Reduced healthcare access contributes to delay of care in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize delays to care in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and the role healthcare access plays in these delays. METHODS: A chart review was performed of patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer who presented with postmenopausal bleeding at a diverse, urban medical center between 2006 and 2018. The time from symptom onset to treatment was abstracted from the medical record. This interval was subdivided to assess for delay to presentation, delay to diagnosis, and delay to treatment. RESULTS: We identified 484 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median time from symptom onset to treatment was 4 months with an interquartile range of 2 to 8 months. Most patients had stage I disease at diagnosis (88.6%). There was no significant difference in race/ethnicity or disease stage at time of diagnosis between different groups. Patients who had not seen a primary care physician or general obstetrician-gynecologist in the year before symptom onset were more likely to have significantly delayed care (27.7% vs 14.3%, p = 0.02) and extrauterine disease (20.2% vs 4.9%, p < 0.01) compared to those with established care. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to experience significant delays from initial biopsy to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Delays exist in the evaluation of endometrial cancer. This delay is most pronounced in patients without an established outpatient primary care provider or obstetrician-gynecologist.

Perceptions of a comprehensive physical activity behavior intervention among endometrial cancer survivors with obesity. A qualitative study.

Purpose: Evaluate perceptions of a 12-week in-person physical activity intervention for endometrial cancer survivors with obesity. Methods: Sixteen endometrial cancer survivors (Age: 64 ± 8 yrs) with obesity (BMI: 34 ± 8 kg·m-2) who completed a 12-week comprehensive physical activity program completed semi-structured interviews regarding perceptions of physical activity participation. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and were confirmed by multiple authors. Results: Emergent themes (and subthemes) were: 1) Routine physical activity (Walking, Chores), 2) Motivations for physical activity (Social, Independence, Health, Family, Weight), 3) Barriers to physical activity (Weather, Pain, Fatigue, Family Stress), 4) Motivation to 12-week program adherence (Social, Fun, Caring, Structure, Shared Experiences), 5) Perceived benefits of the program (Social, Self-efficacy, Activities of Daily Living, Body Composition, Well-being, Health), and 6) Feedback about the 12-week program (Timing, Setting, Exercise Modes, Incentives, Instructor, Learning). Conclusions: Socioculturally diverse cancer survivors with obesity who were able to complete a 12-week physical activity program emphasized the importance of maintaining independence, and being part of a fun, caring, and social environment for their ability to overcome fatigue, pain, and family stresses to adhere to the program. Participants discussed myriad health and wellness benefits, and wished the program were more robust. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Low-burden exercise programs can confer meaningful health and wellness benefits for cancer survivors. To maintain adherence, programs should emphasize social cohesion and exercises to help maintain independence. Instructors should express caring support while also making classes fun, while emphasizing body composition instead of weight loss.

Immunotherapy for ovarian cancer is improved by tumor targeted delivery of a neoantigen surrogate.

Ovarian cancer is known for its poor neoantigen expression and strong immunosuppression. Here, we utilized an attenuated non-pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes to deliver a highly immunogenic Tetanus Toxoid protein (Listeria-TT), as a neoantigen surrogate, into tumor cells through infection in a metastatic mouse ovarian cancer model (Id8p53-/-Luc). Gemcitabine (GEM) was added to reduce immune suppression. Listeria-TT+GEM treatments resulted in tumors expressing TT and reactivation of pre-existing CD4 and CD8 memory T cells to TT (generated early in life). These T cells were then attracted to the TT-expressing tumors now producing perforin and granzyme B. This correlated with a strong reduction in the ovarian tumors and metastases, and a significant improvement of the survival time compared to all control groups. Moreover, two treatment cycles with Listeria-TT+GEM doubled the survival time compared to untreated mice. Checkpoint inhibitors have little effect on ovarian cancer partly because of low neoantigen expression. Here we demonstrated that Listeria-TT+GEM+PD1 was significantly more effective (efficacy and survival) than PD1 or Listeria-TT+GEM alone, and that more treatment cycles with Listeria-TT+GEM+PD1 significantly increased the survival time compared to Listeria-TT+GEM alone. In summary, the results of this study suggest that our approach may benefit ovarian cancer patients.

Direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) prescribing practices of members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology.

BACKGROUND: Cancer associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as alternatives to injectable medications for both thromboprophylaxis and treatment of VTE. Several recent clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy of DOACs in high risk patients receiving systemic chemotherapy as well as postoperative prophylaxis after surgery for gynecologic cancer. Major consensus guidelines from multiple organizations support the use of DOACs for these indications but prescription practices are not well characterized. METHODS: A survey study was sent concurrently to members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Research Survey Pool between May and June of 2021. The study was designed to assess DOAC prescription practices amongst members of these societies who routinely prescribe chemotherapy. Bivariate analyses comparing responses from ASCO participants and SGO participants were compared using chi-squared and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 103 physicians were included in the ASCO group and 139 in the SGO group. A majority of participants in both groups reported familiarity with prescribing DOACs (99% of ASCO and 96% of SGO respondents). ASCO respondents were more likely to consider DOACs as first line therapy for treatment of cancer-associated VTE than SGO members (82% vs 63%, p < 0.01) and SGO members were more likely to consider low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) the standard of care treatment (66% vs 25% p < 0.01). Most respondents in both groups (75%) felt DOACs were equally safe and effective compared to LMWH but more ASCO members felt DOACs were cost effective (70% vs 49%, p < 0.01). More SGO respondents reported having prescribed prophylactic anticoagulation during chemotherapy than ASCO members (53% vs 35%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ASCO respondents were more likely to prescribe DOACs for both treatment and prophylaxis of cancer-associated VTE than SGO members. However, SGO members were more likely to prescribe prophylactic anticoagulation to high risk patients initiating chemotherapy compared to ASCO members.

Isolated recurrence of ovarian serous adenocarcinoma to adrenal gland.

Objectives: The purpose of this report was to present the diagnosis and management of an unusual case of a woman with ovarian carcinoma who developed an isolated recurrence to the adrenal gland six years after initial diagnosis. Case: A 79-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage IVa high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary with malignant pleural effusion in January 2014. She received six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel and underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and optimal tumor debulking in May 2014. After developing new liver implants in August 2015 and peritoneal carcinomatosis in April 2016, she received 5 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel and 6 cycles of doxorubicin, respectively, after which she had no evidence of disease. In March 2020, a surveillance computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 1-cm interval thickening of the left adrenal gland suspicious for metastasis. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed an adrenal mass that was intensely fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid with subsequent fine-needle aspiration (FNA) consistent with metastatic serous carcinoma. She was treated with laparoscopic left adrenalectomy in October 2020 and underwent 4 cycles of adjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel. Follow-up CT imaging revealed stable post-adrenalectomy status with no interval thickening of the gland and post-operative Ca-125 level of 11.2 from 26.1 pre-operatively. Conclusions: Interval adrenal thickening detected on surveillance CT was the most important initial indicator of adrenal metastasis in this case of ovarian carcinoma. The adrenal mass was further evaluated using PET CT and FNA for pathology diagnosis. As this new recurrence occurred in a patient with no evidence of disease, we suggested an aggressive management approach consisting of surgical excision in combination with chemotherapy to eliminate visible disease and optimize survival.

Opioid prescription by gynecologic oncologists: An analysis of Medicare Part D claims.

The use of opioids across all specialties has increased greatly over the last 2 decades and along with it, opioid misuse, overdose and death. The contribution of opioids prescribed for gynecologic cancers to this problem is unknown. Data from other surgical specialties show prescriber factors including gender, geographic location, board certification, experience, and fellowship training influence opioid prescribing. To characterize national-level opioid prescription patterns among gynecologic oncologists treating Medicare beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database was used to access Medicare Part D opioid claims prescribed by gynecologic oncologists in 2016. Prescription and prescriber characteristics were recorded including medication type, prescription length, number of claims, and total day supply. Region of practice was determined according to the US Census Bureau Regions. Board certification data were obtained from American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology website. Bivariate statistical analysis and linear regression modeling were performed using Stata version 14.2. In 2016, 494 board-certified US gynecologic oncologists wrote 24,716 opioid prescriptions for a total 267,824 days of treatment (median 8 [interquartile range {IQR} 6, 11] prescribed days per claim). Gynecologic oncologists had a median of 33 opioid claims (IQR 18, 64). Male physicians had significantly more opioid prescription claims than females (P < 0.01) including after adjustment for differences in years of experience. There was no difference in prescribed days per claim between male and female physicians. Physicians in the South had the greatest number of opioid prescription claims and significantly more than physicians in all other regions (P < 0.01). Gynecologic oncologists who were board certified for >15 years had a greater number of median opioid claims (28 IQR 16, 50) than those with <5 years since board certification (22 IQR 15, 38) (P= 0.04). Physicians who were board certified in palliative care (n = 19) had significantly more opioids claims (median 40; IQR 18, 91) than those without (median 32; IQR 18, 64) (P< 0.01). In 2016, there were gender-based, regional, and experience-related variations in opioid prescribing by providers caring for Medicare-insured patients.

Randomized Phase II Trial of Carboplatin-Paclitaxel Compared with Carboplatin-Paclitaxel-Trastuzumab in Advanced (Stage III-IV) or Recurrent Uterine Serous Carcinomas that Overexpress Her2/Neu (NCT01367002): Updated Overall Survival Analysis.

PURPOSE: Uterine-serous-carcinoma (USC) is an aggressive variant of endometrial cancer. On the basis of preliminary results of a multicenter, randomized phase II trial, trastuzumab (T), a humanized-mAb targeting Her2/Neu, in combination with carboplatin/paclitaxel (C/P), is recognized as an alternative in treating advanced/recurrent HER2/Neu-positive USC. We report the updated survival analysis of NCT01367002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had stage III to IV or recurrent disease. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive C/P for six cycles ± T followed by maintenance T until progression or toxicity. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint; overall survival (OS) and toxicity were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were randomized. After a median-follow-up of 25.9 months, 43 progressions and 38 deaths occurred among 58 evaluable patients. Updated median-PFS continued to favor the T-arm, with medians of 8.0 months versus 12.9 months in the control and T-arms (HR = 0.46; 90% CI, 0.28-0.76; P = 0.005). Median-PFS was 9.3 months versus 17.7 months among 41 patients with stage III to IV disease undergoing primary treatment (HR = 0.44; 90% CI, 0.23-0.83; P = 0.015), and 7.0 months versus 9.2 months among 17 patients with recurrent disease (HR = 0.12; 90% CI, 0.03-0.48; P = 0.004). OS was higher in the T compared with the control arm, with medians of 29.6 months versus 24.4 months (HR = 0.58; 90% CI, 0.34-0.99; P = 0.046). The benefit was most notable in those with stage III to IV disease, with survival median not reached in the T-arm versus 24.4 months in the control arm (HR = 0.49; 90% CI, 0.25-0.97; P = 0.041). Toxicity was not different between arms. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of T to C/P increased PFS and OS in women with advanced/recurrent HER2/Neu-positive USC, with the greatest benefit seen for the treatment of stage III to IV disease.

Risk factors associated with delayed discharge following robotic assisted surgery for gynecologic malignancy.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for extended length of stay (LOS) have not been examined in a cohort of patients with complex social and medical barriers who undergo robotic assisted (RA) surgery for gynecologic malignancies. We sought to identify those patients with a LOS > 24 h after robotic surgery and the risk factors associated with delayed discharge. Then we aimed to develop a predictive model for clinical care and identify modifiable pre-operative risk factors. METHODS: After IRB approval, data was abstracted from medical records of all patients with a gynecologic malignancy who underwent a RA laparoscopic surgery from 2010 to 2015. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with delayed discharge defined as LOS > 24 h. A multi-variable logistic regression model was performed using a stepwise backward selection for the final prediction model. All testing was two-sided and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 406 eligible and evaluable patients, 194 (48%) had a LOS > 24 h. Age ≥ 60 years, a higher usage of narcotic medication, a longer surgical time, and a larger estimated blood loss were all associated with LOS > 24 h (p < 0.05). Many of these women had a social work consultation and went home with home care services despite no surgical or post-operative complications. Our prediction model has the potential to correctly classified 75% of the patients discharged within 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a pre-hospitalization risk stratification and anticipating the possible need for home care services pre-operatively shows promise as a strategy to decrease LOS in patients classified as high-risk. These findings warrant prospective validation through the use of this prediction model in our institution.

Insertional oncogenesis by HPV70 revealed by multiple genomic analyses in a clinically HPV-negative cervical cancer.

Cervical carcinogenesis, the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, is caused by multiple types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). To investigate a possible role for HPV in a cervical carcinoma that was HPV-negative by PCR testing, we performed HPV DNA hybridization capture plus massively parallel sequencing. This detected a subgenomic, URR-E6-E7-E1 segment of HPV70 DNA, a type not generally associated with cervical cancer, inserted in an intron of the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11B (BCL11B) gene in the human genome. Long range DNA sequencing confirmed the virus and flanking BCL11B DNA structures including both insertion junctions. Global transcriptomic analysis detected multiple, alternatively spliced, HPV70-BCL11B, fusion transcripts with fused open reading frames. The insertion and fusion transcripts were present in an intraepithelial precursor phase of tumorigenesis. These results suggest oncogenicity of HPV70, identify novel BCL11B variants with potential oncogenic implications, and underscore the advantages of thorough genomic analyses to elucidate insights into HPV-associated tumorigenesis.

Association of obesity with survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Obesity confers an overall increased risk for development of endometrial cancer. However there are conflicting reports regarding the effect of obesity on patients' overall and disease specific survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity on survival in women with endometrial cancer. METHODS: After IRB approval, records of women with diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer from 1999 to 2016 were abstracted for histopathological, treatment and demographic data. Death was confirmed by query of the Social Security Death Index. Kaplan Meier survival curves and Cox regression modeling was performed with Stata version 14.0. RESULTS: Of 1732 evaluable patients, there were significant differences in age at diagnosis, histology (endometrioid versus non-endometrioid), stage, race, grade, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and treatment between normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients (p < 0.01). There was a linear association of younger age at diagnosis with increasing obesity (p < 0.01) R2 = 0.04. Younger age, endometrioid histology, lower stage, and statin use were independently associated with decreased hazard of death (p < 0.01). However, in stratified analysis of non-endometrioid histologies, patients with Stage 3 and 4 disease over the age of 65 showed a survival benefit for women associated with obesity (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with younger age at diagnosis and earlier stage disease. Obesity is associated with improved disease specific survival for stage 3 and 4 non-endometrioid endometrial cancers.

Utilizing the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) to increase referral to ancillary support services for severely symptomatic patients with gynecologic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Network has developed a comprehensive repository of electronic patient reported outcomes measures (ePROs) of major symptom domains that have been validated in cancer patients. Their use for patients with gynecologic cancer has been understudied. Our objective was to establish feasibility and acceptability of PROMIS ePRO integration in a gynecologic oncology outpatient clinic and assess if it can help identify severely symptomatic patients and increase referral to supportive services. METHODS: English-speaking patients with a confirmed history of gynecologic cancer completed PROMIS ePROs on iPads in the waiting area of an outpatient gynecologic oncology clinic. Symptom scores were calculated for each respondent and grouped using documented severity thresholds. Response data was compared with clinicopathologic characteristics across symptom domains. Severely symptomatic patients were offered referral to ancillary services and asked to complete post-exposure surveys assessing acceptability of the ePRO. RESULTS: Of the 336 patients who completed ePROs, 35% had active disease and 19% had experienced at least one disease recurrence. Sixty-nine percent of the cohort demonstrated moderate to severe physical dysfunction (60%), pain (36%), fatigue (28%), anxiety (9%), depression (8%), and sexual dysfunction (32%). Thirty-nine (12%) severely symptomatic patients were referred to services such as psychiatry, palliative care, pain management, social work or integrative oncology care. Most survey respondents identified the ePROs as helpful (78%) and easy to complete (92%). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient PROMIS ePRO administration is feasible and acceptable to gynecologic oncology patients and can help identify severely symptomatic patients for referral to ancillary support services.

Association between diabetes mellitus and progression free survival in women with ovarian granulosa cell tumors.

•Diabetes mellitus confers worse survival in women with granulosa cell tumors.•Routine lymphadenectomy does not improve survival in women with granulosa cell tumors.•Women in this cohort had a high prevalence of concurrent breast cancer.•Further studies are needed to see if glycemic control improves survival outcomes.

Palliative Care and Symptom Management for Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer.

The purpose of this article is to review data supporting the benefit of palliative care, specifically for women with advanced ovarian cancer. Authors discuss barriers to implementation of palliative care, including confusion with hospice and challenges of prognostication. Generalist-level palliative techniques for treatment of pain, shortness of breath, bowel obstruction, and ascites are described. A description of physician-assisted suicide in legalized states is provided. Resources for physicians regarding communication and end-of-life decision making support for patients and their families.

Characterization of Risk Factors and Timing of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Uterine Serous Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize risk factors and timing of venous thromboembolism in women with uterine serous carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed including all women diagnosed with uterine serous carcinoma from 1999 to 2016 at our institution. Clinicopathologic data and information regarding timing of venous thromboembolism were abstracted from the medical record. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to examine the association between covariates and risk and timing of venous thromboembolism. RESULTS: Seventy of the 413 included patients (17%) developed venous thromboembolism, with a median time from presentation to venous thromboembolism of 7.2 months (interquartile range 1.0-24.8) and from surgery to venous thromboembolism of 13.2 months (interquartile range 3.5-33.6). Fifty-nine of the 70 patients (84%) who developed venous thromboembolism were diagnosed either before surgery or greater than 6 weeks postoperatively. Twenty-two of the 70 patients (31%) who developed clots were on chemotherapy at the time of diagnosis. Venous thromboembolism was highly associated with cancer stage and presence of hypertension (P<.01). Cox proportional hazards modeling revealed that only cancer stages III and IV (hazard ratio [HR] 3.20, 95% CI 1.54-6.64 and HR 8.68, 95% CI 4.50-16.73, respectively) and hypertensive or cardiovascular diseases (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.08-4.85 and HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.05-3.13) were associated with time to venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: Patients with uterine serous carcinoma are at high risk of developing venous thromboembolism even many months after their cancer diagnosis. This study generates the hypothesis that venous thromboembolism prophylaxis may be beneficial in patients with uterine serous carcinoma during other time points along the continuum of disease rather than only in the postoperative period, especially for those with advanced cancer.

Unplanned hospitalizations in a racially and ethnically diverse population of women receiving chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Unplanned hospital admission following chemotherapy is a measure of quality cancer care. Large retrospective datasets have shown admission rates of 10-35% for women with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy. We sought to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors for hospital admission following chemotherapy in our racially diverse urban population. METHODS: After IRB approval, clinicopathologic and treatment data were abstracted from all patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer who received chemotherapy at our institution from 2005 to 2016. Two-sided statistical analyses and Cox regression analysis were performed using Stata. RESULTS: Of 217 evaluable patients, 87 (40%) had unplanned admissions following chemotherapy: adjuvant 64 (74%) and neoadjuvant 23(26%). Thirty (14%) had more than one admission. In total, there were 1314 days of hospitalization. The median readmission duration was 3 days. Body mass index and hypertension were predictive of readmission (p < 0.05). When comparing those readmitted more than once to those admitted once, both race and aspirin use were predictive of readmission (p < 0.05). Of those admitted more than once the self-identified race and ethnicity was 12 (40%) Hispanic, 8 (27%) White, 8 (27%) Black and 2 (7%) other. There was a significant difference in disease free (p = 0.01) and overall survival (p = 0.004) for patients with unplanned admission after chemotherapy as compared to those without admission. CONCLUSIONS: Readmission rates in our racially diverse patient population were higher than previously reported in the literature. Identifying patients at risk of readmission may play a role in chemotherapy decision-making, and resource allocation including patient care navigators.

Saddle pulmonary embolus resulting in cardiovascular collapse requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a postoperative patient with endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism after open gynecologic surgery is not uncommon, especially in the presence of other risk factors such as obesity, prolonged surgical time or gynecologic malignancy. CASE: We present the case of a 62 y.o. patient who underwent open hysterectomy and surgical staging for uterine serous carcinoma. She was readmitted with lower extremity edema. During her workup, she underwent cardiovascular arrest secondary to saddle pulmonary embolus requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. After systemic and catheter directed thrombolysis, and a long hospitalization, she was discharged home in stable condition. CONCLUSION: Saddle pulmonary embolus is a potentially catastrophic and fatal postoperative complication. This case demonstrates a successful implementation of directed thrombolysis, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and multidisciplinary management in a case of postoperative saddle pulmonary embolus. PRÉCIS: We report a case of an endometrial cancer patient who sustained a massive postoperative pulmonary embolus and was successfully resuscitated using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Acceptability and feasibility of a Fitbit physical activity monitor for endometrial cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer survivors are the least physically active of all cancer survivor groups and exhibit up to 70% obesity. While studies suggest lifestyle interventions result in improved health outcomes, recruitment and availability of these programs are limited. The purpose was to evaluate the acceptability and validity of the Fitbit Alta™ physical activity monitor (Fitbit) for socioculturally diverse endometrial cancer survivors. METHODS: Thirty endometrial cancer survivors were given wrist-worn Fitbits to wear for 30 days. Participants then returned the Fitbits, completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), Technology Acceptance Questionnaire, and answered qualitative prompts. Correlations between daily Fitbit step counts, demographic factors, body mass index (BMI), and GLTEQ Index, were analyzed using Stata 13.0. Concordance Correlation Coefficient using U statistics was used to examine convergent validity. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants completed the study. Mean age was 62 ±â€¯9 years. Mean BMI was 32 ±â€¯9 kg·m-2. Self-identified race/ethnicity was 36% Hispanic, 36% non-Hispanic white, 16% non-Hispanic black and 12% Asian. Participants wore the Fitbits a median of 93% of possible days. Median daily Fitbit step count was 5325 (IQR: 3761-8753). Mean Technology Acceptance score was 2.8 ±â€¯0.5 out of 4.0. Younger (<65 years) and employed participants were more likely to achieve at least 6000 daily steps (p < 0.05). There was no correlation (CCC = 0.00, p = 0.99) between step count and GLTEQ Index. Most free responses reflected positive experiences. CONCLUSIONS: The Fitbits were well accepted in this sample. Self-reported physical activity was not associated with steps recorded. The physical activity data indicate an insufficiently active population.

Racial Differences in Survival From Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Are Associated With Stage at Diagnosis and Use of Neoadjuvant Therapy: A 10-Year Single-Institution Experience With a Racially Diverse Urban Population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the racial/ethnic disparities in ovarian cancer survival in a diverse population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating all patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who received primary treatment at Montefiore Medical Center from 2005 to 2015. Clinicopathologic and survival data were abstracted from medical records. Two-sided statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.3. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-four evaluable patients were identified: 85 (25%) black, 107 (31%) white, 74 (21%) Hispanic, and 78 (23%) other. Black patients were more likely to present with stage IV disease (P = 0.01) and receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.01). By Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, black race was associated with worse recurrence-free survival (P = 0.01) when compared with white race. In multivariate Cox regression model including treatment and stage, race was no longer associated with survival. In a separate multivariate analysis, utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with black race (odds ratio 4.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-10.38; P < 0.01) and stage IV disease (odds ratio 3.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-7.12; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In a racially/ethnically diverse population with ovarian cancer, black women had poorer disease-free survival than whites, although this was statistically accounted for by stage at diagnosis and use of neoadjuvant therapy. Research is needed to determine how differences in access/utilization of care and genetic differences in tumor biology may impact late stage diagnosis and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among black ovarian cancer patients.

Randomized Phase II Trial of Carboplatin-Paclitaxel Versus Carboplatin-Paclitaxel-Trastuzumab in Uterine Serous Carcinomas That Overexpress Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2/neu.

Purpose Uterine serous carcinoma is a rare, aggressive variant of endometrial cancer. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu, a receptor overexpressed in 30% of uterine serous carcinoma. This multicenter, randomized phase II trial compared carboplatin-paclitaxel with and without trastuzumab in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine serous carcinoma who overexpress HER2/neu. Methods Eligible patients had primary stage III or IV or recurrent HER2/neu-positive disease. Participants were randomly assigned to receive carboplatin-paclitaxel (control arm) for six cycles with or without intravenous trastuzumab (experimental arm) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was progression-free survival, which was assessed for differences between treatment arms via one-sided log-rank tests. Results From August 2011 to March 2017, 61 patients were randomly assigned. Forty progression-free survival-related events occurred among 58 evaluable participants. Among all patients, median progression-free survival was 8.0 months (control) versus 12.6 months (experimental; P = .005; hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 90% CI, 0.26 to 0.76). Similarly, median progression-free survival was 9.3 (control) versus 17.9 (experimental) months among 41 patients with stage III or IV disease undergoing primary treatment ( P = .013; HR, 0.40; 90% CI, 0.20 to 0.80) and 6.0 (control) versus 9.2 months (experimental), respectively, among 17 patients with recurrent disease ( P = .003; HR, 0.14; 90% CI, 0.04 to 0.53). Toxicity was not different between treatment arms, and no unexpected safety signals emerged. Conclusion Addition of trastuzumab to carboplatin-paclitaxel was well tolerated and increased progression-free survival. These encouraging results deserve further investigation to determine their impact on overall survival in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine serous carcinoma who overexpress HER2/neu.

Utilization of intraperitoneal chemotherapy for optimally cytoreduced advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer: A 10-year single institution experience with a racially diverse urban population.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of our study was to define utilization and clinical results of intraperitoneal (IV/IP) compared to intravenous (IV) chemotherapy in a racially and ethnically diverse population with optimally debulked advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: After IRB approval, all patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer that underwent primary cytoreductive surgery at our institution from 2005 to 2016 were identified. Death was verified by the National Social Security Death Index. Patients who received at least one IV/IP cycle were analyzed in the IV/IP cohort. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were performed. RESULTS: 96 patients with advanced stage optimally cytoreduced epithelial ovarian cancer (median follow up 33months) were identified. 51% and 49% of patients received IV/IP and IV chemotherapy, respectively. 27%, 22%, and 39% of patients were of white, black, and other race. Compared with IV chemotherapy only, IV/IP chemotherapy was associated with longer OS (log rank <0.002) and IV/IP chemotherapy versus IV chemotherapy alone was associated with a lower risk of death (HR=0.31, 95% CI 0.16-0.62, P<0.001). The median overall survival for the IV/IP and IV groups was 76months (95% CI 62 - not estimated) and 38months (95% CI 30-55), respectively. There was a trend toward higher risk of death for patients who completed fewer than 6cycles of IV/IP chemotherapy compared to women who completed 6 IV/IP cycles (HR=3.2, 95% CI 0.98-9.27 (P=0.05). No differences in patient or tumor characteristics were identified between these two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our racially diverse urban patients, 50% of patients received IV/IP chemotherapy and it was associated with improved overall survival compared to IV chemotherapy alone. Further investigation is needed to identify barriers to use of IV/IP chemotherapy.