Menstrual cycle alterations in reproductive age women after anti COVID-19 vaccination. A survey in 419 Italian women and quality of life and sexual function evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance agencies did not collect data regarding menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccination even if many women experienced it. Our aim was to evaluate whether COVID-19 vaccination is associated with secondary changes in menstrual cycle and to assess both quality of life (QoL) and sexual function (SF). METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis referred to our Department from January 2021 to December 2021. The study cohort responded to same questionnaires before the second dose of vaccination (referring to previous 3 months) and 3 months after that (referring to three menstrual cycles after full-dose vaccination). The surveys administered were FSFI, FSDS, SF-36, MEDI-Q and the VAS-scale for dysmenorrhea. RESULTS: Four-hundred-nineteen vaccinated women were included in the study. The survey did not show a significant change in menstrual cycle length before and after COVID-19 vaccine (5.88±3.67 vs. 4.97±2.89, P=0.21); the interval between periods was significantly higher after a full-cycle vaccination (28.32±7.34 vs. 32.38±7.45, P<0.02); 32 patients (7.6%) developed amenorrhea after the second dose; VAS Scale did not change significantly (median range 3 (3-5) vs. 4 (3-6), P=0.20). MEDI-Q did not show significant variations before and after the vaccination (43.21±11.65 vs. 40.28±9.88, P=0.35). QoL and SF did not change significantly (FSFI median 27 [24-29] vs. 28 [25-30], P=0.12, FSDS median 9 [5-11] vs. 8 [4-12], P=0.22), SF-36 median 81 [70-85] vs. 82 [72-86], P=0.43). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a significant change in intervals between menstrual cycles without other alterations in menstrual characteristics, in QoL or SF.

Sexual function analysis and clitoral vascularization in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome treated with ospemifene.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ospemifene in the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), in the vulvovaginal vascular perfusion, and to assess its impact on quality of life and sexual function. METHODS: Among 52 eligible patients, 43 consecutive postmenopausal patients affected by vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), or genitourinary syndrome (GSM) were evaluated. VVA evaluation and ultrasound of the vulvo-vaginal vascularization by sampling the Pulsatility Index (PI) of clitoris dorsal artery were performed before and after 3 months-treatment with ospemifene. The 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) for the quality-of-life assessment before and after 3 months were available for all women; instead, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) questionnaires for the sexual function evaluation were performed for sexually active women in the study. The Patient Impression of Global Improvement (PGI-I) after 3 months of treatment was also calculated. RESULTS: The number of sexually active women significantly increased after 3 months (26 [60.46%] vs. 35 [81.39%]; P=0.01). The mean number of intercourses during the treatment increased (12.87±3.43 vs. 15.79±3.12, P=0.03). The PI of clitoris dorsal artery has significantly changed before and after treatment respectively (PI [1.69±0.42 vs. 1.28±0.45, P=0.001] RI [0.74±0.11 vs. 0.54±0.15, P=0.001]). The FSFI, FSDS and SF-36 Questionnaires scores showed a significant improvement after 3 months. VHI and PI were the independent factors of a lower FSFI after 3 months of treatment at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Ospemifene improve the VHI and vulvovaginal vascular perfusion demonstrating a positive impact on sexual function and quality of life.

Peri-operative blood management of Jehovah's Witnesses undergoing cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a peri-operative bloodless medicine and surgery (BMS) protocol in reducing severe post-operative anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <7 g/dL) in Jehovah's Witnesses undergoing cytoreductive surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective study enrolling Jehovah's Witnesses who underwent elective bloodless surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer between October 2017 and April 2020. All patients followed a standardised bloodless medicine and surgery protocol based on ferric carboxymaltose and erythropoietin if indicated. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 61.7 years (range, 35-80) were enrolled. Pre-operatively, ten patients (40%) were mildly anaemic (mean Hb of 10.2 g/dL [range, 9.2-11.4]) and received ferric carboxymaltose. Only four (16%) patients had severe anaemia after surgery (mean Hb of 6.1 g/dL [range, 4.1-6.9]) and received ferric carboxymaltose and erythropoietin. Compared to patients with a post-operative Hb ≥7 g/dL, those with Hb <7 g/dL had higher mean body mass index (25.8±1.8 vs 30.7±1.8 kg/m2; p<0.001), mean baseline CA125 (236.1±184.5 vs 783.7±273.5 IU/mL; p<0.001), median surgical complexity score (2 vs 10; p<0.001), and rate of post-operative complications (14.3 vs 100%; p<0.001). Moreover, these patients had a longer mean operating time (3.4±0.6 vs 5.5±0.4 h; p<0.001), duration of stay in hospital (5.5±0.7 vs 24.0±9.8 days; p<0.001), and time to adjuvant chemotherapy (27.2±2.6 vs 65.3±13.4 days; p<0.001). DISCUSSION: The use of a multidisciplinary bloodless medicine and surgery protocol is safe and effective in reducing the rate of severe post-operative anaemia and improving surgical and oncological outcomes of Jehovah's Witnesses with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Further large-scale, prospective studies are required to confirm these data.

Mature Ovarian Teratoma: Neurological Implications in a Young Woman.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is an autoimmune syndrome associated with antibodies against NMDA receptors. In some cases, it is associated with various tumors; one of them is ovarian teratoma, which mostly affects women below the age of 30 years. Here, we report a case of ovarian teratoma associated with anti-NMDAR encephalitis treated with both laparoscopic surgery and immunotherapy. Multidisciplinary approach is the cornerstone for the management of this syndrome.

Urogynecological survey in a group of Italian women treated for overactive bladder: Symptoms and quality of life analysis during the Covid-19 period.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of life change and social distancing measures, during the Covid-19 outbreak, on the OAB symptoms and quality of life in women underwent different types of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational survey analysis in OAB treated patients was performed. The women showed a greater than 50% improvement during specific therapy for OAB. Population had previously completed bladder diary, OAB-Q symptom, OAB HRQL scale, SF-36 and PGI-I questionnaires. Four weeks after the introduction of the restrictive measures, these women were invited to complete the same questionnaires by e-mail for new evaluation during Covid-19 outbreak. Primary endpoint was changes in number of voids/24h, urgent micturitions/24h, urinary incontinence events/24h, nocturia events. Secondary endpoints were the assessment of the change in the OAB-SF, SF-36 questionnaires and PGI-I satisfaction. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-three patients were considered. The mean age was 63.21 ± 10.24 years. Four weeks after the start of the social distancing measures, the increase in mean number of voids/24h (7.13 ± 1.08 vs 9.76 ± 2.12, p < 0.0001), urgent micturition episodes/24h (2.65 ± 1.11 vs 4.57 ± 1.28, p < 0.0001), nocturia episodes (1.19 ± 1.21 vs 2.83 ± 0.94, p < 0.0001) was observed. The OAB symptom scores (32.67 ± 12.88 vs 51.23 ± 12.11, p < 0.0001), OAB-HRQL (75.45 ± 12.76 vs 48.23 ± 10.34, p < 0.0001), and SF-36 (82.15 ± 11.78 vs 69.39 ± 10.85, p < 0.0001) changed significantly. The satisfaction decreased significantly at the PGI-I during the Covid-19 period 79.8% vs 45% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictive social distancing measures have negatively influenced the OAB symptoms and quality of life in women underwent different types of treatment.

Peri-operative blood management of Jehovah's Witnesses undergoing cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a peri-operative bloodless medicine and surgery (BMS) protocol in reducing severe post-operative anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <7 g/dL) in Jehovah's Witnesses undergoing cytoreductive surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective study enrolling Jehovah's Witnesses who underwent elective bloodless surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer between October 2017 and April 2020. All patients followed a standardised bloodless medicine and surgery protocol based on ferric carboxymaltose and erythropoietin if indicated. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 61.7 years (range, 35-80) were enrolled. Pre-operatively, ten patients (40%) were mildly anaemic (mean Hb of 10.2 g/dL [range, 9.2-11.4]) and received ferric carboxymaltose. Only four (16%) patients had severe anaemia after surgery (mean Hb of 6.1 g/dL [range, 4.1-6.9]) and received ferric carboxymaltose and erythropoietin. Compared to patients with a post-operative Hb ≥7 g/dL, those with Hb <7 g/dL had higher mean body mass index (25.8±1.8 vs 30.7±1.8 kg/m2; p<0.001), mean baseline CA125 (236.1±184.5 vs 783.7±273.5 IU/mL; p<0.001), median surgical complexity score (2 vs 10; p<0.001), and rate of post-operative complications (14.3 vs 100%; p<0.001). Moreover, these patients had a longer mean operating time (3.4±0.6 vs 5.5±0.4 h; p<0.001), duration of stay in hospital (5.5±0.7 vs 24.0±9.8 days; p<0.001), and time to adjuvant chemotherapy (27.2±2.6 vs 65.3±13.4 days; p<0.001). DISCUSSION: The use of a multidisciplinary bloodless medicine and surgery protocol is safe and effective in reducing the rate of severe post-operative anaemia and improving surgical and oncological outcomes of Jehovah's Witnesses with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Further large-scale, prospective studies are required to confirm these data.

Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: The Role of Immune-related Factors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) consists of concomitant chemoradiation or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus radical surgery (RS). This study analyzed the prognostic role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and PD-L1 expression in LACC patients, treated with NACT+RS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 37 LACC patients treated from December 2016 to September 2019. Patients were submitted to pelvic examination, biopsy and imaging. RESULTS: In 65% of cases, a nodal involvement was present at pre-treatment MRI. All cancers showed the presence of stromal TILs and PD-L1 staining of inflammatory cells. No significant correlations were found between clinicopathological parameters and the number of TILs and PDL-1 at baseline. After NACT, 29 patients (78%) were submitted to RS; 28% of patients showed pathological complete response, 62% partial response and 10% stable disease. Seven (24%) patients reported a positive node. Patients with high levels of stromal TILs and low NLR and PLR showed a significantly better response to NACT. No significant correlation was observed between PD-L1 expression and response to NACT. CONCLUSION: The number of TILs, the expression of PDL1, and NLR and PLR ratios correlate significantly with the response of LACC patients to NACT.

Value of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Endometrial Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

The aim of this study is to define the role of preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for nodal metastasis detection in Endometrial Cancer (EC) patients. From January 2014 to August 2016 patients affected by EC scheduled for surgery underwent PET/CT scan and SLN mapping with indocyanine-green. Patients with suspicious lymph nodes at FDG-PET/CT underwent selective pelvic lymphadenectomy. In case of undetectable SLN, no further lymphadenectomy was performed if PET/CT scan was negative. Basic descriptive statistics were used to describe outcomes. A total of 83 patients were enrolled in the study. PET/CT scan was suggestive of nodal involvement in 15 patients. SLN were detected bilaterally in 78% of patients. Detection rate was influenced by patients' BMI and surgical learning curve. Five patients were node-positive: all of these had hypermetabolic nodes on PET/CT scan; in one patient SLN was not detected. Ten out of 15 patients with suspicious nodes on PET/CT scan were node-negative. After a median follow up of 24 months all patients are alive. Four patients experienced recurrent disease. No nodal relapse was recorded. Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy is able to reduce morbidity associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Sentinel node assessment is a feasible and appealing procedure and should be performed in a specialized center. Detection rate strongly improves with learning curve, while is reduced in morbidly obese patients. PET/CT scan shows high sensitivity but moderate specificity for nodal metastasis and may help to avoid nodal dissection in patients with sentinel node mapping failure.

Hepatobiliary Disease Resection in Patients with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Prognostic Role and Optimal Cytoreduction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety in terms of prognostic significance and perioperative morbidity and mortality of cytoreduction in patients affected by advance ovarian cancer and hepato-biliary metastasis. METHODS: Patients with a least one hepatobiliary metastasis who have undergone surgical treatment with curative intent of were considered for the study. Perioperative complications were evaluated and graded with Accordion severity Classification. Five-year PFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (20.9%) patients had at least one metastasis to the liver, biliary tract, or porta hepatis. Forty-four (65.7%) and 23 (34.3%) patients underwent respectively high and intermediate complexity surgery according. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 48 (71.6%) patients with hepato-biliary disease. In two patients (2.9%) severe complications related to hepatobiliary surgery were reported. The median PFS for the patients with hepato-biliary involvement (RT = 0 vs. RT > 0) was 19 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.2-21.8] and 8 months (95% CI 6.1-9.9). The median OS for the patients with hepato-biliary involvement (RT = 0 vs. RT > 0) 45 months (95% CI 21.2-68.8 months) and 23 months (95% CI 13.9-32.03). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatobiliary involvement is often associated with high tumor load and could require high complex multivisceral surgery. In selected patients complete cytoreduction could offer survival benefits. Morbidity related to hepatobiliary procedures is acceptable. Careful evaluation of patients and multidisciplinary approach in referral centers is mandatory.

Urinary incontinence in women: state of the art and medical treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine, is a common condition that affects approximately 50% of adult women. This condition increases with age, affecting 10% to 20% of all women and up to 77% of elderly women residing in nursing homes. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Systematic data search performed using PubMed/MEDLINE database up to July 20, 2020. Focus was only for English language publications of original studies on urinary incontinence. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Given the basis of published evidence and the consensus of European experts, this study provides an updated overview on clinical applications and surgical procedures of urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence is an underestimated health problem. Patients need an overview of their health condition through a detailed anamnestic collection and physical examination to identify the type of incontinence and offer the best treatment.

PD-L1 expression is associated with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes that predict response to NACT in squamous cell cervical cancer.

Cancer immunotherapy has significantly improved the management of many malignancies in recent years. Although cervical cancer is the second most common women's cancer in the world, there are still few information about the role of checkpoint inhibitors in this neoplasm, especially in the neoadjuvant setting. In the present study, we retrieved 38 consecutive patients with squamous cell cervical cancer who underwent platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical surgery. Pre-therapy biopsies were evaluated for the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), including T (both cytotoxic CD8+ and helper CD4+) and B lymphocytes, macrophages, natural-killer cells, and eosinophils. Immunohistochemistry was performed to characterize the inflammatory cells and to evaluate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on both neoplastic and inflammatory cells. We divided our study population in three groups using three cut-offs (< 10%, 10-40%, >40%), for both TILs and PD-L1 evaluation. Pathological response to NACT was obtained from the histological reports of the post-therapy surgical specimens. We observed that all cases showed stromal TILs, with a predominance of CD3+/CD4+ T helper cells, thus supporting the strong immunogenic potential of cervical cancer. The vast majority of neoplasms expressed PD-L1: 100% on immune cells and 92% on tumor cells. Firstly, we noticed that the percentage of neoplastic cells PD-L1+ was positively associated with high TIL percentage (p = 0.0073) and with increased PD-L1 expression on inflammatory cells (p = 0.0297). Secondly, we observed a significant correlation between both the percentage (p = 0.0105) of TILs and the expression of PD-L1 (p = 0.01045) on inflammatory cells and pathological response to NACT. These results suggest that cervical cancer could be a good target for immunotherapy, also in the neoadjuvant setting. Furthermore, PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with stromal TILs that interestingly may predict pathological response to NACT.

Update on surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence is a common condition that negatively impacts quality of life of millions of women. It is a result of a synergy between the structures of pelvic floor in particular levator ani muscle and pelvic connective tissues. Urinary incontinence, increasing with age, is associated with considerable personal and societal expenditure. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Systematic data search performed using PubMed/Medline database up to August 20, 2020. Focus was only for English language publications of original studies on urinary incontinence and in particular stress urinary incontinence. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Given the basis of published evidence and the consensus of European experts, this study provides an updated overview on clinical applications and surgical procedures of urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence is an underestimated health problem. Many surgical options exist for women with stress urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, new strategies need to be evaluated in order to improve quality of life of patients.

Modified fragility index and surgical complexity score are able to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality after cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of surgical complexity on postoperative complications and mortality, according to patient's frailty (mFI) following surgery for ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer from 2008 to 2018 were identified from our database. A surgical complexity score from 1 to 3 was used to assess the extent of surgery (simple to complex, respectively). mFI with 11 variables, based on mapping the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index to the NSQIP comorbidities was evaluated. Data were analyzed using Fisher exact test, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 263 patients identified, 33% reported at least one postoperative complication and 6% had severe complications. BMI ≥ 30 (p = 0.04) increased mFI (p = 0.04) and high-complexity surgery (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of severe complications (G3-G5). Patients with high frailty index score (mFI ≥ 3) who underwent intermediate or high-complexity surgery were at higher risk of severe complications ranging from 29.4% to 50. CONCLUSIONS: The combined evaluation of mFI and surgical complexity expected may identify patients at higher risk for severe morbidity allowing to stratify patients who are less likely to tolerate a surgical extensive treatment.

Recurrent mantle cell lymphoma in the uterine cervix: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma is one of several subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cervical relapse of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a very rare condition that has a variable and nonspecific presentation and may resemble other neoplastic or inflammatory conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient was a 58-year-old Caucasian woman who experienced relapse of mantle cell lymphoma with cervical localization. She complained of postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, bladder pressure, and rapid growth of a cervical lesion. An irregular tumor mass of the cervix was visualized during gynecological examination, with findings highly suggestive of locally advanced cervical cancer. Surprisingly, the biopsies showed an extra nodal relapse of mantle cell lymphoma in the cervix. The rarity of this presentation and the scarcity of clinical studies make this type of recurrence very aggressive and difficult to treat. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining a definitive histological diagnosis by biopsy or surgical resection and starting appropriate therapy are essential for recovery and treatment of these patients, even if the prognosis is poor.

The role of the sentinel lymph node in vulvar cancer.

The aim of this study was to update clinical practice applications and technical procedures regarding sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in vulvar cancer considering European experts' opinions from this field. Systematic data search performed using PubMed/medline database up to May 20, 2020. Focus was only for English language publications of original studies on SLN biopsy in vulvar cancer. Given the basis of published evidence and the consensus of European experts, this study provides an updated overview on clinical applications and technical procedures of SLN biopsy in vulvar cancer. In early-stage vulvar cancer patients with a negative sentinel node the groin recurrence rate is low, survival is excellent, and treatment-related morbidity is minimal. We advise that sentinel node dissection, performed by a quality-controlled multidisciplinary team, should be part of the standard treatment in selected patients with early-stage vulvar cancer.

Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Impact the Prognosis in Endometrial Cancer Survivors? A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the prognosis in endometrial cancer (EC) survivors. METHODS: The research was conducted using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, ClinicalTrial.gov, and Cochrane Library. We performed a review of studies published from January 1986 to January 2019. We selected studies that included EC patients submitted to surgery with curative intent and postoperative use of HRT. RESULT: Seven of 1,332 abstracts considered were eligible: 4 retrospective series, 1 prospective study, 1 randomized controlled trial, and 1 population study. Globally in the observed studies there was not a significant increase in the recurrence rate, measured by the relative risk, in the EC survivors using HRT compared with the controls in tumour stages I and II. The bias was that HRT was prescribed only to low-risk patients, who were young and had a low stage of disease. CONCLUSION: This systematic review shows that HRT use had no negative effect on prognosis in EC survivors in tumour stages I and II.

Post-conization cervical stenosis treated with silicone catheter in microinvasive cervical cancer patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical stenosis can represent a hard complication to treat after conization for microinvasive cervical cancer. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A young woman with cervical stenosis post-trachelectomy for a microinvasive cervical cancer came to our Department. We introduced a silicone catheter of 18 French in cervical canal. The catheter was removed after 20 days. The procedure was resolutive. DISCUSSION: Cervical stenosis is one of the most frequent complication of conization. Among the different described techniques proposed in literature, we would here report the successful use of a silicon urethral catheter into the cervical canal. CONCLUSION: This method can be an easy and cheap procedure to take in consideration.

TVT-O vs. TVT-Abbrevo for stress urinary incontinence treatment in women: a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the efficacy, safety and complications of the trans-obturator midurethral sling from inside to outside (TVT-O) and of the shorter trans-obturator midurethral sling (TVT-Abbrevo) for treatment of female SUI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight recruited patients were randomized into either the TVT-O or TVT-Abbrevo group. Preoperative assessment included history and general assessment, urinalysis and urine culture, urogynaecological clinical examination, urodynamic evaluation and urogynaecologic interview by ICIQ-SF-UI, PGI-I and PISQ12. Operative time, perioperative complications, spontaneous voiding, postoperative complications and hospital stay were prospectively recorded in all patients. At 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after surgery, patients were asked to answer urogynaecological interviews by ICIQ-SF-UI, PGI-I and PISQ12. The urodynamic assessment was performed at 12, 24 and 36 months. Success rate was assessed at 12, 24 and 36 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Overall, 138 of 158 patients (87%) were cured of SUI 36 months after the operation with no significant differences between groups [69 (87%) and 69 (87%) patients in the TVT-O and TVT Abbrevo groups, respectively]. The two groups did not significantly differ in operative time, intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay. Nine patients (11%) had postoperative groin pain in the TVT-O group and one patient in the TVT Abbrevo group (p = 0.02). Three-year control demonstrated an equal objective cure rate in both groups. There was a significant improvement in total PISQ-12 and ICIQ-SF-UI scores in both groups at 36 months FU. CONCLUSION: TVT-Abbrevo has similar efficacy and safety compared with TVT-O in women with SUI; the use of a shorter sling reduces postoperative pain.

Parp inhibitors as maintenance treatment in platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: An updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials according to BRCA mutational status.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors (PARPis) as maintenance treatment in platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC), stratifying results based on BRCA mutational status into five different categories: whole population, germ-line BRCA mutated patients, somatic BRCA mutated patients, HRD patients and wild type population. METHODS: PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov, as well as meeting proceedings were searched for eligible studies that described RCTs testing the efficacy of PARPis as maintenance treatment in platinum sensitive ROC. Data were extracted independently and analysed using RevMan statistical software version 5.3. Primary end-point was progression free survival (PFS). RESULTS: The analysis confirmed the positive effect of PARPis in patients with platinum sensitive ROC in case of germinal or somatic BRCA mutations. Specifically, HR for PFS was 0.26, 95% CI 0.21-0.31, p < 0.00001 for the mutation of BRCA gene and 0.24, 95%, CI 0.12-0.48, p < 0.0001 for the somatic alteration. In addition, in the HRD population, studies that analysed the efficacy of PARPis  reported a PFS improvement with HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.26-0.43, p < 0.00001. Finally, our analysis confirms the role of these drugs in prolonging PFS in the whole population with HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.32-0.42, p < 0.00001, although to a lesser extent, with a significant improvement even in wild type cancers with HR 0.49, 95%, CI 0.41-0.59, p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: PARPis are effective regardless of BRCA mutational status. Future investigations are necessary to explore the use of different PARPis as monotherapy, comparing them among each other in terms of efficacy and toxicity, and exploring their potential re-use.

The EOLO (End-of-Life Ovarian Cancer) Study: Approach to Ovarian Cancer Patients at the End of Life.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy at the end of life is a complex and challenging problem in medical oncology. Patients affected by ovarian cancer (OC) often experience a chronicization and slow progression of their disease, and chemotherapy is proposed until the end of life. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients affected by OC treated at our department and having died in the period between 2007 and 2017 and evaluated the frequency of antineoplastic treatments until the end of life, the chemotherapy-related toxicity, mortality, and the most frequent palliative care measure adopted. RESULTS: A total of 110 OC deaths, after a median overall patient survival of 52.8 months (range 4-232), were analyzed. 77.3% of the patients presented with FIGO stage IIIC OC at diagnosis and 12.7% with FIGO stage IV OC. 89% of the histological types were serous papillary. The median age was 55 years (range 31-82) at diagnosis and 60 years (range 33-84) at death. Of the 110 patients analyzed, 85 (77%) had undergone chemotherapy over the last 3 months of life and 38% had chemotherapy even during the last month of life. The overwhelming majority of patients (81%) needed supportive therapies. Despite the treatments received, the majority of the patients died at home, 19% died in hospital, and only 4.5% died in hospice. The quality of life of these patients decreased dramatically in the last 30 days, but best supportive care improved the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: End-of-life chemotherapy for OC patients is a thorny problem. More studies and a multidisciplinary approach are needed to better treat these patients.