Impact of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Endometritis on Outcomes Before Starting Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of diagnosis and treatment of chronic endometritis (CE) on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) with or without repeated implantation failure (RIF). This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent pathological examination for diagnosis of CE at Yamagata University Hospital. The examination was performed for all patients planned for ART with or without RIF. Patients who were examined within 6 months of the first oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer were included. We counted the number of CD138-positive cells within the endometrial stroma in patients' specimens and analyzed the patients' clinical information. Clinical rates of pregnancy and implantation were determined. A total of 80 women met the inclusion criteria: 13 CE-negative patients (17.3%) and 67 CE-positive patients (83.7%). A significant decrease was noted in the CD138-positive cell count between the first biopsy and second biopsy after CE treatment (p < 0.001). In addition, no significant differences were noted in ongoing pregnancy rates between the CE-negative patients and those who underwent CE treatment. The CD138-positive cell counts at first biopsy tended to be lower in each pregnancy group than in the non-pregnancy group. For patients planned to undergo ART, examination for diagnosis of CE with or without RIF could be considered. Pathological CD138-positive cell counts were considered useful for CE diagnosis and treatment decision-making. The study findings suggest the efficacy of antimicrobial agents in CE treatment, contributing to improved pregnancy outcomes.

Detailed report on the clinicopathological factors of patients with endometrial cancer in Japan: a JSOG gynecologic tumor registry-based study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we collected data over 8 years (2012-2019) from the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) tumor registry to determine the status of endometrial cancer in Japan, and analyzed detailed clinicopathological factors. METHODS: The JSOG maintains a tumor registry that gathers information on endometrial cancer treated at the JSOG-registered institutions. Data from the patients whose endometrial cancer treatment was initiated from 2012 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 82,969 patients with endometrial cancer underwent treatment from 2012 to 2019. Chemotherapy alone or in combination with hormonal therapy is more common among endometrial cancer patients under 40 years compared with those over 40 years. The number of patients with endometrial cancer, treated with laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgery was observed to have increased yearly. Small cell carcinomas and undifferentiated carcinomas were more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Lymphadenectomy was most commonly performed for stage IIIC2 disease, whereas positive peritoneal washing cytology was most common for stage IVB and serous carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Multi-year summary reports provided detailed clinicopathological information regarding endometrial cancer that could not be obtained in a single year. These reports were useful in understanding treatment strategies and trends over time based on age, histology, and stage.

Quality of care measurement for patients with ovarian cancer in Japan.

AIM: Quality of care is important to reduce disease progression, and improve both survival and quality of life. The Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology has published treatment guidelines to promote standardized high-quality care for ovarian cancer in Japan. We developed quality indicators based on the guideline recommendations and used them on large datasets of health service use to examine the quality of ovarian cancer care. METHODS: A panel of experts developed the indicators using a modified Delphi method. Adherence to each indicator was evaluated using data from a hospital-based cancer registry of patients diagnosed in 2018. All patients receiving first-line treatment at participating facilities were included. The adherence rates were returned to participating hospitals, and reasons for nonadherence were collected. A total of 580 hospitals participated, and the study examined the care received by 6611 patients with ovarian cancer and 1879 with borderline tumors using 11 measurable quality indicators. RESULTS: The adherence rate ranged from 22.6% for "Estrogen replacement within 6 months of operation" to 93.5% for "Bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin for germ cell tumor more than Stage II." Of 580 hospitals, 184 submitted the reasons for nonadherence. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of ovarian cancer care should be continuously assessed to encourage the use of best practices. These indicators may be a useful tool for this purpose.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of hospital treatment volume and survival outcomes in endometrial cancer in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: Hospital treatment volume affects survival in patients with endometrial cancer; notably, initial treatment at high-volume centers improves survival outcomes. Our study assessed the effect of hospital treatment volume on cost-effectiveness and survival outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer in Japan. METHODS: A decision-analytic model was evaluated using the following variables and their impact on cost-effectiveness: 1) hospital treatment volume (low-, intermediate-, and high-volume centers) and 2) postoperative recurrent risk factors based on pathological findings (high- and intermediate-risk or low-risk). Data were obtained from the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology database, systematic literature searches, and the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. Quality-adjusted life years (QALY) was used as a measure of effectiveness. The model was built from a public healthcare perspective and the impact of uncertainty was assessed using sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: A base-case analysis showed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio at high-volume centers was below a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of ¥5,000,000 with a maximum of ¥3,777,830/4.28 QALY for the high- and intermediate-risk group, and ¥2,316,695/4.57 QALY for the low-risk group. Treatment at the high-volume centers showed better efficiency and cost-effectiveness in both strategies compared to intermediate- or low-volume centers. Sensitivity analyses showed that the model outcome was robust to changes in input values. With the WTP threshold, treatment at high-volume centers remained cost-effective in at least 73.6% and 78.2% of iterations for high- and intermediate-risk, and low-risk groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Treatment at high-volume centers is the most cost-effective strategy for guiding treatment centralization in patients with endometrial cancer.

Intrauterine manipulator use during laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer: association for pathological factors and oncologic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between intrauterine manipulator use and pathological factors and oncologic outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer who had laparoscopic hysterectomy in Japan. METHODS: This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study of the tumor registry of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Study population was 3846 patients who had laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer from January 2015 to December 2017. An automated 1-to-1 propensity score matching with preoperative and intraoperative demographics was performed to assess postoperative pathological factors associated with the intrauterine manipulator. Survival outcomes were assessed by accounting for possible pathological mediators related to intrauterine manipulator use. RESULTS: Most patients had preoperative stage I disease (96.5%) and grade 1-2 endometrioid tumors (81.9%). During the study period, 1607 (41.8%) patients had intrauterine manipulator use and 2239 (58.2%) patients did not. In the matched cohort, the incidences of lymphovascular space invasion in the hysterectomy specimen were 17.8% in the intrauterine manipulator group and 13.3% in the non-manipulator group. Intrauterine manipulator use was associated with a 35% increased odds of lymphovascular space invasion (adjusted odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08 to 1.69). The incidences of malignant cells identified in the pelvic peritoneal cytologic sample at hysterectomy were 10.8% for the intrauterine manipulator group and 6.4% for the non-manipulator group. Intrauterine manipulator use was associated with a 77% increased odds of malignant peritoneal cytology (adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% Cl 1.29 to 2.31). The 5 year overall survival rates were 94.2% for the intrauterine manipulator group and 96.6% for the non-manipulator group (hazard ratio (HR) 1.64, 95% Cl 1.12 to 2.39). Possible pathological mediators accounted HR was 1.36 (95%Cl 0.93 to 2.00). CONCLUSION: This nationwide analysis of predominantly early stage, low-grade endometrial cancer in Japan suggested that intrauterine manipulator use during laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer may be associated with an increased risk of lymphovascular space invasion and malignant peritoneal cytology. Possible mediator effects of intrauterine manipulator use on survival warrant further investigation, especially with a prospective setting.

Septal Rupture During Early Pregnancy and Successful Delivery in Monozygotic Dichorionic Diamniotic Twin After a Single Blastocyst Transfer.

The frequency of twins resulting from a single embryo transfer has been reported to be 1.56%, with the majority being monochorionic. We present a case of septal rupture at 8 weeks of gestation and successful delivery at 36 weeks of gestation of a monozygotic dichorionic diamniotic twin after a single blastocyst transfer. This report could partially clarify the pathogenesis of monozygotic twins and septal disruption. A 37-year-old woman with 9 months of primary infertility was referred to our department. After seven cycles of artificial insemination, she underwent her first in vitro fertilization. Ten cumulous-oocyte complexes were retrieved, of which three were fertilized, and three blastocysts were cryopreserved. The first single blastocyst transfer in a hormone replacement cycle resulted in a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound at 7 weeks and 4 days gestation revealed a size difference in the gestational sacs and a disruption of the inter-amniotic membrane between the two gestational sacs at 8 weeks and 6 days. Both fetuses were seen in the larger gestational sac; however, the umbilical cord of the migrated fetus was from the original gestational sac. Both fetuses developed without discordancy or obvious anomalies. At 36 weeks and 6 days of gestation, the patient underwent cesarean delivery, resulting in the birth of two viable male infants without any congenital anomalies (weighing 2256 g and 2456 g). Two amniotic cavities existed; however, no chorionic villi were present. There have been many reports on septal disruption in monochorionic diamniotic twins; however, only two cases of dichorionic diamniotic twins have been reported. Furthermore, the onsets in both reports were after the second trimester of pregnancy. This report presents the first case of septal disruption in dichorionic diamniotic twins during the first trimester.

Impact of COVID-19 on gynecological cancer incidence: a large cohort study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the number of newly diagnosed gynecological cancers has not been extensively investigated in Japan. This study determined the impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of gynecological cancer. METHODS: Using the Japanese Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologic Oncology registry database, the distribution of the number of patients based on clinical staging or tumor-node-metastasis classifications before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was analyzed to compare the trends. The clinical staging classification of cervical cancer in Japan was based on the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2008 from 2018 to 2020 and on the FIGO 2018 from 2021. Since FIGO-2018 classified N1 cases as stage IIIC, we focused on T classification without referencing the clinical staging (FIGO staging) of patients with cervical cancer in 2021. RESULTS: The number of patients with endometrial cancer and malignant ovarian tumors of all clinical stages increased uniformly yearly, while that of those with stage III cervical cancer rapidly increased in 2021 owing to the adoption of the revised classification. On comparing cases of cervical cancer in 2020 and 2021, we found that T1 cases decreased and T2 and T3 cases increased in 2021 compared to those in 2020 (p = 0.006). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/adenocarcinoma in situ incidence decreased in 2020 compared to that in 2019 but increased again in 2021. The number of patients with cervical cancer decreased in most prefectures in 2020. CONCLUSION: The incidence of locally advanced cervical cancer increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A qualitative systematic review of the significance of adjuvant therapy in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer presenting positive peritoneal cytology: a relevant study to the guideline update for endometrial cancer by the Japan society of gynecologic oncology guideline committee.

In association with an update of the Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology clinical practice guidelines for endometrial cancer in 2023, a systematic review was conducted about the therapeutic benefit of adjuvant therapy on patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma, who presented positive peritoneal cytology (PPC) without the risk factors for recurrence. The systematic review only included two eligible retrospective studies. Both studies included patients with risk factors for recurrence. A nationwide study in the United States reported that adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with the reduced risk of death among patients with stages I-II endometrial cancer with PPC by multivariate, propensity score-adjusted analysis. Another single-center study in Japan reported no association between adjuvant chemotherapy and relapse-free survival among patients with stage IA endometrial cancer by univariate analysis. This systematic review identified that evidence was limited with conflicting results. Continuous evaluation is warranted to address this clinical question.

Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology 2022 guidelines for uterine cervical neoplasm treatment.

The Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology (JSGO) Guidelines 2022 for the Treatment of Uterine Cervical Cancer are revised from the 2017 guideline. This guideline aimed to provide standard care for cervical cancer, indicate appropriate current treatment methods for cervical cancer, minimize variances in treatment methods among institutions, improve disease prognosis and treatment safety, reduce the economic and psychosomatic burden of patients by promoting the performance of appropriate treatment, and enhance mutual understanding between patients and healthcare professionals. The guidelines were prepared through the consensus of the JSGO Guideline Committee, based on a careful review of evidence gathered through the literature searches and the medical health insurance system and actual clinical practice situations in Japan. The guidelines comprise seven chapters and 5 algorithms. The main features of the 2022 revision are as follows: 1) added discussed points at the final consensus meeting; 2) revised the treatment methods based on the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 staging system; 3) examined minimally invasive surgery based on Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial; 4) added clinical question (CQ) for treatments of rare histological types, gastric type, and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma; 5) added CQ for intensity-modulated radiation therapy; 6) added CQ for cancer genomic profiling test; and 7) added CQ for cancer survivorship. Each recommendation is accompanied by a classification of recommendation categories based on the consensus reached by the Guideline Committee members. Here, we present the English version of the JSGO Guidelines 2022 for the Treatment of Uterine Cervical Cancer.

Cardiac tamponade during pregnancy due to primary lung cancer: A case report.

We report a rare case of cardiac tamponade caused by lung cancer in a pregnant woman. A 32-year-old multiparous pregnant woman was admitted to the hospital at 15 weeks of gestation with a persistent cough and dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a pericardial effusion with evidence of tamponade physiology. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive pericardial effusion and a left lung tumor. Pericardial tamponade was successfully treated using pericardiocentesis. She was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma stage IVB based on bronchoscopic lung biopsy, which showed adenocarcinoma and CT, which showed brain metastasis. Pregnancy was terminated at 18 weeks of gestation, followed by molecular-targeted therapy with alectinib hydrochloride and whole-brain irradiation. 24 months after treatment initiation the patient is alive without disease progression. Although pericardial tamponade caused by a malignant tumor during pregnancy is a rare and serious life-threatening condition, appropriate diagnosis and prompt treatment can improve maternal prognosis.

Annual report of the Committee on Gynecologic Oncology, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Annual Patient Report for 2020 and Annual Treatment Report for 2015.

AIM: To provide information including the trend of gynecological malignancies in Japan, we hereby present the annual patient report for 2020 and the Annual Treatment Report for 2015, on the outcomes of patients who started treatment in 2015. METHODS: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains an annual tumor registry, where information on gynecological malignancies from various participating institutions is gathered. The data of patients whose treatment with gynecologic malignancies was initiated in 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival of the patients who started treatment with cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer in 2015 was analyzed by using the Kaplan-Meier, log-rank, and Wilcoxson tests. RESULTS: Treatment was initiated in 2020 for 7689 patients with cervical cancer, 13 113 with endometrial cancer, 8004 with ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancer, 2152 with ovarian borderline tumors, and with the others (260 vulvar cancer, 157 vaginal cancer, 464 uterine sarcoma, 50 uterine adenosarcoma, 136 trophoblastic diseases). This clinicopathological information was summarized as the patient annual report. The 5-year survival rates of the patients with cervical cancer were 92.3%, 76.2%, 56.5%, and 32.2% for Stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The 5-year survival rates for the patients with endometrial cancer were 93.9%, 87.6%, 71.4%, and 29.3% for Stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The 5-year survival rates for the patients with ovarian cancer (surface epithelial-stromal tumors) were 91.7%, 80.6%, 50.8%, and 39.7% for Stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. CONCLUSION: The annual tumor report is an important survey that provides knowledge on gynecological malignancy trends in Japan.

Mechanism of Cell Death by Combined Treatment with an xCT Inhibitor and Paclitaxel: An Alternative Therapeutic Strategy for Patients with Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare subtype of epithelial ovarian carcinoma that responds poorly to chemotherapy. Glutathione (GSH) is a primary antioxidant, which protects cells against reactive oxygen species (ROS). High levels of GSH are related to chemotherapeutic resistance. The glutamine/cystine transporter xCT is essential for intracellular GSH synthesis. However, whether xCT inhibition can overcome the resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in OCCC remains unclear. This study demonstrated that combined treatment with paclitaxel (PTX) and the xCT inhibitor sulfasalazine (SAS) significantly enhanced cytotoxicity more than the individual drugs did in OCCC cells. Treatment with PTX and SAS induced apoptosis more effectively than did individual drug treatments in the cells with significant generation of ROS. Moreover, combined treatment with PTX and SAS induced ferroptosis in the cells with low expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx4), high levels of intracellular iron and significant lipid ROS accumulation. Therefore, our findings provide valuable information that the xCT inhibitor might be a promising therapeutic target for drug-resistant OCCC. The strategy of combined administration of PTX and SAS can potentially be used to treat OCCC and help to develop novel therapeutic methods.

Effects of a fertility-sparing re-treatment for recurrent atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of progestin re-treatment for recurrent endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH) and endometrial cancer (EC) following initial fertility-sparing treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by an Expert Panel of the Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology Endometrial Cancer Committee. Multiple search engines, including PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database, were searched in December 2021 using the keywords "Endometrial neoplasms," "Endometrial hyperplasia," "Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia," "Fertility preservation," "Progestins," AND "Recurrence." Cases describing progestin re-treatment for recurrent EIN, AH and EC were compared with cases that underwent conventional hysterectomy. The primary outcomes were survival and disease recurrence, and the secondary outcome was pregnancy. RESULTS: After screening 238 studies, 32 with results for recurrent treatment were identified. These studies included 365 patients (270 received progestin re-treatment and 95 underwent hysterectomy). Most progestin re-treatment involved medroxyprogesterone acetate or megestrol acetate (94.5%). Complete remission (CR) following progestin re-treatment was achieved in 219 (81.1%) cases, with 3-, 6- and 9-month cumulative CR rates of 22.8%, 51.7% and 82.6%, respectively. Progestin re-treatment was associated with higher risk of disease recurrence than conventional hysterectomy was (odds ratio [OR]=6.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.99-23.10), and one patient (0.4%) died of disease. Fifty-one (14.0%) women became pregnant after recurrence, and progestin re-treatment demonstrated a possibility of pregnancy (OR=2.48; 95% CI=0.94-6.58). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that repeat progestin therapy is an effective option for women with recurrent EIN, AH and EC, who wish to retain their fertility.

Trend and characteristics of minimally invasive surgery for patients with endometrial cancer in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: Owing to the potential benefits of minimally invasive hysterectomy for endometrial cancer, the practice pattern has recently shifted in Japan. This study examined the trends in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in patients with endometrial cancer in Japan. METHODS: This retrospective observational study examined the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Tumor Registry database between 2015-2019. This study examined the time-specific proportion change and predictors of MIS use in initial endometrial cancer treatment in Japan, and compared it with the use of abdominal surgery. Additionally, the association between hospital surgical treatment volume and MIS use was examined. RESULTS: A total of 14,059 patients (26.5%) underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy, and 39,070 patients (73.5%) underwent abdominal hysterectomy in the study period. Patients who underwent MIS were more likely to be treated at high-volume centers, younger, central, or western Japan residents, registered in recent years, and had a tumor with stage I disease, type 1 histology, and less myometrial invasion (all adjusted p<0.05). The proportion of MIS treatments increased from 19.1% in 2015 to 34.3% in 2019 (p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, treatment at high-volume centers was a contributing factor for MIS (adjusted odds ratio=3.85; 95% confidence interval=3.44-4.30). MIS at high-volume centers increased significantly from 24.8% to 41.0% (p<0.001) during the study period, whereas MIS at low-volume centers remained at median 8.8%. CONCLUSION: MIS has increased significantly in recent years, accounting for nearly 34% of surgical management of endometrial cancer in Japan. High-volume treatment centers take the lead in performing MIS.

Veliparib with frontline chemotherapy and as maintenance in Japanese women with ovarian cancer: a subanalysis of efficacy, safety, and antiemetic use in the phase 3 VELIA trial.

BACKGROUND: The phase 3 VELIA trial evaluated veliparib with carboplatin/paclitaxel and as maintenance in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with previously untreated stage III-IV high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma were randomized 1:1:1 to control (placebo with carboplatin/paclitaxel and placebo maintenance), veliparib-combination-only (veliparib with carboplatin/paclitaxel and placebo maintenance), or veliparib-throughout (veliparib with carboplatin/paclitaxel and veliparib maintenance). Randomization stratification factors included geographic region (Japan versus North America or rest of the world). Primary end point was investigator-assessed median progression-free survival. Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics were evaluated in a subgroup of Japanese patients. RESULTS: Seventy-eight Japanese patients were randomized to control (n = 23), veliparib-combination-only (n = 30), and veliparib-throughout (n = 25) arms. In the Japanese subgroup, median progression-free survival for veliparib-throughout versus control was 27.4 and 19.1 months (hazard ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-1.16; p = 0.1 [not significant]). In the veliparib-throughout arm, grade 3/4 leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia rates were higher for Japanese (32%/88%/32%) versus non-Japanese (17%/56%/28%) patients. Grade 3/4 anemia rates were higher in non-Japanese (65%) versus Japanese (48%) patients. Early introduction of olanzapine during veliparib monotherapy maintenance phase may help prevent premature discontinuation of veliparib, via its potent antiemetic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Median progression-free survival was numerically longer in Japanese patients in the veliparib-throughout versus control arm, consistent with results in the overall study population. Pharmacokinetics were comparable between Japanese and non-Japanese patients. Data for the subgroup of Japanese patients were not powered to show statistical significance but to guide further investigation.

Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on the overall survival of patients with resectable bulky small cell neuroendocrine cervical cancer: a JSGO-JSOG joint study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the clinicopathological characteristics of small cell neuroendocrine cervical cancer (SCNEC) and to identify the optimal treatment. METHODS: The Japanese Society of Gynecologic Oncology conducted a retrospective cohort study of SCNECs enrolled in the Gynecological Tumor Registry of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 2004 and 2015. All cases were modified and unified by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2008 (Union for International Cancer Control 7th edition). RESULTS: There were 822 registered patients diagnosed with SCNEC from 2004 to 2015 which comprised 1.1% (822/73,698) of all uterine cervical cancer cases. Rates of lymph-node and distant metastasis were significantly higher in T1b2 (38.9% and 13.7%, respectively) than T1b1 (14.2% and 4.4%, respectively) (p<0.01). In IB2 and T1bN1M0 SCNEC, the 5-year survival rate with surgery followed by chemotherapy was significantly higher than that with surgery followed by radiation therapy/concurrent chemoradiation therapy (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: SNCEC tumors >4 cm in size had greater rates of lymph-node and distant metastasis when compared with tumors ≤4 cm. Adjuvant chemotherapy, rather than radiotherapy, may improve prognosis after surgery in T1bN1M0 SCNEC.

Comparison of treatment outcomes between first-line chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer (Tohoku gynecologic cancer unit: TGCU-RS001 study).

BACKGROUND: Outcomes with and without bevacizumab as first-line chemotherapy in Japanese-only ovarian cancer patients have not been reported. In this study, we report a retrospective study conducted at the Tohoku Gynecologic Cancer Unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 453 patients with stage III/IV ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer who received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups: bevacizumab (168 patients) and without bevacizumab (285 patients). The primary endpoint was the rate of platinum-resistant recurrence and the secondary endpoints were the antitumor response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse events. RESULTS: The objective response rates for patients with measurable diseases treated with and without bevacizumab were 84.5% and 73.0%, respectively (P = 0.0066). Platinum-resistant recurrence in the groups treated with and without bevacizumab was noted in 31 (18.4%) and 111 (38.6%) patients, respectively (P < 0.0001). The median progression-free survival for the bevacizumab and without bevacizumab groups was 23 and 15 months, respectively (P = 0.0002), and the median overall survival was not reached and 49 months, respectively (P = 0.0005). Hypertension of grade 3 or higher was observed in 21 patients (12.5%) in the bevacizumab group (P < 0.001), and proteinuria was observed in 18 patients (10.7%) and 1 patient (0.3%) in the bevacizumab and without bevacizumab groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Intestinal perforation was observed in only one patient (0.6%) in the bevacizumab group. CONCLUSION: Combination and maintenance with bevacizumab in primary chemotherapy for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer was effective in reducing platinum-resistant recurrence rates and prolonging progression-free and overall survival.

Current status of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer practice among gynecologic oncologists in Japan: a nationwide survey by the Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology (JSGO).

OBJECTIVE: The practices pertaining to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in Japan have been rapidly changing owing to the clinical development of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, the increasing availability of companion diagnostics, and the broadened insurance coverage of HBOC management from April 2020. A questionnaire of gynecologic oncologists was conducted to understand the current status and to promote the widespread standardization of future HBOC management. METHODS: A Google Form questionnaire was administered to the members of the Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology. The survey consisted of 25 questions in 4 categories: respondent demographics, HBOC management experience, insurance coverage of HBOC management, and educational opportunities related to HBOC. RESULTS: A total of 666 valid responses were received. Regarding the prevalence of HBOC practice, the majority of physicians responded in the negative and required human resources, information sharing and educational opportunities, and expanded insurance coverage to adopt and improve HBOC practice. Most physicians were not satisfied with the educational opportunities provided so far, and further expansion was desired. They remarked on the psychological burdens of many HBOC managements. Physicians reported these burdens could be alleviated by securing sufficient time to engage in HBOC management, creating easy-to-understand explanatory material for patients, collaboration with specialists in genetic medicine, and educational opportunities. CONCLUSION: Gynecologic oncologists in Japan are struggling to deal with psychological burdens in HBOC practice. To promote the clinical practice of HBOC management, there is an urgent need to strengthen human resources and improve educational opportunities, and expand insurance coverage for HBOC management.

Early menopause and a low body mass index are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to investigate the association between early menopause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence in Japanese women. The secondary objective was to ascertain the association with CVD risk factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 7,239 naturally menopausal women from the Yamagata Cohort Study who completed an annual health visit and questionnaire between 2009 and 2015 were divided into three groups according to their age at menopause (women experiencing menopause at <45, 45-49 y, and ≥ 50 y). The diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke were made by self-report, while hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, were diagnosed by vital signs and laboratory parameters. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between age at menopause and CVD prevalence and CVD risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 354 (4.9%) and 156 (2.2%) women reported a history of CHD and stroke, respectively. Women experiencing menopause at <45 years had a higher prevalence of CHD than those experiencing menopause at ≥50 years (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.07-2.90; P = 0.023). Stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were equally prevalent among the three groups. Significant interactions were observed between age at menopause and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.025) and parity (P = 0.025). Among those with a BMI < 18.5 or parity ≥2, women experiencing menopause at <45 years had a significantly higher prevalence of CHD than those experiencing menopause at ≥50 years. CONCLUSION: Early menopause and low BMI were associated with CHD in Japanese women.

Sentinel node navigation surgery in cervical cancer: a systematic review and metaanalysis.

Sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) is used in clinical practice for the treatment of cervical cancer. This study aimed to elucidate the appropriate sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping method and assess the safety and benefits of SNNS. We searched the PubMed, Ichushi, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and studies on SLN in cervical cancer from January 2012 to December 2020. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. We quantitatively analyzed the detection rate, sensitivity/specificity, and complications and reviewed information, including the survival data of SLN biopsy (SLNB) without pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND). The detection rate of SLN mapping in the unilateral pelvis was median 95.7% and 100% and in the bilateral pelvis was median 80.4% and 90% for technetium-99 m (Tc) with/without blue dye (Tc w/wo BD) and indocyanine green (ICG) alone, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of each tracer were high; the area under the curve of each tracer was 0.988 (Tc w/wo BD), 0.931 (BD w/wo Tc), 0.966 (ICG), and 0.977 (carbon nanoparticle). Morbidities including lymphedema, neurological symptoms and blood loss were associated with PLND. One RCT and five studies all showed SNNS without systematic PLND does not impair recurrence or survival in early-stage cervical cancer with a tumor size ≤ 2-4 cm. Both Tc w/wo BD and ICG are appropriate SLN tracers. SNNS can reduce the morbidities associated with PLND without affecting disease progression in early-stage cervical cancer.