The prognostic value of P53 index in predicting the recurrence of early low-risk endometrial cancer.

AIM: We aimed to clarify the clinical value of P53 index in patients with early low-risk endometrial cancer (EC) and find an optimal cut-off value of P53 index for predicting the recurrence of these patients. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 157 patients with early low-risk EC (stage 1A with grade 1 or 2 endometrioid EC) were analyzed. The optimal cut-off value of the P53 index was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Youden index. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the independent prognostic predictors of recurrence of EC. Then all patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal cut-off value of the P53 index. Differences of the clinicopathological parameters between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed age PR (p = 0.020) and P53 (p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for the recurrence of EC. The value of P53 index was found to be the optimal cut-off point of 17.5% in estimating the recurrence of EC. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of patients in the low P53 index group (<17.5%) and the high P53 index group (≥17.5%) were 94.6% and 65.4% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It has been revealed that the P53 index is a prognostic factor for recurrence in early low-risk EC. The optimal cut-off value of P53 index may contribute to the postoperative individualized treatment options for early low-risk EC patients.

Analysis of vanishing endometrial cancer by pathological types.

PURPOSE: We asked why endometrial cancer sometimes vanishes. METHODS: A total of 454 patients diagnosed with endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EC) (via endometrial sampling) and treated in our clinic over the past 5 years were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: vanishing and residual, depending on whether a tumor was detected in the postoperative hysterectomy specimen. Patient age, numbers of pregnancies and deliveries, menopausal status, systemic disease status, hemogram parameters, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade, and invasion status (evident on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: ECs vanished in 42 (9.25%) patients. The vanishing rates were 19.7% (37/187) in FIGO grade 1 patients, 2.1% (5/238) in grade 2 patients, and 0% (0/29) in grade 3 patients. The average age was lower in the vanishing than the residual group, but the premenopausal status and grade 1 tumor rates were higher (both p < 0.001). An absence of invasion (as revealed by MRI) was more common in the vanishing group (p < 0.001). No recurrence developed in the vanishing group, but recurrences were noted in 3.3% (14/412) of the residual group. There were no significant between-group differences in any of the numbers of pregnancies or births, systemic disease status, or hemogram parameters (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vanishing EC is more likely in premenopausal women with endometrioid grade 1 EC (as revealed by endometrial biopsy) who lack myometrial invasion on MRI.

Serum markers for the early diagnosis of intestinal anastomotic leak after gyne-oncological operations.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the serum markers for the early diagnosis of intestinal anastomotic leak (AL) after the gyne-oncological operations. METHODS: Between September 2017 and March 2021, patients with an intestinal anastomosis performed during the gyne-oncological surgeries were identified from a tertiary centre in Turkey. As the local guideline of the clinic, all these patients were followed by measuring serum samples including procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) on postoperative day (POD) 1 through the day of discharge or the day of re-operation for AL. RESULTS: 12.5% (5/40) of the patients suffered an AL and 4 of them were re-operated. The mean albumin values on POD 3-4 and the mean platelet values on POD 1 were lower in the AL group (P < .05). Although it was not statistically significant (P > .05), median PCT values (ng/mL) on POD 8-10 were higher in the AL group compared with no leak group. The best cut-off point for PCT on POD 9 was determined to be 0.11 ng/mL (AUC: 0.917, Sensitivity = 100.0%, specificity = 66.7%, positive predictive value = 66.7%, negative predictive value = 100.0%). CONCLUSION: Serum PCT and CRP concentrations were not found to be helpful for the early diagnosis of AL in patients operated for gyne-oncological malignancies. Low levels of albumin and platelets in the first days after the operation may be clue for a possible AL.

Is the extent of lymphadenectomy a prognostic factor in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer?

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of adequate lymph node dissection (LND) (≥10 pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) and ≥ 5 paraaortic LNs removed) in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). METHODS: A multicenter department database review was performed to identify patients who had been operated and diagnosed with stage II EEC at seven centers in Turkey retrospectively. Demographic, clinicopathological, and survival data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 284 women with stage II EEC. There were 170 (59.9%) patients in the adequate lymph node dissection (LND) group and 114 (40.1%) in the inadequate LND group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the inadequate LND group was significantly lower than that of the adequate LND group (84.1% vs. 89.1%, respectively; p = 0.028). In multivariate analysis, presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-4.63; p = 0.009), age ≥ 60 (HR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.65-6.57; p = 0.001], and absence of adjuvant therapy (HR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.40-5.35; p = 0.003) remained as independent risk factors for decreased 5-year disease-free survival (DFS). Inadequate LND (HR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.18-4.63; p < 0.001), age ≥ 60 (HR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.25-5.72; p = 0.011), and absence of adjuvant therapy (HR: 4.95, 95% CI: 2.28-10.73; p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for decreased 5-year OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Adequate LND and adjuvant therapy were significant for the improvement of outcomes in FIGO stage II EEC patients. Furthermore, LVSI was associated with worse 5-year DFS rate in stage II EEC.

Does ovarian preservation have an effect on recurrence of early stage low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma?

Surgical treatment of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma consists of hysterectomy. The role of oophorectomy is yet to be established. We aimed to examine the effect of preserving the ovaries on the pattern of recurrences in patients with stage I disease. Thirty-four patients with stage I low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma were retrospectively analysed. Based on ovarian preservation the whole cohort was divided into two groups. Recurrence (liver, lung, groin and bone) was detected in 4 (11.8%) cases. No significant differences in overall survival or disease-free survival (DFS) were observed between the ovarian preservation and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) groups. Subset analysis revealed no significant difference in DFS between the ovarian preservation and BSO groups in the premenopausal arm. And also, the performance of pelvic (n = 2) or para-aortic lymphadenectomy (n = 6) or adjuvant hormonal therapy did not alter DFS significantly. The 5-year DFS rate for the group which received adjuvant radiotherapy was 62.5 and 94.4% for those which did not (p = .014). Preserving the ovaries had no adverse effect on the recurrence of stage I disease.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Due to the rarity of the disease and the common postoperative diagnosis, only retrospective studies have been reported on low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. This disease is commonly diagnosed in premenopausal patients during the early stage. There is no consensus on preserving the ovaries, particularly in young patients, due to the tumour's hormonal characteristics and the risk of late recurrences.What do the results of this study add? Ovarian preservation had no effect on the recurrence of stage I low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Lymphadenectomy and adjuvant hormonal treatment had no effect on DFS, and adjuvant radiotherapy decreased DFS in the current study.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Ovarian preservation should be considered, to prevent the negative effects of surgical menopause, particularly in young patients.

Life quality of endometrioid endometrial cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic malignancy in developed countries with increasing incidence worldwide. A total of 201 patients were enrolled and a cross-sectional study was performed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) after the approval by an institutional review board (University of Health Sciences, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Turkey, March 13, 2019, Approval no. 2019/4-27). Morbidly obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2) had lower physical functioning scores compared to non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2; p = .008) and non-morbidly obese patients (BMI < 40 kg/m2; p = .011). The overall sexual dysfunction rate was high (94.5%). No significant sexual function differences were observed among the study groups.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Previous efforts to assess the influence of obesity and BMI on endometrial cancer patient quality of life have indicated that obesity adversely affects physical function and the effects of obesity on sexual function remains vague. In addition, the influence of patient age, surgical approach, adjuvant therapy type and time after diagnosis on quality of life and sexual function have not been clearly defined.What do the results of this study add? Increased BMI is associated with impaired physical function in endometrial cancer patients. However, BMI does not appear to affect sexual function in this population.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? After endometrial cancer treatment, lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss should be implemented to improve the quality of life.

Prognostic factors and oncological outcomes of ovarian yolk sac tumors: a retrospective multicentric analysis of 99 cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinico-pathological prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in patients with ovarian yolk sac tumors (YST). METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with ovarian YST who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2017 at seven Gynecologic Oncology Centers in Turkey. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 99 consecutive patients with a mean age of 23.9 years. While 52 patients had early stage (stage I-II) disease, the remaining 47 patients had advanced stage (stage III-IV) disease. The uterus was preserved in 74 (74.8%) of the cases. The absence of gross residual disease following surgery was achieved in 76.8% of the cases. Of the 54 patients with lymph node dissection (LND), lymph node metastasis was detected in 10 (18.5%) patients. Of the 99 patients, only 3 patients did not receive adjuvant therapy, and most of the patients (91.9%) received BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) chemotherapy. Disease recurred in 21 (21.2%) patients. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the entire cohort were 79.2% and 81.3%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only residual disease following initial surgery was found to be significantly associated with DFS and OS in patients with ovarian YST (p = 0.026 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the significance of achieving no visible residual disease in patients with ovarian YST. Fertility-sparing approach for patients with no visible residual disease affected neither DFS nor OS. Although high lymphatic involvement rate was detected, the benefit of LND could not be demonstrated.

What is the impact of stromal microinvasion on oncologic outcomes in borderline ovarian tumors? A multicenter case-control study.

PURPOSE: To investigate clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcome of women with microinvasive BOTs. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter case-control study was conducted on 902 patients with BOT, who underwent surgery from January 2002 to December 2015 at six participating gynecologic oncology centers from Turkey. Among 902 patients, 69 had microinvasive BOT. For every patient with microinvasive BOT, two controls were randomly selected from another database based on decade of age and stage of disease at diagnosis. The clinical-pathological characteristics and oncological outcomes were compared between BOT patients with and without stromal microinvasion. Risk factors for poor oncological outcomes were investigated in a multivariate analysis model. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Patients with microinvasive BOT had a significantly higher rate of recurrence than patients without microinvasive BOT (17.4 vs 7.8%, OR 3.55, %95 CI 1.091-11.59, p = 0.03). Stage at diagnosis (stage I versus II/III) and type of surgery (cystectomy versus others) were found as other significant prognostic factors for recurrence in multivariate analysis (OR 8.63, %95 CI 2.48-29.9, p = 0.001 and OR 19.4, %95 CI 3.59-105.6, p = 0.001, respectively). Stromal microinvasion was found as a prognostic factor for significantly shorter DFS (26.7 vs 11.9 months, p = 0.031, log rank). However, there was no significant difference in OS between two groups (p = 0.99, log rank). CONCLUSION: Stromal microinvasion is significantly associated with decreased DFS. In addition, our study confirms that the risk of recurrence is higher in patients with microinvasive BOT.

Changes in Markers of Ovarian Reserve After Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the changes in ovarian reserve markers after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (LOC). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty 50 patients who underwent LOC were prospectively examined to determine the changes in serum markers of ovarian reserve, starting from 1 month before and 3 months after consecutive operations. INTERVENTIONS: Changes in serum markers were compared between the following groups: endometrioma cysts (n = 26) versus nonendometrioma cysts (n = 24), unilateral cystectomy (n = 38) versus bilateral cystectomy (n = 12), and bilateral endometrioma extirpation (n = 10) versus other cystectomy operations (n = 40). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A significant change was noticed between the preoperative and postoperative antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels (2.67 ± 2.67 ng/mL vs 1.84 ± 1.72 ng/mL, p < .0001). Serum AMH levels were found to be significantly decreased in endometrioma (p = .002), nonendometrioma (p = .019), unilateral cystectomy (p = .001), bilateral cystectomy (p = .005), bilateral endometrioma (p = .011), and cysts other than bilateral endometrioma (p = .000) groups. CONCLUSION: The ovarian reserve was found to be diminished after LOC regardless of the presence of endometrioma that could be distinguishable by serum AMH levels.

Lymph node metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer macroscopically confined to the ovary: review of a single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the patterns of lymphatic spread in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) macroscopically confined to the ovary and to determine risk factors for lymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with clinically apparent stage IA/B/C EOCs who underwent staging surgery between January 2003 and February 2013 were retrospectively identified. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-six (n = 236) consecutive patients were operated for primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Sixty-two of these patients (26.2 %) who underwent a comprehensive staging procedure including pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy were diagnosed with tumors confined to one or two ovaries (stage IA/B/C). Of these 62 patients, 17 (27.4 %) had upstaged disease and 8 (12.9 %) had lymph node metastasis. Tumor histology was serous in 25 patients (40.3 %), mucinous in 23 patients (37 %), endometrioid in 9 patients (14.5 %), and clear cell in 5 patients (8 %). Positive lymph node status was found in 20 % (5/25) of those with serous histology while this rate was only 8.1 % (3/37) in those with non-serous disease. Although the presence of ascites was not associated with an increased risk of lymph node involvement (p = 0.24), positive peritoneal cytology (p = 0.001) and grade 3 disease (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of lymph node involvement. CONCLUSION: All patients diagnosed with EOC macroscopically confined to the ovary should be considered for comprehensive staging surgery including pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy.

Characteristics of patients with late recurrence endometrial cancer.

AIM: We planned this study to assess endometrial cancer (EC) patients who had late metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study constituted a review of the records of patients who were diagnosed with EC and underwent hysterectomy at the Gynecologic Oncology Clinic between 1996 and 2018. Relapses occurring after the first three years following primary treatment of EC are considered late recurrences. Post-relapse survival (PRS) refers to the time to the last follow-up or the patient's death after relapse. RESULTS: Late metastases were identified in 42 patients, 20 (47.6%) of whom had locoregional recurrence and 22 of whom (52.4%) had extrapelvic recurrence. Median disease-free survival (DFS) times were 61 (range: 43-78) and 65 (range: 48-81) months for the groups with locoregional and extrapelvic recurrences, respectively (P = 0.462). The 5-year PRS rate for the patients was 61.1%, with 63.8% having locoregional and 59.4% having extrapelvic late metastasis (P = 0.969). CONCLUSION: Among the patients with late metastases, those with endometrioid type EC were found to have a better prognosis. It has been shown that locoregional or extrapelvic organ recurrence does not significantly affect survival in patients with late relapse. Although our results are not statistically significant for cases of locoregional late metastases, surgical resection increases survival rates.

Ovarian fibroma/fibrothecoma: retrospective cohort study shows limited value of risk of malignancy index score.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian fibromas/fibrothecomas are uncommon benign tumours of ovary. Due to their solid structure, these benign tumours are sometimes confused with malignant tumours during clinical evaluation. AIMS: To determine the clinico-pathological characteristics of ovarian fibroma/fibrothecoma and analyse the efficiency of risk of malignancy index (RMI) scoring system to distinguish malignancy among these tumours. METHODS: Between November 2001 and February 2012, women with a pathological diagnosis of ovarian fibroma/fibrothecoma were identified. Depending on the menopausal status, serum CA-125 level and ultrasonographic findings, RMI scores were calculated for each of the patients. RESULTS: During the study period, 43 ovarian fibroma/fibrothecoma (4.7%) were detected among 912 adnexal masses operated. The mean age of the women was 52.2 (range, 21-80 years). Upon calculating RMI scores, 33 women (76.7%) were classified as low risk and 10 women (23.3%) as high risk for malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the RMI scoring for identification of malignant lesions preoperatively were found as 0%, 76%, 0% and 97%, respectively. Final pathological diagnosis was ovarian fibroma in 13 (30%) women, fibrothecoma in 29 (67%) and fibrosarcoma in one woman (2%). CONCLUSION: There are no specific markers for accurate preoperative diagnosis of ovarian fibroma/fibrothecoma. Moreover, according to our results, RMI scoring system does not aid clinicians in this issue either, with a high false-positive rate and very low sensitivity. Further studies with higher number of cases are needed to state clearly the role of RMI scores in preoperative discrimination of malignancy.

The concern about the educational quality of online videos on laparoscopic myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical content of the 50 most-viewed laparoscopic myomectomy videos on YouTube while evaluating the educational quality and accuracy of the videos. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the keyword "laparoscopic myomectomy" was searched in publicly available content on YouTube, and the videos were sorted by view count using YouTube's advanced search options. Out of the first 66 videos, only 50 were eligible according to our selection criteria. One associate professor of gynecology and one gynecology resident watched these videos independently and evaluated the quality and surgical aspects. Our primary outcome was the scores of the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information and Global Quality Score and the features of the surgical technique. RESULTS: The 50 most-viewed laparoscopic myomectomy videos were uploaded between 2010 and 2021. They had a mean of 66636.6±103772.2 views. According to the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information criteria, 78% of the videos were categorized as "poor," 12% of them were "fair," and 10% of them were "very poor." The indication of the surgery was not specified in 27 (54%) of them. The surgeons in 39 (79.6%) of the videos did not use any containment system for the power morcellation, even though it was restricted by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The preoperative and perioperative precautions to minimize blood loss were underemphasized. There was no scientific evidence in 49 (98%) of the videos. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic myomectomy videos on YouTube are limited in terms of providing evidence-based and well-organized scientific knowledge.

The prognostic significance of the heterologous component in uterine carcinosarcomas.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine carcinosarcomas are aggressive, rare biphasic tumors with malignant epithelial and malignant sarcomatous components. The prognostic significance of the presence of extrauterine sarcoma (heterologous component) is controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heterologous components in uterine carcinosarcomas on disease-free survival, overall survival, and other prognostic factors. METHODS: Clinical and histopathological data from patients treated for uterine carcinosarcoma in a tertiary cancer center in Turkey between July 2000 and January 2020 were collected. Independent risk factors affecting overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were identified. The median follow-up was 21.8 (1.2-233.1) months. In the multivariate analysis, the median overall survival and disease-free survival were 23.8 and 20.7 months in those with homologous mesenchymal components and 17.6 and 9.7 months in those with heterologous mesenchymal components, respectively. It was found that the presence of heterologous mesenchymal components significantly reduced both overall survival and disease-free survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.861; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.196-6.841; p=0.018 and OR, 3.697; 95%CI 1.572-8.695; p=0.003, respectively). In addition, both lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy were found to significantly increase overall survival and disease-free survival. Age was found to increase only disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study showed that the presence of heterologous components in uterine carcinosarcoma is a prognostic factor that adversely affects both overall survival and disease-free survival. Lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy have beneficial effects on both overall survival and disease-free survival.

Prognostic value of lymph node features in patients diagnosed with stage IIIC endometrial adenocancer.

AIM: Our study investigated the lymph node (LN) features most affecting survival in endometrial adenocancer (EAC) patients with LN involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was based on a review of the records of patients diagnosed with EAC, who underwent hysterectomy and systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy at the gynecologic oncology clinics of three centers between January 2009 and January 2019. RESULTS: A total of 120 stage IIIC endometrioid-type EAC patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into small (<10 mm) and large (≥10 mm) groups according to the size of the largest metastatic LN. Patients were divided into single and multiple metastasis groups according to the number of metastatic LNs. The patients were divided into pelvic and paraaortic groups according to the location of the metastatic LNs. The effects of prognostic factors on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Large-sized metastatic LNs were an independent prognostic factor for DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.-26.2; P = 0.035) and OS (HR = 9.0, 95% CI: 1.1-68.0; P = 0.033). The number (P = 0.093 for DFS, P = 0.911 for OS) and location (P = 0.217 for DFS, P = 0.124 for OS) of metastatic LNs were not independent prognostic factors for DFS or OS. CONCLUSIONS: Large-sized metastatic LNs were an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with stage IIIC EAC. Larger prospective studies including similar patient populations are required to verify these findings.

Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes among women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). METHODS: In a university hospital and a research and training hospital, a retrospective cohort study was conducted among women with singleton deliveries between 2003 and 2011. Maternal outcomes evaluated included gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, cesarean delivery. Neonatal outcomes also determined were 5-min Apgar score of less than 7, low birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), preterm delivery, fetal sex, and stillbirth. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the mean of age, parity, the number of artificial pregnancy, and smoking between two groups. Infants from HG pregnancies manifested similar birth weight (3,121.5 ± 595.4 vs. 3,164 ± 664.5 g) and gestational age (38.1 ± 2.3 vs. 38.1 ± 2.6 weeks), relative to infants from the control group (p = 0.67 and 0.91, respectively). In addition, no statistical significant differences were found in the rates of SGA birth, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and adverse fetal outcome between two groups (p > 0.05). Cesarean delivery rates were similar in two groups (31.9% in hyperemesis group vs. 27% in control group, p = 0.49). Comparing the gender of the newborn baby and Apgar scores less than 7 at 5 min, there were no statistically significant differences between two groups (p = 0.16 and 0.42, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hyperemesis gravidarum is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Coexisting ovarian malignancy in patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of ovarian preservation at the time of operation in patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 499 consecutive patients with clinical stage 1 endometrial cancer operated between January 2001 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and pathologic information and the intraoperative inspection findings of ovaries were evaluated to find the factors associated with the coexisting ovarian malignancy. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 56.8 ± 9.8 years. Coexisting ovarian tumors were detected in 38 patients (7.6 %), and 28 (5.6 %) of them were malignant (12 metastatic and 16 synchronous primaries). Most of the patients were postmenopausal (n = 371, 74.3 %) and 60 (12 %) of the patients were at the age of 45 years or less. Coexisting malignancy was detected in 9 % (n = 11) of the premenopausal patients and in 5 % (n = 3) of the patients aged 45 years or less. Multivariate analysis revealed that serosal invasion, tubal involvement, and positive abdominal cytology were independent risk factors for coexisting ovarian malignancy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the intraoperative examination for the diagnosis of benign/normal ovary was 99.6, 78.8, 98.5 and 92.9 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence of coexisting ovarian malignancy in clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma is low. Although occult metastasis cannot be excluded at all, careful intraoperative inspection of ovaries seems valuable for the prediction of co-existing ovarian malignancy.

Influence of body mass index on clinicopathologic features, surgical morbidity and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer.

AIM: To examine the influence of obesity on the patient characteristics and clinicopathologic features of endometrial cancer, and to find how treatment and prognosis were affected by obesity in women with endometrial cancer. METHODS: The data of 370 consecutive women operated for endometrial cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into three categories as <25, 25-29.9 and ≥30 according to BMI. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment including total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy and peritoneal cytology. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was carried out for all patients except for those with no myometrial invasion regardless of the tumor grade or for whom it was technically impossible. Paraaortic lymphadenectomy was performed when pre- and intraoperative assessments suggested non-endometrioid or grade 3 endometrioid cancer, >50 % myometrial invasion and cervical involvement. RESULTS: Patients with a BMI (body mass index) of <25 were significantly younger. Patients with a BMI of ≥30 were statistically less likely to have >50 % myometrial invasion and more likely to have stage I disease. There were no significant differences in the incidences of positive pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes and tumor grades between the three groups. Also, there were no differences in surgery type, the mean of removed pelvic and paraaortic lymph node number, hospital stay, blood loss and complications between the groups. The patients with a BMI of ≥30 had significantly longer operating time. There were no statistically significant differences in recurrences, the median number of months at recurrence or the site of recurrence between the three groups, as well as the 5-year overall and disease-free survival of patients. Multivariate proportional hazard models identified stage III and IV disease as significant covariates for mortality rates, while stage III and IV disease, hypertension and pelvic irradiation were identified as significant covariates for recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: Positive peritoneal cytology, deep myometrial invasion and stage II-IV endometrial cancer were significantly more common in patients with a BMI of <25. There were no significant differences in tumor grade, surgical technique, surgical morbidity or adjuvant radiotherapy between the BMI groups. Recurrence and cancer-related mortality rates were not affected by the BMI.

Aggressive Angiomyxoma. A case series of eight years of experience.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a type of mesenchymal tumor occurring predominantly in the pelvic and perineal region. The aim of our study was to reveal our experience with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment in patients with angiomyxoma and provide a comprehensive review of management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a case-series including seven female patients diagnosed with aggressive angiomyxoma from a single institution, between 2012 and 2020. Follow-up after surgery was ranged between 2-45 months with an average of 17.6 months. Resection was performed in all patients without any complications, and five had received GnRH analogue (Goserelin acetate) therapy after surgery. Immunohistochemistry analyses showed positivity for smooth muscle actin and desmin in all cases, while both estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity were identified in 6 patients. None of the seven patients had recurrence during follow up period. CONCLUSION: The mean treatment of aggressive angiomyxoma is surgery, and the use of GnHR analogues in cases with positive ER and PR may be effective in preventing recurrence. KEY WORDS: Aggressive Angiomyxoma, Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, Soft Tissue Neoplasm.

Impact of Human Papillomavirus on Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling in Morphological Inconspicuous Cervicovaginal Cells.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to identify early changes in the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infected cervicovaginal cells and to correlate these changes with cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagic processes. METHODS: We evaluated 91 cervicovaginal smears of women with (n = 41) and without (n = 50) HPV-DNA. Smears were stained against beta-catenin, c-myc, secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4), cleaved caspase-3, and the autophagy markers Beclin-1 and light chain 3B. In addition, sFRP-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 mRNA levels were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in primary keratinocytes and FaDu cells expressing HPV16-E6, -E7, or -E6E7. RESULTS: Our data indicated that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is activated in HPV (+) cervicovaginal cells that can already be detected in cells with no obvious changes in cellular morphology (HPV [+]/cyto [-]). These cells also had significantly higher sFRP4 levels when compared to HPV-negative samples. In primary keratinocytes, sFRP4 was found to be absent and sFRP1 and sFRP2 to be repressed in the presence of HPV16-E6 and E7. Interestingly, sFRP4 is expressed in FaDu cells and can be upregulated in the presence of E6E7. Curiously, SFRP4 expression correlated with an increase in the level of autophagic markers in HPV (+)/cyto (-) smears. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and upregulation of sFRP4, paralleled by an activation of the autophagic pathway may represent predisposing cellular factors early after HPV infection which need to be further determined in larger study.