Treatment Patterns and Survival Outcomes in Patients With Breast Cancer on Medicaid, Pre- and Post-Expansion.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Medicaid expansion on breast cancer treatment and survival among Medicaid-insured women in Ohio, accounting for the timing of enrollment in Medicaid relative to their cancer diagnosis and post-expansion heterogeneous Medicaid eligibility criteria, thus addressing important limitations in previous studies. METHODS: Using 2011-2017 Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System data linked with Medicaid claims data, we identified women aged 18 to 64 years diagnosed with local-stage or regional-stage breast cancer (n=876 and n=1,957 pre-expansion and post-expansion, respectively). We accounted for women's timing of enrollment in Medicaid relative to their cancer diagnosis, and flagged women post-expansion as Affordable Care Act (ACA) versus non-ACA, based on their income eligibility threshold. Study outcomes included standard treatment based on cancer stage and receipt of lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal treatment, and/or treatment for HER2-positive tumors; time to treatment initiation (TTI); and overall survival. We conducted multivariable robust Poisson and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the independent associations between Medicaid expansion and our outcomes of interest, adjusting for patient-level and area-level characteristics. RESULTS: Receipt of standard treatment increased from 52.6% pre-expansion to 61.0% post-expansion (63.0% and 59.9% post-expansion in the ACA and non-ACA groups, respectively). Adjusting for potential confounders, including timing of enrollment in Medicaid, being diagnosed in the post-expansion period was associated with a higher probability of receiving standard treatment (adjusted risk ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.06-1.22]) and shorter TTI (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04-1.24]), but not with survival benefits (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.00 [0.80-1.26]). CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid expansion in Ohio was associated with improvements in receipt of standard treatment of breast cancer and shorter TTI but not with improved survival outcomes. Future studies should elucidate the mechanisms at play.

Accounting for Medicaid expansion and regional policy and programs to advance equity in cancer prevention in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Many studies compare state-level outcomes to estimate changes attributable to Medicaid expansion. However, it is imperative to conduct more granular, demographic-level analyses to inform current efforts on cancer prevention among low-income adults. Therefore, the authors compared the volume of patients with cancer and disease stage at diagnosis in Ohio, which expanded its Medicaid coverage in 2014, with those in Georgia, a nonexpansion state, by cancer site and health insurance status. METHODS: The authors used state cancer registries from 2010 to 2017 to identify adults younger than 64 years who had incident female breast cancer, cervical cancer, or colorectal cancer. Multivariable Poisson regression was conducted by cancer type, health insurance, and state to examine the risk of late-stage disease, adjusting for individual-level and area-level covariates. A difference-in-differences framework was then used to estimate the differences in risks of late-stage diagnosis in Ohio versus Georgia. RESULTS: In Ohio, the largest increase in all three cancer types was observed in the Medicaid group after Medicaid expansion. In addition, significantly reduced risks of late-stage disease were observed among patients with breast cancer on Medicaid in Ohio by approximately 7% and among patients with colorectal cancer on Medicaid in Ohio and Georgia after expansion by approximately 6%. Notably, the authors observed significantly reduced risks of late-stage diagnosis among all patients with colorectal cancer in Georgia after expansion. CONCLUSIONS: More early stage cancers in the Medicaid-insured and/or uninsured groups after expansion suggest that the reduced cancer burden in these vulnerable population subgroups may be attributed to Medicaid expansion. Heterogeneous risks of late-stage disease by cancer type highlight the need for comprehensive evaluation frameworks, including local cancer prevention efforts and federal health policy reforms. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This study looked at how Medicaid expansion affected cancer diagnosis and treatment in two states, Ohio and Georgia. The researchers found that, after Ohio expanded their Medicaid program, there were more patients with cancer among low-income adults on Medicaid. The study also found that, among people on Medicaid, there were lower rates of advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis for breast cancer and colon cancer in Ohio and for colon cancer in Georgia. These findings suggest that Medicaid expansion may be effective in reducing the cancer burden among low-income adults.

Gynecologic cancer care in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the early COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and initiation of treatment for patients with gynecologic cancer. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer in the National Cancer Database during 2017-2020 were included. For the first aim, incidence rate ratios were calculated to compare gynecologic cancer diagnosis in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to the three years prior, and factors associated with a reduction in diagnosis were identified. For the second aim, patients who experienced an 8-week delay in cancer treatment were compared to those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with treatment delay. Propensity score analysis was utilized to compare the rate of cancer treatment delay in patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 to those who were not. RESULTS: The incidence rate ratio of being diagnosed with gynecologic cancer in 2020 versus 2017-2019 was 0.90 (95%CI 0.90-0.91). Factors associated with increased risk of missed or delayed diagnosis in 2020 included cervical cancer, earlier cancer stage, younger age, lower levels of medical comorbidity, and lack of health insurance. In 2020, factors associated with treatment delay included COVID-19 diagnosis (aOR 1.50, 95%CI 1.35-1.67), in addition to race and ethnicity, insurance type, comorbidity, cancer stage, and primary site. The risk of treatment delay remained significantly elevated in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 after propensity-score matching. CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic cancer diagnosis and timely provision of care were negatively impacted during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with certain subgroups at elevated risk.

Enhanced gastric decompression for palliation of malignant bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a sequela of advanced intraabdominal cancer and has a profound impact on quality of life. Common therapy is endoscopic decompressive gastrostomy tube placement. Standard gastrostomy tubes are poorly designed to completely evacuate the dependent portions of the stomach due to their location on the anterior gastric wall. In our institution we have begun placing the ASPIRE Assist gastrostomy tube (ASPIRE Bariatrics, Exton, PA) which includes a 15 cm long, 30Fr fenestrated gastric tube extension for enhanced gastric decompression. This tube is FDA indicated for gastric decompression and marketed for endoscopic weight loss. The purpose of this study is to review our experience managing MBO utilizing the ASPIRE Assist tube. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of outcomes at a single institution. All decompressive endoscopic gastrostomy tubes placed by two surgeons between November 2019 and July 2021 were reviewed. Endoscopic placement was performed utilizing standard safe tract and Ponsky pull techniques. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were identified (10F:4 M), mean age 70 (range 35-89). Primary cancer diagnoses included gynecologic (8), colorectal (3), bladder (1), small bowel (1), peritoneal serous (1). During the 12 months before decompressive gastrostomy tube placement, mean number of hospital admissions for MBO was 1.6 (range 1-3). Following tube placement, twelve patients had no further hospital admissions for MBO over their lifespan of mean 270 days (range 8-679 days). One patient had 1 admission for MBO in the 12 months before tube placement and 3 admissions in the 4 months after placement. A second patient had 2 admissions in the 12 months before tube placement and 1 admission in their 54-day lifespan after placement. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic placement of the ASPIRE Assist gastrostomy tube is safe for palliation of MBO and may improve gastric decompression compared with standard endoscopic gastrostomy tubes. Enhanced gastric decompression can better manage symptoms, reduce hospital encounters, and improve quality of life. Further study is needed, however, our initial data appears promising.

Post-Affordable Care Act Improvements in Cancer Stage Among Ohio Medicaid Beneficiaries Resulted From an Increase in Stable Coverage.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying improvements in early-stage cancer at diagnosis following Medicaid expansion remain unknown. We hypothesized that Medicaid expansion allowed for low-income adults to enroll in Medicaid before cancer diagnosis, thus increasing the number of stably-enrolled relative to those who enroll in Medicaid only after diagnosis (emergently-enrolled). METHODS: Using data from the 2011-2017 Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System and Medicaid enrollment files, we identified individuals diagnosed with incident invasive breast (n=4850), cervical (n=1023), and colorectal (n=3363) cancer. We conducted causal mediation analysis to estimate the direct effect of pre- (vs. post-) expansion on being diagnosed with early-stage (-vs. regional-stage and distant-stage) disease, and indirect (mediation) effect through being in the stably- (vs. emergently-) enrolled group, controlling for individual-level and area-level characteristics. RESULTS: The percentage of stably-enrolled patients increased from 63.3% to 73.9% post-expansion, while that of the emergently-enrolled decreased from 36.7% to 26.1%. The percentage of patients with early-stage diagnosis remained 1.3-2.9 times higher among the stably-than the emergently-enrolled group, both pre-expansion and post-expansion. Results from the causal mediation analysis showed that there was an indirect effect of Medicaid expansion through being in the stably- (vs. emergently-) enrolled group [risk ratios with 95% confidence interval: 1.018 (1.010-1.027) for breast cancer, 1.115 (1.064-1.167) for cervical cancer, and 1.090 (1.062-1.118) for colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: We provide the first evidence that post-expansion improvements in cancer stage were caused by an increased reliance on Medicaid as a source of stable insurance coverage.

Sleep, quality of life, and depression in endometrial cancer survivors with obesity seeking weight loss.

PURPOSE: Incidence and mortality rates of uterine cancer are increasing and, obesity, which is also rising, has been associated with uterine cancer development and mortality. A recent study found that poor sleep quality is common among endometrial cancer survivors and those with obesity had more sleep disturbances than those having normal weight. However, it is unclear if higher levels of obesity (Class III, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2), which are rising rapidly, are differentially associated with sleep as well as depression and quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors. METHODS: We evaluated sleep, depression, and quality of life in 100 Stage I endometrial cancer survivors with obesity seeking weight loss enrolled in a lifestyle intervention (NCT01870947) at baseline. RESULTS: The average age was 60 years and mean BMI was 42.1 kg/m2 with 58% having a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Most survivors (72.3%) had poor sleep quality and most (71.2%) reported sleeping < 7 h/night. Survivors with class III compared with class I obesity had significantly more sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction; and, those with poor sleep had higher depression and lower quality of life. Survivors with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 (~ 25%) had the highest levels of depression and lowest physical and emotional well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that endometrial cancer survivors with class III compared with class I obesity have poorer sleep quality, higher depression, and lower quality of life. Given the rising rates of obesity and uterine cancer mortality, interventions to combat both obesity and poor sleep are needed.

A Phase I Evaluation of Extended Field Radiation Therapy With Concomitant Cisplatin Chemotherapy Followed by Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Chemotherapy in Women With Cervical Carcinoma Metastatic to the Para-aortic Lymph Nodes: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

BACKGROUND: Chemo-radiation (chemoRT) has improved the overall survival for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) though women whose disease involves the para-aortic nodes (PAN) experience recurrence rates and worse survival outcomes compared to those without PAN involvement. This Phase I study determined if additional cycles of systemic chemotherapy could be safely added to extended field chemoRT in this population of patients. METHODS: Women with LACC and documented positive PAN were eligible for treatment. All women were treated with extended field radiation and brachytherapy and concurrent cisplatin 40 mg/m2 weekly for six weeks. Four to six weeks after completion of chemoRT, patients were treated with four cycles of paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 and escalating doses of carboplatin (Dose Level (DL) 1 = AUC 4, DL2 = AUC 5). RESULTS: Eleven women were entered on study and 9 were evaluable for dose limiting toxicities (DLT). Two women (1 in each of 2 DLs) did not complete chemoRT and so were not evaluable for DLT. Three women completed all 10 cycles at DL 1 with no DLTs. Six women were then treated at DL 2. For the 10 patients evaluable for response, the ORR was 60% (CR + PR). PFS and OS at 12 months were 60% and 90%, respectively. The predominant grade 3 or 4 acute toxicities were hematologic. There were no grade 5 events. CONCLUSION: Extended field chemoRT followed by paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 5 is feasible in women with LACC and positive PAN.

Standardization of Laparoscopic Operative Reporting: Improving Gynaecological Surgeon Communication.

OBJECTIVE: No standardization of quality of operative reporting currently exists, and this represents a missed opportunity for communication among health care providers. This study proposed a method to improve operative notes by structuring the findings by six anatomical zones of the pelvis. Objective I was to validate the method of documenting six zones of the pelvis by using intraoperative photography. Objective II was to compare this method with dictations from operative reports created before introducing this method. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated pre- and post-intervention results of using six zones to guide operative reporting. Reports were collected from participating surgeons and were scored using a validated scoring tool. Each participant was taught to photograph six zones and use the zones in the operative report. Pre- and post-intervention cases were compared using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: Scores of study participants using the zones were significantly higher than those without (P <0.0001). Surgeons showed an ability to improve their reporting. The detail illustrated in the cases was qualitatively richer, and the anatomy within the six zones was referenced more frequently. CONCLUSION: Compared with reports without the technique, incorporating the six zones greatly enhances operative reporting and likely would improve communication among care providers. More reliable communication of intraoperative findings has the potential to enhance the value of laparoscopy greatly as a diagnostic tool across gynaecological subspecialties.

Computed Tomography Morphometrics and Pulmonary Intolerance in Endometrial Cancer Robotic Surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To identify morphometric characteristics of obese patients that best predict pulmonary intolerance to robotic pelvic surgery using a novel method for quantifying adipose distribution. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-nine patients with endometrial cancer who underwent robotic hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy between April 2008 and May 2014 and also underwent perioperative computed tomography (CT) imaging within 1 year. INTERVENTION: Visceral fat volume (VFV) and subcutaneous fat volume (SFV) were quantified through waist circumference measurements along with average volume estimation of slices taken at 3 levels: mid-waist, L2-L3, and L4-L5. Mean and maximum values were obtained for intraoperative physiological data. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The patients' mean body mass index (BMI) was 34 (range, 20-59). Along with waist circumference, VFV and SFV quantified by CT at the mid-waist, L2-L3, and L4-L5 levels were all significant independent predictors for peak airway pressure (PAP; average and maximum) and plateau airway pressure (Pplat; average and maximum) on multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for age, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary disease, smoking, obstructive sleep apnea, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and duration of anesthesia. Compared with the other CT parameters, L2-L3 VFV was the best predictor of average PAP (ß = 0.398; p = .002), maximum PAP (ß = 0.493; p < .001), average Pplat (ß = 0.536; p < .001), and maximum Pplat (ß = 0.573; p < .001). CONCLUSION: These novel CT morphometric measurements represent valid predictors of pulmonary intolerance to robotic surgery in obese patients. Of the measures analyzed, VFV at L2-L3 best predicts pulmonary tolerance in obese patients.

A phase I-II evaluation of veliparib (NSC #737664), topotecan, and filgrastim or pegfilgrastim in the treatment of persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix: an NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition by veliparib during cytotoxic topotecan administration with filgrastim or pegfilgrastim neutrophil support in women with persistent or recurrent uterine cervix cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This phase I-II trial examined twice-daily oral veliparib (10 mg) given during once-daily intravenous topotecan (0.6 mg/m²) on days 1 to 5 of each treatment cycle. Cycles were repeated every 21 days until disease progression or until toxicity prohibited further therapy. Toxicity and objective response rate were primary endpoints. RESULTS: Twenty-seven women were enrolled. Frequently reported grade 3 or higher treatment-related toxicities were anemia (59%), thrombocytopenia (44%), leukopenia (22%), and neutropenia (19%). There were 2 partial responses (7% [90% confidence interval, 1%-22%]). Four patients had a disease progression date more than 6 months after the start of veliparib-topotecan therapy. Patients with low immunohistochemical expression (0-1+) of PARP-1 in their primary uterine cervix cancer were more likely to have a longer progression-free interval (hazard ratio, 0.25; P = 0.02) and survival (hazard ratio, 0.12; P = 0.005) after veliparib-topotecan therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical activity of a veliparib-topotecan combination was minimal in women with persistent or recurrent uterine cervix cancer. Women whose uterine cervix cancers express PARP-1 at low levels may benefit preferentially from PARP inhibitors combined with cytotoxic therapies, suggesting further study of PARP expression as an integral triage biomarker.

Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is an isolated poor prognostic factor for recurrence and survival among women with intermediate- to high-risk early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Whereas previous studies have shown that lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is associated with an increased risk for recurrent endometrioid endometrial cancer and worse survival, the magnitude of this risk in relationship to the other high-risk features is poorly understood. Our aim was to study the impact of LVSI in comparison with the other high-risk features in recurrence and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with stage I or II endometrial cancer were included in this study if they had LVSI, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade 2 or 3 histology, or outer-half myometrial invasion. We performed multivariate regression analyses to identify prognostic factors for recurrence. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival curve predictions of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival; and Cox proportional hazard models to adjust for other variables. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria; their median follow-up was 59 months. The rates of recurrence were the following: overall, 17%; pelvic, 11%; vaginal cuff, 8%, and distant, 11%. Twenty-six percent of the patients died during follow-up. After adjusting for age, body mass index, grade, depth of invasion, cervical invasion, lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant treatment(s), LVSI was the only significant independent risk factor for total (odds ratio, 2.6) and distant (odds ratio, 3.3) recurrences and was also a risk factor for local and vaginal recurrences. Lymphovascular space invasion was also a significant poor prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.8), OS (HR, 2.8), and disease-specific survival (HR, 7.0). Among the other risk factors, age was significantly associated with worse PFS and OS, whereas grade 3 histology was significantly associated with worse OS. CONCLUSION: In our study, LVSI is the only significant and consistent poor prognostic factor for all the outcomes studied: recurrences and survival. Lymphovascular space invasion seems to be a better predictor than the other risk factors. This suggests a potential role for adjuvant systemic therapies in patients with LVSI, even in the absence of other high-risk features.

Minimally invasive surgery versus laparotomy in women with high grade endometrial cancer: a multi-site study performed at high volume cancer centers.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to compare outcomes in women with high-grade endometrial cancer (EC) who underwent surgical staging via minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus laparotomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multi-institutional cohort study of patients with high-grade EC who were comprehensively surgically staged by either MIS or laparotomy. Demographic, surgical variables, complications, and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-three patients met criteria: 191 underwent laparotomy and 192 MIS (65% robotic, 35% laparoscopy). Subgroups were well matched by age (mean 66 years), stage, body mass index, histology and adjuvant therapies. Median operative time was longer in the MIS group (191 vs. 135 min; p<.001). However, the MIS cohort had a higher mean lymph node count (39.0 vs. 34.0; p=.03), shorter hospital stay (1 vs. 4 days) and significantly fewer complications (8.4% vs. 31.3%; p<.001). There was no significant difference in lymph node count with laparoscopic versus robotic staging. With a median follow-up time of 44 months, progression-free (PFS) and overall survival were not significantly different between the surgical cohorts. On multivariable analysis, stage, treatment were associated with PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Women with high grade endometrial cancers staged by minimally invasive techniques experienced fewer complications and similar survival outcomes compared to those staged by laparotomy. As this population is elderly and most will receive adjuvant therapies, minimization of surgical morbidity is of interest. When managed by expert laparoscopists or robotic surgeons, a high-risk histologic subtype is not a contraindication to minimally invasive surgery in women with apparent early-stage disease.

Diagnosis and management of endometrial hyperplasia.

Endometrial hyperplasia (EH), with or without atypia, is a common gynecologic diagnosis and a known precursor of endometrial carcinoma, the most common gynecologic malignancy. During the reproductive years, the risk of EH is increased by conditions associated with intermittent or absent ovulation, in particular, polycystic ovary syndrome. After menopause when ovulation has ceased, EH is more common in women with conditions that increase levels of circulating estrogen such as obesity or estrogen replacement therapy. Women with EH are at increased risk for both concurrent and subsequent endometrial cancer. The risk of coexisting cancer in women with a diagnosis of EH at endometrial sampling is due to limitations in both endometrial sampling and the diagnostic reproducibility among pathologists. These diagnostic uncertainties add to the complexity of managing EH. This review offers a rational approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of EH, including hormone therapy and conservative surgical methods.

Stage II uterine papillary serous carcinoma: Carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy improves recurrence and survival outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine recurrence patterns and survival outcomes of stage II uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) patients treated by various modalities with an emphasis on carboplatin/paclitaxel-based chemotherapy (CT)+/-radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: A retrospective, multi-institution study of women with stage II UPSC diagnosed from 1992 to 2006 was performed. All patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging. Treatment included observation (OBS), RT (vaginal brachytherapy, whole pelvic and/or whole abdominal therapy), or >or=3 cycles carboplatin/paclitaxel alone or with RT. Recurrence and survival outcomes were determined. RESULTS: We identified 55 subjects: 10 treated with OBS, 26 with RT alone and 19 with CT+/-RT. After a median follow-up of 33 mos (range, 10-119), 20 recurrences (36%) were observed. There was an overall difference in recurrence based upon treatment (p=.013). Specifically, all CT+/-RT treated patients had a lower risk of recurrence (11%) compared to patients treated by RT alone (50%) or OBS (50%). No patients treated with both CT+RT (n=12) experienced a recurrence. Treatment with CT was also associated with a decreased risk of recurrence on multivariate analysis (p=.015). Most recurrences were extra-pelvic (70%), occurred within 2 years (85%) and were not salvageable (84%). Five-year progression-free survival was 86% in chemotherapy-treated patients versus 41% in those not receiving chemotherapy (p=.010); overall survival was 88% in chemotherapy-treated patients versus 64% in those not receiving chemotherapy (p=.115). CONCLUSIONS: Stage II UPSC patients have a significant risk for unsalvageable, extra-pelvic recurrence. However, treatment with platinum/taxane therapy+/-RT appears to reduce this risk and is associated with improved progression free survival outcomes.

An updated clinicopathologic study of early-stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC).

OBJECTIVES: Stage I-II uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) patients have a significant risk for extrapelvic recurrence. However, clinicopathologic risk factors for recurrence are not well understood. This study was undertaken to define the prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in patients with early-stage UPSC. METHODS: A retrospective, multi-institution analysis of surgically staged I-II UPSC patients was performed. Patients were treated by various adjuvant modalities. Age, race, sub-stage, percentage UPSC histology, lymphvascular space invasion (LVSI), tumor size and adjuvant treatment modality were evaluated for their effect on recurrence and survival outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 206 patients. Forty patients (19.4%) had 5-49% UPSC, 55 (26.7%) had 50-99% and 111 patients (53.9%) had 100% UPSC in their respective uterine specimens. Twenty one percent of patients experienced a primary recurrence. On univariate analysis, age, increasing %UPSC, LVSI, and tumor size were not significantly associated with recurrence or progression-free survival (PFS). However, substage (p=0.005) and treatment with platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy (p=0.001) were associated with recurrence/PFS. On multivariate analysis, only chemotherapy (p=0.01) was a significant factor affecting PFS, whereas age (p=0.05), substage (p=0.05), and chemotherapy (p=0.02) were associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional risk factors for recurrence and survival in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer may not be relevant in patients with UPSC. Patients with any percentage UPSC in their uterine specimens are at a significant risk for recurrence and poor survival outcomes. Given that current clinicopathologic data does not accurately identify women most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapy, alternative prognostic markers based on novel techniques should be explored.

The Use of Laparoscopy Simulation to Explore Gender Differences in Resident Surgical Confidence.

Background. The objective of this study was to determine whether female surgical residents underestimate their surgical abilities relative to males on a standardized test of laparoscopic skill. Methods. Twenty-six male and female general surgery residents and 25 female obstetrics and gynecology residents at two academic centers were asked to predict their score prior to undergoing the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery standardized skills exam. Actual and predicted score as well as delta values (predicted score minus actual score) were compared between residents. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine variables associated with predicted score, actual score, and delta scores. Results. There was no difference in actual score based on residency or gender. Predicted scores, however, were significantly lower in female versus male general surgery residents (25.8 ± 13.3 versus 56.0 ± 16.0; p < 0.01) and in female obstetrics and gynecology residents versus male general surgery residents (mean difference 20.9, 95% CI 11.6-34.8; p < 0.01). Male residents more accurately predicted their scores while female residents significantly underestimated their scores. Conclusion. Gender differences in estimating surgical ability exist that do not reflect actual differences in performance. This finding needs to be considered when structuring mentorship in surgical training programs.

Phase I Trial of Carboplatin and Gemcitabine Chemotherapy and Stereotactic Ablative Radiosurgery for the Palliative Treatment of Persistent or Recurrent Gynecologic Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a phase I trial to determine the safety of systemic chemotherapy prior to abdominopelvic robotic stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in women with persistent or recurrent gynecologic cancers. METHODS: Patients were assigned to dose-finding cohorts of day 1 carboplatin (AUC 2 or 4) and gemcitabine (600 or 800 mg/m(2)) followed by day 2 to day 4 Cyberknife SABR (8 Gy × three consecutive daily doses). Toxicities were graded prospectively by common terminology criteria for adverse events, version 4.0. SABR target and best overall treatment responses were recorded according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, version 1.1. FINDINGS: The maximum tolerated dose of chemotherapy preceding SABR was carboplatin AUC 4 and gemcitabine 600 mg/m(2). One patient experienced manageable, dose-limiting grade 4 neutropenia, grade 4 hypokalemia, and grade 3 nausea attributed to study treatment. One patient had a late grade 3 rectovaginal fistula 16 months after trial therapy. Among 28 SABR targets, 22 (79%) showed a partial response and 6 (21%) remained stable. INTERPRETATION: Systemic chemotherapy may be given safely prior to abdominopelvic robotic SABR with further investigation warranted.

Update on the diagnosis and treatment of human papillomavirus infection.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with a spectrum of diseases, ranging from common warts to invasive carcinoma of the genital tract. The clinical manifestations of HPV infection depend on the viral subtype, the immune status of the patient, and environmental co-carcinogens. Infection with HPV is often asymptomatic, which makes viral detection challenging. Current therapies do not reliably eradicate HPV infection, and benign genital warts and genital tract intraepithelial neoplasia often recur after treatment. We discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, detection, and treatment of HPV infections of the anogenital tract.

Rationale and design of REWARD (revving-up exercise for sustained weight loss by altering neurological reward and drive): a randomized trial in obese endometrial cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a leading risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC), particularly Type I forms, which are increasing in the U.S. Although death rates from most cancers have been decreasing, overall mortality in EC is increasing in the U.S. EC survivors' poor fitness combined with their surgical treatments may make weight loss particularly challenging. High intensity exercise increases neurotrophins and neurological reward via altered striatal dopamine in animals, and, in humans, chronic high intensity exercise enhances meal-induced satiety and may reduce hedonic eating. "Assisted" exercise, a mode of exercise whereby a patient's voluntary exercise rate is augmented mechanically, may modulate brain dopamine levels in Parkinson's Disease patients but has not been previously evaluated as a treatment for obesity. METHODS: We describe the rationale and design of the REWARD trial, which has the overarching goal of randomizing 120 obese EC survivors to "assisted" or voluntary rate cycling to evaluate the efficacy of "assisted" exercise in enhancing and sustaining weight loss. Patients in both arms will receive 3 days/week of supervised exercise and 1 day/week of a group dietary behavioral intervention for 16 weeks and, then, will be followed for 6 months. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome is weight loss. Secondary outcomes include measures for body composition, fitness, eating behavior, exercise motivation and, quality of life as well as cognition and food reward and motivation as assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tasks. CONCLUSIONS: If successful, the REWARD program could be extended to help sustain weight loss in obese cancer and non-cancer patients.

Glandular cells in vaginal cytology Papanicolaou tests in patients with hysterectomy for endometrial adenocarcinoma.

The vaginal apex is the most common site of recurrence in patients with endometrial cancer. Although studies demonstrate that <1% of asymptomatic vaginal recurrences are detected by routine vaginal cytology alone, many practitioners still include it as part of the routine surveillance in these patients after hysterectomy. To further evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal cytology as a surveillance tool, we assessed the subsequent findings in patients reported to have benign and atypical glandular cells on vaginal cytology after hysterectomy performed for endometrial cancer.