Vaginal Yolk Sac Tumors: Our Experiences and Results.

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal yolk sac tumors (YSTs) are rare malignant germ cell tumors largely affecting children younger than 3 years. Because of their low incidence, there is no consensus regarding diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we describe the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of 16 patients with vaginal YSTs diagnosed and managed at our center. METHODS: Diagnoses of YST of the vagina were confirmed by 2 experienced pathologists. All patients were treated with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (PEB) combination chemotherapy alone. Complete remission (CR) was defined by a normal serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level, no tumor detected on computed tomography, and negative pathology results. Biochemical CR (bCR) was defined by a normal serum AFP level. Long-term follow-up was completed according to our regulations. RESULTS: The median age of patients at diagnosis was 10 months (range, 5-44 months), and all patients presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding and/or vaginal discharge. Serum αAFP is a sensitive tumor marker, and it was markedly elevated in all patients (median 4848 ng/mL; baseline at our hospital is <20 ng/mL). Thirteen patients completed a chemotherapy regimen consisting of PEB alone without surgery. Importantly, all patients achieved CR. Patients received additional cycles of consolidation chemotherapy after bCR and there are no cases of recurrence to date. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a contemporary treatment strategy in line with current practice. First, all suspected cases of vaginal YST should be diagnosed by histopathological examination and serum AFP levels. Second, nonsurgical treatment with PEB chemotherapy should be initiated until patients achieve bCR, followed by an additional 2 cycles of consolidation therapy to optimize results and reduce the risk of remission.

Clinical Study on Female Genital Tract Rhabdomyosarcoma in Childhood: Changes During 20 Years in One Center.

OBJECTIVE: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare tumor in girls. We intend to analyze the clinical feature, therapeutic effect, and prognosis of pediatric and adolescent RMS of the female genitourinary tract. METHODS: Pediatric or adolescent patients with female genital tract RMS in 1 tertiary hospital from 1995 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The medical records were collected, including general information, tumor primary site, stage, histology, treatments, adverse effects, and survival outcomes. RESULTS: There were 8 girls with genital tract tumor in 403 patients with RMS during 20 years in 1 hospital: 5 originated in the vagina, 2 in the cervix, and 1 in the pelvis. Except for the patient with pelvic RMS who was diagnosed after acute abdominal pain, all the other patients presented with polypoid masses protruding from the vagina accompanied by mucosanguineous discharge. Mean age of patients at diagnosis was 5.4 years (8 months-14 years). Patients were categorized by using clinical group and TNM classification of malignant tumours staging system, 7 with stage I and 1 with stage II; none of them were classified to a higher stage. Histologically, all RMS were embryonal tumors with 3 botryoid variants. Patients were treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy during which 6 patients developed fourth degree myelosuppression. All patients achieved complete remission. Two patients with vaginal RMS and the patient with pelvic RMS experienced tumor relapse and 2 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignant sarcoma with a higher incidence in children and adolescents. Tumor sites are strongly associated with age at diagnosis. After combined therapy with local excision and chemotherapy, most patients can achieve a good prognosis. The prognosis is highly correlated with tumor site and histologic type.

Female patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei: a single-institution clinicopathologic study of 35 cases.

PURPOSE: To explore clinicopathologic/prognostic aspects of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). METHODS: We reviewed records of 35 female patients with PMP treated at a single institution. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 57.0 years (range 35.0-71.0 years). Their median pre-surgery level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA-199) was 80.95 U/ml (range 0.00-1,562.10 U/ml); of carbohydrate antigen 12-5 (CA-125), 44.00 U/ml (range 0.90-231.20 U/ml); and of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), 17.20 ng/ml (range 2.04-211.60 ng/ml). Of the 35 patients, 23 (65.7 %) underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) by gynecological oncologists and 12 (34.3 %) underwent non-CRS surgeries by general gynecologists or surgeons, including one patient who refused surgical treatment beyond a diagnostic laparoscopy. After surgery, 18 patients (51.4 %) had residual lesions, 11 (31.4 %) had complete lesion removal and 6 (17.1 %)had insufficient information on residual lesion; 21 (60.0 %) had appendiceal-based tumors and 12 (34.3 %) had ovarian-based tumors. Median follow-up time was 37 months (range 1-148 months), during which 28 patients (80.0 %) had relapsed. By the end of the study, 12 patients (34.3 %) died of PMP, 16 (45.7 %) survived with disease, and 7 (20 %) survived without disease. Median progress-free survival (PFS) was 12 months (range 0.5-114.0 months). Median overall survival time was 42 months (range 5-150 months). Ovarian tumor origin, post-surgery residual lesions, preoperative CA199 > 258.9 U/ml and CA125 > 70.6 U/ml were independent predictors of PFS. CONCLUSIONS: PMP is rare in women, and has a poor long-term survival rate. Multi-center cooperation to gather more cases is needed to explore its behavior and proper treatment.

Neuroendocrine tumor of the uterine cervix: a clinicopathologic study of 14 cases.

PURPOSE: The study explored the clinicopathologic characteristics of the neuroendocrine tumor of uterine cervix (NTUC). METHODS: The general information and the clinical-pathological characteristics of 14 NTUC cases were reviewed. RESULTS: The median age of the cases was 41 years. Six cases (42.9 %) were FIGO stage Ib1, four cases (28.6 %) were Ib2, one case was IIa2 (7.1 %), one case (7.1 %) was IIb, one case (7.1 %) was IIIb and one case (7.1 %) was IVb. Radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorotomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed on seven cases: three cases had radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy; one case had transabdominal hysterectomy; and one case had a residual cervical resection. Four cases had positive pelvic lymph nodes. Two cases (14.3 %) had the tumor infiltrated to the parametrium and five cases (35.7 %) to lymphovascular space. One case had positive margin of vagina. Nine cases (64.3 %) were administered post-surgery radiotherapy and all cases were given adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up time was 10 months. The median disease-free survival was 6 months, and the median total survival time was 18 months. The median estimated survival time was 32.0 months (95 % CI 16.9-47.1 months). CONCLUSIONS: NTUC is a very rare malignant tumor of female genital tract. Multi-center cooperation to gather more cases is the best method to explore the biological behavior and for the proper treatment of NTUC.

Clinical Characterization of Patients with Ovarian Mass Combined with Dysplasia of Secondary Sexual Characteristics / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of preadolescent and adolescent female patients with ovarian mass combined with dysplasia of secondary sexual characteristics. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 18 cases of ovarian mass combined with dysplasia of secondary sexual characteristics aged 0-19 years admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2012 to November 2019.By analyzing the clinical manifestations,surgical methods,postoperative pathology,therapies and prognosis of the cases,we summarized the diagnosis and treatment ideas. Results Among the 18 cases,7(7/18,38.9%)developed secondary sex signs before puberty,including 5 cases showing precocity(including 2 cases of juvenile granulosa cell tumor,1 case of gonadoblastoma,1 case of ovarian follicular cyst,and 1 case of 46,XY simple gonadal dysplasia combined with dysgerminoma)and 2 cases presenting masculine manifestations(1 case of steroid cell tumor and 1 case of sclerosing stromal tumor).The rest 11(11/18,61.1%)cases showed abnormal development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty,including 8 cases with masculine manifestations or abnormal menstruation after menarche(7 cases with sex cord stromal cell tumor and 1 case with cystic granulosa cell tumor),2 cases with primary amenorrhea(1 case with androgen insensitivity syndrome combined with testicular sertoli cell tumor and 1 case with endometriosis cyst combined with reproductive tract malformation),and 1 case diagnosed as 46,XX gonadal dysplasia with serous cystadenoma and no secondary sexual development during puberty. Conclusions Sex hormone levels should be actively tested in the case of prepubertal secondary sexual characteristics appearing early,pubertal secondary sexual characteristics being abnormal(underdevelopment),and/or menstrual abnormalities.Imaging examination should be performed to exclude ovarian organic lesions,and chromosome karyotype analysis should be performed if necessary.The diagnosis of ovarian mass in preadolescent and adolescent females with related symptoms should first be alerted to cord stromal cell tumor.It is recommended to rule out the possibility of combined reproductive tract malformation in the adolescent patients with primary amenorrhea.Chromosome examination should be conducted to rule out the possibility of gonadal dysplasia in the adolescent patients with primary amenorrhea and/or no development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Completion hysterectomy after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced adeno-type cervical carcinoma: updated survival outcomes and experience in post radiation surgery / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE@#To compare patient survival outcomes between completion hysterectomy and conventional surveillance in locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the cervix after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).@*METHODS@#Patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix after CCRT were identified in a tertiary academic center database from 2004 to 2018. Patients received completion hysterectomy or surveillance after CCRT. We compared the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the patients with or without adjuvant hysterectomy. Surgery features, operative complications, and pathologic characteristics were documented. Patient outcomes were also analyzed according to clinicopathologic factors.@*RESULTS@#A total of 78 patients were assigned to completion surgery and 97 to surveillance after CCRT. The PFS was better in the surgery group compared to the CCRT only group, at 3 years the PFS rates were 68.1% and 45.2%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]=0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.282–0.749; p=0.002). Adjuvant surgery was also associated with a higher rate of OS (HR=0.361; 95% CI=0.189–0.689; p=0.002), at 3 years, 87.9% and 67%, respectively. Tumor stage, size, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI), lymphadenopathy were associated with PFS but not with OS. Hysterectomy specimens revealed 64.1% (50/78) of the patients had pathologic residual tumor. Patients age less than 60, tumor size over 4 cm, stage IIB and persistent residual disease after CCRT were most likely to benefit from hysterectomy. Hysterectomy was associated with a lower rate of locoregional recurrence but did not reach statistical significance (5.13% vs. 13.5%, p=0.067).@*CONCLUSION@#Completion hysterectomy after CCRT was associated with better survival outcome compared with the current standard of care.

Completion hysterectomy after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced adeno-type cervical carcinoma: updated survival outcomes and experience in post radiation surgery / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To compare patient survival outcomes between completion hysterectomy and conventional surveillance in locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the cervix after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).METHODS: Patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix after CCRT were identified in a tertiary academic center database from 2004 to 2018. Patients received completion hysterectomy or surveillance after CCRT. We compared the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the patients with or without adjuvant hysterectomy. Surgery features, operative complications, and pathologic characteristics were documented. Patient outcomes were also analyzed according to clinicopathologic factors.RESULTS: A total of 78 patients were assigned to completion surgery and 97 to surveillance after CCRT. The PFS was better in the surgery group compared to the CCRT only group, at 3 years the PFS rates were 68.1% and 45.2%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]=0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.282–0.749; p=0.002). Adjuvant surgery was also associated with a higher rate of OS (HR=0.361; 95% CI=0.189–0.689; p=0.002), at 3 years, 87.9% and 67%, respectively. Tumor stage, size, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI), lymphadenopathy were associated with PFS but not with OS. Hysterectomy specimens revealed 64.1% (50/78) of the patients had pathologic residual tumor. Patients age less than 60, tumor size over 4 cm, stage IIB and persistent residual disease after CCRT were most likely to benefit from hysterectomy. Hysterectomy was associated with a lower rate of locoregional recurrence but did not reach statistical significance (5.13% vs. 13.5%, p=0.067).CONCLUSION: Completion hysterectomy after CCRT was associated with better survival outcome compared with the current standard of care.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients in endometrial cancer with bone metastases / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To analyze the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients in endometrial cancer with bone metastases. Methods A retrospective review of medical records was performed to analyze patients with endometrial cancer who developed bone metastases at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from January 2004 to December 2017, including patients with bone metastases at the diagnosis of endometrial cancer and at recurrence of endometrial cancer. The patient′s clinicopathological features, bone metastasis characteristics, treatment process and prognoses were also analyzed. Results The incidence of bone metastasis of endometrial cancer in PUMCH from 2004 to 2017 was 0.57% (14/2 458). (1) General clinical pathological features: the median age of the 7 patients with bone metastases diagnosed at the time of initial diagnosis was 50 years old, and the main pathological type was endometrioid carcinoma (n=5). The median age of the other 7 patients was 57 years old, with no significant difference comparing to the former groups (P=0.559). (2) The majority site of bone metastasis in endometrial cancer were discovered in pelvic bones, followed by the tibia. (3) Treatment: according to the staging of endometrial cancer, a comprehensive treatment based on surgery was performed, and one patient with isolated bone metastases underwent resection of bone metastasis. (4) Prognosis: nine out of the 14 patients died during the follow-up period. The median over all survival time was 25.5 months (range: 7.7-258.0 months). The median survival of population after diagnosis of bone metastases was 15.0 months (range: 3.0-51.0 months). The survival rate of endometrial cancer at 1-year after diagnosis of bone metastasis was 71.4%. The 2-year survival rate was 40.8%. (5) No independent prognostic factors affecting survival was found (P>0.05). Conclusions The incidence of bone metastasis in endometrial cancer is less than 1%. Bone metastasis could occur at the diagnosis of endometrial cancer or recurrence of endometrial cancer. Bone metastasis suggests a poor prognosis. There is no standard follow-up and treatment protocols so that individualized treatment is needed.

Clinicopathologic and survival analysis of synchronous primary endometrial and ovarian cancer / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To demonstrate the clinicopathological characteristics and determine the prognostic factors for women with synchronous primary endometrial and ovarian cancer(SEOC). Methods A retrospective analysis of 63 pathologically proven cases of SEOC diagnosed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2000 to May 2018 was carried out. Results (1)Clinical features: mean age at diagnosis was(48.3±10.0)years, and the mean body mass index(BMI)was(23.4±3.7)kg/m2. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding with a ratio of 73%(46/63). Forty-three patients(68%,43/63)were premenopausal, and 30%(19/63)were nulliparous.(2)Pathological features:for the endometrial cancer, 90% patients were diagnosed at stageⅠ, and 81% were low grade tumors(G1- G2). The histological type of endometrial cancer was mainly endometrioid carcinoma(86%)and majority (81%)of patients were proved without or with superficial myometrial invasion. For the ovarian cancer, 70% patients were diagnosed at stage Ⅰand 65% were low grade tumors(G1-G2). Sixty-two percent of ovarian cancers were endometrioid carcinoma and 68% of patients had unilateral involvement of the ovaries.(3) Treatment and prognosis: all patients underwent surgery, of which 56 (89%) underwent staging surgery including retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, and 57(90%)received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The median follow-up time was 48.0 months(range, 2-176 months), and 13% of the patients experienced tumor recurrence during the follow-up period. The median time to recurrence was 38.5 months, and 6 patients (10%)died of tumor recurrence. The 5-year progression-free survival(PFS)and 5-year overall survival(OS) for all patients were 69% and 80%, respectively.(4)Prognostic factors: univariate analysis showed that the presence of lymphovascular space invasion(LVSI), non-endometrioid histology of ovarian cancer and stage of ovarian cancer above stageⅠwere associated with significantly worse PFS(P<0.05). LVSI, high grade of endometrial cancer, and above stage Ⅰof ovarian cancer were associated with significantly worse OS(P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, LVSI, non-endometrioid type ovarian cancer and stage of ovarian cancer above stageⅠwere associated with significantly worse PFS(P<0.05). In addition, LVSI and stage of ovarian cancer above stage Ⅰwere also associated with significantly worse OS(P<0.05). Conclusions Women with SEOC are young, premenopausal and have a favorable overall prognosis. Presence of LVSI, non-endometrioid type ovarian cancer and stage of ovarian cancer above stageⅠare independent prognostic factors for PFS,and stage of ovarian cancer above stageⅠare independent prognostic factors for OS.

Clinical-based study of ovarian cancer patients with and without BRCA1/2 genes mutation:clinical features and pedigree analysis / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To compare the clinical and histological features and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer from different genetic background, and to make further understanding of the genetic model of BRCA genes used pedigree analysis. Methods There were 71 patients from 67 independent families enrolled in our study from Apr. 2000 to Jun. 2009 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All exons of BRCA1/2 genes were analyzed using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC) followed by direct sequencing, and clinical features of patients were compared by statistical analysis. Pedigree analysis of two families with BRCA genes mutation were performed. Results The mutation rate of BRCA genes was 28%(20/71). The frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation was 23%(16/71) and 6%(4/71), respectively (P=0.004). Histology types of patients with and without BRCA genes mutation were different. The onset age between patients with and without BRCA genes mutation was similar (52.6 versus 54.6 years old, P=0.393), and tend to be early-onset breast or ovarian cancer in high-risk group. There was no significant difference of platinum-resistant rate, disease free survival and overall survival rate between patients with and without BRCA genes mutation (all P>0.05). According to the pedigree analysis, up to 100% of female offspring inherited pathogenic mutations, and male offspring could be a mutation carrier. Conclusions The genetic screening and clinical intervention should be performed as early as possible for the members from families at risk of hereditary ovarian cancer. Genetic consulting is important for patients with high-grade papillary serous adenocarcinoma of ovary. It is still unknown that whether the patients with BRCA gene mutations have better prognosis than sporadic ones, and further perspective, randomized controlled trial is still needed.

Germline and somatic mutations in homologous recombination genes among Chinese ovarian cancer patients detected using next-generation sequencing / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To define genetic profiling of homologous recombination (HR) deficiency in Chinese ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: we have applied next-generation sequencing to detect deleterious mutations through all exons in 31 core HR genes. Paired whole blood and frozen tumor samples from 50 Chinese women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian carcinomas were tested to identify both germline and somatic variants. RESULTS: Deleterious germline HR-mutations were identified in 36% of the ovarian cancer patients. Another 5 patients had only somatic mutations. BRCA2 was most frequently mutated. Three out of the 5 somatic mutations were in RAD genes and a wider distribution of other HR genes was involved in non-serous carcinomas. BRCA1/2-mutation carriers had favorable platinum sensitivity (relative risk, 1.57, p<0.05), resulting in a 100% remission probability and survival rate. In contrast, mutations in other HR genes predicted poor prognosis. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that platinum sensitivity and optimal cytoreduction were the independent impact factors influencing survival (hazards ratio, 0.053) and relapse (hazards ratio, 0.247), respectively. CONCLUSION: our results suggest that a more comprehensive profiling of HR defect than merely BRCA1/2 could help elucidate tumor heterogeneity and lead to better stratification of ovarian cancer patients for individualized clinical management.

Role of Exosome Shuttle RNA in Cell-to-Cell Communication / 中国医学科学院学报

There are several ways that transpire in cell-to-cell communication,with or without cell contact. Exosomes play an important role in cell-to-cell communication,which do not need cell contact,as that can result in a relatively long-distance influence. Exosome contains RNA components including mRNA and micro-RNA,which are protected by exosomes rigid membranes. This allows those components be passed long distance through the circulatory system. The mRNA components are far different from their donor cells,and the micro-RNA components may reflect the cell they originated. In this article we review the role of exosomes in cell-to-cell communication,with particular focus on their potentials in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Exosomes in the ascites of ovarian cancer patients: origin and effects on anti-tumor immunity.

This study was performed to identify the origin of the ascites-derived exosomes from patients with ovarian cancer and to observe the effect of exosomes on anti-tumor immunity. Exosomes were isolated from the ascites of patients with ovarian epithelial cancer by ultracentrifugation plus density gradient centrifugation. The origin of exosomes was identified by immunoelectronmicroscopy (IEM). The growth curve of the tumor cell line SKOV3 cultured with or without exosomes was analyzed. The apoptosis of autogeneic tumor cells (ATCs) and SKOV3 cells affected by exosomes was measured by flow cytometry (FCM) and light phase contrast microscopy. The cytotoxic effect of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated by exosomes and/or dendritic cells (DCs) on ovarian cancer cells was measured using a CCK-8 assay. The levels of IFN-γ released by PBMCs stimulated by exosomes and/or DCs were measured by ELISA. The apoptosis of PBMCs and DCs affected by exosomes was measured by FCM and light microscopy. Whether the mature process of DCs was affected by exosomes was studied by FCM. The ratio of CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell were measured by FCM. FasL and TRAIL molecules on exosomes were detected by western blot analysis. The human FasL antagonistic antibody was used to block the apoptosis of DCs and PBMCs induced by exosomes. The receptors of TRAIL DR4 and DR5 on PBMCs and DCs were detected by FCM. In 41 patients examined, we isolated exosomes from the ascites of 35 patients. We detected TCR, CD20, HLA-DR, B7-2, HER2/neu, CA125 and Histone H2A on exosomes. We found that exosomes might impair the cytotoxic activity of PBMCs when DCs are present. We found that exosomes had no effect on the growth and apoptosis of SKOV3 cells. However, exosomes may induce apoptosis of precursors, mature DCs and PBMCs. We found that FasL and TRAIL were present in the exosome suspension and addition of an anti-FasL antibody may decrease the percentage of apoptosis of DCs and PBMCs. We conclude that exosomes exist in ascites of 85.4% of patients with ovarian cancer. Moreover, these exosomes may be of multi-origin. Exosomes had no effect on the growth and apoptosis of tumor cells but impaired the cytotoxic activity of PBMCs in the presence of DCs. Exosomes also may induce apoptosis of the precursors of DCs, DCs and PBMCs. FasL and TRAIL on exosomes may partly account for the apoptosis of cells of the immune system.

Extrafascial hysterectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether adjuvant simple hysterectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) improves progression-free survival (PFS) compared with current standard care in locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma (LACAC). METHODS: We reviewed a cohort of 55 patients with LACAC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stage IB2, IIA2, IIB, III without distant metastasis) diagnosed and treated with radical CCRT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2004 and October 2014. We compared 34 patients who underwent adjuvant extrafascial hysterectomy with 21 patients with standard care after CCRT. The primary outcome was PFS. Overall survivals (OS) between the two groups were also compared. Surgery feasibility, operative complications, and pathologic features after radiation therapy were also analyzed. RESULTS: PFS was significantly improved in surgery group (log-rank p=0.0097; hazard ratio [HR], 0.3431; 95% CI, 0.152 to 0.772), as were OS (log-rank p=0.0419; HR, 0.3667; 95% CI, 0.139 to 0.964). Analysis of stage IIB demonstrates a similar result. There were no severe complications related to postradiation surgery in this series. The mean blood loss was less in laparoscopic group than those in the open group (87 mL vs. 208 mL, p=0.036, Mann-Whitney U-test). Approximately 47% patients (16/34) had pathologic residue tumor on hysterectomy specimens. About 94% patients (32/34) got complete remission after adjuvant surgery. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant hysterectomy after CCRT improves survival outcome for patients with LACAC compared with current standard care. Extrafascial hysterectomy is sufficient in tumor reduction and laparoscopic procedure may be more promising with lower blood loss and expedite recovery.

Extrafascial hysterectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether adjuvant simple hysterectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) improves progression-free survival (PFS) compared with current standard care in locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma (LACAC). METHODS: We reviewed a cohort of 55 patients with LACAC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stage IB2, IIA2, IIB, III without distant metastasis) diagnosed and treated with radical CCRT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2004 and October 2014. We compared 34 patients who underwent adjuvant extrafascial hysterectomy with 21 patients with standard care after CCRT. The primary outcome was PFS. Overall survivals (OS) between the two groups were also compared. Surgery feasibility, operative complications, and pathologic features after radiation therapy were also analyzed. RESULTS: PFS was significantly improved in surgery group (log-rank p=0.0097; hazard ratio [HR], 0.3431; 95% CI, 0.152 to 0.772), as were OS (log-rank p=0.0419; HR, 0.3667; 95% CI, 0.139 to 0.964). Analysis of stage IIB demonstrates a similar result. There were no severe complications related to postradiation surgery in this series. The mean blood loss was less in laparoscopic group than those in the open group (87 mL vs. 208 mL, p=0.036, Mann-Whitney U-test). Approximately 47% patients (16/34) had pathologic residue tumor on hysterectomy specimens. About 94% patients (32/34) got complete remission after adjuvant surgery. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant hysterectomy after CCRT improves survival outcome for patients with LACAC compared with current standard care. Extrafascial hysterectomy is sufficient in tumor reduction and laparoscopic procedure may be more promising with lower blood loss and expedite recovery.

Tailored therapy and long-term surveillance of malignant germ cell tumors in the female genital system: 10-year experience / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To explore the appropriate treatment of malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT) in the female genital system, and to analyze the factors influencing both therapeutic response and survival outcome. METHODS: A cohort of 230-Chinese women diagnosed with MGCT of the genital system was retrospectively reviewed and prospectively followed. The demographic and pathological features, extent of disease and surgery, treatment efficiency, recurrence and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: MGCTs from different genital origins shared a similar therapeutic strategy and response, except that all eight vaginal cases were infantile yolk sac tumors. The patients' cure rate following the initial treatment, 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were 85.02%, 95.00%, and 86.00%, respectively. Although more extensive excision could enhance the remission rate; it did not improve the patients' survival. Instead, the level of the medical institution, extent of surgery and disease were independent prognostic factors for relapse (p<0.05). Approximately 20% of patients had recurrent or refractory disease, more than half of whom were in remission following secondary cytoreductive surgery with salvage chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Fertility-sparing surgery with or without standardized PEB/PVB (cisplatin, etoposide/vincristine, and bleomycin) chemotherapy is applicable for female MGCTs of different origins. Comprehensive staging is not required; nor is excessive debulking suggested. Appropriate cytoreduction by surgery and antineoplastic medicine at an experienced medical institution can bring about an excellent prognosis for these patients.

Factors Associated with Effectiveness of Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes in Patients with Thin Endometrium Undergoing Estrogen Treatment / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Thin endometrium is associated with poor reproductive outcomes; estrogen treatment can increase endometrial thickness (EMT). The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the factors influencing the effectiveness of estrogen treatment and reproductive outcomes after the treatment in patients with thin endometrium.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Relevant clinical data of 101 patients with thin endometrium who had undergone estrogen treatment were collected. Possible factors influencing the effectiveness of treatment were analyzed retrospectively by logistic regression analysis. Eighty-seven infertile women without thin endometrium who had undergone assisted reproduction served as controls. The cases and controls were matched for age, assisted reproduction method, and number of embryos transferred. Reproductive outcomes of study and control groups were compared using Student's t-test and the Chi-square test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the end of estrogen treatment, EMT was ≥8 mm in 93/101 patients (92.1%). Effectiveness of treatment was significantly associated with maximal pretreatment EMT (P = 0.017) and treatment duration (P = 0.004). The outcomes of assisted reproduction were similar in patients whose treatment was successful in increasing EMT to ≥8 mm and the control group. The rate of clinical pregnancy in patients was associated with the number of good-quality embryos transferred in both fresh (P = 0.005) and frozen-thawed (P = 0.000) embryo transfer cycles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Thinner EMT before estrogen treatment requires longer treatment duration and predicts poorer treatment outcomes. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the duration of estrogen administration. Assisted reproductive outcomes of patients whose treatment is successful (i.e., achieves an EMT ≥8 mm) are similar to those of controls. The quality of embryos transferred is an important predictor of assisted reproductive outcomes in patients treated successfully with exogenous estrogen.</p>

Analysis of treatment modalities and prognosis on microinvasive cervical cancer: a 10-year cohort study in China / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To explore appropriate treatment modality of microinvasive cervical cancer (MIC) and to analyze prognosis and risk factors of recurrence. METHODS: A cohort of 324 Chinese patients with MIC diagnosed and treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital was retrospectively reviewed. Demographic features, treatment modalities, pathologic parameters, risk factors of residual disease, survival and risk factors of recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Of all patients, 280 cases were staged IA1 and 44 cases staged IA2 MIC. Twenty-five cases (7.7%) were found to have lympho-vascular space involvement (LVSI), but no parametrial involvement or ovarian metastasis was detected. Only one staged IA2 patient with LVSI was found to have lymph node metastasis. 32.4% patients (82/253) had residual diseases after conization. No significant difference of LVSI, lymph node metastasis and residual disease after coniztion was found between stage IA1 and IA2 MIC patients. Multivariate logistic analysis showed positive margin was the only independent risk factor of residual disease after conization (odds ratio [OR], 4.18; p<0.001). Recurrence occurred in five cases, but no mortality was found. Progression-free survival for stage IA1 patients treated by conization or hysterectomy was similar (92.3% and 98.8%, p=0.07). Cox regression analysis revealed LVSI as an independent risk factor for recurrence in stage IA1 patients (OR, 12.14; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: For stage IA1 patients with negative resection margin and no LVSI, conization can be an ideal treatment modality. For stage IA2 patients, more conservative surgery such as simple hysterectomy may be considered. LVSI is an independent risk factor for recurrence in patients with stage IA1 cervical cancer.

Quality of life and sexual function of cervical cancer patients following radical hysterectomy and vaginal extension / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the quality of life and sexual function of cervical cancer patients following radical hysterectomy (RH) and vaginal extension.Methods Case-control and questionnaire-based method was employed in this study.Thirty-one patients of early-stage (Ⅰ b1-Ⅰ b2) cervical cancer who had undergone vaginal extension following classic RH in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2008 to September 2012 were included in study group,while 28 patients with matching factors and RH only during the same period were allocated to control group.There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of clinical and demographic variables including age at diagnosis,tumor stage and follow-up time (P＞0.05).Patients were assessed retrospectively by validated selfreported questionnaires the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Cervix Cancer Module Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CX24) mainly for quality of life and sexual function for cervical cancer patients; the Sexual Function and Vaginal Changes Questionnaire (SVQ) further investigates sexual function and vaginal changes of patients with gynecologic malignancy at least 6 months after treatment.Results Vaginal length acquired by pelvic examination by gynecologic oncologists during follow-up visits was (10.0±1.3) cm and (5.9± 1.0) cm in study group and control group respectively (P=0.000).Sixty-eight percent (21/31) of cases in study group and 64％ (18/28) of cases in control group had resumed sexual activity at the time of interview,and the time interval between treatment and regular sexual activity was mean 6 months (range 3-20 months) and mean 5 months (range 1-12 months) in study and control group respectively,in which there was not statistical significance (P＞0.05).No difference was observed regarding pelvic floor symptoms (P＞0.05) while difficulty emptying bladder,incomplete emptying and constipation were most commonly reported.Both group presented with hypoactive sexual desire disorder [88％ (52/59)],orgasm dysfunction [72％(28/39)] and low enjoyment or relaxation after sex [51％(20/39)],which was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).Reduced vagina size and shorter vagina was more prominent in control group (12/18) than that in study group [19％ (4/21)] with statistical significance (P＜0.05),while no difference in sexual desire,vaginal lubrication,dyspareunia and sexual enjoyment (P＞0.05).Conclusions Patients with peritoneovaginoplasty following RH had much longer vagina and less self-perceived short vagina.Vaginal extension following RH does not worsen the pelvic floor symptoms.

Clinical study on 68 cases with struma ovarii / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To study the clinical features,treatment and prognosis of struma ovarii.Methods From January 1990 to January 2012,a total of 68 patients were diagnosed struma ovarii at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Clinical data of these patients were studied retrospectively.Results (1) Characteristics of patients:the median age of patients was 42 years old (17-81 years).Of those patients,64 cases (94％) were diagnosed begin struma ovarii and 4(6％) were malignant struma ovarii.(2) Clinical feature:32(47％,32/68) patients were identified with pelvic mass by ultrasonic test,28 cases(41％) had clinical abdominal pain,8(12％) touched a mass from abdominal wall.Preoperative CA125 were tested in 54 patients,but only 8 cases(15％) had moderate elevation.All patients receive ultrasound examination,and 51 cases (75％) were mulitcystic lesions with many septi,3(4％) solid lesions and 14(21％) solid-cystic tumors.The mean diameter of tumors was(8 ± 3) cm.Ascites was present in 4 (6％,4/68)patients.Sixty-seven patients had unilateral lesions,and 1 patient had bilateral lesions.No patient had hyperthyroidism presentation.Nineteen cases underwent thyroid function test after operation,and the results were normal.(3) Treatment:all patients underwent surgical treatment.Among patients with begin struma ovarii,25 cases underwent cystectomy,15 cases unilateral,2 bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy,22 cases hysterectomy + unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.Four malignant struma ovarii,1 patient underwent fertility-sparing staging surgery,2 patients unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy,1 case hysterectomy + bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.Two patients received chemotherapy after surgery.(4) Prognosis:all patients were followed up in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.The median follow-up time of benign struma ovarii was 5.4 years (6 months-21 years) and there were no recurrence.The median follow-up time of malignant struma ovarii was 11.5 years (9-20 years).Three cases had long-term recurrence at 2,7 and 16 years respectively after surgery.They were received surgical treatment after recurrence and all were alive.Two cases were given by thyroidectomy and 131I treatment.Conclusions Struma ovarii is a rare ovarian monodermal teratoma.Tumorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy is the appropriate therapeutic treatment for benign struma ovarii.The incidence of malignant struma ovarii is low,and there are no standard treatments.Because of higher long-term recurrence rate,these patients need close follow-up.