Identifying a candidate population for ovarian conservation in young women with clinical stage IB-IIB cervical cancer

18 F-FDG PET/CT Findings of Surgically Transposed Ovaries After Radical Hysterectomy in a Young Adult Patient

ABSTRACT

A 35-year-old woman underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT 2 months after a radical hysterectomy for uterine cervical cancer. An apparent FDG uptake was observed in an oval-shaped mass with an attached surgical clip in the right paracolic gutter. A similar non-FDG-avid mass with a clip was observed in the left. In this case, ovarian transposition had also been performed with metallic clips placed on both sides of the paracolic gutters. The increased FDG uptake in the right paracolic gutter was interpreted as physiological uptake in the right transposed ovary, not metastasis. Recognizing the possibility of FDG uptake in transposed ovaries is important.

Cervical Cancer Associated with Pregnancy: Current Challenges and Future Strategies

Cancer during pregnancy is defined as a tumor diagnosed in a pregnant woman or up to 1-year post-partum. While being a rare disease, cervical cancer is probably one of the most challenging medical conditions, with the dual stake of treating the cancer without compromising its chances for cure, while preserving the pregnancy and the health of the fetus and child. To date, guidelines for gynecological cancers are provided through international consensus meetings with expert panels, giving insights on both diagnosis, treatment, and obstetrical care. However, these expert guidelines do not discuss the various approaches than can be found within the literature, such as alternative staging modalities or innovative surgical approaches. Also, the obstetrical care of women diagnosed with cervical cancer during pregnancy requires specific considerations that are not provided within our current standard of care. This systematic review aims to fill the gap on current issues with regards to the management of cervical cancer during pregnancy and provide future directions within this evolving landscape.

Chinese Expert Consensus on ovarian function and fertility preservation of cervical cancer in pregnancy (2023)

Cervical cancer in pregnancy (CCIP) refers to cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy, the most common gynecological malignant tumor. Because of the special physiological changes of CCIP, although preserving ovarian function and fertility is very important, the methods are very limited. There is no guideline or consensus on the preservation methods of ovarian function and fertility in this special period. Therefore, the Committee of Fertility Protection and Preservation of China Association for the Promotion of Health Science and Technology, combined with the Chinese Society of Gynecological Endocrinology affiliated to the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, Society Endocrinology Branch of Beijing Institute of Obstetrics & Gynecology, combined with Society on Fertility Preservation affiliated with the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, organized relevant experts from different disciplines to formulate this consensus, in order to guide ovarian function and fertility preservation of CCIP patients.

Recurrent early-stage squamous cell carcinoma cervical cancer presenting with isolated ovary metastasis: a rare case report

Introduction

Ovarian metastatic squamous carcinoma of the cervix is rare, accounting for about 0.4%. This study reports a single case of metastatic recurrent cervical cancer in the ovary.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old patient with a history of cervical cancer T1b2N0M0 underwent a radical hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, and ovarian preservation. One year later, the patient was admitted to the hospital because of abdominal pain in the left iliac fossa; the abdominal computed tomography image showed a left ovarian tumour. The patient underwent laparoscopic left oophorectomy. Postoperative histopathology confirmed ovarian squamous cell carcinoma. From this case, we would like to review the literature on epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Clinical discussion

Ovarian preservation during surgery in patients with cervical cancer offers many benefits, but careful patient selection is required. However, it should be selected carefully and closely monitored.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of this situation of ovarian metastasis in patients with early cervical cancer undergoing ovarian-conserving surgery.

Ovarian preservation in gynecologic oncology: current indications and techniques

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Early menopause represents a relevant clinical issue for women. Nevertheless, this issue should be balanced with the risks of ovarian metastasis, ovarian recurrence, and the risk of recurrence in hormone-sensitive gynecological cancers. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview on current indications and techniques of ovarian preservation in patients with gynecological cancers.

RECENT FINDINGS

The potential discussion about ovarian conservation could be proposed to patients with FIGO-stage IA grade 1-2 endometrioid endometrial cancer aged 40 years or less, FIGO-stage IB1-IB2 node-negative cervical cancer with squamous cell carcinoma and HPV-associated adenocarcinoma, FIGO-stage IA-IC grade 1-2 serous, endometrioid, mucinous expansile pattern ovarian cancer, any stage germ cell ovarian tumors, and FIGO-stage IA sex cord-stromal tumors. Technique to perform ovarian transposition in cervix cancer is also reported.

SUMMARY

Ovarian conservation is a surgical approach that involves preserving one or both ovaries during the treatment of gynecologic cancers. This approach has gained popularity in recent years, as it offers several benefits to the patient, including the preservation of hormonal function and fertility. The decision to perform ovarian conservation depends on several factors, such as the stage and type of cancer, the patient's age, fertility desire, and should be carefully discussed with patients.

Tumor lesion detection in patients with cervical cancer by indocyanine green near-infrared imaging

PURPOSE

To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging for detecting the extent of tumor invasion in cervical cancer using indocyanine green (ICG).

METHODS

We enrolled 51 patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer with FIGO stage IB1-IIA2 disease. Patients were administered indocyanine green (ICG) at a dose of 5 mg/kg 24 h prior to surgery. A customized near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging system was used to identify the extent of tumor invasion when radical hysterectomy specimens were harvested. The relationship between tumor fluorescence intensity and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 51 enrolled patients, 3 patients did not have residual tumors after cervical conization, and tumor lesions were identified by NIRF imaging in all the remaining 48 patients. The results of NIRF imaging were in agreement with the postoperative pathological findings in 95.8% of the patients with stromal invasion, 100% of those with surgical margin invasion, 100% of those with parametrial tumor involvement, and 100% of patients with uterine corpus invasion. The mean signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of the cervical tumors was 2.91 ± 1.64, and the SBR was independent of clinicopathological characteristics. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed that ICG fluorescence was present in the tumor nests.

CONCLUSIONS

NIRF imaging enables objective, accurate, and safe identification of tumor invasion during cervical cancer surgery.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04224467.

Utilizations and characteristics of ovarian conservation at hysterectomy for cervical carcinoma in situ

OBJECTIVE

To examine the trends and characteristics of ovarian conservation at time of hysterectomy in cervical carcinoma in situ.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study examining the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample, January 2016 to December 2019. The study population included 6605 patients aged less than 65 years with cervical carcinoma in situ who underwent hysterectomy. Exposure allocation was the adnexal procedure status (ovarian conservation vs. oophorectomy). Main outcome measures were temporal trends of ovarian conservation over time and per patient age. A classification-tree was constructed to examine utilization patterns of ovarian conservation.

RESULTS

Ovarian conservation was performed in 57.2% of patients. Ovarian conservation rates were unchanged over time (P-trend = 0.219). Ovarian conservation rates remained stable until age 40 years, ranging from 88.0% to 78.6% (P-trend = 0.236), after which time the rate sharply decreased from 78.6% to 19.1% (P-trend <0.001). In a multivariable analysis, younger age, fewer comorbidities, higher household income, vaginal hysterectomy, and surgery at small bed capacity non-rural hospitals were associated with ovarian conservation (all, P < 0.05). There were 17 utilization patterns of ovarian conservation for which the rate ranged from 17.2% to 94.4% (absolute rate difference 77.2%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Decrease in the utilization of ovarian conservation at hysterectomy for cervical carcinoma in situ occurred at age 40 years, which is earlier than expected.

Surgical Management for Transposed Ovarian Recurrence of Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review with Our Experience

In early-stage cervical cancer, ovarian metastasis is relatively rare, and ovarian transposition is often performed during surgery. Although rare, the diagnosis and surgical approach for recurrence at transposed ovaries are challenging. This study focused on the diagnosis and surgical management of transposed ovarian recurrence in cervical cancer patients. A 45-year-old premenopausal woman underwent radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy following postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage IB1 cervical cancer. During the initial surgery, the ovary was transposed to the paracolic gutter, and no postoperative complications were observed. Ovarian recurrence was diagnosed using positron emission tomography-computed tomography, and a laparoscopic bilateral oophorectomy was performed. A systematic review identified nine women with transposed ovarian recurrence with no other metastases of cervical cancer, and no studies have discussed the optimal surveillance of transposed ovaries. Of those (n = 9), four women had died of the disease within 2 years of the second surgery, and the prognosis of transposed ovarian cervical cancer seemed poor. Nevertheless, three women underwent laparoscopic oophorectomies, none of whom experienced recurrence after the second surgery. Few studies have examined the surgical management of transposed ovarian recurrence. The optimal surgical approach for transposed ovarian recurrence of cervical cancer requires further investigation.

Trends and characteristics of ovarian conservation at hysterectomy for young women with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The association between early surgical menopause and increased mortality has been well demonstrated. Prior studies have also demonstrated that ovarian conservation is not associated with worse oncologic outcomes in early-stage cervical cancer. This study examined the contemporary trends and characteristics of ovarian conservation at time of hysterectomy in young women with cervical cancer.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study examining the National Inpatient Sample. The study population was 4900 women aged ≤50 years with cervical cancer who had hysterectomy-based surgical treatment from 10/2015 to 12/2018. The exposure allocation was the adnexal procedure status (ovarian conservation versus oophorectomy). The main outcome measures were temporal trends of ovarian conservation over time and per patient age. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify independent characteristics associated with ovarian conservation. A classification-tree was constructed by recursive partitioning analysis to examine the utilization patterns of ovarian conservation.

RESULTS

A total of 2,940 (60.0%) women underwent ovarian conservation at hysterectomy. Ovarian conservation rates remained stable until age 37 years, ranging from 82.5% to 77.9% (P = 0.502), after which time the rate sharply and significantly decreased by 7.4% (95% confidence interval 5.4-9.3, P < 0.001) in one-year age increments from 77.9% at age 37 years to 28.7% at age 50 years. The rate of ovarian conservation increased from 54.7% in Q4/2015 to 64.4% in Q4/2018 (P = 0.002). In multivariable analysis, recent surgery remained an independent factor for ovarian conservation (adjusted-odds ratio per year-quarter 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.06). A classification-tree model identified 24 unique patterns of ovarian conservation based on patient factor (age, race/ethnicity, primary expected payer, and year of surgery), surgical factor (minimally invasive hysterectomy), and facility factor (hospital bed capacity and region), ranging from <20% to 90% (absolute percentage difference, >80%).

CONCLUSION

Increasing rates of ovarian conservation at the time of hysterectomy in women undergoing surgical management of cervical cancer is encouraging; however, the marked decrease noted in patients in their mid-30s as well as substantial variability in ovarian conservation based on patient, surgical, and hospital factors are striking and warrant further consideration in clinical practice guidelines.

The role of oophoropexy in patients with gynecological cancer who need radiation therapy

Pelvic radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer therapy for patients with cervical and other gynecological malignancies. The ovaries are particularly radiosensitive, and even low radiotherapy doses may result in impaired or complete loss of ovarian function, causing hormonal disturbances and infertility. Recent advances in both surgery and radiotherapy have facilitated the ability of some patients to maintain ovarian function through ovarian transposition and careful radiotherapy planning. Multidisciplinary discussions should be undertaken to consider which candidates are appropriate for transposition. Generally, patients under age 35 should be considered due to ovarian reserve, likelihood of oophoropexy success, and radioresistance of ovaries. Those patients with small squamous cell tumors, minimal extra-uterine extension, and no lymphovascular invasion or lymph node involvement are ideal candidates to minimize risk of ovarian metastasis. Patients should be assessed and counseled about the risks of ovarian metastasis and the likelihood of successful ovarian preservation before undergoing oophoropexy and starting treatment. Oophoropexy should be bilateral if possible, and ovaries should be placed superior and lateral to the radiotherapy field. Studies limiting the mean ovarian dose to less than 2–3 Gray have demonstrated excellent preservation of ovarian function. Intensity modulated radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy techniques have the potential to further minimize the dose to the ovary with excellent outcomes. The addition of brachytherapy to the treatment regimen will probably cause minimal risk to transposed ovaries. Oophoropexy before radiotherapy may preserve the hormonal function of ovaries for a duration, and fertility might be possible through surrogate pregnancy. Successful ovarian transposition has the potential to improve the overall health and wellbeing, reproductive options, and potentially quality of life in patients with cervical and other gynecological cancers.

Rethinking the significance of surgery for uterine cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment strategies based on histological subtypes are unestablished.

AIMS

Rethinking the significance of surgery for uterine cervical cancer.

METHODS

Using the database of cervical cancer stages IB-IIB with extensive hysterectomy (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] 2008) established by the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group network, we conducted a clinicopathological study of cervical cancer cases reclassified according to the FIGO 2018 staging. In stage IB (FIGO 2018) cervical cancer patients, there was no significant difference in treatment outcome according to histological type, but in stages IIA, IIB, and IIIC1 (FIGO 2018), the treatment outcome of nonsquamous cell carcinoma was significantly worse than that of squamous cell carcinoma. Considering post-treatment health care, it is important to consider ovarian preservation in young patients with cervical cancer, up to stage IIA (FIGO 2018) for squamous cell carcinoma and stage IB1 (FIGO 2018) for nonsquamous cell carcinoma, after careful evaluation of clinicopathological factors before surgery.

DISCUSSION

Locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare and refractory cancer that has been shown to have low radiosensitivity, and its treatment outcome is still unsatisfactory. A new therapeutic strategy involving multidisciplinary treatment in combination with perioperative chemotherapy at a facility that can provide highly curative surgical treatment is desired.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive surgery is being introduced for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. However, the number of eligible cases should be expanded in a phased manner, based on an objective evaluation of surgical outcomes at the facilities. Omics analysis may be useful to develop a new treatment for human papillomavirus nonrelated cervical cancer, represented by gastric mucinous carcinoma.

Risk of ovarian recurrence after ovarian conservation in early-stage cervical cancer treated with radical surgery: A propensity match analysis

INTRODUCTION

The primary aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of ovarian metastasis/recurrence and the survival of patients undergoing radical hysterectomy with ovarian conservation (CONSERV) versus oophorectomy (OOPHOR). Secondary aim was to assess the incidence and the characteristics of menopausal symptoms in both groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective, multi-center, observational cohort study including patients <50 years with clinical FIGO 2009 stage IA1-IB1/IIA1 cervical carcinoma, treated by primary surgical treatment between 02/2007 and 07/2019. One-to-one case-control matching was used to adjust the baseline prognostic characteristics in survival analysis.

RESULTS

419 patients were included. 264 in the OOPHOR (63.0%) and 155 (37.0%) in the CONSERV group. Ovarian transposition was performed in 28/155 (18.1%) patients. 1/264 (0.4%) patient had ovarian metastasis from endocervical adenocarcinoma. After propensity-matching, 310 patients were included in the survival analysis (155 per group). 5-year disease-free survival of patients undergoing CONSERV versus OOPHOR was 90.6% versus 82.2%, respectively (p = 0.028); 5-year overall survival was 94.3% versus 90.8%, respectively (p = 0.157). Two patients (1.3%) developed recurrence on the conserved ovary. CONSERV represented an independent protective factor of recurrence (HR:0.361, 95%CI 0.169-0.769; p = 0.008). 28 (20.6%) in the CONSERV group versus 116 (60.4%) in the OOPHOR group complained of menopausal symptoms during follow up (p < 0.001). HRT was prescribed to 12.0% of patients (median HRT time was 20 months).

CONCLUSION

CONSERV was associated with reduced risk of recurrence and menopausal symptoms in early-stage cervical cancer. As the risk of ovarian metastasis and ovarian recurrence is relatively low, CONSERV in pre-menopausal women has to be considered.

Safety and Prognostic Impacts of Ovarian Preservation during Radical Hysterectomy for Early-Stage Adenocarcinoma and Adenosquamous Cervical Cancer

Objective

To identify the incidence of ovarian metastasis and the impact of ovarian preservation on oncological outcomes for early-stage adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cervical cancer.

Methods

281 patients with stages IA2-IB1 adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHND) were included in the study. The incidence of ovarian metastasis was evaluated from 173 patients who underwent oophorectomy during RHND. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients less than 50 years (196 of 281 patients) who were classified into two groups, ovarian preservation and nonovarian preservation groups. 5-year recurrence-free survival (5-yr RFS) and 5-year overall survival (5-yr OS) were evaluated and compared between these groups.

Results

There was no evidence of ovarian metastasis, synchronous ovarian cancer, or ovarian recurrence during follow-up. In patients less than 50 years of age, there were no statistically significant differences in the 5-yr RFS (P = 0.363), or 5-yr OS (P = 0.974) between the ovarian preservation and nonovarian preservation groups. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the ovarian preservation group seemed to have a slightly better OS in long-term follow-up (after 15 years); however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Ovarian preservation was safe in adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cervical cancer stages IA2-B1. However, the impact of ovarian preservation on oncological outcomes needs to be further investigated.

Diagnosis and Management of Adenocarcinoma in Situ: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology Evidence-Based Review and Recommendations

Cervical adenocarcinoma in situ is a unique diagnosis whose management needs to be differentiated from the management of the more prevalent squamous cell dysplasia.

This publication represents an extensive literature review with the goal of providing guidelines for the evaluation and management of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). The authors drafted the guidelines on behalf of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and the guidelines have been reviewed and endorsed by the ASCCP. These guidelines harmonize with the ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines and provide more specific guidance beyond that provided by the ASCCP guidelines. Examples of updates include recommendations to optimize the diagnostic excisional specimen, AIS management in the setting of positive compared with negative margins on the excisional specimen, surveillance and definitive management after fertility-sparing treatment, and management of AIS in pregnancy. The increasing incidence of AIS, its association with human papillomavirus–18 infection, challenges in diagnosis owing to frequent origin within the endocervical canal, and the possibility of skip lesions all make AIS a unique diagnosis whose management needs to be differentiated from the management of the more prevalent squamous cell dysplasia.

Ovarian metastasis in women with cervical carcinoma in stages IA to IIB: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is one of the common malignancies that afflict women worldwide. In rare cases, cervical cancer leads to ovarian metastasis (OM), resulting in poor outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of OM in patients with adenocarcinoma (ADC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix.

METHODS

We searched articles focused on OM in cervical carcinoma in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A meta-analysis was performed including selected publications. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using random-effects models. The heterogeneity was evaluated by the I test. I > 50% was considered high heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies with 18,389 patients with cervical cancer in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IA to IIB were included in the meta-analysis. The overall incidence of OM was 3.61% among patients with ADC and 1.46% among patients with SCC (ADC vs SCC: OR 3.89, 95% CI 2.62-5.78; P < .001). Risk factors for OM were age >40 years (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.02-3.13), bulky tumor (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.77-3.95), pelvic lymph node involvement (PLNI; OR 9.33, 95% CI 6.34-13.73), lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI; OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.86-10.31), parametrial invasion (PMI; OR 7.87, 95% CI 5.01-12.36), and corpus uteri invasion (CUI; OR 7.64, 95% CI 2.51-23.24). PLNI, LVSI, and PMI were the leading risk factors, contributing to OM with respective population attributable fractions of 64.8%, 58.8%, and 51.5%.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of OM is relatively low in ADC and SCC patients. Risk factors for OM include PLNI, LVSI, PMI, bulky tumor, CUI, or age over 40 years, with the first 3 contributing more to risk of OM.

Phase 1/2 study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly irinotecan hydrochloride for advanced/recurrence uterine cancer: A multi-institutional study of Kansai Clinical Oncology Group

Objective

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin was thought to be standard treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of cervix, but it had not been effective for adenocarcinoma. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) had been effective for colorectal cancer, thus, we chose CPT-11 as a candidate for gynecologic adenocarcinoma. To evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of weekly CPT-11 with external pelvic radiotherapy, a phase 1/2 study was conducted according to modified Fibonacci method.

Methods

Eligible patients were advanced uterine cancer with measurable diseases [performance score (PS): 0−2]. Study period was from August 1st, 2002 to December 31st, 2008. The starting dose level (DL) of CPT-11 was 30 mg/m² (DL1) given weekly for 4 weeks. Subsequently, dose escalation was scheduled in 10 mg/m² increments to 60 mg/m² (DL4). The fixed radiotherapy consisted of whole pelvic 1.8 Gy/d, once a day in weekday for five weeks and it amounted to 45 Gy (25 fractions) in total.

Results

Seventeen patients were enrolled. As for toxicities, one (1/17: 5.9%) grade (G) 4 neutropenia lasting 7 days had been seen in DL4. G2 diarrhea was identified in 35.3% (6/17) of the patients, and 11.8% (2/17) G3 diarrhea was observed in DL3 and DL4. Thus, the MTD of CPT-11 was defined as dose of 60 mg/m². The recommended dose was decided as 50 mg/m². The response rate was 88.2% [9 complete response (CR), 3 partial response (PR), 3 stable disease (SD), 2 not evaluable (NE)]. Disease control rate at 1 month after treatment completion was 100% but distant metastases were found in 24% (4/17) in longer outcome.

Conclusions

MTD was 60 mg/m² and recommended dose was set as 50 mg/m². This concurrent chemoradiation using weekly CPT-11 was feasible at 50 mg/m², and it might be effective even in adenocarcinoma of the uterus.

Association between the location of transposed ovary and ovarian dose in patients with cervical cancer treated with postoperative pelvic radiotherapy

Background and purpose

How to protect the ovarian function during radiotherapy is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between the location of the transposed ovary and the ovarian dose in patients with cervical cancer received radical hysterectomy, ovarian transposition, and postoperative pelvic radiotherapy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 150 young patients with cervical cancer who received radical hysterectomy, intraoperative ovarian transposition, and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. Association between location of the transposed ovaries and ovarian dose was evaluated. The transposed position of ovaries with a satisfactory dose was explored using a receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Patients’ ovarian function was followed up 3 months and 1 year after radiotherapy.

Results

A total of 32/214 (15%) transposed ovaries were higher than the upper boundary of the planning target volume (PTV). The optimum cutoff value of > 1.12 cm above the iliac crest plane was significantly associated with ovaries above the upper PTV boundary. When the ovaries were below the upper boundary of PTV, the optimum cutoff value of transverse distance > 3.265 cm between the ovary and PTV was significantly associated with ovarian max dose (Dmax) ≤ 4Gy, and the optimum cutoff value of transverse distance > 2.391 cm was significantly associated with ovarian Dmax≤5Gy. A total of 77 patients had received complete follow-up, and 56 patients (72.7%) showed preserved ovarian function 1 year after radiotherapy, which was significantly increased compared with 3 months (44.2%) after radiotherapy.

Conclusions

The location of transposed ovaries in patients with cervical cancer is significantly correlated with ovarian dose in adjuvant radiotherapy. We recommend transposition of ovaries > 1.12 cm higher than the iliac crest plane to obtain ovarian location above PTV. When the transposed ovary is below the upper boundary of PTV, ovarian Dmax ≤4Gy may be obtained when the transverse distance between the ovary and PTV was > 3.265 cm, and the ovarian Dmax≤5Gy may be obtained when the transverse distance was > 2.391 cm.

Significance of Malignant Peritoneal Cytology on the Survival of Women with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

This study examined the association between peritoneal cytology and survival in early-stage cervical cancer. This is a nationwide multicenter retrospective study, examining consecutive women with clinical stage IB1-IIB cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy with available peritoneal cytology results from 2004–2008. Propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to assess the impact of malignant peritoneal cytology on survival. Among 1409 analyzed cases, 88 (6.2%) had malignant peritoneal cytology. On weighted models, malignant peritoneal cytology was associated with decreased disease-free survival (hazard ratio (HR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36–2.32) and overall survival (OS, HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.44–2.59). On sensitivity analyses, malignant peritoneal cytology was associated with decreased OS in adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma, high-risk early-stage disease and those who received concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. However, among women who received postoperative systemic chemotherapy, malignant peritoneal cytology was not associated with OS (HR 1.21, 95% CI 0.72–2.04). A systematic review, including our results, showed that malignant peritoneal cytology was associated with decreased OS (HR 4.03, 95% CI 1.81–8.99) and increased recurrence in squamous carcinoma (odds ratio 1.89, 95% CI 1.05–3.39) and adenocarcinoma (odds ratio 4.30, 95% CI 2.30–8.02). In conclusion, the presence of malignant cells in peritoneal cytology is associated with decreased survival in early-stage cervical cancer. The possible benefit of systemic chemotherapy in this subgroup merits further investigation.

Study on value of ultrasonic elastography in diagnosis of clinical staging of cervical cancer and efficacy evaluation of radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the application of ultrasonic elastography in the diagnosis of the clinical staging of cervical cancer (CC) and its evaluation value of the treatment effect of CC. A total of 160 suspected CC patients treated in our hospital from September 2016 to March 2018 were collected. Transvaginal conventional ultrasound and ultrasonic elastography were performed on patients to compare the results of the two in the diagnosis of the pathology and clinical staging of CC. Radiotherapy was used for patients confirmed as CC75 in 160 suspected CC patients. The value difference of strain ratio (SR) between conventional ultrasound and elastic ultrasound in the efficacy evaluation of CC patients was compared. The sensitivity (94.67%), specificity (92.94%) and diagnostic accordance rate (93.75%) of ultrasonic elastography for CC were significantly higher than those of conventional ultrasound, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The sensitivity and diagnostic accordance rate of ultrasonic elastography for the pathological diagnosis of CC in stage III and IV were significantly higher than those of conventional ultrasound, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accordance rate of elastic ultrasound SR value in the efficacy evaluation of radiotherapy in CC patients were higher than those of conventional ultrasound. Except for the specificity, the other two P-values were <0.05, with a statistically significant difference. The elastography images of different stages of CC have some characteristic features. Ultrasonic elastography has a certain clinical value for the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of CC.

Predictors for pathological parametrial invasion in clinical stage IIB cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictors of pathological parametrial invasion in clinical stage IIB cervical cancer, and to examine prognostic factors in pathological stage IIB disease.

METHODS

This study is an ancillary analysis of a nation-wide retrospective cohort examining 6,003 clinical stage IB-IIB cervical cancers. Women with clinical stage IIB disease who underwent primary radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy were examined (n = 714). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent clinico-pathological factors for pathological parametrial invasion and to identify independent prognostic factors in pathological stage IIB disease.

RESULTS

Parametrial invasion was identified on the surgical specimen in 400 cases (56.0%, 95% confidence interval 52.4-59.7). On multivariate analysis, deep stromal invasion (DSI, adjusted-OR 3.922), multiple pelvic nodal metastases (adjusted-OR 3.266), lympho-vascular space invasion (adjusted-OR 2.333), and uterine corpus invasion (adjusted-OR 1.656) remained independent tumor factors for pathological parametrial invasion. In classification-tree models, tumors with DSI and multiple pelvic nodal metastases had the highest incidence of pathological parametrial invasion (75.0-87.7%); contrary, tumors without DSI had the lowest incidence (21.9%). Among patients with pathological stage IIB disease, the absolute difference in 5-year disease-free survival rates was 57.2%, ranging between 80.9% in those with squamous histology with none/single pelvic nodal metastasis and 23.7% in those with non-squamous histology with multiple pelvic nodal metastases.

CONCLUSION

In clinical stage IIB cervical cancer, accuracy for pathological parametrial invasion is low-modest. With absence of DSI, only one in five clinical stage IIB diseases has pathological stage IIB disease. Survival of pathological stage IIB varies widely and is largely dependent on nodal factors.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Taxane and Platinum Followed by Radical Hysterectomy for Stage IB2-IIB Cervical Cancer: Impact of Histology Type on Survival

The current study examined the histology-specific impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with a taxane/platinum regimen on survival in women with locally-advanced cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy. This nation-wide retrospective cohort study examined women with clinical stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer who received NACT prior to radical hysterectomy from 2004–2008 (n = 684). NACT type (taxane/platinum versus others) was correlated with survival based on histology: 511 squamous versus 173 non-squamous. Taxane/platinum chemotherapy use was more common in non-squamous compared to squamous tumors (53.8% versus 20.7%, P < 0.001). In both histology types, the taxane/platinum regimen was more frequently utilized over time (both, P < 0.01). Among squamous tumors, women who received taxane/platinum chemotherapy had survival comparable to those who received other regimens: 5-year rates for disease-free survival, 69.0% versus 70.1%, P = 0.98; and cause-specific survival, 80.0% versus 81.0%, P = 0.93. Similarly, in non-squamous tumors, disease-free survival (5-year rates: 60.4% versus 59.0%, P = 0.86) and cause-specific survival (74.7% versus 76.3%, P = 0.70) were similar. In conclusion, use of taxane/platinum regimens for NACT significantly increased during the study period. Irrespective of histology type, in women with clinical stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer who underwent NACT prior to radical hysterectomy, taxane/platinum regimens had a similar effect on survival compared to non-taxane/platinum regimens.

Generation of uniform-sized multicellular tumor spheroids using hydrogel microwells for advanced drug screening

Even though in vitro co-culture tumor spheroid model plays an important role in screening drug candidates, its wide applications are currently limited due to the lack of reliable and high throughput methods for generating well-defined and 3D complex co-culture structures. Herein, we report the development of a hydrogel microwell array to generate uniform-sized multicellular tumor spheroids. Our developed multicellular tumor spheroids are structurally well-defined, robust and can be easily transferred into the widely used 2D culture substrates while maintaining our designed multicellular 3D-sphere structures. Moreover, to develop effective anti-cancer therapeutics we integrated our recently developed gold-graphene hybrid nanomaterial (Au@GO)-based photothermal cancer therapy into a series of multicellular tumor spheroid co-culture system. The multicellular tumor spheroids were harvested onto a two-dimensional (2D) substrate, under preservation of their three-dimensional (3D) structure, to evaluate the photothermal therapy effectiveness of graphene oxide (GO)-wrapped gold nanoparticles (Au@GO). From the model of co-culture spheroids of HeLa/Ovarian cancer and HeLa/human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), we observed that Au@GO nanoparticles displayed selectivity towards the fast-dividing HeLa cells, which could not be observed to this extent in 2D cultures. Overall, our developed uniform-sized 3D multicellular tumor spheroid could be a powerful tool for anticancer drug screening applications.

Locally advanced cervical cancer complicating pregnancy: A case of competing risks from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome

A case of stage IB2 cervical cancer at 27 weeks of pregnancy, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical Cesarean hysterectomy with full pelvic and infra-mesenteric lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant chemo-radiation is described. While she remains without disease, her baby was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. We highlight the pre-operative work-up, treatment options, safety, feasibility, and outcomes for the mother and her fetus.

Risk stratification models for para-aortic lymph node metastasis and recurrence in stage IB-IIB cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine the surgical-pathological predictors of para-aortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis at radical hysterectomy, and for PAN recurrence among women who did not undergo PAN dissection at radical hysterectomy.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of a nation-wide cohort study of surgically-treated stage IB-IIB cervical cancer (n=5,620). Multivariate models were used to identify independent surgical-pathological predictors for PAN metastasis/recurrence.

RESULTS

There were 120 (2.1%) cases of PAN metastasis at surgery with parametrial involvement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.65), deep stromal invasion (aOR=2.61), ovarian metastasis (aOR=3.10), and pelvic nodal metastasis (single-node aOR=5.39 and multiple-node aOR=33.5, respectively) being independent risk factors (all, p<0.05). Without any risk factors, the incidence of PAN metastasis was 0.9%, while women exhibiting certain risk factor patterns (>20% of the study population) had PAN metastasis incidences of ≥4%. Among 4,663 clinically PAN-negative cases at surgery, PAN recurrence was seen in 195 (4.2%) cases that was significantly higher than histologically PAN-negative cases (2.5%, p=0.046). In clinically PAN-negative cases, parametrial involvement (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.67), lympho-vascular space invasion (aHR=1.95), ovarian metastasis (aHR=2.60), and pelvic lymph node metastasis (single-node aHR=2.49 and multiple-node aHR=8.11, respectively) were independently associated with increased risk of PAN recurrence (all, p<0.05). Without any risk factors, 5-year PAN recurrence risk was 0.8%; however, women demonstrating certain risk factor patterns (>15% of the clinically PAN-negative population) had 5-year PAN recurrence risks being ≥8%.

CONCLUSION

Surgical-pathological risk factors proposed in this study will be useful to identify women with increased risk of PAN metastasis/recurrence.

Effectiveness of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for intermediate-risk stage IB cervical cancer

Objective

To examine the effectiveness of systemic chemotherapy following radical hysterectomy for women with intermediate-risk stage IB cervical cancer.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of a previously organized nation-wide cohort study examining 6,003 women with stage IB-IIB cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy between 2004 and 2008 in Japan. Survival of 555 women with stage IB cervical cancer in the intermediate-risk group (deep stromal invasion > 50%, large tumor size > 4 cm, and lympho-vascular space invasion [LVSI]) were examined based on adjuvant therapy patterns: chemotherapy alone (n = 223, 40.2%), concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (n = 172, 31.0%), and radiotherapy alone (n = 160, 28.8%).

Results

The most common intermediate-risk pattern was LVSI with deep stromal invasion (n = 216, 38.5%). The most common chemotherapeutic choice was taxane/platinum (52.2%). Women with adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous histology were more likely to receive chemotherapy (P = 0.03), and intermediate-risk pattern was not associated with chemotherapy use (P = 0.11). Women who received systemic chemotherapy had disease-free survival (5-year rate, 88.1% versus 90.2%, adjusted-hazard ratio (HR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52–1.83, P = 0.94) and cause-specific survival (95.4% versus 94.8%, adjusted-HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.34–2.07, P = 0.71) similar to those who received concurrent chemo-radiotherapy on multivariable analysis. Similar results were seen among 329 women with multiple intermediate-risk factors (5-year rates for disease-free survival, chemotherapy versus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, 87.1% versus 90.2%, P = 0.86; and cause-specific survival 94.6% versus 93.4%, P = 0.82). Cumulative local-recurrence (P = 0.77) and distant-recurrence (P = 0.94) risks were similar across the adjuvant therapy types.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that systemic chemotherapy may be an alternative treatment choice for adjuvant therapy in intermediate-risk stage IB cervical cancer.