Monitoring the gasification area and its behavior in underground coal gasification by acoustic emission technique instead of temperature measurement.

Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) requires monitoring of the gasification area because the gasification process is invisible and the reaction temperature exceeds 1000 °C. Many fracturing events that occurred due to coal heating can be captured with Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring technique during UCG. However, the temperature conditions to generate fracturing events during UCG have not yet been clarified. Therefore, the coal heating experiment and small-scale UCG experiment are conducted by measuring the temperature and AE activities in this research to examine the applicability of the AE technique instead of temperature measurement as a monitoring method during UCG. As a result, many fracturing events are generated when the temperature of coal is changed drastically, especially during coal gasification. Besides, AE events increase in the sensor near the heat source and AE sources are expanded widely with the expansion of the high-temperature region. AE monitoring is an effective technique for the estimation of the gasification area during UCG instead of temperature monitoring.

A rare maternal gastrointestinal stromal tumor found in the second trimester of pregnancy: A case report.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare, and in pregnancy they are extremely rare. We present a case of a maternal gastrointestinal stromal tumor found in the second trimester of pregnancy. A 29-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 0, complained of bloody vomiting at 14 weeks of gestation. She had no significant medical history. We performed plain computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Precise examination revealed a large mass in the stomach and an exposed blood vessel on the surface. An exposed blood vessel can be harmful for mother and fetus as it might rupture during the pregnancy. We performed a distal gastrectomy at 16 weeks of gestation. Histology confirmed a localized gastrointestinal stromal tumor with a high risk of recurrence, and adjuvant imatinib was recommended. The patient elected to delay adjuvant imatinib until after delivery. The postoperative and antenatal course was favorable, and the patient was followed up by ultrasound every 2 months after the operation. After she gave birth at 40 weeks of gestation, she started adjuvant imatinib 400 mg/day. There was no evidence of recurrence 1 year after surgery. There are no guidelines for the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in pregnancy. Given the treatment challenges, we believe that pregnant patients should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in gastrointestinal tumors and fetal-maternal medicine.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Taxane and Platinum Followed by Radical Hysterectomy for Stage IB2-IIB Cervical Cancer: Impact of Histology Type on Survival.

The current study examined the histology-specific impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with a taxane/platinum regimen on survival in women with locally-advanced cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy. This nation-wide retrospective cohort study examined women with clinical stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer who received NACT prior to radical hysterectomy from 2004⁻2008 (n = 684). NACT type (taxane/platinum versus others) was correlated with survival based on histology: 511 squamous versus 173 non-squamous. Taxane/platinum chemotherapy use was more common in non-squamous compared to squamous tumors (53.8% versus 20.7%, P < 0.001). In both histology types, the taxane/platinum regimen was more frequently utilized over time (both, P < 0.01). Among squamous tumors, women who received taxane/platinum chemotherapy had survival comparable to those who received other regimens: 5-year rates for disease-free survival, 69.0% versus 70.1%, P = 0.98; and cause-specific survival, 80.0% versus 81.0%, P = 0.93. Similarly, in non-squamous tumors, disease-free survival (5-year rates: 60.4% versus 59.0%, P = 0.86) and cause-specific survival (74.7% versus 76.3%, P = 0.70) were similar. In conclusion, use of taxane/platinum regimens for NACT significantly increased during the study period. Irrespective of histology type, in women with clinical stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer who underwent NACT prior to radical hysterectomy, taxane/platinum regimens had a similar effect on survival compared to non-taxane/platinum regimens.

Water drainage from Kushiro Coal Mine decreased on the day of all M ≥ 7.5 earthquakes and increased thereafter.

The amount of water drainage from Kushiro Coal Mine in Hokkaido, Japan decreased on the day of all M ≥ 7.5 earthquakes with epicenters within 300 km of the mine during the monitoring period and increased after these earthquakes. This is a valuable finding which would give us a clue to understand pre- and post-seismic rockmass behaviors and contribute for progress in earthquake prediction in future.

Three cases of struma ovarii underwent laparoscopic surgery with definite preoperative diagnosis.

Struma ovarii is a rare neoplasm that accounts for approximately 0.3% of ovarian tumors. Due to its ultrasound morphology, which is quite similar to that of malignant ovarian carcinoma, most struma ovarii cases are open operated with laparotomy rather than laparoscopy. We present 3 cases of struma ovarii, which were diagnosed preoperatively by imaging studies and removed by laparoscopic surgery. All patients were premenopausal women between ages 31‒50. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were complex masses composed of multiple cysts and solid components with T2-hypointense regions as well as multiple T1-hyperintense cystic areas, findings that are typical for struma ovarii. A combination of plain computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, and scintigraphy was useful for diagnosis. Laboratory examination revealed elevated serum thyroglobulin, which led to the diagnosis of struma ovarii. Laparoscopic surgeries were performed without rupturing the tumors. Although it has been difficult to differentiate between struma ovarii and malignant tumors by conventional methods, recently MRI techniques appear make it possible to diagnose struma ovarii preoperatively from the abovementioned imaging characteristic, together with laboratory data. As for treatment, we think laparoscopy could be successful for struma ovarii, but the surgeon must be careful not to rupture the tumor intra-abdominally in order to prevent dissemination, which could lead to malignancy.

Postoperative decreased levels of D-dimer in patients with gynecologic cancer with enoxaparin and fondaparinux thromboprophylaxis.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of enoxaparin (ENO) and fondaparinux (FPX) on postoperative plasma D-dimer levels and risk factors associated with postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with gynecologic cancer. For this study, 434 patients with gynecologic cancer were recruited and a surgical treatment strategy was employed. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured prior to surgery, as well as on a schedule up to 3 weeks postoperatively and again after day 28. Patients with clinical signs and elevation of the plasma D-dimer level underwent multidetector row computed tomography. The D-dimer value was significantly lower in patients with ENO or FPX on postoperative days 3-10 compared to patients with gynecologic cancers who were not receiving ENO or FPX. The D-dimer value was significantly lower in patients with FPX compared to patients with ENO on postoperative days 5-7. The D-dimer value on postoperative day 3, the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), advancing age and non-O blood group were independent risk factors for postoperative VTE. The D-dimer value on postoperative day 3 and the use of ESAs were independent risk factors for postoperative PTE. The postoperative D-dimer value was significantly lower in patients with gynecologic cancer who were administered ENO or FPX compared to patients were not administered either ENO or FPX. The use of ESAs and high plasma D-dimer levels on postoperative day 3 were independent risk factors for postoperative VTE and PTE.

Elevated preoperative plasma D-dimer levels and the incidence of venous thromboembolism in Japanese females with gynecological cancer.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of increased levels of D-dimer and associated factors in preoperative patients with gynecological cancer. Furthermore, we determined the incidence and risk factors associated with preoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). Overall, 456 patients with invasive gynecological cancer scheduled to undergo surgery were recruited. Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were measured and patients whose plasma D-dimer concentration exceeded the pre-set cut-off value underwent computed tomography scanning. The incidence of elevated D-dimer and VTE was identified as significantly higher in patients with ovarian cancer. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age, low hemoglobin levels and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were independent factors for preoperative elevations in plasma D-dimer levels. Advanced age was an independent risk factor for preoperative VTE. Massive ascites and the presence of co-morbidities were independent risk factors for preoperative VTE in ovarian cancer. Advanced age and stage were independent risk factors for preoperative VTE in endometrial cancer. Advanced age was an independent risk factor for preoperative VTE in cervical cancer. Plasma D-dimer levels and the incidence of preoperative VTE were higher in patients with ovarian cancer compared with those with other gynecological cancers. Advanced age, low hemoglobin levels and elevated CRP levels were significant factors associated with elevated plasma D-dimer levels and age was an independent risk factor for preoperative VTE in gynecological cancer.

Changes in soluble fibrin levels during the perioperative period of gynecologic cancer surgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in plasma soluble fibrin (SF) levels over time in gynecologic cancer patients following surgery. Furthermore, we examined the duration of the coagulation stage and determined a suitable duration for which thromboprophylaxis with anticoagulant agents should be administered. We retrospectively studied 311 patients with invasive gynecologic cancer who underwent surgery at Okayama University Hospital, Japan. The plasma SF levels were measured serially prior to the operation and on postoperative days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28. The plasma SF levels increased rapidly, peaked on postoperative day 1 and then decreased. The SF levels of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) were significantly different from those of VTE-negative patients on postoperative days 0-10. The SF levels on each day did not significantly differ between patients treated with chemical anticoagulants and those treated mechanically. The plasma SF levels were elevated (≥7.0 µg/ml) in 159 of the 311 patients (51.1%) on one of the days when these levels were measured. Among the patients with elevated plasma SF levels, 110 patients (69.2%) peaked on days 0-3 and only 9 patients (5.7%) peaked on days 21-28. Although only 1 of the 14 patients (7.1%) who showed peak levels on day 14 had undergone chemotherapy following surgery, 8 of the 9 patients (88.9%) whose levels peaked on days 21-28 had undergone chemotherapy following surgery (P= 0.0002). In conclusion, the plasma SF levels increased rapidly, peaked on postoperative day 1 and then decreased. These levels peaked within 14 days of surgery in most cases. Therefore, chemical thromboprophylaxis may be administered for at least up to 14 days following surgery.

The mean apparent diffusion coefficient value (ADCmean) on primary cervical cancer is a predictive marker for disease recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of the max, mean and minimal apparent diffusion coefficient values (ADCmax, ADCmean, and ADCmin) on diffusion weighted imaging findings with prognostic factors in cervical cancer. METHODS: A cohort of 80 cervical cancer patients underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within the 2 to 4 weeks prior to radical hysterectomy. The optimal cutoff value for segregating disease free survival (DFS) was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We used ROC curve analyses to evaluate whether preoperative ADCmax, ADCmean, ADCmin on MRI predicted the risk group of recurrence. RESULTS: Analyses of ROC curves identified an optimal The ROC curves identified an optimal ADCmax, ADCmean, and ADCmin cutoff values of 1.122 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s, 0.852 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s, 0.670 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s and for predicting the recurrence of cervical cancer. The patients categorized into the lower ADCmean or ADCmin groups showed the shorter disease free survivals compared with the higher ADCmean or ADCmin, respectively (P<0.0001 or P=0.0210). In particular, the ADCmean of primary cervical cancer was an independent predictive factor for disease recurrence by a multivariate analysis (P=0.0133). CONCLUSIONS: The ADCmean of primary cervical cancer calculated by MRI could be an important factor for identifying patients with a risk of disease recurrence.

Role of emmprin in endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (Emmprin/CD147) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Enriched on the surface of many tumor cells, emmprin promotes tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. We evaluated the clinical importance of emmprin and investigated its role in endometrial cancer. METHODS: Emmprin expression was examined in uterine normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the biological functions and inhibitory effects of an emmprin knockdown were investigated in HEC-50B and KLE endometrial cancer cell lines. RESULTS: The levels of emmprin expression were significantly increased in the endometrial cancer specimens compared with the normal endometrium and endometrial hyperplasia specimens (p < 0.05). The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of patients with high emmprin expression were significantly higher than those of patients with low emmprin expression (DFS: p < 0.001; OS: p < 0.001). Emmprin knockdown by the siRNA led to cell proliferation, migration and invasion through TGF-ß, EGF, NF-κB, VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression, which in turn resulted in increased levels of E-cadherin and reduced levels of Vimentin and Snail in endometrial cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that low emmprin expression might be a predictor of favorable prognosis in endometrial cancer patients, and that emmprin may represent a potential therapeutic target for endometrial cancer.

The pretreatment of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the primary tumor is predictor for poor prognosis for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors for epithelial ovarian cancer. We found that the pretreatment values of maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) of the primary tumor by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), tumor marker CA125 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were correlated with clinical characteristics and prognosis for such patients. The clinical parameters and prognoses and their correlations with SUVmax of primary tumor, CA125 and CRP were examined for 51 patients with primary ovarian cancer. The SUVmax of the primary tumor had a statistically significant association with stage (p = 0.010) and histology (p = 0.001). CA125 was significant associated with stage (p = 0.011), histology (p = 0.005) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.025). CRP was also significantly associated with stage (p = 0.049). Disease-free survival rates of patients exhibiting a high SUVmax, CA125 and CRP were significantly lower than those exhibiting a low SUVmax, CA125 and CRP levels (p = 0.008, 0.034, and 0.037, respectively). Furthermore, overall survival rates of patients exhibiting a high SUVmax were significantly lower than those exhibiting a low SUVmax (p = 0.049).The high SUVmax of primary tumor is an important factor for identifying ovarian cancer patients with a predictor for poor prognosis.

Measurement of the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) of the primary tumor and CA125 are predictive of disease recurrence for patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative measurements of the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the tumor marker CA125 are correlated with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: The distribution of cases that scored positive for each of the biological parameters examined and the correlations with the ADCmin of the primary tumor and the serum tumor marker CA125 were examined for 111 patients with preoperative assessment of primary endometrial cancer. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between the ADCmin of the primary tumor and the FIGO stage (P=0.001), depth of myometrial invasion (P<0.001), cervical involvement (P=0.003), lymph node metastasis (P=0.027), ovarian metastasis (P<0.001), peritoneal cytology (P=0.027) and tumor maximum size (P<0.001). The disease-free survival (DFS) rate of patients with high serum CA125 was significantly lower than that of patients with low serum CA125 (P=0.0395). The DFS rate of patients with a low ADCmin of the primary tumor was significantly lower than that of patients with a high ADCmin of the primary tumor (P<0.001). In particular, the ADCmin of the primary tumor was an independent factor for disease recurrence in a multivariate analysis (P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that a low preoperative ADCmin of the primary tumor is an important predictive factor for identifying endometrial cancer patients with a risk of disease recurrence.

Measurement of SUVmax plus ADCmin of the primary tumour is a predictor of prognosis in patients with cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to determine if measurements of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) by positron emission tomography/computed tomography and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) by magnetic resonance imaging are correlated with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary cervical cancer. METHODS: The correlations between biological parameters and prognosis and SUVmax and ADCmin of the primary tumour were determined in 66 patients with cervical cancer before radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between SUVmax of the primary tumour and FIGO stage (p = 0.036), tumour maximum size (p = 0.018) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (p = 0.044). The median durations of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16.1 and 19.2 months, respectively. The DFS and OS of patients exhibiting high SUVmax of the primary tumour were significantly lower than those of patients exhibiting low SUVmax of the primary tumour (p = 0.0171 and p = 0.0367). The OS of patients exhibiting low ADCmin of the primary tumour was significantly lower than that of patients exhibiting high ADCmin of the primary tumour (p = 0.0376). The DFS and OS of patients exhibiting high SUVmax together with low ADCmin of the primary tumour were significantly lower (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that high SUVmax together with low ADCmin of the primary tumour was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS (p = 0.0030) and OS (p = 0.0036). CONCLUSION: High SUVmax together with low ADCmin of the primary tumour is an important predictive factor for identifying patients with cervical cancer who have a poor prognosis.

The measurement of SUVmax of the primary tumor is predictive of prognosis for patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if preoperative measurements of the maximum standardized uptake valve (SUVmax) on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and tumor marker CA125 are correlated with clinical characteristics and prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: The distribution of cases that scored positive for each of the biological parameters examined and the correlations with the SUVmax of the primary tumor and the serum tumor marker CA125 were examined for 106 patients with preoperative assessment of primary endometrial cancer. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between the SUVmax of the primary tumor and the FIGO stage (P=0.030), histology (P=0.025), depth of myometrial invasion (P=0.031) and tumor maximum size (P<0.001). The serum CA125 level was significantly associated with the FIGO stage (P=0.050). The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of patients exhibiting a high SUVmax of the primary tumor were significantly lower than those of patients exhibiting a low SUVmax of the primary tumor (P=0.049, and P=0.039, respectively). Furthermore, the DFS and OS rates of patients exhibiting a high SUVmax of the primary tumor were significantly lower than those of patients exhibiting a low SUVmax of the primary tumor at advanced stages (stages III-IV) (P=0.032 and P=0.023, respectively). In particular, the SUVmax of the primary tumor was an independent prognostic factor for OS by a multivariate analysis (P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that for patients with endometrial cancer, a high preoperative SUVmax of the primary tumor is an important predictive factor for identifying endometrial cancer patients with a poor prognosis.

Factors associated with parametrial involvement in stage IB1 cervical cancer and identification of patients suitable for less radical surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine possible factors associated with parametrial spread in patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer and define parameters associated with a low risk for parametrial spread, in order to identify candidates for less radical surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 200 patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer who had undergone radical hysterectomy (class III) and pelvic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Overall, 20 (10.0%) of the 200 patients revealed parametrial spread, of which 11 (55%) had only direct microscopic extension of the disease, 3 (15%) had only disease spread to parametrial lymph nodes, 1 (5%) had both direct microscopic extension and disease spread to parametrial lymph nodes, and 5 (25%) had only tumor emboli within the lymph vascular channels in the parametrial tissue. Elderly age, depth of invasion, tumor size, lymph vascular space invasion (LVSI), positive pelvic nodes, and ovarian metastasis were significantly associated with parametrial involvement. The multivariate analysis model included factors that could be determined by a cone biopsy and showed LVSI, deep stromal invasion, and elderly age to be the independent predictors of parametrial involvement. Ninety-one patients had a depth of invasion of ≤10 mm and no LVSI, of which only 1 (1.1%) had parametrial involvement. When patients aged ≤50 years were further stratified into those with a depth of invasion of ≤10 mm and no LVSI, parametrial involvement was found to be 0.0% (0/68). CONCLUSION: Patients with a tumor depth of invasion of ≤10 mm, no LVSI, and aged ≤50 years, could be considered for less radical surgery such as modified radical hysterectomy or simple hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Fat accumulation in adipose tissues as a risk factor for the development of endometrial cancer.

Fat accumulation in adipose tissues is a risk factor for the development of human cancers. However, there are no studies describing the fat accumulation in adipose tissue or its distribution in human endometrial cancer. We first examined fat accumulation in adipose tissues separately on CT images of 122 patients with endometrial cancer, and investigated the correlation of these findings with various histological types of endometrial cancers. Fat accumulation in adipose tissues [subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and/or visceral fat areas (VFA)] was strongly correlated with the group of obesity-related biological parameters (weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and body surface area (BSA)) in endometrial cancer. The incidence of type I endometrial cancer was more closely correlated with an increase in obesity-related parameters such as weight (p=0.011), BMI (p=0.006), waist circumference (p=0.038), BSA (p=0.016), SFA (p=0.005), total fat area (TFA) (p=0.006) and total cholesterol (T.Cho) (P=0.010) than type II endometrial cancer. In particular, the SFA was most strongly correlated with obesity-related biological parameters of type I endometrial cancer. The present findings indicate that type I endometrial cancer has a statistically significant increase in obesity-related biological parameters than type II endometrial cancer. We propose that the subcutaneous fat accumulation in adipose tissue is a strong risk factor for developing type I endometrial cancer.

The role of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor (HAI)-1 and HAI-2 in endometrial cancer.

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2) are Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors that have a broad inhibitory spectrum against serine proteases. This is the first study to investigate the role of HAI-1 and HAI-2 in endometrial cancer. We investigated the biological functions of HAI-1 and HAI-2 using KLE and HEC-251 endometrial cancer cell lines, thus HAI-1 and HAI-2 were examined in uterine normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry. HAI-1 and HAI-2 showed potential inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration and cellular invasion by reduction of matriptase and hepsin expression. This in turn led to an increase in the levels of E-cadherin and Slug, and a reduction in the levels of Vimentin, SIP1, Snail and Twist, and hence ER and PR signal transduction in endometrial cancer cells. The levels of HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression were significantly decreased in endometrial cancer specimens relative to the corresponding normal endometrium specimens. Low HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression was a significant predictor for a poor prognosis compared with high HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression. These findings indicate that HAI-1 and HAI-2 could be considered as therapeutic targets and used as favorable prognosis markers for endometrial cancer.

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2) are potential targets in uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2) are Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors that have a broad inhibitory spectrum against serine proteases. This study examined the role of HAI-1 and HAI-2 in uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) patients, and in vitro. HAI-1 and HAI-2 was examined in uterine normal smooth muscle, leiomyoma and LMS specimens using immunohistochemistry. We investigated biological functions and inhibitory effects of HAI-1 and HAI-2 using uterine LMS cell line SK-LMS-1 and SKN. The expression levels of HAI-1 and HAI-2 were significantly decreased in uterine LMS specimens relative to corresponding uterine normal smooth muscle and leiomyoma specimens. Furthermore, the low HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression was a significant predictor for poor prognosis when compared with high HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression (disease-free survival rate; p=0.024 and p=0.045, overall survival rate; p=0.043 and p=0.009). HAI-1 and HAI-2 showed potential inhibitory effects that mediated cell proliferation, migration and cellular invasion which led to apoptosis and necrosis through a reduction of HGFA, matriptase and hepsin expression. These findings indicate that HAI-1 and HAI-2 may be possible tumor suppressor genes for uterine LMS and thus, both could be considered therapeutic agents for the treatment of LMS.

The predictive value of measurement of SUVmax and SCC-antigen in patients with pretreatment of primary squamous cell carcinoma of cervix.

OBJECTIVE: Use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen (SCC-ag) as predictors for poor prognosis of pretreatment of primary SCC of cervix. METHODS: The distribution of cases that scored positive for each of the biological parameters examined was correlated with maximum SUV (SUVmax) of PET/CT and serum SCC-ag for 52 participants prior to radiotherapy (RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CCRT) with pretreatment of primary SCC of cervix. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between the SUVmax of the primary tumor and tumor maximum size (P=0.027), and the lymph node metastasis (P=0.039). The serum SCC-ag had a statistically significant association with the clinicopathological parameters such as FIGO stage (P=0.045) and tumor maximum size (P=0.008), although there was no correlation noted between the SUVmax of the primary tumor and the serum SCC-ag (R=0.155). The high SUVmax of the primary tumor (≥ 15.6) plus lymph node metastasis (a short-axis diameter of over 10mm with a SUVmax ≥ 3.5) were significant predictors for poor prognosis when compared with the low SUVmax of the primary tumor (<15.6) or the high SUVmax of the primary tumor plus negative lymph node metastasis (a short-axis diameter of under 10mm or SUVmax <3.5) (overall survival rate; P=0.0211). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that the high SUVmax of the primary tumor plus lymph node metastasis with pretreatment of primary SCC of cervix may be associated with a poor prognosis.