Effects of cord clamping timing in at-term elective cesarean section on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of early cord clamping (ECC), delayed cord clamping (DCC), and umbilical cord milking (MC) on maternal and neonatal outcomes in elective cesarean births. METHODS: We analyzed 204 women with uncomplicated at-term singleton pregnancies, who underwent cesarean birth under regional anesthesia between March and July 2021. The women were randomized into three groups: DCC (clamped 60 s postpartum), ECC (clamped within 15 s postpartum), or MC (clamped after milking five times) group. The neonatal and maternal outcomes of the groups were evaluated. RESULTS: The duration of the operation was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the MC group at 50 min (ECC, 60 min; DCC, 60 min), while intraoperative bleeding was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the ECC group at 500 mL (DCC, 300 mL; MC, 225 mL). The rates of anemia and polycythemia significantly differed (P = 0.049) between the three groups. DCC and MC did not negatively affect maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with ECC. CONCLUSION: DCC and MC are superior to ECC in terms of short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes in cases of elective cesarean birth under regional anesthesia.

Diagnostic accuracy of sentinel node biopsy in non-endometrioid, high-grade and/or deep myoinvasive endometrial cancer: A Turkish gynecologic oncology group study (TRSGO-SLN-006).

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping algorithm in high-risk endometrial cancer patients. METHODS: Two hundred forty-four patients with non-endometrioid histology, grade 3 endometrioid tumors and/or tumors with deep myometrial invasion were enrolled in this retrospective, multicentric study. After removal of SLNs, all patients underwent pelvic ± paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Operations were performed via laparotomy, laparoscopy or robotic surgery. Indocyanine green (ICG) and methylene blue (MB) were used as tracers. SLN detection rate, sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and false-negative rate (FNR) were calculated. RESULTS: Surgeries were performed via laparotomy in 132 (54.1%) patients and 152 (62.3%) underwent both bilateral pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. At least 1 SLN was detected in 222 (91%) patients. Fifty-five (22.5%) patients had lymphatic metastasis and 45 patients had at least 1 metastatic SLN. Lymphatic metastases were detected by side-specific lymphadenectomy in 8 patients and 2 patients had isolated paraaortic metastasis. Overall sensitivity, NPV and FNR of SLN biopsy were 81.8%, 95% and 18.2%, respectively. By applying SLN algorithm steps, sensitivity and NPV improved to 96.4% and 98.9%, respectively. For grade 3 tumors, sensitivity, NPV and FNR of the SLN algorithm were 97.1%, 98.9% and 2.9%. CONCLUSION: SLN algorithm had high diagnostic accuracy in high-risk endometrial cancer. All pelvic metastases were detected by the SLN algorithm and the isolated paraaortic metastasis rate was ignorable. But long-term survival studies are necessary before this approach becomes standard of care.

Can risk groups accurately predict non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in sentinel lymph node-positive endometrial cancer patients? A Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group Study (TRSGO-SLN-004).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find out the risk factors associated with non-sentinel lymph node metastasis and determine the incidence of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis according to risk groups in sentinel lymph node (SLN)-positive endometrial cancer patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent at least bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy after SLN mapping were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into low, intermediate, high-intermediate, and high-risk groups defined by ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO. RESULTS: Out of 395 eligible patients, 42 patients had SLN metastasis and 16 (38.1%) of them also had non-SLN metastasis. Size of SLN metastasis was the only factor associated with non-SLN metastasis (p = .012) as 13/22 patients with macrometastasis, 2/10 with micrometastasis and 1/10 with isolated tumor cells (ITCs) had non-SLN metastasis. Although all 4 metastases (1.8%) among the low-risk group were limited to SLNs, the non-SLN involvement rate in the high-risk group was 42.9% and all of these were seen in patients with macrometastatic SLNs. CONCLUSIONS: Non-SLN metastasis was more frequent in higher-risk groups and the risk of non-SLN metastasis increased with the size of SLN metastasis. Proceeding to complete lymphadenectomy when SLN is metastatic should further be studied as the effect of leaving metastatic non-SLNs in-situ is not known.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early stage endometrial cancer: a Turkish gynecologic oncology group study (TRSGO-SLN-001).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in clinically uterine confined endometrial cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary surgery for endometrial cancer with an SLN algorithm were reviewed. Indocyanine green or blue dye was used as a tracer. SLNs and/or suspicious lymph nodes were resected. Side specific lymphadenectomy was performed when mapping was unsuccessful. SLNs were ultrastaged on final pathology. RESULTS: 357 eligible patients were analyzed. Median age was 59 years. Median number of resected SLNs was 2 (range 1-12) per patient. Minimal invasive and open surgeries were performed in 264 (73.9%) and 93 (26.1%) patients, respectively. Indocyanine green was used in 231 (64.7%) and blue dye in 126 (35.3%) patients. The dyes were injected into the cervix in 355 (99.4%) patients. The overall and bilateral SLN detection rates were 91.9% and 71.4%, respectively. The mapping rates using indocyanine green or blue dye were comparable (P=0.526). There were 43 (12%) patients with lymphatic metastasis. The SLN algorithm was not able to detect 3 of 43 patients who had isolated paraaortic metastasis. After SLN biopsy, complete pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 286 (80.1%) patients. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100% for the detection of pelvic lymph node metastases. In addition, 117 (32.8%) patients underwent completion paraaortic lymphadenectomy after SLN biopsy. In these patients, sensitivity for detecting metastases to pelvic and/or paraaortic lymph nodes was 90.3% with a negative predictive value of 96.6%. The risk of non-SLN involvement in patients with macrometastatic SLNs, micrometastatic SLNs, and isolated tumor cells in SLNs were 61.2%, 14.3% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SLN biopsy had good accuracy in detecting lymphatic metastasis. However, one-third of cases with metastatic SLNs also had non-SLN involvement and this risk increased to two-thirds of cases with macrometastatic SLNs. The effect of leaving these nodes in situ on survival should be evaluated in further studies.

Combination of sentinel lymph node mapping and uterine frozen section examination to reduce side-specific lymphadenectomy rate in endometrial cancer: a Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group study (TRSGO-SLN-002).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to find out whether side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy can be omitted without compromising diagnostic efficacy according to "reflex frozen section" analysis of the uterus in case of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping failure. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for endometrial cancer with an SLN algorithm were stratified as low-risk or high-risk according to the uterine features on the final pathology reports. Two models for low-risk patients were defined to omit side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy: strategy A included patients with endometrioid histology, grade 1-2, and <50% myometrial invasion irrespective of the tumor diameter; strategy B included all factors of strategy A with the addition of tumor diameter ≤2 cm. Theoretical side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy rates were calculated for the two strategies, assuming side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy was omitted if low-risk features were present on reflex uterine frozen examination, and compared with the standard National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) SLN algorithm. RESULTS: 372 endometrial cancer patients were analyzed. 230 patients (61.8%) had endometrioid grade 1 or 2 tumors with <50% myometrial invasion (strategy A), and in 123 (53.4%) of these patients the tumor diameter was ≤2 cm (strategy B); 8 (3.5%) of the 230 cases had lymphatic metastasis. None of them were detected by side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy and metastases were limited to SLNs in 7 patients. At least one pelvic side was not mapped in 107 (28.8%) cases in the entire cohort, and all of these cases would require a side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy based on the NCCN SLN algorithm. This rate could have been significantly decreased to 11.8% and 19.4% by applying reflex frozen section examination of the uterus using strategy A and strategy B, respectively. CONCLUSION: Reflex frozen section examination of the uterus can be a feasible option to decide whether side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy is necessary for all the patients who failed to map with an SLN algorithm. If low-risk factors are found on frozen section examination, side-specific pelvic lymphadenectomy can be omitted without compromising diagnostic efficacy for lymphatic spread.

Comparison of factor XII levels in gestational diabetes, fetal macrosomia, and healthy pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: If not detected and treated, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can cause serious pregnancy complications such as macrosomia, preeclampsia, and fetal/neonatal mortality. Many studies have examined underlying contributing factors for GDM, including hypercoagulation. Factor XII (FXII) is a coagulation factor that increases throughout normal pregnancies, and we evaluated the relationship of GDM with FXII, FXIIa (activated FXII), and other coagulation parameter levels. GDM and macrosomia are closely related, but it is not known whether FXII could be an independent causal factor for macrosomia. METHODS: In this prospective study, blood samples were taken from 69 pregnant women at the time of term delivery to determine levels of FXII, FXIIa, and other coagulation parameters. Based on the results, pregnancies fell into GDM, non-diabetic with macrosomia (M), or healthy (C [control]). RESULTS: FXII concentration levels were significantly higher in GDM patients compared with the M and C groups. There were no significant differences when comparing FXIIa, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio. The GDM group saw a significant negative correlation between FXII concentrations and maternal pregestational body mass index (BMI) and BMI before delivery. In the M group, a positive correlation was observed between FXII concentrations and newborn weight and newborn weight percentile. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in FXII levels was observed in patients with gestational diabetes. Associations between coagulation parameters and GDM should be further analyzed to define the mechanisms of GDM and possible treatment modalities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Our study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT03583216 ). Registered on July 11, 2018.

Perioperative Duloxetine for Pain Management After Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of perioperative duloxetine on pain management in patients recovering from laparoscopic hysterectomy. DESIGN: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: Of 100 patients enrolled, 80 were randomized 1:1 to receive perioperative duloxetine (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40). INTERVENTIONS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions from November 2017 through March 2018 received 2 doses of 60 mg duloxetine or placebo 2 hours before and 24 hours after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The Quality of Recovery (QoR)-40 questionnaire was completed by participants after discharge. Study and control groups were compared in terms of questionnaire scores, opioid analgesic use, and hospital length of stay. The baseline characteristics of the groups were comparable; median total QoR-40 scores were 111 of 200 and 112 of 200 for duloxetine and the placebo group, respectively; the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = .91). Although the physical independence subcomponent of the recovery questionnaire was improved in favor of duloxetine, none of the subcomponents reached statistical difference between groups. The groups did not differ in terms of postoperative narcotic analgesic use and hospital length of stay (p >.05). CONCLUSION: Perioperative duloxetine did not reduce pain, need for narcotic analgesia, or hospital length of stay following laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Ovarian incision enhances folliculogenesis: A rat model.

AIM: To determine whether performing incision on the surface of the ovarian cortex in rats advances follicular development. METHODS: Five to seven separate superficial incisions were performed on the surface of right ovaries of 6-7-month-old albino Wistar rats. Daily 40 IU of gonadotropins were administered for 14 days. On the 15th day, both ovaries of the rats were removed. The right (incised) ovaries were compared with the contralateral ovaries in terms of ovary's weight, numbers of primordial, primary, secondary and antral follicles, their mean percentages and mean Ki-67 proliferation indices. RESULTS: A total of 22 ovaries were evaluated, with 11 right ovaries (incised) and 11 left ovaries (non-incised). The mean weight of ovaries was greater in the right ovaries than in the left ovaries; however, no statistical difference was found between them (0.77 ± 1.22 vs. 0.22 ± 0.08 gr, P = 0.159). The numbers of secondary and antral follicle were statistically higher in the right ovaries than in the left ovaries (4.4 ± 1.5 vs. 2.1 ± 1.6, P = 0.003 and 18.6 ± 8.7 vs. 11.3 ± 7.5, P = 0.046, respectively). The right ovaries also significantly differed from the left ovaries in terms of mean percentages of primordial and antral follicles (P < 0.05 for both). The mean Ki-67 proliferation index had a marginal difference between the groups (P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: Performing incisions on the surface of the ovarian cortex in rats may advance the ovarian follicular development. Future animal studies may provide more evidence regarding potential benefits of mechanical stimulation to the ovaries.

Can follicular Emmprin and BMP 4 levels predict ICSI outcome?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of clinical pregnancy rates with bone morphogenetic proteins 2-4-7 (BMP 2, 4, 7), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF 9), and Emmprin levels in follicular fluid of intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients. METHODS: Follicular fluid of 77 patients who underwent ICSI procedure was collected during the oocyte retrieval procedure. And follicular fluid levels of BMP 2, BMP 4, BMP 7, GDF 9, and Emmprin (Basigin) were measured and compared for clinical pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Follicular levels of BMP 4 was significantly higher whereas Emmprin levels were lower in patients who had achieved clinically diagnosed pregnancy compared with those who did not achieve clinical pregnancy after ICSI procedure (P = 0.007 and P = 0.035, respectively). BMP 2, BMP 7, and GDF 9 levels were comparable for both groups. CONCLUSION: Clinical pregnancy rates after ICSI may be associated with follicular fluid levels of Emmprin and BMP 4. Follicular levels of Emmprin and BMP 4 can be used as a marker (as markers for predicting ICSI outcomes) for a better ICSI outcome.

Prognostic factors for disease-free and overall survival of patients with uterine carcinosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is a relatively rare and very aggressive tumor. The predictors of survival for patients with UCS have not been determined clearly yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible predictors of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with UCS. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All patients with UCS who were treated surgically at a university-based Gynecology Oncology Clinic between January 2008 and December 2014 were recruited into this retrospective cohort study. Data regarding clinical, pathologic and treatment information were obtained retrospectively from hospital records. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate DFS and OS, and Cox regression analysis was performed to define the effects of risk factors on survival. RESULTS: A total of 88 UCS patients with a median age of 64.5 years were included in the study. Forty-seven (53.4%) patients were diagnosed with stage III disease and seven (7.9%) with stage IV disease. The median follow-up time was 16 months. Among all patients, 60 (68.1%) underwent lymphadenectomy. Optimal cytoreductive surgery was achieved in 67 (76.1%) patients. Stepwise variable selection Cox regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis was associated with poor DFS (hazard ratio 6.524; 95% CI 2.625-16.211; P < 0.001) and OS (hazard ratio 6.993; 95% CI 2.631-18.587; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis in both early and advanced-stage diseases revealed no significant impact of risk factors on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node metastasis is the most significant prognostic factor associated with poor DFS and OS in UCS patients.

Expression of CD44 variant 6 and its prognostic value in benign and malignant endometrial tissue.

PURPOSE: CD44 expression in both the early and metastatic phases of many epithelial and non-epithelial cancers is strongly prognostic. The objective of the study is to evaluate whether there is any relationship between the expression of CDD44v6 and endometrial cancer (EC) staging and prognosis. METHODS: This retrospective study included 60 EC patients for whom surgical staging was performed between 2000 and 2006. Twenty-eight randomly selected patients with normal endometria served as the control group. We immunohistochemically evaluated membranous and cytoplasmic CD44v6 staining in tissue paraffin blocks. The results were graded as positive or negative. RESULTS: Membranous staining in both advanced and early stage EC patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (p = 0.002). The extent of either membranous or cytoplasmic staining in both advanced- and early stage patients did not differ significantly by age, tumor grade, stage, extent of myometrial invasion, lymph node involvement, cytology, adnexal involvement, or omental spreading. In advanced-stage patients, neither papillary serous not clear cell cancers exhibited cytoplasmic staining. CONCLUSIONS: CD44v6 membranous staining can be useful for differentiating malignant from benign endometrial tissue. However, staining is not associated with EC staging or prognosis.

Nomogram with potential clinical use to predict lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer patients diagnosed incidentally by postoperative pathological assessment.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical and pathological risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with endometrial cancer and to create a nomogram to predict LNM in patients without surgical staging. METHODS: All patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma who were treated surgically at a university based gynecologic oncology clinic between January 2011 and December 2014 were recruited. Women with endometrial adenocarcinoma who were surgically staged including lymphadenectomy were included in the study. Data regarding clinical and pathological risk factors were recorded. The histopathologic slides from the staging surgeries were re-evaluated microscopically by a gynecologic pathologist for all parameters along with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI). RESULTS: A total of 279 patients with endometrial cancer were analyzed. Among those, 31 (11.1%) had lymph node metastasis. According to the univariate analyses, elevated CA 125 (>35 U/mL), LVSI, myometrial invasion ≥50%, grade 3 disease, non-endometrioid type, and cervical stromal involvement were significantly associated with LNM. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LVSI, non-endometrioid type, elevated CA 125, and cervical stromal involvement increased the risk of LNM. However, myometrial invasion and grade did not significantly affect the risk of LNM. A nomogram to predict LNM was constructed using these factors (concordance index 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: LVSI is the most important predictor for LNM. The present nomogram can be useful to decide if adjuvant therapy is required for patients who undergo simple hysterectomy for a benign etiology and incidentally diagnosed with endometrial cancer by pathological evaluation.

Higher Level of Oxidative Stress Markers in Small for Gestational Age Newborns Delivered by Cesarean Section at Term.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to determine lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzyme activity in umbilical cord blood of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Umbilical cord arterial blood samples were collected from 21-term singleton SGA newborn infants and 21 age- and sex-matched appropriate for gestational age (AGA) term neonates prospectively born by elective cesarean section for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) for antioxidant activity. RESULTS: MDA levels were increased (5.20 vs. 3.52 nmol/mL; p < 0.001), while levels of SOD (6.24 vs. 8.99 U/mL; p < 0.01) were decreased in SGA neonates when compared with AGA newborn infants. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated MDA levels and decreased SOD activity in umbilical cord blood may show the possibility of insufficient protective mechanisms against increased oxidative stress in SGA neonates born by cesarean section.

Single-port Robotic Pelvic Bulky Lymph Node Resection: A Case Report.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To report the feasibility of bulky pelvic lymph node resection with robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopy in a patient with cervical cancer before chemoradiation therapy. DESIGN: Resection of pelvic bulky lymph nodes with a narrated video of da Vinci single-port platform surgery (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Although not enough evidence exists to reveal that single-site surgery is better than traditional endoscopic surgery, several studies have suggested that single-site robotic surgery has certain advantages such as less postoperative analgesic use, shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery. Furthermore, robotic single-site surgery has evolved single-site procedures. Compared with the single-port laparoendoscopic procedure, the robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopic procedure offers some advantages to minimally invasive surgery such as greater dexterity, 3-dimensional visualization, and fewer instrument clashes. These advantages make robotic single-port surgery more preferable; nevertheless, the lack of articulating instruments and the low quality of optical exposure are still challenges. Robotic single-port pelvic lymphadenectomy was first described by Tateo et al [1] in an endometrial carcinoma patient. We present a robotic single-port pelvic bulky lymph node resection in an advanced cervical cancer patient. Even though current data are controversial about removing bulky lymph nodes in patients with advanced cervical cancer, some studies have recommended that debulking of tumor-involved lymph nodes before chemoradiation may be benefical for these patients (Leblanc et al [2], Marnitz et al [3]). In our case, the patient underwent robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopy using the da Vinci Single-Site platform. The abdominal cavity was insufflated from a 3-cm umblical incision, and a 5-lumen single port was inserted. Then, an 8.5-mm 3-dimensional camera was inserted through the port, and for dissection and resection 5-mm bipolar fenestrated forceps and a monopolar hook were used. After resection, the bulky lymph nodes were taken out with an endoscopic bag through the assistant port lumen. Additionally, it is important to remember that single-site procedures are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for lymphadenectomy. PATIENTS: A 46-year-old patient diagnosed with advanced-stage cervical cancer (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique stage IIIB) presented with bilateral pelvic lymph node metastasis revealed by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. The patient had no history of prior surgery or comorbidity. We decided to perform resection of the pelvic lymph nodes with a robotic-assisted single-site laparoscopic procedure before chemoradiation threapy. INTERVENTIONS: Excision of pelvic bulky lymph nodes using robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The total operating time was 170 minutes (from docking to the end of the extubation), the estimated blood loss was 30 mL, and no complications occurred. The patient was discharged the day after surgery. The histopathologic examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted single-port surgery seems to be an applicable and alternative technique to perform the resection of bulky pelvic lymph nodes in patients with advanced cervical cancer before chemoradiation therapy.

Ovarian cystectomy for a dermoid cyst with the new single-port robotic system.

We report a 27 year-old patient with a dermoid cyst who underwent robotic single port transumbilical ovarian cystectomy. She was operated through a 2 cm long single midline umbilical incision using a new platform from Intuitive Surgical. The operative time was 45 minutes and the docking time was 15 minutes. Ovarian cystectomy using the da Vinci single-port system is feasible and effective. This new semi-rigid robotic surgery platform may increase access to the potential advantages of single-site surgery. Robotic systems designed specifically for single port approach have the potential of alleviating several of the limitations associated with traditional laparoscopic single-site surgery.

Does Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand (Pd-L1) Expression Predict Recurrence in Women With Endometrioma?

The study aimed to evaluate whether there is a difference in the expression of programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) in the cell lining of endometrioma between cases with and without recurrent disease. Additionally, we sought to assess the effect of cyst size and serum CA125 level on the expression of PD-L1 staining. The pathological specimens were immunohistochemically stained for PD-L1 in women who underwent surgery for endometrioma. All patients were evaluated to confirm if their endometriomas had recurred or not. A total of 36 patients who underwent surgery for endometrioma were included. The study population was divided into two groups according to their recurrence status. The study group (having recurrence) (n=12) and the control group (having no recurrence) (n=24) were compared regarding their demographic and clinical characteristics and PD-L1 staining. PD-L1 staining and the intensity of PD-L1 staining did not differ between the patients with and without recurrence. No variable, including parity, cyst size, serum CA125 level, and PD-L1 staining, was found to be significant in determining recurrence. No significant difference was found between the groups with and without PD-L1 staining in terms of cyst size and serum CA125 level. Although we have shown that PD-L1 expression could not be used for the prediction of recurrence, further studies are needed to assess this issue and to guide the development of new immunotherapeutic agents on this basis.

Cervical stromal involvement can predict survival in advanced endometrial carcinoma: a review of 67 patients.

PURPOSE: To assess clinical, surgical and pathologic variables in survival of advanced endometrial cancer. METHODS: Sixty-seven advanced-stage (stages III and IV according to FIGO 2009) endometrial cancer cases were evaluated retrospectively. The effects on survival of age, histologic subtype, stage, grade, myometrial invasion, optimal cytoreduction, parity and cervical involvement were analyzed. RESULTS: Cervical involvement (P = 0.033) and nulliparity (P = 0.042) were worsening features in terms of survival. In 56 cases (83.5%) optimal cytoreduction could be achieved and survival was significantly longer in this group than the group who were not optimally cytoreduced (mean 30.4 vs. 9.6 months) (P < 0.01). Depth of myometrial invasion, histologic type of tumor, stage, grade, and age younger or older than 60 years were not found to be related to survival. Neither adjuvant therapy type nor their combination were superior to each other for improving survival. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical stromal involvement is a poor prognostic factor in cases of advanced endometrial carcinoma. Further studies are required to describe the effect of different surgical approaches such as radical hysterectomy on survival in the presence of cervical stromal invasion.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy equalizes the optimal cytoreduction rate to primary surgery without improving survival in advanced ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE(S): To evaluate results of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) following debulking surgery in patients with extensive metastatic disease and/or poor medical performance METHOD(S): Advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer patients were treated with either NACT followed by debulking surgery or primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy after assessment of the extent of disease by laparoscopy or laparotomy. RESULTS: Out of 297, 223 patients were in the primary surgery group, whereas 74 of them met NACT criteria. Optimal cytoreduction rates were 63.2% in primary surgery group and 60.8% in NACT group, respectively (p: 0.709). In the primary surgery group, the overall survival was significantly higher (p: 0.002). Mean patient age was more advanced (p: 0.014) and the performance status of patients was poorer (p < 0.001) in NACT group. Only patient group (primary surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy) (p: 0.001) retained significance as predictors of survival in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION(S): Improved rate of optimal cytoreduction with NACT in advanced ovarian cancer patients does not prolong survival. The extent of disease at diagnosis is the primary determinant of survival. Randomizing patients with equally extensive disease and performance status to either NACT or primary debulking surgery in a future study will better clarify benefits attributed to NACT.

A Retrospective Cohort Study on Maternal and Neonatal Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19: Does the Gestational Age Affect the Outcome?

Background To evaluate the maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and to see whether infection with COVID-19 before or after the 20th gestational week affects these outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective study with data from pregnant women who were followed up and delivered at Acibadem Maslak Hospital between April 2020 and December 2021. Their demographics and clinical data were reviewed and compared. Results Among 1223 pregnant women, 42 (3.4%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2-positive). Approximately 52.4% of the 42 pregnant women with COVID-19 were diagnosed during or before the 20th gestational week, while 47.6% were positive after the 20th gestational week. The preterm birth rate was 11.9% and 5.9% in infected and uninfected pregnant women, respectively (p>0.05). In the infected pregnant women, the rate of preterm rupture of membranes (PROM) was 2.4%, small for gestational age (SGA) was 7.1%, cesarean delivery was 76.2%, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was 9.5%. These rates among uninfected women were 0.9%, 9.1%, 61.7%, and 4.1%, respectively (p>0.05). Maternal ICU admission and intrapartum complications were higher in infected pregnant women (p>0.05). Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), neonatal infection, and fetal demise were absent in SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women. Having a high school or lower education level significantly increased the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy 10 times. Also, a one-week increase in gestational age significantly reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. When SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women were compared according to whether or not they were positive before or after the 20th gestational week, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes, and demographic characteristics. Conclusions COVID-19 during pregnancy did not adversely affect maternal and neonatal outcomes. Also, whether pregnant women were infected before or after the 20th gestational week did not have a negative impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, infected pregnant women should be followed closely, and they should be informed in detail about the possible adverse outcomes and the importance of precautions for COVID-19.

The Risk of Recurrence in Endometrial Cancer Patients with Low-Volume Metastasis in the Sentinel Lymph Nodes: A Retrospective Multi-Institutional Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of low-volume metastasis (LVM) on disease-free survival (DFS) in women with apparent early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping. Patients with pre-operative early-stage EC were retrospectively collected from an international collaboration including 13 referring institutions. A total of 1428 patients were included in this analysis. One hundred and eighty-six patients (13%) had lymph node involvement. Fifty-nine percent of positive SLN exhibited micrometastases, 26.9% micrometastases, and 14% isolated tumor cells. Seventeen patients with positive lymph nodes did not receive any adjuvant therapy. At a median follow-up of 33.3 months, the disease had recurred in 114 women (8%). Patients with micrometastases in the lymph nodes had a worse prognosis of disease-free survival compared to patients with negative nodes or LVM. The rate of recurrence was significantly higher for women with micrometastases than those with low-volume metastases (HR = 2.61; p = 0.01). The administration of adjuvant treatment in patients with LVM, without uterine risk factors, remains a matter of debate and requires further evaluation.