Glasgow prognostic score is a prognosis predictor for patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether the inflammation-based Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) predicted the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer (EC) in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). STUDY DESIGN: Pretreatment GPS was examined to determine the correlations with recurrence and survival in 431 patients with EC. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. PFS and OS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox's proportional hazard regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Median PFS and OS were 49.7 and 52.7 months, respectively. The follow-up range was 1 to 140 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with EC cancer and high GPS (GPS 2) had a shorter PFS and OS than those with lower GPS (GPS 0+1) (PFS: P<0.001; OS; P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, GPS (GPS 2) was an independent predictor of both recurrence (P<0.001) and survival (P<0.001) for all cases of EC. CONCLUSION: GPS can be useful as an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with EC.

Radical Hysterectomy Plus Concurrent Chemoradiation/Radiation Therapy Is Negatively Associated With Return to Work in Patients With Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in working-age women. This study investigated the influence of adverse effects of various treatment modalities on return to work in women with cervical cancer. METHODS: Questionnaires and clinical data from medical records of 97 patients with early stage (stages I and II) cervical cancer were collected and assessed by treatment received. The following treatment groups were analyzed for correlations between time to return to work and various adverse effects: radical hysterectomy (RH) alone, RH group (n = 29); concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT)/radiation therapy (RT) alone, CCRT/RT group (n = 21); and RH + CCRT/RT group (n = 47). The χ test was used to determine the significance of the correlations. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 43.0 years and the average interval since treatment was 4.5 years. The RH + CCRT/RT group was the most strongly negatively associated with return to work in employed patients who had undergone CCRT/RT group of cervical cancer (P = 0.012). There was a significant association between failure to return to work and lower extremity lymphedema (P = 0.049). A more than-6-month interval between treatment and return to work and reduced personal income occurred in a significantly higher percentage of patients in the RH + CCRT group than in the CCRT/RT group (P = 0.034 and P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Of the treatments assessed, RH + CCRT/RT has the greatest negative effect on return to work in women with cervical cancer.

Pretreatment prognostic nutritional index is a significant predictor of prognosis in patients with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

This study investigated whether pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer who undergo concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and radiotherapy (RT). A total of 131 patients who underwent CCRT and RT for cervical cancer were retrospectively investigated and the correlations of NLR, PLR and PNI with clinical parameters and prognosis were assessed in CCRT and RT. The CCRT and RT groups had a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 41.82 and 24.72 months, respectively, and an overall survival of 49.70 and 29.56 months, respectively. At a cut-off value of NLR≥2.85, the PFS and OS in patients with higher NLR undergoing RT were significantly shorter compared with those in patients with lower NLR (P=0.029 and P=0.017, respectively). At a cut-off value for PNI of ≤48.55 in patients undergoing CCRT and ≤45.80 in patients undergoing RT, the PFS and OS in patients with lower PNI were significantly shorter compared with those in patients with higher PNI (PFS and OS with CCRT, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively; PFS and OS with RT, P=0.002 and P=0.008, respectively). Multivariate analyses also identified low PNI as an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS in patients receiving CCRT. Therefore, low PNI was shown to predict poor prognosis in patients with cervical cancer.

Relationship of the number and size of superficial groin lymph nodes with the stage of secondary lymphatic edema.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the relationships of the size and number of superficial groin lymph nodes with the lower limb lymphedema stage and thus examined the role of superficial lymphatic lymph nodes in secondary lymphedema development. METHODS: We determined the number and size of superficial groin lymph nodes using horizontal plane computed tomography (CT) and the lymphedema stage in the lower limbs of 25 patients with gynecologic cancer. RESULTS: The patients had an average of 2.92 (range, 1-7) superficial groin lymph nodes; the mean size of the 146 evaluated lymph nodes was 7.55 mm (range, 5-15 mm). In 19 of 25 patients (76%), the side with major edema contained fewer superficial groin lymph nodes. In total, 22 patients (88%) had fewer superficial groin lymph nodes or a smaller total lymph node size on the edematous dominant side. CONCLUSIONS: In this evaluation of the link between superficial groin lymph node laterality and secondary lymphedema staging, we found that patients with large lymph node numbers and sizes tended to present with a relatively earlier stage of lymphedema. Our results therefore suggest that the size and number of superficial groin lymph nodes affect the lymphedema stage. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:940-946. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Return to work after cancer treatment of gynecologic cancer in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Gynecologic cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in working-age women. This study investigated whether several characteristics influence return to work after treatment of gynecologic cancer. METHODS: We investigated the correlations between return to work and several other characteristics in 199 gynecologic cancer survivors. Questionnaires were distributed to patients with cancer (≥1 year after treatment and age of <65 years) who visited Okayama University. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine whether each characteristic influenced return to work (no return to work or job change) in these gynecologic cancer survivors. RESULTS: For all patients, the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 47.0 years, and the average number of years after treatment was 4.5. Forty-four patients (53.7 %) who were non-regular employees continued to be employed at the same workplace. Non-regular employment had a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.726) than other characteristics in terms of negatively affecting return to work. Additionally, non-regular employment tended to have a higher AUC (0.618) than other characteristics in terms of job changes. CONCLUSIONS: Non-regular employment was the variable most likely to negatively affect return to work and job changes in employed patients who underwent treatment for gynecologic cancer.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the pre-treatment phase of final-line chemotherapy predicts the outcome of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Inflammation and tumor immunology are associated with prognosis in a variety of cancers. The aim of the present retrospective study was to identify associations between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), cancer antigen 125 (CA125) concentrations, tumor response, performance status (PS) and survival of patients that developed recurrent ovarian cancer subsequent to receiving chemotherapy. The NLR and PLR measured prior to fourth-line chemotherapy were significantly increased compared with those measured prior to second-line chemotherapy (P=0.029 and 0.049, respectively). By using receiver operating characteristic curves, the cut-off values were determined for the NLR, PLR and CA125 levels that were measured during the pre-treatment phase, which predicted the outcomes. According to univariate analyses, pre-treatment NLR >3.91, PLR >299.0 and PS 2 were each significantly associated with poor outcomes (P=0.001, 0.005 and 0.021, respectively). According to multivariate analyses, only pre-treatment NLR was associated with poor outcome (P=0.035). The present findings indicate that pre-treatment NLR is an important predictor of prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer that experience recurrence following chemotherapy.

Three histologically distinct cancers of the uterine corpus: A case report and review of the literature.

Collision tumors, which are characterized by the coexistence of two or more completely distinct and independent tumors in the uterine corpus, are very rare. A collision tumor is mainly composed of two distinct tumor types, epithelial and mesenchymal. To the best of our knowledge, there has only been a single case in which a choriocarcinoma with an endometrial carcinoma were coexistent but histologically distinct. We herein report the first case of a collision tumor in a 52-year-old woman, with a history of two pregnancies and two deliveries. The collision tumor was composed of three histologically distinct neoplasms in the uterine corpus, namely an endometrioid carcinoma, an undifferentiated carcinoma and a choriocarcinoma. The patient underwent hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection, followed by six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel/carboplatin due to the high risk of endometrial cancer, and an additional five cycles of chemotherapy with methotrexate, as the ß-human chorionic gonadotropin level was beyond the normal range. Following adjuvant chemotherapy, the tumor markers were within normal limits and no relapses of the cancer have been observed during 1 year of follow-up. Diagnosing a collision tumor prior to surgery is difficult if the neoplasms are in close proximity, or if one of the tumors predominates. Careful pathological examination is crucial for accurately diagnosing the neoplasms in a collision tumor and ensuring appropriate management and a favorable prognosis.

Pretreatment platelet-lymphocyte ratio is an independent predictor of cervical cancer recurrence following concurrent chemoradiation therapy.

The aim of the present study was to identify the correlations between inflammation markers such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and the prognosis in patients with recurrent cervical cancer. The associations among NLR, PLR and CRP and clinical characteristics and prognosis were examined in 32 patients receiving chemotherapy with recurrent cervical cancer following concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The patient median survival time was 198 days (range, 42-1,022 days). Pretreatment NLR and PLR were significantly correlated with the recurrence of cervical cancer following CCRT (R=-0.538, P=0.002; and R=-0.542, P=0.001, respectively). Pretreatment PLR >322.0 was significantly associated with a poor prognosis for recurrent cervical cancer following CCRT by univariate and multivariate analyses (P=0.015 and P=0.029). These findings indicate that pretreatment PLR is an important predictor of prognosis in patients with recurrent cervical cancer following CCRT.

The Glasgow Prognostic Score Determined During Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Is an Independent Predictor of Survival for Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) determined at pretreatment is important in the prediction of prognosis in various cancers. We investigated if the GPS used both at pretreatment and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) could predict the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: We collected GPS and clinicopathological data from the medical records of 91 patients who underwent CCRT for cervical cancer; their GPSs at pretreatment and during CCRT were retrospectively analyzed for correlations with recurrence and survival. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox's proportional hazard regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The median follow-up for all patients who were alive at the time of last follow-up was 38.0 months (range, 1-108 months). The DFS and OS rates of patients with a high GPS during CCRT (GPS 1 + 2; 55 patients; 60.4%) were significantly shorter than those for patients with a low GPS (GPS 0; 36 patients; 39.6%) (DFS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed that high GPS during CCRT was an independent prognostic factor of survival for OS (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: During CCRT, a high GPS was revealed to be an important predictor of survival for cervical cancer.

Pure Choriocarcinoma of the Ovary in Silver-Russell Syndrome.

Pure ovarian choriocarcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy that can be gestational or non-gestational in origin. Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a rare congenital developmental disorder characterized by pre- and postnatal growth failure, relative macrocephaly, a triangular face, hemihypotrophy, and fifth-finger clinodactyly. We report a rare case of pure ovarian choriocarcinoma occurring in a 19-year-old woman with SRS. Following surgery, multiple chemotherapy courses were effective and she was free of disease at the 10-month follow-up.

A case of cardiac metastasis from uterine cervical carcinoma.

Cases of cardiac metastasis from uterine cervical carcinoma are rare. While they are occasionally found on autopsy, antemortem recognition is extremely rare. We confirmed a case of cardiac metastasis from cervical carcinoma antemortem, because we observed a decrease in platelet count during the course of treatment. The patient was a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with stage Ib1 uterine cervical carcinoma. Radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Para-aortic lymph node metastasis was detected on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT). Adjuvant chemotherapy was started, and most of the metastatic lesions disappeared. Pelvic lymph node recurrence was suspected on PET-CT during continued chemotherapy; therefore, treatment was shifted to radiation therapy. Tumor shrinkage was recognized, and the initial therapy was completed. A noticeable decrease in platelet count was recognized seven months after treatment. Multidetector CT was performed, and an intracardiac tumor was detected. The patient did not desire any further treatment. She died three weeks after the intracardiac tumor was confirmed. Few previous autopsy studies have reported cardiac metastasis from cervical carcinoma. Thus, it is necessary to consider the possibility of cardiac metastasis for patients diagnosed with terminal cervical carcinoma.

Pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of prognosis in endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Inflammation and tumor immunology are important in the prognosis of various cancers. We herein investigated whether pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) predict recurrence and survival in patients with endometrial cancer (EC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected complete blood counts and clinicopathological data from medical records of 320 patients with EC; their pre-treatment NLR, PLR and CA125 were analyzed for correlations with recurrence and survival, retrospectively. RESULTS: Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of patients with high NLR and CA125 were significantly shorter than those for patients with low NLR and CA125 (DFS: p=0.002 and p<0.001; OS: p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, NLR was also an independent predictive factor for mortality in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio (HR)=3.318; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.154-9.538; p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment NLR is a predictor of poor prognosis in EC.

The posttreatment mean apparent diffusion coefficient of primary tumor is superior to pretreatment ADCmean of primary tumor as a predictor of prognosis with cervical cancer.

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of pretreatment and posttreatment measurements as the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) findings with prognostic factors in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of primary cervical cancer. The pretreatment and posttreatment ADCmean of the primary tumor were examined for their correlations with the prognosis in 69 patients with SCC of primary cervical cancer by radiotherapy (RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CCRT). The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) times of patients were 20.97 and 23.47 months (follow-up periods for DFS and OS: 1-72 and 1-72 months). The DFS and OS rates of patients with low pretreatment and posttreatment ADCmean of the primary tumor were also significantly worse than those of patients exhibiting high pretreatment and posttreatment ADCmean of the primary tumor (DFS; P = 0.0130 and P < 0.0001, OS; P = 0.0010 and P < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses showed that low posttreatment ADCmean of the primary tumor was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001). The low posttreatment ADCmean of the primary tumor is a useful clinical prognostic biomarker for recurrence and survival in patients with cervical cancer.

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.

The preoperative SUVmax is superior to ADCmin of the primary tumour as a predictor of disease recurrence and survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) derived from diffusion-weighted MR imaging and of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) derived from PET/CT imaging of the primary tumour in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: SUVmax reflects the highest tumour metabolism rate and ADCmin reflects the highest cellularity, and both parameters have been used for tumour grading and prediction of prognosis. The correlations between prognosis and SUVmax and ADCmin of the primary tumour were determined in 131 patients with endometrial cancer. The patients were divided into groups based on ADCmin and SUVmax cut-off values to predict recurrence and survival, which were derived from receiver operating characteristic curves. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of the groups were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between survival curves were evaluated using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The median DFS and OS times of all patients were 19.2 and 20.5 months (follow-up periods 1-70 months for both DFS and OS), respectively. Patients with high SUVmax had significantly lower DFS (P < 0.0001) and OS (P = 0.0092) than patients with low SUVmax. Multivariate analysis showed that high SUVmax was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS (P = 0.0161) and OS (P = 0.0232). CONCLUSION: The SUVmax of the primary tumour derived from PET/CT imaging could be an important prognostic indicator of recurrence and survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

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.