Cancer-associated gene analysis of cervical cytology samples and liquid-based cytology significantly improve endometrial cancer diagnosis sensitivity.

To the best of our knowledge, there are no useful screening methods for early detection of endometrial cancer in asymptomatic individuals. The present study evaluated the usefulness of genetic analysis of liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens by assessing whether pathological genetic mutations detected in cancer tissue sections were detected in LBC specimens from the cervix and uterus. The primary endpoint was genetic analysis of cervical cytology specimens and LBC for the detection of endometrial cancer. Endometrial thickening (>11 mm) assessed using transvaginal ultrasonography was present in 60% of cases and adenocarcinoma assessed using cervical cytology was present in 50% of cases. In 70% of cases, pathogenic mutations detected in cancer tissue sections were also detected in cervical and/or endometrial LBC specimens. The pathogenic variants identified were PTEN in four cases, tumor protein P53, PI3K catalytic subunit α and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in two cases each and APC regulator of WNT signaling pathway, KRAS and catenin ß1 in one case each. In the present study, a combination of endometrial thickening assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography, cervical cytology and genetic analysis resulted in a high sensitivity of 90% for detection of endometrial cancer. The combination of these tests is more expensive than conventional methods, but delayed detection of uterine cancer requires multidisciplinary treatment, which increases healthcare costs. Increased spending on early detection of uterine cancer is better economically and may improve patient quality of life.

Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Combined Retroperitoneal and Transperitoneal Approach in Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy for Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to compare laparoscopy with laparotomy and evaluate the effectiveness of a laparoscopic combined retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approach for para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrial cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, patients with endometrial cancer who underwent para-aortic lymphadenectomy between December 2016 and November 2019 were analyzed. The patient's clinical and pathologic data were procured from medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact and the Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: A total of 37 and 28 patients were included in the laparoscopic and laparotomy groups, respectively. The laparoscopic group had similar operative time, similar number of resected para-aortic and pelvic lymph nodes, less intraoperative blood loss and complications, lower rate of blood transfusion, and shorter postoperative stay than the laparotomy group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic combined retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approach for endometrial cancer is safe and effective compared to laparotomy.

Prognostic Benefit of ≥6 Cycles of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Advanced Ovarian, Tubal, and Peritoneal Cancers.

BACKGROUND/AIM: A higher number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles translate to a lower risk of morbidity and mortality, but few studies have analyzed the prognostic impact of >4 cycles of NACT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 52 patients [31 patients, NACT plus interval debulking surgery (IDS); 21 patients, NACT alone owing to progressive disease] who underwent NACT between January 2008 and December 2014 were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 6, 7-10, and 11-18 cycles of NACT were performed in 52.3%, 27.3%, and 20.5% of the patients, respectively. The median overall survival was 76.0 months (range=36.0-94.0 months), and the median progression-free survival was 26.0 months (range=18.0-54.0 months) in the NACT plus IDS group. CONCLUSION: At least six cycles of NACT plus IDS are associated with a lower rate of multi-organ resection and a high rate of complete resection or optimal (<1 cm) following IDS.

Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Hysterectomy in Obese Patients With Early-stage Endometrial Cancer: A Single-centre Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To compare the surgical outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomy with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy among obese patients [body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2] with early-stage endometrial cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 42 obese patients with early-stage endometrial cancer who underwent laparoscopic (LH) or robotic hysterectomy (RH) between April 2014 and April 2020 in our institution. We analysed intraoperative and postoperative data for both procedures. RESULTS: Of the 42 women, 22 and 20 patients underwent RH and LH, respectively, with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy. The operation times, harvested lymph nodes, and BMI did not differ between the groups. In the subset of patients who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy, those in the RH group had shorter hospital stays (p=0.001) and less intraoperative bleeding (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Obese patients with endometrial cancer who underwent robotic surgery had less blood loss and shorter hospital stays than those who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Long-term oncological outcomes of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer: A retrospective, single-institutional study in the wake of the LACC trial.

AIM: The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term oncological outcomes of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (MIRH) for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer retrospectively in the wake of the laparoscopic approach to cervical cancer (LACC) trial. METHODS: A total of 109 patients with stage IA1 with lymphovascular space involvement, IA2, and IB1 cervical cancers were included in this study. The surgical and oncological outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent type C MIRH with a no-touch isolation technique for cervical tumor. RESULTS: The median number of resected pelvic lymph nodes was 36 (range, 14-94), and 10 patients (9.2%) had positive nodes. One patient (0.9%) had positive surgical margins. Forty-six patients (42%) underwent adjuvant therapy. The median follow-up time was 73 months (range, 30-146 months). Five patients (4.6%) developed recurrent disease, and 3 patients (2.8%) died of cervical cancer. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 96.3% and 97.2%, respectively. A comparison between patients with tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm (n = 59) and those with tumor diameter > 2 cm (n = 50) did not identify any significant differences, with 5-year disease-free survival 96.6% versus 94.0% and 5-year overall survival 98.3% versus 96.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, MIRH with a no-touch isolation technique for stage IA to IB1 cervical cancer was a safe approach in terms of oncological outcomes. However, every surgeon who treats early-stage cervical cancer should inform each patient of the results of the LACC trial because it has an exceedingly high impact.