Comparative Evaluation of Arabin Pessary and Cervical Cerclage for the Prevention of Preterm Labor in Asymptomatic Women with High Risk Factors

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The possible role of allergic status as risk factor of breast cancer

<p><i><strong>Purpose:</strong> To investigate a possible risk factor for breast cancer: allergic status. This relation has not been explored very much in the literature. <strong> </strong></i></p><p><i><strong>Material-Methods:</strong> 391 women who consulted in two breast clinics were enrolled in this study. From these, 238 had breast cancer and 153 had benign breast diseases or normal breast exams. All participants were examined clinically and with breast ultrasound, while those ≥40 years old, also with bilateral digital mammography. The statistic method used was x2 (Chi-square test).</i></p><p><i><strong>Results:</strong> Our study showed statistically significant positive correlation between allergic status and breast cancer (p<0.001).</i></p><p><i><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This study pointed out that more than the "classic" risk factors for developing breast cancer, there are probably another "non-classic" risk factor represented by allergic status of the patient.</i></p&gt

Social and psychological effects of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

<p><i>The current transmission of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has raised multiple concerns across all over the world. Until now, no effective treatment has been established for COVID-19 and this virus may also affect young people or people who do not belong to a vulnerable group. This is a source of great anxiety for all people and results in more psychological problems. This article focuses on the social and psychological effects of COVID-19 and underlines some possible solutions.</i></p&gt

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Cervix: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Background. Gynecologic melanomas are extremely rare malignancies, and primary malignant melanoma of the cervix (PMMC) is the rarest among them all, with less than 100 cases reported so far. Although some conditions have been correlated with the pathogenesis of this entity, no specific risk factor has been yet identified, with vaginal bleeding being the most common symptoms. The diagnosis is based on physical examination with speculum assessment and cytologic and histopathologic findings accompanied with immunohistochemical staining of lesion’s biopsies. Case Presentation. We report a case of PMMC in a 34-year-old para-2 patient, among the youngest cases of PMMC reported, that presented to our clinic for routine examination. Gynecologic examination demonstrated a dark, heavily fully pigmented cervical growth completely covering the entire external cervical os. Biopsy obtained and showed malignant melanoma. She underwent radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The pathological diagnosis was FIGO stage IB1 PMMC. Despite 2 courses of anti-PD-1 antibody (Nivolumab) treatment, the patient passed away 13 months after diagnosis (12 months after surgery). Conclusions. Early diagnosis and subsequently early treatment are of high importance regarding patients’ prognosis and survival. No standardized protocols or treatment guidelines specific for this rare cancer have been issued; thus, clinicians are called to assess each case individually. Current treatment options are based on surgical excision mostly with radical hysterectomy, but in advanced or recurrent state of the disease, other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, can be employed. Prognosis for these patients is very poor, and survival rate remains extremely low, with the median OS reported being less than 2 years. Reporting and publishing of such cases are both of paramount importance for the better understanding of this uncommon cervical malignancy, and further biological and clinical investigations are required for more suitable and effective therapies to be determined. A new staging system, specific to PMMC, could be of great use for the better correlation of the disease’s stage and prognosis of these patients

Cervical Twin Heterotopic Pregnancy: Overview of Ectopic Pregnancies and Scanning Detection Algorithm

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of gestation-related deaths during the first trimester. Cervical twin heterotopic pregnancies, when ectopic, constitute a small and rare part of gynecological surgery. Case Presentation: A 30-year-old pregnant woman (gravida 3, para 2) presented with mild pain in the lower abdomen and traces of bleeding per vaginum for three days. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a balloon-shaped cervical canal with a visible gestational sac measuring 3.5 x 3.9 cm. A second gestational sac was seen in the uterine cavity. The measurements of the gestational sacs corresponded to 7 + 4 weeks' pregnancy. A decision for medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol was made. However, due to an incomplete abortion and continuous bleeding, a curettage was performed. Conclusions: Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy with the ectopic pregnancy located in the cervix is an extremely rare clinical condition requiring urgent treatment in order to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and preserve fertility