Patterns of palliative care referral in ovarian cancer: A single institution 5 year retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that patients with advanced cancer receive dedicated palliative care services early in their disease course. This investigation serves to understand how palliative care services are utilized for ovarian cancer patients in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of women treated for ovarian cancer at our institution from 2010 through 2015. Clinical variables included presence and timing of palliative care referral. Data were correlated utilizing univariable and multivariable parametric and non-parametric testing, and survivals were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and cox-proportional hazard models. RESULTS: We identified 391 women treated for ovarian cancer, of whom 68% were diagnosed with stage III or IV disease. Palliative care referral was utilized in 28% in the outpatient (42%) and inpatient (58%) settings. Earlier use of referral was observed in those who never underwent surgical cytoreduction or had interval cytoreductive surgery (p < 0.001). Palliative care referral was independently associated with advanced stage (OR 1.7, p = 0.02), recurrence (OR 2.0, p = 0.002) and hospice referral (OR 6.0, p < 0.001). In 38% of women referral occurred within 30 days of death, and 17% within one week of death. Outpatient initial consultation was associated with an unadjusted 1 year overall survival benefit (p < 0.01) compared to inpatient consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes in this study suggest a late use of palliative care that is reactionary to patient needs and not a routine component of ovarian cancer care as national guidelines recommend.

Laparoscopic staging for apparent stage I epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Whereas advances in minimally invasive surgery have made laparoscopic staging technically feasible in stage I epithelial ovarian cancer, the practice remains controversial because of an absence of randomized trials and lack of high-quality observational studies demonstrating equivalent outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to evaluate the association of laparoscopic staging with survival among women with clinical stage I epithelial ovarian cancer. STUDY DESIGN: We used the National Cancer Data Base to identify all women who underwent surgical staging for clinical stage I epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed from 2010 through 2012. The exposure of interest was planned surgical approach (laparoscopy vs laparotomy), and the primary outcome was overall survival. The primary analysis was based on an intention to treat: all women whose procedures were initiated laparoscopically were categorized as having had a planned laparoscopic procedure, regardless of subsequent conversion to laparotomy. We used propensity methods to match patients who underwent planned laparoscopic staging with similar patients who underwent planned laparotomy based on observed characteristics. We compared survival among the matched cohorts using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. We compared the extent of lymphadenectomy using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: Among 4798 eligible patients, 1112 (23.2%) underwent procedures that were initiated laparoscopically, of which 190 (17%) were converted to laparotomy. Women who underwent planned laparoscopy were more frequently white, privately insured, from wealthier ZIP codes, received care in community cancer centers, and had smaller tumors that were more frequently of serous and less often of mucinous histology than those who underwent staging via planned laparotomy. After propensity score matching, time to death did not differ between patients undergoing planned laparoscopic vs open staging (hazard ratio, 0.77, 95% confidence interval, 0.54-1.09; P = .13). Planned laparoscopic staging was associated with a slightly higher median lymph node count (14 vs 12, P = .005). Planned laparoscopic staging was not associated with time to death after adjustment for receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy, histological type and grade, and pathological stage (hazard ratio, 0.82, 95% confidence interval, 0.57-1.16). CONCLUSION: Surgical staging via planned laparoscopy vs laparotomy was not associated with worse survival in women with apparent stage I epithelial ovarian cancer.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery in gynecologic oncology: An update.

The preferred surgical approach for many gynecologic oncology procedures is now laparoscopy. Reduced morbidity, shorter hospitalization and a more rapid recovery have been associated with minimally invasive surgical approaches when compared to laparotomy. Incisional morbidity, including vascular and viscous injury, postoperative hernia, infection, and pain remain significant concerns. Use of fewer and smaller incisions during laparoscopy may be expected to further minimize these risks. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS), or single incision laparoscopy, describes the use of one small skin incision to complete laparoscopic surgical procedures. Recent advances in instrumentation have allowed increasingly complex procedures in gynecologic cancer patients to be completed. This review will serve as an update in regards to implementation of LESS in gynecologic oncology. Technical challenges encountered during performance of LESS as well as strategies to overcome these challenges will be discussed.

Power Morcellation of Unsuspected High-grade Leiomyosarcoma Within an Inflated Containment Bag: 2-year Follow-up.

The diagnosis of an unsuspected leiomyosarcoma after hysterectomy for the treatment of a presumed benign leiomyoma is a rare but highly clinically significant event. In order to facilitate removal of large uterine specimens using a minimally invasive surgical approach, morcellation with extraction in pieces is often performed. In the event of unsuspected malignancy, this may result in abdominal dispersion of the tumor and contribute to poorer survival. In the present article, we report a case of contained power morcellation of an unsuspected high-grade leiomyosarcoma with 2 years of follow-up. Although further study is necessary, this technique may minimize the risk that women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation have a worse prognosis when diagnosed with an unexpected malignancy.

Medical Device Safety and Surgical Dissemination of Unrecognized Uterine Malignancy: Morcellation in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.

UNLABELLED: There is a risk of dissemination of uterine malignancies during minimally invasive hysterectomies when morcellation is used. Although the technique of uterine power morcellation allows timely removal of large benign tumors through small laparoscopic incisions, there are concerns about iatrogenic spread of cancers and reduced survival for women with preoperatively unrecognized malignancies. This review examines the literature on intraperitoneal spread and implantation of mechanically disrupted malignant tissue, discusses the current diagnostic tools for preoperative assessment of uterine tumors, and summarizes the current recommendations of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Recommendations include informed consent of the risk of disseminating an otherwise contained malignancy, appropriate preoperative evaluation for malignancy, and development of alternatives to intracorporeal morcellation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Preoperative assessment of uterine masses or abnormal uterine bleeding must include understanding of the limitations of an endometrial biopsy and imaging studies to evaluate the possibility of a uterine malignancy. Minimally invasive surgery using morcellation of benign uterine growths is well established and safe; however, alternative surgical techniques to morcellation must be considered when the malignant potential of a uterine mass is uncertain. Morcellation carries the risk of widespread peritoneal seeding of an unrecognized uterine malignancy. Gynecologic surgeons must weigh the unlikely occurrence of disseminating an undiagnosed uterine sarcoma with the much more common surgical risks of abdominal surgery.

Gynecologic Oncologist as surgical consultant: intraoperative consultations during general gynecologic surgery as an important focus of gynecologic oncology training.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the previously unexamined role of the Gynecologic Oncologist as an intraoperative consultant during general gynecologic surgery. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were collected on 98 major gynecologic surgeries that included both a general Gynecologist and a Gynecologic Oncologist between October 2010 and August 2014. Data were analyzed using XLSTAT-Prov2014.2.02. RESULTS: Of 794 major gynecologic surgeries, 98 (12.3%) cases that involved an intraoperative consultation were identified. There were 36 (37%) planned consults and 62 (63%) unplanned consults. Significantly more planned consults were during laparoscopy (100% v 58%; p<0.01) and significantly more unplanned consults were during laparotomy (42% v 0%; p<0.01). The majority of planned consults were for surgical training (86%) and the most common reasons for unplanned consults were adhesions (40%), bowel injury (19%), inability to identify ureter (19%), and cancer (11%). The most common interventions performed during unplanned consults were identification of anatomy (55%), lysis of adhesions (42%), and retroperitoneal dissection (27%). Average surgeon years in practice were significantly lower for unplanned consults (9 v 15; p<0.01). A total of 25 major adverse events occurred in 15 cases with the majority occurring in cases with unplanned consults (23% v 3%; p<0.01). After controlling for laparotomy, unplanned consultation was not significantly associated with major events (OR=6.67, 95%CI 0.69-64.39; p=0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic Oncologists play a pivotal role in the support of generalist colleagues during pelvic surgery. In this series, Gynecologic Oncologists were consulted frequently for complex major benign surgeries. It is important to incorporate the skills required of an intraoperative consultant into Gynecologic Oncology fellowship training.

Surgical Apgar Score and prediction of morbidity in women undergoing hysterectomy for malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To validate whether Surgical Apgar Score can predict post-operative morbidity in patients undergoing hysterectomies for malignancies. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive hysterectomies performed for cancer at a single academic institution between 2008 and 2010. The Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) was derived as previously reported. Peri-operative complications were as outlined by the American Board for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and then further subdivided into intra-operative and post-operative events. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were utilized. RESULTS: A total of 632 patients were identified. Of our cohort, 64% underwent surgery for cancer arising in the uterus, followed by ovary at 28.6% and cervix at 4%. Median patient age was 60 years old with a mean American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) score of 2.5 and a median body mass index of 29. Average Surgical Apgar Score was 7.6. As SAS decreased, the risk of peri-operative complications increased (p<0.01). On univariate analysis SAS could predict for both intra-operative and post-operative complications. However, on multivariate analyses SAS could not independently predict for any post-operative complications (OR 1.02, CI 0.47-2.17). In a multivariable model incorporating age, ASA class, SAS <4, disease site, bowel resection and laparotomy, only ASA class and laparotomy were able to predict for postoperative complication events. CONCLUSIONS: Low Surgical Apgar Score significantly associates with morbidity in women undergoing hysterectomy for malignancy, but is unable to predict which patients will have postoperative complications. This renders the SAS less helpful for the creation of peri-operative metrics to guide post-operative care.

Trends in Treatment of Uterine Serous Cancer in the Medicare Population.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the rates of chemotherapy and radiotherapy delivery in the treatment of uterine serous carcinoma in the Medicare population and to compare clinical outcomes in treated and untreated patients. METHODS: The linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare databases were queried to identify patients with a diagnosis of uterine serous carcinoma between 1992 and 2009. The impact of chemotherapy on survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors predictive of outcome were compared using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 2188 patients met study eligibility criteria. Stages I, II, III, and IV diseases accounted for 890 (41%), 174 (8%), 470 (21%), and 654 (30%) of the study population, respectively. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, both, or none, were administered as adjuvant therapy in 635 (29%), 536 (24%), 308 (14%), and 709 (32%) of the study population, respectively. Use of chemotherapy became more frequent over time. Over the study period, and after adjusting for race, time of diagnosis, SEER registry, marital status, stage, age, surgery, lymph node dissection, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity index, there was an association between receipt of radiotherapy alone (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3; 95% CI, 1.04-1.67) and not receiving any treatment (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-2.01) and worst survival. Survival was not improved over time. CONCLUSION: Although adjuvant chemotherapy and combination treatment with chemotherapy and radiation were associated with improved survival in our model, there was no significant improvement in survival over time.

Feasibility and surgical outcome in obese versus nonobese patients undergoing laparoendoscopic single-site hysterectomy: a multicenter case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and perioperative outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) hysterectomy in obese and nonobese women. DESIGN: A multicentric retrospective case-control study (Canadian Task Force II-2). SETTING: Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and National Cancer Institute "Regina Elena" (Rome, Italy), Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MD), and Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD). PATIENTS: From July 2009 to April 2013, 120 women underwent LESS hysterectomy. Five women (8%) were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 115 women were divided into 2 groups: obese (n = 43, body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m(2)) and nonobese (n = 72, BMI <30 kg/m(2)). INTERVENTIONS: Total LESS hysterectomies for malignant and premalignant uterine disease or at least for prophylactic intent were performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: No statistical differences regarding perioperative outcomes were observed between the 2 groups. Conversion to standard laparoscopy occurred in 2 obese (5%) and 2 (5%) nonobese women (p = .62). Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 1 obese (2.3%) and 3 (4.2%) nonobese women (p = .212). The median operative time was 115 minutes (range, 48-300 minutes) in obese and 114 minutes (range, 55-342 minutes) in nonobese women (p = .787). The intraoperative complication rate was 11.6% and 9.6% in obese and nonobese women, respectively (p = .712). The early postoperative complication rate was 6.9% in obese and 4.1% in nonobese women (p = .516). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the present analysis was performed in a relatively small group of patients, this study suggests that obesity (BMI ≥30) does not preclude successful completion of total LESS hysterectomy. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these preliminary data and to clarify potential advantages and disadvantages of LESS in obese women.

Role of minimally invasive surgery in the management of adnexal masses.

Adnexal masses are common in women of all ages, and up to 10% of these women will undergo surgical removal of an ovarian mass. Laparoscopy is increasingly being viewed as the preferred surgical approach for management of these masses. Contraindications to laparoscopy are few, and multiple studies have shown benefits over laparotomy with respect to length of hospital stay, complications, and pain. Minimally invasive surgery can safely be performed by appropriately trained surgeons in almost all patient populations, including pregnancy and the morbidly obese.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of patients with clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer associated with endometriosis to papillary serous carcinoma of the ovary.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to compare outcomes of patients with clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and endometrioid carcinoma (EC) of the ovary associated with endometriosis to patients with ovarian papillary serous carcinoma (PSC). METHODS: Patients with CCC and EC of the ovary associated with endometriosis were identified and matched by age and stage to PSC controls. Student's t test and chi square test were used to analyze continuous and categorical data. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: 67 cases associated with endometriosis were identified, of which 45 were arising in endometriosis. Cases were matched to 134 PSC controls. 27 patients with tumors associated with endometriosis presented at stage I (40.3%), 27 at stage II (40.3%), ten at stage III (14.9%) and three at stage IV (4.5%). There was no difference in rate of optimal cytoreduction or response to chemotherapy in cases vs. PSC controls. There was a significant increase in synchronous endometrial cancer in tumors associated with endometriosis compared to PSC (25.4% vs. 3.7%; P<0.001). 18 cases (26.9%) had recurrent disease vs. 55 (41%) controls (P=0.03). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with tumors associated with endometriosis compared to PSC controls were 75% vs. 55% (P=0.03) and 85% vs. 77% (P=0.2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tumors associated with endometriosis had a higher rate of synchronous endometrial cancer. Cases also demonstrated a lower rate of recurrence and improved 5 year DFS; however, this did not translate into a difference in OS.

Tumor size, depth of invasion, and histologic grade as prognostic factors of lymph node involvement in endometrial cancer: a SEER analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the risk of nodal metastasis in patients with endometrial cancer, using the Mayo criteria, in a population-based analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the SEER registry was reviewed for endometrial cancer cases diagnosed between 1988 and 2010. Patients were considered at low-risk for nodal metastasis if their tumors were histologic grade 1 or 2, myometrial invasion was less than 50%, and tumor size equal to or less than 2 cm. Patients not meeting these criteria were considered at high-risk for nodal involvement. RESULTS: The final study group consisted of 19,329 women with surgically staged endometrial cancer. Of these, 1035 (5.3%) had lymph node involvement. Based on Mayo criteria, 4095 (21.1%) patients were found to be at low-risk and 15,234 (78.9%) at high-risk for nodal metastasis. Low-risk features were associated with a 1.4% risk for lymph node metastasis, compared to 6.4% in patients with high-risk features (p<0.001). When myometrial invasion was removed from the analysis, low-risk pathologic features were associated with a 2.4% risk of lymph node metastasis, compared to 10.4% in patients with high-risk features (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based analysis, women with low-risk endometrial cancer, as defined by the Mayo criteria, have a low rate of lymph node metastasis.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare response to chemotherapy and survival between patients with transitional call carcinoma of the ovary (TCCO) and papillary serous ovarian cancer (PSOC). METHODS: We identified women with both pure and mixed TCCO who were treated between 2000 and 2010. Each case was matched to two women with PSOC by age, grade, stage, and year of diagnosis. Correlation between categorical variables was assessed with chi square test. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to generate overall survival data (OS). Factors predictive of outcome were compared using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Eighty-one women diagnosed with TCCO were selected as cases and compared to 162 controls. Women with TCCO had a lower rate of platinum resistance compared to controls (9% vs. 25%; p=0.01). When multivariate logistic regression was used to control for other factors independently associated with platinum resistance, patients with TCCO had a significantly lower risk of platinum resistance compared to PSOC. Median progression-free survival was not significantly different (27 months vs. 22 months; p=0.15) for women with TCCO and PSOC, respectively. Median OS, however, was significantly different at 83 months vs. 52 months for the TCCO and PSOC groups, respectively (p=0.01). A Cox proportional hazards model identified optimal cytoreduction, transitional cell histology, age, stage, and platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy as independent predictors of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TCCO are less likely to demonstrate resistance to platinum chemotherapy and have improved overall survival when compared to patients with PSOC.

Laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy: initial multi-institutional experience for treatment of invasive cervical cancer.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of women with stage I cervical cancer treated with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery radical hysterectomy (LESS-RH). DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Multiple academic teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: Women with Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique FIGO stage IA1 to IB1 cervical cancer. INTERVENTIONS: LESS-RH as the primary therapy for cervical cancer performed by a gynecologic oncologist with expertise in LESS. A multichannel, single-port access device; a flexible-tipped 5-mm laparoscope; and a multifunctional instrument were used in all cases. Clinicopathologic, surgical, and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two women were identified in whom a LESS-RH was attempted; 20 (91%) successfully underwent the procedure, including 19 in whom pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) was completed. Of the 2 converted procedures, 1 patient underwent 2-port laparoscopy secondary to truncal obesity, and 1 patient underwent conversion to laparotomy secondary to external iliac vein laceration during PLND. The median age and body mass index were 46 years and 23.3 kg/m(2), respectively. The median number of pelvic lymph nodes removed was 22. One patient experienced an intraoperative complication, and no patient required reoperation. The margins of excision were negative. One patient with 2 positive pelvic nodes and 1 patient with microscopic parametrial disease received adjuvant chemosensitized radiation; 3 additional patients received adjuvant radiation therapy secondary to an intermediate risk for recurrence. After a median follow up of 11 months, no recurrences were detected. CONCLUSION: LESS-RH/PLND is feasible and safe for select patients with stage I cervical cancer. Larger studies are needed to confirm whether the increased technical difficulty of this procedure justifies its use in routine gynecologic oncology practice.

Minilaparoscopic radical hysterectomy (mLPS-RH) vs laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy (LESS-RH) in early stage cervical cancer: a multicenter retrospective study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy (LESS-RH) and minilaparoscopic radical hysterectomy (mLPS-RH). DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Seven institutions in Italy. PATIENTS: Forty-six patents with early cervical cancer (FIGO stage IA2-IB1/IIA1) were included in the study. Nineteen patients (41.3%) underwent LESS-RH, and 27 (58.7%) underwent mLPS-RH. Pelvic lymph node dissection was performed in all patients. INTERVENTIONS: In the LESS-RH group, all surgical procedures were performed through a single umbilical multichannel port. In the mLPS-RH group, the procedure was completed using a 5-mm umbilical optical trocar and 3 additional 3-mm ancillary trocars, placed suprapubically and in the left and right lower abdominal regions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was no difference in clinicopathologic characteristics at the time of diagnosis between the LESS-RH and mLPS-RH groups. Median operative time was 270 minutes (range, 149-380 minutes) for LESS-RH, and was 180 minutes (range, 90-240 minutes) for mLPS-RH (p = .001). No further differences were detected between the 2 groups insofar as type of radical hysterectomy, number of lymph nodes removed, or perioperative outcomes. In the LESS-RH group, conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 1 patient (5.3%) because of external iliac vein injury, and in another patient, conversion to standard laparoscopy was required because of truncal obesity. In the mLPS-RH group, no conversions were observed; however, a repeat operation was performed to repair a ureteral injury. The percentage of patients discharged 1 day after surgery was significantly higher in the LESS-RH group (57.9%) compared with the mLPS-RH group (25.0%) (p = .03). After a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 9-73 months), only 1 patient, who had undergone mLPS-RH, experienced pelvic recurrence and died of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Both LESS-RH and mLPS-RH are feasible ultra-minimally invasive approaches for performance of radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection. Further technical improvements are required to enable wider use of these techniques for more complex procedures.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma: a clinicopathologic study of 29 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, and survival in patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). STUDY DESIGN: Patients with ESS were identified from the tumor registry of the two participating institutions. Categorical variables were evaluated by chi analytis or Fisher's exact test. Survival estimates were plotted utilizing the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was utilized to quantify survival differences on univariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients with ESS were included: 14 (48%) patients with stage I, 1 (3.4%) with stage II, 5 (17%) with stage III, and 9 (31%) with stage IV disease. Median age was 44 (range, 25-62). Most patients were treated by hysterectomy and salpingooophorectomy. Sixteen patients (55%) received adjuvant therapy after surgery. The most common type of adjuvant therapy was hormonal treatment. Median follow-up was 84 months (range, 1-382 months). Four patients with stage I (36%), 2 with stage III (18%), and 5 (46%) with stage IV developed disease recurrences. In 8 cases (73%) the recurrence site was the abdomen and pelvis, and in 3 cases (27%) the recurrence site was the lung. CONCLUSION: ESS is an indolent tumor with propensity for late recurrence. Age, early tumor stage (stage I), lymph node dissection, and adjuvant therapy did not affect disease-free or overall survival.