Comparison of minimally invasive surgery with laparotomic approach in the treatment of high risk endometrial cancer: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze all published studies comparing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with laparotomic one in the surgical treatment of high-risk endometrial cancer (EC) in term of operative, peri-operative and oncological outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed between January 1995-March 2019. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Titles and abstracts were analyzed by two reviewers. A set of explicit criteria was used for selection of literature: 1) randomized controlled trials (RCT), prospective or retrospective cohort studies, given the rarity of this tumor and the concomitant lack of data in the form of large trials, all reviewed original report publications with an appropriate number of subjects were considered and included; 2) participants of interest being patients who have suffered from high risk EC 3) the outcome measures including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence, (4) English language, (5) abstract available. RESULTS: Thirty relevant articles were selected for full reading. For final analysis 20 studies were selected. Then, as second step, the full articles were evaluated to determine whether full inclusion criteria were met. In total, 9 papers were identified and included. CONCLUSION: MIS appears to be safe in the management of high-risk EC patients, showing better perioperative and postoperative outcomes and comparable oncological outcomes than open surgery. Prospective randomized trial would be needed to confirm this data.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer before olaparib maintenance: Still getting any benefit? A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (PSROC) is still controversial. We investigated the role of SCS in PSROC patients with BRCA1/2 mutation (BRCAmut) who received platinum-based chemotherapy followed by olaparib maintenance. METHODS: This is a case-control study. Patients with first PSROC admitted to our Gynecologic Oncology Unit between 2014 and 2018 were identified. Main eligibility criteria: positive BRCA1/2 germline or somatic mutation status and olaparib maintenance at primary recurrence after response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Cases were those who received SCS followed by medical treatment (SCS-CT-OLA, group 1), controls were those who received medical treatment alone (CT-OLA, group 2). RESULTS: Overall, 46 patients were identified; 23 (50%) BRCAmut women undergoing SCS followed by platinum-based chemotherapy and olaparib maintenance were matched with 23 (50%) BRCAmut women who only received medical treatment. Groups were well balanced: no statistical differences were found with regard of age, mutational status, treatment's approach at diagnosis, timing and patterns of disease presentation at recurrence. Median time to first subsequent therapy (TFST) was significantly longer in the SCS-CT-OLA than in the CT-OLA group (42 months vs 16 months; p = 0.05). Also, SCS-CT-OLA patients had the best post-recurrence survival (PRS), with a 3-year PRS of 79% in SCS-CT-OLA group versus 42% in CT-OLA group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: SCS increases TFST and PRS in PSROC patients with BRCAmut candidate for olaparib maintenance after platinum-based chemotherapy. Prospective studies are needed. In the era of personalized medicine, indication to SCS should be individualized.

Total rectosigmoidectomy versus partial rectal resection in primary debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare in a sample of Italian patients intraoperative, perioperative complications, Quality of Life (QoL), recurrence rate and overall survival of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients according to the type of surgery performed on sigma-rectum, total rectosigmoid resection (TRR) versus partial rectosigmoid resection (PRR). METHODS: From May 2004 to May 2010, consecutive patients affected by epithelial AOC (FIGO Stage III-IV) were assessed for this prospective case-control study, According to the type of colorectal surgery performed to approach rectosigmoid involvement, patients were allocated into Group A (TRR) and Group B (PRR). PRR was performed when the complete removal of disease led to a laceration <30-40% of intestinal wall circumference. RESULTS: 82 and 72 patients were included in Group A and Group B respectively. Surgical outcomes were statistically similar except hospital stay which was significantly lower in the PRR group. There was not a statistically significant difference as regarding intra-operative, perioperative and postoperative complications, even if a higher rate of major complications were recorded in TRR. An improvement in QoL's scores has been recorded in PRR's group. There was not a statistically difference concerning the optimal debulking rate (92% and 96% respectively) and 5-year Overall Survival (48% and 52% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PRR seems to be feasible in over 40% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer and recto-sigmoid colon involvement. It is related to higher QoL and can be easily performed, without jeopardizing surgical radicality, in those cases in which conservative surgery at intestinal tract does not compromise residual tumor.

Macro allocation in health: an ethically based model.

We propose an approach to macro allocation of health care resources that is compatible with the principles of the Canada Health Act. The approach is equitable and just and takes public support into account. It hinges on the provision of data on disease prevalence and incidence, on data on the effectiveness of intervention measures and of their cost. It is therefore a proposal that may be important as a direction for ongoing research even if it is not immediately feasible. The approach is analyzed with respect to selected related approaches.