Body mass, diabetes and smoking, and endometrial cancer risk: a follow-up study

A comprehensive analysis of immunotherapy in advanced endometrial cancer (Review)

The morbidity and mortality rates of endometrial cancer (EC) are increasing yearly. Early-stage EC can be effectively treated through surgery or surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Advanced and recurrent EC is treated with chemotherapy and comprehensive treatment; however, the prognosis for patients at this disease stage is poor. Consequently, novel and effective treatment strategies are urgently required for these patients. Breakthrough progress has been made with the use of immunosuppressants in the treatment of EC, which have been included in treatment guidelines. In the present review, the etiology and classification of EC was outlined and the relevant scientific basis for the application of immunosuppressants in advanced and recurrent EC was discussed. The relevant published and ongoing clinical trials are also summarized. As such, the present review aimed to provide a scientific summary of immunotherapy of EC.

Trend changes and factor analysis of endometrial hyperplasia in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome based on the Korean National Health Insurance Database

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with an increased risk of other gynecological disorders, such as endometrial hyperplasia (EH). However, substantial factors in the comorbidity of EH and PCOS remain to be investigated. We analyzed trend changes in PCOS and factors related to the comorbidity of PCOS and EH using data from the Korea National Health Insurance (KNHI) claims database.

Methods

The data for this population-based study of people diagnosed with PCOS or EH in Korea from 2009 to 2016 were collected from the KNHI claims database between 2007 and 2017. We conducted a trend analysis of the prevalence and incidence of PCOS and EH. In addition, we performed a logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with EH incidence in people with PCOS using the matched case-control methodology.

Results

The average annual growth rate of the incidence of PCOS was 14.1% from 2009 to 2016, whereas the EH rate increased by only 3.4% annually. Comorbidities, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and infertility, increased the risk of EH in PCOS patients. Additionally, the cumulative duration of oral contraceptive & progestin treatment for PCOS correlated highly with the comorbidity of EH and PCOS.

Conclusions

We confirmed the relationship between PCOS and EH using big data suitable for time series analyses of the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Endometrial evaluation should be done with more caution if oral contraceptives & progestins have been used for a long time.

Molecular Basis of Endometriosis and Endometrial Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

The human endometrium is a unique tissue undergoing important changes through the menstrual cycle. Under the exposure of different risk factors in a woman's lifetime, normal endometrial tissue can give rise to multiple pathologic conditions, including endometriosis and endometrial cancer. Etiology and pathophysiologic changes behind such conditions remain largely unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathophysiology of endometriosis and its potential role in the development of endometrial cancer from a molecular perspective. A better understanding of the molecular basis of endometriosis and its role in the development of endometrial pathology will improve the approach to clinical management.

Statistical Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Endometrial Cancer and Development of a Risk Prediction Model Using an Artificial Neural Network Algorithm

Simple Summary

A robust and comprehensive meta-analysis, for the first time, identified definitely that BMI is by far the most influential risk factor in endometrial cancer. Risk factors were previously only studied individually and or in smaller meta-analysis studies which grouped some factors together. BMI was shown to be an important risk factor with other factors less so, but no rank order was established. This work also offers, for the first time, a neural network computer model to predict the overall increase or decreased risk of cancer for individual patients, which is 98.6% accurate. This prediction can be used as a tool to determine if a patient should be considered for testing and to predict diagnosis, as well as to suggest prevention measures to patients.

Abstract

Objectives: In this study we wished to determine the rank order of risk factors for endometrial cancer and calculate a pooled risk and percentage risk for each factor using a statistical meta-analysis approach. The next step was to design a neural network computer model to predict the overall increase or decreased risk of cancer for individual patients. This would help to determine whether this prediction could be used as a tool to decide if a patient should be considered for testing and to predict diagnosis, as well as to suggest prevention measures to patients. Design: A meta-analysis of existing data was carried out to calculate relative risk, followed by design and implementation of a risk prediction computational model based on a neural network algorithm. Setting: Meta-analysis data were collated from various settings from around the world. Primary data to test the model were collected from a hospital clinic setting. Participants: Data from 40 patients notes currently suspected of having endometrial cancer and undergoing investigations and treatment were collected to test the software with their cancer diagnosis not revealed to the software developers. Main outcome measures: The forest plots allowed an overall relative risk and percentage risk to be calculated from all the risk data gathered from the studies. A neural network computational model to determine percentage risk for individual patients was developed, implemented, and evaluated. Results: The results show that the greatest percentage increased risk was due to BMI being above 25, with the risk increasing as BMI increases. A BMI of 25 or over gave an increased risk of 2.01%, a BMI of 30 or over gave an increase of 5.24%, and a BMI of 40 or over led to an increase of 6.9%. PCOS was the second highest increased risk at 4.2%. Diabetes, which is incidentally also linked to an increased BMI, gave a significant increased risk along with null parity and noncontinuous HRT of 1.54%, 1.2%, and 0.56% respectively. Decreased risk due to contraception was greatest with IUD (intrauterine device) and IUPD (intrauterine progesterone device) at −1.34% compared to −0.9% with oral. Continuous HRT at −0.75% and parity at −0.9% also decreased the risk. Using open-source patient data to test our computational model to determine risk, our results showed that the model is 98.6% accurate with an algorithm sensitivity 75% on average. Conclusions: In this study, we successfully determined the rank order of risk factors for endometrial cancer and calculated a pooled risk and risk percentage for each factor using a statistical meta-analysis approach. Then, using a computer neural network model system, we were able to model the overall increase or decreased risk of cancer and predict the cancer diagnosis for particular patients to an accuracy of over 98%. The neural network model developed in this study was shown to be a potentially useful tool in determining the percentage risk and predicting the possibility of a given patient developing endometrial cancer. As such, it could be a useful tool for clinicians to use in conjunction with other biomarkers in determining which patients warrant further preventative interventions to avert progressing to endometrial cancer. This result would allow for a reduction in the number of unnecessary invasive tests on patients. The model may also be used to suggest interventions to decrease the risk for a particular patient. The sensitivity of the model limits it at this stage due to the small percentage of positive cases in the datasets; however, since this model utilizes a neural network machine learning algorithm, it can be further improved by providing the system with more and larger datasets to allow further refinement of the neural network.

A Danish nationwide study of risk factors associated with Type I and Type II endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine risk factors for Type I and Type II endometrial cancer (EC) and to directly compare the influence of risk factors for Type II with Type I tumors. Furthermore, to examine whether risk factors for high-grade Type I and Type II tumors differed from low-grade Type I tumors.

METHODS

Women with EC diagnosed during 2000-2016 were identified in the Danish Cancer Registry. A case-control analysis was conducted with 1:15 random population controls matched on age and gender. Using conditional logistic regression, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals on risk factors for Type I and II tumors were estimated. In case-case analyses, risk factors were evaluated in a direct comparison of cases grouped by tumor type and grade.

RESULTS

We identified 6958 women with Type I EC and 1206 women with Type II EC. In the case-control analysis, nulliparity and diabetes were associated with increased risk of both tumor types, whereas hormone replacement therapy only increased the risk of Type I EC. When directly comparing Type I and II tumors, the influence of BMI ≥ 30, current smoking, and parity ≥ 3 was strongest for Type I EC. The associations for the majority of risk factors were similar for Type II and high-grade Type I tumors compared with low-grade Type II tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for Type I and II tumors were overlapping suggesting that Type II tumors may be less estrogen-independent than previously anticipated. High-grade Type I tumors seemed to resemble Type II tumors more than low-grade Type I tumors.

Differential Expressions of Ki-67, Bcl-2, and Apoptosis Index in Endometrial Cells of Women With and Without Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Their Correlation with Clinicopathological Variables

The objective of this study was to investigate proliferation, apoptosis, and antiapoptotic molecule expression in endometrial cells of reproductive-aged women with and without type II diabetes mellitus (T2D). In this case-control study, a total of 80 endometrial tissue specimens from reproductive-aged women (35 in the proliferative phase and 45 in the secretory phase) were examined. The age and body mass index (BMI) were matched between the groups. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue samples were used for immunohistochemistry analysis. The presence of proliferation was evaluated with Ki-67 expression, antiapoptotic function of cells was evaluated with Bcl-2 expression, and apoptosis was evaluated with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TUNEL) immunoreactivity in both the glandular epithelium and stroma of endometrial tissue samples from women with and without T2D. Ki-67 expression in the glandular epithelium and Bcl-2 expression in both the glandular epithelium and stroma were significantly higher in endometrial tissue samples of women in the T2D group than the control group (p = 0.0008, p = 0.0022, and p = 0.0261, respectively). TUNEL immunoreactivity was significantly lower in the glandular epithelium of women in the T2D group than the control group (p = 0.0001). Glandular Ki-67 expression correlated positively with BMI, use of insulin, and hemoglobin A1c level (p = 0.0034, p = 0.0154, and p = 0.0011, respectively). Glandular Bcl-2 expression correlated positively with BMI and duration of T2D (p = 0.0090 and p = 0.0109, respectively). Stromal Bcl-2 expression correlated positively with duration of T2D (p = 0.0069). TUNEL immunoreactivity in the glandular epithelium correlated negatively with duration of T2D (p = 0.0340) and positively with the use of oral antidiabetic agents (p = 0.0226). Compared to age and BMI-matched controls, women with T2D experienced increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis in the glandular epithelium and increased antiapoptotic function in both the glandular epithelium and stromal cells. High BMI values in women with diabetes seemed to contribute to increased cell proliferation and increased antiapoptotic function in the glandular epithelium but not the stromal cells.

A single centre experience of metabolic syndrome and endometrial carcinoma: 5 years review

Endometrial cancer (EC) has been found to have a strong association with overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the link between metabolic syndrome and EC among patients. A total of 119 patients with histologically confirmed EC were recruited. About 102 cases of endometrioid carcinoma (Type I) and serous (n = 7), clear cell (n = 3) and carcinosarcoma (n = 7) were the Type II. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with increased risk of Type I EC (OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.12-10.46, p < .05) where obesity risk revealed as the main factor in Type I EC (OR = 3.88, 95% CI = 1.27-11.85, p < .05). There was no significant difference between both subtypes with other metabolic components and no impact on patients' overall survival and disease-free survival (p > .05). Metabolic syndrome was positively associated with an increased risk of Type I EC with obesity being the most influential risk factor.Impact statementWhat already known on this subject? Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and have a strong association with overweight and obesity of at least 40%, but there is conflicting evidence of an association of EC with metabolic syndrome (MS).What result of this study add? This study evaluated the link between EC and MS, such as high blood pressure, BMI, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, Hyper Density Lipoprotein (HDL).What implications are of these findings for clinical practice & further research? Type I EC had and association with MS with obesity is the most potent risk factor. As the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is alarmingly high among adult Malaysians, the incidence of EC is projected to increase in the coming years. Proactive preventative measures and intervention essential for reducing the incidence of endometrial cancers. Future research to clarify the association between metabolic syndrome and endometrial cancer survival and to investigate other lifestyle factors that may affect the prognosis is needed.

Endometrial Cancer as a Metabolic Disease with Dysregulated PI3K Signaling: Shedding Light on Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancies of the female reproductive organs. The most characteristic feature of EC is the frequent association with metabolic disorders. However, the components of these disorders that are involved in carcinogenesis remain unclear. Accumulating epidemiological studies have clearly revealed that hyperinsulinemia, which accompanies these disorders, plays central roles in the development of EC via the insulin-phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway as a metabolic driver. Recent comprehensive genomic analyses showed that over 90% of ECs have genomic alterations in this pathway, resulting in enhanced insulin signaling and production of optimal tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Targeting PI3K signaling is therefore an attractive treatment strategy. Several clinical trials for recurrent or advanced ECs have been attempted using PI3K-serine/threonine kinase (AKT) inhibitors. However, these agents exhibited far lower efficacy than expected, possibly due to activation of alternative pathways that compensate for the PIK3-AKT pathway and allow tumor growth, or due to adaptive mechanisms including the insulin feedback pathway that limits the efficacy of agents. Overcoming these responses with careful management of insulin levels is key to successful treatment. Further interest in specific TMEs via the insulin PI3K-pathway in obese women will provide insight into not only novel therapeutic strategies but also preventive strategies against EC.

Association between metabolic syndrome and endometrial cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Existing evidence has revealed inconsistent results on the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and endometrial cancer (EC) risk. Herein, we aim to better understand this association. Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science through 12 December 2019 were conducted. Observational studies that provided risk estimates of MetS and EC risk were eligible. The quality of the included studies was judged based on the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Six studies, comprising 17,772 EC cases and 150,371 participants were included. MetS, diagnosed according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program—Third Adult Treatment Panel, was associated with an increased risk of EC (OR: 1.62; 95% CI = 1.26–2.07) with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 78.3%). Furthermore, we found that women with MetS, diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation, had a significantly higher risk of EC compared to healthy controls (OR: 1.45; 95% CI = 1.16–1.81; I² = 64.6%). Our findings were generally consistent with the main results in the majority of prespecified subgroups, as well as in sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, MetS is associated with EC risk.

Rho GTPases in Gynecologic Cancers: In-Depth Analysis toward the Paradigm Change from Reactive to Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medical Approach Benefiting the Patient and Healthcare

Rho guanosine triphospatases (GTPases) resemble a conserved family of GTP-binding proteins regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics and several signaling pathways central for the cell. Rho GTPases create a so-called Ras-superfamily of GTPases subdivided into subgroups comprising at least 20 members. Rho GTPases play a key regulatory role in gene expression, cell cycle control and proliferation, epithelial cell polarity, cell migration, survival, and apoptosis, among others. They also have tissue-related functions including angiogenesis being involved in inflammatory and wound healing processes. Contextually, any abnormality in the Rho GTPase function may result in severe consequences at molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Rho GTPases also play a key role in tumorigenesis and metastatic disease. Corresponding mechanisms include a number of targets such as kinases and scaffold/adaptor-like proteins initiating GTPases-related signaling cascades. The accumulated evidence demonstrates the oncogenic relevance of Rho GTPases for several solid malignancies including breast, liver, bladder, melanoma, testicular, lung, central nervous system (CNS), head and neck, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Furthermore, Rho GTPases play a crucial role in the development of radio- and chemoresistance e.g. under cisplatin-based cancer treatment. This article provides an in-depth overview on the role of Rho GTPases in gynecological cancers, highlights relevant signaling pathways and pathomechanisms, and sheds light on their involvement in tumor progression, metastatic spread, and radio/chemo resistance. In addition, insights into a spectrum of novel biomarkers and innovative approaches based on the paradigm shift from reactive to predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine are provided.

The Role of Hyperglycemia in Endometrial Cancer Pathogenesis

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and its incidence is increasing. Epidemiological evidence shows a strong association between endometrial cancer and obesity, and multiple mechanisms linking obesity and cancer progression have been described. However, it remains unclear which factors are the main drivers of endometrial cancer development. Hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus are common co-morbidities of obesity, and there is evidence that hyperglycemia is a risk factor for endometrial cancer independent of obesity. This review aims to explore the association between hyperglycemia and endometrial cancer, and discuss the evidence supporting a role for increased glucose metabolism in endometrial cancer and how this phenotype may contribute to endometrial cancer growth and progression. Finally, the potential role of blood glucose lowering strategies, including drugs and bariatric surgery, for the treatment of this malignancy will be discussed.

Association between the incidence and mortality rates for corpus uteri cancer and human development index (HDI): a global ecological study

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the association between the incidence of and mortality due to corpus uteri cancer (CUC) and the human development index (HDI) across the world.

Methods

This was an ecological study. The incidence and mortality rates of CUC along with HDI data were extracted from the Global Cancer Data in 2018. Subsequently, correlation coefficient and linear regression model were used to determine the association between the incidence and mortality rates of CUC and the HDI. STATA-14 was used for data analysis.

Results

There was a positive and significant correlation between the incidence (r=0.693; P<0.001) and mortality (r=0.284; P<0.001) rates of uterine cancer and the HDI. A positive and significant correlation was also observed between the incidence rate and the gross national income per 1,000 capita (r=0.440; P<0.001), mean years of schooling (MYS) (r=0.740; P<0.001), life expectancy at birth (LEB) (r=0.590; P<0.001), and expected years of schooling (r=0.650; P<0.001). The results of the linear regression model showed a significant statistical association between MYS and the incidence of CUC (β=1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60-1.70) and LEB and mortality due to uteri cancer (β=0.40; 95% CI, 0.10-0.90).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest a significant statistical association between the incidence and mortality rates of CUC and the HDI.

Long-term diabetes risk among endometrial cancer survivors in a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The majority of endometrial cancer patients are overweight or obese at cancer diagnosis. Obesity is a shared risk factor for both endometrial cancer and diabetes, but it is unknown whether endometrial cancer patients have increased diabetes risks. The aim of our study was to investigate diabetes risk among endometrial cancer patients.

METHODS

Endometrial cancer patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2012 in Utah (n = 2,314) were identified. Women from the general population (n = 8,583) were matched to the cancer patients on birth year and birth state. Diabetes diagnoses were identified from electronic medical records and statewide healthcare facility databases. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for diabetes after cancer diagnosis.

RESULTS

Endometrial cancer survivors had a significantly higher risk of type II diabetes when compared to women from the general population in the first year after cancer diagnosis (HR = 5.22, 95% CI = 4.05, 6.71), >1-5 years after cancer diagnosis (HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.31, 2.12), and >5 years after cancer diagnosis (HR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.29, 2.11). Endometrial cancer patients who were obese at cancer diagnosis had a three-fold increase in type II diabetes risk (HR = 2.99, 95%CI = 2.59, 3.45). Although endometrial cancer patients diagnosed at distant stage had a higher risk of diabetes, cancer treatment did not appear to contribute to any diabetes risks.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, endometrial cancer survivors had a higher risk of diabetes than women in the general population. These results suggest that long term monitoring for diabetes is indicated for endometrial cancer survivors.

Risk factors for endometrial cancer: An umbrella review of the literature

Although many risk factors could have causal association with endometrial cancer, they are also prone to residual confounding or other biases which could lead to over- or underestimation. This umbrella review evaluates the strength and validity of evidence pertaining risk factors for endometrial cancer. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of observational studies evaluating the association between non-genetic risk factors and risk of developing or dying from endometrial cancer were identified from inception to April 2018 using PubMed, the Cochrane database and manual reference screening. Evidence was graded strong, highly suggestive, suggestive or weak based on statistical significance of random-effects summary estimate, largest study included, number of cases, between-study heterogeneity, 95% prediction intervals, small study effects, excess significance bias and sensitivity analysis with credibility ceilings. We identified 171 meta-analyses investigating associations between 53 risk factors and endometrial cancer incidence and mortality. Risk factors were categorised: anthropometric indices, dietary intake, physical activity, medical conditions, hormonal therapy use, biochemical markers, gynaecological history and smoking. Of 127 meta-analyses including cohort studies, three associations were graded with strong evidence. Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were associated with increased cancer risk in premenopausal women (RR per 5 kg/m2 1.49; CI 1.39-1.61) and for total endometrial cancer (RR per 0.1unit 1.21; CI 1.13-1.29), respectively. Parity reduced risk of disease (RR 0.66, CI 0.60-0.74). Of many proposed risk factors, only three had strong association without hints of bias. Identification of genuine risk factors associated with endometrial cancer may assist in developing targeted prevention strategies for women at high risk.

The effect of diabetes on the risk of endometrial Cancer: an updated a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies conducted on the association between diabetes and the risk of endometrial cancer have reported controversial results that have raised a variety of questions about the association between diabetes and the incidence of this cancer. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to more precisely estimate the effect of diabetes on the risk of endometrial cancer incidence.

METHODS

All original articles were searched in international databases, including Medline (PubMed), Web of sciences, Scopus, EMBASE, and CINHAL. Search was done from January 1990 to January 2018 without language limitations. Also, logarithm and standard error logarithm relative risk (RR) were used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 22 cohort and case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis, of which 14 showed statistically significant associations between diabetes and risk of endometrial cancer. Diabetes was associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer (RR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.48-2.01). The summary of RR for all 9 cohort studies was 1.56 (95% CI 1.21-2.01), and it was 1.85 (95% CI 1.53-2.23) for 13 case control studies. The summary of RR in hospital-based studies was higher than other studies. Thirteen of the primary studies-controlled BMI as a confounding variable, and the combined risk of their results was 1.62 (95% CI 1.34-1.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes seems to increases the risk of endometrial cancer in women, and this finding can be useful in developing endometrial cancer prevention plans for women having diabetes.

Prevalencia de carcinoma en pólipos endometriales resecados por histeroscopia

La prevalencia de pólipos endometriales (PE) es alrededor de 24% en la población femenina general y entre 10 y 30% en aquellas con hemorragia uterina anormal.  Son lesiones de crecimiento rápido que pueden transformarse en una neoplasia maligna. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de cáncer endometrial en pacientes con PE diagnosticados por histeroscopia. Metodología: serie de casos retrospectivos atendidos en el Hospital de San José, Bogotá, Colombia, de 2005 a 2014. Resultados: se analizaron en total 408 historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de PE, 10 (2.4%) presentaron patología premaligna y 9 (2,2%) lesión maligna confirmada por microscopía (endometrioides 6, seroso papilar 2 y carcinosarcoma 1). Todas las pacientes con patología maligna tenían más de 60 años y estaban en posmenopausia. Cuatro eran nulíparas, ninguna consumía tamoxifeno ni medicamentos hormonales Conclusión: la prevalencia de carcinomas endometriales en PE diagnosticados a través de histeroscopia en mujeres posmenopáusicas fue de 7.7%. Estos datos son similares a los reportados en la literatura, por lo que recomendamos la implementación de histeroscopia para el tratamiento de todos los PE y su riguroso estudio histopatológico.

Endometrial cancer outcomes among non-Hispanic US born and Caribbean born black women

PURPOSE

Data on endometrial cancer outcomes among immigrant women in the USA are lacking. The objective was to determine the effect of Caribbean nativity on outcomes in black women with endometrial cancer compared with women born in the USA, with attention paid to the effects of tumor grade, sociodemographic factors, and treatment approaches.

METHODS

A review of the institutional cancer registry was performed to identify black, non-Hispanic women with known nativity and treated for endometrial cancer between 2001 and 2017. Sociodemographic, treatment, and outcomes data were collected. Analyses were done using the χ2 test, Cox proportional hazards models, and the Kaplan-Meier method, with significance set at P<0.05.

RESULTS

195 women were included in the analysis. High grade histologies were present in a large proportion of both US born (64.5%) and Caribbean born (72.2%) patients. Compared with US born women, those of Caribbean nativity were more likely to be non-smokers (P=0.01) and be uninsured (P=0.03). Caribbean born women had more cases of stage III disease (27.8% versus 12.5%, P<0.01), while carcinosarcoma was more common in US born black women (23.6% versus 10.6%, P=0.05). Caribbean nativity trended towards improvement in overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.65 (0.40-1.07)). Radiation (HR 0.53 (0.29-1.00)) was associated with improved survival while advanced stage (HR 3.81 (2.20-6.57)) and high grade histology (HR 2.34 (1.17-4.72)) were predictive of worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of high grade endometrial cancer histologies among black women of Caribbean nativity is higher than previously reported. Caribbean nativity may be associated with improved overall survival although additional study is warranted.

Phenotype of POLE-mutated endometrial cancer

Background and purpose

Individualized therapy in endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecologic cancer in the developed world, focuses on identifying specific molecular subtypes. Mutations in the exonuclease domain of the DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE) gene define one such subtype, which causes an ultra-mutated tumour phenotype. These tumours may have an improved progression-free survival and may be receptive to specific therapies. However, the clinical phenotype of these tumours is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and genetic features of POLE-mutated tumours from a large cohort of women whose cases are characterized by: (1) the availability of detailed clinical and lifestyle data; (2) mutation analysis; and (3) long-term follow-up.

Methods

A total of 604 patients with endometrial cancer were included in the study. Data from a detailed questionnaire, including lifestyle and family history information, provided extensive pertinent information on the patients. Sequencing of exons 9–14 of the POLE gene was performed. Follow-up data were gathered and analysed.

Results

Hotspot pathogenic POLE mutations were identified in N = 38/599 patients (6.3%). Patients with a POLE-mutated tumour were significantly younger, were more often nulliparous, and had a history of smoking. POLE-mutated tumours were more frequently aneuploid. Prognosis for patients with hotspot POLE-mutated tumours was significantly better in comparison with patients with non-mutated tumours; however careful selection of pathogenic mutations is essential to the definition of this prognostically favourable group.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that POLE-mutated endometrial cancer is significantly associated with previously unknown clinicopathologic characteristics. Outcome in POLE-mutated tumours was excellent in cases with hotspot mutations. Our results suggest that prediction of excellent outcome in cases of POLE-mutated EMCA should be restricted to cases of EMCA with hotspot mutations until further data are available on the rising number of mutations with unknown significance.

The benefits of adding metformin to tamoxifen to protect the endometrium-A randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether metformin prevents tamoxifen-induced endometrial changes and insulin resistance (IR) after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

METHODS

This was a single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial. Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer taking tamoxifen were randomly allocated to metformin 850 mg or identical placebo, twice daily, for 52 weeks. Outcome measures included double endometrial thickness (ET) measured by transvaginal ultrasound, fasting insulin, glucose and IR estimated by the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

A total of 112 women were screened and 102 randomized. Results are presented as median (range). The 101 women who took at least one dose of medication were aged 56 (43-72) years, with 5(0.5-28) years postmenopause, and had taken tamoxifen for 28.9 (0-367.4) weeks. The baseline ET was 2.9 mm (1.4-21.9) for the placebo group (n = 52) and 2.5 mm (1.3-14.8) for the metformin group (n = 50). At 52 weeks, the median ET was statistically significantly lower for the metformin (n = 36) than for the placebo group (n = 45) (2.3 mm (1.4-7.8) vs 3.0 (1.2-11.3); P = 0.05). 13.3% allocated to placebo had an ET greater than 4 mm vs 5.7% for metformin (P = 0.26). There was no endometrial atypia or cancer. Compared with placebo, metformin resulted in significantly greater baseline-adjusted reductions in weight (P < 0.001), waist circumference (0.03) and HOMA-IR (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Metformin appears to inhibit tamoxifen-induced endometrial changes and has favourable metabolic effects. Further research into the adjuvant use of metformin after breast cancer and to prevent EH and cancer is warranted.

Leptin Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells in Breast and Gynecologic Cancer

It is well established that obesity increases the incidence and worsens the prognosis of women's cancer. For breast cancer, women with obesity exhibit more than a twofold increase in the odds of being diagnosed with cancer, with a greater risk of advanced stage at diagnosis, and ≤40% greater risk of recurrence and death than their normal-weight counterparts. These findings are similar in gynecologic cancers, where women who are obese with a body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2 have up to six times greater risk of developing endometrial cancer and a 9.2% increase in mortality with every 10% increase in BMI. Likewise, patients with obesity exhibit a twofold higher risk of premenopausal ovarian cancer, and patients who are obese with advanced stage ovarian cancer have shown a shorter time to recurrence and poorer overall survival. Obesity is accompanied by changes in expression of adipose factors that act on local tissues and systemically. Once obesity was recognized as a factor in cancer incidence and progression, the adipose cytokine (adipokine) leptin became the focus of intense investigation as a putative link, with nearly 3000 publications on the topic. Leptin has been shown to increase cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, promote angiogenesis, and increase therapeutic resistance. These characteristics are associated with a subset of cells in both liquid and solid tumors known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor initiating cells. We will review the literature discussing leptin's role in breast and gynecologic cancer, focusing on its role in CSCs, and consider goals for targeting future therapy in this arena to disrupt tumor initiation and progression in women's cancer.

Pelvic floor functional outcomes after total abdominal vs total laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Pelvic floor functioning is an important concern for women requiring a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. The incidence of pelvic floor symptoms has not been reported in women who have undergone a hysterectomy for early-stage endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate pelvic floor function in women who have had surgical treatment for early-stage endometrial cancer as part of the multinational Laparoscopic Approach to Cancer of the Endometrium trial and to compare patients' outcomes who had total abdominal vs total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

A multinational, phase III, randomized noninferiority trial compared disease-free survival of patients who had total abdominal hysterectomy vs total laparoscopic hysterectomy. This substudy analyzes the results from a self-administered validated questionnaire on pelvic floor symptoms (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory) administered preoperatively, and at follow-up visits 6, 18, 30, 42, and 54 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Overall, 381 patients with endometrial cancer were included in the analysis (total abdominal hysterectomy, n = 195; total laparoscopic hysterectomy, n = 186). At 6 months postsurgery both groups experienced an improvement in Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores compared to presurgical pelvic floor well-being (total abdominal hysterectomy: mean change -11.17; 95% confidence interval, -17.11 to -5.24; total laparoscopic hysterectomy: mean change -10.25; 95% confidence interval, -16.31 to -4.19). The magnitude of change from baseline in pelvic floor symptoms did not differ between both treatment groups up to 54 months postsurgery.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that pelvic floor function in terms of urinary, bowel, and prolapse symptoms are unlikely to deteriorate following abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomy and are reassuring for women undergoing hysterectomy for early-stage endometrial cancer.

Harmonisation of biobanking standards in endometrial cancer research

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer and its incidence is predicted to escalate by 50-100% in 2025 with a parallel increase in associated mortality. Variations in the collection, processing and storage of biospecimens can affect the generalisability of the scientific data. We aimed to harmonise the collection of biospecimens, clinical data relevant to endometrial cancer and to develop standard operative procedures for the collection, processing and storage of endometrial cancer biospecimens.

METHODS

We designed research tools, which were evaluated and revised through three consensus rounds - to obtain local/regional, national and European consensus. Modified final tools were disseminated to a panel (n=40) representing all stakeholders in endometrial cancer research for consensus generation.

RESULTS

The final consensus demonstrated unanimous agreement with the minimal surgical and patient data collection tools. A high level of agreement was also observed for the other remaining standard tools.

CONCLUSIONS

We here present the final versions of the tools, which are freely available and easily accessible to all endometrial cancer researchers. We believe that these tools will facilitate rapid progress in endometrial cancer research, both in future collaborations and in large-scale multicentre studies.

Association of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer with a history of gestational diabetes

PURPOSE

Excess circulating insulin may contribute to endometrial cancer (EC) development; studies suggest increased risk of EC associated with type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether gestational diabetes is associated with increased risk of EC and its precursor, endometrial hyperplasia (EH).

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, case-control study of women in Washington State. Cases were women with a hospital discharge record indicating the presence of EH/EC who could be linked to a prior delivery hospitalization or birth record from 1987 to 2013 (n = 593). Controls were randomly selected from remaining deliveries, frequency matched 10:1 on delivery year and maternal age at delivery (n = 5,743). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

After adjustment for race/ethnicity, maternal age at delivery, and delivery year, EH/EC was associated with a history of gestational diabetes (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.27-2.35). This association was present for both EH and EC (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.00-2.60 and OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.22-2.65, respectively). After adjustment for prepregnancy body mass index, the OR for EH/EC was attenuated and became statistically non-significant (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.87-1.72), except in women <50 years old at the time of case ascertainment (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.00-2.20). Associations were slightly stronger for EC than EH.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed an association between EH/EC and a history of gestational diabetes specific to younger women. Future studies focusing on the relationships between gestational diabetes, obesity, and EC, including age at diagnosis, are warranted.

Time trends in the incidence of hysterectomy-corrected overall, type 1 and type 2 endometrial cancer in Denmark 1978-2014

OBJECTIVE

To investigate time trends in the incidence of overall, type 1 and type 2 endometrial cancer in Denmark 1978-2014, correcting for hysterectomy.

METHODS

Based on the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish National Patient Registry we calculated hysterectomy-corrected incidence rates of overall, type 1 and type 2 endometrial cancer. Separate analyses for women <55years (defined as pre- and perimenopausal age) and women aged ≥55years (defined as postmenopausal age) and analyses allowing for different time trends before and after the study period midyear 1996 were performed. Log-linear Poisson models were used to estimate annual percentage change (APC) in incidence with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The overall incidence of endometrial cancer decreased slightly from 1978 to 1995, but in the last two decades of the study period the incidence has been stable (APC=0.16; 95% CI: -0.19; 0.50). In the study period (1978-2014) type 1 endometrial cancer incidence decreased slightly (APC=-0.67; 95% CI:-0.83; -0.52), whereas the incidence of type 2 endometrial cancer increased substantially (APC=4.85; 95% CI: 4.47; 5.23). The decrease in type 1 endometrial cancer was most pronounced before 1996 in women younger than 55 years (APC=-2.79; 95% CI: -3.65; -1.91), while the largest increase in type 2 endometrial cancer was observed after 1996 (APC=6.42; 95% CI: 5.72; 7.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a period of more than 35 years, the incidence of type 1 endometrial cancer decreased, mainly in pre- and perimenopausal women, while type 2 endometrial cancer incidence increased.

Supervised Clustering of Adipokines and Hormonal Receptors Predict Prognosis in a Population of Obese Women with Type 1 Endometrial Cancer

Obesity is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC). Yet, its impact on prognosis is controversial. Obesity is associated with metabolic and hormonal dysregulation as well as adipokines increase. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of biological factors related to obesity within the tumor and evaluate their impact on prognosis. One hundred and thirty-six patients, including 55 obese patients, with endometrioid type I EC operated by total hysterectomy were included in this retrospective study conducted in a Tertiary teaching hospital between 2000 and 2013. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study was performed on type I EC tumor samples using five adipokines (SPARC, RBP4 (Retinol Binding Protein 4), adiponectin, TNF α, IL-6) and hormonal receptors (estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor). Supervised clustering of immunohistochemical markers was performed to identify clusters that could be associated with prognostic groups. The prognosis of the obese population was not different from the prognosis of the general population. Adipokine expression within tumors was not different in these two populations. In obese population, we found three clusters where co-expression was associated with a recurrence group in comparison with a non-recurrence group and four clusters where co-expression was associated with the high risk FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage I group in comparison of low risk FIGO stage I group. While obesity does not appear as a prognostic factor in endometrioid type I EC, the co-expression of biological factors in IHC on hysterectomy specimens allowed to distinguish two prognostic groups in obese population.

Expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components in endometrial cancer

A dysfunctional endometrial renin-angiotensin system (RAS) could aid the growth and spread of endometrial cancer. To determine if the RAS is altered in endometrial cancer, we measured RAS gene expression and protein levels in 30 human formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) endometrioid carcinomas and their adjacent endometrium. All components of the RAS were expressed in most tumours and in adjacent endometrium; mRNA levels of (pro)renin receptor (ATP6AP2), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE1) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) mRNA levels were greater in tumour tissue than adjacent non-cancerous endometrium (P = 0.023, 0.008, 0.004 and 0.046, respectively). Prorenin, ATP6AP2, AGTR1, AGTR2 and ACE2 proteins were abundantly expressed in both cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous endometrium. Staining was most intense in cancerous glandular epithelium. One potential target of the endometrial RAS, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1), which is essential for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, was also upregulated in endometrial cancer tissue (P = 0.001). Interestingly, TGFB1 was strongly correlated with RAS expression and was upregulated in tumour tissue. This study is the first to characterise the mRNA and protein expression of all RAS components in cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous endometrium. The greater expression of ATP6AP2, AGTR1 and ACE1, key elements of the pro-angiogenic/proliferative arm of the RAS, suggests that the RAS plays a role in the growth and spread of endometrial cancer. Therefore, existing drugs that inhibit the RAS and which are used to treat hypertension may have potential as treatments for endometrial cancer.

Risk Factors for Endometrial Cancer: Results from a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association between endometrial cancer and possible etiological agents. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Iran between March 2012 and May 2016. The demographic and reproductive factors of 205 women with endometrial cancer were compared, and 590 healthy cases were participated in the control group. For each endometrial cancer case, there were three controls, who were matched in terms of age and residence. The data were considered significant at p ≤0.05. Results: After adjusting the variables, the nulliparity (OR 6.23, 95% CI 2.86-13.59), the nulligravidity (OR 5.94, 95% CI 2.51-14.06), the positive family history of reproductive cancer (OR 4.97, 95% CI 2.33-10.59), the infertility history (OR 2.38, 95%CI 1.32-4.31), the obesity (BMI ≥25) (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.16-2.52), the early menarche age (<12 years) (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.17-3.75), and the hormonal contraception use (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.15-2.49) were found to be associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Nevertheless, the education level, the job of women, the marital age, the leisure activities, and the breast feeding were not found to be associated with the endometrial cancer after adjusting the variables. Conclusion: Scheduling of the screening program is vitally indispensable to identify endometrial cancer in women with nulliparity, nulligravidity and the positive family history of cancer. In addition, women with early menarche, those with the history of infertility, the obese ones, and those who use contraception pills need to be particularly aware of the potential risks.

Improving survival after endometrial cancer: the big picture

To improve survival in women with endometrial cancer, we need to look at the "big picture" beyond initial treatment. Although the majority of women will be diagnosed with early stage disease and are cured with surgery alone, there is a subgroup of women with advanced and high-risk early stage disease whose life expectancy may be prolonged with the addition of chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry will help to identify those women with Lynch syndrome who will benefit from more frequent colorectal cancer surveillance and genetic counseling. If they happen to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, this information has an important therapeutic implication. And finally, because the majority of women will survive their diagnosis of endometrial cancer, they remain at risk for breast and colorectal cancer, so these women should be counselled about screening for these cancers. These three interventions will contribute to improving the overall survival of women with endometrial cancer.

Long-term impact of preeclampsia on maternal endometrial cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer is mainly dependent on oestrogen exposure. Preeclampsia has shown to reduce oestrogen levels hence preeclampsia may affect later endometrial cancer risk.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study of 523 Danish women with endometrial cancer and 52 299controls during 1978-2010. The association between preeclampsia and later endometrial cancer was evaluated overall and according to preeclampsia onset and type of endometrial cancer in conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We observed no overall association between preeclampsia and endometrial cancer risk (OR=1.11 (95% CI 0.68-1.81)). This was true for all endometrial cancer subtypes. In an analysis of preeclampsia onset, however, we report a markedly increased risk of endometrial cancer following early-onset preeclampsia (OR=2.64 (95% CI 1.29-5.38)).

CONCLUSIONS

Although we report no obvious association between preeclampsia and endometrial cancer, studying the subset of early-onset preeclampsia may prove fruitful in further understanding the aetiology of endometrial cancer.

Could body mass index be an indicator for endometrial biopsy in premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of body mass index (BMI) in women with premenopausal heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) to identify patients who should undergo endometrial biopsy.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 1120 premenopausal women who presented to the Gynecology Clinic, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, due to HMB and who underwent endometrial sampling. The abnormal endometrial histopathological results were analyzed by separating patients into groups of all abnormal findings (hyperplasia without atypia + hyperplasia with atypia + carcinoma) and hyperplasia with atypia + carcinoma. Sensitivity and specificity of the abnormal histopathological results were calculated in both groups using BMI cut-off values as 25, 30 and 35 and age cut-offs as 40 and 45 years.

RESULTS

The rate of hyperplasia with atypia and carcinoma was sevenfold higher in women with a BMI ≥30 compared to those with a BMI ≤30 (95 % CI 2.4-17.9). In the analyses, BMI was a stronger risk factor in women younger than 45 years of age. The risk of endometrial carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia was twofold higher in patients older than 45 years when compared with patients younger than 45 years (95 % CI 1.1-5.1).

CONCLUSIONS

All women with a BMI ≥30 and presenting premenopausal HMB should undergo endometrial biopsy regardless of age.

Prevalence of Cancers of Female Organs among Patients with Diabetes Type 2 in Kelantan, Malaysia: Observations over an 11 Year Period and Strategies to Reduce the Incidence

INTRODUCTION

Kelantan is one of the states in Malaysia which has a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes (DM2). Other than with endometrial carcinoma, the association of DM2 with particular female cancers is not known.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of breast, cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers among females with DM2 diagnosed in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) over an 11 year period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All histologically confirmed cases of breast, endometrial, cervical and ovarian carcinomas admitted to the Hospital were included in the study. The patient diabetic status was traced from the hospital medical records.

RESULTS

There was a total of 860 cases of breast, cervical, ovarian and endometrial carcinomas over this period. Breast carcinoma was the commonest, accounting for 437/860 (50.8%) followed by cervix, 159/860 (18.5%), ovarian, 143/860 (16.6%) and endometrial carcinomas, 121/860 (14.1%). Out of these, 228/860 (26.5%) were confirmed diabetics. Endometrial carcinoma patients showed the highest proportion being diabetics, 42.1% (51/121), followed by ovarian cancer, 25.9% (37/143), breast carcinoma, 23.6% (103/437) and cervical cancer 23.3% (37/159).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant proportion of DM2 among women with these four cancers, endometrial carcinoma being the highest followed by ovarian, breast and cervical carcinoma. The rising trend of these four cancers is in tandem with an increasing trend of DM2 in the community. In populations where diabetes is prevalent, screening for epithelial cancers should be rigourous. Diabetic clinics should include screening for these cancers among their female patients and gynecology clinics should screen the women they treat for their diabetes status.

Body mass index, diabetes and survival after diagnosis of endometrial cancer: A report from the HUNT-Survey

OBJECTIVE

We studied the association of body mass index (BMI) and diabetes with all-cause death and endometrial cancer-specific death among women with endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

Included were 337 women in the Health Surveys in North-Trøndelag, Norway who were followed from EC diagnosis to death or end of follow-up, 30th June 2012. Risks of death associated with BMI and diabetes were estimated as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The risks of EC-specific death were estimated as sub-HRs, after adjustment for competing causes of death. We also studied the risk of death associated with diabetes in women with BMI<25kg/m(2) and in women with BMI≥25kg/m(2).

RESULTS

During the median follow-up time of 6.7years, 166 women (49.3%) died. Diabetes increased the risk of all-cause death (HR 2.14, 95% CI: 1.26-3.63) and endometrial cancer-specific death (SHR, 2.62, 95% CI: 1.07-6.43) after adjustment for age, histological type and stage of EC. BMI was not associated with risk of all-cause or EC-specific death. The increased risk of both all-cause death and EC specific death in diabetic women seemed to be more pronounced in women with BMI<25kg/m(2) (HR 6.35, 95% CI: 1.90-21.14) compared to women with BMI>25kg/m(2) (HR 1.80, 95% CI: 0.98-3.33).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes, but not BMI, was associated with increased risk of all-cause death and death from EC. The increased risk of death associated with diabetes seemed to be most pronounced in women with BMI<25kg/m(2).

Metabolic syndrome and risk of endometrial cancer in the united states: a study in the SEER-medicare linked database

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome and its component feature, central obesity, are associated with endometrial cancer risk. It remains unclear whether associations with the other metabolic factors that comprise metabolic syndrome are independent of the obesity-endometrial cancer association. Furthermore, the link with specific endometrial cancer subtypes remains ill-defined, despite evidence of etiologic heterogeneity among these tumors.

METHODS

In a case-control study within the SEER-Medicare linked database, we examined whether metabolic factors, individually or combined, were associated with endometrial cancer. Cases (n = 16,323) were women diagnosed with endometrial cancer from 1993 through 2007. Controls (n = 100,751) were a 5% sample of female Medicare enrollees residing in the same SEER registry area as cases. Metabolic syndrome was defined using ICD-9-CM codes from inpatient/outpatient diagnoses 1 to 3 years before case diagnosis and a comparable time period in controls. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Endometrial cancer risk was associated with metabolic syndrome [OR (95% CI): 1.39 (1.32-1.47)] and its component factors: overweight/obesity [1.95 (1.80-2.11)], impaired fasting glucose [1.36 (1.30-1.43)], high blood pressure [1.31 (1.25-1.36)], and high triglycerides [1.13 (1.08-1.18)]. After adjusting for overweight/obesity, the increased risks associated with the metabolic syndrome factors remained. Heterogeneity of associations by subtype were not identified (Pheterogeneity = 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women age 65 and older in the United States, metabolic syndrome, and its component factors, increased endometrial cancer risk similarly across endometrial cancer subtypes.

IMPACT

Strategies to reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome factors might have a favorable effect on endometrial cancer incidence.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with elevated risk of mortality amongst patients with prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of 11 cohort studies

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer. However, previous studies examining the associations between diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer prognosis have produced mixed results. Here, we aim to summarize the effect of diabetes mellitus on prostate cancer prognosis.

METHODS

We searched the database of PubMed from inception through 31 March 2014 for articles evaluating the effect of diabetes on outcome in prostate cancer patients, and a meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 11 cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis, of which seven studies were carried out to investigate whether diabetes mellitus is associated with all-cause mortality amongst those with prostate cancer, seven studies to investigate whether diabetes mellitus is associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality and two studies to investigate the relationship of diabetes mellitus and nonprostate cancer mortality. The meta-analysis results suggested that diabetes mellitus could significantly affect the incidence of all-cause mortality amongst those with prostate cancer (hazard ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.25-1.79). Besides, diabetes mellitus was also associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval = 1.20-1.33) and nonprostate cancer mortality (hazard ratio = 1.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-2.52) separately. There was no obvious publication bias amongst the studies included.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis reveal an association of diabetes mellitus with adverse prognosis amongst those with prostate cancer. The biological basis of the association of diabetes mellitus with prostate cancer incidence and prognosis remains unclear. Doctors could pay more attention to prostate patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and more aggressive treatment regimens should be considered.

Anthropometric factors and endometrial cancer risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND

Greater body mass index (BMI) has been convincingly related to increased endometrial cancer risk, however, whether adiposity earlier in life or abdominal fatness is an independent risk factor and whether weight gain or greater height increases the risk is not clear.

METHODS

As part of the Continuous Update Project of the World Cancer Research Fund International, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies of the association between anthropometric measures and endometrial cancer risk and searched PubMed and several other databases up to February 2015. Summary relative risks (RRs) were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Thirty prospective studies of BMI and endometrial cancer risk with 22 320 cases among 6 445 402 participants were included. The summary RR for a 5-unit increment was 1.54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-1.61, I(2) = 81%]. Although the test for non-linearity was significant, Pnon-linearity < 0.0001, and the curve was steeper within the overweight and obese BMI ranges, there was evidence of increased risk even within the high normal BMI range. The summary RR was 1.45 (95% CI 1.28-1.64, I(2) = 76%) per 5 BMI units for BMI in young adulthood, 1.18 (95% CI 1.14-1.23, I(2) = 67%) per 5 kg increase of weight, and 1.16 (95% CI 1.12-1.20, I(2) = 51%) per 5 kg of weight gained between young adulthood and study baseline, 1.27 (95% CI 1.17-1.39, I(2) = 71%) per 10 cm increase in waist circumference, 1.21 (95% CI 1.13-1.29, I(2) = 0%) per 0.1-unit increment in waist-to-hip ratio and 1.30 (95% CI 1.19-1.41, I(2) = 0%) per 10-cm increase in hips circumference. The summary RR was 1.15 (95% CI 1.09-1.22, I(2) = 61%) for a 10-cm increase in height.

CONCLUSIONS

All measures of adiposity were associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer, and in addition increasing height was associated with increased risk.

Gynaecological cancer mortality in Serbia, 1991-2010: a joinpoint regression analysis

This descriptive epidemiological study aimed to analyse the mortality trends from gynaecological cancer in Serbia. Average annual percentage of change (AAPC) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for trend using joinpoint regression analysis. Nearly 25,000 gynaecological cancer deaths occurred in Serbia during the 1991-2010 period, with the average annual age-standardised mortality rate being 17.2 per 100,000 women. Increase of mortality was observed for cancer of the vulva and vagina (AAPC=+1.3%, 95% CI=0.1 to 2.6), ovarian cancer (AAPC=+0.8%, 95% CI=0.4-1.3) and for cervical cancer (AAPC=+0.7%, 95% CI=0.3 to 1.1). Mortality rates for gynaecological cancer overall declined in women aged 30-39 years, but mortality was increased in middle-aged women (for cervical cancer) and in the elderly (for ovarian cancer). Improvements to and implementation of the national cervical cancer screening programme conducted in 2013 and expected to be finalised in the following years throughout Serbia should contribute to improvement.

Endometrial cancer in relation to coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption: a prospective cohort study among middle-aged women in Sweden

This study aimed to add to prospective data on the possible inverse association between coffee consumption and endometrial cancer risk, already supported by several case-control studies. Coffee and tea consumption and possible confounding factors were assessed among 42,270 women aged 30-49 years at enrollment in 1991-1992 in the Swedish Women's Lifestyle and Health cohort study, with complete follow-up through 2009. We calculated caffeine intake per day; Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate multivariable relative risks (mRR) for endometrial cancer with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). One hundred forty-four endometrial cancers were diagnosed during follow-up. Women with and without endometrial cancer had a similar mean daily coffee consumption (549 vs. 547 g), tea consumption (104 vs. 115 g), and caffeine intake (405 vs. 406 mg). Compared to those consuming <2 cups of coffee per day, women consuming >3 cups had a mRR of 1.56 (95% CI: 0.94-2.59; P for trend = 0.17). Compared with the lowest tertile of caffeine intake, the highest tertile had a mRR of 1.32 (95% CI: 0.87-1.99; P for trend = 0.27). Our study provides no convincing evidence of an association between coffee consumption, tea consumption, or caffeine intake and endometrial cancer risk among middle-aged women.

CARING (CAncer Risk and INsulin analoGues): the association of diabetes mellitus and cancer risk with focus on possible determinants - a systematic review and a meta-analysis

Background:

Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) may experience an increased risk of cancer; however, it is not certain whether this effect is due to diabetes per se.

Objective:

To examine the association between DM and cancers by a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Data Sources:

The systematic literature search includes Medline at PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, Bibliotek.dk, Cochrane library, Web of Science and SveMed+ with the search terms: “Diabetes mellitus”, “Neoplasms”, and “Risk of cancer”.

Study Eligibility Criteria:

The included studies compared the risk of cancer in diabetic patients versus non-diabetic patients. All types of observational study designs were included.

Results:

Diabetes patients were at a substantially increased risk of liver (RR=2.1), and pancreas (RR=2.2) cancer. Modestly elevated significant risks were also found for ovary (RR=1.2), breast (RR=1.1), cervix (RR=1.3), endometrial (RR=1.4), several digestive tract (RR=1.1-1.5), kidney (RR=1.4), and bladder cancer (RR=1.1). The findings were similar for men and women, and unrelated to study design. Meta-regression analyses showed limited effect modification of body mass index, and possible effect modification of age, gender, with some influence of study characteristics (population source, cancer- and diabetes ascertainment).

Limitations:

Publication bias seemed to be present. Only published data were used in the analyses.

Conclusions:

The systematic review and meta-analysis confirm the previous results of increased cancer risk in diabetes and extend this to additional cancer sites. Physicians in contact with patients with diabetes should be aware that diabetes patients are at an increased risk of cancer.