Can the microcystic, elongated and fragmented pattern of invasion influence the evaluation of the depth of myometrial invasion in low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer using imaging techniques?

Objectives: The microcystic, elongated and fragmented pattern of invasion can be associated with an underestimation of the depth of myometrial invasion by imaging techniques. We aimed to evaluate the influence of microcystic, elongated and fragmented pattern of invasion in the diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging for the prediction of the depth of myometrial invasion in low-grade endometrioid endometrial carcinomas. Methods: Prospective and consecutive study including all low-grade (G1-G2) endometrioid endometrial carcinomas diagnosed between October 2013 and July 2018 in a tertiary hospital. Preoperative staging was performed with transvaginal ultrasound scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging followed by surgical staging. Final histology was considered as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of depth of myometrial invasion was calculated for both imaging techniques. The STARD 2015 guidelines were used. Results: A total of 136 patients were consecutively included. Transvaginal ultrasound scan was performed in 132 patients and magnetic resonance imaging in 119 patients. The diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound scan for the prediction of depth of myometrial invasion in the microcystic, elongated and fragmented negative group (82% (95% confidence interval = 73-88)) was higher compared to the microcystic, elongated and fragmented positive group (61% (95% confidence interval = 36-83)). The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging was also higher in the microcystic, elongated and fragmented negative group (80% (95% confidence interval = 71-87)) compared to the microcystic, elongated and fragmented positive (47% (95% confidence interval = 21-73)). Conclusions: In low-grade endometrioid endometrial carcinomas with a positive microcystic, elongated and fragmented pattern of invasion, the evaluation of the depth of myometrial invasion using transvaginal ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging may be underestimated.

Metástasis cerebral de cáncer epitelial de ovario: estudio de un caso / Cerebral metastasis of ovarian epithelial cancer: case study

Caso: mujer de 50 años de edad, diagnosticada y tratada de un carcinoma epitelial de ovario en 1996. Se realizó cirugía citorreductora óptima y quimioterapia adyuvante. Nueve años más tarde, desarrolló una lesión metastásica cerebral tratada con cirugía y radioterapia holocraneal. Cuatro años después del tratamiento sigue sin evidencia de enfermedad. Conclusión: estas pacientes tienen un pronóstico pobre, con estudios que reportan una supervivencia media de 12 meses. Sin embargo, nuestra paciente se mantiene libre de la enfermedad, por lo que en pacientes con metástasis única, la cirugia y la radioterapia son la mejor opción de tratamiento (AU)

Case: 50-year-old woman diagnosed and treated for primary ovarian cancer in 1996. She underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Nine years later, she developed brain metastatic lesion, and was treated with both surgery and whole-brain radiotherapy. She is currently 4 years post-treatment of her brain metastases without evidence of disease-free. Conclusion: These patients have a poor prognosis, with studies reporting a mean survival of 12 months. However, the patient in this report remains disease-free since her treatment for metastatic disease. Aggressive surgical and radiation treatment for patients with isolated central nervous system metastases can be a reasonable option in selected patients (AU)

Efecto protector de los análogos de la GnRH sobre la capacidad reproductiva de las mujeres en edad fértil con neoplasia o enfermedad autoinmunitaria tratadas con fármacos citotóxicos. Resultado final de un ensayo clínico fase II / Protective effect of GnRH analogues on the reproductive capacity of women with neoplasia or autoimmune disease who require chemotherapy. Final results of a phase ii clinical trial

Fundamento y objetivo: Para evitar el efecto tóxico quimioterápico se ha propuesto la utilización de análogos agonistas de la GnRH (aGnRH) para inhibir la depleción de folículos ováricos. Existen controversias sobre su eficacia, por lo que se ha realizado un ensayo clínico para valorar el efecto protector de los análogos de la GnRH en mujeres afectadas de cáncer y enfermedades autoinmunitarias tratadas con fármacos citotóxicos. Pacientes y métodos: Ensayo clínico, de fase ii, unicéntrico y abierto. Durante el tratamiento quimioterápico se administraron 5 dosis de análogo antagonista de la GnRH en intervalos de 3 días y/o una dosis mensual de aGnRH. Se realizaron determinaciones hormonales previamente al inicio del tratamiento quimioterápico y al finalizar este. Resultados: La inclusión de las pacientes se concluyó precozmente al introducir como parámetro de evaluación de la reserva ovárica la determinación de hormona antimulleriana (HAM). De las 38 pacientes seguidas, 23 (60,5%, IC95% 43,4-76,0) presentaron valores de AMH por debajo de la normalidad tras la conclusión del tratamiento. Se realizó un análisis intermedio en el que se observó que el 86,6% (IC95% 71,9-95,6) de las pacientes recuperaban el ciclo menstrual, pero estas presentaban una reducción de los niveles de HAM. Conclusión: Aunque la mayoría de las pacientes presentaron recuperación de los ciclos menstruales, la reserva ovárica disminuyó en la mayoría de ellas, por lo que podemos concluir que la administración concomitante al tratamiento quimioterápico de análogos de la GnRH no preserva de la pérdida de la población folicular ovárica (AU)

Background and objective: In order to avoid the toxic effect of chemotherapy, it has been proposed to use GnRH agonist analogues (GnRHa) to inhibit the depletion of ovarian follicles. Nevertheless, there is controversy about its effectiveness. This clinical trial has been conducted with the aim to assess the protective effect of GnRH analogues on the reproductive capacity of women with malignancies or autoimmune diseases, which require chemotherapy. Patients and methods: Open phase ii single-center clinical trial. During chemotherapy, a total of 5 doses of GnRH antagonist analogue at a dose interval of 3 days and/or a monthly dose of GnRHa were administered. Hormonal determinations prior to the start of the CT treatment were conducted during treatment and at the end of it. Results: The inclusion of patients was prematurely concluded when incorporating the determination of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a parameter for assessing the ovarian reserve. Out of 38 patients, 23 (60.5%, 95%CI 43.4-76.0) had AMH values below normal following completion of treatment. An intermediate analysis was carried out observing that while most patients were recovering the menstrual cycle (86.6% 95%CI 71.9-95.6), they had reduced levels of AMH. Conclusion: Although most patients recovered their menstrual cycles, the ovarian reserve, assessed by the concentration of AMH, decreased in many patients. Therefore, we can conclude that the concomitant treatment of chemotherapy and GnRH analogues does not preserve the loss of follicular ovarian reserve (AU)

[Protective effect of GnRH analogues on the reproductive capacity of women with neoplasia or autoimmune disease who require chemotherapy. Final results of a phase ii clinical trial]. / Efecto protector de los análogos de la GnRH sobre la capacidad reproductiva de las mujeres en edad fértil con neoplasia o enfermedad autoinmunitaria tratadas con fármacos citotóxicos. Resultado final de un ensayo clínico fase II.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In order to avoid the toxic effect of chemotherapy, it has been proposed to use GnRH agonist analogues (GnRHa) to inhibit the depletion of ovarian follicles. Nevertheless, there is controversy about its effectiveness. This clinical trial has been conducted with the aim to assess the protective effect of GnRH analogues on the reproductive capacity of women with malignancies or autoimmune diseases, which require chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Open phase ii single-center clinical trial. During chemotherapy, a total of 5 doses of GnRH antagonist analogue at a dose interval of 3 days and/or a monthly dose of GnRHa were administered. Hormonal determinations prior to the start of the CT treatment were conducted during treatment and at the end of it. RESULTS: The inclusion of patients was prematurely concluded when incorporating the determination of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a parameter for assessing the ovarian reserve. Out of 38 patients, 23 (60.5%, 95%CI 43.4-76.0) had AMH values below normal following completion of treatment. An intermediate analysis was carried out observing that while most patients were recovering the menstrual cycle (86.6% 95%CI 71.9-95.6), they had reduced levels of AMH. CONCLUSION: Although most patients recovered their menstrual cycles, the ovarian reserve, assessed by the concentration of AMH, decreased in many patients. Therefore, we can conclude that the concomitant treatment of chemotherapy and GnRH analogues does not preserve the loss of follicular ovarian reserve.