Surgical versus clinical staging prior to primary chemoradiation in patients with cervical cancer FIGO stages IIB-IVA: oncologic results of a prospective randomized international multicenter (Uterus-11) intergroup study

Objective

Revised staging of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer is based on clinical examination, imaging, and potential surgical findings. A known limitation of imaging techniques is an appreciable rate of understaging. In contrast, surgical staging may provide more accurate information on lymph node involvement. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of pre-treatment surgical staging, including removal of bulky lymph nodes, on disease-free survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Methods

Uterus-11 was a prospective international multicenter study including patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who were randomized 1:1 to surgical staging (experimental arm) or clinical staging (control arm) followed by primary platinum-based chemoradiation. Patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous cancer International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IIB–IVA underwent gynecologic examination and pre-treatment imaging including abdominal computed tomography (CT) and/or abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients had chest imaging (any of the following: X-ray, CT, or PET-CT). The primary endpoint was disease-free survival and the secondary endpoint was overall survival. An ad hoc analysis was performed after trial completion for cancer-specific survival. Randomization was conducted from February 2009 to August 2013.

Results

A total of 255 patients (surgical arm, n=130; clinical arm, n=125) with locally advanced cervical cancer were randomized. Of these, 240 patients were eligible for analysis. The two groups were comparable with respect to patient characteristics. The surgical approach was transperitoneal laparoscopy in most patients (96.6%). Laparoscopic staging led to upstaging in 39 of 120 (33%) patients. After a median follow-up of 90 months (range 1–123) in both arms, there was no difference in disease-free survival between the groups (p=0.084). For patients with FIGO stage IIB, surgical staging is superior to clinical staging with respect to disease-free survival (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.86, p=0.011). In the post-hoc analysis, surgical staging was associated with better cancer-specific survival (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.93, p=0.020).

Conclusion

Our study did not show a difference in disease-free survival between surgical and clinical staging in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. There was a significant benefit in disease-free survival for patients with FIGO stage IIB and, in a post-hoc analysis, a cancer-specific survival benefit in favor of laparoscopic staging. The high risk of distant metastases in both arms emphasizes the need for further evaluation.

Sarcoma of the Uterus. Guideline of the DGGG and OEGGG (S2k Level, AWMF Register Number 015/074, February 2019)

Aims This is an official guideline published and coordinated by the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG). Because of their rarity and heterogeneous histopathology, uterine sarcomas are challenging in terms of how they should be managed clinically, and treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. To our knowledge, there are currently no binding evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate management of this heterogeneous group of tumors. Methods This S2k guideline was first published in 2015. The update published here is the result of the consensus of a representative interdisciplinary group of experts who carried out a systematic search of the literature on uterine sarcomas in the context of the guidelines program of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG. Members of the participating professional societies achieved a formal consensus after a moderated structured consensus process. Recommendations The consensus-based recommendations and statements include the epidemiology, classification, staging, symptoms, general diagnostic work-up and general pathology of uterine sarcomas as well as the genetic predisposition to develop uterine sarcomas. Also included are statements on the management of leiomyosarcomas, (low and high-grade) endometrial stromal sarcomas and undifferentiated uterine sarcomas and adenosarcomas. Finally, the guideline considers the follow-up and morcellation of uterine sarcomas and the information provided to patients.

Accuracy of primary laparoscopic staging in patients with early ovarian malignancies: A retrospective multicenter study

e17052

Background: Early ovarian malignancies (eOM) are often diagnosed incidentally in the course of diagnostic minimal invasive surgery or laparoscopy for preoperative suspected benign indications. To what extent initial minimal-invasive staging matches final FIGO stage following definite surgery is controversially discussed and current literature on this question is sparse. The aim of this study was to assess accuracy of laparoscopic staging of eOM with regard to final FIGO stage. Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients treated for eOM between 01/2000 and 10/2018. Participating sites were Gynecologic comprehensive cancer centers with great expertise in minimal invasive surgery. Inclusion criteria were no preoperative suspicion of advanced malignancy, initial staging laparoscopy, completion of surgical treatment via laparotomy and complete follow-up data. Clinical data and outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Rate of upstaging and distinct causes were assessed and initial and definite FIGO stage and 3-year disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared with regard to the incidence of upstaging. Results: 107 patients with eOM were included in the final analysis. In 72 (67 %) patients primary laparoscopic staging was concordant with final staging. 35 (33 %) cases were upstaged after the second operation. Regarding the cause for upstaging 4 (11 %) were upstaged because of infiltration of the contralateral ovarian capsule, 16 (46 %) because of peritoneal infiltrates and in 15 (43 %) patients an iatrogenic rupture of the ovarian tumor occurred during laparotomy. 21 (60 %) cases were upstaged within FIGO stage I and 14 (40 %) cases from stage I to II. Comparison of 3-year DFS and OS showed no differences regarding upstaging. Conclusions: In this population of patients with eOM, staging laparoscopy performed by specialized laparoscopic oncologic surgeons showed a sufficient accuracy with no case of upstaging to advanced FIGO stages. Regarding oncologic safety laparoscopic staging showed no impact on 3-year DFS and OS.

Updated Opinion of the Uterus Commission of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (AGO) and the Gynecological Endoscopy Working Group (AGE) of the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) on the Randomized Study Comparing Minimally Invasive with Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy for Early-stage Cervical Cancer (LACC)

In this opinion on the randomized study comparing minimally invasive with abdominal radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer (LACC), the Uterus Commission of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (AGO) and the Gynecological Endoscopy Working Group (AGE) of the Germany Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) state that, based on their examination of the published data, patients with FIGO stage IA1 (with LVSI), IA2 or IB1 cervical cancer must be informed about the results of this LACC study prior to making a decision on the route for radical hysterectomy.

Endometriosis-associated Malignancy

Endometriosis is a common condition in women of reproductive age. According to several epidemiological studies endometriosis may be associated with increased risk of various malignancies. However, endometriosis-associated malignancy (EAM) is defined by certain histological criteria. About 80 % of EAM have been found in the ovary, whereas 20 % are localized in extragonadal sites like intestine, rectovaginal septum, abdominal wall, pleura and others. Some authors suggest that EAM arise from atypical endometriosis as an intermediate lesion between endometriosis and cancer. Moreover, a number of genetic alterations, like loss of heterozygosity (LOH), PTEN, ARID1 A and p53 mutations have been found in both endometriosis and EAM. Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) is mostly a well or intermediately differentiated tumor of endometrioid or clear cell histological sub-type. Women affected by EAOC are on average five to ten years younger than non-EAOC patients; in most of the cases EAOC is a low stage disease with favorable clinical outcome. Since EAM is a rare condition systematic data on EAM are still missing. A systematic retrospective study on endometriosis-associated malignancies (EAM study) is currently being conducted by the Endometriosis Research Foundation together with the study groups on ovarian and uterine tumors of the working group for gynecological oncology (AGO) (gyn@mlk-berlin.de).

Erratum: Sarcoma of the Uterus. Guideline of the DGGG (S2k-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/074, August 2015)

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558120.].

Sarcoma of the Uterus. Guideline of the DGGG (S2k-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/074, August 2015)

Purpose: Official guideline published and coordinated by the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG). Due to their rarity and their heterogeneous histopathology uterine sarcomas remain challenging tumors to manage and need a multidisciplinary approach. To our knowledge so far there is no evidence-based guideline on the appropiate management of these heterogeneous tumors. Methods: This S2k-guideline is the work of an representative committee of experts from a variety of different professions who were commissioned by the DGGG to carry out a systematic literature review of uterine sarcoma. Members of the participating scientific societies developed a structured consensus in a formal procedure. Recommendations: 1. The incidence and histopathologic classification of uterine sarcoma. 2. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and staging of uterine sarcoma. 3. The management of leiomyosarcoma. 4. The management of endometrial stromal sarcoma and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. 5. The management of adenosarcoma as well as carcinosarcomas. 6. The management of morcellated uterine sarcoma.

[Endometriosis-related ovarian tumors]

Endometriosis is a frequent gynecological disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. It affects the gynecological organs and the peritoneum with varying frequency and can lead to severe symptoms, mainly pain and to infertility. Despite the fact that causal therapy is not feasible diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are necessary in many cases. In a small percentage of cases endometriosis is associated with neoplastic disease and in some cases it might develop into a neoplasm via the stage of atypical endometriosis, notably in the ovaries. Tumors which are most frequently associated with endometriosis are endometrioid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and low grade serous carcinoma. According to some authors tumors associated with endometriosis have a better prognosis than those without. Other tumors are Mullerian adenosarcoma, endometrioid stromal sarcoma, and seromucinous borderline tumor. In addition to the morphological findings more recent molecular findings serve to demonstrate the origin of the different types of carcinoma from endometriosis. In both endometrioid and clear cell carcinoma, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) can be found in different gene loci. Mutations in CTNNB1 (beta catenin), PTEN, KRAS and ARID1a genes have been demonstrated in endometrioid carcinoma. Cases of clear cell carcinoma have been characterized by mutations of ARID1a gene, PIK3CA and less frequently PPP2R1A and KRAS.

National German Guideline (S2k): Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis: Long Version - AWMF Registry No. 015-045

In this guideline, recommendations and standards for optimum diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis are presented. They are based on the analysis of the available scientific evidence as published in prospective randomized and retrospective studies as well as in systematic reviews. The guideline working group consisted of experts from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

Endometriosis: Survey of Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options and Latest Research Work

Endometriosis is one of the most frequent benign diseases in women of child-bearing age. The main symptoms are chronic upper abdominal pain and infertility. However, the aetiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis are as yet insufficiently clarified. Thus, therapy is mainly symptomatic with laparoscopic surgery being the gold standard. The aim of drug therapy is to achieve a hypo-oestrogenic condition. In cases of severe endometriosis and a desire to have children there is often an indication for assisted reproduction. The present article illustrates almost all current aspects on the diagnosis of and therapy of endometriosis. From the clinical viewpoint, emphasis is placed on the rare cases of deeply infiltrating endometriosis that are, however, accompanied with a high morbidity. Current therapeutic options in cases of infertility are also presented in more detail. Furthermore, special attention is paid to the latest research results from both clinical and basic research fields in order to demonstrate our current knowledge on the pathogenesis and, where possible, potentially related therapeutic options.

Current and Future Status of Laparoscopy in Gynecologic Oncology

Laparoscopy is playing an increasingly important role in gynecologic oncology. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery for oncology patients and the quality of this treatment are well documented. Outcomes and quality of minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat cervical cancer were evaluated based on retrospective and case-control studies; outcomes and quality after minimally invasive treatment für early-stage low-risk endometrial cancer were also assessed in prospective randomized studies. If indicated, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy is both technically feasible and oncologically safe. Adipose patients in particular benefit from minimally invasive procedures, where feasible. The potential role of laparoscopy in neoadjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer and in surgery for early-stage ovarian carcinoma is still controversially discussed and is currently being assessed in further studies. Using a minimally invasive approach in gynecologic oncology procedures demands strict adherence to oncological principles and requires considerable surgical skill.

Surgical Therapy of Endometriosis: Challenges and Controversies

Endometriosis is one of the most common disorders encountered in surgical gynaecology. The laparoscopic technique, the planning of the surgical intervention, the extent of information provided to patients and the interdisciplinary coordination make it a challenging intervention. Complete resection of all visible foci of disease offers the best control of symptoms. However, the possibility of achieving this goal is limited by the difficulty of detecting all foci and the risks associated with radical surgical strategies. Thus, the excision of ovarian endometrioma can result in a significant impairment of ovarian function, while damage to nerve structures during resection of the uterosacral ligaments, the parametrium, the rectovaginal septum or the vaginal cuff to treat deep infiltrating endometriosis can lead to serious functional impairments such as voiding disorders. A detailed risk-benefit analysis is therefore necessary, and patients must be treated using an individual approach.

[Current TNM/FIGO classification for cervical and endometrial cancer as well as malignant mixed müllerian tumors. Facts and background]

Numerous recent studies of endometrial and cervical carcinomas as well as malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMT) of the uterus have made a revision of the FIGO/TNM classification necessary, effective as of January 1st, 2010. There will be a new subclassification of carcinoma of the uterine cervix with proximal vaginal infiltration, using the same cut-off for the tumor extension as used for stage FIGOIB/T1b (≤/>4 cm), resulting in stage FIGO IIA1/T2a1 and FIGO IIA2/T2a2. In endometrial carcinoma, the previous FIGO IA/pT1a and FIGO IB/pT1b will be merged to FIGO IA/pT1a. The former category FIGO IC/T1c will be changed into FIGO IB/T1b. The category FIGO IC/pT1c will not longer been used. Additionally, there will be no separate classification for the involvement of the endocervical glands by endometrial carcinoma. This feature will be incorporated in stage FIGO I/T1 disease. The new category FIGO II/T2 will be defined as endocervical stromal involvement. There will be a new category, termed T3c/IIIC, which includes regional lymph node involvement. Stage T3c1/IIIC1 will be defined as pelvic lymph node involvement and stage T3c2/IIIC2 para-aortal lymph node involvement with or without pelvic lymph node disease. In the TNM system, regional lymph node involvement can alternatively be classified as N1. The MMMT will be staged like endometrial carcinoma.

First evaluation of the Joint Clinical Registries of the Coordinating Tumor Center of Berlin

In the present study, we report the first analysis of the clinical management [corrected] of patients with primary ovarian cancer following the summarized data of the Joint Clinical Registries of the Coordinating Tumor Center of Berlin (Dachverband Tumorzentrum Berlin e.V.). All data were summarized for the period of 2005 to 2008 regarding age, histopathology, time of surgical intervention, follow-up and survival, based on 1124 provided data sets of patients with suspected ovarian tumours. We identified 946 patients with a diagnosis of primary ovarian cancer, mostly of advanced T3 tumour stage (63.7%), FIGO III and IV stage (40.6%) or grade II and III (91%) histology. The median age at time of diagnosis was 61 years (range 15 to 94 years). Most patients (n=414, 69.8%) underwent cytoreductive surgery within one month of diagnosis. The median follow-up period was 26 months; 241 patients died in the analyzed period. The calculated 3-year survival rate was 63.3%, although the median overall survival has not yet been reached. We detected positive correlation of tumour stage (p<0.001) and of FIGO stage (p<0.001) with survival, and these were evaluated as being prognostically significant. The implementation of institutional based clinical registries as part of the modern clinical management of patients with ovarian cancer is feasible and well accepted inside the gynaecological departments of Berlin.

The diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer: progress and controversies

BACKGROUND

Endometrial carcinoma is the fourth most common type of cancer among women in Germany, with more than 11 000 newly diagnosed cases each year. The present lack of clarity about the optimal clinical management of these patients is due in part to inconsistencies in the scientific evidence and in part to recent modifications of the FIGO classification. In this article, the issues requiring clarification are presented and discussed.

METHODS

This article is based on a selective review of the pertinent literature, including evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Current scientific evidence does not support the screening of asymptomatic women. On the other hand, women with postmenopausal and acyclic bleeding should undergo histopathological evaluation, particularly if they have risk factors for endometrial cancer. The current FIGO classification divides endometrial cancer into stages depending on the findings at surgery. On the basis of risk stratification (e.g., by tumor stage and histological differentiation grade), women who are judged to be at high risk (FIGO Stage IB and above, Grade 3) should undergo not just hysterectomy and adnexectomy, but also systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Risk stratification also determines whether adjuvant radiotherapy should be given. The additional or alternative administration of chemotherapy is a particular consideration for women at high risk, although the pertinent clinical trials to date have yielded conflicting evidence on this point.

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

BACKGROUND

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is often recommended to carriers of deleterious breast cancer gene 1/2 (BRCA1/2) mutations in order to reduce their breast cancer risk by 50% and their ovarian cancer risk by approximately 95%. To evaluate the acceptance, timing, histopathology findings and follow-up results we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomies.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 2009, 306 women who tested positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation were counseled for preventive options. RRSO was recommended to all mutation carriers at age 40 or 5 years prior to the earliest occurrence of ovarian cancer in the family. Data from 175 BRCA mutation carriers (92 BRCA1 and 83 BRCA2), who decided to undergo a RRSO, were analyzed. Data were collected from study entry until recent follow-up.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven percent of BRCA mutation carriers opted for RRSO. Mean age at time of surgery was 47 years. Overall, one occult carcinoma of the fallopian tube was detected at the time of surgery in a 57-year-old woman and one primary peritoneal carcinoma occurred 26 months after RRSO in a 59-year-old woman.

CONCLUSION

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is widely accepted. Recommendation of surgery at the age of 40 seems to be safe and the frequency of extraovarian primary peritoneal carcinoma after surgery is low.

Naloxone stimulation test in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea: a preliminary report

We researched the possibility of the induction of ovulation by means of chronic opioid receptor blockade in 4 women with hypothalamic amenorrhea. Daily 4 mg naloxone were given as a bolus injection intravenously. By means of continuous determination of LH, FSH, 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone as well as of sonographic folliculometry follicular growth and subsequent ovulation should have been proved. Neither we found alterations of the basal values of LH, FSH, E2 and progesterone, nor we observed a follicular growth. These results lead us to the conclusion to put a naloxone stimulation test before further therapy. In this way opioid mediated hypothalamic ovarian insufficiencies can be registered and a therapy optimum can be reached early.

"Occult" neuroendocrine component and rare metastatic pattern in cervical cancer: report of a case and brief review of the literature

Distant metastases in small cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix are rare, and a disseminated manifestation of the disease is uncommon. This is a case report of a 40-year-old woman treated with platin-based radio-chemotherapy for a moderately differentiated squamous cell cervical cancer FIGO Stage IB 1 (with positive paraaortic lymph nodes). One year later she presented with remarkably unusual cutaneous metastases of the left thumb and scalp as the first signs of spread of disease, including kidney, lung and brain metastases. An advanced retrospective immunohistochemical staining of the cervical biopsy discovered a small neuroendocrine component of the carcinoma as the presumably causative factor for the rare metastastic pattern and poor prognosis.

[Unanswered questions in the management of cervical cancer]

The Task Force Group "Uterus of the Association of Gynecologic Oncology" has recently published the interdisciplinary S2 guidelines on diagnostics and therapy of cervical cancer. In view of quality development strategies of the German Cancer Society and the German Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, a practicable concept with clear algorithms for gynecologists has been presented. Nevertheless, both development of oncologic sciences and daily practice, lead to new questions which should be answered by prospective studies. In this respect, women with cervical cancer should be treated on the same level of quality as patients with breast cancer. As discussed both nationally and internationally, laparoscopic staging, the development of laparoscopic surgical techniques (i. e., laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy), the safety and efficacy of the sentinel concept, and TMMR, and finally, the indication for trachelectomy are main scientific questions. Also, innovative vaccination studies that might increase hope of a breakthrough even in cervical cancer prevention, the implementation of nerve-sparing surgical techniques, the radical parametrectomy or current strategies on exenteration are main focuses of clinical gynecologic oncology.

Parametrial and rectovaginal adenocarcinoma arising from endometriosis

Malignant extragonadal tumors arising from endometriosis are rare. We report on two cases. A 41-year-old gravida 1, para 1 (G1P1), with adenocarcinoma of the right parametrium arising from endometriosis and a 51-year-old G1P1 with endometriosis-associated rectovaginal adenocarcinoma were treated. Treatment included radical surgery plus radiation therapy. While the former patient was doing well 2 years after the primary diagnosis, the latter suffered a local pelvic recurrence 2 years later. Although there are no randomized controlled studies, radical surgery followed by radiation therapy seems generally to be the treatment of choice. The analysis of PTEN in various forms of endometriosis and its malignant transformation may help in understanding the early steps of tumorigenesis.

[Diagnostic laparoscopy -- when and why?]

Laparoscopy holds a key role in daignosing and treating endometriosis. The present paper aims at clarifying the correct indication for this procedure. To this end, relevant guidelines as well as considerations regarding incidence, pathogenesis as well as diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives are presented. An algorithm for clinical practice is presented.