Effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression on survival in patients with metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with first-line chemotherapy and bevacizumab

This study addresses the gap in understanding the prognostic relevance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) expression in metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-based therapy. A retrospective multicenter study (n = 34) explored HIF-1 alpha expression via immunohistochemistry in patients treated with platinum chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly lower in the HIF-1 alpha low score group compared to the high score group (4.9 vs 12.9 months, P = 0.014). Similarly, the median overall survival (OS) was significantly reduced in the HIF-1 alpha low score group (8.3 vs 20.4 months, P = 0.006). This study, the first of its kind, highlights the prognostic significance of HIF-1 alpha expression in metastatic cervical SCC patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy

Lymph node metastasis in grossly apparent clinical stage Ia epithelial ovarian cancer: Hacettepe experience and review of literature

Background Lymphadenectomy is an integral part of the staging system of epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the extent of lymphadenectomy in the early stages of ovarian cancer is controversial. The objective of this study was to identify the lymph node involvement in unilateral epithelial ovarian cancer apparently confined to the one ovary (clinical stage Ia). Methods A prospective study of clinical stage I ovarian cancer patients is presented. Patient's characteristics and tumor histopathology were the variables evaluated. Results Thirty three ovarian cancer patients with intact ovarian capsule were evaluated. Intraoperatively, neither of the patients had surface involvement, adhesions, ascites or palpable lymph nodes (supposed to be clinical stage Ia). The mean age of the study group was 55.3 ± 11.8. All patients were surgically staged and have undergone a systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Final surgicopathologic reports revealed capsular involvement in seven patients (21.2%), contralateral ovarian involvement in two (6%) and omental metastasis in one (3%) patient. There were two patients (6%) with lymph node involvement. One of the two lymph node metastasis was solely in paraaortic node and the other metastasis was in ipsilateral pelvic lymph node. Ovarian capsule was intact in all of the patients with lymph node involvement and the tumor was grade 3. Conclusion In clinical stage Ia ovarian cancer patients, there may be a risk of paraaortic and pelvic lymph node metastasis. Further studies with larger sample size are needed for an exact conclusion.PubMedWoSScopu

Reproducibility of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosis is good, but influenced by the diagnostic style of pathologists

Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) applies specific diagnostic criteria to designate a monoclonal endometrial preinvasive glandular proliferation known from previous studies to confer a 45-fold increased risk for endometrial cancer. In this international study we estimate accuracy and precision of EIN diagnosis among 20 reviewing pathologists in different practice environments, and with differing levels of experience and training. Sixty-two endometrial biopsies diagnosed as benign, EIN, or adenocarcinoma by consensus of two expert subspecialty pathologists were used as a reference comparison to assess diagnostic accuracy of 20 reviewing pathologists. Interobserver reproducibility among the 20 reviewers provided a measure of diagnostic precision. Before evaluating cases, observers were self-trained by reviewing published textbook and/or online EIN diagnostic guidelines. Demographics of the reviewing pathologists, and their impressions regarding implementation of EIN terminology were recorded. Seventy-nine percent of the 20 reviewing pathologists' diagnoses were exactly concordant with the expert consensus (accuracy). The interobserver weighted kappa values of 3-class EIN scheme (benign, EIN, carcinoma) diagnoses between expert consensus and each of reviewing pathologists averaged 0.72 (reproducibility, or precision). Reviewing pathologists demonstrated one of three diagnostic styles, which varied in the repertoire of diagnoses commonly used, and their nonrandom response to potentially confounding diagnostic features such as endometrial polyp, altered differentiation, background hormonal effects, and technically poor preparations. EIN diagnostic strategies can be learned and implemented from standard teaching materials with a high degree of reproducibility, but is impacted by the personal diagnostic style of each pathologist in responding to potential diagnostic confounders

Microscopic Lesions Of Fallopian Tubes In Endometrioid Carcinoma Of The Endometrium: How Effective Are The Macroscopic Tubal Sampling Techniques?

Objective Extrauterine involvement of endometrial carcinoma has a significant effect on the patients' prognosis and treatment decision. In classical method, macroscopic section is taken from the fallopian tube sparing the fimbrial ends. Fimbrial end of fallopian tube may be involved by tumors and precursor lesions. This study aims to determine the importance of sampling of fimbrial ends of fallopian tube in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma specimens. Methods We reevaluated the fallopian tubes of 200 cases of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma cases that have no macroscopic tubal lesion. A hundred cases were sampled with classical method, and the other 100 were sampled with a new method that includes the fimbrial ends. Statistical difference was examined by Fisher's exact test. Results No microscopic tubal lesion lesion was detected in cases that were sampled with the classical method. In contrast, there were 4 cases with tubal lesions in patients sampled with the new technique; 3 of them were located in the fimbrial end. Of the 3, there was one microscopic invasive carcinoma and two proliferative endometrial glandular lesions. Endometriosis was detected in two of the 4 cases with tubal lesions. Conclusion Including the fimbrial end of fallopian tube to macroscopic sampling could detect more tubal lesions, which might provide additional prognostic and pathogenetic information of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.PubMedWo

Steroid Cell Tumor Of The Ovary In An Adolescent: A Rare Case Report

Steroid cell tumors (SCTs) of the ovary are a rare subgroup of sex cord tumors, account for less than 0.1% of all ovarian tumors, and also will present at any age. These tumors can produce steroids, especially testosterone, and may give symptoms like hirsutism, hair loss, amenorrhea, or oligomenorrhea. For the evaluation of androgen excess, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) are the first laboratory tests to be measured. A pelvic ultrasound and a magnetic resonance imaging are useful radiologic imaging techniques. Although steroid cell tumors are generally benign, there is a risk of malignant transformation and clinical malignant formation. Surgery is the most important and hallmark treatment.PubMedScopu

Impact Of Uterine Weight On The Surgical Outcomes Of Vaginal Hysterectomy

Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the association between uterine weight and surgical outcomes of vaginal hysterectomies (VHs). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted through a residency training program for performing VH operations (N = 87) in the Hacettepe University Hospital, Sihhiye/Ankara, Turkey. VHs performed for benign gynecologic conditions were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) uterine weight = 100 g. Clinical characteristics, demographic features, surgical characteristics, and operative complications were compared between the groups. Results: There were 57 patients (65.5%) in group 1 (uterine weight = 100 g). Mean uterine weights were 61.56 +/- 17.98 g in group 1 and 146.30 +/- 45.16 g in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of surgical procedures performed concomitantly. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of age (59.35 +/- 9.95 for group 1 and 47.37 +/- 3.64 for group 2; p < 0.001). In group 2, the following were statistically significantly higher: mean operation time (p < 0.001); delta Hb (p < 0.001); blood loss (p < 0.001); surgical complications (p < 0.005); mean total hospital stay (p < 0.001); analgesic needs (p < 0.001); blood transfusions (p < 0.02); and readmissions to the hospital (p < 0.001). Conclusions: All patients should be evaluated and scanned prior to VH to determine uterine size and weight in order to choose the best surgical approach.WoSScopu

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix: A Distinct Pathological and Clinical Entity

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of uterine cervix is a rare tumor that has some individual features. Defining risk factors after surgery shape the postoperative treatment modality on cervical cancer patients. Although there is not a well-known strategy for the postoperative follow-up of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the aggressive behaviour of this tumor makes the gynecological oncologists choose liberal therapies on these patients