Preoperative Differentiation Between Malignant and Benign Ovarian Masses in Patients with Normal CA-125 Levels

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the diagnostic values of some clinical and ultrasonographic features for predicting ovarian malignancies in patients with normal serum CA-125 levels. STUDY DESIGN: All of the 84 patients who were diagnosed with ovarian malignancy and 168 patients with benign adnexal mass had normal CA-125 levels, and recruited as study and control groups, respectively. Individual characteristics, ultrasonographic features, and risk of malignancy index (RMI) values of the groups were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: The ages, mean postmenopausal period of the postmenopausal women in the malignant group were significantly higher than the benign group. Nulliparity rates were similar between the two groups. The number of postmenopausal patients was significantly higher in the malignant group. Median cyst diameter and RMI values were significantly higher, and bilaterality and presence of solid area were more frequent in this group. Logistic regression model showed that ovarian cysts larger than 8 cm [Odds ratio (OR): 7.012; p<0.001; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 3.463-14.198], presence of solid area within the cyst [OR: 7.43; p<0.001; 95% CI: 3.799-14.532], and postmenopausal state [OR: 2.893; p=0.027; 95% CI: 1.129-7.412] were found to be significant factors to predict malignancy. CONCLUSION: Ovarian cysts larger than 8 cm, presence of solid area within the cyst, and postmenopausal status are the most important risk factors for ovarian malignancies in these patients with normal CA-125 levels

Serum concentrations of heavy metals in women with endometrial polyps

Endometrial polyps are one of the common reasons of abnormal uterine bleeding in women. Industrialisation, urbanisation and increased air pollution cause increased heavy metal exposure. Heavy metals that have oestrogenic effects in human body are named as metalloestrogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum metalloestrogen levels such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), aluminium (Al), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and Cu/Zn ratio and their possible relationship with the occurrence of endometrial polyps. Eighty women with abnormal uterine bleeding were divided into two groups: 40 women diagnosed with endometrial polyp (study group) and 40 women without endometrial polyp (control group). Ages, body mass indices, smoking behaviours, drinking water choices, chronic diseases and intrauterine device histories were noted for all patients. Blood levels of Cu, Zn, Al, Pb, Ni and Cu/Zn ratio were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method for both groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of serum median levels of Cu and Pb between the study and the control groups. The serum median levels of Zn, Ni and Al were found to be statistically lower in the study group when compared with the control group. The Cu/Zn ratio was statistically higher in the study group. High Cu/Zn ratio, as a biomarker of oxidative stress, suggests the role of oxidative stress in etiopathogenesis of endometrial polyps.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Studies demonstrate that oestrogen and progesterone play an important role in pathogenesis of endometrial polyps. Inorganic heavy metal ions that bind and activate oestrogen receptors are referred to as ‘metalloestrogens’. Apart from toxic effects, metalloestrogens have been linked to the aetiology of oestrogen-dependent diseases such as breast and endometrium cancer and endometriosis. However, serum levels of heavy metals were not investigated in a large group of endometrial polyp patients. What do the results of this study add? This is the first study investigating the serum levels of heavy metals in a large group of endometrial polyp patients. We did not observe any increased serum levels of heavy metals in endometrial polyp patients. Our results might suggest that oestrogenic heavy metal exposure has no role in the appearance of endometrial polyps. However, increased Cu/Zn ratio due to low serum levels zinc suggests oxidative stress might play a role in endometrial polyps. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further research of heavy metals in endometrial polyps with simultaneous blood and tissue samples could show the precise effect of environmental exposure of metalloestrogens in aetiopathogenesis of endometrial polyps

Combined progesterone (IM + V) versus vaginal progesterone for luteal support in cleavage-stage embryo transfer cycles of good prognosis patients

Many reports led to the consensus on the use of progesterone (P) for luteal-phase support. Vaginal P application is the method of choice due to its simplicity and high patient convenience but is hampered by application difficulties and personal or cultural aversions. Inappropriate vaginal P use may alter successful implantation, leading physicians to consider alternate P application routes. A worldwide survey revealed that intramuscular plus vaginal P (combined P) is the method used in nearly one-third of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, particularly in Asia and North America; unfortunately, the outcomes of this approach have not been clearly elucidated. In the current analysis, we evaluated any additional benefit of short course parenteral P in addition to vaginal P capsules during a specific period in terms of implantation, pregnancy rates, miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies in cleavage stage embryo transfer (ET) cycles of good-prognosis patients. Despite significantly higher implantation rates in the combined arm, clinical and ongoing pregnancies were comparable in both groups, whereas a trend toward increased pregnancy rates was observed with combined support. The available data are too limited to draw conclusions