Long-term effect of chemotherapy after ovarian decortication on the ovarian function in women surviving cancer.

PURPOSE: Ovarian decortication may affect ovarian function. We investigated the status of ovarian reserve after ovarian decortication plus chemotherapy at a stage of presumed stabilized recovery in women surviving cancer. METHODS: We searched our database for cancer survivors subjected to ovarian decortication and chemotherapy at least 3 years previously. Ovarian function was explored for levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2), and menstrual pattern. RESULTS: Forty women (mean age 29.6 (SD, 6.1) years) were assessed at a mean of 4.7 (1.5) years after surgery. The predecortication levels of AMH and FSH changed at post-treatment from 2.2 (1.4) to 0.5 (1.3) ng/mL for AMH (p < 0.001) and from 4.7 (2.1) to 16.7 (21. 6) IU/L for FSH (p < 0.001). Amenorrhea consistent with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) was diagnosed in 11 women, and normal ovarian reserve (AMH ≥ 1.0 ng/mL) was found in 4 of the 21 women who recovered regular cycles. Logistic regression confirmed AMH as an independent predictor of diminished ovarian reserve (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.04-0.63, p = 0.025) and POI (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01-0.52, p = 0.027), and age was predictive of POI (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.96, p = 0.035) and of irregular menstrual cycle (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.46, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Ovarian decortication plus chemotherapy had a deleterious effect when assessed at a stage of stabilized ovarian recovery, but whether ovarian decortication had a specific impact cannot be revealed from our data.

Impact of Endometrial Receptivity Analysis on Pregnancy Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Embryo Transfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To analyze the influence of endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) on embryo transfer (ET) results in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and BioMed Central databases were searched from inception up to December 2022 for studies comparing pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing personalized embryo transfer (pET) by ERA versus standard ET. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using a random effects model. We identified twelve studies, including 14,224 patients. No differences were observed between patients undergoing ERA test and those not undergoing ERA test prior to ET in terms of live birth (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.63-1.58, I2 = 92.7%), clinical pregnancy (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.90-1.61, I2 = 86.5%), biochemical pregnancy (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.46-1.49, I2 = 87%), positive pregnancy test (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80-1.22, I2 = 0%), miscarriage (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.62-1.34, I2 = 67.1%), and implantation rate (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.44-3.14, I2 = 93.2%). pET with ERA is not associated with any significant differences in pregnancy outcomes as compared to standard ET protocols. Therefore, the utility of ERA in patients undergoing IVF should be revisited.

Positive association of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with lumbar and femoral neck bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Experimental studies suggest that lipids affect bone metabolism. We aimed to elucidate whether lipid levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in a cohort of postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of participants in the Chronic Ailment Reduction after MENopause (CARMEN) cohort. Women underwent assessment of clinical and analytical parameters, including fasting lipid levels. BMD was assessed at both lumbar spine and hip. Homogeneity in the cohort was optimized by filtering out a series of confounding variables with a known impact on bone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association of BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck with lipid levels. RESULTS: A total of 667 of the 1304 screened women were analyzed. A strong correlation was revealed between total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis detected a significant positive association of HDL-C with BMD at both spine (p = 0.007) and femoral neck (p = 0.013). Other independent predictors of spine BMD were years since menopause (ysm, negatively associated), and body mass index (BMI) and estradiol, both positively associated with BMD. The other independent variables in the femoral neck were ysm and glucose (negatively associated) and BMI, estradiol, and phosphate, all positively associated with BMD. CONCLUSION: Levels of HDL-C, but not TC, LDL-C or triglycerides, were positively associated with BMD at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck in a homogeneous cohort of postmenopausal women.

Comparison of IOTA three-step strategy and logistic regression model LR2 for discriminating between benign and malignant adnexal masses.

AIMS: To compare the diagnostic performance of two ultrasound-based diagnostic systems for the classification of benign or malignant adnexal masses, the three-step strategy and the predictive logistic regression model LR2, both proposed by the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) Group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study at a single centre that included patients diagnosed with a persistent adnexal mass by transvaginal ultrasound over a period of two years. They were evaluated by a non-expert sonographer by applying the three-step diagnostic strategy and the LR2 predictive model to classify the masses as benign or malignant. Patients were treated surgically or followed up for at least one year, taking as the standard reference for benignity or malignancy the histological diagnosis of the lesion or ultrasound changes suggestive of malignancy during the follow-up period. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios and overall accuracy of both systems was calculated and compared. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included, with a mean age of 50.6 years (range 18-87). Surgery was performed on 62 (62%) patients and 38 (38%) were managed expectantly. Eighty-three (83%) lesions were benign and 17 (17%) were malignant. The IOTA three-step strategy presented sensitivity of 94.1% (95%CI, 86.7-98.3%) and specificity 97.6% (95%CI, 94.8-99%). The LR2 logistic regression model showed sensitivity 94.1% (95%CI, 73-98.9%) and specificity 81.9% (95%CI 72.3-88.7%). Comparison of the two systems showed a statistically significant dif-ference in specificity in favour of the three-step strategy. CONCLUSIONS: The IOTA three-step strategy, in addition to being sim-ple to use in clinical practice, has a high diagnostic accuracy for the classification of benignity and malignancy of the adnexal masses, overtaking that of other predictive models such as the LR2 logistic regression model.

The Mediterranean diet and menopausal health: An EMAS position statement.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, 985 million women are aged 50 and over, leading to increasing concerns about chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and cognitive decline, which can adversely affect quality of life and independent living. AIM: To evaluate the evidence from observational studies and randomized trials on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on short- and long-term menopausal health: estrogen deficiency symptoms, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cognitive and mental health, breast cancer, and all-cause mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review and consensus of expert opinion. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS: The Mediterranean diet is a non-restrictive dietary pattern common in the olive-growing areas of the Mediterranean basin. It may improve vasomotor symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels, as well as mood and symptoms of depression. Long-term adherence may: improve cardiovascular risk and events, and death; improve bone mineral density; prevent cognitive decline; and reduce the risk of breast cancer and all-cause mortality.

Impact of progestin ovarian stimulation on newborn outcomes: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare progestin ovarian stimulation protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (agonists and antagonists) protocols on newborn outcomes. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and BioMed Central databases were searched for studies comparing progestin prime ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using a random effects model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary endpoint was the risk of newborn congenital malformations. RESULTS: A total of 4 studies involving 9274 live-born infants were included. No important harm was observed with PPOS in terms of congenital malformations (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.63-1.34; p = 0.65) (very low quality of evidence (QOE)) and low birth weight (OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.95-1.18; p = 0.29) (very low QOE) as compared with GnRH-a short protocols. In addition, a trend to a lower risk of preterm birth (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.80-1.02; p = 0.10) (very low QOE) was found among patients treated with a PPOS protocol. CONCLUSIONS: PPOS protocols, compared with GnRH-a protocols, are associated with a similar congenital malformation risk profile. Therefore, PPOS might represent a safe and appealing treatment option for infertile patients.

Riesgos y complicaciones de la punción ovárica / Risks and complication of oocyte retrieval

La aspiración folicular transvaginal ecoguiada representa actualmente el método de lección para la recuperación ovocitaria, tanto por su simplicidad, seguridad como eficacia. Es una técnica que se utiliza desde el 1983 y que precisa de una curva de aprendizaje relativamente corta (1). Aunque las complicaciones asociadas a la técnica son poco frecuentes estimándose entre 0,1 -0,5 % (2) en algunos casos pueden ser graves, incluso letales (3), destacando entre ellas la hemorragia y la lesión e infección de estructuras pélvicas

Ecoguided transvaginal follicular aspiration currently represents the method of choice for ovocyte recovery, both for its simplicity, safety and efficacy. It is a technique that has been used since 1983 and requires a relatively short learning curve (1). Although complications associated with the technique are rare, estimated between 0.1 -0.5% (2)in some cases can be serious, even lethal (3), including bleeding and injury and infection of pelvic structures

Embarazo ectópico intersticial tratado con metotrexato y cirugía: caso clínico / Interstitial ectopic pregnancy treated with methotrexate and surgery: clinical case

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El embarazo intersticial es muy inusual y representa <2,4% de todos las gestaciones ectópicas. Objetivo: Se presenta el caso de un embarazo ectópico intersticial tratado de forma médica y quirúrgica. Se realiza una revisión literaria sobre las opciones de manejo y tratamiento. Caso clínico: Paciente primigesta de 36 años con gestación ectópica cornual derecha tras 11 días de la transferencia de un embrión criopreservado. Se decide tratamiento con metotrexato (MTX) sin éxito y con progresión del embarazo, obligándonos por lo tanto a realizar una evacuación quirúrgica de la gestación, exponiendo a la paciente tanto a los efectos secundarios del tratamiento médico como a los del abordaje quirúrgico. Conclusión: El embarazo ectópico intersticial sigue siendo un reto para el ginecólogo. El diagnóstico muy temprano de estas patologías, aunque difícil, podría evitar la opción quirúrgica, siendo el MTX más eficaz en los casos tratados precozmente.

ABSTRACT Background: Interstitial pregnancy is very unusual, and it represents <2,4% of all ectopic pregnancies. Objective: We present the case of an interstitial ectopic pregnancy treated medically and surgically. A literary review is also made about the management and treatment options. Clinical case: A 36-year-old patient with a diagnosis of right cornual ectopic pregnancy after 11 days of a cryopreserved embryo's transfer. Methotrexate (MTX) treatment was applied as the initial step but without lasting results. Because of the progression of the pregnancy, further therapy was focused on its surgical evacuation exposing the patient to the side effects of both medical treatment and surgical approach. Conclusion: Interstitial ectopic pregnancy remains a challenge for the gynecologist. Very early diagnosis of these pathologies, although difficult, could avoid the surgical outcome, being MTX more effective in cases intervened initially.

Hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer: Clinical data.

The endocrine background of breast cancer has raised questions about the increase in risk that might bear the use of hormonal contraceptives. This has been a particular issue in the case of young women, who constitute the population of contraceptive consumers. Observational studies have been the main source of evidence, which has mainly limited to the combined estrogen-progestogen preparations, the popular pill. Studies in the 80's and 90's of the past century found a small, around a 20%, increase in risk. The translation in absolute number of excess cases has been exiguous because the prevalence of the disease is relatively small in premenopausal women. Moreover, the risk slowly seemed to disappear after 5-10 years of use. The more sophisticated analyses provided by new technologies, together with the powerful central registries in some countries, has confirmed increased risk of similar size. Recent preparations, with lower doses of estrogens and new progestogenic molecules, have not substantially modified the risk size. The impact of progestogen only alternatives, either pills or progestogen-loaded intrauterine devices, seems to be similar, but the evidence is still insufficient. Whether there is a preferential effect on histological or molecular subtypes of breast tumours is being debated yet. The data on women at higher risk, either with mutations of the BRCA1/2 genes or with familial weight, have not found specific response patterns, but the experience is still meagre. It is of interest that long-term follow up data on women who enrolled in the initial cohorts, like that of the Royal College of General Practitioners', have shown a considerable protection against cancer of the ovary (relative risk, RR 0.67), endometrium (RR 0.66), or colorectum (RR 0.81).

The action of estrogens and progestogens in the young female breast.

Evidence from different sources sustains a pro-oncogenic role of hormones, estrogens and progestogens, on the breast. The issue is of interest for young women, who are exposed to the hormonal changes imposed by the ovarian cycle and, often, take hormones with contraceptive purposes. Experimental and clinical studies show that both estrogens and progesterone are involved in mammary development during puberty and lactation, the changes being observed across mammalian species, including humans. Estrogen receptors, and more particularly the alpha isoform, participate in molecular processes of stem cells differentiation and epithelial proliferation through paracrine actions implicating growth factors. Progesterone also contributes through paracrine mechanisms involving one member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and its receptor (RANK). Epidemiological studies have found that the length of the exposure to endogenous hormones, as determined by an early menarche or a late menopause, is a risk factor for breast cancer. Additional evidence has derived from studies with compounds modulating the estrogen or the progesterone receptors. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM), like tamoxifen, have been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer in both pre- and post-menopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors, which drastically reduce the levels of circulating estrogens, have reproduced the findings. The selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRM) have been less investigated and issues concerning safety have arisen. These observations have interest for young women. High-risk women may consider the use of SERMs, for example, to reduce their risk. Much more common is the case of women who take hormones for contraception. The goal of the present article is twofold: i) to summarize the actual knowledge of the mechanisms implicating estrogens and progestogens on the risk for breast cancer and ii) to provide rationality for the debate about potential cancer risk of hormonal contraceptives, frequently used by premenopausal women.