Impact of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy on lipid determinants, HbA1c and CRP

OBJECTIVE

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is advised before 40-45 years of age for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. This study describes the effect of RRSO on lipid determinants, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

METHODS

A total of 142 women with increased risk of ovarian cancer were included, 92 premenopausal and 50 postmenopausal. Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and total cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c and CRP were determined at three points in time: before (T0) and 6 weeks (T1) and 7 months (T2) following RRSO. The Hot Flush Rating Scale was administered at the same time points.

RESULTS

In premenopausal women, levels of HDL-cholesterol, the cholesterol ratio and HBA1c increased significantly over time, although still staying within the reference range. In this group, hot flushes increased over time (p < 0.001). In postmenopausal women, no significant changes were observed following RRSO. At T2, serum LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c and CRP were significantly lower in premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women, whereas HDL was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven months after RRSO, the lipid profile in premenopausal women had changed, although still staying within the reference range. For postmenopausal women, we did not observe any significant changes. Our results do not suggest a worsening of cardiovascular risk within 7 months of RRSO.

Clinical outcomes of pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancies

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze morbidity and survival after pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancies and evaluate prognostic factors influencing postoperative outcome.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent a pelvic exenteration at the departments of gynecologic oncology of three tertiary care centers in the Netherlands, the Leiden University Medical Centre, the Amsterdam University Medical Centre, and the Netherlands Cancer Institute, during a 20-year period. We determined postoperative morbidity, 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and 2- and 5-year progression free survival (PFS), and investigated parameters influencing these outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients were included. The most common primary tumor was cervical cancer (n = 39, 43.3%). We observed at least one complication in 83 patients (92%). Major complications were seen in 55 patients (61%). Irradiated patients had a higher risk of developing a major complication. Sixty-two (68.9%) required ≥1 readmission. Re-operation was required in 40 patients (44.4%). Median OS was 25 months and median PFS was 14 months. The 2-year OS rate was 51.1% and the 2-year PFS rate was 41.5%. Tumor size, resection margins and pelvic sidewall involvement had a negative impact on OS (HR = 2.159, HR = 2.376, and HR = 1.200, respectively). Positive resection margins and pelvic sidewall involvement resulted in decreased PFS (HR = 2.567 and HR = 3.969, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative complications after pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancies are common, especially in irradiated patients. In this study, a 2-year OS rate of 51.1% was observed. Positive resections margins, tumor size, and pelvic sidewall involvement were related to poor survival outcomes. Adequate selection of patients who will benefit from pelvic exenteration is important.

Screening for intra-anal squamous intra-epithelial lesions in women with a history of human papillomavirus-related vulvar or perianal disease: results of a screening protocol

AIM

Women with a history of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical, vaginal or vulvar high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (HSILs) or cancer are at increased risk of developing anal squamous intra-epithelial lesions (SILs) or a squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA). Screening for intra-anal SILs with high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) in high-risk populations is a subject of debate. In this study we aimed to answer the following question: what is the prevalence of intra-anal (H)SIL in women with HPV-related vulvar and/or perianal disease using HRA for screening?

METHOD

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of intra-anal (H)SIL in women with a history of vulvar and/or perianal HSIL or (superficially invasive) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study was performed between 2015 and 2018 following implementation of a protocol for intra-anal screening using HRA.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients, 10 with a history of (superficially invasive) SCC (four vulvar, five perianal, one multizonal) and 17 with HSIL as the worst diagnosis (two perianal, 15 multizonal) were screened for intra-anal lesions using HRA. No anal cancer was found at screening, 6 (22%) patients were diagnosed with intra-anal HSIL and 12 (44%) patients with intra-anal low-grade SIL.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high prevalence of intra-anal HSIL in women previously diagnosed with vulvar and perianal HSIL. Given the clear link between HSIL and SCCA, screening for intra-anal lesions in women with HPV-related genital pathology seems warranted. Future studies should focus on the effect of HSIL treatment on the prevention of anal cancer.

Effects and moderators of coping skills training on symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer: Aggregate data and individual patient data meta-analyses

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the effects of coping skills training (CST) on symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and investigated moderators of the effects.

METHODS

Overall effects and intervention-related moderators were studied in meta-analyses of pooled aggregate data from 38 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Patient-related moderators were examined using linear mixed-effect models with interaction tests on pooled individual patient data (n = 1953) from 15 of the RCTs.

RESULTS

CST had a statistically significant but small effect on depression (g = -0.31,95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.40;-0.22) and anxiety (g = -0.32,95%CI = -0.41;-0.24) symptoms. Effects on depression symptoms were significantly larger for interventions delivered face-to-face (p = .003), led by a psychologist (p = .02) and targeted to patients with psychological distress (p = .002). Significantly larger reductions in anxiety symptoms were found in younger patients (p_interaction < 0.025), with the largest reductions in patients <50 years (β = -0.31,95%CI = -0.44;-0.18) and no significant effects in patients ≥70 years. Effects of CST on depression (β = -0.16,95%CI = -0.25;-0.07) and anxiety (β = -0.24,95%CI = -0.33;-0.14) symptoms were significant in patients who received chemotherapy but not in patients who did not (p_interaction < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CST significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and particularly when delivered face-to-face, provided by a psychologist, targeted to patients with psychological distress, and given to patients who were younger and received chemotherapy.

Safety of hormone replacement therapy following risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy: systematic review of literature and guidelines

Background: Women at high risk to develop ovarian cancer opt for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) to reduce the risk by 80-96%. RRSO leads to a direct onset of menopause in premenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to mitigate menopausal symptoms after RRSO. However, it is unclear whether HRT in these women is safe in terms of breast cancer (BC) risk. Methods: We performed a literature search and investigated national guidelines on the use of HRT following RRSO in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. We analyzed differences and similarities between the guidelines and describe what these guidelines were based upon. Results: Seven articles regarding HRT following RRSO in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers were identified. None of the included studies yielded any evidence that short-term use of HRT following RRSO increases the risk of developing BC or negates the protective effect of RRSO in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers without a personal history of BC. Eleven national guidelines were found and described. Conclusion: Short-term use of HRT after RRSO seems to be safe. The literature is more favorable toward estrogen alone. The ideal dosage and duration of use are unknown and remain to be investigated in future studies.

Does anti-Müllerian hormone predict change in menopausal symptoms following risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy? A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) predicts symptom burden after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in order to individualize counseling.

METHODS

Patient-reported menopausal symptoms, sexual functioning, and psychological distress (depression and anxiety) were assessed 1 day before (T0) and 6 weeks (T1) and 7 months (T2) after RRSO. AMH was assessed before RRSO. Multivariable regression analysis was used to investigate the association between AMH and short-term and long-term change in symptom burden following RRSO.

RESULTS

Ninety-one premenopausal women at high risk of ovarian cancer were included. Presurgical AMH was not related significantly to change in symptoms post RRSO. As a secondary outcome we found that regular menses before RRSO was associated specifically with long-term increase in hot flushes (sr = 0.40, p = 0.001; total R² = 0.171) and depression (sr = 0.29, p = 0.012; total R² = 0.132). Earlier receipt of chemotherapy was associated with long-term improvement in sexual functioning (sr = 0.24, p = 0.041; total R² = 0.348).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, AMH was not a significant predictor of change in symptoms following RRSO. Regular menses prior to RRSO and earlier receipt of chemotherapy were significantly, but relatively weakly, associated with changes in outcomes 6 weeks and/or 7 months after RRSO.

Characteristics of Lynch syndrome associated ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To describe clinical characteristics of Lynch syndrome associated ovarian cancer and the efficacy of surveillance in the early detection of these ovarian cancers.

METHODS

All Lynch syndrome associated ovarian cancer cases identified in either the Dutch Lynch syndrome registry (DLSR) between 1987 and 2016, and/or the cohort at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) between 1993 and 2016 were included. Clinical data on age at diagnosis, mutation type, histological type, FIGO stage, treatment, follow-up and gynecological surveillance were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 46/798 (6%) women in the DLSR and 7/80 (9%) in the UMCG cohort were identified as LS associated ovarian cancer patients. The median age at ovarian cancer diagnosis was 46.0 years (range 20-75 years). The most frequently reported histological type was endometrioid adenocarcinoma (40%; n = 21) and serous carcinoma (36%; n = 19). Most tumors (87%; n = 46) were detected at an early stage (FIGO I/II). Forty-one of 53 (77%) patients were diagnosed with ovarian cancer before LS was diagnosed. In the other 12/53 (23%) women, ovarian cancer developed after starting annual gynecological surveillance for LS; three ovarian cancers were screen-detected in asymptomatic women. Overall survival was 83%.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian cancer in women with LS has a wide age-range of onset, is usually diagnosed at an early stage with predominantly endometrioid type histology and a good overall survival. The early stage at diagnosis could not be attributed to annual gynecological surveillance.

Effects and moderators of psychosocial interventions on quality of life, and emotional and social function in patients with cancer: An individual patient data meta-analysis of 22 RCTs

Objective

This individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions (PSI) on quality of life (QoL), emotional function (EF), and social function (SF) in patients with cancer, and to study moderator effects of demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention‐related characteristics.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified via literature searches in 4 databases. We pooled IPD from 22 (n = 4217) of 61 eligible randomized controlled trials. Linear mixed‐effect model analyses were used to study intervention effects on the post‐intervention values of QoL, EF, and SF (z‐scores), adjusting for baseline values, age, and cancer type. We studied moderator effects by testing interactions with the intervention for demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention‐related characteristics, and conducted subsequent stratified analyses for significant moderator variables.Results: PSI significantly improved QoL (β = 0.14,95%CI = 0.06;0.21), EF (β = 0.13,95%CI = 0.05;0.20), and SF (β = 0.10,95%CI = 0.03;0.18). Significant differences in effects of different types of PSI were found, with largest effects of psychotherapy. The effects of coping skills training were moderated by age, treatment type, and targeted interventions. Effects of psychotherapy on EF may be moderated by cancer type, but these analyses were based on 2 randomized controlled trials with small sample sizes of some cancer types.

Conclusions

PSI significantly improved QoL, EF, and SF, with small overall effects. However, the effects differed by several demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention‐related characteristics. Our study highlights the beneficial effects of coping skills training in patients treated with chemotherapy, the importance of targeted interventions, and the need of developing interventions tailored to the specific needs of elderly patients.

Abstract P6-12-06: Effect and moderators of exercise on fatigue in patients with breast cancer: Meta-analysis of individual patient data

Background - Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling complaints in patients with breast cancer and can effectively be reduced by physical exercise, with small to moderate effect sizes. To identify heterogeneity in responses to exercise and to further personalize exercise prescriptions, moderators of exercise effects on fatigue should be investigated. However, most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are not adequately powered for such analyses. Therefore we conducted meta-analyses using the individual patient data of several exercise RCTs. The aim is to investigate the effect and moderators of physical exercise on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer.

Methods - Within the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) consortium, principal investigators of 34 exercise RCTs worldwide have shared their individual patient data. Twenty-two of these RCTs included patients with breast cancer with a total sample size of 3,061. Different questionnaires to assess level of fatigue were used, which was acknowledged by using z-scores in the analysis. A one-step individual patient data meta-analysis, using a linear mixed-effect model adjusted for baseline fatigue, with a random intercept on study (to account for study clustering) was undertaken to investigate effect of exercise on fatigue. The result, a between-group difference in z-scores, corresponds to a Cohen's d effect size. An interaction term was included in the model to assess potential moderators including demographic (age, marital status, education), clinical (body mass index, presence of distant metastasis), intervention-related (intervention timing, delivery mode and duration), and exercise-related (exercise type, frequency, intensity, duration) characteristics.

Results – Exercise significantly reduced fatigue reported by women with breast cancer (β= -0.15, 95% CI -0.21;-0.09). This effect did not differ significantly between patients with different demographic and clinical characteristics (p-valuesinteraction &gt;0.05). Also, neither timing (during or post-treatment) and duration of the intervention, nor exercise-related factors moderated intervention effects on fatigue. Supervised exercise had significantly larger effects on fatigue than unsupervised exercise (βdifference= -0.17, 95%CI -0.28;-0.05). Compared to the control group, supervised exercise significantly improved fatigue (β = -0.21, 95%CI = -0.28;-0.14), while unsupervised exercise did not (β = -0.04, 95%CI = -0.14;0.06).

Conclusion – Exercise significantly reduces fatigue in patients with breast cancer across subgroups formed on the basis of age, marital status, education level, body mass index, and presence of distant metastasis. The effect of exercise is significantly larger when performed under supervision. Hence, exercise, and preferably supervised exercise, represents a viable intervention for the prevention and treatment of fatigue among patients with breast cancer.

Citation Format: van Vulpen JK, Sweegers MG, Kalter J, Peeters PH, Courneya KS, Newton RU, Aaronson NK, Jacobsen PB, Steindorf K, Stuiver MM, Hayes S, Mesters I, Knoop H, Goedendorp M, Mutrie N, Thorsen L, Schmidt M, Sonke GS, Bohus M, James EL, Oldenburg HS, Velthuis MJ, Nollet F, Wenzel J, Wiskemann J, Galvão DA, Chinapaw MJ, Irwin ML, Griffith KA, van Weert E, Daley AJ, McConnachie A, Schulz K-H, Short CE, Plotnikoff RC, Potthoff K, van Beurden M, van Harten WH, Schmitz KH, Winters-Stone KM, Taaffe DR, van Mechelen W, Kersten M-J, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Brug J, Buffart LM, May AM. Effect and moderators of exercise on fatigue in patients with breast cancer: Meta-analysis of individual patient data [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-12-06.

Impact of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in premenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

To describe implications of premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) on quality of life, endocrine symptoms, sexual function, osteoporosis, cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome, cognitive impairment and safety of hormone replacement therapy.

METHODS

We searched the following electronic databases: The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and MEDLINE. We selected controlled and uncontrolled trials of premenopausal women undergoing RRSO. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion. Reference lists of included reports were searched manually for additional studies.

RESULTS

Surgical menopause leads to more menopausal complaints and sexual dysfunction than natural menopause. Overall quality of life is not affected by surgery. In the limited literature, there is no evidence that RRSO leads to more osteopenia in comparison with natural menopause at a young age. Cohort studies show a slight impaired cardiovascular health. Cognitive function decreases later in life in premenopausal oophorectomized women. Short-term hormone replacement therapy seems to decline postmenopausal complaints and does not seem to increase the risk for breast carcinoma in mutation carriers without a personal history of breast carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions of this systematic review are limited by the absence of randomized, controlled trials. There is growing evidence from observational studies that RRSO may impact negatively on all-cause non-survival endpoints.

No evidence of benefit from class-II compression stockings in the prevention of lower-limb lymphedema after inguinal lymph node dissection: results of a randomized controlled trial

Graduated compression stockings have been advocated for prevention of lymphedema after inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) although scientific evidence of their efficacy in preventing lymphedema is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of class II compression stockings for the prevention of lymphedema in cancer patients following ILND. Secondary objectives were to investigate the influence of stockings on the occurrence of wound complications and genital edema, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and body image. Eighty patients (45 with melanoma, 35 with urogenital tumors) who underwent ILND at two specialized cancer centers were randomly allocated to class II compression stocking use for six months or to a usual care control group. Lymphedema of the leg and genital area, wound complications, HRQoL, and body image were assessed at regular intervals prior to and up to 12 months after ILND. No significant differences were observed between groups in the incidence of edema, median time to the occurrence of edema, incidence of genital edema, frequency of complications, HRQoL, or body image. Based on the results of the current study, routine prescription of class II graduated compression stockings after ILND should be questioned and alternative prevention strategies should be considered.

Outcome of BRCA1- compared with BRCA2-associated ovarian cancer: a nationwide study in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggested an improved overall survival (OS) for BRCA2- versus BRCA1-associated epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), whereas the impact of chemotherapy is not yet clear. In a nationwide cohort, we examined the results of primary treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), treatment-free interval (TFI), and OS of BRCA1 versus BRCA2 EOC patients.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty-five BRCA1- and 99 BRCA2-associated EOC patients were identified through all Dutch university hospitals. Analyses were carried out with the Pearson's Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression methods.

RESULTS

BRCA1 patients were younger at EOC diagnosis than BRCA2 patients (51 versus 55 years; P < 0.001), without differences regarding histology, tumor grade, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage. Complete response rates after primary treatment, including chemotherapy, did not differ between BRCA1 (86%) and BRCA2 patients (90%). BRCA1 versus BRCA2 patients had a shorter PFS (median 2.2 versus 3.9 years, respectively; P = 0.006), TFI (median 1.7 versus 2.8 years; P = 0.009), and OS (median 6.0 versus 9.7 years; P = 0.04). Differences could not be explained by age at diagnosis, FIGO stage or type of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

PFS and OS were substantially longer in BRCA2- than in BRCA1-associated EOC patients. While response rates after primary treatment were similarly high in both groups, TFI, as surrogate for chemosensitivity, was significantly longer in BRCA2 patients.

Characteristics of breast cancer patients who experience menopausal transition due to treatment

OBJECTIVE

To identify patient-related and treatment-related factors associated significantly with climacteric symptoms in young patients who experience menopausal transition due to adjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used questionnaire data collected to screen breast cancer patients for participation in a multicenter trial on the efficacy of supportive interventions for treatment-induced menopausal symptoms. The screening instrument included questions on sociodemographics, menopausal history and current menopausal status and symptoms, treatment history and lifestyle factors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated significantly with two major menopausal symptoms, hot flushes/night sweats and vaginal dryness.

RESULTS

In total, 435 patients were included in this study. Hot flushes/night sweats exhibited a significant, negative association with education and a significant positive association with alcohol consumption, and having been treated with the combination of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Vaginal dryness was positively associated with combined treatment with chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Menopausal symptoms among young breast cancer patients who experience menopausal transition due to adjuvant treatment are associated with a number of sociodemographic, lifestyle and treatment-related factors. Carefully designed interventions to prevent or alleviate these symptoms should take these factors into account.

No efficacy of annual gynaecological screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers; an observational follow-up study

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are offered gynaecological screening with the intention to reduce mortality by detecting ovarian cancer at an early stage. We examined compliance and efficacy of gynaecological screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. In this multicentre, observational, follow-up study we examined medical record data of a consecutive series of 888 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who started annual screening with transvaginal ultrasonography and serum CA125 between 1993 and 2005. The women were annually screened for 75% of their total period of follow-up. Compliance decreased with longer follow-up. Five of the 10 incident cancers were interval tumours, diagnosed in women with a normal screening result within 3–10 months before diagnosis. No difference in stage distribution between incident screen-detected and interval tumours was found. Eight of the 10 incident cancers were stage III/IV (80%). Cancers diagnosed in unscreened family members had a similar stage distribution (77% in stage III/IV). The observed number of cases detected during screening was not significantly higher than expected (Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR): 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 0.7–2.8). For the subgroup that was fully compliant to annual screening, a similar SIR was found (1.6, 95% confidence interval: 0.5–3.6). Despite annual gynaecological screening, a high proportion of ovarian cancers in BRCA1/2 carriers are interval cancers and the large majority of all cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages. Therefore, it is unlikely that annual screening will reduce mortality from ovarian cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

The role of gene expression profiling in the clinical management of ovarian cancer

Several studies have addressed the clinical value of gene expression profiling in the field of ovarian cancer. This paper reviews the current status of knowledge that can be derived from such studies. Gene expression profiles can be used to reveal sets of genes that can distinguish normal ovarian tissue from invasive ovarian carcinomas. Independent validation of these sets may result in the identification of (a set of) markers valuable for the detection in an early stage. Microarray analysis has shown that different histological subtypes of ovarian cancer might be partly reflected by a different aetiology through the deregulation and activation of different pathways. In addition, this heterogeneity could therefore also lead to different tumour behaviours. Worldwide, the combination of paclitaxel and platinum chemotherapy has been incorporated in the standard protocol for the management of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer, although the outcome in individual patients is uncertain. Gene expression profiling was found to be a prognostic tool with respect to chemosensitivity and had a predictive performance of 78-86%. With increasing numbers of data from published reports, access to these data for the reproducibility of its results and pooling becomes more and more important and will possibly lead to more individualisation of therapy.

In the absence of (early) invasive carcinoma, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia associated with lichen sclerosus is mainly of undifferentiated type: new insights in histology and aetiology

BACKGROUND

Differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is presumed to be the precursor of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vulva. It is commonly assumed that differentiated VIN is related to lichen sclerosus (LS). However, evidence for this is limited to a small number of studies describing epithelial alterations adjacent to vulvar SCC.

AIM

To study the histology and human papillomavirus (HPV) status in patients with a history of both LS and VIN without coexistent SCC.

METHODS

Original biopsy specimens and surgical specimens of patients retrieved from the pathology files were revised for the presence of LS, VIN and (early) invasive SCC, specifically focused on the two different types of VIN: differentiated and undifferentiated. Thereafter, VIN lesions were tested for the presence of HPV DNA.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients fulfilled the criteria for LS and VIN without SCC. In all 27 patients, LS was found to be related to undifferentiated VIN. Grading yielded the following results: VIN 1 (n=10), VIN 2 (n=11) and VIN 3 (n=6). Additionally, VIN lesions from 26 patients could be tested for the presence of HPV DNA. HPV DNA, predominantly type 16, was present in 8 (31%) of them. Seven of these eight patients had VIN 2 or 3. During follow-up, three patients progressed to (early) invasive carcinoma. In two of these patients, differentiated VIN was observed overlying early invasive SCC.

CONCLUSIONS

VIN related to LS without coexisting SCC is likely to be undifferentiated, in contrast to what was previously thought. HPV DNA was demonstrated in 31% of the lesions, and was strongly related to high-grade VIN.

CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound monitoring in high-risk women cannot prevent the diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of screening is to identify cases of ovarian cancer in early stages. However, screening of women in the general population is ineffective due to a failure of detecting early-stage disease and high false positive rates of CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) monitoring. The purpose of this study is to evaluate ovarian cancer screening by means of pelvic examination, serum CA125 and TVU in a consecutive series of high-risk women.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected from 132 BRCA1, 20 BRCA2 germ line mutation carriers, 72 members of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) families and 88 breast cancer patients from a hereditary breast cancer (HBC) family, seen between January 1996 and December 2002.

RESULTS

Among 10 women with an elevated CA125 level and a positive TVU, three screening carcinomas (one FIGO stage IC, one stage IIIB and one stage IV) and one interval carcinoma (stage IV) were detected. Five occult ovarian/fallopian tube carcinomas (two stage IA, one stage IC, one stage IIIB and one stage IV) after bilateral prophylactic (salpingo-) oophorectomy (BP(S)O) have been found in 152 women. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of the combination of CA125 and TVU were the highest (40%, 99%, 40% and 99%) followed by CA125 alone (50%, 96%, 13% and 99%), pelvic exam (40%, 98%, 21% and 99%) and TVU, separately (40%, 90%, 6% and 99%).

CONCLUSION

By combining CA125 with TVU results, a PPV of 40% was achieved. However, the diagnostic tools appear to be only sensitive in detecting ovarian cancer at an advanced stage, while three of four tumors with early-stage disease in this series had normal screening tests prior to the diagnosis.

Clinical outcome of prophylactic oophorectomy in BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers and events during follow-up

A retrospective study was performed to assess the histopathologic findings in high-risk women undergoing bilateral prophylactic (salpingo)-oophorectomy. The medical files of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers and members of a hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) family, who had undergone prophylactic surgery, were reviewed. In all, 38 women underwent a bilateral oophorectomy (26 BRCA1, three BRCA2 and nine HBOC, respectively). A total of 90 women underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (58 BRCA1, six BRCA2, one BRCA1 and 2, 25 HBOC, respectively). At the time of salpingo-oophorectomy, five of 58 BRCA1 carriers (8.6%) were diagnosed with an occult carcinoma: two fallopian tube carcinomas, two ovarian carcinomas and one case was defined as a fallopian tube/ovarian carcinoma. No occult carcinomas were found in the other groups. Of the 38 patients, who underwent a bilateral oophorectomy (mean follow-up 45 months), three of 26 BRCA1 mutation carriers (3.4 in 100 women-years) developed peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma (PPSC) during follow-up. So far, no PPSC have occurred in the 90 women, who underwent a salpingo-oophorectomy (mean follow-up 12 months), including 58 BRCA1 carriers (0 in 60 in women-years). These results contribute to the thesis that BRCA1 germline mutation carriers are not only at risk for ovarian cancer, but also for fallopian tube carcinoma and peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma. Our data suggest that PPSC risk among BRCA2 carriers is lower than among BRCA1 carriers.

The contribution of MIB 1 in the accurate grading of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia

AIM

To determine the interobserver variation in scoring presence and grade of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) in haematoxylin/eosin (H/E) slides, MIB 1 slides, and the combined use of H/E and MIB 1 slides.

METHODS

10 slides were stained with H/E and MIB 1 with each of the following diagnoses: normal vulvar skin, VIN 1, VIN 2, and VIN 3. Six observers first scored the H/E slides separately from the MIB 1 slides and second the combined H/E and MIB 1 slides.

RESULTS

Unweighted group kappa for MIB 1 was 0.62 and the weighted group kappa was 0.91. This was significantly better than the unweighted group kappa for H/E slides (0.47, p = 0.023) as well as the weighted group kappa for H/E slides (0.82, p = 0.014). There was no improvement by the combined use of H/E and MIB 1 slides. VIN 2 is far less confused with VIN 3 in the combined use of H/E and MIB 1 slides (9%) than in H/E slides (38%) (p = 0.007). There is a tendency to grade VIN in a two tailed grading system rather than a three tailed grading system, which became more apparent with the combined use of H/E and MIB 1 slides.

CONCLUSIONS

The interobserver variation with sole use of MIB 1 is better than with the use of H/E stain in VIN. The use of MIB 1 in grading VIN diminishes confusion between VIN 2 and VIN 3 fourfold. A two tailed grading system for VIN seems already to work in daily practice.

Human papillomavirus DNA in multicentric vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is associated with multifocality of VIN III and with multicentricity of other neoplastic squamous lesions in the cervix and vagina. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and type of HPV DNA in the lesions of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in patients with VIN III using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV DNA detection and histologic analysis were performed on alternating sections of paraffin-embedded biopsies of concomitant CIN and VaIN in 27 patients with VIN III. PCR was performed with consensus primers and HPV typing was performed by direct sequencing of the PCR amplimers. HPV DNA was detected in all VIN III lesions (93% contained HPV-16 DNA); in 96% of the CIN lesions (73% contained HPV-16 DNA); and in all VaIN lesions (75% contained HPV-16 DNA). The HPV type was not the same in 22% of the different lesions of VIN, CIN, and VaIN, even if the biopsies were taken at the same time.

Restricted surgical management of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3: Focus on exclusion of invasion and on relief of symptoms

van Beurden M, van der Vange N, ten Kate FJW, de Craen AJM, Schilthuis MS, Lammes FB. Restricted surgical management of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3: Focus on exclusion of invasion and on relief of symptoms. Int J Gynecol Cancer 1998; 8: 73-77. A study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of extensive and restricted surgery for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) 3. All consecutive patients with VIN 3 admitted to a tertiary referral hospital were included. The main outcome measures were relief and recurrence of symptoms and progression to invasive disease in patients with VIN 3 after extensive or restricted surgery. Of every vulvoscopic visible lesion a biopsy was taken to establish extent and grade of VIN and to rule out invasive carcinoma. Patients with unifocal VIN 3 underwent extensive surgery. Patients with multifocal VIN 3 underwent extensive or restricted surgery or an expectant management was adopted, depending on the existence of symptoms and the presence of invasive vulvar carcinoma. Forty-seven patients were evaluated. Eighty-three percent of patients had a long history of symptoms. Eight patients (17%) had unifocal VIN 3. In 9% of the patients a superficially invasive vulvar carcinoma was found, ie with a depth of invasion of 1 mm or less. Only 20% of the extensively operated patients had free surgical margins. There was recurrence of symptoms in all of the extensively operated patients, in contrast to a 26% persistence or recurrence rate of symptoms in the restrictedly operated patients. In patients with multifocal VIN 3 who underwent restricted surgery, young age of the patient (P = 0.02) and large extension of VIN 3 (P = 0.02) were significant factors in predicting persistence or recurrence of symptoms. Only once was a superficially invasive vulvar carcinoma diagnosed during follow-up, and this was in an extensively operated patient. Vulvoscopically directed biopsies in VIN 3 are a safe method to exclude invasive disease. Restricted surgery is effective in relieving symptoms in multifocal VIN 3.

Normal findings in vulvar examination and vulvoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the normal vulvar findings by naked eye examination and by vulvoscopy in healthy women without vulvar complaints.

DESIGN

Observational study.

POPULATION

Forty healthy volunteers without vulvar complaints recruited via a newspaper advertisement.

METHODS

Vulvar examination, human papillomavirus (HPV) polymerase chain reaction of vulvar and cervical swabs, saline and KOH smears and vulvoscopy before and after the application of 5% acetic acid.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of vestibular erythema, vestibular papillomatosis, HPV infection on the vulva and in the cervix and vulvoscopic findings.

RESULTS

The mean age of the women was 37.8 years (median 38.0, range 21-56). Nine women were current smokers and 21 had previously smoked. Naked eye vulvar examination showed vestibular papillomatosis in 13 women (33%) and vestibular erythema in 17 women (43%). The touch test was positive in 9 of the 17 women (53%) with vestibular erythema. Vulvoscopy after the application of acetic acid 5% showed an acetowhite vestibule in all women. Twelve women (30%) had acetowhite lesions outside the vestibule. Six women (15%) were positive for HPV DNA. The presence of HPV DNA did not correlate with vestibular erythema or vestibular papillomatosis. There was a weak association between HPV DNA and acetowhite lesions outside the vestibule (P = 0.055, Fisher's exact test). In this group the younger women significantly more often had vestibular papillomatosis (t-statistic = 3.07; P = 0.003) and women who smoke more often had a genital HPV infection (P = 0.016, Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

Vestibular erythema, vestibular papillomatosis, and acetowhite lesions are common in this group of healthy women without vulvar complaints.

Reproducibility of the interpretation of hysterosalpingography in the diagnosis of tubal pathology

The aim of the study was to estimate the inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of the interpretation of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the diagnosis of tubal pathology, and associate reproducibility with diagnostic accuracy. Four observers evaluated 143 HSGs twice, on proximal tubal obstruction, distal tubal obstruction, hydrosalpinx and peritubal adhesions. Diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation was considered to be the reference strategy. Reproducibility (inter- and intra-observer agreement) was expressed in terms of kappa-values. Accuracy was expressed in terms of sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios. kappa-values for reproducibility between observers were almost perfect for proximal obstruction, substantial for distal obstruction and hydrosalpinx, and moderate for adhesions. kappa-values for reproducibility within observers were almost perfect for proximal obstruction and substantial for distal obstruction, hydrosalpinx and adhesions. HSG had a high specificity for proximal obstruction, but a low sensitivity. Distal obstruction, absence of hydrosalpinx and adhesions had a poor accuracy. The likelihood ratio for the presence of hydrosalpinx was high. In conclusion, proximal tubal obstruction detected on HSG changes the pre-test probability of proximal tubal obstruction from 16 to 50%. Proximal tubal patency detected on HSG changes the pre-test probability of proximal tubal patency from 16 to 9%. It is unlikely that a lack of reproducibility of the interpretation of proximal tubal patency is responsible for the low sensitivity; alternative explanations are artefacts occurring while performing HSG or an imperfect reference strategy diagnostic laparoscopy. HSG is of limited use in diagnosing distal tubal obstruction and hydrosalpinx, and has no value in the detection of peritubal adhesions.

The accuracy of hysterosalpingography in the diagnosis of tubal pathology: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in diagnosing tubal patency and peritubal adhesions using laparoscopy with chromopertubation as the gold standard.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis of 20 studies comparing HSG and laparoscopy for tubal patency and peritubal adhesions.

PATIENTS

Four thousand one hundred seventy-nine patients with infertility in 20 studies.

INTERVENTION

Hysterosalpingography and diagnostic laparoscopy as part of infertility workup.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Tubal patency and peritubal adhesions.

RESULTS

For tubal patency the reported sensitivity and specificity differed between studies. In a subset of studies that evaluated HSG and laparoscopy independently, a point estimate of 0.65 for sensitivity and 0.83 for specificity was calculated. For peritubal adhesions a summary receiver operating characteristic curve could be estimated.

CONCLUSIONS

Although HSG is of limited use for detecting tubal patency because of its low sensitivity, its high specificity makes it a useful test for ruling in tubal obstruction. For the evaluation of peritubal adhesions HSG is not reliable.

Multifocal vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia grade III and multicentric lower genital tract neoplasia is associated with transcriptionally active human papillomavirus

BACKGROUND

The incidence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia Grade III (VIN III) is increasing and is diagnosed at a younger age than previously. VIN III is often multifocal and frequently coexists with multicentric dysplastic lesions in the cervix and vagina. Warty-type VIN III more often has been found to contain human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA than basaloid-type VIN III: The authors performed HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in 48 VIN III biopsies and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR in 8 HPV-16 DNA-positive multifocal VIN III biopsies to detect E6/E7 transcripts.

METHODS

Human papillomavirus DNA detection and histologic analysis were performed on alternating slides of paraffin embedded biopsies. Polymerase chain reaction was performed with consensus primers, and HPV typing was performed by direct sequencing. Total RNA was isolated from frozen biopsies by centrifuging a guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC) lysate through a cesium chloride (CsCl) cushion. The RT reaction was performed using a 3' primer, located just downstream of the E7 stop codon, and the PCR reaction was performed using the same 3' primer and a 5' primer located just downstream of the E6 start codon.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 48 patients was 37.7 years. Eighty-one percent had multifocal VIN III: Sixty-six percent had multicentric neoplasia. Forty-six percent of the biopsies were warty-type, 17% basaloid-type, 35% mixed-type and 2% differentiated-type. Ninety-two percent were HPV-positive and 83% contained HPV-16 DNA. Human papillomavirus DNA was more often present in multifocal VIN III lesions than in unifocal VIN III lesions and also more often in VIN III lesions coexisting with other dysplastic multicentric lesions than in unicentric VIN III lesions. Warty-type VIN III more often contained koilocytes than basaloid-type VIN III: A correlation between different morphologic forms of VIN III and the presence of HPV DNA was not found. Both types of VIN III often coexist in one lesion. In all the RT-PCRs, a 593-base-pair fragment was detected, corresponding to the expected length of the major E6*-E7 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed high prevalence of transcriptionally active HPV DNA associated with multifocal and multicentric dysplasia suggests a role of HPV in the pathogenesis of these lesions. A positive correlation between different morphologic forms of VIN III and the presence of HPV DNA was not found.

Feasibility of transposition of the ovaries in the surgical and radiotherapeutical treatment of cervical cancer

Ovaries are seldom subject to metastases and therefore their preservation is possible in radical cervical cancer surgery. However, with postoperative radiotherapy they cannot be preserved unless they are placed outside the radiation field. The practicality of this transposition was analysed in a series of 126 patients with cervical cancer. The ovaries were transposed intraperitoneally in a lateral and cranial direction in 44 of the 64 women under the age of 50 years. In 16 of these 44 women, only one ovary could be preserved and transposed. A critical analysis was performed of the ovaries' new location by plotting their position, marked by 2 clips each, in a single pelvis. In 68% of the women at least one ovary was placed outside the radiation field. However, because of scattered radiation, i.e. 5% of the total radiation dose at a distance of 4 cm outside the radiation field, a substantial loss of ovarian function may occur. In 32% of the women at least one ovary received less than this 5%. Optimal transposition may be achieved after extension of the abdominal incision. However, this will be unnecessary in most cases, since postoperative radiotherapy will be indicated in only approximately 15% of the women.

Estrogenic effects of phenolphthalein on human breast cancer cells in vitro

There is a structural similarity between phenolphthalein and the triphenylethylenes which are known to interact with the estrogen receptor of human breast tissue. Phenolphthalein (10 microM) competed with estrogen for binding to MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in tissue culture and induced the synthesis of the progesterone receptor. The antiestrogen 4-hydroxytamoxifen blocked progesterone receptor induction both by estradiol and by phenolphthalein. Both estradiol (0.1 nM) and phenolphthalein (10 microM) stimulated cell growth as measured by DNA and protein assays. This growth stimulation was blocked by 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Phenolphthalein glucuronide, the major phenolphthalein metabolite, did not inhibit estrogen binding, induce progesterone receptor synthesis, or stimulate MCF-7 cell growth in culture. Yellow phenolphthalein, an impure phenolphthalein preparation used in nonprescription laxative preparations, had similar properties to pure phenolphthalein. Physicians should be aware of the weak estrogenic action of phenolphthalein, especially when recommending laxatives for breast cancer patients with confirmed liver and mesenteric metastases.