Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage I endometrioid or clear cell ovarian cancer in the platinum era: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Cohort Study, 2000-2013.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer (EEOC) or ovarian clear cell cancer (OCCC) using a national database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify patients diagnosed with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I EEOC or OCCC from 2000 to 2013. We sought to identify predictors of chemotherapy use and to assess the impact of chemotherapy on OS in these patients. OS was compared using the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: In all, 3552 patients with FIGO stage I EEOC and 1995 patients with stage I OCCC were identified. Of the 1600 patients (45%) with EEOC who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, the 5-year OS rate was 90%, compared with 89% for those who did not undergo adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.807). Of the 1374 (69%) patients with OCCC who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, the 5-year OS rate was 85%, compared with 83% (P = 0.439) for those who did not undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy use was associated with younger age, higher substage, and more recent year of diagnosis for both the EEOC and OCCC groups. Only in the subgroup of patients with FIGO substage IC, grade 3 EEOC (n = 282) was chemotherapy associated with an improved 5-year OS-81% compared with 62% (P = 0.003) in untreated patients (HR: 0.583; 95% CI: 0.359-0.949; P = 0.030). In patients with OCCC, there was no significant effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on OS in any substage. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS only in patients with substage IC, grade 3 EEOC. In stage I OCCC, adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with improved OS.

Trends and factors associated with radical cytoreductive surgery in the United States: A case for centralized care.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the US national trends and factors associated with cytoreductive surgical radicality in women with advanced ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS: An analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database was performed. All admissions from 1993 to 2011 for advanced OC cytoreductive surgery (CRS) were identified and categorized as simple pelvic (SP), extensive pelvic (EP), and extensive upper abdominal (EUA) surgery. Annual trends in CRS were analyzed. Associations between patient- and hospital-specific factors, with CRS radicality as well as perioperative complications were explored between 2007 and 2011. RESULTS: In total, 28,677 un-weighted admissions were analyzed. The rate of EP and EUA resections increased over time (8% to 18.1% and 1.3% to 5.4%, P<0.01, respectively). On multivariate analysis, patients were more likely to undergo EUA resections in the Northeast (OR 1.44) or West Coast (OR 1.47) at urban (OR 2.3), or large hospitals (OR 1.4), or if they had private insurance (OR 1.45). EUA surgeries were performed more frequently at high-volume ovarian cancer centers (OR 2.65); additionally, fewer complications were observed after EUA at high compared with low and medium volume hospitals (10.2%, 21.2%, and 21.7%, respectively; P=0.01). Specifically, patients treated at high volume hospitals experienced lower rates of hemorrhage, vascular/nerve injury, prolonged hospitalization, and non-routine discharge than at lower (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The US rate of radical cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer is increasing. At high-volume hospitals, patients receive more radical surgery with fewer complications, supporting further study of a centralized ovarian cancer care model.

Volume-based quantitative FDG PET/CT metrics and their association with optimal debulking and progression-free survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the associations between quantitative (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) uptake metrics, optimal debulking (OD) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with recurrent ovarian cancer underwent FDG-PET/CT within 90 days prior to surgery. Standardized uptake values (SUVmax), metabolically active tumour volumes (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured on PET. Exact logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to assess associations between imaging metrics, OD and PFS. RESULTS: MTV (p = 0.0025) and TLG (p = 0.0043) were associated with OD; however, there was no significant association between SUVmax and debulking status (p = 0.83). Patients with an MTV above 7.52 mL and/or a TLG above 35.94 g had significantly shorter PFS (p = 0.0191 for MTV and p = 0.0069 for TLG). SUVmax was not significantly related to PFS (p = 0.10). PFS estimates at 3.5 years after surgery were 0.42 for patients with an MTV ≤ 7.52 mL and 0.19 for patients with an MTV > 7.52 mL; 0.46 for patients with a TLG ≤ 35.94 g and 0.15 for patients with a TLG > 35.94 g. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET metrics that reflect metabolic tumour burden are associated with optimal secondary cytoreductive surgery and progression-free survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. KEY POINTS: • Both TLG and MTV were associated with optimal tumour debulking. • There was no significant association between SUVmax and tumour debulking status. • Patients with higher MTV and/or TLG had significantly shorter PFS. • SUVmax was not significantly related to PFS.

Optimal (≤1 cm) but visible residual disease: is extensive debulking warranted?

OBJECTIVES: To determine if extensive upper abdominal surgery (UAS) affected overall survival (OS) in patients left with ≤ 1 cm but visible residual disease after undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. Our secondary objective was to determine if leaving ≤ 1cm but visible residual throughout the small bowel (SB) conferred a worse prognosis. METHODS: All stage IIIB-IV ovarian cancer patients who had visible but ≤ 1 cm residual disease at time of primary cytoreductive surgery from 2001 to 2010 were identified. Extensive UAS procedures and residual SB involvement were recorded. RESULTS: The 219 patients identified with ≤1 cm but visible residual disease had a median OS of 51 months. In this cohort, 127 had extensive UAS performed, and 87 had residual disease involving the SB. Univariate OS analysis was performed. There was no significant difference in OS between patients who did or did not have extensive UAS (45 vs. 52 months, P=0.56), or between patients with or without residual SB disease (45 vs. 51 months, P=0.84). Factors that were significantly associated with OS were age, ASA score, family history, and stage. CONCLUSIONS: Patients cytoreduced to ≤ 1 cm but visible residual disease who required UAS did not have a worse OS than those who did not require UAS. OS was similar if residual disease involved the SB or not. For ovarian cancer patients with disease not amenable to complete gross resection, extensive surgery should still be considered to achieve ≤ 1 cm but visible residual disease status, including cases where the residual disease involves the SB.

Reproductive outcomes of patients undergoing radical trachelectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To report the reproductive outcomes of patients undergoing fertility-preserving radical trachelectomy (RT) for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: We analyzed data from our institution's first 105 patients who underwent attempted fertility-sparing surgery with radical trachelectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and cerclage from November 2001 to October 2010. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients who underwent attempted RT, 77 (73%) did not require a conversion to radical hysterectomy or postoperative treatment. The median age was 32 (range, 25-38 years). Most patients (75%) had stage IB1 disease. Sixty-six patients (63%) were nulliparous. Thirty-five women were actively attempting conception 6 months after surgery, and 23 (66%) women were successful in conceiving: there were 20 live births, 3 elective terminations, and 4 spontaneous miscarriages. Four patients had 2 pregnancies each; all delivered their second pregnancy between 32 and 36 weeks. Cerclage erosion through the vaginal wall occurred in 6 cases and was treated by transvaginal removal of protruding suture material. One of these patients experienced a second trimester miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women who attempted to conceive after radical trachelectomy were successful, and most of their pregnancies resulted in full-term births. Assisted reproduction played an important role in select women. Cerclage likely contributed to a post-trachelectomy uterine ability to carry a pregnancy to the third trimester. The second post-trachelectomy pregnancy appears to be at higher risk for preterm delivery than the first pregnancy.

Extended pelvic resections for recurrent or persistent uterine and cervical malignancies: an update on out of the box surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To update our report on the outcome of patients who underwent extended pelvic resection (EPR) for recurrent or persistent uterine and cervical malignancies. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent EPR between 6/2000 and 07/2011. EPR was defined as an en-bloc resection of a pelvic tumor with sidewall muscle, bone, major nerve, and/or major vascular structure. Complications up to 180 days post surgery were analyzed. Survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: We identified 22 patients. Median age at the time of EPR was 58 years (range, 36-74). Median tumor diameter was 5.4 cm (range, 1.5-11.2). Primary tumor sites included: uterus, 13; cervix, 7; synchronous uterus/cervix, 1; and synchronous uterus/ovary, 1. The EPR structures were: muscle, 13; nerve, 10; bone, 8; vessel, 5. Complete gross resection with microscopically negative margins (R0 resection) was achieved in 17 patients (77%). There were no perioperative mortalities. Major postoperative complications occurred in 14 patients (64%). The two most common morbidities were pelvic abscesses and peripheral neuropathies. Median follow-up time was 28 months (range, 6-99). The 5-year overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 34% (95% CI, 13-57). For the 17 patients who had an R0 resection, the 5-year OS was 48% (95% CI, 19-73). In patients with positive pathologic margins (n=5), the 5-year OS was 0%. CONCLUSION: EPR was associated with prolonged survival when an R0 resection was achieved. The high rate of postoperative complications remains a hallmark of these procedures and properly selected patients should be extensively counseled preoperatively.

Anterior pelvic exenteration with total vaginectomy for recurrent or persistent genitourinary malignancies: review of surgical technique, complications, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical technique, complications, and outcomes after anterior pelvic exenteration with total vaginectomy (AETV) for recurrent or persistent genitourinary malignancies. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent AETV between 12/2002 and 07/2011. Relevant demographic, clinical, and pathological information was collected. Postoperative complications and rates of readmission and reoperation (up to 180 days after surgery) were examined, and preliminary survival data were obtained. RESULTS: We identified 11 patients who underwent AETV. The median age at the time of the surgery was 55 years (range, 36-71). The median tumor size was 0.9 cm (range, microscopic - 4). Primary tumor sites included: cervix, 6; uterus, 3; vagina, 1; and urethra, 1. Complete surgical resection with negative pathologic margins was achieved in all 11 patients. Major postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (36%). Six patients (55%) required readmission to the hospital. No operative mortalities were observed, and none of the patients required a re-operation. With a median follow-up after the procedure of 25 months (range, 6-95), none of the patients developed a pelvic recurrence. Ten patients (91%) were alive without evidence of disease and one patient (9%) developed a pancreatic recurrence. CONCLUSION: AETV sparing the rectosigmoid and anus is feasible in highly selected patients with central pelvic recurrences. Compared to previously reported studies on total pelvic exenteration, data from this case series suggest that AETV may be associated with a lower rate of complications without compromising the oncologic outcome, while also preserving rectal function.

Predictors of survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery based on the pooled analysis of an international collaborative cohort.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to identify prognostic factors and to develop a risk model predicting survival in patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCR) for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: Individual data of 1100 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer of a progression-free interval at least 6 months who underwent SCR were pooled analysed. A simplified scoring system for each independent prognostic factor was developed according to its coefficient. Internal validation was performed to assess the discrimination of the model. RESULTS: Complete SCR was strongly associated with the improvement of survival, with a median survival of 57.7 months, when compared with 27.0 months in those with residual disease of 0.1-1 cm and 15.6 months in those with residual disease of >1 cm, respectively (P<0.0001). Progression-free interval (≤23.1 months vs >23.1 months, hazard ratio (HR): 1.72; score: 2), ascites at recurrence (present vs absent, HR: 1.27; score: 1), extent of recurrence (multiple vs localised disease, HR: 1.38; score: 1) as well as residual disease after SCR (R1 vs R0, HR: 1.90, score: 2; R2 vs R0, HR: 3.0, score: 4) entered into the risk model. CONCLUSION: This prognostic model may provide evidence to predict survival benefit from secondary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Surgical cytoreduction in stage IV endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of surgical cytoreduction and the amount of residual disease in patients with newly diagnosed stage IV endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EC). METHODS: Patients with stage IV EC of endometrioid histology who underwent surgery at our institution from 1977 to 2003 were identified. Patients with microscopic stage IV disease were excluded. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan Meier method and compared with log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were identified, of which 9 (15.5%) had no gross residual (NGR) after surgery, 11 (19.0%) had residual disease ≤1 cm, 32 (55.1%) had residual disease >1 cm, and 6 (10.3%) had no cytoreduction attempted. The median PFS was 11.1 months (95% CI, 9.8-12.3) and the median OS was 19.2 months (95% CI, 8.5-29.9) for the cohort. The median PFS was 40.3 months (95% CI, 0-93.9) for patients with NGR disease, 11 months (95% CI, 9.9-12.1) for patients with any residual disease, and 2.2 months (95% CI, 0.1-4.2) for patients who did not have attempted cytoreduction (P<0.001). The median OS was 42.2 months (95% CI, not estimable) for patients with NGR disease, 19 months (95% CI, 13.9-24.1) for patients with any residual disease, and 2.2 months (95% CI, 0.1-4.2) for patients that did not have attempted cytoreduction (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Though stage IV endometrioid EC has a poor prognosis, surgical cytoreduction to no gross residual disease in a highly select group of patients is associated with improved survival.

Accuracy of frozen section diagnosis of ovarian borderline tumor.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of invasive cancer in ovarian masses diagnosed as borderline tumor (BT) at the time of frozen section. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with ovarian BT on frozen section (FS) at our institution between 2000 and 2010. Clinical and pathologic data were extracted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using standard two-sided statistical tests. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were identified, of which 104 (86.7%) had BT on frozen section that was confirmed on final pathology. In 15 (12.5%) patients, BT was diagnosed on FS but was reclassified as invasive cancer on final pathology. One patient (0.8%) had BT on FS but benign pathology on final diagnosis. Histologies included serous in 79 (65.8%), seromucinous in 13 (10.8%), mucinous in 21 (17.5), endometrioid in 5 (4.2%), and clear cell in 2 (1.7%) patients. Reclassification of pathologic diagnosis was related to histologic subtype, but only for endometrioid and clear cell tumors (P<0.001). The rate of invasive cancer for serous micropapillary tumors on frozen section was 42.8% compared with 2.8% for serous non-micropapillary tumors (P<0.001). Tumor size >8 cm was associated with a 22.4% incidence of invasive cancer on final pathology compared to 3.2% in tumors ≤ 8 cm (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive surgical staging can be considered in BT >8 cm in diameter, as well as those with micropapillary serous, endometrioid, and clear cell histology diagnosed at the time of frozen section analysis.

Risk factors for recurrence of ovarian borderline tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify clinicopathologic features that are associated with an increased risk of recurrence for borderline ovarian tumors (BOT). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients treated for BOT at our institution from 1979 to 2008. Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as the time of diagnosis to time of recurrence/death or last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the PFS rate and the Wilcoxon-Gehan test was performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients were identified. The median age was 43 years (range, 15-94 years). The majority of patients (68.4%) had FIGO stage I disease and serous histology (73.7%). Only 23 (8.6%) patients developed recurrent disease. The median PFS was 19 years and the median follow-up was 4 years. Abnormal baseline CA-125 (>35 U/ml), advanced stage, age at diagnosis, and invasive implants were associated with decreased PFS. Of the 196 patients with serous BOT, those with a micropapillary pattern had a 3-year PFS of 75.9% (95%CI, 55.6-87.8) compared with 94.3% (95% CI, 88.4-97.3) for patients without micropapillary pattern (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Age at diagnosis, an elevated preoperative CA-125, invasive implants, and micropapillary histology were clinical factors associated with increased risk of recurrence in women with BOT. Including these clinicopathologic features will likely identify patients at higher risk for recurrence, for whom development of new treatment strategies would be appropriate.

Sentinel lymph node mapping for endometrial cancer improves the detection of metastatic disease to regional lymph nodes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of metastatic cancer cells in sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) vs. non-sentinel nodes in patients who had lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer and to determine the contribution of metastases detected on ultrastaging to the overall nodal metastasis rate. METHODS: All patients who underwent lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer were reviewed. Cervical injection of blue dye was used in all cases. Sentinel nodes were examined by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and if negative, by standardized institutional pathology protocol that included additional sections and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Between 09/2005 and 03/2010, 266 patients with endometrial cancer underwent lymphatic mapping. Sentinel node identification was successful in 223 (84%) cases. Positive nodes were diagnosed in 32/266 (12%) patients. Of those, 8/266 patients (3%) had the metastasis detected only by additional section or IHC as part of SLN ultrastaging. Excluding the 8 cases with positive SLN on ultrastaging only, 24/801 (2.99%) SLN and 30/2698 (1.11%) non-SLN were positive for metastatic disease (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: Using a cervical injection for mapping, metastatic cells from endometrial cancer are three times as likely to be detected in SLN than in the non-sentinel nodes. This finding strongly supports the concept of lymphatic mapping in endometrial cancer to fine tune the nodal dissection topography. By adding SLN mapping to our current surgical staging procedures we may increase the likelihood of detecting metastatic cancer cells in regional lymph nodes. An additional benefit of incorporating pathologic ultrastaging of SLN is the detection of micrometastasis, which may be the only evidence of extrauterine spread.

Malignant melanoma of the vulva: an extension of cutaneous melanoma?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic significance of the 2002 revisions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System for cutaneous melanoma in melanoma of the vulva and review the current surgical utilized for treatment of this neoplasm. METHODS: Demographic, surgical and outcomes data were obtained from the records of vulvar melanoma patients treated from 1990 to 2006 at five academic medical centers. The 2002 modifications of the AJCC staging system for cutaneous melanoma, Breslow thickness and Clark level, were applied to all subjects. Kaplan-Meier Modeling and Linear Regression analysis were utilized for data analysis. Statistics were performed with SAS v 9.1. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were identified with a median age of 62 years. 73% had Stage I/II disease. Surgical radicality did not impact recurrence rates or survival. Breslow thickness was associated with recurrence (p=0.002) but not survival. Only the 2002 modified AJCC staging criteria were predictive of overall survival (p=0.006) in patients with malignant melanoma of the vulva. CONCLUSIONS: In the largest multi-site series of vulvar melanoma, the AJCC-2002 staging system for cutaneous malignant melanoma appears to be applicable to primary vulvar melanoma. Moreover, surgical radicality was associated with significant morbidity but not with improvement in survival. Utilization of standard operative staging and resection principles in cutaneous melanoma should be used for all vulvar melanoma patients. Moreover, these patients should also be considered for enrollment in cutaneous melanoma clinical trials.

Beyond tertiary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary surgical cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian (EOC), fallopian tube (FTC), or primary peritoneal (PPC) cancer appears to be associated with a survival benefit. The objective of this study was to assess if cytoreduction of recurrences after tertiary cytoreduction offers any potential benefit in these patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with recurrent EOC, FTC, or PPC who underwent additional cytoreductive procedures after a prior tertiary cytoreduction (quaternary cytoreduction) at our institution between 1991 and 2008. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated from the time of quaternary cytoreduction to last follow-up. Univariate analyses were used to analyze outcomes and to identify potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were identified, of which 7 (47%) have died of disease. All patients had undergone prior optimal secondary and tertiary surgical cytoreductive procedures. The size of residual disease varied from 0 (in 10 cases/67%) to >1 cm (in 2 cases, 13%). Residual disease (1 cm) and number of recurrence sites (single vs multiple) were found to be significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoreductive surgery beyond tertiary cytoreduction may be a reasonable option in highly select patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, especially in the setting of a single site of recurrent disease.

Tertiary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer: an updated series.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical cytoreduction is an integral therapeutic modality for patients with epithelial ovarian (EOC), fallopian tube (FTC), or primary peritoneal (PPC) cancer in the primary setting. The role of surgical cytoreduction in the recurrent setting is not clearly defined and remains controversial. The objective of this study was to assess this potential survival benefit in a large cohort of patients with a long follow-up period. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with recurrent EOC, FTC, or PPC who underwent tertiary cytoreduction at our institution from 2/98 to 2/08. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated from the time of tertiary cytoreduction to death or last follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze outcomes and to identify potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were identified, of which 38 (49%) have died of disease. The median time from secondary to tertiary cytoreduction was 25.7 months (range, 4.1-99.4 months). The median follow-up after tertiary cytoreduction was 28.9 months (range, 0.7-123.7 months), with a median DSS for the entire cohort of 47.7 months (95% CI, 25.5-69.9 months). On univariate analysis, residual disease after tertiary cytoreduction and TFI were found to be significant prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, only residual disease after tertiary cytoreduction retained prognostic significance (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Tertiary surgical cytoreduction may offer a survival benefit in a highly select group of patients with recurrent EOC, FTC, or PPC. This benefit appears to be greatest in patients in whom a complete gross resection can be achieved.

A nomogram for predicting overall survival of women with endometrial cancer following primary therapy: toward improving individualized cancer care.

OBJECTIVES: Traditionally we have relied mainly on final FIGO stage to estimate overall oncologic outcome in endometrial cancer patients. However, it is well known that other patient factors may play equally important roles in outcome. Our objective was to develop a clinically useful nomogram in the hope of providing a more individualized and accurate estimation of overall survival (OS) following primary therapy. METHODS: Using a prospectively maintained endometrial cancer database, 1735 patients treated between 1993 and 2008 were analyzed. Characteristics known to predict OS were collected. For each patient, points were assigned to each of these 5 variables. A total score was calculated. The association between each predictor and the outcome was assessed by multivariable modeling. The corresponding 3-year OS probabilities were then determined from the nomogram. RESULTS: The median age was 62 years (range, 25-96). Final grade included: G1 (471), G2 (622), G3 (634), and missing (8). Stage included: IA (501), IB (590), IC (141), IIA (36), IIB (75), IIIA (116), IIIB (6), IIIC (135), IVA (7), and IVB (128). Histology included: adenocarcinoma (1376), carcinosarcoma (100), clear cell (62), and serous (197). Median follow-up for survivors was 29.2 months (0-162.2 months). Concordance probability estimator for the nomogram is 0.746+/-0.011. CONCLUSION: We developed a nomogram based on 5 easily available clinical characteristics to predict OS with a high concordance probability. This nomogram incorporates other individualized patient variables beyond FIGO stage to more accurately predict outcome. This new tool may be useful to clinicians in assessing patient risk when deciding on follow-up strategies.

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix: Analysis of outcome, recurrence pattern and the impact of platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNEC), and to determine whether platinum-based combination chemotherapy is beneficial for this population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with SCNEC who were treated at our institution between 1/1990 and 2/2007. Patients were excluded if pathologic diagnosis was not confirmed at our institution. Standard statistical methods were utilized. RESULTS: Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria. The estimated 3-year PFS and OS rates for the entire group were 22% and 30%, respectively. Median time to progression was 9.1 months. Extent of disease was the only significant prognostic factor. Median OS for patients with early stage disease (IA1-IB2) was 31.2 months and 6.4 months for patients with advanced stage disease (IIB-IV, P=0.034). In the early-stage disease group, the 3-year distant recurrence-free survival rate was 83% for patients who received chemotherapy and 0% for patients who did not receive chemotherapy as part of their initial treatment (P=0.025). The estimated 3-year OS rate was 83% for patients who received and 20% for patients who did not receive chemotherapy as part of their initial treatment (P=0.36). CONCLUSION: Given the rarity of SCNEC this retrospective analysis is limited by a small number of patients. However, the natural history of this rare disease is akin to small cell lung cancer and the prognosis is poor due to the tumor's propensity for distant spread. The treatment should conform to the treatment of small cell lung cancer.

Initial experience with Dargent's operation: the radical vaginal trachelectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To report on our initial experience with radical vaginal trachelectomy for patients with early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: Data on patients undergoing radical vaginal trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy from 11/01 to 12/06 were collected in a prospective database. RESULTS: Forty-three women with early-stage cervical cancer were operated on with the intent of fertility preservation with radical vaginal trachelectomy. Median age was 31 years (range, 20-40 years). FIGO stage for the group was: IB1, 28; IA2, 7; IA1 with lymphovascular invasion, 8. Histologic type included: squamous, 24; adenocarcinoma, 16; adenosquamous, 3. Parity for the group was: nullipara, 35; one child, 7; two children, 1. Median BMI was 24 kg/m2 (range, 19-42 kg/m2). Two patients (5%) underwent completion hysterectomy due to extensive endocervical disease. The median OR time was 330 min (range, 220-480 min). Median pelvic lymph node count was 25 (range, 9-52). Median hospital stay was 3 days (range, 3-7 days). Four patients (9%) required a second intervention for a perioperative complication. Five patients (12%) underwent adjuvant chemoradiation for pathologic risk factors determined on final pathology. Eleven (79%) of 14 women who were trying to get pregnant were able to conceive. Four (36%) required assisted reproductive techniques to conceive. Four patients delivered by cesarean section after 35 weeks and four patients are currently pregnant. With a median follow-up of 21 months in patients treated with trachelectomy alone, we have had one recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Radical vaginal trachelectomy can be incorporated into gynecologic oncology practices and appears to be a reasonable option for patients with early cervical cancer who desire to maintain their fertility. It should be discussed with candidate patients during preoperative consultation.

The incidence of pelvic lymph node metastasis by FIGO staging for patients with adequately surgically staged endometrial adenocarcinoma of endometrioid histology.

The seminal Gynecologic Oncology Group study on surgical pathologic spread patterns of endometrial cancer demonstrated the risk of pelvic lymph node metastasis for clinical stage I endometrial cancer based on tumor grade and thirds of myometrial invasion. However, the FIGO staging system assigns surgical stage by categorizing depth of myometrial invasion in halves. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of pelvic lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer based on tumor grade and myometrial invasion as per the current FIGO staging system. We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent primary surgical staging for clinical stage I endometrial cancer at our institution between May 1993 and November 2005. To make the study cohort as homogeneous as possible, we included only cases of endometrioid histology. We also included only patients who had adequate staging, which was defined as a total hysterectomy with removal of at least eight pelvic lymph nodes. During the study period, 1036 patients underwent primary surgery for endometrial cancer. The study cohort was composed of the 349 patients who met study inclusion criteria. Distribution of tumor grade was as follows: grade 1, 80 (23%); grade 2, 182 (52%); and grade 3, 87 (25%). Overall, 30 patients (9%) had pelvic lymph node metastasis. The incidence of pelvic lymph node metastasis in relation to tumor grade and depth of myometrial invasion (none, inner half, and outer half) was as follows: grade 1-0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively; grade 2-4%, 10%, and 17%, respectively; and grade 3-0%, 7%, and 28%, respectively. We determined the incidence of pelvic nodal metastasis in a large cohort of endometrial cancer patients of uniform histologic subtype in relation to tumor grade and a one-half myometrial invasion cutoff. These data are more applicable to current surgical practice than the previously described one-third myometrial invasion cutoff results.

Extended pelvic resections for recurrent uterine and cervical cancer: out-of-the-box surgery.

Patients with recurrent uterine and cervical cancer have poor prognoses. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with recurrent uterine and cervical cancer who had undergone attempted curative resection of pelvic bone, sidewall muscle, major blood vessels, and/or nerves. We reviewed the records of all 14 patients with recurrent uterine and cervical cancer who had extended pelvic resections at our institution between June 2000 and November 2006. Primary sites of disease were the uterus (11 patients) and cervix (3 patients). Tumor histology was as follows: adenocarcinoma, seven; squamous cell carcinoma, three; leiomyosarcoma, three; and adenosarcoma, one. Previous treatment included hysterectomy, 11; pelvic radiation, 9; chemotherapy, 9; and total pelvic exenteration, 2. Extended pelvic resections included removal of pelvic sidewall muscle, five; bone, five; common and/or external iliac vessel, five; femoral nerve, two; lumbosacral nerve root, one; and obturator nerve, one. Other procedures included total pelvic exenteration, three; posterior exenteration, two; and anterior exenteration, one. Complete resection with negative margins was obtained in 11 (78%) of 14 patients. Seven patients (50%) received high-dose rate intraoperative radiation therapy. Reconstructive procedures included continent or incontinent urinary diversion, four; femoral-femoral arterial bypass, two; myocutaneous flap, two; and urinary ileal interposition, one. Median total operating time was 628 min (range, 345-935 min) and median estimated blood loss was 900 mL (range, 300-16,000 mL). Seven patients (50%) had one or more major complication(s), including pelvic abscess, three; colonic fistula, two; massive intraoperative hemorrhage, one; postoperative bladder perforation, one; thrombosed femoral-femoral graft, one; and disruption of appendicocutaneous urinary anastomosis, one. At a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 5-84 months), ten patients (71%) are alive and four patients (29%) have died of disease at 8, 13, 33, and 42 months postoperatively.