Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery in locally advanced cervical cancer during pregnancy: a case report

Management of cervicocarcinoma during pregnancy is influenced by gestational age, stage of disease, and patient's desire to maintain her pregnancy. We report a case of a pregnant patient with locally advanced cervicocarcinoma successfully treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by caesarean section and radical surgery

Intraperitoneal paclitaxel as consolidation treatment in ovarian cancer patients: A case control study

Objective: It was the aim of this study to assess the role, feasibility and safety of consolidation intraperitoneal (IP) paclitaxel in patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer. Methods: Patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer with complete pathological response after standard treatment were enrolled in this study. The consolidation chemotherapy schedule consisted of 12-16 cycles of IP paclitaxel, 60 mg/mq weekly (group A). Chemotherapy was delivered with a direct puncture under ultrasonographic guidance at each cycle. Survival data of this group of patients were compared with those from a control group with analogous characteristics submitted to observation only (group B). Results: Seventy patients were included in the study, 28 in group A and 42 in group B. Treatment-related toxicity was mild. In 3/28 patients (11%), technical difficulties in accessing the peritoneum were observed. Median time to recurrence was 25 months (range 4-64) in group A and 17.5 months (range 2-60) in group B. Estimated 3-year disease-free survival was 56and 33% (p < 0.05) in group A and B, respectively; no significant difference in 3-year overall survival was observed (87 vs. 83%; p value not significant). Conclusion: Weekly IP consolidation chemotherapy with paclitaxel 60 mg/mq is well tolerated and, in this experience, a prolongation of progression-free survival was observed. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG

Isolated contralateral groin relapse in vulvar cancer.

[No abstract available

Ovarian cancer, diagnosed with PET, with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy as primary presenting sign

Ovarian cancer groin lymph nodes metastases are rare. Only one case of disease spread isolated to the groins has been reported in the English literature. We report the case of a patient with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy due to tumor metastases and in which tumor origin was diagnosed using [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET). This is the first case of bilateral groin lymph nodes as sole site of metastases from ovarian cancer. Primary origin was identified using PET. In rare cases, the ovaries can directly metastasis to the groin even in a relatively initial tumor growth phase. PET may play a role in the diagnosis of occult ovarian tumors

Late breast cancer recurrence to the uterine cervix with a review of the literature

The cervix is a possible site of metastasis from any primary malignancy,but no specific indication on follow-up examination is present. We present an asymptomatic patient with isolated breast cancer cervical recurrence diagnosed by colposcopy after 11 years from primary disease. After a PubMed search and a review of current guidelines, no indication to follow-up examination regarding the cervix is present. The adoption of colposcopy in cancer survivors might be an aid to gynecologists in diagnosing cancer recurrence. Cancer survivors might benefit from a more thorough gynecologic examination as compared with the simple Papanicolaou test. Key Words: Breast cancer—Colposcopy—Uterine cervix recurrence

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy by ultrasound-guided direct puncture in recurrent ovarian cancer: feasibility, compliance, and complications.

Objective: This prospective pilot study investigated the feasibility, complications, and compliance of the administration of intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy by direct puncture under ultrasonographic guidance performed on consecutive patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). Methods: Patients were evaluated to undergo secondary cytoreduction and/or to receive IP chemotherapy. Patients received standard intravenous therapy for ROC plus IP administration by direct puncture needle, under ultrasonographic guidance. Results: From January 2008 to January 2011, 38 patients were enrolled. A total of 402 IP procedures were performed, with a mean of 10.5 procedures per patient. The feasibility rate was 97.4%. In 237 cases (98.8%) of subgroup 1 (abdominal wall thickness 6 cm), more than 1 attempt was necessary (P < 0.01). The mean procedure time was 10 minutes (range, 5-30 minutes). We recorded a total of 2.25% mild intraprocedure complications. No significant difference was identified for the complication rate according to the abdominal wall thickness or according to the number of previous laparotomies. A total of 5 procedures (1.2%) were not performed as a result of patients' noncompliance. The mean pain score according to the visual analog pain scale was moderate at the first evaluation (after 3 minutes) and mild at the final evaluation (after 10 minutes). Conclusions: The administration of IP chemotherapy with a direct puncture, under ultrasound guidance, for patients with ROC, is a safe and feasible method, with a high acceptance from patients