Incidence patterns of invasive and borderline ovarian tumors among white women and black women in the United States. Results from the SEER Program, 1978-1998

Trends of Ovarian Cancer Incidence by Histotype and Race/Ethnicity in the United States 1992-2019

The effect of risk factors on ovarian cancer differs by histotype, and the prevalence of such risk factors varies by race/ethnicity. It is not clear how ovarian cancer incidence has changed over time by histotype and race/ethnicity. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER-12) 1992-2019 data to examine the trend of ovarian cancer incidence for three histotypes (high-grade serous N = 19,691, endometrioid N = 3,212, and clear cell N = 3,275) and four racial/ethnic groups (Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White). Joinpoint and age-period-cohort analyses were conducted to analyze ovarian cancer incidence trends. High-grade serous cancer was the most common histotype, but its incidence has significantly decreased over time for all racial/ethnic groups; the decrease was largest for non-Hispanic White women (average annual percent change AAPC during 2010-2019 = -6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), -8.0 to -4.2). Conversely, clear cell cancer was most common in the Asian/Pacific Islanders, and its incidence has increased over time, particularly among Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander women (AAPC during 2010-2019 = 2.8; 95% CI, 0.8 to 4.7, and AAPC = 1.5; 95% CI, 0.7 to 2.2, respectively). Endometrioid cancer incidence has decreased in non-Hispanic White but increased in Hispanic women (AAPC during 2010-2019 = -1.3; 95% CI, -1.9 to -0.8, and AAPC = 3.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 6.3, respectively). The differential incidence trends by histotype and race/ethnicity underscore the need to monitor incidence and risk factor trends across different groups and develop targeted preventive interventions to reduce the burden of ovarian cancer and disparity by race/ethnicity.

Significance

During 1992-2019, high-grade serous ovarian cancer incidence has decreased while clear cell cancer incidence has increased regardless of race/ethnicity. Endometrioid cancer incidence has decreased in non-Hispanic White but increased in Hispanic women. Differential ovarian cancer incidence trends highlight the need for targeted preventive interventions by histotype and race/ethnicity.

The cytokeratin 17 expression in primary ovarian tumors has diagnostic but not prognostic significance

We assessed the value of cytokeratin 17 (CK17) expression for the differential diagnosis between primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastases from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the significance of CK17 expression in a broad spectrum of primary ovarian tumors with respect to their prognosis. The sample set consisted of 554 primary ovarian tumors and 255 GIT tumors. In the primary ovarian tumors, a higher CK17 expression (in > 10% of tumors cells) was present only in 0-11.4% of all tumors (including mucinous tumors, micropapillary serous borderline tumors, clear cell, endometrioid, and high-grade serous carcinomas). The only exception was low-grade serous carcinoma, where higher CK17 expression was present in 24% of cases. Concerning GIT tumors, the higher levels of CK 17 expression (in > 10% of tumor cells) were observed in the upper GIT tumors (68.5% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, 61.6% of gallbladder adenocarcinoma, and 46% of gastric adenocarcinoma), which differs substantially not only from most of the primary ovarian tumors, but also from colorectal carcinoma (3.7%; p < 0.001). The results of our study suggest that expression of CK17 can potentially be used as an adjunct marker in differential diagnosis between primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastases from the upper GIT, but not from colorectal carcinoma. However, in GIT tumors, CK17 can be used in the differential diagnosis between adenocarcinomas of the upper and lower GIT. Statistical analysis did not reveal strong association of CK17 expression with clinicopathological variables or patient outcomes in any primary ovarian tumors.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratios in Preoperative Differential Diagnosis of Benign, Borderline, and Malignant Ovarian Tumors

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) can be used as supplementary tools to differentiate between benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumors. The ratio of patients with benign to borderline to malignant tumors was planned as 3:1:2 considering the incidence of each disease. Consecutive patients were enrolled retrospectively. Preoperative complete blood counts with differentials were investigated, and calculated NLRs and PLRs were analyzed. A total of 630 patients with ovarian tumors were enrolled in this study. The final histopathological results revealed that 318 patients had benign, 108 patients had epithelial borderline, and 204 patients had epithelial malignant ovarian tumors. The NLR and PLR were significantly higher in malignant than in benign or borderline ovarian tumors, and they did not differ significantly between benign and borderline ovarian tumors. The diagnostic cut-off value of NLR for differentiating between benign or borderline and malignant tumors was 2.36, whereas that of PLR for differentiating between benign/borderline and malignancy was 150.02. High preoperative NLR and PLR indicate that the likelihood of epithelial ovarian cancer is higher than that of benign or borderline tumors.

Disparities in ovarian cancer treatment and overall survival according to race: An update

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether guideline non-adherence is associated with Black race.

METHODS

A retrospective review of National Cancer Database records of women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer from 2012 to 2016 who identified as "White" or "Black" was performed. Exposure was adherence or non-adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for treatment. Outcomes were differences in disease characteristics and overall survival in months.

RESULTS

Of the 29,948 eligible patients, 93% (n = 27,744) were White and 7% (n = 2204) were Black. Having stage IV disease (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.23-1.70; P < 0.001) and treatment in a comprehensive (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.16-2.15; P = 0.0039) or academic (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.70-3.12; P < 0.001) treatment facility were associated with Black race. Adherence to guidelines did not predict Black race (OR for adherence 1.0021, 95% CI 0.89-1.13; P = 0.97). Median survival for White patients with adherent care was 63.4 months and 51.4 months for Black patients (P = 0.0001). Median survival for White patients with non-adherent care was 60.5 months and 47.2 months for Black patients (P < 0.0001). Median overall survival was 61.1 months in White patients and 49.3 months in Black patients (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that while Black patients and patients who receive non-NCCN guideline directed care have worse survival outcomes, guideline adherence is not independently associated with Black race. We must consider other socioeconomic, environmental and system factors that are contributing to the survival discrepancy in Black patients with ovarian cancer.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Incidence of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Florida by Histology, 2001-2015: Analysis of Trends

OBJECTIVES

Because the population in Florida is 25.6% Hispanic, it is possible to evaluate the influence of race and ethnicity within clinically relevant subgroups of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), including histology and tumor grade. This study explores racial/ethnic disparities in the incidence of EOC in Florida by histology and tumor grade.

METHODS

This study is an analysis of the Florida Cancer Database System. All incidence EOC cases from 2001 through 2015 were identified. Age-adjusted incidences were calculated and trends modeled by race/ethnicity and histology using Joinpoint and Poisson regression.

RESULTS

In total, 80% of the 21,731 women with EOC were White, followed by Hispanic (13.1%) and non-Hispanic Black (7.9%). All races/ethnicities had statistically significant declines in incidence, with non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black women having the steepest declines (annual percentage change -2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] -5.9 to -2.1 and annual percentage change -2.8, 95% CI -4.8 to -1.5, respectively). A decreased incidence trend across the time period was seen for all subgroups (relative risk 0.97 [95% CI 0.96-0.98], 0.96 [95% CI 0.96-0.99], and 0.98 [95% CI 0.96-0.99] for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic). High-grade EOC incidence for all groups did not change with time.

CONCLUSIONS

We found significant declines in the incidence of EOC for all races/ethnicities, but not for high-grade EOC. The observed incidence decline in Hispanic women differs from previous research. More research is needed to understand women the causes of overall racial/ethnic differences and the decline in EOC.

Nationwide population-based study of prevalence and trend of borderline ovarian tumors in the Republic of Korea

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) represent noninvasive tumors with uncertain malignant potential. They have a favorable prognosis although they can also recur or be fatal. There are limited population-based data on BOTs, its incidence and surgical treatment approach. We sought to analyze these trends in South Korea between 2014 and 2018. Data from patients diagnosed with BOT between 2014 and 2018 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service/National Inpatient Sample in South Korea. Treatment was analyzed by using codes including adnexal surgery with or without hysterectomy. Data from 4,636,542 women were entered into the database between 2014 and 2018. Data from 5,109 women with BOT, and 537 women with surgery were extracted for analysis. The highest prevalence of BOT occurred in women 40–44 years old. In logistic regression analysis, age was significantly correlated with the prevalence of BOT (p < 0.05). The prevalence of BOT was lower in individuals over 50 than it was in those under 50 years (odds ratio (OR), 0.400 in 2014; OR, 0.457 in 2015; OR, 0.419 in 2016; OR, 0.355 in 2017; OR, 0.347 in 2018). The prevalence of BOT varies significantly with age, and is most common in women in their 40 s.

Fertility preservation in women with malignant and borderline ovarian tumors: Experience of the French ESGO-certified center and pregnancy-associated cancer network (CALG)

OBJECTIVE

To describe strategy and results of fertility preservation (FP) in patients with malignant and borderline ovarian tumors.

METHODS

Consecutive cohort study of 43 women with malignant or borderline ovarian tumors who underwent FP between February 2013 and July 2019. The study was conducted in national expert center in Tenon University Hospital, Sorbonne University: French ESGO-certified ovarian cancer center and pregnancy-associated cancer network (CALG). Main outcome measure was FP technique proposed by multidisciplinary committee, FP technique used, time after surgery, number of fragments, histology and follicle density (if ovarian tissue freezing), number of expected, retrieved and frozen oocytes (if ovarian stimulation).

RESULTS

Pathological diagnosis was malignant epithelial ovarian tumor in five women (11.6%), rare malignant ovarian tumor in 14 (32.6%), borderline in 24 (55.8%), and mostly unilateral (79.1%) and stage I (76.7%). Mean age at diagnosis was 26.8 ± 6.9 years and mean tumor size 109.7 ± 61 mm. Before FP, mean AFC was 11.0 ± 6.1 and AMH levels were 2.7 ± 4.6 ng/mL. Six ovarian tissue-freezing procedures were performed (offered to 13). Twenty-four procedures of ovarian stimulation and oocyte freezing were performed after surgical treatment for 19 women (offered to 28) with a median interval of 188 days. The mean number of mature oocytes retrieved per stimulation was 12.4 ± 12.8. At least 10 mature oocytes were frozen for 52.6% of the women. No FP was offered to five women.

CONCLUSION

Oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation should be offered to patients with malignant and borderline ovarian tumors. More data are needed to confirm ovarian stimulation and ovarian tissue grafting safety.

Effects of infections on the pathogenesis of cancer

Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between acute infections and cancer development. On the other hand, there is a growing evidence that chronic infections may contribute significantly to the carcinogenesis. Factors responsible for increased susceptibility to infections may include modifications of normal defence mechanisms or impairment of host immunity due to altered immune function, genetic polymorphisms, ageing and malnourishment. Studies have demonstrated that children exposed to febrile infectious diseases show a subsequent reduced risk for ovarian cancer, melanoma and many other cancers, while common acute infections in adults are associated with reduced risks for melanoma, glioma, meningioma and multiple cancers. Chronic inflammation associated with certain infectious diseases has been suggested as a cause for the development of tumours. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis due to infections include cell proliferation and DNA replication by mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, production of toxins that affect the cell cycle and lead to abnormal cell growth and inhibition of apoptosis. This review was aimed to summarize the available evidence on acute infections as a means of cancer prevention and on the role of chronic infections in the development and progression of cancer.

Primary mucinous ovarian tumors vs. ovarian metastases from gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and biliary tree: a review of current problematics

Background

Making the distinction between primary mucinous and metastatic ovarian tumors is often difficult, especially in tumors with a primary source from the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and biliary tree. The aim of the following paper is to provide an overview of the problematics, with a focus on the possibilities of the differential diagnosis at the macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical level.

Main body

The three main aspects of mucinous ovarian tumors are described in detail, including the comparison of the available diagnostic algorithms based on the evaluation of mostly macroscopic features, characterization of the spectrum of microscopic features, and a detailed analysis of the immunophenotype comparing 20 antibodies with the assessment of their statistical significance for differential diagnosis purposes. Specific features, including Krukenberg tumor and pseudomyxoma peritonei, are also discussed.

Conclusion

Despite the growing knowledge of the macroscopic and microscopic features of ovarian mucinous tumors and the availability of a wide range of immunohistochemical antibodies useful in this setting, there still remains a group of tumors which cannot be precisely classified without close clinical-pathological cooperation.

Borderline ovarian tumors in Denmark 1997-2018: Time trends in incidence by histology, age and educational level

INTRODUCTION

After some decades with an increasing incidence of borderline ovarian tumors, more recent studies have observed that the incidence rate seems to be leveling off or declining. In this study, we describe the incidence of borderline ovarian tumors in Denmark 1997-2018 by histology, age at diagnosis and educational level.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All borderline ovarian tumors registered in the Danish Pathology Registry during 1997-2018 were identified and individual-level educational information was retrieved from nationwide registers. Age-standardized incidence rates were estimated according to histology, age at diagnosis and educational level. To investigate incidence trends over time, the average annual percentage change and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

We identified 3927 women with borderline ovarian tumors during the study period, of which 1997 (50.9%) were serous and 1743 (44.4%) were mucinous. The age-standardized incidence rate of serous borderline ovarian tumors did not change significantly over calendar time (average annual percentage change = -0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.13 to 0.88). For mucinous tumors, the age-standardized incidence rate was also relatively stable during the first half of the study period, followed by a decrease from 2.56 to 1.25 per 100 000 person-years between 2007-2011 and 2017-2018. Over the entire study period, the incidence rate of mucinous borderline tumors declined on average by 2.91% (95% CI -4.24 to -1.51) per year. The incidence of both types of borderline ovarian tumors seemed to be highest among women with a low educational level. Over calendar time, the incidence of mucinous tumors decreased in all educational groups, whereas the incidence of serous tumors decreased exclusively in women with a high educational level. Time trends did not differ markedly by age at diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In Denmark, the incidence of serous borderline ovarian tumors was stable during 1997-2018, whereas the incidence of mucinous borderline ovarian tumors decreased. The incidence rates of both types of borderline ovarian tumors tended to be highest among women with a low educational level throughout the study period.

Non-epithelial ovarian cancer in Denmark - Incidence and survival over nearly 40 years

OBJECTIVE

To examine trends in incidence and survival of non-epithelial ovarian cancer in Denmark over nearly 40 years, using nationwide, population-based cancer registry data.

METHODS

From 1978 to 2016, we identified the non-epithelial ovarian cancer cases among all ovarian malignancies in the Danish Cancer Registry. Age-specific incidence rates, age-standardized incidence rates, and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall and 5-year relative survival analyses were conducted and supplemented with Cox regression to explore the effect of different characteristics on overall mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 720 non-epithelial ovarian cancers were identified, corresponding to 3.4% of all ovarian malignancies. The majority of non-epithelial ovarian cancers were germ cell tumors (49.9%) and sex cord-stromal tumors (38.6%). The age-standardized incidence rate of germ cell tumors was stable over the study period, ranging between 0.33 and 0.39 per 100,000 woman-years. In contrast, the age-standardized incidence rate of sex cord-stromal tumors declined from 0.30 (1978-1987) to 0.09 (2008-2016) per 100,000 woman-years (AAPC = -5.15%; 95% CI: -7.29, -2.96). The 5-year relative survival of germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal tumors was 94% and 79%, respectively, in the most recent period (2008-2011). Cox regression showed that overall mortality was associated with calendar year, age, and stage.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of germ cell tumors was stable over calendar time, whereas the incidence of sex cord-stromal tumors decreased significantly. Non-epithelial ovarian cancer overall mortality has decreased during the study period and this could not be explained by taking stage and age at diagnosis into account.

[Borderline Ovarian Tumours: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Fertility]

OBJECTIVES

Borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) represent around 15% of all ovarian neoplasms and are more likely to be diagnosed in women of reproductive age. Overall, given the epidemiological profile of BOT and their favourable prognosis, ovarian function and fertility preservation should be systematically considered in patients presenting these lesions.

METHODS

The research strategy was based on the following terms: borderline ovarian tumour, fertility, fertility preservation, infertility, fertility-sparing surgery, in vitro fertilization, ovarian stimulation, oocyte cryopreservation, using PubMed, in English and French.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Fertility counselling should become an integral part of the clinical management of women with BOT. Patients with BOT should be informed that surgical management of BOT may cause damage ovarian reserve and/or peritoneal adhesions. Nomogram to predict recurrence, ovarian reserve markers and fertility explorations should be used to provide a clear and relevant information about the risk of infertility in patients with BOT. Fertility-sparing surgery should be considered for young women who wish preserving their fertility when possible. There is insufficient evidence to claim a causal relation between controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and BOT. However, in case of poor prognosis factors, the use of COS should be considered cautiously through a multidisciplinary approach. In case of infertility after surgery for BOT, COS can be performed without delay, once histopathological diagnosis of BOT is confirmed. There is insufficient consistent evidence that fertility drugs and COS increase the risk of recurrence of BOT after conservative management. The conservative surgical treatment can be associated to oocyte cryopreservation considering the high risk of recurrence of the disease. In women with BOT recurrence in a single ovary and in women with bilateral ovarian involvement when the conservative management is not possible, other fertility preservation strategies are available, but still experimental.

Ovarian cancer in adolescents and young adults

The diagnosis of ovarian cancer in adolescents and young adults is always challenging. Many issues exist, and most important of these may be access to care with an appropriate provider. A range of histologies occur in the ovaries, and their frequency changes markedly as patients progress from adolescence to young adulthood. The very curable germ cell tumors of adolescence slowly give way to aggressive carcinomas, which require a different treatment approach. Special consideration is needed for treatment of toxicity. In an ideal world, centers consisting of pediatric, medical, and gynecological oncologists may be the most appropriate to care for these complex and diverse patients.

Anaplastic carcinoma in ovarian seromucinous cystic tumor of borderline malignancy

Background

The mortality rate of ovarian cancer is the highest among all gynecological malignancies in Japan. Ovarian tumors are classified as benign, borderline malignant, or malignant. Anticipating the histological subtype with imaging only is often difficult because of several histological subtypes of epithelial ovarian tumors (such as serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, and Brenner tumors). In addition, the majority of mucinous tumors in the ovary are metastatic. Furthermore, mucinous tumors belong to one of the two different subclasses (i.e., intestinal and seromucinous types). Ovarian seromucinous cystic tumors of borderline malignancy are infrequent and only rarely coexist with other malignant tumors.

Case presentation

We have reported a 53-year-old Japanese woman with anaplastic carcinoma in an ovarian seromucinous cystic tumor of borderline malignancy. Her MRI and CT analysis revealed an ovarian tumor with a mural nodule, ascites, and peritoneal dissemination. Enhanced MRI revealed that the mural nodule was enhanced. Enhanced CT analysis revealed that the lymph nodes were not swollen. Intriguingly, the mural nodule crossed the cyst wall into the cavity and onto the surface. Her laboratory data revealed high serum CA 125 level. Cumulatively, these results suggested ovarian malignancy. The patient underwent hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and resection of the disseminated lesions. Lymph node biopsy was omitted because of the suggestion of enhanced CT image findings and palpation during surgery. Her postoperative specimen examination determined FIGO at least stage IIIB, and accordingly, adjuvant chemotherapy was prescribed. After 3 years of the operation, the patient is presently alive without clinical tumor recurrences.

Conclusion

Imaging studies with pathognomonic findings contributed to ovarian cancer diagnosis in this case. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in English literature to report detailed classification of mucinous borderline malignancy, seromucinous cystic, and anaplastic carcinoma in an ovarian seromucinous cystic tumor of borderline malignancy.

Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors

Ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors are clinically significant heterogeneous tumors that include several pathologic types. These tumors are often found in adolescents and young adults and can present with hormonal manifestations as well as signs and symptoms of a pelvic mass. Serum tumor markers may assist in preoperative diagnosis and surveillance. Several subtypes are associated with genetic predisposition, including those observed in patients with Peutz-Jegher syndrome. Recent studies have elucidated the relationship between Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors and DICER1 mutations. When classified as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage Ia, most subtypes may be treated with surgery alone. Higher stage or recurrent tumors have variable prognoses that range from a usually rapid course in poorly differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor to an often prolonged course in adult granulosa cell tumors. New understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors may pave the way for novel therapeutics.

Fertility preservation in women with borderline ovarian tumors - how does it impact disease outcome? A cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Borderline ovarian tumors are typically indolent neoplasms. Since many are diagnosed in younger women, fertility conservation is an important consideration and has been advocated based on retrospective data. The objective of this study was to identify features impacting on recurrence and survival in a series of borderline ovarian tumors, and to assess the safety of a fertility-sparing approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A historical cohort study of consecutive borderline ovarian tumors cases treated at a single institution over 30 years (1981-2011). Data on surgical approach (fertility-sparing or otherwise), disease stage, CA125 levels, histological features, adjuvant treatment and follow-up data were collected. Recurrence and survival were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and associations with the variables of interest were evaluated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

213 patients were included. Of 132 women age 40 years and below at diagnosis, 112 (85%) had a fertility-sparing procedure and 60 (46%) had conservation of an involved ovary. Fifty patients (24%) developed recurrences; fertility preservation (hazard ratio = 2.57; 95% confidence interval 1.1-6; p = 0.029) and advanced stage (hazard ratio = 4.15; 95% confidence interval 2.3-7.6; p < 0.001) were independently associated with recurrence on multivariate analysis. Eleven (5%) patients died of their disease. Fertility preservation was not associated with compromised survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Borderline ovarian tumors carry a good prognosis overall. Fertility preservation is associated with a higher risk of disease relapse; however, as most relapses are localized and may be salvaged with surgical treatment, overall survival is not compromised.

Recent Trends in Ovarian Cancer Incidence and Relative Survival in the United States by Race/Ethnicity and Histologic Subtypes

Background: Incidence and survival rates of nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer in racial/ethnic minorities remain relatively unknown in the United States. We examined the trends in incidence and survival rates for epithelial ovarian cancer by histologic subtypes and race/ethnicity.Methods: Ovarian cancer incidence and mortality data from 2000 to 2013 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Age-adjusted incidence rate, incidence rate ratio, and annual percentage changes (APC) were calculated by histology and race/ethnicity subgroups and stratified by age at diagnosis. Five-year relative survival rates were calculated by stage and race/ethnicity.Results: A small but significant decrease in incidence rates was seen in non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), and Hispanic women (APC -1.58, -0.84, and -1.31, respectively), while incidence rates remained relatively stable in Asian women (APC -0.37). With exception of significant increase in the incidence rate of clear cell carcinoma among Asian woman (APC 1.85), an overall trend toward decreasing incidence rates was seen across histologic subtypes and age-strata, although not all results were statistically significant. Compared with NHW women, NHB women experienced poorer 5-year survival at every stage across histologic subtypes, while Hispanic and Asian women had equivalent or better survival.Conclusions: Over the last decade, incidence rates of epithelial ovarian cancer in the United States have decreased or remained stable across race/ethnic and histologic subgroups, except for clear cell carcinoma. Survival remains poorest among NHB women.Impact: Comparative histologic subtype distribution and incidence trends do not explain the ovarian cancer survival disparity disproportionately affecting NHB women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(10); 1511-8. ©2017 AACR.

Fascin-1 expression as stratification marker in borderline epithelial tumours of the ovary

AIMS

To evaluate the actin-bundling protein fascin-1 (FSCN1) as marker for borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs).

METHODS

We analysed a retrospective cohort of 140 BOTs with validated diagnosis by an independent pathologist. Immunohistochemical detection of FSCN1 was quantified as combined immunoreactive score (CIS) blinded to clinical patient data. Analyses were first performed for FSCN1 positive versus negative, and then verified using three categories derived from the observed distribution (negative, weak, strong; CIS 0, 1-2, 3-9).

RESULTS

We detected FSCN1 positivity in 51.4%, and strong expression (CIS 3-9) in 14.3% of the samples. FSCN1 positivity was associated with serous subtype (p<0.001) and micropapillary pattern (p<0.001). Correlation with micropapillary pattern remained significant within the serous BOT (SBOT) subgroup (p=0.022). Strong FSCN1 expression (CIS 3-9) was associated both with the presence of implants (p=0.022), and a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p=0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis links FSCN1 with SBOT with micropapillary pattern. Strong expression is associated with higher FIGO stage and the presence of implants, both related to elevated risk of recurrence. Hence, FSCN1 is an interesting marker worth further analyses of its prognostic value in BOTs.

Relationships of Tubal Ligation to Endometrial Carcinoma Stage and Mortality in the NRG Oncology/ Gynecologic Oncology Group 210 Trial

BACKGROUND

Stage is a critical determinant of treatment among endometrial carcinoma patients; understanding patterns of tumor spread may suggest approaches to improve staging. Specifically, the importance of exfoliation of endometrial carcinoma cells through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneum is ill defined. We assessed the hypothesis that tubal ligation (TL), which should impede transtubal passage of cells, is associated with lower endometrial carcinoma stage at presentation and, consequently, lower mortality.

METHODS

The NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 210 Trial included 4489 endometrial carcinoma patients who completed a risk factor questionnaire that included TL history. Pathology data were derived from clinical reports and central review. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between TL with stage and peritoneal metastasis, overall and by tumor subtype. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals for TL and mortality. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Compared with stage I, TL was inversely associated with stage III (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.52 to 0.78) and stage IV carcinomas (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.24) overall and among individual tumor subtypes. TL was inversely related to peritoneal metastasis overall (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.68) and among serous carcinomas (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.68). In multivariable models unadjusted for stage, TL was associated with lower endometrial carcinoma-specific mortality (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.91); however, adjustment for stage eliminated the survival advantage. Similar relationships with all-cause mortality were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

TL is associated with lower stage and mortality among women with aggressive endometrial carcinomas, suggesting transtubal spread is clinically important. Future studies should evaluate whether detection of intraluminal tumor cells is prognostically relevant.

Safety of ovarian conservation and fertility preservation in advanced borderline ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of a fertility-sparing approach on disease recurrence in women with advanced borderline ovarian tumors.

DESIGN

Historic cohort study.

SETTING

A tertiary referral center for gynecological oncology patients and a university teaching hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Consecutive patients with advanced borderline ovarian tumors defined as stage IC and above, treated at a single institution during a span of 30 years.

INTERVENTION(S)

Data on surgical approach (e.g., fertility sparing, ovarian conserving) as well as histopathology, disease stage, CA-125 level, and use of chemotherapy were collected from the medical records, and their impact on disease recurrence was assessed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Recurrence-free interval. Its association with the type of surgery and with other clinical and pathological features was assessed using the Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods.

RESULT(S)

Fifty-nine patients with advanced disease were identified. Median follow-up was 55.3 months. Mean age at diagnosis was 35 years. Most of the tumors (51, 84.4%) had serous histology. Twenty-seven patients (45.8%) developed recurrences and 6 (10%) died of their disease. Mean time to recurrence was 30.6 months. Of 44 women ≤40 years, 33 (75%) had a fertility-sparing procedure. Fertility preservation was not associated with disease recurrence. A total of 34 pregnancies and 26 live births were documented among 21 patients attempting conception.

CONCLUSION(S)

Borderline ovarian tumors carry a favorable prognosis, even at an advanced stage. Fertility preservation was not found to be associated with an increased risk of relapse in young patients with advanced disease, and may be reasonably considered.

A nationwide study of serous "borderline" ovarian tumors in Denmark 1978-2002: centralized pathology review and overall survival compared with the general population

OBJECTIVE

To describe the study population and estimate overall survival of women with a serous "borderline" ovarian tumor (SBT) in Denmark over 25 years relative to the general population.

METHODS

The Danish Pathology Data Bank and the Danish Cancer Registry were used to identify 1487 women diagnosed with SBTs from 1978 to 2002. The histologic slides were collected from Danish pathology departments and reviewed by expert pathologists and classified as SBT/atypical proliferative serous tumor (APST) or noninvasive low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC). Associated implants were classified as noninvasive or invasive. Medical records were collected from hospital departments and reviewed. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and relative survival was estimated with follow-up through September 2, 2013.

RESULTS

A cohort of 1042 women with a confirmed SBT diagnosis was identified. Women with stage I had an overall survival similar to the overall survival expected from the general population (p=0.3), whereas women with advanced stage disease had a poorer one (p<0.0001). This was evident both in women with noninvasive (p<0.0001) and invasive implants (p<0.0001). Only among women with advanced stage, overall survival of women with SBT/APST (p<0.0001) and noninvasive LGSC (p<0.0001) was poorer than expected from the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

To date this is the largest nationwide cohort of SBTs where all tumors have been verified by expert pathologists. Only in women with advanced stage SBT, overall survival is poorer than in the general population which applies both to women with noninvasive and invasive implants as well as to women with SBT/APST and noninvasive LGSC.

Recent concepts of ovarian carcinogenesis: type I and type II

Type I ovarian tumors, where precursor lesions in the ovary have clearly been described, include endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous, low grade serous, and transitional cell carcinomas, while type II tumors, where such lesions have not been described clearly and tumors may develop de novo from the tubal and/or ovarian surface epithelium, comprise high grade serous carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, and carcinosarcomas. The carcinogenesis of endometrioid and clear cell carcinoma (CCC) arising from endometriotic cysts is significantly influenced by the free iron concentration, which is associated with cancer development through the induction of persistent oxidative stress. A subset of mucinous carcinomas develop in association with ovarian teratomas; however, the majority of these tumors do not harbor any teratomatous component. Other theories of their origin include mucinous metaplasia of surface epithelial inclusions, endometriosis, and Brenner tumors. Low grade serous carcinomas are thought to evolve in a stepwise fashion from benign serous cystadenoma to a serous borderline tumor (SBT). With regard to high grade serous carcinoma, the serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs) of the junction of the fallopian tube epithelium with the mesothelium of the tubal serosa, termed the “tubal peritoneal junction” (TPJ), undergo malignant transformation due to their location, and metastasize to the nearby ovary and surrounding pelvic peritoneum. Other theories of their origin include the ovarian hilum cells.

Two cases of recurrent ovarian clear cell carcinoma treated with sorafenib

Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor targeting Raf and other kinases. The anti-tumor effect of sorafenib is thought to be mediated through its inhibition of the RAS-Raf-Erk pathway, as well as its inhibition of VEGFR and PDGFR. Sorafenib has been effective at treating patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a chemoresistant subtype of ovarian cancer. OCCC is represented by cells with clear cytoplasm that resemble those observed in RCC. Using a microarray database, the gene expression profile of OCCC was similar to that of RCC. The effects of sorafenib against human OCCC are unknown. Therefore, we used sorafenib to treat two patients with recurrent chemoresistant OCCC, and observed good effect in both of them without severe side effects. We believe that sorafenib is an effective agent against OCCC. Given the chemoresistant nature of this tumor, this drug appears to be very valuable.

Fertility and borderline ovarian tumor: a systematic review of conservative management, risk of recurrence and alternative options

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the fertility outcome after borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) management and the results of conservative management, risk of recurrence and alternative options.

METHODS

The search strategy was based on relevant terms concerning BOT using Medline and the Central Cochrane Library. Both early and advanced stages of serous and mucinous BOT were included, but not rare entities such as endometrioid, Brenner or clear-cell BOT because of their low incidence. We considered all articles-case reports, original studies, meta-analyses and reviews-in English and French.

RESULTS

Overall, 230 articles were screened of which 120 were retained for review. Most pregnancies were spontaneous but some data were obtained from studies analyzing the contribution of assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, not all studies differentiated spontaneous pregnancy from those obtained after fertility treatment including ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination and IVF. Conservative management of early stage BOT resulted in a pooled estimate for spontaneous pregnancy rate of 54% with a low risk of lethal recurrence (pooled estimate: 0.5%). In patients with advanced stage BOT, the spontaneous pregnancy rates was lower (34% in the single series reporting pregnancy rate in this context) and the risk of lethal recurrence increased (pooled estimate: 2%).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review underlines that fertility subsequent to treatment of BOT depends mainly on histology and initial staging to distinguish early from advanced stages. In patients with advanced stage BOT, several alternative options to conservative management are available to allow patients to conceive without compromising their prognosis.

Histologic distribution of borderline ovarian tumors worldwide: a systematic review

Objective

The histologic types of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) exhibit striking differences in clinical behavior and prognosis. Yet, there is no information available on the histologic distribution of BOTs according to geographic region. The purpose of this study was to systematically review this issue worldwide.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using electronic databases. Studies were eligible if BOTs were investigated and the histologic distribution of the data was shown. The studies were grouped by geographic region and totaled by country.

Results

Of 487 potentially relevant studies, 51 met our inclusion criteria, as follows: 8 studies from North America (2 countries); 26 studies from Europe (14 countries); 7 studies from the Middle East (3 countries); and 10 studies from East Asia (5 countries). The histologic distribution of BOTs was considerably different in different parts of the world, but follows specific patterns. In general, serous-type BOTs were the predominantly identified histology in North America, the Middle East, and Europe, while mucinous-type BOTs predominated in East Asia.

Conclusion

Significant geographic variation is evident among BOT histology in different parts of the world. More research is needed to understand this phenomenon.

Borderline ovarian tumour: pathological diagnostic dilemma and risk factors for invasive or lethal recurrence

By comparison with ovarian carcinomas, borderline ovarian tumours are characterised clinically by superior overall survival, even in women with peritoneal spread. In this Review, we aimed to clarify the histological and clinical factors potentially defining a high-risk group in whom disease is likely to evolve to invasive disease. Invasive peritoneal implants (in serous borderline ovarian tumours) and residual disease after surgery were the two factors clearly identified. Other factors are controversial owing to increased risk of invasive recurrence: micropapillary patterns in serous borderline ovarian tumour, intraepithelial carcinoma in mucinous lesions, stromal microinvasion in serous lesions, and use of cystectomy in mucinous borderline ovarian tumours. The pathologist has a pivotal role in assessment of the borderline nature of ovarian tumours and in identification of high-risk criteria, most of which are histological. But, reproducibility of the histological interpretation of some of these potential criteria--eg, classification of peritoneal implants (particularly in desmoplastic subtype), stromal microinvasion, micropapillary patterns, and intraepithelial carcinoma in mucinous borderline ovarian tumours--remains unclear, and should be investigated.

Sorafenib efficacy in ovarian clear cell carcinoma revealed by transcriptome profiling

The purpose of this study was to investigate a new modality of therapy against ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), a chemoresistant subtype of ovarian cancer. Microarray datasets of ovarian cancer cell lines and cancer tissues were analyzed using bioinformatic tools. The gene expression profile of OCCC was similar to that of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This similarity was at least partially due to hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 pathway activation common to both malignancies. In addition, oncogenic pathway alterations were characteristic of OCCC including hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha subunit and relatively high Ras activities. Therefore, we predicted that the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib, which is approved for RCC and suppresses Ras activity, would also be effective against OCCC. Orally administered sorafenib (40 mg/kg per day) significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice when it was given after inoculation with the OCCC cell line RMG-2 (P = 0.002). Furthermore, sorafenib significantly reduced tumor size when it was administered to established RMG-2 tumors (P = 0.0002), while intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (5 mg/kg per week) did not. In conclusion, the prominent anti-tumor effect of sorafenib against OCCC indicates that sorafenib is a promising candidate drug and supports the need for clinical trials using sorafenib against OCCC. This report demonstrates a method to utilize genome-wide information to facilitate translational research for treatments against less common subtypes of cancers.

Pediatric borderline ovarian tumors: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are uncommon in the pediatric population, and there have been limited studies that have included a small number of patients. In present study, we evaluated the clinical outcomes and the rates of recurrence of pediatric BOTs with larger sample size than those in previous studies.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on 29 patients who were treated for histopathologically confirmed BOTs at our institution between January 1997 and December 2009.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients (median age, 18 years) had a large-sized tumor (median, 19.8 cm). Abdominal pain was the most common symptom, seen in 82.8% of the patients, followed by abdominal distension. The permanent section histology revealed 25 mucinous (86.2%) and 4 serous type tumors (13.8%). There was considerable discordance between the permanent and frozen sections (rate of concordance, 55.1%). Disease stage was IA in 26 patients (89.7%) and stage IC in the other 3 patients (10.3%). All patients underwent fertility-preserving surgery. Overall, 4 patients (13.8%) experienced a clinically suspicious recurrence requiring surgery. In 2 cases, the suspected recurrences were found to be other benign ovarian tumors. In one case that was initially treated with left ovarian cystectomy for a mucinous BOT, subsequent left salpingo-oophorectomy confirmed recurrence of a mucinous BOT at 16-month follow-up. The last case was a newly developed primary ovarian mucinous carcinoma with no evidence of recurrence of a previous mucinous BOT at 26-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that BOTs in pediatric populations can be successfully treated conservatively to preserve fertility with no apparent increased risk of morbidity or mortality compared with those of more radical surgical options.

Interventions for the treatment of borderline ovarian tumours

BACKGROUND

The safety of conservative surgery and the benefit of additional interventions after surgery for borderline ovarian tumours are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harm of different treatment modalities offered for borderline ovarian tumours.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register to 2009, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE and EMBASE to 2009. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared different interventions in adult women diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumours of any histological variant.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified seven RCTs that enrolled 372 women. We could not pool results of trials as the treatment comparisons differed.Six RCTs (n = 340) conducted over 15 years ago, evaluated adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, pelvic external irradiation or intra-peritoneal radioactive isotope therapy) after radical surgery; over 87% of participants had Stage I tumours. Most participants were followed up for over 10 years. Overall and recurrence-free survival were similar between both arms of these trials, except that one trial (n = 66) showed a significantly lower survival (P = 0.03) in women who received chemotherapy (thio-TEPA). Adverse effects of treatment were incompletely reported and all six trials were at high risk of bias.One further trial (n = 32) that recruited participants with bilateral serous tumours who were wishing fertility preservation, revealed a significantly increased chance of pregnancy (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 8.0) but non-significantly earlier disease recurrence (HR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.6 to 3.8) in the women who had ultra-conservative surgery (bilateral cystectomy) than in those who had conservative surgery (cystectomy and contralateral oophorectomy). This trial was at low risk of bias.Quality of life (QoL) was not documented in any included trial. We did not find any trials that compared radical with conservative surgery or laparoscopy with laparotomy.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We did not find evidence to support the use of any specific type of adjuvant therapy for borderline ovarian tumours. RCTs evaluating the benefit of adjuvant therapy with optimally dosed chemotherapy and newer targeted drugs are necessary, particularly for advanced borderline ovarian tumours. The low mortality from borderline ovarian tumours should make recurrence-free survival, time to recurrence and morbidity important end points in such trials.Bilateral cystectomy may be offered to women with bilateral borderline ovarian tumours diagnosed intra-operatively who are wishing to preserve their fertility. Similarly, women who had RCTs comparing radical with conservative surgery and comparing laparoscopy with laparotomy are needed.

Differences in tumor type in low-stage versus high-stage ovarian carcinomas

Although there are recognized differences in the type of ovarian carcinomas between those tumors diagnosed at low versus high stage, there is a lack of data on stage distribution of ovarian carcinomas diagnosed according to the current histopathologic criteria from large population-based cohorts. We reviewed full slide sets of 1009 cases of 2555 patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma that were referred to the British Columbia Cancer Agency over a 16-year period (1984 to 2000). On the basis of the reviewed cases we extrapolated the distribution of tumor type in low-stage (I/II) and high-stage (III/IV) tumors. We then compared the frequencies with those seen in a large hospital practice. The overall frequency of tumor types was as follows: high-grade serous-68.1%, clear-cell-12.2%, endometrioid-11.3%, mucinous-3.4%, low-grade serous-3.4%, rare types-1.6%. High-grade serous carcinomas accounted for 35.5% of stage I/II tumors and 87.7% of stage III/IV tumors. In contrast, clear-cell (26.2% vs. 4.5%), endometrioid (26.6% vs. 2.5%), and mucinous (7.5% vs. 1.2%) carcinomas were relatively more common among the low-stage versus high-stage tumors. This distribution was found to be very similar in 410 consecutive cases from the Washington Hospital Center. The distribution of ovarian carcinoma types differs significantly in patients with low-stage versus high-stage ovarian carcinoma when contemporary diagnostic criteria are used, with consistent results seen in 2 independent case series. These findings reflect important biological differences in the behavior of the major tumor types, with important clinical implications.

Mumps and ovarian cancer: modern interpretation of an historic association

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies found childhood mumps might protect against ovarian cancer. To explain this association, we investigated whether mumps might engender immunity to ovarian cancer through antibodies against the cancer-associated antigen MUC1 abnormally expressed in the inflamed parotid gland.

METHODS

Through various health agencies, we obtained sera from 161 cases with mumps parotitis. Sera were obtained from 194 healthy controls. We used an ELISA to measure anti-MUC1 antibodies and electro-chemiluminescence assays to measure MUC1 and CA 125. Log-transformed measurements were analyzed by t-tests, generalized linear models, and Pearson or Spearman correlations. We also conducted a meta-analysis of all published studies regarding mumps and ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

Adjusting for assay batch, age, and sex, the level of anti-MUC1 antibodies was significantly higher in mumps cases compared to controls (p = 0.002). Free circulating levels of CA 125, but not MUC1, were also higher in cases (p = 0.02). From the meta-analysis, the pooled odds ratio estimate (and 95% CI) for the mumps and ovarian cancer association was 0.81 (0.68-0.96) (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Mumps parotitis may lead to expression and immune recognition of a tumor-associated form of MUC1 and create effective immune surveillance of ovarian cancer cells that express this form of MUC1.

Prognosis and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma from a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary is rare and only reported sporadically. Clinical information on the disease is limited. This study assesses the clinical characteristics, treatment, outcome and prognostic factors of reported cases.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty cases from 1976 through to 2005 in MEDLINE were analyzed for patient age, clinical and laboratory data, extent of disease, tumor markers, treatment and survival rates. Only the 188 cases with surgical staging were included in the survival analysis.

RESULTS

The disease occurred most often in elderly women (mean, 55.0 +/- 14.4 years) and cysts were large (mean, 13.7 +/- 5.7 cm). Abdominal pain (71.6%) was the most common symptom. Preoperative serum SCC antigen level had a high positive rate (81.3%). Overall 5-year survival rate for all stages was 48.4%. For Stage I, the 5-year survival rate was 75.7%; stage II, 33.8%; stage III, 20.6%; and stage IV, 0% (p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed that tumor stage, patient age, tumor size, preoperative SCC antigen and CA125 levels, and optimal debulking were significant prognostic factors. Further investigation into treatments for all stages revealed that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may produce a better survival rate for both stage III and stage IV cases. However, postoperative radiotherapy did not show a similar effect. Multivariate analysis indicated that stage and optimal debulking were significant factors that influenced survival.

CONCLUSION

A mature cystic teratoma should be treated as early as possible. Tumor stage and optimal debulking are critical to survival. Unlike SCCs of the uterine cervix, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may produce a better result than adjuvant radiotherapy for advanced-stage cases.

Recent Developments on the Significance and Pathogenesis of Lymph Node Involvement in Ovarian Serous Tumors of Low Malignant Potential (Borderline Tumors)

In approximately 27% of patients that were surgically staged for ovarian serous borderline tumors (ovarian serous tumors of low malignant potential), regional lymph nodes, most commonly the pelvic and paraaortic groups, display morphologically similar epithelial clusters. Lymph nodes above the diaphragm may also be involved. Lymph node involvement does not adversely impact the overall survival of patients with ovarian serous borderline tumors, but there is controversy as to whether this finding is associated with a decrease in recurrence-free survival. Nodular aggregates of epithelium greater than 1 mm in maximum dimension, as compared with all other patterns of nodal involvement, have been associated with reduced recurrence-free survival. The lymph nodes may also be the site of recurrence and/or progression to carcinoma of an ovarian serous borderline tumor. Recent molecular and morphologic data suggest that although most nodal implants are indeed metastatic from their synchronous ovarian neoplasms, a small subset arise de novo from nodal endosalpingiosis. The precise mechanistic basis for how these noninvasive neoplasms achieve nodal metastases is unclear. However, because most patients with nodal metastases also have peritoneal implants, tumors that are ovary-confined and without ovarian surface involvement are rarely associated with nodal involvement, microinvasive borderline tumors frequently display lymphatic vessel involvement yet show a remarkably low frequency of nodal involvement, in conjunction with the recent finding that node-positive and node-negative tumors display no significant differences in lymphatic vessel density, suggest that the route of spread to lymph nodes in most cases is via the peritoneal and not tumoral lymphatics.

Borderline ovarian tumors in Sweden 1960-2005: trends in incidence and age at diagnosis compared to ovarian cancer

The aim of the study was to investigate long-term trends in the incidence of borderline tumors and ovarian cancer in Sweden during 1960-2005, based on data from the population-based Swedish Cancer Register. We identified 6,288 patients with borderline ovarian tumors and a total of 34,977 cases of ovarian cancer during the study period. The age-standardized incidence of borderline ovarian tumors increased from 1.0 to 5.3 per 100,000 women-years from 1960-1964 to 2000-2005 and the incidence of ovarian cancer increased from 16.4 to 19.7 per 100,000 women-years from 1960-1964 to 1980-1989 and then declined to 16.6 per 100,000 women-years to the period 2000-2005. Borderline ovarian tumors comprised 15% of all primary ovarian neoplasms and the proportion increased from 8.3 to 23.6% during the study period. The median age at diagnosis for patients with borderline ovarian tumors and ovarian cancer was 55.2 and 61.6 years, respectively. In women younger than 40 years, 34% of all primary ovarian malignancies consisted of borderline ovarian tumors. For the 5 birth cohorts evaluated, the peaks of incidence occurred in stepwise younger age for each younger birth cohort for both borderline tumors and ovarian cancer. The increasing incidence of borderline ovarian tumors could be explained by an increase in diagnostic activity and by a lack of protective effect of oral contraceptive use. The decline in invasive tumors could be explained by a combination of factors, where the contribution of each is uncertain: shifting exposure to risk factors, a protective effect of oral contraceptive use, and increased detection of and removal of precancerous lesions.

Racial disparities in surgical treatment and survival of epithelial ovarian cancer in United States

OBJECTIVE

To compare the racial differences in treatment and survival of epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program between 1988 and 2001 and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Of the 24,038 women, 22,407 (93.2%) were non-Hispanic White, and 1,631 (6.8%) were African-American. Median age of Whites versus African-Americans was 65 versus 63 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Of the patients with early-stage (I-II) disease, 38.8% of Whites underwent lymphadenectomy with their primary surgery compared to only 32.8% of African-Americans (P = 0.005). In the overall study group, the 5-year disease-specific survival of Whites was significantly higher compared to the African-Americans (44.1% vs. 40.7%, P = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, age, race, stage, cell type, and grade of disease were all independent prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that race is an independent prognostic factor for survival in epithelial ovarian cancer. In addition, African-Americans with early-stage cancer were less likely to undergo lymphadenectomy with their staging procedure. Furthermore, patient/physician education is needed to increase the number of patients undergoing surgical staging procedures for epithelial ovarian cancer.

Epidemiology of low-grade serous ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine whether the epidemiology of low-grade ovarian serous cancers is distinct from that of high-grade ovarian serous cancers.

STUDY DESIGN

The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program reports incidence, and survival, data from representative population based cancer registries. The SEER data are analyzed to compare the descriptive epidemiologies of low- and high-grade lesions.

RESULTS

Mean survival (99 vs 57 months) and age (55.5 vs 62.6 years) trends in annual incidence rate (-3.8% vs 1.4%), rate ratio of advanced to early disease (1.9 vs 10.2), rate ratio of post- to premenopausal incidence (5.0 vs 13.0). and difference in average age between advanced and early stage (none vs 2.5 years) are significantly different for patients with low-grade, compared with high-grade, disease.

CONCLUSION

Epidemiology of low-grade tumors appears sufficiently different from that of high-grade lesions to support the concept that low-grade ovarian serous cancers constitute a distinct clinical, and perhaps biologic, entity.

Serous borderline ovarian tumors in long-term culture: phenotypic and genotypic distinction from invasive ovarian carcinomas

Serous borderline ovarian tumors (SBOTs) are differentiated, slow growing, noninvasive, and have a better prognosis than their invasive counterparts, but recurrence and progression to invasive carcinomas are common, and unlike high-grade serous carcinomas, they tend to be nonresponsive to chemotherapy. However, due to a lack of culture systems and animal models, information about the properties of SBOT and their changes with neoplastic progression is extremely limited. Our objective was to establish a cell culture model for SBOTs and to characterize their phenotype and genotype. We compared cultures derived from two SBOTs, one of which was a short-term culture containing a BRAF mutation but few other cytogenetic changes while the other culture developed into a spontaneously immortalized permanent cell line and had numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities but lacked RAS/BRAF mutations. Both cultures formed whorl-like epithelial colonies and resembled low-grade invasive carcinomas by their secretion of CA125 and oviduct-specific glycoprotein, production of matrix metalloproteinases, E-cadherin expression, and telomerase activity. Other characteristics associated with neoplastic transformation, including invasiveness, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenicity, were not observed. Importantly, cell motility was reduced in both lines, likely contributing to the lack of invasiveness. The results reveal a striking phenotypic similarity between the two cell lines, regardless of their cytogenetic diversity, which suggests that their characteristic phenotype is regulated to a large degree by epigenetic and environmental factors. In conclusion, we have established the first permanent SBOT cell line, which provides a new model to elucidate the undefined relationship of SBOTs to invasive ovarian carcinomas.

Twin births, sex of children and maternal risk of ovarian cancer: a cohort study in Norway

In a follow-up of 1 208 001 women aged 20–74 years, no significant association was found between twin births (112 cases) and risk, though those with twin girls had a non-significantly higher risk than those with singleton births; among the latter, those with girls only had a higher risk of endometrioid tumours (incidence rate ratio 1.35; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.76, based on 475 cases) than women with boys only.

Selecting differentially expressed proteomic markers from mass spectrometry data

High-throughput mass spectrometry and statistical analysis methodologies are promising technologies to aid the medical diagnostics field by detecting the cancer-related proteomic markers. We propose statistical methods to cull the potential markers by ranking them in relations to their power of separability distinguishing cancerous patients from normal persons or among different cancer stages. To assess the training variability, resampling via bootstrap strategy is adopted to select stable markers which show the potential of a large probability to classify specific groups. Selected marker pattern is validated by a combined classifier. Methods are demonstrated by a colon cancer dataset screened by SELDI technology.

Racial disparities in blacks with gynecologic cancers

Black women have a lower incidence of gynecologic cancers but they have a higher mortality associated with their disease. The etiology of the racial disparity in outcome among gynecologic cancer patients is multifactoral and site-specific. Black women with endometrial cancer often present with more advanced stage tumors that are associated with a worse prognosis compared with White women. Evidence suggests that observed disparities in outcome are due to inequalities in treatment or differing biologic etiologies. For cervix cancer, studies have suggested that survival among Black women may be lower than survival among White women that develop this disease. This occurs despite evidence that indicates that Pap smears are utilized similarly by Black and White women for cervix cancer screening. These differences in outcome may become less pronounced when comorbidities are accounted for and inequalities in treatment are eliminated. For ovarian cancer patients, survival has improved with the use of contemporary therapies over the past 30 years in Whites but less so for Blacks. This may be due to differences in the likelihood of primary surgical cytoreductions, which are performed less frequently in some Black women because of extensive metastatic spread or comorbidities. The observed decreases in survival for all 3 gynecologic cancers potentially may be affected by socioeconomic status of the patient in some healthcare settings. An improved understanding of the causative factors associated with racial disparities in gynecologic cancer outcome is necessary to facilitate efforts aimed at correcting this important healthcare problem.

Alcohol consumption and ovarian cancer risk in a population-based case-control study

Alcohol consumption has been investigated as a possible risk factor for ovarian cancer in several epidemiological studies, with inconsistent findings. Recent studies have suggested that the association between alcohol consumption and ovarian cancer may vary according to histologic subtype of ovarian cancer and type of alcohol consumed (e.g., wine, beer, or liquor). We examined these associations in a population-based case-control study comprised of 762 incident cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and 6,271 population controls from Massachusetts and Wisconsin aged 40-79 years. Women reported their usual alcohol consumption as young adults (20-30 years of age) and in the recent past. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There was no significant association of ovarian cancer with increasing alcohol consumption either during ages 20-30 years (p trend 0.42) or in the recent past (p trend 0.83). Regular drinking of beer (1 drink/day or more) during ages 20-30 (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.26), though not liquor (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.86-2.11) or wine (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.49-2.00), was associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of invasive tumors, whereas no significant relationships were observed for recent drinking, regardless of alcohol type. The elevated risk for early adult regular drinking was confined to serous invasive tumors (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.30), though results for other subtypes were based on sparse data and results were imprecise. In this study, neither total alcohol consumption as a young adult nor recently was associated with an increase in the risk of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian epithelial tumors of low malignant potential: Are they precursors of ovarian carcinoma?

Ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) are intermediate between benign adenoma and frank ovarian carcinoma, and are characterized by the absence of destructive stromal invasion, or microinvasion. If LMP did not develop into invasive carcinoma, then a minimally invasive simple treatment could be chosen. However, histological diagnosis cannot completely predict the prognosis of patients with ovarian tumors. It was found that mucinous LMP is most frequent in Japan, whereas serous LMP is the most common in Western countries. Mucinous LMP with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosomes 5q14-21 and 17q11.2, and serous LMP were suggested to be precursor lesions of ovarian carcinomas. Follow-up study revealed that patients with mucinous LMP who had LOH at 19q12 and/or Xq11-12 were at the greatest risk of progression. It is concluded that molecular genetic analysis such as LOH study could predict prognosis and aid in treatment decision-making. The present review describes molecular genetic changes of LMP and presents problems on LMP that remain to be elucidated.

Borderline tumours of the ovary and fertility

Standard management of borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) is historically radical and based on hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and peritoneal staging. But, as 1/3 of BOTs are diagnosed in patients aged less than 40 years, treatments preserving fertility-potential (with preservation of the uterus and at least part of one ovary) has seen great developments in the last decade. Such treatments increase the rate of recurrences (between 15% and 35% depending on the type of conservative surgery), but without any impact on patient survival as most recurrent diseases are of the borderline type, easily curable and with excellent prognosis. The spontaneous pregnancy rate is nearly 50%. In case of persistent infertility, it seems that the use of ovarian induction or in vitro fertilization procedures could be proposed in selected cases. Follow-up is essential and based on clinical examination and routine ultrasonography. The interest of completion surgery (removal of the retained ovary) in patients who obtained pregnancy remains debated. In conclusion, conservative management of at least part of one ovary and uterus could be safely proposed at least to patients with early stage BOT, in order to preserve fertility-potential. The rate of recurrence is increased but without any impact on survival.