A longitudinal study of sexual health and quality of life in endometrial carcinoma survivors.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess sexual health and quality of life (QoL) in endometrial cancer survivors and the factors influencing these variables. METHODS: A mixed method design comprising quantitative (cohort design) and qualitative (face-to-face interviews) aspects was chosen. A total of 132 patients who underwent surgery alone, surgery followed by adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy, or surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation were included. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) questionnaires were used to assess the participants' sexual health and QoL at 6 months and 1 year post-treatment. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with general and sexual well-being. RESULTS: At 1 year, 89% of the participants still had low sexual function scores. Survivors over 50 years (OR 284.7, 95% CI 13 to 364, p<0.001) and educated below graduate level (OR 26.8, 95% CI 2 to 370, p=0.014) had low sexual function scores. Patients who had surgery alone had better QoL than those who received adjuvant radiation. Women who had surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation had the lowest QoL scores (OR 6.4, 95% CI 2.1 to 19.5, p=0.001). All scores improved with time. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the high prevalence of low sexual function and poor QoL in endometrial cancer survivors. There was a communication gap between the women and their partners as well as their healthcare providers. This study highlights the need for discussion about the survivors' sexual well-being and QoL.

Metastatic Tumors to the Ovary-a Surgeon's Dilemma.

The ovary is a common site of metastasis. Differential diagnosis of ovarian carcinomas, including secondary tumors, remains a challenging task. Clinical decision-making depends on an accurate diagnosis of the type of ovarian cancer. This study was done to evaluate the pattern of metastatic tumors to the ovary and clinical details and to analyze the survival outcomes over a period of 5 years. Patients who had metastatic tumors to the ovary are identified from the electronic database from 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2019. Clinical details are collected from the electronic charts. Survival data is collected over the phone. The total number of ovarian cancers treated during the time period was 720, of which primary high-grade mucinous tumors contributed 9 (1.2%), and metastatic tumors to ovary 70 (10%). The highest levels of CEA were seen in carcinoma rectum, colon, and cholangiocarcinoma. CA 19-9 was very high in carcinoma gall bladder, pancreas, and cholangiocarcinoma. Common primaries were stomach (23%), gall bladder (13%), and colon (13%). Adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells was found in 29% of the patients. The median follow-up was 7 months (range 1 to 40 months). The median overall survival was 10 months after diagnosis (95% CI,7.9-12.0). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between patients who had peritoneal carcinomatosis with enlarged ovaries and those who had metastasis confined to ovaries (p value 0.360). A diagnosis of metastatic tumors to the ovary is associated with a very poor prognosis and the focus of treatment should be to improve the quality of life. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-020-01267-4.

Complications and Outcomes of Diaphragm Surgeries in Epithelial Ovarian Malignancies.

To achieve optimal debulking, cytoreductive surgery often involves diaphragm stripping. We describe our complications and survival outcomes after diaphragm surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer. A retrospective analysis on patients with advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer between January 2012 and September 2019. The details of the diaphragmatic resections and stripping and their complications were looked into. During the study period, 616 patients with epithelial ovarian cancers were operated of which, 81 (13.2%) had diaphragm surgery. The majority underwent diaphragm stripping (60%) while 33% had resection and 7% cases had diaphragmatic nodule excision. Optimal debulking was achieved in 89% of cases. The complexity of surgery was intermediate in 64% of patients and complex in 33% as per Aletti's scoring. Mean operating time was 300 min (SD113). Moderate to severe pleural effusion was seen in 26 (32. %) patients necessitating pleural tapping in 16% and single lumen pleurex catheter insertion in 11%. Median recurrence-free and overall survival were 22 (95% CI 16.9-27) and 32 months (95% CI 25.5-38) respectively. Diaphragm stripping and resection is an important step in achieving optimal debulking of advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer. Diaphragmatic disease clearance is a necessary skill to be acquired by the gynaecologic oncology surgeons. Choosing the patients correctly and anticipation of complications can reduce morbidity and mortality.