidence of lymphocele was found in eight cases in the SLN+LND group (0 vs 20.5%; p<0.001). There were no differences in lymphedema rate after clinical evaluation and perimetry. However, the lymphedema score was highest when lymphedema was reported by clinical examination at 6 months (30.1 vs 7.8; p<0.001) and at 12 months (36.3 vs 6.0; p<0.001). Regarding the overall assessment of QoL, there was no difference between groups at 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher overall rate of complications for the group undergoing systematic lymphadenectomy, as well as higher rates of lymphocele and lymphedema according to the symptom score. No difference was found in overall QoL between SLN and SLN+LND groups.

Can mismatch repair status be added to sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm in endometrioid endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between mismatch repair (MMR) status and the risk of lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer, and whether this additional data can be incorporated to current SLN (sentinel lymph node) algorithm. METHODS: We included a series of 332 women that underwent SLN mapping ± systematic lymphadenectomy from January 2013 to December 2021. Protein expressions of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 were examined by immuno-histochemistry and considered MMRd (deficient) when at least one protein was not expressed. RESULTS: MMRd was noted in 20.8% of cases and correlated to grade 3 (p = 0.018) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (p = 0.032). Moreover, MMRd was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.36-5.62). Notably, 21.7% (15/69) cases with MMRd had lymph node metastasis compared to 9.5% (25/263) of cases with MMRp (proficient) (p = 0.005). The overall and bilateral SLN detection rates were 91.9% and 75.9%, respectively. Of the 80 (24%) cases of non-bilateral SLN detection, 66.2% had low-grade tumors (G1/G2) and myometrial invasion <50%. Considering MMR status an independent prognostic factor for lymph node metastasis, a systematic lymphadenectomy (side specific or bilateral) would forgo in 53.7% (43/80) of cases with non-bilateral detection, representing 13% (43/332) of all endometroid tumors. CONCLUSION: MMR status was independently related to lymph node metastasis in endometrioid EC. Moreover, MMR status may help to select patients that can forgo systematic lymphadenectomy in case of undetected SLN.

Sentinel lymph node mapping versus sentinel lymph node mapping with systematic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer: an open-label, non-inferiority, randomized trial (ALICE trial).

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggest that sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in endometrial cancer accurately detects lymph node metastasis. However, prospective randomized trials addressing the oncological outcomes of SLN biopsy in endometrial cancer without lymphadenectomy are lacking. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to confirm that SLN biopsy without systematic node dissection does not negatively impact oncological outcomes. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that there is no survival benefit in adding systematic lymphadenectomy to sentinel node mapping for endometrial cancer staging. Additionally, we aim to evaluate morbidity and impact in quality of life (QoL) after forgoing systematic lymphadenectomy. TRIAL DESIGN: This is a collaborative, multicenter, open-label, non-inferiority, randomized trial. After total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and SLN biopsy, patients will be randomized (1:1) into: (a) no further lymph node dissection or (b) systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. MAJOR INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria are patients with high-grade histologies (endometrioid G3, serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma), endometrioid G1 or G2 with imaging concerning for myometrial invasion of ≥50% or cervical invasion, clinically suitable to undergo systematic lymphadenectomy. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS: The primary objective is to compare 3-year disease-free survival and the secondary objectives are 5-year overall survival, morbidity, incidence of lower limb lymphedema, and QoL after SLN mapping ± systematic lymphadenectomy in high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer. SAMPLE SIZE: 178 participants will be randomized in this study with an estimated date for completing accrual of December 2024 and presenting results in 2027. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03366051.

Open Versus Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy in Cervical Cancer: The CIRCOL Group Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the survival outcomes of patients in a Brazilian cohort who underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS) compared with open surgery for early stage cervical cancer. METHODS: A multicenter database was constructed, registering 1280 cervical cancer patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy from 2000 to 2019. For the final analysis, we included cases with a tumor ≤ 4 cm (stages Ia2 to Ib2, FIGO 2018) that underwent surgery from January 2007 to December 2017. Propensity score matching was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 776 cases were ultimately analyzed, 526 of which were included in the propensity score matching analysis (open, n = 263; MIS, n = 263). There were 52 recurrences (9.9%), 28 (10.6%) with MIS and 24 (9.1%) with open surgery (p = 0.55); and 34 deaths were recorded, 13 (4.9%) and 21 (8.0%), respectively (p = 0.15). We noted a 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 88.2% and 90.3% for those who received MIS and open surgery, respectively (HR 1.32; 95% CI: 0.76-2.29; p = 0.31) and a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 91.8% and 91.1%, respectively (HR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.40-1.61; p = 0.53). There was no difference in 3-year DFS rates between open surgery and MIS for tumors ≤ 2 cm (95.7% vs. 90.8%; p = 0.16) or > 2 cm (83.9% vs. 85.4%; p = 0.77). Also, the 5-year OS between open surgery and MIS did not differ for tumors ≤ 2 cm (93.1% vs. 93.6%; p = 0.82) or > 2 cm (88.9% vs. 89.8%; p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Survival outcomes were similar between minimally invasive and open radical hysterectomy in this large retrospective multicenter cohort.

Predictive Factors for Residual Disease After Conization in Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive factors for the presence of residual disease after conization followed by definitive surgery in cervical cancer, and suggest a margin distance threshold that could predict residual disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a series of 42 patients with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent primary conization before definitive surgical treatment from March 2009 to May 2020. All conization specimens were reviewed for endocervical, ectocervical, and radial margins. Cases with residual disease in magnetic resonance imaging before definitive surgery were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-three (78.6%) patients underwent hysterectomies and 9 (21.4%) trachelectomies ± lymph node staging. Twelve (28.6%) cases were stage IA1, 5 (11.8%) cases were stage IA2, 13 (31%) cases were stage IB1, 11 (26.2%) cases were stage IB2, and 1 (2.4%) case was stage IIIC1 [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2019]. We found residual disease in 17 (40.4%) surgical specimens. Of the 20 patients with negative margins, there were still 3 (15%) cases with residual disease. Conversely, residual disease was identified in 14 (63.6%) of the 22 patients with positive cone margins (p = 0.001). Tumor size [odds ratio (OR) 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.33] and positive endocervical margin status (OR 33.6, 95% CI 3.85-293.3) were related to a higher risk of residual disease in multivariate analysis. Notably, all patients with tumors larger than 2 cm had residual disease, in contrast to 29.4% in lesions up to 2 cm (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We found that tumor size and positive margin were predictive factors for residual disease. We could not suggest a reliable minimum margin distance threshold that could predict residual disease.

Residual Disease after Operative Hysteroscopy in Patients with Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Associated with Polyps.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of residual disease in the uterine specimen after hysteroscopic polypectomy or polyp biopsy in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: We analyzed a series of 104 patients (92 cases from the Hospital AC Camargo and 12 from the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo) with polyps that were diagnosed by hysteroscopy, showing endometrioid EC associated with the polyp or in the final pathological specimen. Patients underwent a surgical approach for endometrial cancer from January 2002 to January 2017. Their clinical and pathological data were retrospectively retrieved from the medical records. RESULTS: In 78 cases (75%), the polyp had EC, and in 40 (38.5%), it was restricted to the polyp, without endometrial involvement. The pathologic stage was IA in 96 cases (92.3%) and 90 (86.5%) had histologic grade 1 or 2. In 18 cases (17.3%), there was no residual disease in the final uterine specimen, but only in 9 of them the hysteroscopy suggested that the tumor was restricted to the polyp. In 5 cases (4.8%) from the group without disease outside of the polyp during hysteroscopy, myometrial invasion was noted in the final uterine specimen. This finding suggests the possibility of disease extrapolation through the base of the polyp. CONCLUSION: Patients with endometrioid EC associated with polyps may have the tumor completely removed during hysteroscopy, but the variables shown in the present study could not safely predict which patient would have no residual disease.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a presença de doença residual no exame anatomopatológico definitivo de pacientes com câncer de endométrio endometrioide após polipectomia ou biópsia de pólipo histeroscópica. MéTODOS: Analisamos 104 pacientes (92 casos do Hospital AC Camargo e 12 casos do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo) com pólipos diagnosticados durante histeroscopia e cuja biópsia histeroscópica ou exame patológico final do útero acusaram câncer de endométrio endometrioide. As pacientes foram submetidas a cirurgia para câncer de endométrio de janeiro de 2002 a janeiro de 2017. Os dados clínicos e anatomopatológicos de cada paciente foram retirados dos prontuários médicos RESULTADOS: Em 78 casos (75%), o pólipo continha a neoplasia, e em 40 (38.5%), ela estava restrita ao tecido do pólipo, sem envolvimento endometrial adjacente. O estadio final foi IA em 96 casos (92.3%) e em 90 (86.5%) tratava-se de grau 1 ou 2. Em 18 casos (17.3%), não havia doença residual no espécime uterino, mas em apenas 9 deles a histeroscopia sugeriu doença restrita ao pólipo. Em 5 casos (4.8%), não havia doença aparente extrapólipo na histeroscopia, mas havia invasão miometrial, sugerindo extravasamento do tumor pela base do pólipo. CONCLUSãO: Pacientes com câncer de endométrio associado a pólipos podem ter o tumor completamente removido durante a histeroscopia, mas, com as variáveis avaliadas, é difícil predizer com segurança qual paciente ficará sem tumor residual.

Residual disease after operative hysteroscopy in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer associated with polyps / Doença residual após histeroscopia cirúrgica em pacientes com câncer de endométrio endometrioide associado a pólipo endometrial

Abstract Objective To evaluate the presence of residual disease in the uterine specimen after hysteroscopic polypectomy or polyp biopsy in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). Methods We analyzed a series of 104 patients (92 cases from the Hospital AC Camargo and 12 from the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo) with polyps that were diagnosed by hysteroscopy, showing endometrioid EC associated with the polyp or in the final pathological specimen. Patients underwent a surgical approach for endometrial cancer from January 2002 to January 2017. Their clinical and pathological data were retrospectively retrieved from the medical records. Results In78cases (75%), thepolyphad EC, and in 40(38.5%), itwas restricted tothe polyp, without endometrial involvement. The pathologic stage was IA in 96 cases (92.3%) and 90 (86.5%) had histologic grade 1 or 2. In 18 cases (17.3%), there was no residual disease in the final uterine specimen, but only in 9 of them the hysteroscopy suggested that the tumor was restricted to the polyp. In 5 cases (4.8%) from the group without outside of the polyp during hysteroscopy, myometrial invasion was noted in the final uterine specimen. This finding suggests the possibility of disease extrapolation through the base of the polyp. Conclusion Patients with endometrioid EC associated with polyps may have the tumor completely removed during hysteroscopy, but the variables shown in the present study could not safely predict which patient would have no residual disease.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a presença de doença residual no exame anatomopatológico definitivo de pacientes com câncer de endométrio endometrioide após polipectomia ou biópsia de pólipo histeroscópica. Métodos Analisamos 104 pacientes (92 casos do Hospital AC Camargo e 12 casos do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo) com pólipos diagnosticados durante histeroscopia e cuja biópsia histeroscópica ou exame patológico final do útero acusaram câncer de endométrio endometrioide. As pacientes foram submetidas a cirurgia para câncer de endométrio de janeiro de 2002 a janeiro de 2017. Os dados clínicos e anatomopatológicos de cada paciente foram retirados dos prontuários médicos Resultados Em 78 casos (75%), o pólipo continha a neoplasia, e em 40 (38.5%), ela estava restrita ao tecido do pólipo, sem envolvimento endometrial adjacente. O estadio final foi IA em 96 casos (92.3%) e em 90 (86.5%) tratava-se de grau 1 ou 2. Em 18 casos (17.3%), não havia doença residual no espécime uterino, mas emapenas 9 deles a histeroscopia sugeriu doença restrita ao pólipo. Em 5 casos (4.8%), não havia doença aparente extrapólipo na histeroscopia, mas havia invasão miometrial, sugerindo extravasamento do tumor pela base do pólipo. Conclusão Pacientes com câncer de endométrio associado a pólipos podem ter o tumor completamente removido durante a histeroscopia, mas, com as variáveis avaliadas, é difícil predizer com segurança qual paciente ficará sem tumor residual.

Impact of Sentinel Node Mapping in Decreasing the Risk of Lymphocele in Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the growing evidence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in endometrial cancer (EC), our aim was to evaluate the impact of SLN mapping and other clinical-pathological variables in the risk of developing lymphocele. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a series of patients with ECs who underwent lymph node staging with SLN mapping with or without systematic pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy from November 2012 to January 2020. The lymphocele diagnosis was performed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Of 348 patients included, 178 underwent SLN mapping only and 170 underwent SLN mapping and systematic lymphadenectomy (46.5% pelvic only; 53.5% pelvic and para-aortic). Seventy-three (21%) patients had open surgery and 275 (79%) had a minimally invasive approach. After a median follow-up of 25.4 months, the overall prevalence of lymphocele was 8.6% (n = 30), with 29 cases in a pelvic location. Lymphocele was found in 3.4% (n = 6/178) of patients submitted to SLN mapping only, compared with 14.1% (n = 24/170) among those who underwent SLN with lymphadenectomy (p = 0.009). Among those patients with lymphocele, seven (23.3%) were symptomatic and five (16.6%) required drainage. All symptomatic cases occurred in lymphoceles larger than 4 cm (p = 0.001). Neither resected lymph node count nor the type of systematic lymphadenectomy were related to the presence of lymphocele. Systematic lymphadenectomy was the only factor that emerged as a risk factor for the presence of lymphocele in multivariate analysis (odds ratio 3.68, 95% confidence interval 1.39-9.79; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that SLN mapping independently decreases the risk of lymphocele formation compared with full lymphadenectomy in EC.

Vaginally assisted NOTES hysterectomy with adnexectomy (vNOTES) compared with conventional laparoscopy. A retrospective observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare vaginally-assisted natural orifices endoscopic transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) hysterectomy with salpingectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy with standard laparoscopic access. METHODS: Medical records for patients undergoing hysterectomy with adnexectomy for benign disease indication between February 1, 2019 and February 1, 2020 were retrospectively examined. Exclusion criteria were endometriosis, previous pelvic radiotherapy, inflammatory pelvic disease history, any other concurrent surgery, laparotomy, robotic surgery, and/or traditional vaginal hysterectomy. RESULTS: Among 86 patients, 21 (24.4%) were allocated to a vNOTES group and 65 (75.6%) were allocated to a conventional laparoscopy (LAP) group. Mean ages for the groups were 47.19 ± 11.11 years and 46.69 ± 9.11 years, respectively (P = 0.928). There were no statistically significant differences in age, body mass index, arterial hypertension/diabetes, smoking, menopausal status, obstetric history, number of abdominal surgeries, or preoperative hemoglobin level between the two groups. The mean (range) operative times were 111.90 min (80-180 min) in the vNOTES group and 113.98 min (64-350 min) in the LAP group (P = 0.904). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of surgery indication, specific and unspecific complications, conversions, blood transfusion, reoperation, significant ileus/emesis, and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the parameters assessed, we found vNOTES to be comparable to laparoscopy among our cohort.

Size of Sentinel Node Metastasis Predicts Non-sentinel Node Involvement in Endometrial Cancer.

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between the size of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and the risk of non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) metastasis in endometrial cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a total of 328 patients with endometrial cancer who underwent SLN mapping from January 2013 to April 2019, 142 patients also underwent systematic completion pelvic ± paraaortic node dissections, and they form the basis of this study. The SLNs were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) when the hematoxylin-eosin stain was negative. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years. The overall detection rate for SLNs was 87.5%, and bilateral SLNs were observed in 66.2%, with a median of 2 SLNs resected (range 1-8). Twenty-nine (20.4%) cases had positive SLNs, with a median of one positive SLN. Regarding the size of SLN metastasis, 5 (3.5%) cases had isolated tumor cells (ITCs), 13 (9.2%) had micrometastases, and 11 (7.7%) had macrometastases. Notably, 14/29 (48.3%) had node metastases that were detected after IHC. Eight (27.6%) patients had positive non-SLNs, with a median count of 7 positive nodes (range 2-23). Regarding the size of SLN metastasis, non-SLN involvement was not present in cases with ITC (0/5) but was present in 15.4% (2/13) of cases with micrometastases and 54.5% (6/11) of cases with macrometastases. The only risk factor for positive non-SLNs was the size of SLN metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that size of SLN metastasis is associated with the risk of non-SLN metastasis. No patients with ITCs in SLNs had another metastatic lymph node in this study.

Intraoperative Ultrasound Leads to Conservative Management of Benign Ovarian Tumors: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the use of intraoperative ultrasound leads to more conservative surgeries for benign ovarian tumors. METHODS: Women who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2017 for benign ovarian tumors were retrospectively analyzed. The women were classified into two groups: those who underwent intraoperative ultrasound (group A) and those who did not (group B). In group A, minimally-invasive surgery was performed for most patients (a specific laparoscopic ultrasound probe was used), and four patients were submitted to laparotomy (a linear ultrasound probe was used). The primary endpoint was ovarian sparing surgery (oophoroplasty). RESULTS: Among the 82 cases identified, only 36 met the inclusion criteria for the present study. Out of these cases, 25 underwent intraoperative ultrasound, and 11 did not. There were no significant differences in arterial hypertension, diabetes, smoking history, and body mass index for the two groups (p = 0.450). Tumor diameter was also similar for both groups, ranging from 1 cm to 11 cm in group A and from 1.3 cm to 10 cm in group B (p = 0.594). Tumor histology confirmed mature teratomas for all of the cases in group B and for 68.0% of the cases in group A. When the intraoperative ultrasound was performed, a more conservative surgery was performed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of intraoperative ultrasound resulted in more conservative surgeries for the resection of benign ovarian tumors at our center.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o uso do ultrassom intraoperatório leva a cirurgias mais conservadoras para tumores ovarianos benignos. MéTODOS: Mulheres que foram submetidas a cirurgia entre 2007 e 2017 por tumores ovarianos benignos foram analisadas retrospectivamente. As mulheres foram classificadas em dois grupos: aquelas que foram submetidas ao ultrassom intraoperatório (grupo A), e aquelas que não o foram (grupo B). No grupo A, foi realizada cirurgia minimamente invasiva na maioria das pacientes (foi usada sonda ultrassonográfica laparoscópica específica), e quatro pacientes foram submetidas a laparotomia (foi usada sonda ultrassonográfica linear). O desfecho primário foi a cirurgia preservadora do ovário (ooforoplastia). RESULTADOS: Entre os 82 casos identificados, somente 36 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão para este estudo. Destes, 25 pacientes foram submetidas ao ultrassom intraoperatório, e 11 não o foram. Não houve diferenças significantes em relação à pressão arterial, diabetes, tabagismo e índice de massa corporal entre os dois grupos (p = 0.450). O diâmetro do tumor também foi similar entre os dois grupos, variando de 1 cm a 11cm no grupo A, e de 1,3 cm a 10 cm no grupo B (p = 0.594). A histologia dos tumores confirmou teratoma maduro para todos os casos do grupo B, e para 68,0% dos casos do grupo A. Mais cirurgias conservadoras foram realizadas quando o ultrassom intraoperatório foi realizado (p < 0.001). CONCLUSãO: O uso do ultrassom intraoperatório resultou em mais cirurgias conservadoras na ressecção de tumores benignos do ovário em nossa instituição.

Intraoperative ultrasound leads to conservative management of benign ovarian tumors: A retrospective, single-center study / Ultrassom intraoperatório leva ao manejo conservador de tumores ovarianos benignos: Um estudo retrospectivo e monoinstitucional

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether the use of intraoperative ultrasound leads to more conservative surgeries for benign ovarian tumors. Methods Women who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2017 for benign ovarian tumors were retrospectively analyzed. The women were classified into two groups: those who underwent intraoperative ultrasound (group A) and those who did not (group B). In group A, minimally-invasive surgery was performed for most patients (a specific laparoscopic ultrasound probe was used), and four patients were submitted to laparotomy (a linear ultrasound probe was used). The primary endpoint was ovarian sparing surgery (oophoroplasty). Results Among the 82 cases identified, only 36 met the inclusion criteria for the present study. Out of these cases, 25 underwent intraoperative ultrasound, and 11 did not. There were no significant differences in arterial hypertension, diabetes, smoking history, and body mass index for the two groups (p=0.450). Tumor diameter was also similar for both groups, ranging from 1 cm to 11 cm in group A and from 1.3 cm to 10 cm in group B (p=0.594). Tumor histology confirmed mature teratomas for all of the cases in group B and for 68.0% of the cases in group A. When the intraoperative ultrasound was performed, a more conservative surgery was performed (p<0.001). Conclusion The use of intraoperative ultrasound resulted in more conservative surgeries for the resection of benign ovarian tumors at our center.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar se o uso do ultrassom intraoperatório leva a cirurgias mais conservadoras para tumores ovarianos benignos. Métodos Mulheres que foram submetidas a cirurgia entre 2007 e 2017 por tumores ovarianos benignos foram analisadas retrospectivamente. As mulheres foram classificadas em dois grupos: aquelas que foram submetidas ao ultrassom intraoperatório (grupo A), e aquelas que não o foram (grupo B). No grupo A, foi realizada cirurgia minimamente invasiva na maioria das pacientes (foi usada sonda ultrassonográfica laparoscópica específica), e quatro pacientes foram submetidas a laparotomia (foi usada sonda ultrassonográfica linear). O desfecho primário foi a cirurgia preservadora do ovário (ooforoplastia). Resultados Entre os 82 casos identificados, somente 36 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão para este estudo. Destes, 25 pacientes foram submetidas ao ultrassom intraoperatório, e 11 não o foram. Não houve diferenças significantes em relação à pressão arterial, diabetes, tabagismo e índice de massa corporal entre os dois grupos (p=0.450). O diâmetro do tumor também foi similar entre os dois grupos, variando de 1cm a 11cm no grupo A, e de 1,3cma 10cm no grupo B (p=0.594). A histologia dos tumores confirmou teratoma maduro para todos os casos do grupo B, e para 68,0% dos casos do grupo A. Mais cirurgias conservadoras foram realizadas quando o ultrassom intraoperatório foi realizado (p<0.001). Conclusão O uso do ultrassom intraoperatório resultou em mais cirurgias conservadoras na ressecção de tumores benignos do ovário em nossa instituição.

The Impact of Sentinel Node-Mapping in Staging High-Risk Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the impact of sentinel lymph node (SLN)-mapping on the staging of high-risk endometrial cancer (endometrioid grade 3, serous, clear cell, carcinosarcoma, deep myometrial invasion, or angiolymphatic invasion). METHODS: The study analyzed a series of 236 patients treated at AC Camargo Cancer Center from June 2007 to February 2017. The compared 75 patients who underwent SLN-mapping (SLN group) with 161 patients who received pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy (N-SLN group). Patients with adnexal, peritoneal, or suspicious node metastases were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The groups did not differ in terms of age, histologic type, or presence of deep myometrial invasion. The overall detection rate for SLNs was 85.3%, and bilateral SLNs were observed in 60% of the patients. Of 20 positive SLNs, 8 (40%) were detected only after immunohistochemistry (IHC). The findings showed an overall sensitivity of 90%, a negative predictive value of 95.7%, and a false-negative predictive value of 4.3%. The SLN group had more pelvic node metastases detected than the N-SLN group (26.7 vs 14.3%; p = 0.02). However, the rate of para-aortic node metastases did not differ between the two groups (13.5 vs 5.6%; p = 0.12). Five patients (3.5%) in the N-SLN group had isolated para-aortic node metastases versus none in the patients with SLN mapped. Additionally, the SLN group received more adjuvant chemotherapy (48 vs 33.5%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that SLN-mapping identifies more pelvic node metastases than lymph node dissection alone and increases the node detection rate by 12.5% after IHC. Furthermore, no isolated para-aortic node metastases are observed when SLN is detected.

Para-aortic lymphadenectomy can be omitted in most endometrial cancer patients at risk of lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the predictive factors of para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis in endometrial cancer (EC) and recommend a subgroup of patients who can safely forgo PALN dissection. METHODS: We analyzed a series of 255 patients who were at risk of lymph node metastasis and treated from June 2007 to June 2015. All patients underwent systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: The median number of pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) and PALNs that were resected was 33 and 15, respectively. Fifty (19.6%) patients had LN metastasis-43 (16.9%) pelvic, 28 (11%) para-aortic, 21 (8.2%) pelvic and para-aortic, and 7 (2.7%) isolated PALN metastasis. PALN metastasis was significantly associated with PLN metastasis, the presence of lymphovascular space invasion, deep myometrial invasion (MI), and histological grade 3. In the multivariate analysis, only pelvic LN metastasis and deep MI remained independent risk factors of PALN metastasis. For patients without LN enlargement ± adnexal metastasis, when deep MI and PLN metastasis were absent, the risk of PALM was 0.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our series supports that PALN metastasis is a rare event in the absence of PLN metastasis and that most patients can safely forego PALN dissection. This subgroup can be identified by the combined absence of PLN metastasis and deep MI.

Is parametrectomy always necessary in early-stage cervical cancer?

OBJECTIVE: Increasing data suggest that patients with early-stage cervical cancer and favorable pathological characteristics have a low risk of parametrial invasion (PI) and benefit from less radical surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical-pathological factors that are related to PI and identify a group of patients who are at low risk for PI. METHODS: We analyzed a series of 345 patients with stage Ia2 to Ib2 cervical cancer, for which they underwent radical surgery from January 1990 to October 2016 at AC Camargo Cancer Center. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze the correlations between PI and clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: A total of 217 (62.9%) patients were classified as having squamous cell carcinoma, and 128(37.1%) had adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma. Sixteen (4.6%) patients had PI. The presence of perineural invasion (p=0.003), tumor size >2cm (p=0.044), depth of invasion >10mm (p=0.004), the presence of lymphovascular space invasion(LVSI) (p<0.001), and lymph node metastasis (p<0.001) were related to PI. However, only LVSI (p=0.043) and lymph node metastasis (p<0.001) remained risk factors for PI in the multivariate analysis. Of the patients with tumors ≤2cm and no LVSI, only 1(1.2%) had PI; however, this patient had lymph node metastasis and deep stromal invasion (>10mm). No patient with tumor size ≤2cm and negative lymph nodes had PI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tumors ≤2cm and those who lack LVSI are unlikely to have PI, unless lymph node metastasis or deep stromal invasion is present. Our data can help select patients in whom a more conservative approach is warranted, such as simple hysterectomy and simple trachelectomy that is associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy after Secondary Cytoreduction in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Single-center Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although the standard of care after recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is chemotherapy, increasing data suggest that combining cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising option for patients with recurrent EOC. Our aim was to determine the prognostic value of the addition of HIPEC to secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCR) in recurrent EOC. METHODS: We analyzed a series of 79 patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent EOC who were treated from May 2000 to January 2014. Fifty patients who underwent SCR were compared to 29 who had SCR in combination with HIPEC. RESULTS: The SCR group had a higher median age (58.4 years) compared to the SCR + HIPEC group (51.6 years) (p = 0.006). The median hospital stay length was longer for SCR + HIPEC versus SCR patients (11 and 8 days, respectively; p = 0.009). More subjects experienced National Cancer Institute grade III-IV morbidity in the SCR + HIPEC group (34.5 %) compared to the SCR group (10.6 %) (p = 0.015). Conversely, there were no deaths in the SCR + HIPEC group and 2 (4.0 %) deaths the SCR group. The median disease-free survival did not differ between SCR and SCR + HIPEC patients (18.6 and 15.8 months, respectively; p = 0.82); nor did median overall survival (59.3 and 58.3 months, respectively; p = 0.95). The presence of carcinomatosis was the only variable that remained linked to a higher risk of recurrence and death in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the addition of HIPEC to cytoreduction in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive EOC does not improve survival.

NF-κB and COX-2 expression in nonmalignant endometrial lesions and cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in benign endometrial polyps (EPs), endometrial hyperplasia (EH), endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), and endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 and NF-κB was performed using an Aperio Scanscope XT automated system in 218 patients with endometrioid EC and 107 patients with nonmalignant endometrial lesions: 53 with benign EPs, 37 with EH, and 17 with EIN. RESULTS: COX-2 and NF-κB p50 expression were significantly lower in EC compared with nonmalignant lesions. We observed significant decreased NF-κB p65 expression in EC vs EPs (P < .001) and EH (P = .014) as well as in EIN vs. EPs (P = .01). For patients with EC, COX-2 correlated positively with NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 (P < .001). Grade 3 tumors had a higher mean expression of NF-κB p65 (P = .03). NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, and COX-2 expression had no impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that COX-2 and NF-κB expression are lower in EC compared with nonmalignant endometrial lesions. COX-2 and NF-κB expression have no prognostic value in EC.

Does histologic type correlate to outcome after pelvic exenteration for cervical and vaginal cancer?

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoma (AC) of the cervix comprises 15-20 % of all cervical carcinomas, and data regarding the prognostic value of histologic type after pelvic exenteration (PE) are lacking. Our aim was to analyze the prognostic value of histologic type in overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) after PE and correlate it to clinical and pathologic variables. METHODS: We reviewed a series of 77 individuals who underwent PE for cervical or vaginal cancer from January 1980 to December 2010. RESULTS: Mean age was 54.5 years. Fifty-three patients (68.9 %) had cervical and 24 (31.1 %) vaginal cancer. Fifty-six (72.7 %) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 21 (27.3 %) ACs. We performed 42 (54.5 %) total, 18 anterior, 8 posterior, and 9 lateral extended PE. Median tumor size was 5 cm. Surgical margins were negative in 91.7 % of cases. Median operative time, length of hospital stay, and blood transfusion volume were, respectively, 420 (range 180-720) mins, 13.5 (range 4-79) days, and 900 (range 300-3900) ml. Median follow-up was 13.7 (range 1.09-114.3) months. SCC statistically correlated with presence of perineural invasion (p = 0.004). Five-year OS and DSS were, respectively, 24.4 and 37.1 %. SCC (p = 0.003) and grade 3 (p = 0.001) negatively affected OS in univariate analysis. SCC (p = 0.006), grade 3 (p = 0.003), perineural invasion (p = 0.03), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.02), and positive margins (p = 0.04) negatively affected DSS in univariate analysis. SCC and grade 3 retained the higher risk of death (OS and DSS) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: AC histology in cervical and vaginal cancer is associated with better outcome after PE compared to SCC.

Prognostic value of nuclear factor κ B expression in patients with advanced cervical cancer undergoing radiation therapy followed by hysterectomy.

AIMS: The nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) family comprises transcription factors that promote the development and progression of cancer. The NF-κB pathway is induced by radiation therapy and may be related to tumour radioresistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of NF-κB as a predictor of the response to radiotherapy and its value as a prognostic marker. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in a series of 32 individuals with stage IB2 and IIB cervical cancer who underwent radiotherapy, followed by radical hysterectomy, from January 1992 to June 2001. NF-κB-p65 and NF-κB-p50 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in biopsies from all patients before radiotherapy and in 12 patients with residual tumours after radiotherapy. RESULTS: 16 (50%) patients had residual disease after radical hysterectomy. The median follow-up time was 73.5 months, and the 5-year overall survival was 66.5%. Before radiotherapy, cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB-p65 and NF-κB-p50 was noted in 91% and 97% of cases, respectively, versus 59% of cases with nuclear expression of these subunits. Cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB-p65 and NF-κB-p50 in the residual tumours after radiotherapy was observed in 50% of cases; 75% of cases with residual tumours had nuclear expression of NF-κB-p50 versus none with NF-κB-p65. NF-κB-p65 and NF-κB-p50 did not correlate with the risk of residual tumours after radiotherapy or recurrence or death. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that NF-κB does not predict the response to radiotherapy and does not correlate with poor outcomes in advanced cervical cancer.

Conservative management of extramammary paget disease with imiquimod.

OBJECTIVE: Extramammary Paget disease is a rare cutaneous neoplasm that most frequently affects the vulva. Surgery remains the preferred treatment, despite its association with high recurrence rates. Few reports have described conservative treatments for vulvar Paget disease. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment with imiquimod. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 4 patients who were treated with topical imiquimod 5% cream. RESULTS: One patient underwent vulvectomy after imiquimod therapy, and 3 patients experienced extensive recurrent disease that was unsuitable for surgical resection and were treated successfully with imiquimod. CONCLUSIONS: Imiquimod is an effective therapeutic agent for the conservative treatment of vulvar Paget disease.