Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism due to an ovarian sex cord-stromal tumour causing elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The source of excess androgen can be obscure in postmenopausal women with new-onset hyperandrogenism. If serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is raised, it is presumed to be of adrenal origin because DHEAS is exclusively produced from adrenal cortical cells. This reports an elderly female presenting with new-onset hyperandrogenism due to an ovarian sex cord-stromal tumour, associated with increased serum DHEAS levels. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 76-year-old female with long-standing diabetes and hypertension presented with hirsutism and male type alopecia for six months. She had menopause at 55 years of age. There was a pelvic mass on examination. Total testosterone was 6.106 ng/ml (0.124-0.357) and DHEAS was > 1000 µg/dL (35-430). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a heterogeneously enhancing complex mass measuring 11 × 8 cm in the left adnexal region. Adrenal glands were normal. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. Both testosterone and DHEAS normalised following surgery. Histology revealed a sex cord-stromal tumour, likely a steroid cell tumour with malignant potential. Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron emission tomography did not show any additional lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of sulfotransferase in ovarian tissue, markedly elevated DHEAS originating from an ovarian neoplasm is unusual. This phenomenon has not been described except in a patient with a steroid cell tumour causing Cushing syndrome and hyperandrogenism. The mechanism of this rare occurrence remains elusive. Knowledge of this unusual presentation would enable the clinicians to be cautious in localising the androgen source in women with hyperandrogenism.

Human papillomavirus prevalence and type-distribution in women with cervical lesions: a cross-sectional study in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer ranks second among all cancers reported in Sri Lankan women. This study assessed the prevalence and type-distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) among Sri Lankan women with invasive cervical cancer (ICC) and pre-cancerous lesions. METHODS: 114 women aged 21 years and above, hospitalized in the National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka with a diagnosis of ICC or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 were prospectively enrolled between October 2009 and September 2010 (110430/NCT01221987). The cervical biopsy or excision specimens collected during routine clinical procedures were subjected to histopathological review. DNA was extracted from samples with a confirmed histological diagnosis and was amplified using polymerase chain reaction and HPV DNA was detected using Enzyme Immuno Assay. HPV positive samples were typed using reverse hybridization Line Probe Assay. RESULTS: Of the cervical samples collected, 93.0% (106/114) had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of either ICC (98/106) or CIN 2/3 (8/106). Among all ICC cases, squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in the majority of women (81.6% [80/98]). HPV prevalence among ICC cases was 84.7% (83/98). The HPV types most commonly detected in ICC cases with single HPV infection (98.8% [82/83]) were HPV-16 (67.3%) and HPV-18 (9.2%). Infection with multiple HPV types was recorded in a single case (co-infection of HPV-16 and HPV-59). CONCLUSIONS: HPV was prevalent in most women with ICC in Sri Lanka; HPV-16 and HPV-18 were the predominantly detected HPV types. An effective prophylactic vaccine against the most prevalent HPV types may help to reduce the burden of ICC disease.

Social Dominance Orientation Predicts Opposition to Hierarchy-Attenuating Intergroup Apologies.

People who value social hierarchy may resist giving intergroup apologies because such apologies may attenuate the very hierarchies that these people value. We tested this claim across four studies (total N = 541) by examining associations between social dominance orientation (SDO)-a measure of preference for social hierarchy-and support for intergroup apologies. We found that higher SDO scores, and specifically the antiegalitarianism subdimension (social dominance orientation-egalitarianism [SDO-E]), predicted less apology support among U.S. residents in both domestic (Study 1) and international (Study 2) contexts. In Study 3, we found that the effect generalizes to an Australian cultural context. In Study 4, we demonstrated that the negative effect of SDO-E can extend to third-party contexts and is only observed when apologizing would be hierarchy attenuating. These studies show that the desire to maintain social hierarchies is an important driver of opposition to hierarchy-attenuating intergroup apologies.

Revised FIGO staging for carcinoma of the cervix uteri.

OBJECTIVE: To revise FIGO staging of carcinoma of the cervix uteri, allowing incorporation of imaging and/or pathological findings, and clinical assessment of tumor size and disease extent. METHODS: Review of literature and consensus view of the FIGO Gynecologic Oncology Committee and related societies and organizations. RESULTS: In stage I, revision of the definition of microinvasion and lesion size as follows. Stage IA: lateral extension measurement is removed; stage IB has three subgroups-stage IB1: invasive carcinomas ≥5 mm and <2 cm in greatest diameter; stage IB2: tumors 2-4 cm; stage IB3: tumors ≥4 cm. Imaging or pathology findings may be used to assess retroperitoneal lymph nodes; if metastatic, the case is assigned stage IIIC; if only pelvic lymph nodes, the case is assigned stage IIIC1; if para-aortic nodes are involved, the case is assigned stage IIIC2. Notations 'r' and 'p' will indicate the method used to derive the stage-i.e., imaging or pathology, respectively-and should be recorded. Routine investigations and other methods (e.g., examination under anesthesia, cystoscopy, proctoscopy, etc.) are not mandatory and are to be recommended based on clinical findings and standard of care. CONCLUSION: The revised cervical cancer staging is applicable to all resource levels. Data collection and publication will inform future revisions.

Cancer in pregnancy.

The incidence of cancer in pregnancy is increasing. The most frequent malignancies include breast and cervical cancers. Diagnosis may be complicated by late presentation. Imaging during pregnancy should consider risks to the fetus. Diagnostic work-up, including tumor markers, can be influenced by the physiology of pregnancy. Treatment of cancer can often be safely administered with good maternal and fetal outcomes. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery must be adapted to the pregnancy state. Counselling and emotional support are an essential part of management.

Counselling pregnant women with cancer.

Cancer during pregnancy represents a psychological and biological dilemma, as treatment should be directed to save two lives: the mother and the foetus. As a result of diagnosis and treatment, each patient will experience a range of practical, psychological and emotional challenges. Using a multidisciplinary approach, health professionals trained with communication skills can help reduce patient and family distress. It is essential that the obstetrician, oncologist and psychotherapist take leading roles. The patient and the family should be actively involved in the decision-making process. This will enhance confidence and support.