Ultrasound finding of endometrial polyp and factors increasing risk of malignancy

This article presents a comprehensive review of factors that increase the risk of malignancy in ultrasound findings of an endometrial polyp. We collected original studies, reviews, and meta-analyses that dealt with the topic of endometrial polyps and the risk of developing endometrial cancer. Each presumed risk factor was analysed individually. According to searched studies, abnormal uterine bleeding, old age, and body mass index are valid risk factors for developing endometrial cancer in endometrial polyps. Lynch syndrome patients are also in a high-risk group for endometrial cancer. On the other hand, the number of polyps, their size, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and positive family history are factors with inconclusive results. There are either not enough data or different results among several studies.

Survival associated with extent of radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer: a subanalysis of the Surveillance in Cervical CANcer (SCCAN) collaborative study

BACKGROUND

International guidelines recommend tailoring the radicality of hysterectomy according to the known preoperative tumor characteristics in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess whether increased radicality had an effect on 5-year disease-free survival in patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy. The secondary aims were 5-year overall survival and pattern of recurrence.

STUDY DESIGN

This was an international, multicenter, retrospective study from the Surveillance in Cervical CANcer (SCCAN) collaborative cohort. Patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage IB1 and IIA1 who underwent open type B/C1/C2 radical hysterectomy according to Querleu-Morrow classification between January 2007 and December 2016, who did not undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy and who had negative lymph nodes and free surgical margins at final histology, were included. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed. Patients were stratified according to pathologic tumor diameter. Propensity score match analysis was performed to balance baseline characteristics in patients undergoing nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 1257 patients were included. Of note, 883 patients (70.2%) underwent nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, and 374 patients (29.8%) underwent non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. Baseline differences between the study groups were found for tumor stage and diameter (higher use of non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for tumors >2 cm or with vaginal involvement; P<.0001). The use of adjuvant therapy in patients undergoing nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was 27.3% vs 28.6%, respectively (P=.63). Five-year disease-free survival in patients undergoing nerve-sparing vs non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was 90.1% (95% confidence interval, 87.9-92.2) vs 93.8% (95% confidence interval, 91.1-96.5), respectively (P=.047). Non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was independently associated with better disease-free survival at multivariable analysis performed on the entire cohort (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.81; P=.004). Furthermore, 5-year overall survival in patients undergoing nerve-sparing vs non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was 95.7% (95% confidence interval, 94.1-97.2) vs non-nerve-sparing 96.5% (95% confidence interval, 94.3-98.7), respectively (P=.78). In patients with a tumor diameter ≤20 mm, 5-year disease-free survival was 94.7% in nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy vs 96.2% in non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (P=.22). In patients with tumors between 21 and 40 mm, 5-year disease-free survival was 90.3% in non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy vs 83.1% in nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (P=.016) (no significant difference in the rate of adjuvant treatment in this subgroup, P=.47). This was confirmed after propensity match score analysis (balancing the 2 study groups). The pattern of recurrence in the propensity-matched population did not demonstrate any difference (P=.70).

CONCLUSION

For tumors ≤20 mm, no survival difference was found with more radical hysterectomy. For tumors between 21 and 40 mm, a more radical hysterectomy was associated with improved 5-year disease-free survival. No difference in the pattern of recurrence according to the extent of radicality was observed. Non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was associated with better 5-year disease-free survival than nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy after propensity score match analysis.

Preoperative CA125 Significantly Improves Risk Stratification in High-Grade Endometrial Cancer

Patients with high-grade endometrial carcinoma (EC) have an increased risk of tumor spread and lymph node metastasis (LNM). Preoperative imaging and CA125 can be used in work-up. As data on cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in high-grade EC are limited, we aimed to study primarily the predictive value of CA125, and secondarily the contributive value of computed tomography (CT) for advanced stage and LNM. Patients with high-grade EC (n = 333) and available preoperative CA125 were included retrospectively. The association of CA125 and CT findings with LNM was analyzed by logistic regression. Elevated CA125 ((>35 U/mL), (35.2% (68/193)) was significantly associated with stage III-IV disease (60.3% (41/68)) compared with normal CA125 (20.8% (26/125), [p < 0.001]), and with reduced disease-specific-(DSS) (p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). The overall accuracy of predicting LNM by CT resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.623 (p < 0.001) independent of CA125. Stratification by CA125 resulted in an AUC of 0.484 (normal), and 0.660 (elevated). In multivariate analysis elevated CA125, non-endometrioid histology, pathological deep myometrial invasion ≥50%, and cervical involvement were significant predictors of LNM, whereas suspected LNM on CT was not. This shows that elevated CA125 is a relevant independent predictor of advanced stage and outcome specifically in high-grade EC.

Role of adjuvant therapy in intermediate-risk cervical cancer patients - Subanalyses of the SCCAN study

OBJECTIVE

The "intermediate-risk" (IR) group of early-stage cervical cancer patients is characterized by negative pelvic lymph nodes and a combination of tumor-related prognostic risk factors such as tumor size ≥2 cm, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and deep stromal invasion. However, the role of adjuvant treatment in these patients remains controversial. We investigated whether adjuvant (chemo)radiation is associated with a survival benefit after radical surgery in patients with IR cervical cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed data from patients with IR cervical cancer (tumor size 2-4 cm plus LVSI OR tumor size >4 cm; N0; no parametrial invasion; clear surgical margins) who underwent primary curative-intent surgery between 2007 and 2016 and were retrospectively registered in the international multicenter Surveillance in Cervical CANcer (SCCAN) study.

RESULTS

Of 692 analyzed patients, 274 (39.6%) received no adjuvant treatment (AT-) and 418 (60.4%) received radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (AT+). The 5-year disease-free survival (83.2% and 80.3%; PDFS = 0.365) and overall survival (88.7% and 89.0%; POS = 0.281) were not significantly different between the AT- and AT+ groups, respectively. Adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy was not associated with a survival benefit after adjusting for confounding factors by case-control propensity score matching or in subgroup analyses of patients with tumor size ≥4 cm and <4 cm. In univariable analysis, adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy was not identified as a prognostic factor in any of the subgroups (full cohort: PDFS = 0.365; POS = 0.282).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with IR early-stage cervical cancer, radical surgery alone achieved equal disease-free and overall survival rates to those achieved by combining radical surgery with adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy.

Association of Hospital Surgical Volume With Survival in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Treated With Radical Hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of number of radical hysterectomies performed per year in each center with disease-free survival and overall survival.

METHODS

We conducted an international, multicenter, retrospective study of patients previously included in the Surveillance in Cervical Cancer collaborative studies. Individuals with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IB1-IIA1 cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy and had negative lymph nodes at final histology were included. Patients were treated at referral centers for gynecologic oncology according to updated national and international guidelines. Optimal cutoffs for surgical volume were identified using an unadjusted Cox proportional hazard model, with disease-free survival as the outcome and defined as the value that minimizes the P-value of the split in groups in terms of disease-free survival. Propensity score matching was used to create statistically similar cohorts at baseline.

RESULTS

A total of 2,157 patients were initially included. The two most significant cutoffs for surgical volume were identified at seven and 17 surgical procedures, dividing the entire cohort into low-volume, middle-volume, and high-volume centers. After propensity score matching, 1,238 patients were analyzed-619 (50.0%) in the high-volume group, 523 (42.2%) in the middle-volume group, and 96 (7.8%) in the low-volume group. Patients who underwent surgery in higher-volume institutions had progressively better 5-year disease-free survival than those who underwent surgery in lower-volume centers (92.3% vs 88.9% vs 83.8%, P=.029). No difference was noted in 5-year overall survival (95.9% vs 97.2% vs 95.2%, P=.70). Cox multivariable regression analysis showed that FIGO stage greater than IB1, presence of lymphovascular space invasion, grade greater than 1, tumor diameter greater than 20 mm, minimally invasive surgical approach, nonsquamous cell carcinoma histology, and lower-volume centers represented independent risk factors for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Surgical volume of centers represented an independent prognostic factor affecting disease-free survival. Increasing number of radical hysterectomies performed in each center every year was associated with improved disease-free survival.

Molecular testing of endometrial carcinoma in real-world clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Molecular classification has brought significant changes in the management of endometrial cancer (EC). In this article, we aim to analyze our first experience with an implementation of molecular testing into daily clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In all newly diagnosed EC, the status of mismatch repair (MMR) and p53 proteins has been evaluated immunohistochemically as a part of the routine histopathological examination since May 2021. In tumors that do not meet clinical criteria for a low risk and those with MMR deficiency or p53 mutation, the molecular genetic testing of the POLE gene is performed as well. Recommendations for adjuvant treatment or follow-up are subsequently made based on the risk of recurrence. Genetic counselling is proposed to all patients with MMR-deficient tumors or family history of cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients with newly diagnosed EC between May 2021 and May 2022 were enrolled in the analysis. The median age was 66 years. The results of molecular testing were as follows: 22 (26%) MMR-deficient, 8 (9%) p53-mutated and none POLE-ultramutated of those 40 tumors with performed POLE sequencing. A total of 46 (51%) patient had a low risk, 2 (2%) intermediate, 14 (16%) high-intermediate and 20 (24%) patients had a high risk of recurrence. Advanced or metastatic diseases were diagnosed in 6 (7%) patients. The median time between surgery and multidisciplinary tumor board decision was 21 days (8-36). A total of 76 (90%) patients underwent the whole treatment plan according to the recurrence risk. At the time of analysis, the results of genetic testing were available in 18 patients and revealed 4 (22%) carriers of a pathogenic variant in any of the genes associated with Lynch syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Molecular testing combining immunohistochemical analyses of MMR and p53 proteins in all newly diagnosed EC patients with sequencing analysis of POLE in those with non-low-risk disease is feasible and does not prolong the time needed for treatment decision.

Relevance of Molecular Profiling in Patients With Low-Grade Endometrial Cancer

IMPORTANCE

Patients with low-grade (ie, grade 1-2) endometrial cancer (EC) are characterized by their favorable prognosis compared with patients with high-grade (ie, grade 3) EC. With the implementation of molecular profiling, the prognostic relevance of tumor grading might lose attention. As most patients present with low-grade EC and have an excellent outcome, the value of molecular profiling for these patients is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of molecular profiling with outcomes among patients with low-grade EC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study included a multicenter international European cohort of patients diagnosed with EC between 1994 and 2018, with a median follow-up of 5.9 years. Molecular subgroups were determined by next-generation sequencing using single-molecule molecular inversion probes and by immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, tumors were classified as polymerase epsilon (POLE)-altered, microsatellite instable (MSI), tumor protein p53 (TP53)-altered, or no specific molecular profile (NSMP). Patients diagnosed with any histological subtypes and FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stages of EC were included, but patients with early-stage EC (FIGO I-II) were only included if they had known lymph node status. Data were analyzed February 20 to June 16, 2022.

EXPOSURES

Molecular testing of the 4 molecular subgroups.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was disease-specific survival (DSS) within the molecular subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 393 patients with EC were included, with a median (range) age of 64.0 (31.0-86.0) years and median (range) body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 29.1 (18.0-58.3). Most patients presented with early-stage (290 patients [73.8%]) and low-grade (209 patients [53.2%]) disease. Of all patients, 33 (8.4%) had POLE-altered EC, 78 (19.8%) had MSI EC, 72 (18.3%) had TP53-altered EC, and 210 (53.4%) had NSMP EC. Across all molecular subgroups, patients with low-grade EC had superior 5-year DSS compared with those with high-grade EC, varying between 90% to 100% vs 41% to 90% (P < .001). Multivariable analysis in the entire cohort including age, tumor grade, FIGO stage, lymphovascular space invasion, and the molecular subgroups as covariates found that only high-grade (hazard ratio [HR], 4.29; 95% CI, 2.15-8.53; P < .001), TP53-altered (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.04-2.95; P = .03), and FIGO stage III or IV (HR, 4.26; 95% CI, 2.50-7.26; P < .001) disease were independently associated with reduced DSS.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study found that patients with low-grade EC had an excellent prognosis independent of molecular subgroup. These findings do not support routine molecular profiling in patients with low-grade EC, and they demonstrate the importance of primary diagnostic tumor grading and selective profiling in low-grade EC to increase cost-effectiveness.

The amount of preoperative endometrial tissue surface in relation to final endometrial cancer classification

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the amount of preoperative endometrial tissue surface is related to the degree of concordance with final low- and high-grade endometrial cancer (EC). In addition, to determine whether discordance is influenced by sampling method and impacts outcome.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study within the European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer (ENITEC). Surface of preoperative endometrial tissue samples was digitally calculated using ImageJ. Tumor samples were classified into low-grade (grade 1-2 endometrioid EC (EEC)) and high-grade (grade 3 EEC + non-endometroid EC).

RESULTS

The study cohort included 573 tumor samples. Overall concordance between pre- and postoperative diagnosis was 60.0%, and 88.8% when classified into low- and high-grade EC. Upgrading (preoperative low-grade, postoperative high-grade EC) was found in 7.8% and downgrading (preoperative high-grade, postoperative low-grade EC) in 26.7%. The median endometrial tissue surface was significantly lower in concordant diagnoses when compared to discordant diagnoses, respectively 18.7 mm2 and 23.5 mm2 (P = 0.022). Sampling method did not influence the concordance in tumor classification. Patients with preoperative high-grade and postoperative low-grade showed significant lower DSS compared to patients with concordant low-grade EC (P = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

The amount of preoperative endometrial tissue surface was inversely related to the degree of concordance with final tumor low- and high-grade. Obtaining higher amount of preoperative endometrial tissue surface does not increase the concordance between pre- and postoperative low- and high-grade diagnosis in EC. Awareness of clinically relevant down- and upgrading is crucial to reduce subsequent over- or undertreatment with impact on outcome.

Post-recurrence survival in patients with cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Up to 26% of patients with early-stage cervical cancer experience relapse after primary surgery. However, little is known about which factors influence prognosis following disease recurrence. Therefore, our aims were to determine post-recurrence disease-specific survival (PR-DSS) and to identify respective prognostic factors for PR-DSS.

METHODS

Data from 528 patients with early-stage cervical cancer who relapsed after primary surgery performed between 2007 and 2016 were obtained from the SCANN study (Surveillance in Cervical CANcer). Factors related to the primary disease and recurrence were combined in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to predict PR-DSS.

RESULTS

The 5-year PR-DSS was 39.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.7%-44.5%), median disease-free interval between primary surgery and recurrence (DFI1) was 1.5 years, and median survival after recurrence was 2.5 years. Six significant variables were identified in the multivariable analysis and were used to construct the prognostic model. Two were related to primary treatment (largest tumour size and lymphovascular space invasion) and four to recurrence (DFI1, age at recurrence, presence of symptoms, and recurrence type). The C-statistic after 10-fold cross-validation of prognostic model reached 0.701 (95% CI 0.675-0.727). Three risk-groups with significantly differing prognoses were identified, with 5-year PR-DSS rates of 81.8%, 44.6%, and 12.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed the robust model of PR-DSS to stratify patients with relapsed cervical cancer according to risk profiles using six routinely recorded prognostic markers. The model can be utilised in clinical practice to aid decision-making on the strategy of recurrence management, and to better inform the patients.

New Trends in the Detection of Gynecological Precancerous Lesions and Early-Stage Cancers

The prevention and early diagnostics of precancerous stages are key aspects of contemporary oncology. In cervical cancer, well-organized screening and vaccination programs, especially in developed countries, are responsible for the dramatic decline of invasive cancer incidence and mortality. Cytological screening has a long and successful history, and the ongoing implementation of HPV triage with increased sensitivity can further decrease mortality. On the other hand, endometrial and ovarian cancers are characterized by a poor accessibility to specimen collection, which represents a major complication for early diagnostics. Therefore, despite relatively promising data from evaluating the combined effects of genetic variants, population screening does not exist, and the implementation of new biomarkers is, thus, necessary. The introduction of various circulating biomarkers is of potential interest due to the considerable heterogeneity of cancer, as highlighted in this review, which focuses exclusively on the most common tumors of the genital tract, namely, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. However, it is clearly shown that these malignancies represent different entities that evolve in different ways, and it is therefore necessary to use different methods for their diagnosis and treatment.

The annual recurrence risk model for tailored surveillance strategy in patients with cervical cancer

PURPOSE

Current guidelines for surveillance strategy in cervical cancer are rigid, recommending the same strategy for all survivors. The aim of this study was to develop a robust model allowing for individualised surveillance based on a patient's risk profile.

METHODS

Data of 4343 early-stage patients with cervical cancer treated between 2007 and 2016 were obtained from the international SCCAN (Surveillance in Cervical Cancer) consortium. The Cox proportional hazards model predicting disease-free survival (DFS) was developed and internally validated. The risk score, derived from regression coefficients of the model, stratified the cohort into significantly distinctive risk groups. On its basis, the annual recurrence risk model (ARRM) was calculated.

RESULTS

Five variables were included in the prognostic model: maximal pathologic tumour diameter; tumour histotype; grade; number of positive pelvic lymph nodes; and lymphovascular space invasion. Five risk groups significantly differing in prognosis were identified with a five-year DFS of 97.5%, 94.7%, 85.2% and 63.3% in increasing risk groups, whereas a two-year DFS in the highest risk group equalled 15.4%. Based on the ARRM, the annual recurrence risk in the lowest risk group was below 1% since the beginning of follow-up and declined below 1% at years three, four and >5 in the medium-risk groups. In the whole cohort, 26% of recurrences appeared at the first year of the follow-up, 48% by year two and 78% by year five.

CONCLUSION

The ARRM represents a potent tool for tailoring the surveillance strategy in early-stage patients with cervical cancer based on the patient's risk status and respective annual recurrence risk. It can easily be used in routine clinical settings internationally.

Impact of hormonal biomarkers on response to hormonal therapy in advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Approximately 20% of women with endometrial cancer have advanced-stage disease or suffer from a recurrence. For these women, prognosis is poor, and palliative treatment options include hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. Lack of predictive biomarkers and suboptimal use of existing markers for response to hormonal therapy have resulted in overall limited efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to improve the efficacy of hormonal therapy by relating immunohistochemical expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and estrogen receptor pathway activity scores to response to hormonal therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and available biopsies taken before the start of hormonal therapy were identified in 16 centers within the European Network for Individualized Treatment in Endometrial Cancer and the Dutch Gynecologic Oncology Group. Tumor tissue was analyzed for estrogen and progesterone receptor expressions and estrogen receptor pathway activity using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based messenger RNA model to measure the activity of estrogen receptor-related target genes in tumor RNA. The primary endpoint was response rate defined as complete and partial response using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The secondary endpoints were clinical benefit rate and progression-free survival.

RESULTS

Pretreatment biopsies with sufficient endometrial cancer tissue and complete response evaluation were available in 81 of 105 eligible cases. Here, 22 of 81 patients (27.2%) with a response had estrogen and progesterone receptor expressions of >50%, resulting in a response rate of 32.3% (95% confidence interval, 20.9-43.7) for an estrogen receptor expression of >50% and 50.0% (95% confidence interval, 35.2-64.8) for a progesterone receptor expression of >50%. Clinical benefit rate was 56.9% for an estrogen receptor expression of >50% (95% confidence interval, 44.9-68.9) and 75.0% (95% confidence interval, 62.2-87.8) for a progesterone receptor expression of >50%. The application of the estrogen receptor pathway test to cases with a progesterone receptor expression of >50% resulted in a response rate of 57.6% (95% confidence interval, 42.1-73.1). After 2 years of follow-up, 34.3% of cases (95% confidence interval, 20-48) with a progesterone receptor expression of >50% and 35.8% of cases (95% confidence interval, 20-52) with an estrogen receptor pathway activity score of >15 had not progressed.

CONCLUSION

The prediction of response to hormonal treatment in endometrial cancer improves substantially with a 50% cutoff level for progesterone receptor immunohistochemical expression and by applying a sequential test algorithm using progesterone receptor immunohistochemical expression and estrogen receptor pathway activity scores. However, results need to be validated in the prospective Prediction of Response to Hormonal Therapy in Advanced and Recurrent Endometrial Cancer (PROMOTE) study.

The Clinical Significance of DJ1 and L1CAM Serum Level Monitoring in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Circulating tumor markers are not routinely used in patients with endometrial cancer (EC). This pilot study evaluated the role of monitoring new biomarkers DJ1 and L1CAM, in correlation with CA125 and HE4, for the effects of anticancer treatment and preoperative management in EC patients. Serial serum levels of DJ1, L1CAM, CA125 and HE4 were collected in 65 enrolled patients. Serum DJ1, L1CAM, CA125 and HE4 levels were significantly higher at the time of diagnosis compared to those measured during follow-up (FU). In patients with recurrent disease, serum DJ1, CA125 and HE4 levels were significantly higher at the time of recurrence compared to levels in disease-free patients. Serum L1CAM levels were also higher in patients with recurrence but without reaching statistical significance. While DJ1 levels were not affected by any of the observed patient-related characteristics, L1CAM levels were significantly higher in patients with age ≥60 years who were overweight. At the time of EC diagnosis, DJ1 and L1CAM serum levels did not correlate with stage, histological type or risk of recurrence. This is a preliminary description of the potential of serial DJ1 and L1CAM serum level measurement for monitoring the effects of treatment in EC patients.

Immunohistochemical biomarkers are prognostic relevant in addition to the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification in endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Pre-operative immunohistochemical (IHC) biomarkers are not incorporated in endometrial cancer (EC) risk classification. We aim to investigate the added prognostic relevance of IHC biomarkers to the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification and lymph node (LN) status in EC.

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter study within the European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer (ENITEC), analyzing pre-operative IHC expression of p53, L1 cell-adhesion molecule (L1CAM), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), and relate to ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk groups, LN status and outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 763 EC patients were included with a median follow-up of 5.5-years. Abnormal IHC expression was present for p53 in 112 (14.7%), L1CAM in 79 (10.4%), ER- in 76 (10.0%), and PR- in 138 (18.1%) patients. Abnormal expression of p53/L1CAM/ER/PR was significantly related with higher risk classification groups, and combined associated with the worst outcome within the 'high and advanced/metastatic' risk group. In multivariate analysis p53-abn, ER/PR- and ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO 'high and advanced/metastatic' were independently associated with reduced disease-specific survival (DSS). Patients with abnormal IHC expression and lymph node metastasis (LNM) had the worst outcome. Patients with LNM and normal IHC expression had comparable outcome with patients without LNM and abnormal IHC expression.

CONCLUSION

The use of pre-operative IHC biomarkers has important prognostic relevance in addition to the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification and in addition to LN status. For daily clinical practice, p53/L1CAM/ER/PR expression could serve as indicator for surgical staging and refine selective adjuvant treatment by incorporation into the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification.

The cutoff for estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in endometrial cancer revisited: a European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer collaboration study

There is no consensus on the cutoff for positivity of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in endometrial cancer (EC). Therefore, we determined the cutoff value for ER and PR expression with the strongest prognostic impact on the outcome. Immunohistochemical expression of ER and PR was scored as a percentage of positive EC cell nuclei. Cutoff values were related to disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using sensitivity, specificity, and multivariable regression analysis. The results were validated in an independent cohort. The study cohort (n = 527) included 82% of grade 1-2 and 18% of grade 3 EC. Specificity for DSS and DFS was highest for the cutoff values of 1-30%. Sensitivity was highest for the cutoff values of 80-90%. ER and PR expression were independent markers for DSS at cutoff values of 10% and 80%. Consequently, three subgroups with distinct clinical outcomes were identified: 0-10% of ER/PR expression with, unfavorable outcome (5-year DSS = 75.9-83.3%); 20-80% of ER/PR expression with, intermediate outcome (5-year DSS = 93.0-93.9%); and 90-100% of ER/PR expression with, favorable outcome (5-year DSS = 97.8-100%). The association between ER/PR subgroups and outcomes was confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 265). We propose classification of ER and PR expression based on a high-risk (0-10%), intermediate-risk (20-80%), and low-risk (90-100%) group.

Diagnostic Reliability, Accuracy and Safety of Ultrasound-guided Biopsy and Ascites Puncture in Primarily Inoperable Ovarian Tumours

BACKGROUND/AIM

To compare the diagnostic reliability, accuracy and safety of ultrasound-guided biopsy (Tru-Cut biopsy) and ascites puncture in patients with a primarily inoperable malignant ovarian tumor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of the studied methods in consecutively examined patients and a prospective validation of these methods. 79 women with a suspected primarily inoperable ovarian tumor underwent Tru-Cut biopsies and were included in the ultrasound-guided biopsy group. In addition, 55 patients after ascites puncture were enrolled in the comparison group. Both procedures were performed in 48 patients for the prospective validation.

RESULTS

Significant differences in favour of ultrasound-guided biopsy were found in all studied variables (malignancy confirmation 72.9% vs. 95.8%, tumor origin 52.1% vs. 89.6%, histologic subtype 43.8% vs. 85.4% and accuracy, i.e. agreement of preoperative and definitive diagnosis 43.7% vs. 95.4%).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided biopsy is an accurate, reliable, safe and minimally invasive method. Owing to the high reliability and accuracy, it has the capacity to replace ascites puncture with cytologic examination or a more invasive method (laparoscopy, laparotomy) for adequate tumor sampling.

Is the finding of endometrial hyperplasia or corporal polyp an mandatory indication for biopsy?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to analyze a group of patients referred for endometrial biopsy. To evaluate the ultrasound finding of hyperplasia/polyp, the symptomatology of patients related to the result of definitive histology, to determine the severity of individual variables in connection with the detection of precancerosis/cancer. Due to the complexity of information identify women who are suitable for conservative approach.

DESIGN

Unicentric retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University, University Hospital Brno.

METHODS

All patients over 50 years who underwent surgical endometrial biopsy at our department in the period of 2017-2018 (n = 754) were included. We were interested in reasons of indication, the age of patients at the time of the procedure and at the menopause, the presence of risk factors for development precancerosis/cancer (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, using of tamoxifen), number of deliveries and pregnancies, symptomatology, the description of ultrasound scans, the result of histology examination, peroperative and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Perimenopause - the median of endometrial thickness in both benign and malignant histology was 8 mm (p = 0.448), the median of the largest polyp dimension was 18 mm. All patients with precancerosis/malignancy were symptomatic with irregular/excessive bleeding, no carcinoma was found in polyp. Postmenopause - the median of endometrial thickness in benign histology was 7 mm versus 16 mm in precancerosis/malignancy (p &lt; 0.001), the median of the largest polyp dimension was the same in both histologies (13 mm, p = 0.274). The risk of malignancy was more than threefold in bleeding versus asymptomatic patients with both hyperplasia and polyp (OR 3.39, 3.79). In asymptomatic patients the risk of cancer was similar for selected cut-offs (5, 8 and 12 mm), statistically significant only for 12 mm (OR 3.54), while in symptomatic patients the risk was high for all cut-offs, however with wide confidence intervals, statistically significant for cut-offs of 8 mm (minimum 3.58) and 12 mm (minimum 4.94).

CONCLUSION

We have shown that symptomatology is a strong risk factor for the presence of precancerosis/malignancy in patients with endometrial hyperplasia or polyp. The thickness of the endometrium or polyp size in asymptomatic patients does not play a major role. Ultrasound alone does not have sufficient accuracy for detection or even screening of endometrial cancer. We recommend a conservative procedure, monitoring changes in the ultrasound scan and symptomatology of the patient over time.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy - clinical comparison of the method using two types of uterine manipulators

AIM OF THE STUDY

Comparison of two types of uterine manipulators used in total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and clinical evaluation of the method in patients in a two-year group supplemented by subjective evaluation.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Brno.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A group of patients operated in the years 2018-2019 by the TLH method using one of two types of uterine manipulators - Karl Storz HOHL (group No. 1) vs. plastic ring of Koh&#39;s manipulator (group No. 2). We compared surgical time (min), blood loss (ml), perioperative complications, length of hospital stay (days), early and late complications. We were interested in the possible influence of BMI, uterine on these parameters. Subjective evaluation of the method by patients took place before the procedure and 12 weeks after the operation with a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were enrolled in the study (75 in group 1 vs. 59 in group 2). The monitored parameters: age, BMI, operative time, blood loss and length of hospitalization did not differ statistically significantly. When comparing the individual groups with different manipulators, the total number of complications (mild difficulties, serious complications) was without statistical significance (p = 0.58), but the spectrum of symptoms was different in both groups. More than a third of the patients in the group were obese. There were more serious complications than non-obese ones, the performance was longer, however, for a small number it was statistically insignificant (p = 0.11). In patients with uterine surgery, we recorded more adhesiolysis. We did not show that previous surgery on the uterus was associated with a higher incidence of complications (p = 0.6). We did not notice any statistically significant difference in the subjective evaluation (p = 0.3).

CONCLUSION

TLH is the dominant method of uterine removal in our workplace. In a group of 134 women, we did not show a statistically significant difference in the monitored parameters. The HOHL manipulator has proved to be more user-friendly due to its technical parameters and better clarity of the operating field. Subjective evaluation of the method was positive in patients.

Abstract 4879: Poor outcome in hypoxic endometrial carcinoma is related to vascular density

Optimal identification of endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients at high risk of recurrence is currently lacking. Hypoxia is an important feature of aggressive EC leading to activation of hypoxic and angiogenetic target genes. The present study investigates the prognostic role of hypoxia and angiogenesis in EC. Data and tissues were used from 11 collaborating European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer (ENITEC) centers. Tumor slides were stained for CAIX as a hypoxic marker and CD-34 for assessment of microvessel density (MVD) as a marker for angiogenesis. Complete slides were digitalized and analyzed using ImageJ software after exclusion of areas without tumor. A cutoff of 1% for the fraction of CAIX positive tumor cells was used. The MVD was assessed according to the Weidner method with the median as cutoff. Correlations with disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free survival (DFS) and distant disease-free survival (DDFS) were calculated using Cox regression analysis. Sixty-three (16.4%) of 385 ECs showed positive CAIX-expression with high vascular density. Multivariable analysis showed that ECs with combined positive CAIX-expression and high vascular density had a reduced DSS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.71, p = 0.002) and DDFS (HR 2.68, p = 0.009) and a trend for reduced DFS (HR 1.87, p = 0.054). Multivariable analyses with CAIX-expression and vascular density as separate markers, showed that both were independent prognostic markers as well. This study found an impaired DSS and DDFS in ECs with positive CAIX-expression and high vascular density. Differential adjuvant treatment might be indicated for these ECs.

Citation Format: Casper Reijnen, Willem Jan van Weelden, Martijn SJP Arts, Johan P. Peters, Paul F. Rijken, Koen van de Vijver, Maria Santacana, Peter Bronsert, Johan Bulten, Marc Hirschfeld, Eva Colas, Antonio Gil-Moreno, Amando Reques, Gemma Mancebo, Fransesc Alameda, Camilla Krakstad, Jone Trovik, Ingfrid S. Haldorsen, Jutta Huvila, Stefanie Schrouwen, Martin Koskas, Francine Walker, Vit Weinberger, Lubos Minar, Eva Jandakova, Marc PLM Snijders, Saskia van den Berg-van Erp, Heidi VN Küsters-Vandevelde, Xavier Matias-Guiu, Frederic Amant, ENITEC-consortium, Leon FAG Massuger, Johan Bussink, Johanna MA Pijnenborg. Poor outcome in hypoxic endometrial carcinoma is related to vascular density [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4879.

Addition of IMP3 to L1CAM for discrimination between low- and high-grade endometrial carcinomas: a European Network for Individualised Treatment of Endometrial Cancer collaboration study

Discrimination between low- and high-grade endometrial carcinomas (ECs) is clinically relevant but can be challenging for pathologists, with moderate interobserver agreement. Insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is an oncofoetal protein that is associated with nonendometrioid endometrial carcinomas but has been limited studied in endometrioid carcinomas. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of IMP3 in the discrimination between low- and high-grade ECs and its added value to L1CAM. IMP3 and L1CAM expression was assessed in tumors from 378 patients treated for EC at 1 of 9 participating European Network for Individualised Treatment of Endometrial Cancer centers. IMP3 was expressed in 24.6% of the tumors. In general, IMP3 was more homogeneously expressed than L1CAM. IMP3 expression was significantly associated with advanced stage, nonendometrioid histology, grade 3 tumors, deep myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, distant recurrences, overall mortality, and disease-related mortality. Simultaneous absence of IMP3 and L1CAM expression showed the highest accuracy for identifying low-grade carcinomas (area under the curve 0.766), whereas simultaneous expression of IMP3 and L1CAM was strongly associated with high-grade carcinomas (odds ratio 19.7; 95% confidence interval 9.2-42.2). Even within endometrioid carcinomas, this combination remained superior to IMP3 and L1CAM alone (odds ratio 8.6; 95% confidence interval 3.4-21.9). In conclusion, IMP3 has good diagnostic value and together with L1CAM represents the optimal combination of diagnostic markers for discrimination between low- and high-grade ECs compared to IMP3 and L1CAM alone. Because of the homogenous expression of IMP3, this marker might be valuable in preoperative biopsies when compared to the more patchy L1CAM expression.

A Novel Approach to Preoperative Risk Stratification in Endometrial Cancer: The Added Value of Immunohistochemical Markers

Background: The current model used to preoperatively stratify endometrial cancer (EC) patients into low- and high-risk groups is based on histotype, grade, and imaging method and is not optimal. Our study aims to prove whether a new model incorporating immunohistochemical markers, L1CAM, ER, PR, p53, obtained from preoperative biopsy could help refine stratification and thus the choice of adequate surgical extent and appropriate adjuvant treatment.

Materials and Methods: The following data were prospectively collected from patients operated for EC from January 2016 through August 2018: age, pre- and post-operative histology, grade, lymphovascular space invasion, L1CAM, ER, PR, p53, imaging parameters obtained from ultrasound, CT chest/abdomen, final FIGO stage, and current decision model (based on histology, grade, imaging method).

Results: In total, 132 patients were enrolled. The current model revealed 48% sensitivity and 89% specificity for high-risk group determination. In myometrial invasion >50%, lower levels of ER (p = 0.024), PR (0.048), and higher levels of L1CAM (p = 0.001) were observed; in cervical involvement a higher expression of L1CAM (p = 0.001), lower PR (p = 0.014); in tumors with positive LVSI, higher L1CAM (p = 0.014); in cases with positive LN, lower expression of ER/PR (p < 0.001), higher L1CAM (p = 0.002) and frequent mutation of p53 (p = 0.008).

Cut-offs for determination of high-risk tumors were established: ER <78% (p = 0.001), PR <88% (p = 0.008), and L1CAM ≥4% (p < 0.001). The positive predictive values (PPV) for ER, PR, and L1CAM were 87% (60.8–96.5%), 63% (52.1–72.8%), 83% (70.5–90.8%); the negative predictive values (NPV) for each marker were as follows: 59% (54.5–63.4%), 65% (55.6–74.0%), and 77% (67.3–84.2%). Mutation of p53 revealed PPV 94% (67.4–99.1%) and NPV 61% (56.1–66.3%). When immunohistochemical markers were included into the current diagnostic model, sensitivity improved (48.4 vs. 75.8%, p < 0.001). PPV was similar for both methods, while NPV (i.e., the probability of extremely low risk in negative test cases) was improved (66 vs. 78.9%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: We proved superiority of new proposed model using immunohistochemical markers over standard clinical practice and that new proposed model increases accuracy of prognosis prediction. We propose wider implementation and validation of the proposed model.

Ultrasound characteristics of a symptomatic and asymptomatic lymphocele after pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy

OBJECTIVE

To describe the sonographic characteristics of a lymphocele after pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancy, analyze and identify ultrasound characteristics related to the symptomatic and asymptomatic lymphoceles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of ultrasound examination data collected consecutively in patients after pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy in one institution. We recorded the number of lymphoceles, localization, size; ultrasound morphology following International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group classification and symptoms.

RESULTS

We described and analyzed 227 lymphoceles (150 asymptomatic and 77 symptomatic) in 161 patients. The asymptomatic lymphocele is typically a thick-walled cystic lesion without vascularization, round and unilocular with anechoic or ground-glass content. The symptomatic lymphocele is typically an oval, or ovoid, unilocular lesion with low-level or anechoic content (ground glass content is unlikely to be present, p < 0.001) and the presence of debris and septations. The lymphocele size (p = 0.001), number of lymphoceles (>1) (p = 0.005), septa (p = 0.002), and debris (p < 0.001) were independent ultrasound features correlating to symptoms development. More than one lymphocele (p = 0.047), septations (p = 0.007) and presence of debris (p < 0.001) were independent ultrasound features correlated to infection.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound features of symptomatic and asymptomatic lymphocele differ. The clues for lymphocele differential diagnosis are the history of lymphadenectomy and the finding cystic lesion with typically ultrasound features of lymphocele, adjacent to great pelvic vessels. Unique ultrasound features of lymphocele may help to distinguish from tumor relapse, hematoma, abscess, seroma or urinoma.

Supernatant versus exosomal urinary microRNAs. Two fractions with different outcomes in gynaecological cancers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulatory molecules implicated in fundamental cell processes. Recent investigations have been focused to investigate their diagnostic potential also in various body fluids. Plasma and serum are widely used for these purposes. Urinary miRNAs, as the easily available type of sample, have been explored particularly in urological diseases recently. However, we have shown previously that differential expression of urinary cell-free miRNAs may be observed also in gynaecological cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial cancers. In the present article, we focus on the differences in particular urine cell-free miRNA abundance among different samples including particularly ovarian and endometrial cancers and rare gynaecological diagnoses involved in the study. Using raw abundance miRNA expression data, we confirmed significant up-regulation of miR-92a in ovarian cancer, and significant down-regulation of miR-106b in endometrial cancers. As miR-21 appeared up-regulated in the endometrial cancer similarly as in the verification process, where also miR-106b resulted in significant down-regulation in ovarian cancer, these miRNAs may be good candidates for further evaluation as novel diagnostics. To find out why supernatant but not exosomal urine miRNAs fraction resulted in significant results in regards to de-regulation of expression, we performed a comparison of the same urine samples isolated by these two manners. We show that diagnostic potential of cell-free urinary miRNAs may depend on the urine fraction used for the isolation. While particular urinary miRNAs may be enriched, other may reveal unchanged or diminished expression in the exosomal fraction in comparison with supernatant fraction, giving differences also between cancer and control samples. More research will be needed to further explore which kind of cell-free samples would give better results for diagnostic purposes in various diagnoses using urinary samples and investigating cell-free miRNAs expression. Meanwhile, different urine fractions should be explored for their miRNA expression to establish novel diagnostic urinary miRNA markers.

Brenner tumor of the ovary - ultrasound features and clinical management of a rare ovarian tumor mimicking ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

To describe the ultrasound features of benign Brenner tumor in the background of complex clinical and histopathological pictures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with histologically confirmed benign Brenner tumor of the ovary who were treated in our institution in 2003-2016, and for whom complete imaging, clinical, perioperative and histopathological data were available in the database. Ultrasound findings were drawn from images and reports using terms and definitions of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group and pattern recognition description was applied.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were identified, most postmenopausal and asymptomatic. On ultrasound, 19/23 tumors were found unilaterally, 4/23 bilaterally, and 82% of tumors were detected in the left ovary. Most Brenner tumors (16/23) contained solid components and revealed no or minimal blood flow by subjective color score upon Doppler examination (19/23, 83%). Calcifications with shadowing were observed in 57% of all Brenner tumors and in 81% of tumors containing solid components. The complex appearance of the tumor misled the sonographers to describe the mass as malignant in 9 cases (39%), and frozen section was performed perioperatively. Surgery was performed via laparoscopy in 11 (48%) and via laparotomy in 12 (52%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The complexity of the ultrasound picture, consisting of features like calcifications with acoustic shadowing, a poorly vascularized solid mass, and a left-sided localization could be signs of a benign Brenner tumor and could preop-eratively help to differentiate between benign and malignant tumor.

Struma ovarii - ultrasound features of a rare tumor mimicking ovarian cancer

AIMS

To describe the ultrasound features of benign struma ovarii that often mimic ovarian cancer in the background of complex clinical and histopathological pictures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with histologically confirmed benign struma ovarii, treated in our institution between 2003-2016 with complete imaging, clinical, nd histopathological data available. Ultrasound findings were drawn from images, and reports using terms and definitions of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group and pattern recognition description was applied.

RESULTS

In all, 19 patients were identified; 10 with pure and 9 with impure struma. Median age was 47 (range 24-69); 10 (53%) were premenopausal. Only four (21%) patients presented with pain, others were asymptomatic. Using pattern recognition, 74% strumas (14/19) were uni-/multilocular solid or solid tumors. The solid components were roundish with smooth contours. Six struma pearls were detected. The subjective color score was moderate or abundant in the majority of solid components. Only 5 (26%) tumors were purely cystic.

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrasound characteristics differ widely from typical mature ovarian teratoma. Features such as, solid roundish components with smooth contours, struma pearls, acoustic shadowing and occasionally signs of dermoid are clues and may help preoperatively to differentiate benign struma from malignant adnexal lesions.

The role of hormonal therapy in patients with uterine carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to describe the role of hormonal therapy in the treatment of malignant uterine tumors, indications, the effect of the treatment and to verify its safety in our study cohort. We also present an overview of recent studies on that topic.

DESIGN

Unicentric retrospective observational study and review of recent literature.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University, University Hospital Brno.

METHODS

The results of recent relevant studies and reviews published in English until December 2017 were used for the review. The publications were searched using the PubMed server. All patients diagnosed in our oncogynecological center between 2010 and 2016 and who were treated hormonally - either in primary therapy or in relapse settings, were included in our study. We were interested in age, BMI, stage of disease, histological type and grade of tumor, occurrence of adverse effects, duration of survival, reasons for choosing hormonal therapy. Medroxyprogesterone-acetate or megestrol-acetate was used in the treatment.

RESULTS

Between 2010 and 2016, 415 malignant tumors of the uterus were diagnosed in our oncology center. Recurrence of the disease occurred in 31 patients (8%), on average 16 months after primary treatment. Primary hormonal therapy was used in only 19 patients (5%), mostly because of contraindications of another treatment due to high age, comorbidities or obesity. Median age of patients was 83 years, mean BMI 41, median survival of patients who died was 8 months. Five patients (16%) were treated hormonally for the recurrence. Median survival from diagnosis of recurrence was 20 months. One patient (4%) experienced partial pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSION

Hormonal therapy plays an irreplaceable role in uterine cancer patients, especially in primary non-operable patients, in treatment of a relapse, or in a fertility-sparing procedure. This treatment option is safe, with minimal adverse effects.

Accuracy of ultrasound in prediction of rectosigmoid infiltration in epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine prospectively the accuracy of ultrasound in predicting rectosigmoid tumor infiltration in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Patients referred for a suspicious pelvic mass between 2012 and 2014 were examined by ultrasound following the standard protocol for assessment of tumor infiltration. Of the 245 patients examined, 191 had proven ovarian cancer and underwent primary surgery and were included in the analysis. Patients with apparently benign or inoperable disease were excluded. Rectosigmoid infiltration was evaluated by histopathology or according to perioperative findings. Clinical, pathological and laboratory parameters were analyzed as factors potentially affecting the sensitivity and specificity of sonography.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting rectosigmoid infiltration in patients with ovarian cancer was 86.3%, with specificity of 95.8%, positive predictive value of 92.6%, negative predictive value of 91.9% and overall accuracy of 92.1%.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound is a highly accurate method for detecting rectosigmoid tumor infiltration in ovarian cancer patients, and thus, can be used for planning adequate management, including patient consultation, surgical team planning, suitable operating time and postoperative care. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Importance of Preoperative Knowledge of the Biomarker HE4 in Early-stage Endometrial Cancer Regarding Surgical Management

AIM

To analyze the utility of HE4 assessment in preoperative management of patients with early-stage endometrial cancer for stratification into low-risk and high-risk groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The following data were prospectively collected from patients operated for endometrial cancer from 05/2012 till 9/2016; age, HE4, CA125, expert ultrasound examination of the pelvis, histotype, grade, FIGO stage.

RESULTS

In total, 124 patients were enrolled. A cut-off of ≥113 pmol/l HE4 demonstrated 40.3% sensitivity and 83.9% specificity for detection of high-risk patients. Correlations of HE4 with age (p<0.001), depth of myometrial invasion (p=0.001), clinical stage of the disease according to ultrasound - T1a vs. T1b (63.6 pmol/l vs. 110.6 pmol/l, p<0.001) were found. However, no correlation of HE4 with lymph node invasion (p=0.07) and tumor grade (p=0.212) was identified.

CONCLUSION

HE4 levels correspond to clinical and FIGO stage of the disease. The sensitivity and specificity does not reach the transvaginal ultrasound results in preoperative assessment of the extent of the disease. Combination of HE4 with ultrasound does not improve the stratification of patients into low-risk and high-risk groups. Preoperative assessment of HE4 is useful providing no imaging method is available.

[Breast Cancer - Specifics of Gynecological Care and Counseling]

BACKGROUND

This paper summarizes current knowledge about clinically important aspects of gynecological care in female breast cancer patients. Despite the overall positive acceptance of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement drugs, hormone therapy may raise fears of developing breast cancer. Specifics of gynecological care of fertile patients are discussed as these patients face ovarian failure when undergoing oncological treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is used in adjuvant therapy of breast cancer, in metastatic breast cancer or as prophylaxis of breast cancer in high-risk patients.

AIM

We aim to study the influence of hormonal treatment on breast cancer development in women with and without congenital predisposition. The main risk factors for developing breast cancer are family history, increased density of breast tissue, atypical hyperplasia of the breast and previous radiotherapy to the chest area. All these factors increase the relative risk of cancer more than four times. Contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy show generally less than two-fold or no increase at all (RR 0.96-1.6). We concentrate with safety of hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients after they finish breast cancer treatment in pre- and postmenopausal period. We discuss fertility-sparing methods for preservation of ovarian function due to oncological treatment. Those methods are cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes in metaphase II and ovarian tissue. Simultaneous administration of GnRH agonists may protect ovarian function before gonadotoxic chemotherapy. We describe in detail the effects of tamoxifen on gynecological organs in both pre- and postmenopausal women in relation to the potential risk of developing secondary malignancy. In premenopausal women, tamoxifen has no increased risk of cancer of the uterine body. In postmenopausal patients, the risk after five years of tamoxifen is increased 2-3 times. Transvaginal sonography is not the screening tool for detection of the pathology in the uterine cavity during tamoxifen therapy, and so we only recommend looking for symptoms. Hysteroscopy is the golden standard for the examination of the uterine cavity in symptomatic postmenopausal patients using tamoxifen.

CONCLUSION

This paper summarizes the current knowledge in areas where oncological and gynecological cares for breast cancer patients mingle. It should lead to greater understanding and deepening cooperation between clinical oncologists and oncogynecologists for the benefit of our patients.Key words: adjuvant hormonal therapy - fertility preservation - GnRH analogs - contraceptives - endometrial hyperplasia - hormone replacement therapy - breast neoplasm - tamoxifenThis work was supported by the Czech Ministry of Health - RVO (FNBr, 65269705).The authors declare they have no potential confl icts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 6. 6. 2016Accepted: 22. 7. 2016.

Cell-Free Urinary MicroRNAs Expression in Small-Scale Experiments

Cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) have become one of the novel promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for various diseases recently. Blood serum and plasma along with urine are the most common sources of clinically well, almost noninvasively available samples containing various types of miRNAs. Here, we present a protocol for a small-scale study investigating expression of several candidate miRNAs. Small-scale experiments may be worth investigating in cases where no information is available on miRNAs expression in particular diseases, for validation of previously published miRNAs with promising diagnostic potential, particularly in situations where follow-up study is aimed at validating miRNAs coming from array or NGS experiments, or where funding for these large-scale experiments is not available.Using urine miRNAs expression as the novel diagnostic tools is challenging and currently this approach is still in its infancy. Therefore, various methods may result in different conclusions depending on clinical sample sets and differences among methods used for the miRNAs isolation and quantitation. In this protocol, we present the method evaluated in the study focused on cell-free urinary miRNAs in ovarian and endometrial cancers. We recommend using stabilization tubes for the urine collection, as this step may be necessary to stop activity of RNases. Further, routine real-time PCR methods are described. We demonstrate that assessment of urinary miRNAs expression may reveal as a feasible method to explore the potential for finding novel diagnostic and prognostic markers.

[Current FIGO staging classification for cancer of ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum]

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) include carcinoma of ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum. Five-year survival, irrespective of the stage, is between 35-40%. Most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease. The new revised and expanded dualistic model of ovarian carcinogenesis shows that type II tumors are composed for the most part of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and can be further subdivided into morphologic and molecular subtypes. Many type II carcinomas develop from STIC predominantly in the distal portion of the fallopian tube and it is very likely the point of the origin of a significant subset of the pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of major changes in our understanding of the origin of ovarian cancer, that led to the revision of FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) classification and its unification for the ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum. We summarize the new classification, main changes compared to the former one and their clinical impact.

METHODS

For this review, we have used the results of studies and review articles on the subject published in English up to October 2016. They were identified through a search of literature using PubMed, MEDLINE-Ovid, Scopus and Cochrane Library with the keywords ("serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma" or "high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma" or "FIGO ovarian cancer staging 2014"). We retrieved and assessed potentially relevant studies, and checked the reference lists of all papers of interest to identify additional relevant publications.

CONCLUSION

The origin of most cases of pelvic HGSC (carcinoma of ovary, the fallopian tube, and peritoneum) is expected in the fallopian tube epithelium. The main changes in the revised FIGO classification for extrauterine pelvic serous carcinomas were subdivision of stages IC, III and IV and elimination of the stage IIC, based on new knowledge and prognostic data. A prerequisite for the proper treatment of patients is to perform adequate surgical and pathological staging, including determining the grade of carcinoma. These factors, coupled with appropriately performed operation with zero postoperative residuum (R0), are the most important prognostic factors for patients with carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum.

[Postoperative administration of octreotide to reduce lymphorrhea, lymphocele, lymphedema and lymphatic ascites after lymphadenectomy in gynecological malignancies]

INTRODUCTION

Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of natural somatostatin. Octreotide effect on lymphorrhea reduction in gynecological malignancies has only been assessed in case studies.

DESIGN

Original work.

SETTING

Gynecologic Oncology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno.

METHODS

In 2014 there was a prospective, randomized, one-institution study. Patients underwent surgery including pelvic or pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy for cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer. The informed consent was signed. Octreotide was evaluated in relation to diagnosis, surgery (laparoscopy versus laparotomy), pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy, number of removed lymph nodes and their positivity, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, albumin, BMI, number of days with drains postoperatively, number of days in hospital, blood loss during surgery, time of surgery, total number of drains placed into abdominal cavity. In follow up period, within 1 year after surgery, we searched for lymphocele, lymph-edema of lower extremities and lymphatic ascites in relation to lymphorrhea.

RESULTS

44 patients (9 cervical, 19 endometrial and 16 ovarian cancer) were enrolled in two statistically comparable randomized groups. "Octreotide group", which paradoxically showed lymphorrhea of 4082 ml on average, (without 1992 ml, p = 0.001), needed drainage for more days (p = 0.001). The diagnosis had no influence on lymphorrhea in both groups (p = 0.966). The neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered (p = 0.026), the more lymph nodes were removed (p = 0.018), the more days the drainage was in place (p < 0.001), the bigger the lymphorrhea; no relationship between lymphorrhea and age (p = 0.631), albumin level (p = 0.584), BMI ( p= 0.966) or number of positive nodes (p = 0.259), length of surgery (p = 0.206), blood loss (p = 0.494). Nor lymphedema (p = 0.404), nor lymphocele (p = 0.086), correlated with postoperative lymphorrhea. Lymphatic ascites was associated with lymphorrhea (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

Octreotide did not reduce lymphorrhea and the incidence of lymphocele, lymphedema of lower extremities and lymphatic ascites within one year of follow-up period after surgery. According to our results, we do not recommend to administer the octreotide in oncogynecological patients after pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy.

Incidence of uterine sarcomas in West Bohemia, at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital in Pilsen, Czech Republic

OBJECTIVE AND SETTING

A retrospective review of women of the West Bohemian population was performed at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital in Pilsen, Czech Republic from 1/2005 - 1/2017.

METHODS

The following data was analysed: patients age, histological type, tumour size, FIGO stage, body mass index, previous irradiation, Tamoxifen usage, and other possible risk factors. A total number of 20 uterine sarcoma patients were detected in the period from 1/2005 to 1/2015, and these cases were followed until 1/2017.

RESULTS

The histological types identified were: leiomyosarcoma in 12 cases, endometrial stromal sarcoma in 7 cases and one case of high-grade undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. This only patient diagnosed with high-grade undifferentiated uterine sarcoma showed distant metastases 12 months after the surgical treat-ment and died one month later. The whole group of uterine sarcoma patients regardless histological subtype reached two years in 50% of cases, with the median disease-free interval 18 months and the median follow up of 38 months. The diagnosis of sarcoma was already known in 25% of cases from dilatation and curettage histology. There were suspicious sonographic findings suggestive of sarcoma in 10% of cases. Multiparity was associated with 48.2% of endometrial stromal sarcoma cases. The leading clinical symptom was postmenopausal bleeding in 55% of patients.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed uterine sarcomas to be rare malignancies, even in the Czech population with high uterine malignancy incidence. Uterine cold knife morcellation during the vaginal part of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy didnt worsen the prognosis of our patients.

[Vascular anatomy and abnormalities of retroperitoneal pelvic and paraaortic area in relation to the radical oncogynecological surgery - individual experiences]

OBJECTIVE

The overview of vascular anatomy and abnormalities of retroperitoneal pelvic and paraaortic area in relation to the radical oncogynecological surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Gynecologic Oncology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The overview of visualized vascular anatomy of retroperitoneal pelvic, infrarenal suprapelvic and subhepatic area in relation to the radical oncogynecological surgery. Presentation of physiological vascular anatomy. Summary of the most common abnormalities and potential complications in terms of vascular injury. Basic management of these complications from the viewpoint of oncogynecologist.

CONCLUSION

The perfect knowledge of vascular anatomy and its possible abnormalities has represented an absolute necessity for uncomplicated course and sufficient extent of radical surgery.

[Fertility preserving methods in women with breast cancer before gonadotoxic therapy]

OBJECTIVE

To present current options and own experiences with ovarian stimulation in young women with breast cancer before gonadotoxic therapy.

DESIGN

Review article with own experiencies.

METHODS

Literary search, analysis of own experiences with complex therapy in women with breast cancer planning pregnancy, definitions of stimulating protocols, using methods of assisted reproduction.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno.

RESULTS

Embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are important methods of fertility preservation requiring controlled ovarian stimulation before the start of chemotherapy. Current studies demonstrante effectivenes of this special stimulating protocol and did not find negative side effects such a progression of the breast cancer. Since January 2016 to June 2016 we performed controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval in three patients with breast cancer before chemotherapy. We used short stimulation protocol with recombinant FSH, GnRH agonists and letrozole and retrieved 13, 12 and 9 oocytes. We cryopreserved 8 and 6 embryos, one woman prefered freezing of 12 oocytes. During the stimulation estradiol level did not exceed 1,6 nmol/l.

CONCLUSION

Neither the normal nor the cancerous cells in the breast react to the gonadotropins FSH, LH, nor to hCG. Conversely, there is a cellular proliferation and an increase in cancer cell lines with oestrogen receptors with exposure to oestrogen, and it is dose - dependent. The special stimulation protocol with FSH, GnRH agonists and letrozole is effective in gain of efficient amount of gamets with minimal increase of estradiole level. Current study reviews did not find higher risk of progression of breast cancer in association with ovarian stimulation. It is important to respect the recomendation of oncology committee and to effectively suppress the estradiol level.

Prospective Evaluation of Ultrasound Accuracy in the Detection of Pelvic Carcinomatosis in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

We analyzed the accuracy of transvaginal sonography in detection of pelvic carcinomatosis in ovarian cancer patients and factors (age, body mass index, performance status, ascites, stage, histotype, tumor grade) influencing the performance of ultrasound. In this prospective study, all 191 consecutively included patients underwent a pre-operative ultrasound staging examination according to institutional protocol. Peritoneal spread was assessed on the basis of peri-operative findings or histology. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the detection of carcinomatosis was 0.90 (0.84-0.93); the sensitivity was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 75%-%90), specificity 96% (95% CI: 89%-99%), positive predictive value 96% (95% CI: 89%-99%), negative predictive value 83% (95% CI: 74%-90%) and overall accuracy 89% (95% CI: 84%-93%). We report that transvaginal sonography is clinically useful in the detection of pelvic carcinomatosis.

L1CAM expression in endometrial carcinomas: an ENITEC collaboration study

Background:

Identification of aggressive endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) and non-endometrioid carcinomas (NEECs) is essential to improve outcome. L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) expression is a strong prognostic marker in stage I EECs, but less is known about L1CAM expression in advanced-stage EECs and NEECs. This study analyses L1CAM expression in a clinically representative cohort of endometrial carcinomas.

Methods:

The expression of L1CAM was immunohistochemically determined in 1199 endometrial carcinomas, treated at one of the European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer (ENITEC) centres. Staining was considered positive when >10% of the tumour cells expressed L1CAM. The association between L1CAM expression and several clincopathological characteristics and disease outcome was calculated.

Results:

In all, L1CAM was expressed in 10% of the 935 stage I EECs, 18% of the 160 advanced stage EECs, and 75% of the 104 NEECs. The expression of L1CAM was associated with advanced stage, nodal involvement, high tumour grade, non-endometrioid histology, lymphovascular space invasion, and distant recurrences in all cases, and with reduced survival in the EECs, but not in the NEECs.

Conclusions:

The expression of L1CAM is a strong predictor of poor outcome in EECs, but not NEECs. It is strongly associated with non-endometrioid histology and distant spread, and could improve the postoperative selection of high-risk endometrial carcinomas. The value of L1CAM expression in the preoperative selection of high-risk endometrial carcinomas should be studied.

[Radical fertility preserving surgery of gynaecological malignancies - five-year-old file]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of radical fertility preserving surgery, oncogynaecological treatment including their pregnancy effort.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Masaryk University and Faculty Hospital Brno.

METHODS

The group of 13 patients in age fifteen to thirty-six, who underwent radical fertility preserving surgery of oncogynecological tumors (cervix, ovarium), 9 patients with ovarian cancer and 4 patients with carcinoma of cervix.

RESULTS

Histology showed seven times ovarial epithelial carcinoma, twice nonepithelial ovarial carcinoma, twice spinocelular cervical carcinoma, one adenosquamous and one lymfoepithelioma like carcinoma. We reported lymphocele as the most often postoperative complication by five patients with ovarial carcinoma, lymphoedema of lower limbs in one case and one of them complicated by bilateral hydronephrosis. After surgery procedures of cervical carcinoma, there was a stenosis of cervical canal with postoperative correction. In one case there was provided vaginal revision of cervix followed by embolisation of uterine arteries because of heavy bleeding in early postoperative period. After two years follow up, there are 12 patients in remission. There were four patients with fertlity plan, two with ovarial carcinoma, two with cervical carcinoma. The first group describes two pregnancies - one misscariage and one spontaneus labour in the date of delivery. There were 4 pregnancies in two patients wit cervical carcinoma. One patient has an intrapartal cesarean section because of scarring of the cervix after the operation. Next patients has two labours in due date, three labours in 34-37th week of pregnancy and one misscariage in 23 week of pregnancy. One patient has ovarial cancer during pregnancy, so the radical fertility preserving surgery was done after delivery.

CONCLUSION

Methods and procedures of surgery with fertility preserving goals in our oncogynecological centre are in concordance with actual knowledge of medicine and respect oncological safety of patients with malignancies, who currently wish for fertility preserving treatment. Presented group of patients is relatively small, but results of oncological treatment and fertility plan demonstrate right-fulness of this treatment.

Simplified protocol for flow cytometry analysis of fluorescently labeled exosomes and microvesicles using dedicated flow cytometer

Flow cytometry is a powerful method, which is widely used for high-throughput quantitative and qualitative analysis of cells. However, its straightforward applicability for extracellular vesicles (EVs) and mainly exosomes is hampered by several challenges, reflecting mostly the small size of these vesicles (exosomes: ~80-200 nm, microvesicles: ~200-1,000 nm), their polydispersity, and low refractive index. The current best and most widely used protocol for beads-free flow cytometry of exosomes uses ultracentrifugation (UC) coupled with floatation in sucrose gradient for their isolation, labeling with lipophilic dye PKH67 and antibodies, and an optimized version of commercial high-end cytometer for analysis. However, this approach requires an experienced flow cytometer operator capable of manual hardware adjustments and calibration of the cytometer. Here, we provide a novel and fast approach for quantification and characterization of both exosomes and microvesicles isolated from cell culture media as well as from more complex human samples (ascites of ovarian cancer patients) suitable for multiuser labs by using a flow cytometer especially designed for small particles, which can be used without adjustments prior to data acquisition. EVs can be fluorescently labeled with protein-(Carboxyfluoresceinsuccinimidyl ester, CFSE) and/or lipid- (FM) specific dyes, without the necessity of removing the unbound fluorescent dye by UC, which further facilitates and speeds up the characterization of microvesicles and exosomes using flow cytometry. In addition, double labeling with protein- and lipid-specific dyes enables separation of EVs from common contaminants of EV preparations, such as protein aggregates or micelles formed by unbound lipophilic styryl dyes, thus not leading to overestimation of EV numbers. Moreover, our protocol is compatible with antibody labeling using fluorescently conjugated primary antibodies. The presented methodology opens the possibility for routine quantification and characterization of EVs from various sources. Finally, it has the potential to bring a desired level of control into routine experiments and non-specialized labs, thanks to its simple bead-based standardization.

[Ultrasound staging of endometrial cancer - recommended methodology of examination]

The extent of the staging surgery in cases of histologically proven endometrial cancer depends on whether the tumor is of high risk or low risk for extrauterine spread and recurrence. There are several significant prognostic factors - histological subtype and grade of dediferentiation from preoperative biopsy and local stage of uterine involvement based on imaging methods. The depth of myometrial invasion and presence of cervical stromal infiltration (local staging) can be assessed by ultrasound with the overall accuracy comparable to that of magnetic resonance. Transvaginal ultrasound enables to vizualize detailed pelvic anatomy and that is why it is considered to be a suitable tool for assessment of local stage of endometrial cancer. It is advisable to use the standardized terminology defined by International Endometrial Tumor Analysis group (IETA) to describe ultrasound findings. The standardized methodology of ultrasound preoperative staging examination based on prearranged protocols is recommended.

[Ultrasonic staging cervical cancer -a proposal for the standard procedure]

OBJECTIVE

To develop guidelines for the ultrasound examination of cervical cancer, including a unified ultrasound terminology.

SUBJECT

Original paper.

SETTING

Gynecological Oncology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University and General Faculty Hospital Brno, and Gynecological Oncology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University in Prague - First Faculty of Medicine and General Faculty Hospital Prague.

SUBJECT AND METHOD

The standard diagnostic algo-rithm for examination of cervical cancer in oncogynecology centers in the Czech Republic is based on published studies, own experience (Oncogynecological Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics,1st Medical Faculty, Charles University) and the experiences of a group of ultrasonographers involved in the grant project IGA MZ ČR NT13070 focused on the implementation of an oncogynecological ultrasound into clinical practice. Standard ultrasound examination includes two-dimensional real-time ultrasound examination (sagittal and transverse views). Transrectal or transvaginal ultrasound examination is combined with transabdominal ultrasound. Prerequisites are quality ultrasound equipment, a high frequency microconvex linear probe and abdominal convex and linear probe. The examination is performed by an experienced sonographer (level 2 or 3 according to the recommendations of the Ultrasound division of the Czech Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Czech Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology). Intravenous administration of contrast material or three-dimensional ultrasound examination do not influence accuracy of the examination and is not a prerequisite.

CONCLUSION

Based on the consensus of experienced sonographers and a review of the literature, guidelines were created for ultrasound staging of cervical cancer.

[Blood-less Medicine in Gynecologyand Oncogynecology]

The methods of bloodless medicine are used in many surgical fields. This article aims to draw attention to the possible use of these procedures in gynecological surgery to reduce the number of transfusions.

[Incidence and therapy of lymphoceles after pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection - our file]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of lymphocele´s incidence and therapy among the patients, who underwent systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy during the years 2010-2012 in Oncogynecological centre of Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Brno.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Masaryk University Hospital Brno.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the file of 111 patients, who underwent pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy during the years 2010-2012 in our clinic. These patients were observed for the incidence of lymphoceles proved by ultrasonography. We focused on the incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles from all detected lymphoceles in the file of patients and we searched for relation between their presence and the type of systematic lymphadenectomy (pelvic or paraaortic) and the type of gynecological tumor and we report their management.

RESULTS

During the years 2010-2012 we provided 111 lymphadenectomies consisting of: 78 pelvic and 33 pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomies in our clinic. These patients were rewied for retrospective study. We reported 37 cases of lymphoceles (33.3%) detected by vaginal or transabdominal ultrasonography. Among all patients with lymphoceles, we observed 24 asymptomatic patients and 13 patients with clinical features. There were 11.7% symptomatic lymphoceles from overall count. Only these symptomatic patients underwent therapy including simple punction or surgery management. Among all patients with lymphoceles, we reported the presence of lymfoceles by 19 patients with ovarian cancer (51.4%), 12 patients with cancer of cervix (32.4%), 4 patients with cancer of uterus (10.8%), one patient with cancer of salpinx and one patient with cancer of peritoneum (both 2.7%). We did not register statistically important dependence of lymphocele´s incidence on the type of lymphadenectomy (pelvic and/or paraaortic) - difference of 4.31%.

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic lymphoceles do not represent such a risk for patients after lymphadenectomy such as lymphoceles with clinical symptoms, which need to be followed by therapy. We proved incidence of lymphoceles 33.3%. There were 11.7% symptomatic lymphoceles among all patients after systematic lymph-adenectomy. In the future, it is necessary to standardize the condi-tions, used to indicate systematic lymphadenectomy to ensure safety of the oncological procedure and at the same time not to increase postoperative morbidity of patients. Going forward the topic of lymphocel´s prevention and detection of their valid risk and protective factors requires further prospective studies divided into single types of gynecological malignant tumors.

KEYWORDS

pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy, lymphoceles, incidence.

[Incarcerated uterus in pregnancy - pitfalls of diagnosis, clinical course and therapy: two case reports]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of two cases of incarcerated uterus during pregnancy.

DESIGN

Two case reports.

SETTING

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Masaryk University, University Hospital Brno.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In two cases of incarcerated uterus, which were resolved on Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Brno is shown a different clinical course, leading to the detection and solutions at different gestational weeks. The first case was detected in 31st week of pregnancy and was characterized by nearly asymptomatic course in a pregnant woman with a scar in the lower uterine segment after a previous caesarean section. The delivery was scheduled for the end of the 36th week of pregnancy by iterative caesarean section. The second case was detected on the 27th week of pregnancy due to significant subjective difficulties of pregnant woman that impressed as acute event of abdomen. Despite all attempts at conservative therapy was necessary to terminate the pregnancy by caesarean section at 28 week of pregnancy due to the high risk of uterine rupture.

CONCLUSION

Incarcerated uterus is a rare complication of pregnancy. Diagnostics complains varied clinical picture of the nonspecific subjective difficulties. Missed diagnosis can lead to a number of serious obstetric complications. In case of failure of conservative therapy and progression of difficulties is necessary to think about the real risk of uterine rupture. Before performing a caesarean section is essential knowledge of the mutual position of the lower uterine segment, urinary bladder and cervix.

[Modern surgical and biological therapy of breast cancer]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women in the Czech Republic. According to data from the National Cancer Registry (NOR) in 2007, the incidence is 122.7 cases of breast cancer in 100 000 women per year. Czech Republic occupies in the incidence of women breast cancer 26th place in the world and 17th place in Europe. Annually it has been diagnosed 6500 these tumors, 1700-1900 women die for him in the Czech Republic (data from 2007). The incidence show long-term upward trend (an increase of 32% in 2007 compared to 1995), while mortality has long been stabilized. In this favorable outcome involved the introduction of systematic screening of mammography in women over 45 years of age, diagnosis of early stages of disease, effective adjutant therapy and treatment of metastatic disease. In an international comparison of mortality, the Czech Republic belongs to 71th place in the world and the 27th place in Europe. Malignant neoplasm of breast cancer often affects women of working age, nearly 43% of patients are younger than 60 years. Long-term increasing incidence and stable mortality lead to a further increase in prevalence, which in 2007 reached more than 55 000 women living with breast cancer or its history. The various modalities of treatment include surgery, radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted biological therapy. Fastest-growing issues in breast cancer management is the sentinel nodes and non-invasive breast cancers. This entity was newly assigned and represented by a lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). DCIS as noninvasive cancer of the breast is generally 15-20% of breast cancers diagnosed and the number is growing.