Oophorectomy: the debate between ovarian conservation and elective oophorectomy

Comparative evaluation of reproductive organ-preserving versus standard radical cystectomy in female: a meta-analysis and systematic review of perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) compared to standard radical cystectomy (SRC) in the treatment of female bladder cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in November 2023 across several scientific databases. We executed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest, adhering to the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024501522).

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 10 studies with a total of 2015 participants. ROPRC showed a significant reduction in operative time and postoperative fasting period compared to SRC (MD - 45.69, 95% CI - 78.91 ~ - 12.47, p = 0.007, and MD - 0.69, 95% CI - 1.25 ~ - 0.13, p = 0.02, respectively). Functional outcomes, both daytime continence rate (OR 4.94, 95% CI 1.53 ~ 15.91, p = 0.008) and nighttime continence rate (OR 5.91, 95% CI 1.94 ~ 18.01, p = 0.002), and sexual function measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (MD 5.72, 95% CI 0.19 ~ 11.26, p = 0.04), were significantly improved in the ROPRC group. There were no significant differences between ROPRC and SRC in terms of estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, overall postoperative complications, minor complications or major complications. Oncologically, both procedures showed comparable outcomes with no significant differences in positive surgical margins, tumor recurrence rates, overall survival, cancer-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, or progression-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

ROPRC is a viable and effective alternative to SRC in female bladder cancer patients, offering enhanced functional outcomes and similar oncological safety. These findings suggest that ROPRC can improve the quality of life in female bladder cancer patients without compromising the efficacy of cancer treatment.

Prophylactic Interventions for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risks and Mortality in BRCA1/2 Carriers

BACKGROUND

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancers (HBOCs) pose significant health risks worldwide and are mitigated by prophylactic interventions. However, a meta-analysis of their efficacy and the impact of different genetic variants on their effectiveness is lacking.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, adhering to Cochrane guidelines. The review encompassed studies that involved prophylactic interventions for healthy women with BRCA variants, focusing on cancer incidence and mortality outcomes. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for risk of bias assessment. We pooled the extracted outcomes using random effects models and conducted subgroup analyses stratified by intervention, variant, and cancer types.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that prophylactic interventions significantly reduced cancer risk and mortality. The subgroup analysis showed a greater protective effect for BRCA2 than BRCA1 variant carriers. Risk-reducing surgeries (RRS) were more effective than chemoprevention, with RRS notably reducing cancer risk by 56% compared to 39% for chemoprevention. Prophylactic oophorectomy significantly reduced HBOC risks, while the effect of prophylactic mastectomy and chemoprevention on mortality was less conclusive.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic interventions significantly reduce the risk of HBOC and associated mortality. This comprehensive analysis provides insights for future economic evaluations and clinical decision-making in HBOC interventions.

OOPHORECTOMY: When and Why? A Novel Risk Stratification Tool as an Aid to Decision Making at Gynecological Surgeries

The decision regarding oophorectomy during gynecological surgeries, especially in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, has historically posed a significant dilemma. Traditionally, it was widely believed that conserving the ovaries held no benefits, leading to a common practice of recommending bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alongside hysterectomy for benign conditions in women aged 40-45 and above. Given our evolving comprehension of postmenopausal ovarian function and the genetic susceptibility to ovarian epithelial cancers, the decision regarding oophorectomy poses a dilemma. Oophorectomy is recommended for women with a higher risk of ovarian cancer and ovarian conservation is necessary with women with higher risk of co-morbidities. This paper reviews the available literature on these aspects of oophorectomy. Despite a wealth of literature narrating the advantages and disadvantages of oophorectomy, covering various aspects such as ovarian cancer risk, myocardial infarction incidence, and post-oophorectomy peritoneal cancer, there is a notable absence of a comprehensive evaluation system for risk stratification. The objective of the present paper is to address this gap by consolidating existing literature into a risk stratification system. This system will provide treating physicians a tool that facilitates more informed, case-specific decisions in collaboration with patients and their families. While recognizing that the ultimate decision must be tailored to the individual case and agreed upon mutually by the surgeon, patient, and family, the proposed system seeks to streamline risk stratification. This, in turn, should aid in determining the most suitable course of treatment that maximizes benefits for the patient.

Early surgical menopause and its correlates: A case series from a tertiary healthcare institute in a tribal area of Jharkhand, India

In India, unjustified and mass hysterectomy is an alarming issue in rural and semi-urban areas. Fear of cancer and reiterating the idea that uterus removal will alleviate unrelated somatic issues are two methods used to persuade women to have the surgery. It becomes easier to counsel them for hysterectomy, especially when they belong to the rural population, come from lower socioeconomic strata, are young and illiterate, and do nothing for their livelihood. Many patients from the Santhal Pargana division (tribal region) came to gynecology Out Patient Department after having a hysterectomy without any medical indication at an age below 30 years to cure their common symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge, and this is our major concern from them. We have taken three patients for this case series to highlight this problem at the community level. Unfortunately, the adverse health consequences of early loss of ovarian function accelerate the menopause state, affect multiple systems including cardiovascular, neurological, bone, and connective tissues, and, most importantly, affect the quality of life owing to vasomotor symptoms, mood, sleep, and sexual function. This case series emphasizes the serious complications of unnecessary hysterectomies and problems and gender inequities in the healthcare system for poor women.

Gynecological surgery in adulthood imparts cognitive and brain changes in rats: A focus on hysterectomy at short-, moderate-, and long-term intervals after surgery

Premenopausal hysterectomy is associated with a greater relative risk of dementia. We previously demonstrated cognitive impairments in adult rats six weeks after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation compared with intact sham-controls and other gynecological surgery variations. Here, we investigated whether hysterectomy-induced cognitive impairments are transient or persistent. Adult rats received sham-control, ovariectomy (Ovx), hysterectomy, or Ovx-hysterectomy surgery. Spatial working memory, reference memory, and anxiety-like behavior were tested either six-weeks post-surgery, in adulthood; seven-months post-surgery, in early middle-age; or twelve-months post-surgery, in late middle-age. Hysterectomy in adulthood yielded spatial working memory deficits at short-, moderate-, and long-term post-surgery intervals. Serum hormone levels did not differ between ovary-intact, but differed from Ovx, groups. Hysterectomy had no significant impact on healthy ovarian follicle or corpora lutea counts for any post-surgery timepoint compared with intact sham-controls. Frontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex were assessed for activity-dependent markers. In entorhinal cortex, there were alterations in FOSB and ΔFOSB expression during the early middle-age timepoint, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels at the adult timepoint. Collectively, results suggest a primary role for the uterus in regulating cognition, and that memory-related neural pathways may be modified following gynecological surgery. This is the first preclinical report of long-term effects of hysterectomy with and without ovarian conservation on cognition, endocrine, ovarian, and brain assessments, initiating a comprehensive framework of gynecological surgery effects. Translationally, findings underscore critical needs to decipher how gynecological surgeries, especially those involving the uterus, impact the brain and its functions, the ovaries, and overall aging from a systems perspective.

Ovarian Fibroma Presents As Uterine Leiomyoma in a 61-Year-Old Female: A Case Study

Uterine leiomyoma should be considered when a female patient reports symptoms of abdominal pressure and abnormal vaginal bleeding. However, the symptoms of a uterine leiomyoma are vast and overlap with other possible diseases that are difficult to distinguish even with imaging studies. This is why it is important for physicians and healthcare providers to keep an open mind and have a broad differential diagnosis.  In this case study, we present a 61-year-old postmenopausal female patient who presented to the emergency department with complaints of pelvic and abdominal pain, as well as vomiting and diarrhea. She was admitted for observation. A complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and urinalysis revealed no abnormalities; a pelvic ultrasound and CT scan reported possible adnexal torsion. The patient remained stable and the pain had subsided when she was seen the next morning by her gynecologist (GYN) who discharged her to follow-up in the office. Subsequent examinations that aided in the diagnosis included, but were not limited to pelvic and transvaginal ultrasounds, an abdominal and pelvic CT, and a pelvic MRI. In this case, the MRI revealed an 11-cm mass that could represent a torsioned pedunculated necrotic fibroid originating from the uterus. Radiology recommended surgical removal. Upon removal and review of the pathology of the mass, it was revealed to be a torsioned, partially necrotic fibroma that had originated from the ovary and not from the uterus, as imaging had originally suggested.

Surgical outcomes of adnexal masses classified by IOTA ultrasound simple rules

IOTA (International Ovarian Tumor Analysis) Simple Rules classifies adnexal masses as benign, malignant, or indeterminate based on sonographic features. We seek to determine if IOTA inappropriately directed women to surgery, or more aggressive surgery, than their final diagnosis warranted. This is a retrospective study of sonographically detected adnexal masses with known clinical outcomes from two institutions (n = 528). Surgically managed patients (n = 172) were categorized based on pathology and compared using Chi-square and t-test for categorical and continuous variables respectively. A logistic regression was used to predict characteristics that predicted surgery or imaging follow up of indeterminate masses. Of the 528 masses imaged, 29% (n = 155) underwent surgery for benign pathology. Only 1.9% (n = 10) underwent surgery after classification as malignant by IOTA for what was ultimately a benign mass. Surgical complications occurred in 10 cases (5.8%), all benign. Fifteen (3.2%) patients went into surgically induced menopause for benign masses, one of which was inaccurately classified by IOTA as malignant. Of the 41 IOTA indeterminate masses, the presence of soft tissue nodules on ultrasound was the only statistically significant predictor of the patient being triaged directly to surgery (OR 1.79, p = 0.04). Our findings support that the IOTA ultrasound classification system can provide clinical guidance without incurring unnecessary surgeries or surgical complications.

Evaluating the Link Between Self-Reported Endometriosis and Female Sexual Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Studies have found that women with endometriosis have a higher risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

AIM

To evaluate the relationship between self-reported endometriosis and FSD utilizing validated surveys.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among sexually active women aged 18-90 who presented to 3 Mayo Clinic sites from 2015 to 2021. FSD was determined utilizing a combined endpoint of Female Sexual Function Index score ≤ 26.55 and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised score ≥ 11. Associations between history of endometriosis and FSD were evaluated by fitting 3 multivariable logistic models and were stratified by menopause status. In the first model, the association was adjusted for age, BMI, race/ethnicity, marital status, and education. The second model adjusted for the variables in Model 1 and hormone therapy, hormonal contraceptive use, self-reported history of abuse within the last year, and co-morbidities including the history of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and stroke. The third model adjusted for the variables in Model 1, Model 2, and anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction, and SSRI/SNRI use.

OUTCOMES

The outcomes included self-reported endometriosis and female sexual dysfunction determined utilizing a combined endpoint of Female Sexual Function Index score ≤ 26.55 and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised score ≥ 11.

RESULTS

Of 7118 patients (mean age 51.3), 92.2% were white, 78.4% were peri- or postmenopausal, 8.7% reported endometriosis history, and 57.2% met the criteria for FSD. Women with endometriosis were more likely to be overweight or obese, be smokers, have had a history of heart disease and osteoporosis, have had anxiety and depressed mood, have had a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and have used hormone therapy. Compared to those without endometriosis, women with endometriosis were significantly more likely to have FSD only among premenopausal women (74.2% vs 57.4%). Similarly, in multivariable analysis the relationship was only seen for premenopausal women in all 3 models (Model 1: OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.43-5.27); Model 2: OR 2.55 (95% CI 1.30-5.04); Model 3: OR 2.30 (95% CI 1.13-4.68)).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

These findings highlight the opportunity for healthcare practitioners to evaluate sexual function in premenopausal women with endometriosis. For peri and postmenopausal women with endometriosis, the risk of FSD was lower than for premenopausal women with endometriosis.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

This study analyzed the association between endometriosis and FSD in women by menopause status using validated tools that included a measure of distress associated with sexual dysfunction. Limitations include its cross-sectional design which does not allow for determination of the direction of this association.

CONCLUSION

The risk for FSD associated with endometriosis depends on menopause status. Endometriosis increased the odds of FSD only in premenopausal women. Kling JM, Ghaith S, Smith T, et al. Evaluating the Link Between Self-Reported Endometriosis and Female Sexual Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2022;19:1533-1561.

Ovarian metastases in young women with colorectal cancer: a retrospective multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous studies indicated that approximately 3.4% of female colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are at increased risk of developing ovarian metastases (OM). It has been suggested that young women more frequently develop this form of metastatic disease.

METHODS

This study evaluated, in 6 Dutch hospitals, the proportion of young women with CRC who developed OM.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 200 young (age ≤ 55) women with CRC, the proportion of patients diagnosed with synchronous or metachronous OM was calculated. This study revealed that 5% (n = 10) of young female CRC patients developed ovarian metastases resulting in a 5-year overall survival rate of approximately 40%. Furthermore, six patients had concurrent peritoneal metastases, five patients had bilateral ovarian metastases, and five patients had synchronous metastases, while the median time of the occurrence of metachronous metastases (n = 5) was 19 months.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective multicenter cohort study indicates that 5% of young women with CRC either present with or develop OM. This result appears to be clinically relevant and demonstrates the need for improved surveillance for young women diagnosed with CRC.

Avoidable bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at hysterectomy: a large retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the proportion of justified bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) at hysterectomy, based on pathologic diagnosis, and determine prevalence of avoidable BSO based on pre- and intraoperative considerations and pathologic diagnosis.

METHODS

Retrospective review of hysterectomies at seven Ontario, Canada hospitals from 2016 to 2019. Surgeries completed by oncologists or for invasive placentation were excluded. Patient, case, and surgeon characteristics were recorded along with pathologic diagnoses. Avoidable BSO criteria were: preoperative diagnosis of cervical dysplasia or benign diagnosis other than endometriosis, gender dysphoria, risk reduction or premenstrual dysphoric disorder; age < 51 years; absence of intraoperative endometriosis and adhesions; unjustified pathology (where "justified" pathology was endometriosis or (pre)malignant diagnosis except for cervical dysplasia). Patients with avoidable BSO were compared to those having at least one criterion for BSO. Binary logistic regression identified factors most strongly associated with avoidable BSO.

RESULTS

Four thousand one hundred ninety-one hysterectomies were completed with 1,422 (33.9%) patients having concomitant BSO. Pathologic diagnosis justified BSO in most patients (1,035/1,422, 72.8%) with endometrial cancer being most common (439/1,422, 30.9%). When preoperative characteristics, intraoperative findings, and pathologic diagnoses were considered, 79 of 1,422 (5.6%) BSOs were avoidable. Compared to cases with at least one criterion for BSO, avoidable BSOs were more frequently completed by generalists (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.10-2.99, P  = 0.021), for preoperative diagnoses of abnormal uterine bleeding/menorrhagia (OR 3.82, 95% CI 2.35-6.30, P  = 0.001) and fibroids (OR 4.25, 95% CI 2.63-6.92, P  < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pathologic diagnosis justified most BSOs at hysterectomy. BSO was avoidable in 5.6% of patients, underscoring the need to standardize practice of BSO.

Ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer in young women: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In female colorectal cancer patients, a mean proportion of synchronous and/or metachronous ovarian metastases of 3.4% was described. Previous literature showed that young or premenopausal women (≤ 55 years of age) may be more frequently affected. Once ovarian metastases are diagnosed, the prognosis of the patient is generally dismal, with 5-year survival varying from 12 to 27%. The present study is aimed at determining the proportion of young or premenopausal women diagnosed with colorectal cancer who presented with or developed ovarian metastases by reviewing the current literature on this topic.

METHODS

This review was performed by querying MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using a combination of terms: "colorectal neoplasms, colorectal cancer, ovarian neoplasms, Krukenberg tumor, young adult, young age, premenopause." Studies that indicated ovarian metastases, either synchronous or metachronous (or a combination of the two), in young women were retrieved and analyzed.

RESULTS

The review identified 14 studies encompassing 3379 young or premenopausal female colorectal cancer patients. In this selected group of patients, a mean proportion of ovarian metastases of 4.6% [95% CI: 4.0;5.4] was found.

CONCLUSIONS

This review showed that approximately one in twenty young female colorectal cancer patients will present with or develop ovarian metastases. Since outcome of this specific oncological pathology is often dismal, this finding is clinically relevant. It demonstrates the need to develop strategies to lower the incidence of ovarian metastases with adequate treatment and counseling of these patients.

Safety and Efficacy of Reproductive Organ-Sparing Radical Cystectomy in Women With Variant Histology and Advanced Stage

PURPOSE

Muscle invasive bladder cancer surgical management has been historically a radical cystoprostatectomy in males and an anterior exenteration in females. Uterine, ovarian, and vaginal preservation are utilized, but raise concerns regarding risk to oncologic control, especially in variant histopathology or advanced stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective single institutional analysis identified radical cystectomies performed in women, including those with variant histology, which were defined as reproductive organ sparing (uterine, vaginal, and ovary sparing) or nonorgan sparing. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced disease.

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2020, 289 women were identified, 188 underwent reproductive organ-sparing cystectomy. No statistical differences were noted for clinical parameters or presence of variant histology for organ-sparing (ROS) and nonorgan-sparing (non-ROS). Positive margin rates did not differ for ROS and non-ROS; 4.3% vs. 7.9%, P = .19, respectively. Median RFS was not statistically significantly different for ROS vs. non-ROS (26.1 vs. 15.3 months) P = .937 hazard ratio (HR) 1.024. CSS was not statistically different for ROS vs. non-ROS (36.3 vs. 28.6 months), P = .755 HR 0.9. OS was not statistically different for ROS vs. non-ROS (25.8 vs. 23.8 months), P = .5 HR = 1.178. Variant histology did not change survival (HR 1.1, P = .643).

CONCLUSION

In this analysis, ROS in women with advanced disease did not increase positive margin rates or decrease RFS, CSS, or OS compared to non-ROS. Variant histology did not decrease survival odds. Based on preoperative assessment and intraoperative findings, ROS in patients with variant histology and advanced disease should be considered.

Changing trends in Black-White racial differences in surgical menopause: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Bilateral oophorectomy before menopause, or surgical menopause, is associated with negative health outcomes, including an increased risk for stroke and other cardiovascular outcomes; however, surgical menopause also dramatically reduces ovarian cancer incidence and mortality rates. Because there are competing positive and negative sequelae associated with surgical menopause, clinical guidelines have not been definitive. Previous research indicates that White women have higher rates of surgical menopause than other racial groups. However, previous studies may have underestimated the rates of surgical menopause among Black women. Furthermore, clinical practice has changed dramatically in the past 15 years, and there are no population-based studies in which more recent data were used. Tracking actual racial differences among women with surgical menopause is important for ensuring equity in gynecologic care.

OBJECTIVE

This population-based surveillance study evaluated racial differences in the rates of surgical menopause in all inpatient and outpatient settings in a large, racially diverse US state with historically high rates of hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

We evaluated all inpatient and outpatient surgeries in North Carolina from 2011 to 2014 for patients aged between 20 and 44 years. Surgical menopause was defined as a bilateral oophorectomy, with or without an accompanying hysterectomy, among North Carolina residents. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify inpatient and outpatient procedures, respectively, and diagnostic indications. We estimated age-, race-, and ethnicity-specific rates of surgical menopause using county-specific population estimates based on the 2010 United States census. We used Poisson regression with deviance-adjusted residuals to estimate the incidence rate ratios in the entire state population. We tested changes in surgery rates over time (reference year, 2011), differences by setting (reference, inpatient), and differences by race and ethnicity (reference, non-Hispanic White). We then described the surgery rates between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black patients.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2014, 11,502 surgical menopause procedures for benign indications were performed in North Carolina among reproductive-aged residents. Most (95%) of these surgeries occurred concomitant with a hysterectomy. Over the 4-year study period, there was a 39% reduction in inpatient surgeries (incidence rate ratio, 0.61) and a 100% increase in outpatient surgeries (incidence rate ratio, 2.0). Restricting the analysis to surgeries among non-Hispanic White and Black patients, the increase in outpatient surgeries was significantly higher among non-Hispanic Black women (P<.01) for year-race interaction (reference, 2011 and non-Hispanic White). The overall rates of bilateral oophorectomy for non-Hispanic Black women rose more quickly than for non-Hispanic White women (P<.01). In 2011, the rate of surgical menopause was greater among White women than among Black women (17.7 vs 13.2 per 10,000 women). By 2014, the racial trends were reversed (rate, 24.8 per 10,000 for non-Hispanic White women and 28.4 per 10,000 for non-Hispanic Black women).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the rates of surgical menopause increased in North Carolina in the early 2010s, especially among non-Hispanic Black women. By 2014, the rates of surgical menopause among non-Hispanic Black women had surpassed that of non-Hispanic White women. Given the long-term health consequences associated with surgical menopause, we propose potential drivers for the racially-patterned increases in the application of bilateral oophorectomy before the age of 45 years.

The interrelationship between female reproductive aging and survival

The link between survival and reproductive function is demonstrated across many species and is under both long-term evolutionary pressures and short-term environmental pressures. Loss of reproductive function is common in mammals and is strongly correlated with increased rates of disease in both males and females. However, the reproduction-associated change in disease rates is more abrupt and more severe in women, who benefit from a significant health advantage over men until the age of menopause. Young women with early ovarian failure also suffer from increased disease risks, further supporting the role of ovarian function in female health. Contemporary experiments where the influence of young ovarian tissue has been restored in post-reproductive-aged females with surgical manipulation were found to increase survival significantly. In these experiments, young, intact ovaries were used to replace the aged ovaries of females that had already reached reproductive cessation. As has been seen previously in primitive species, when the young mammalian ovaries were depleted of germ cells prior to transplantation to the post-reproductive female, survival was increased even further than with germ cell-containing young ovaries. Thus, extending reproductive potential significantly increases survival and appears to be germ cell and ovarian hormone-independent. The current review will discuss historical and contemporary observations and theories that support the link between reproduction and survival and provide hope for future clinical applications to decrease menopause-associated increases in disease risks.

Red degeneration of a large leiomyoma in a non-pregnant woman in pursuit of 17 pregnancies: a case report

Leiomyoma is a common benign tumor in women of reproductive age. Increasing the number of pregnancy has a significant role in reducing the risk of tumor development. Red degeneration is a rare complication and often occurs during pregnancy. However, its incidence in non-pregnant women is tremendously rare. Herein, we present a case of 51-year-old non-pregnant women with a history of 17 pregnancies, diagnosed with leiomyoma that underwent red degeneration.

Hormonal replacement therapy in women with a history of internal genital organ malignancy

Sudden cessation of ovary activity as a result of bilateral oophorectomy or chemo- or radiotherapy in premenopausal women is linked with more serious consequences that bear no comparison to natural menopause - to name just a few: higher rate of mortality, higher rate of colorectal and lung cancer, circulatory system diseases, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's disease, psychological disorders, osteoporosis, and sexual disorders. The prolonged period of estrogens deficit in premenopausal age is connected with worsened quality of life. The progress in oncological care means that in many malignant diseases, also in the case of gynaecological malignancies, the percentage of survivors increases. This makes improving the quality of life more and more important. The purpose of this review is to establish, based on EBM data, the answer to whether replacement hormonal therapy, being the most effective treatment of menopause symptoms, can be recommended for women who have undergone bilateral oophorectomy because of gynaecological cancer. On the basis of collected data, derived from meta-analysis, and studies which have been published within the last 20 years, it seems that the use of the appropriate type of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in properly selected gynaecological cancer survivors (epithelial ovarian cancer - EOC, endometrial cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix) is safe and effective. It seems that benefits connected with better quality of life that stem from the use of appropriate HRT in gynaecological cancer survivors predominate the unfounded fear of disease recurrence in selected patients' groups.

Feasibility of Risk Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy at the Time of Abdominal Surgery for Correction of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence

Objective

The objective of this study is to assess the perioperative outcomes when prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is performed concomitantly with surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent abdominal surgery for the correction of POP and/or SUI with or without concomitant BSO at a tertiary care center. The primary outcome measures were postsurgery length of hospitalization, estimated blood loss, and 30-day readmission rate. The secondary outcome measure was detection of ovarian cancer precursor lesions.

Results

We identified 734 patients who had surgery for POP and/or SUI. The control group contained 385 patients, and the BSO group contained 349 patients. There was no difference between the control and BSO groups in the postsurgery length of stay (LOS) (35.2 h vs. 34.1 h; P = 0.49), and all-cause 30-day readmission rate (14.2% vs. 11.6%; P = 0.3085). However, there was decreased blood loss (40.8 ml vs. 67.2 ml, P < 0.0001) in the BSO group compared to the control group. Sub-analysis of primary outcomes in postmenopausal women (age > 55) showed decreased postsurgery LOS (33.4 h vs. 37.4 h; P = 0.0208) and decreased blood loss (35.9 ml vs. 82.7 ml; P < 0.0001) in the BSO group compared to control.

Conclusion

Secondary to the lack of additional complications, we recommend surgeons give more consideration to finding appropriate candidates for a risk reducing BSO at time of abdominal surgery to repair POP or SUI.

Unnecessary bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy and potential for ovarian preservation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate predictors of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at hysterectomy and determine rate of unnecessary bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

METHODS

Retrospective review of hysterectomies at six Ontario, Canada hospitals from July 2016 to June 2018. Data was extracted from health records coding and electronic medical records. Of patients with concurrent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, age, preoperative diagnoses, surgical factors (presence of endometriosis/adhesions), and surgeon training (fellowship/no fellowship) were recorded. Chi-square tests compared indicated and nonindicated bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy cases based on preoperative diagnosis. Criteria for unnecessary bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were: age under 51 years, benign preoperative diagnosis, and absence of intraoperative endometriosis and adhesions.

RESULTS

Concurrent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy occurred in 749/2,656 (28%) cases with 509/749 (68%) indicated based on preoperative diagnosis. There was interhospital variation in rate of indicated bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy based on preoperative diagnosis (45.3%-76.9%, χ2P < 0.001). Concurrent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at academic centers was more likely to have preoperative indications versus those at community hospitals (70% vs 63%, OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.97, P = 0.04). BSO performed by fellowship-trained surgeons were more likely to be indicated than those performed by generalists (75% vs 63%, OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.26-2.44, P = 0.001). Of patients without preoperative indications for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, 105/239 (44%) were under 51 years of age, of which 59 (58%) had no intraoperative endometriosis/adhesions. Ovarian preservation may have been reasonable in 8% (59/749).

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy performed by generalists and at community hospitals was less likely to have preoperative indications. Ovarian preservation was potentially possible for 8%.

Risk-stratifying clinicopathologic criteria for ovarian preservation in premenopausal women with early stage low-risk endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To establish the rate of occult ovarian micro-metastases in early stage disease and to provide an eligibility framework for providers to consider ovarian preservation in a patient population with presumed early stage disease.

METHODS

A retrospective review from January 2005 to December 2010 identified women with presumed early stage endometrial cancer from a single institutional database. Inclusion criteria included: (1) FIGO grade 1 endometrioid endometrial cancer on endometrial biopsy; or (2) the same pathology as (1) on frozen section specimen with less than 50% myometrial biopsy; and (3) no evidence of metastatic disease on preoperative imaging or visible metastatic disease in the peritoneal cavity.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients, 86.5% were diagnosed with stage IA and 11.5% were diagnosed with stage II disease. One patient (1.9%) had microscopic adnexal involvement in a fallopian tube, which upstaged her to stage IIA disease. None of the patients had ovarian involvement.

CONCLUSION

Preservation of the ovaries appears to be a safe and viable option for premenopausal women who are diagnosed with presumed early stage endometrioid endometrial cancer. It is believed that ovarian preservation in this select population will provide them with significant health benefits and improve their quality of life.

Função sexual e incontinência urinária por esforço em mulheres submetidas à histerectomia total com ooforectomia bilateral

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar o índice de função sexual de mulheres submetidas à histerectomia total com ooforectomia bilateral (HT-OB), a prevalência de incontinência urinária por esforço (IUE) e sua associação com a realização desse procedimento cirúrgico em um hospital de referência em Belém (PA). Foram incluídas 162 mulheres, com vida sexual ativa, alocadas em dois grupos: aquelas que realizaram HT-OB em período superior a 12 meses (n=68), e aquelas que não realizaram (n=94). Utilizou-se o questionário female sexual function index (FSFI) para avaliação da função sexual, e um questionário desenvolvido pelos pesquisadores para coletar dados sociais, econômicos e clínicos, incluindo informações quanto à presença de IUE. O valor de significância foi definido como p<0,05. Houve diferença significativa no índice de função sexual entre o grupo HT-OB e o grupo-controle, com escore geral do FSFI de 23,56 e 28,68, respectivamente (p=0,0001). Os domínios desejo, excitação, lubrificação (p<0,0001), orgasmo (p=0,04), satisfação (p=0,0006) e dor (p=0,015) apresentaram escores inferiores em mulheres histerectomizadas. A prevalência de sintomas de IUE no grupo HT-OB foi de 35,3%, sendo observada associação significativa entre a presença desses sintomas e a realização da histerectomia (p=0,02). Mulheres que realizam HT-OB têm maior risco de disfunção sexual, e este procedimento cirúrgico é associado ao desenvolvimento de IUE.

Effectiveness of a Multi-Dimensional Group Counseling Program Based on the GATHER Approach on the Quality of Life in Surgically Menopausal Women

OBJECTIVES

Surgical menopause can influence women's quality of life in many aspects. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a multi-dimensional group counseling program based on the great clients, ask clients, tell clients, help clients, explain how to use, return for follow up (GATHER) approach, on quality of life in the surgically menopausal women.

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial was conducted using two groups. The study comprised 78 women meeting inclusion criteria who had visited 4 healthcare centers in Tehran from December 2017 to September 2018. The participants were selected through simple random sampling (39 in each group). The intervention group underwent 6 consecutive weekly group counseling sessions based on GATHER approach, whereas the control group received no interventions. Data were collected using the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire at 4 time-points (i.e., baseline, immediately after the intervention, 1 month after the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention).

RESULTS

The trend of changes at four time-points obtained on the basis of repeated measures test results showed significant betweengroup differences in vasomotor (P = 0.001), psychosocial (P = 0.025), and physical (P = 0.001) domains. Friedman test showed significant between-group differences in the mean score trend of changes at 4 time-points in sexual (P = 0.002) and overall quality of life (P = 0.004) domains.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the study results, implementation of this approach with less expenditure in healthcare centers aimed at improving quality of life in surgically menopausal women is highly recommended.

Surgically Induced Menopause-A Practical Review of Literature

Menopause can occur spontaneously (natural menopause) or it can be surgically induced by oophorectomy. The symptoms and complications related to menopause differ from one patient to another. We aimed to review the similarities and differences between natural and surgically induced menopause by analyzing the available data in literature regarding surgically induced menopause and the current guidelines and recommendations, the advantages of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in low and high risk patients, the effects of surgically induced menopause and to analyze the factors involved in decision making.

Risk of female sexual dysfunction following concussion in women of reproductive age

Objectives: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has frequently been associated with changes in sexual functioning. The TBI and sexuality literature, however, has limited generalizability to concussed females, who often use the emergency department (ED) as their first line of care after head injury. Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of concussions on female sexual functioning. Secondary Objective: Secondarily, we evaluated if concussed women with sexual dysfunction also report more post-concussion symptoms (PCS) and/or mood changes. Research Design: This was a prospective cohort, with outcomes assessed at 6-10 weeks after ED enrollment. Methods and Procedures: Sexual dysfunction was defined as ≤ 45 on the Brain Injury Questionnaire on Sexuality (BIQS). The Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessed PCS and post-injury mood, respectively. Main Outcomes & Results: Eighty-nine eumenorrheic females (8-14 menstrual cycles/year) completed the study; 31(36%) had concussions, and 55(64%) were extremity injured. Concussed women had 70% increased risk of sexual dysfunction (adj.RR:1.70, 95% CI: 1.04,2.76; p = .03) versus extremity injured. Of clinical relevance, concussed women with sexual dysfunction also reported more PCS symptoms (adj.β = 5.5, 95% CI: -6.7,18.2; p = .37) and mood scores (adj.β = 8.0; 95% CI: -0.4, 16.4; p = .06). Conclusions: This study highlights the need for more research and interventions for one of the fastest growing subgroups within the TBI population.

The effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipoic acid on the heart in the ovariectomized rat model of menopause

Menopause occurs as consequence of ovarian senescence that leads to a drop of oestrogen hormone. The decreased oestrogen levels combined with the impairment of the redox system may contribute to the increased risk of postmenopausal cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with antioxidants may be an alternative to reduce cardiovascular risk. The study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and α-lipoic acid (LA) for a period of 16 weeks on oxidative stress biomarkers in the hearts of ovariectomized 3-month-old rats. Ovariectomy did not increase the level of the damage markers malondialdehyde and carbonyl, and both were decreased by LA supplementation. Ovariectomy increased the levels of the endogenous antioxidants glutathione, vitamin C and H₂O₂ consumption, after restoration by DHA, EPA, and LA supplementation. Vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase are not altered by ovariectomy. Lipid and protein damage are not increased after ovariectomy and a portion of the endogenous antioxidants concomitantly increased, suggesting that hearts may be protected by these antioxidants. DHA, EPA, and LA restored these endogenous antioxidants, showing that all evaluated supplements are effective in modulating the antioxidant redox system in the heart. LA showed additional effect on redox markers, decreasing lipid and protein damage markers.

Role of GPER in the anterior pituitary gland focusing on lactotroph function

Ovarian steroids control a variety of physiological functions. They exert actions through classical nuclear steroid receptors, but rapid non-genomic actions through specific membrane steroid receptors have been also described. In this study, we demonstrate that the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is expressed in the rat pituitary gland and, at a high level, in the lactotroph population. Our results revealed that ~40% of the anterior pituitary cells are GPER positive and ~35% of the lactotrophs are GPER positive. By immunocytochemical and immuno-electron-microscopy studies, we demonstrated that GPER is localized in the plasmatic membrane but is also associated to the endoplasmic reticulum in rat lactotrophs. Moreover, we found that local Gper expression is regulated negatively by 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) and fluctuates during the estrus cycle, being minimal in proestrus. Interestingly, lack of ovarian steroids after an ovariectomy (OVX) significantly increased pituitary GPER expression specifically in the three morphologically different subtypes of lactotrophs. We found a rapid estradiol stimulatory effect on PRL secretion mediated by GPER, both in vitro and ex vivo, using a GPER agonist G1, and this effect was prevented by the GPER antagonist G36, demonstrating a novel role for this receptor. Then, the increased pituitary GPER expression after OVX could lead to alterations in the pituitary function as all three lactotroph subtypes are target of GPER ligand and could be involved in the PRL secretion mediated by GPER. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration in the response of the gland to an eventual hormone replacement therapy.

Circulating androgen levels before and after oophorectomy in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effect of oophorectomy on baseline serum levels of androgens and estrogens in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Fourteen premenopausal and 10 postmenopausal women underwent total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy for benign disease of the uterus. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol-17β-glucuronide (3α-diol G), estrone (E₁), estradiol (E₂), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by highly specific immunoassays prior to surgery and 2 weeks afterward. Free T and free E₂ were calculated. Differences were determined between preoperative (preop) and postoperative (postop) samples, and between premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

RESULTS

In premenopausal women, postop levels of total and free T, DHT, and total and free E₂ decreased significantly from preop. Postop levels of DHEAS, A, 3α-diol G, and SHBG were decreased, but not significantly different from preop. In postmenopausal women, postop levels of total and free T and total and free E₂ decreased significantly from preop, but there was little change in the other compounds. Significant differences in the mean change from baseline between premenopausal and postmenopausal women were observed only for E₁ and total and free E₂.

CONCLUSION

The significant decrease in serum T in postmenopausal women following oophorectomy adds to the evidence that the postmenopausal ovary continues to produce T.

Using the Health Belief Model to explore why women decide for or against the removal of their ovaries to reduce their risk of developing cancer

BACKGROUND

Women at an increased risk of ovarian cancer often have to decide for or against the surgical removal of their healthy ovaries to reduce their cancer risk. This decision can be extremely difficult. Despite this, there is a lack of guidance on how to best support women in making this decision. Research that is guided by theoretical frameworks is needed to help inform clinical practice. We explored the decision-making process of women who are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and had to decide for or against the removal of their ovaries.

METHODS

A qualitative study of 18 semi-structured interviews with women who have attended a cancer treatment centre or cancer counselling and information service in New South Wales, Australia. Data collection and analysis were informed by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The paper describes women's decision making with the help of the four constructs of the HBM: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. The more anxious and susceptible women felt about getting ovarian cancer, the more likely they were to have an oophorectomy. Women's anxiety was often fuelled by witnessing family members suffer or die from cancer. Women considered a number of barriers and potential benefits to having the surgery but based their decision on "gut feeling" and experiential factors, rather than statistical risk assessment. Age, menopausal status and family commitments seemed to influence but not determine women's decisions on oophorectomy. Women reported a lack of decision support and appreciated if their doctor explained their treatment choice, provided personalised information, involved their general practitioner in the decision-making process and offered a second consultation to follow-up on any questions women might have.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that deciding on whether to have an oophorectomy is a highly personal decision which can be described with the help of the HBM. The results also highlight the need for tailored decision support which could help improve doctor-patient-communication and patient-centred care related to risk reducing surgery in women at an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Surgical prevention strategies in ovarian cancer

Given the current lack of effective screening for ovarian cancer, surgical removal of at-risk tissue is the most successful strategy to decrease risk of cancer development. However, the optimal timing of surgery and tissues to remove, as well as the appropriate patients to undergo preventive procedures are poorly understood. In this review, we first discuss the origin and precursors of ovarian epithelial carcinomas, focusing on high-grade serous carcinomas and endometriosis-associated carcinomas, which cause the majority of the mortality and incidence of ovarian cancer. In addition, we summarize the implications of current understanding of specific pathogenic origins for surgical prevention and remaining gaps in knowledge. Secondly, we review evidence from the epidemiologic literature on the associations of various surgical prevention strategies, including endometriosis excision, tubal procedures, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with risk of future ovarian cancer development, as well as the short- and long-term consequences of these strategies on women's health and quality and life. We conclude with recommendations for surgical prevention in women with high-risk genetic mutations and average-risk women, and a brief discussion of ongoing research that will help clarify optimal surgical approaches that balance risk-reduction with maintenance of women's quality of life.

Change in sexual functioning over the menopausal transition: results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify whether there is a decline in sexual functioning related to the menopausal transition or to hysterectomy.

METHODS

In a cohort of 1,390 women aged 42 to 52, with intact uterus and at least one ovary, not using hormone therapy, and pre- or early perimenopausal at baseline, we fit piecewise linear growth curves to 5,798 repeated measurements (seven visits spanning 14.5 y) of a sexual functioning score (range, 5-25) as a function of time relative to date of final menstrual period (FMP) or hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Mean sexual functioning at baseline in women with a dateable FMP was 18.0 (SD, 3.4). There was no change in sexual function until 20 months before the FMP. From 20 months before until 1 year after the FMP, sexual function decreased by 0.35 annually (95% CI, -0.44 to -0.26) and continued to decline more than 1 year after the FMP, but at a slower rate (-0.13 annually, 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.10). The decline was smaller in African Americans and larger in Japanese than whites. Vaginal dryness, lubricant use, depressive symptoms, or anxiety did not explain decline in sexual function. Women who had a hysterectomy before the FMP did not show a decline in sexual function before hysterectomy, but scores declined afterward (0.21 annually, 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Decline in sexual function became apparent 20 months before FMP and slowed 1 year after FMP through 5 years afterward. A decline in sexual function was observed immediately after hysterectomy and persisted for the 5 years of observation.

Bilateral ovarian micrometastatic adenocarcinoma upon prophylactic oophorectomy concurrent with low anterior resection for rectal cancer

Background

This case report draws attention to the debated role of prophylactic oophorectomy in women undergoing definitive surgical resection of colon and rectal cancers. It can be challenging to discern the indications and appropriate patient population for this procedure based on the current literature. Potential benefits include treatment and prevention of metastatic disease, preventing development of primary ovarian cancer, and prolonging survival. Negative effects include an increase in operative time and potential morbidity, development of osteoporosis, the risk of cardiac events, and decreasing sexual function. Multiple patient factors such as age, menopausal status, patient preference, presence of hereditary conditions, exposure to radiation, site, and stage of disease should be considered.

Case presentation

We present a case in which a premenopausal 49-year-old female underwent a prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy concurrently with a low anterior resection following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for clinical stage III rectal cancer. On pathologic examination, resection margins and all 14 lymph nodes harvested were negative for malignancy. Interestingly, she was found to have micrometastatic adenocarcinoma in the bilateral ovaries which had appeared grossly normal at the time of surgery.

Conclusions

After consideration of the current literature, patient preference, and our clinical judgment, our patient ultimately had a therapeutic effect after undergoing prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy concurrently with a low anterior resection for rectal cancer. The addition of prophylactic oophorectomy in a select population, specifically women 50 years of age or younger and/or women who are in the premenopausal state, may carry a survival benefit in the setting of definitive surgical resection of colon and rectal cancers.

Ovarian Sex Hormones Modulate Compulsive, Affective and Cognitive Functions in A Non-Induced Mouse Model of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

There is currently a lack of understanding of how surgical menopause can influence obsessions, compulsions and associated affective and cognitive functions in female obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients. Early menopause in women due to surgical removal of ovaries not only causes dramatic hormonal changes, but also may induce affective and cognitive disorders. Here, we tested if surgical removal of ovaries (ovariectomy, OVX), which mimics surgical menopause in humans, would result in exacerbation of compulsive, affective and cognitive behaviors in mice strains that exhibit a spontaneous compulsive-like phenotype. Female mice from compulsive-like BIG, non-compulsive SMALL and randomly-bred Control strains were subjected to OVX or sham-surgery. After 7 days animals were tested for nest building and marble burying to measure compulsive-like behavior. The elevated plus maze and open field tests measured anxiety-like behaviors, while memory was assessed by the novel object recognition. Acute OVX resulted in exacerbation of compulsive-like and anxiety-like behaviors in compulsive-like BIG mice. No significant effects of OVX were observed for the non-compulsive SMALL and Control strains. Object recognition memory was impaired in compulsive-like BIG female mice compared to the Control mice, without an effect of OVX on the BIG mice. We also tested whether 17 β-estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4) could reverse the effects of OVX. E2, but not P4, attenuated the compulsive-like behaviors in compulsive-like BIG OVX female mice. The actions of the sex steroids on anxiety-like behaviors in OVX females were strain and behavioral test dependent. Altogether, our results indicate that already existing compulsions can be worsened during acute ovarian deprivation concomitant with exacerbation of affective behaviors and responses to hormonal intervention in OVX female mice can be influenced by genetic background.

Hospital Variation in the Practice of Bilateral Salpingectomy With Ovarian Conservation in 2012

OBJECTIVE

To examine hospital variation in the practice of bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation at the time of benign hysterectomy.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2012 National Inpatient Sample. We identified hospitalizations for benign, nonobstetric hysterectomy in adult women and excluded women who had elevated risk for ovarian cancer or a subsequent operation of the ovary. Of the remaining sample, we calculated the rate of bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation for each hospital and conducted multivariable regression analysis to identify factors associated with a hospital's practice of this procedure.

RESULTS

There were 63,306 hospitalizations for hysterectomy, and 20,635 were for adult women at low risk for ovarian cancer or subsequent ovarian surgery. Among these low-risk women, only 5.9% (95% confidence interval 5.4-6.5%) received bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation. The rate varied markedly across 744 hospitals in the United States ranging from 0% to 72.2%. At 376 of the hospitals (50.5%), no low-risk women received bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation. When categorizing hospitals into tertiles based on the proportion of their hysterectomies performed laparoscopically, hospitals in the highest tertile were more likely to have low-risk patients undergoing bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation than those in the lowest tertile (adjusted odds ratio 2.343, P=.02). Geographic region, hysterectomy volume, and proportion of white patients were also significantly associated with a hospital's likelihood of having low-risk patients undergoing this procedure.

CONCLUSION

The rate of bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation was low in low-risk women undergoing benign hysterectomies. Hospitals varied widely in their practice.

Emotional and sexual concerns in women undergoing pelvic surgery and associated treatment for gynecologic cancer

The surgical management of gynecologic cancer can cause short- and long-term effects on sexuality, emotional well being, reproductive function, and overall quality of life (QoL). Fortunately, innovative approaches developed over the past several decades have improved oncologic outcomes and reduced treatment sequelae; however, these side effects of treatment are still prevalent. In this article, we provide an overview of the various standard-of-care pelvic surgeries and multimodality cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) by anatomic site and highlight the potential emotional and sexual consequences that can influence cancer survivorship and QoL. Potential screening tools that can be used in clinical practice to identify some of these concerns and treatment side effects and possible solutions are also provided. These screening tools include brief assessments that can be used in the clinical care setting to assist in the identification of problematic issues throughout the continuum of care. This optimizes quality of care, and ultimately, QoL in these women. Prospective clinical trials with gynecologic oncology populations should include patient-reported outcomes to identify subgroups at risk for difficulties during and following treatment for early intervention.

Advances in tumor screening, imaging, and avatar technologies for high-grade serous ovarian cancer

The majority of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma cases are detected in advanced stages when treatment options are limited. Surgery is less effective at eradicating the disease when it is widespread, resulting in high rates of disease relapse and chemoresistance. Current screening techniques are ineffective for early tumor detection and consequently, BRCA mutations carriers, with an increased risk for developing high-grade serous ovarian cancer, elect to undergo risk-reducing surgery. While prophylactic surgery is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cancer development, it also results in surgical menopause and significant adverse side effects. The development of efficient early-stage screening protocols and imaging technologies is critical to improving the outcome and quality of life for current patients and women at increased risk. In addition, more accurate animal models are necessary in order to provide relevant in vivo testing systems and advance our understanding of the disease origin and progression. Moreover, both genetically engineered and tumor xenograft animal models enable the preclinical testing of novel imaging techniques and molecularly targeted therapies as they become available. Recent advances in xenograft technologies have made possible the creation of avatar mice, personalized tumorgrafts, which can be used as therapy testing surrogates for individual patients prior to or during treatment. High-grade serous ovarian cancer may be an ideal candidate for use with avatar models based on key characteristics of the tumorgraft platform. This review explores multiple strategies, including novel imaging and screening technologies in both patients and animal models, aimed at detecting cancer in the early-stages and improving the disease prognosis.

Effects of Hysterectomy on Sexual Function

Hysterectomy remains the most common major gynecological surgery. Postoperative sexual function is a concern for many women and their partners. In this respect, a beneficial effect of hysterectomy for benign disease independent of surgical techniques or removal of the cervix has been demonstrated in the past decade by the majority of studies. For about 20 % of women, deteriorated sexual function has been reported and current research is attempting to identify mechanisms and predictive factors explaining these postoperative changes. Alternative treatments of benign uterine disorders or uterus preserving surgery for genital prolapse appeared to have similar outcomes in terms of sexual function. Concomitant oophorectomy had negative effects on sexual function and long-term health, particularly in premenopausal women. This may not be reversed by estrogen replacement. Hysterectomy performed for malignancy had a detrimental effect on sexual function. Individualized risk assessment and information should be aimed at during preoperative decision making.