Retrospective Analysis of Parameters Affecting Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Objectives: While metastatic breast cancer (MBC), which is the most common cause of death in women, has been seen as an incurable surgical problem in the past decade, as the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer becomes clear with increasing molecular studies and advances in oncological protocols, life expectancy is increasing. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinicopathological features of the patients we followed up with MBC. Methods: Patients who were operated on with the diagnosis of breast cancer in our hospital between 2018 and 2023 and who were later found to have metastases were retrospectively analyzed from the database. The age of the patients, the histological and molecular type, stage and grade of the tumor, the time from diagnosis to metastasis, the location of metastasis, the duration of treatment and follow-up were investigated. Patients who were operated on in other centers and/or were out of follow-up were excluded from the study. For the statistical analysis of the findings, number cruncher statistical system (NCSS) 2020 statistical software (NCSS LLC, Kaysville, Utah, USA) was used at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Metastasis was detected in 77.1% (n=37) of a total of 48 female patients, and recurrence was found in 22.9% (n=11). The mean age of the patients was 57 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients in terms of demographics. When evaluated according to the TNM stage, 24.3% (n=9) of the patients were in the early stage and 75.7% (n=28) were in the locally advanced stage; the number of locally advanced patients was found to be higher than the early stage. In histology examination, 27.1% (n=13) of the patients were luminal A, 31.3% (n=15) luminal B, 16.7% (n=8) HER2 positive, and 25% (n=12) triple negative. Ki67 was higher than 14% in 64.6% (n=31) patients. Breast conserving surgery was performed in 41.6% (n=20) of the patients, and mastectomy was performed in 58.3% (n=28) patients. Metastasis in 34.2% (n=13) of the cases within 1-2 years, in 42.1% (n=16) within 2-5 years, and in 23.7% (n=9) after 5 years took place. Sites of metastasis were bone (37.7%, n=28), liver (28.9%, n=11), brain (10.5%, n=4), and lung (7.9%, n=3). More than one metastasis site was observed in 21.05% (n=8) of patients with metastases. There was no statistically significant difference between luminal A, luminal B, HER 2 groups and triple-negative breast cancer in terms of metastasis time and location (p>0.05). Adjuvant hormone therapy was more common in the luminal A group, whereas neoadjuvant therapy was more common in the HER2+ group. A total of 20 deaths were observed in 48 patients (41.7%). The median disease-free survival was 64 months. Conclusion: Despite all the developments in metastatic breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 27%. Targeted personalized therapies may be promising when the mechanism of metastasis and specific pathways in breast cancer emerge.

Short and long term results of anatomical reconstruction of perineal body and sphincter complex in obstetric anal sphincter injuries.

Objectives: The effective way to reduce the risk of fecal incontinence (FI) in primary repaired obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) patients is to accurately detect the injury and provide complete anatomical reconstruction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term results of OASIS cases that were diagnosed by an experienced surgical team and whose perineal body and anal sphincters were reconstructed separately. Material and Methods: Sixteen patients that required consultations due to anal sphincter damage during vaginal delivery and underwent anatomical reconstruction due to Grade 3c and Grade 4 sphincter damage between 2007 and 2019 were included in the study. These cases were divided into three groups [Group 1 (≤12 months), Group 2 (12-60 months), Group 3 (≥60 months)] according to the time elapsed until anal manometry, and incontinence questionnaires were conducted in the postoperative period. Recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), mean resting (IB) and squeezing (SB) pressures were measured by anal manometry. Anal incontinence (AI) and FI rates were determined by questionnaires. Anal sphincter damage repair techniques (overlapping, end-to-end) were determined. These parameters were compared between the three groups. Results: Mean age of the patients was 27.5 (16-35) years. Six (37.5%) patients had Grade 3c, while 10 (62.5%) had Grade 4 injury. The overall mean RP and SP were 35 (26-56) mmHg and 67 (31-100) mmHg, respectively. Mean RP and SP were 46/67 mmHg, 33.5/75.5 mmHg, and 37.5/70.5 mmHg in Groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. There was no difference between the three groups in terms of mean RP and SP (p= 0.691, p= 0.673). The rate of AI and FI in all patients were 18.75% and 12.5%, respectively while the rate of severe AI incontinence was 6%. Severe AI was observed in 1 (16.7%) case in Group 1, mild AI was observed in 1 (25%) case in group 2, and in 1 (16.7%) case in Group 3. RAIR was positive in all patients. In Group 1, 5 (83.3%) patients underwent overlapping repair, and in Group 3, 6 (100%) patients underwent end-to-end repair. This difference was statistically significant (p= 0.011). Conclusion: In vaginal births, evaluation of anal sphincter damage, determination of perineal body structures and anal sphincters separately and performing anatomical reconstruction when needed significantly reduce the rate of FI in the short and long term.

Surgical management and clinical follow-up of post-coital severe vulvar hematoma in a 14-year-old adolescent girl: A case presentation.

BACKGROUND: Vulvar hematoma is often puerperal. A case of non-puerperal vulvovaginal hematoma is rare in the literature. There is no consensus on the management of vulvovaginal hematoma. In this study, we discussed the approach to a rare case of non-puerperal vulvar hematoma. CASE: We present the case of a 14-year-old adolescent female with a severe vulvar non-obstetric hematoma that occurred after she had been illegally and voluntarily married. CONCLUSION: In conclusion; vulvar hematoma is the most common non-obstetric cause of perineal trauma and carries the risk of mortality by causing hypovolemic shock. The conservative approach is preferred for small and non-growing hematomas; however, surgical hematoma drainage is used for large and enlarging hematomas. Selective arterial embolization procedure is not common as the required equipment is not available in all healthcare facilities.

Comparison of life quality between geriatric patients who underwent reconstructive surgery and obliterative surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) adversely affects women's quality of life. The aim of this study is to compare the life quality after obliterative surgery and reconstructive surgery for geriatric patients with advanced pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This matched case control study included sexually inactive women aged 65 years or older who had vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in Tepecik Education and Research Hospiltal between August 2012 and June 2019. Life quality of women who had undergone obliterative or reconstructive vaginal surgery were evaluated and then compared by Turkish validated prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QOL). Patients in obliterative and recontructive surgical procedures were matched according to age, body mass index and POP stage and each group included 49 women. RESULTS: P-QOL scale domains, including prolapse impact (26.6 ± 12.1 vs 34.1 ± 16.2; p = 0.01), physical/social limitations (28.3 ± 12.8 vs 34.8 ± 14.4; p = 0.02) and severity measures (24.9 ± 12.6 vs 30.5 ± 13,4; p = 0.035) revealed significantly lower postoperative deterioration in the obliterative group. No significant difference was found in other P-QOL domains. The mean operation time in the obliterative group was shorter than the reconstructive group (respectively; 69.2 ± 21.5 min, 79.7 ± 29.4, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay and intraoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Obliterative surgery is a suitable option in the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse in elderly patients.

Le Fort colpocleisis: An evaluation of results and quality of life at intermediate-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To assess postoperative complications, intermediate-term anatomic and subjective success rates, and quality of life following obliterative Le Fort colpocleisis (LFC) for advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 53 subjects who underwent LFC surgery between January 2012 and April 2019. Demographic and treatment data were retrieved from a hospital database. Data on postoperative anatomic results were gathered from individual examinations of study subjects. The Clavien-Dindo classification was used to evaluate the complications. The Prolapse-Quality of Life (P-QoL) questionnaire was administered in person or over the telephone before and after the operation. Low scores on the P-QoL reflect a high quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age at operation was 73 ± 7.1 years. The mean time between LFC and the postoperative questionnaire and interview was 30.8 ± 15.7 months (range: 12-82). Ninety-two percent of subjects had at least one comorbidity. When subjects were classified using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System, seven (13.2 %) had Stage 3 POP and 46 (86.8 %) had Stage 4 POP. The overall rate of minor peri-operative complications rate was 11.3 % (six subjects). The objective success rate of LFC at intermediate-term follow-up was 98.1 %, and the subjective success rate was 96.2 %. The mean time between LFC and the postoperative questionnaire and interview was 30.8 ± 15.7 months (range: 12-82). There was a statistically significant decrease in the postoperative P-QoL score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on positive intermediate-term anatomic and subjective outcomes, including a significant decrease in P-QoL questionnaire scores and a lack of regret, obliterative LFC should be considered a first-choice procedure for elderly and sexually inactive women with advanced POP.

Influence of preoperative enema application on the return of gastrointestinal function in elective Cesarean sections: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: There is an extensive literature on the mechanical bowel preparation by an enema in colorectal, abdominal, and gynecologic surgeries that provide evidence against the use of enema. There are, however, few studies investigating the effect of enema prior to elective Cesarean sections. The aim of this study is to investigate whether preoperative enema facilitates the return of gastrointestinal activity in pregnant women undergoing elective Cesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surgeon-blinded prospective randomized controlled study included 225 elective Cesarean patients between the ages of 18 and 44. The patients were randomized into two groups: those who had enema preoperatively (n = 114) and those who did not (n = 111). The outcome measures were first bowel sound time and first flatus time, the length of hospital stay, the rate of mid ileus symptoms, and additional analgesic and antiemetic need. RESULTS: In the non-enema group, the time of the first bowel sound, flatus time, length of hospital stay, the rates of additional analgesic need, additional antiemetic need, and mild ileus symptoms were respectively 10.5 ± 5.8 hours, 16.0 ± 7.6 hours, 1.9 ± 0.3 days, 8.1%, 7.2%, and 2.7%. For the enema group, the same parameters were respectively 11.6 ± 4.7 hours, 17.5 ± 6.5 hours, 1.8 ± 0.3 days, 7%, 6.1% ,and 1.8%. For all parameters, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p values were respectively .09, .12, .8, .79, .68, and .26). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that preoperative enema in elective cesarean sections does not prevent postoperative gastrointestinal complications and does not shorten the recovery of bowel movements or length of hospital stay.

Does fetal sex affect placental delivery times? A prospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential effect of fetal sex on placental delivery times.Study design: This was a prospective observational study of term, singleton, and primiparous pregnant women who underwent vaginal delivery and subsequently delivered a phenotypically normal live infant. Women with labor or pregnancy complications and comorbid diseases were excluded. Women with factors who could lengthen the placental delivery time were also excluded. The cohort was divided into two groups according to fetal sex. A total of 299 vaginal deliveries were included, and placental delivery times were analyzed in both groups.Results: There were 3938 vaginal deliveries during the study period. Of these, 150 male-bearing pregnant women and 149 female-bearing pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. The mean placental delivery time was significantly longer in the male-bearing group than the female-bearing group (12.20 versus 8.21 min, p = .01). Birth weight was significantly greater in the male-bearing group than the female-bearing group (3194 versus 3059 g, p = .004). There was no significant between-group difference in maternal age, gestational age, and preconception body mass index (BMI).Conclusion: Fetal sex had a significant effect on the placental delivery time in the present study. Fetal sex should be considered in future clinical trials of placental delivery times.

Perioperative complications and short-term outcomes of abdominal sacrocolpopexy, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, sacrospinous ligament fixation, and iliococcygeus fixation procedures

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate differences in perioperative complications and short-term outcomes of patients who underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy/sacrohysteropexy, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy/sacrohysteropexy, sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF), and iliococcygeus fixation due to apical prolapse. Materials and methods: The present retrospective cohort study included 145 patients who underwent apical prolapse surgery performed by the same surgeons between 1/1/2011 and 30/6/2017. There were 68 abdominal sacrocolpopexies (44 sacrocolpopexies and 24 sacrohysteropexies), 13 laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies (10 sacrocolpopexies and 3 sacrohysteropexies), 57 SSLFs, and 7 iliococcygeus fixations. Patients' short-term outcomes, perioperative complications, blood loss, operative time, and hospital stay were analyzed. Results: The mean operating time in the laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy group was 179.6 min versus 122.8, 117.3, and 107.1 min in the SSLF, abdominal sacrocolpopexy, and iliococcygeus fixation groups, respectively (P < 0.01). The hospital stay was significantly shorter in the iliococcygeus fixation group (1.86 days) when compared with that of other groups (P < 0.01). During a 6-month follow-up period, no prolapse recurrence or mesh exposure was observed in any groups. Wound complications were more frequent in the abdominal sacrocolpopexy group. However, the overall complication rate of each group did not differ significantly (P = 0.332). Conclusion: Overall, complication rates and short-term outcomes for the abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal surgical procedures were not statistically significantly different. However, minimally invasive approaches were associated with reduced procedural-related morbidity.

Urodynamic assessment of short-term effects of pelvic radiotherapy on bladder function in patients with gynecologic cancers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the short-term effects of adjuvant or primary curative radiotherapy (RT) on the urinary system in women with gynecologic cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective, concurrent cohort study including 55 patients with gynecologic cancer who were divided into three groups. Group 1 included 10 patients who were administered adjuvant RT following a radical hysterectomy (RH); Group 2 included 36 patients who were administered adjuvant RT following a type 1 hysterectomy and Group 3 included 9 patients who were administered primary curative RT. Urogynecologic assessments were carried out on patients before and six months after the treatment. RESULTS: Compared to pretreatment, no significant differences were observed in any of the three groups after treatment in terms of incontinence, first urge to urinate, normal urge to urinate, severe urge to urinate and changes in residual urine volumes. There was a significant decrease in maximal vesical pressure after treatment in Group 1 and Group 3. The maxi-mum detrusor pressure decreased significantly in Group 1. The post-treatment decline in bladder capacity in Group 1 and Group 2 was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: RH and pelvic RT cause lower urinary system dysfunction. Especially patients who receive primary curative RT and patients who are administered RT after RH, where more pelvic denervation occurs, are at higher risk due to high doses of RT.

Urinary Incontinence in Puberty: A Rare Clinical Presentation of the Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We report on an unusual presentation of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome in two 11-year-old girls within a year of menarche. The setting was a training and research hospital. CASE: We present two patients in the pubertal period with cyclic abdominal pain and urinary incontinence who received hysteroscopic septal resection. Menstrual flow was resumed and the complaints of incontinence were eliminated after the hysteroscopic resection of the vaginal septum. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Overflow incontinence was completely resolved after septum resection in two patients. The risk of stricture is high in Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome if the septum is partially excised to open the obstruction, whereas the risk of stricture is low if a complete or wide excision is performed. In the presence of abdominal pain and urinary incontinence in puberty, Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome must be considered in the differential diagnosis, and a detailed evaluation of the urinary system and pelvic anatomy must be performed.

High first-trimester neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios are indicators for early diagnosis of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to determine whether first-trimester neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and plate-let-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) would be useful as new predictors of subsequent preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of women with preeclampsia and healthy controls from a tertiary referral center were retrospectively evaluated. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical characteristics and first-trimester levels of hemoglobin, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, NLR and PLR. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the optimal NLR and PLR levels predicting preeclampsia. RESULTS: Neutrophil (p < 0.001), platelet (p < 0.001), NLR (p < 0.001) and PLR (p < 0.001) levels were significantly elevated, whereas hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.003) was significantly lower in the group with preeclampsia as compared to the control group. On multivariate regression analysis, NLR (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.21-1.76; p = 0.005) and PLR (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.15-1.63; p = 0.008) were the most powerful predictive variables. The area under the ROC was 0.716 and 0.705 for NLR and PLR, respectively. The cut-off values of NLR ≥ 3.08 and PLR ≥ 126.8 predicted preeclampsia with the sensitivity of 74.6% and 71.8% and specificity of 70.1% and 72.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High NLR and PLR during the first trimester are independent predictors of subsequent preeclampsia.

Methotrexate treatment in progressive tubal ectopic pregnancies and hCG-related clinicosurgical implications.

Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the success of methotrexate treatment and ß-hCG levels in progressive tubal ectopic pregnancies. We defined a retrospective cohort of 394 progressive tubal ectopic pregnancy patients treated with methotrexate. A single-dose methotrexate protocol using 50 mg/m(2) was administered to patients with progressive tubal ectopic pregnancy. Surgery was performed in patients who exhibited signs of acute abdomen due to tubal rupture. Of 394 patients that received methotrexate treatment, 335 (84.6%) responded to medical treatment, while the remaining 59 (15.36%) underwent surgery due to treatment failure. ß-hCG levels in the failure group were significantly higher as compared with the success group at Day 1, Day 4, and Day 7 (2116±3157 vs. 4178±3422, 2062±3551 vs. 4935±4103, and 1532±3007 vs. 3900±4783, respectively). The receiver operating characteristics curve for ß-hCG levels at Day 1 was 0.738, with a cutoff value of 1418 mIU/mL, while sensitivity and specificity values reached the optimum for treatment success (83.1% and 59.4%, respectively). Medical treatment with methotrexate achieved an 85.02% success rate for the treatment of progressive tubal ectopic pregnancy, while success rates for medical treatment decreased significantly when initial ß-hCG levels were >1418 mIU/mL.

Ovarian sertoli-leydig cell tumors: A multicenter long-term clinicopathological analysis of 27 patients.

AIM: Information on the clinical behavior of ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) as well as its prognostic factors and optimal management is limited due to a substantially low incidence of the disease. Also, limited data is available regarding the role of chemotherapy in the management of SLCTs. The aim of the study is to evaluate clinicopathological features and outcome of patients with ovarian SLCTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with SLCT treated at two centers were reviewed retrospectively during 21 years. RESULTS: The median age was 45 years (range, 16-81) and the mean follow-up time was 86 months (range, 16-181). Twenty-three patients had stage IA, three patients had IC, and one patient had stage II disease. Eleven tumors (41%) were well-differentiated and 16 (59%) tumors were intermediately differentiated. Nine patients underwent unilateral salpino-oophorectomy and one patient, with a history of infertility, underwent cystectomy for fertility preservation. Eight patients with intermediately differentiated types of SLCT received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy including the combination bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP). Recurrence occurred in one patient with intermediated differentiated type SLCT with heterologous elements. She received four cycles of BEP chemotherapy. Twelve months later, she underwent cytoreductive surgery and received six cycles of cisplatin plus carboplatin. She died 24 months after the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: SLCTs of the ovary are usually in early stage, unilateral, and benign. Fertility-sparing surgery is the preferred option in young women. In the adjuvant treatment setting, although information about chemotherapy is limited, BEP is a commonly used regimen. The degree of differentiation and the presence of heterologous elements relate to a poor prognosis.

The prognostic role of prenatal MRI volumetric assessment in fetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly.

In this prospective study, we aimed to establish the value of volumetric assessment by prenatal brain MRI in determining the prognosis of fetuses with isolated VM. A total of 23 fetuses with isolated VM were included in the study. Supratentorial cerebral parenchyma volume (PV) and ventricular volume (VV) were measured, and supratentorial ventricular/parenchymal volume (VV/PV) ratios were calculated. Pregnancy and postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes up to two years of age were obtained and correlated with the volumetric measurements. VV was found to be strongly and positively correlated with ventricular dimension. There was a statistically significant difference between the VV/ PV ratios of the good and poor prognosis groups into which the cases had been categorized. The fetuses with a poor prognosis had a significantly higher VV/PV ratio. Volumetric parenchymal and ventricular measurements obtained by fetal brain MRI may contribute to future clinical studies concerning the evaluation of fetuses with VM and provide an important indicator in cases where management dilemmas arise.

Effect of hydronephrosis on survival in advanced stage cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hydronephrosis is frequently encountered in advanced stage cervical cancers, and may be associated with mortality. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of hydronephrosis on survival in patients with inoperable advanced stage cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study data were acquired by retrospective analysis of the patient records belonging to 165 women with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage-IIIB or more advanced cervical cancer, which were not surgical candidates. Parameters including patient age, pathological diagnosis, disease stage, pelvic sidewall extension, presence of hydronephrosis and administration of chemoradiation were analyzed. Further, the effects of these variables on survival were assessed. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The distribution of the study patients according to disease stage was as follows: 131 (79.4%) had stage-IIIB, 18 (10.9%) had stage-IVB and 16 (% 9.7) patients had stage-IVA disease. Hydronephrosis was not evident in 91 (55.2%) of these patients, whereas 41 (24.8%) had unilateral and 33 (20%) patients had bilateral hydronephrosis. When compared to mean survival in patients who did not have hydronephrosis, survival was significantly shortened in patients who had bilateral and unilateral hydronephrosis (p<0.05). There was no significant survival difference between patients with unilateral and bilateral hydronephrosis (p>0.05). Although patient age, pathological type, pelvic involvement, and chemotherapy treatment rates were similar (p>0.05), radiotherapy requirement rate and disease stage were significantly different among the study groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hydronephrosis was found to be a significant predictor of poor survival in patients with advanced stage cervical cancer, irrespective of unilateral or bilateral involvement.While waiting for future studies with larger sample sizes, we believe that the FIGO stages in advanced cervical cancer could further be stratified into subgroups according to presence or absence of hydronephrosis.

Prognostic Significance of Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy, Preoperative Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio in Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic role of preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the need for para-aortic lymphadectomy in patients with primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one patients with a diagnosis of PFTC were identified through the gynecologic oncology service database of six academic centers. Clinicopathological, surgical, and complete blood count data were collected. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, advanced stage, suboptimal surgery, and NLR > 2.7 were significant prognostic factors for progression-free survival, whereas in multivariate analysis, only advanced stage and suboptimal surgery were significant. In addition, in univariate analysis, cancer antigen 125 ≥ 35 U/mL, ascites, advanced stage, suboptimal surgery, NLR > 2.7, PLR > 233.3, platelet count ≥ 400,000 cells/mm(3), staging type, and histological subtype were significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS); however, in multivariate analysis, only advanced stage, suboptimal surgery, NLR > 2.7, and staging type were significant. Inclusion of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in surgery showed significant association with longer OS, with a mean and median OS of 42.0 months and 35.5 months (range, 22 to 78 months), respectively, vs. 33.5 months and 27.5 months (range, 14 to 76 months), respectively, for patients who underwent surgery without para-aortic lymphadenectomy (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 5.7; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: NLR (in both univariate and multivariate analysis) and PLR (only in univariate analysis) were prognostic factors in PFTC. NLR and PLR are inexpensive and easy tests to perform. In addition, patients with PFTC who underwent bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy had longer OS.

A novel preoperative scoring system for predicting endometrial cancer in patients with complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia and accuracy of frozen section pathological examination in this context: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the accuracy of frozen pathological analysis in patients preoperatively diagnosed with endometrial atypical complex hyperplasia (ACH) and to develop a model predicting the probability of the presence of endometrial carcinoma in ACH. METHODS: Patients (n = 128) who underwent total hysterectomies because of diagnoses of ACH were evaluated at four tertiary centers. RESULTS: Diagnoses made using frozen sections and permanent sections were in good agreement (ĸ = 0.61, p < 0.0001). A useful scoring system combining weighted risk factors derived from a regression model is as follows: (2 × age ≥50 years) + (3 × BMI ≥30) + (2 × menopausal status) + (2 × diabetes comorbidity) + (3 × endometrial thickness >12 mm). The AUC of this score was 0.793, and the score afforded 80.9% sensitivity, 70.3% specificity, a 75.3% positive predictive value, and a 76.4% negative predictive value, when a score of 5 was used as a cutoff. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACH should be evaluated by gynecological oncologists and intraoperative frozen section analysis should be performed by pathologists specializing in the evaluation of gynecological malignancies, because ACH is closely associated with endometrial cancer (EC). Our novel preoperative scoring system may aid in the detection of patients at increased risk of EC and thus guide general gynecologists.

Adjuvant treatment modalities, prognostic predictors and outcomes of uterine carcinosarcomas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of uterine carcinosarcoma (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of three cancer registry databases in Turkey was conducted for identification of patients diagnosed with UC between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2012. We collected clinicopathological data in order to evaluate factors important in disease- free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 66 patients with UC with a median age of 65.0 years were included in the analysis. The median survival time of all patients was 37.5 months and the 5-year OS rate was 59.1%. In early stage patients (I-II) who received adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) with radiation therapy (RT), the median DFS and OS was 44 months and 55 months, respectively, compared to 34.5 months and 36 months, respectively, in patients who received adjuvant RT or CT alone (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7 to 3.1 for DFS; p=0.23 and HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9 to 5.3 for OS; p=0.03). In advanced stage patients (III-IV), the median DFS and OS of patients receiving adjuvant RT with CT was 25 months and 38 months, respectively, compared to 23.5 months and 24.5 months, respectively, in patients receiving adjuvant RT or CT alone (HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 0.6 to 16.0 for DFS; p=0.03); (HR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.7 to 15.0 for OS; p=0.01). In multivariate analysis, advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and suboptimal surgery showed significant association with poor OS. CONCLUSION: In patients with early or advanced stage UC, adjuvant CT with RT is associated with improved DFS and OS, as compared to CT or RT alone.

Is mucinous adenocarcinoma of the endometrium a risk factor for lymph node involvement? A multicenter case-control study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this multicenter case-control study was to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (MAE) and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC). METHODS: A retrospective review of two cancer registry databases in Turkey was conducted to identify patients diagnosed with MAE between January 1996 and December 2012. Each patient was matched with a control EEC patient by age and tumor grade. Cases and controls were compared in terms of known risk factors for lymph node metastasis, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The analysis included 112 patients with MAE and 112 with EEC. No significant difference in baseline characteristics was evident between the two groups. Lymphovascular space invasion, deep myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, and tumor diameter did not differ significantly between the mucinous and endometrioid cases. Multivariate analysis confirmed that only mucinous histology (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.1-4.5; P = 0.02) was an independent predictor of lymph node involvement. Although the median DFS and OS tended to be better in the endometrioid group, the differences were not statistically significant. Routine appendectomy was performed in 52 (46.2 %) patients with MAE. No mucinous tumor of the appendix was identified. CONCLUSION: Routine appendectomy is not necessary when the appendix is grossly normal at the time of surgery for MAE. Although the DFS and OS of EEC and MAE patients were similar, the risk of nodal metastasis in MAE patients was greater than that in ECC patients, and we thus suggest to perform retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (both pelvic and para-aortic) for patients with MAE during the initial operation.

Melatonin causes regression of endometriotic implants in rats by modulating angiogenesis, tissue levels of antioxidants and matrix metalloproteinases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test if melatonin causes regression of endometriotic implants and whether it influences implant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in rats. METHODS: Endometriotic implants were introduced surgically to 20 female Wistar albino rats, which were either treated with melatonin via intraperitoneal injection for four weeks (melatonin group, n = 10) or with saline (control group, n = 10) after a second-look laparotomies. The main outcome measures included volume (mm(3)) and weight (mg) of explants and tissue levels of SOD, MDA, VEGF, TIMP-2 and MMP-9. RESULTS: Before and after treatment implant volumes of the melatonin group were decreased significantly (P < 0.01) while there was no significant difference between the pretreatment and posttreatment implant volumes of the control group. Moreover, weight (P < 0.05) and histologic score (P < 0.05) of implants of the melatonin-treated rats were significantly lower than controls. Activity of SOD and TIMP-2 staining in melatonin group was significantly higher (both P < 0.01) while there were significant reductions in implant levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in melatonin group (both P < 0.01) than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin induces the regression of endometriotic implants in rats by modulating implant levels of SOD, MDA, VEGF, MMP-9 and TIMP-2.