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Introduction: To assess the rate of disease control and survival after adjuvant treatment in patients with uterine papillary serous (PSC) and clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and compare the results between these two subtypes., Methods: The medical charts of 199 patients with de novo uterine PSC or CCC who underwent radiotherapy (RT) following surgery between 2001 and 2019 in three radiation oncology departments were retrospectively evaluated. Adjuvant treatment was decided by a multidisciplinary tumor board. All patients were planned to undergo adjuvant 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy with external beam RT (EBRT) and/or vaginal brachytherapy (VBT)., Results: Median age was 63 years for all, 64 years for PSC, and 59 years for CCC, respectively. Complete surgical staging was applied in 98% of patients. Histopathologic subtype was PSC in 142 (71%) and pure CCC in 57 (29%) patients, respectively. FIGO stage was I in 107 (54%), II in 35 (18%), and III in 57 (28%) patients, respectively. Lympho-vascular space invasion and positive peritoneal cytology (PPC) were present in 42% and 10% of patients, respectively. All patients but 23 (12%) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 49.5 months for all patients, 43.9 months for patients with PSC, and 90.4 months for patients with CCC, respectively. During follow-up, 20 (10%) patients developed pelvic recurrence (PR) and 37 (19%) developed distant metastasis (DM). PSC subtype increased the PR and DM rates, although the latter not statistically significant. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rate was 73% and 69% for all patients, 71% and 66% for patients with PSC, and 77% and 75% for patients with CCC, respectively. The difference was more prominent in patients with stage ≥ IB disease. In multivariate analysis, advanced age and PPC significantly decreased all survival rates., Conclusion: PSC has a worse prognosis than CCC with regard to pelvic and distant recurrence with a trend for decreased survival rates. Therefore, a more aggressive therapy is needed for patients with uterine PSC, particularly in patients with stage ≥ IB disease., (© 2022 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

This study was conducted to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of laparotomy and laparoscopic surgeries in endometrial cancer under the light of the 2016 ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification system, with particular focus on the high-intermediate- and high-risk categories. Using multicentric databases between January 2005 and January 2016, disease-free and overall survivals of 2745 endometrial cancer cases were compared according to the surgery route (laparotomy vs. laparoscopy). The high-intermediate- and high-risk patients were defined with respect to the 2016 ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification system, and they were analyzed with respect to differences in survival rates. Of the 2745 patients, 1743 (63.5%) were operated by laparotomy, and the remaining were operated with laparoscopy. The total numbers of high-intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer cases were 734 (45%) patients in the laparotomy group and 307 (30.7%) patients in the laparoscopy group. Disease-free and overall survivals were not statistically different when compared between laparoscopy and laparotomy groups in terms of low-, intermediate-, high-intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer. In conclusion, regardless of the endometrial cancer risk category, long-term oncological outcomes of the laparoscopic approach were found to be comparable to those treated with laparotomy. Our results are encouraging to consider laparoscopic surgery for high-intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer cases.

In this study, 683 patients with endometrial cancer (EC) after comprehensive surgical staging were classified into four risk groups as low (LR), intermediate (IR), high-intermediate (HIR) and high-risk (HR), according to the recent consensus risk grouping. Patients with disease confined to the uterus, ≥50% myometrial invasion (MI) and/or grade 3 histology were treated with vaginal brachytherapy (VBT). Patients with stage II disease, positive/close surgical margins or extra-uterine extension were treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)±VBT. The median follow-up was 56 months. The overall survival (OS) was significantly different between LR and HR groups, and there was a trend between LR and HIR groups. Relapse-free survival (RFS) was significantly different between LR and HIR, LR and HR and IR and HR groups. There was no significant difference in OS and RFS rates between the HIR and HR groups. In HR patients, the OS and RFS rates were significantly higher in stage IB - grade 3 and stage II compared to stage III and non-endometrioid histology without any difference between the two uterine-confined stages and between stage III and non-endometrioid histology. The current risk grouping does not clearly discriminate the HIR and IR groups. In patients with comprehensive surgical staging, a further risk grouping is needed to distinguish the real HR group.Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The standard treatment for endometrial cancer (EC) is surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy is recommended according to risk factors. The recent European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) guideline have introduced a new risk group. However, the risk grouping is still quite heterogeneous. What do the results of this study add? This study demonstrated that the current risk grouping recommended by ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO does not clearly discriminate the intermediate risk (IR) and high-intermediate risk (HIR) groups. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Based on the results of this study, a new risk grouping can be made to discriminate HIR and IR groups clearly in patients with comprehensive surgical staging.

Objective: Complex procedures such as distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy (DPS) may be required for R0 resection in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). These procedures can increase survival and cause serious morbidity. We aimed to present our experience in this field., Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients who underwent DPS for OC between January 2004 and July 2018 in two centers (Hacettepe University Hospital, Etlik Hospital) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS., Results: The mean operative time was 310 min (220-570 min). None of the patients required transfusion. No perioperative mortality was observed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 12 days (ranging from 8 to 33 days). The number of patients with early postoperative complications was four (30.7%). One of these patients was complicated by intestinal perforation, one with pancreatic fistula, one with pneumonia and the other with atelectasis. Other complications were observed conservatively. Ten patients underwent 6 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy postoperatively. The median value of the postoperative chemotherapy period was 20 days (range 11-47 days). The median follow-up period was 46 months (2-144 months). Ten patients had recurrence. Eleven patients died of disease. Two patients are stil alive. Disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival were 16 and 63 months, respectively., Conclusion: DPS for cytoreductive surgery is a procedure that increases morbidity, but most of the complications can be treated conservatively. Considering the increase in survival, it is considered to be a valuable procedure in upper abdominal disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To evaluate the Turkey's nationwide HPV DNA screening program on the basis of first 4 million screened women., Methods: Women over age 30 were invited for screening via HPV DNA and conventional cytology. Single visit screen strategy was used to collect for both screening and triage (extended genotyping and conventional pap-smear)., Results: A total of 4,099,230 patients had attended to HPV DNA cancer screening. 4.39% were found to be HPV DNA positive. The most common HPV type was 16, followed by 51, 31, 52, 56 and 18 at all age intervals and geographic regions. Cytology results were reported as "normal" in (69.2%), "inadequate sampling" in (16.6%) and as "abnormal (≥ASC-US)" in the remaining. Current Turkish screening with HPV DNA (referral to colposcopy with HPV 16 or 18 or any smear abnormality ≥ASC-US) gives overall PPV of 24.3% for ≥CIN2. Only Pap-Smear triage revealed PPV of 26.4% for ≥ASC-US thresholds. Comparison of different triage methods for ≥CIN2+ according to different HPV genotype revealed a PPV of 32,6% for HPV 16; 15,3% for HPV 18. This figure was 34.4%, 19.3%, 15.3% and 14.0% for HPV 33, 31, 45 and 35; respectively., Conclusion: This study involves the largest series in the world summarizing a real-world experience with primary HPV DNA screening and triage with a single visit. The results show the feasibility and applicability of such screening method in developing countries with acceptable colposcopy referral rates. Among triage tests, only pap-smear seems to be effective without a need for extended genotyping., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Triage with HPV genotyping has some caveats and debates for HPV positive cases other than 16 and 18. The Swede score colposcopic scoring system has not previously been evaluated in this group of patients., Objective: To use the Swede score colposcopic scoring system to compare scores and final histopathological results in women who have undergone colposcopy owing to infection with high risk-HPVs other than HPV16 and 18 and to establish new cut-off values to predict pre-malignant lesions in this group of patients., Methods: This study was conducted in 613 women undergoing colposcopic evaluation because of abnormal cervical cytology together with high-risk HPV infection. All patients referred were evaluated by an expert colposcopist, given a Swede score (using the Swede score colposcopic scoring system) by using five variables (acetowhiteness, margins plus surface, vessel pattern, lesion size, and iodine staining), and had at least one biopsy procedure (either colposcopically directed or by a loop electrical excision procedure). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratio values, and receiver operating characteristic curves for each clinico-pathological variable to detect low-grade and high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions, and any squamous cell abnormality (low-grade + high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions) were evaluated individually., Results: Final histopathological results of the patients were normal in 53.2% of cases, low-grade lesions in 32.5% of cases, and high-grade lesions in 14.4% of cases. Swede score was ≥8 (median 7.97) for high-grade lesions and ≥5 (median 5.06) for low-grade lesions. The area under the curve values (95% CI) of Swede scores for low-grade and high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions, and low-grade + high grade lesions were 0.92, 0.98, and 0.96, respectively. A Swede score cut-off value ≥6 had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios of 92%, 98%, 93%, 98%, and 50 (22.6 to 110.8), respectively, for high-grade lesions at the final pathology (P<0.001). One high-risk HPV type (except 16 and 18) was no better than another for calculating the median Swede score during colposcopy (P=0.43)., Conclusions: The Swede score colposcopic scoring system appears to be a useful tool for evaluating atypical cervical cytology in women with high-risk HPV infection other than HPV types 16 and 18., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© IGCS and ESGO 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: To investigate the clinico-pathological prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in patients with ovarian yolk sac tumors (YST)., Methods: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with ovarian YST who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2017 at seven Gynecologic Oncology Centers in Turkey., Results: The study group consisted of 99 consecutive patients with a mean age of 23.9 years. While 52 patients had early stage (stage I-II) disease, the remaining 47 patients had advanced stage (stage III-IV) disease. The uterus was preserved in 74 (74.8%) of the cases. The absence of gross residual disease following surgery was achieved in 76.8% of the cases. Of the 54 patients with lymph node dissection (LND), lymph node metastasis was detected in 10 (18.5%) patients. Of the 99 patients, only 3 patients did not receive adjuvant therapy, and most of the patients (91.9%) received BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) chemotherapy. Disease recurred in 21 (21.2%) patients. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the entire cohort were 79.2% and 81.3%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only residual disease following initial surgery was found to be significantly associated with DFS and OS in patients with ovarian YST (p = 0.026 and p = 0.001, respectively)., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the significance of achieving no visible residual disease in patients with ovarian YST. Fertility-sparing approach for patients with no visible residual disease affected neither DFS nor OS. Although high lymphatic involvement rate was detected, the benefit of LND could not be demonstrated.

Objectives: Uterine myomas (UM) are responsible for significant morbidity and have adverse effects on quality of life in women. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes (AOE), as well as sex steroids play important roles in the reproductive physiology processes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of oxidant-antioxidant status in UM by measuring the AOE activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. This is the first study assessing these parameters together in UM based on also menopausal status and evaluating possible correlations between AOE activities, LPO markers, tumor biomarkers, female reproductive system hormone levels, comprehensively., Study Design: The study group consisted of patients who have undergone surgical resection with confirmed pathology of uterine myoma (UM, n = 25) and divided into subgroups; premenopausal (UM pre ) and postmenopausal (UM post ). Erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) activities were measured along with plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α (8-epi-PGF2α) levels in patients with UM. The obtained data were compared to the data of healthy individuals (C, n = 25) and its subgroups; premenopausal (C pre ) and postmenopausal (C post )., Results: All AOE activities were higher (∼40% for Cu,Zn-SOD, p = 0.003; ∼55% for CAT, p = 0.001; ∼15% for GPx1, p = 0.169) and the LPO levels were lower (∼60% for MDA, p = 0.011 and ∼45% for 8-epi-PGF2α, p = 0.055) in patients with UM vs control. Approximately similar alterations were observed in UM pre vs C pre and in UM post vs C post. A significant negative correlation between erythrocyte Cu,Zn-SOD activity and plasma MDA levels (r = -0.431, p = 0.005) was reported., Conclusion: Decreased LPO levels might be the consequence of compensator high antioxidant enzyme activities against mild oxidative stress in the circulation of patients with UM. The marked negative correlation between erythrocyte Cu,Zn-SOD activity and plasma MDA levels also supported this finding., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare Mayo and Milwaukee risk stratification models for predicting lymphatic dissemination in patients with endometrial cancer (EC)., Methods: A total of 904 patients with EC underwent surgical treatment between 2004 and 2016 at Hacettepe University Hospital, and clinicopathological data of patients were retrieved from the computerized database of the Hacettepe University. Patients who did not undergo lymphadenectomy and who had nonendometrioid histology, stage-IV disease, and synchronous epithelial ovarian and EC were excluded. All slides of the cases were reviewed by the same gynecologic pathology subspecialist., Results: The study group consisted of 307 consecutive patients with a mean age of 59.4 years (range, 26-86 years). Lymph node metastasis was detected in 28 subjects (9.1%). Primary tumor diameter, depth of myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, and cervical stromal and glandular involvement were associated with lymph node metastasis. Patients with low-risk histological features based on Mayo risk stratification system in our study group had a 0% rate of lymph node positivity. However, of the 28 patients with lymph node metastasis, 3 (10.7%) had low-risk features based on Milwaukee model. The sensitivity, specificity, false negative rate (FNR) and false positive rate of Mayo and Milwaukee risk stratification models for predicting lymphatic dissemination among women with endometrioid EC were 100%, 27.3%, 0%, and 72.7%; and 89.3%, 61.3%, 10.7%, and 38.7%, respectively., Conclusions: Although Milwaukee risk stratification model had a lower false positive rate and can decrease the number of lymphadenectomies, FNR of this new model was found as 10.7% in the present study. Furthermore, we found that Mayo model had a lower FNR and higher sensitivity. Therefore, Mayo model still looks more beneficial to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with endometrioid EC and Milwaukee risk stratification model still requires external validation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features and factors associated with recurrence in patients with uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP)., Methods: Forty-six cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2014 from 2 tertiary centers underwent blind slide review. Initial diagnosis included smooth muscle tumors with equivocal diagnosis, STUMPs, and cases that were named as leiomyosarcomas (LMS) or low-grade LMS despite not fulfilling the Stanford criteria., Results: In total, 21 patients with a final diagnosis of STUMP were available. Fifteen (68.1%) of 22 patients with an initial diagnosis of STUMP, 4 (22.2%) of 18 cases with an equivocal smooth muscle tumor diagnosis, and 2 (33.3%) of 6 cases with an initial diagnosis of LMS were interpreted as STUMP after slide review. The mean age at diagnosis was 43 years (range, 20-64 years). The mean follow-up time was 65.9 months (range, 10-154 months). Four patients (19.0%) developed recurrent disease. Recurrent tumors were LMS in 3 patients (75%). One patient (4.8%) with recurrence succumbed to disease. There was no difference in patients' age (P = 1.0) or type of initial surgery (uterus conserving versus hysterectomy) (P = 0.57) between patients who recurred and did not recur., Conclusions: Uterine STUMPs can harbor significant uncertainty regarding the original diagnosis and clinical outcomes. Recurred cases may have an aggressive clinical course associated with multiple relapses and death. Uterine mesenchymal tumors other than ordinary myomas and overt sarcomas deserve a second opinion in centers with experience because the real diagnosis may vary significantly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different surgical approaches, adjuvant therapy, and pathological characteristics on oncological outcomes in patients with 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage II endometrial cancer (EC)., Methods: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with FIGO 2009 stage II EC who underwent surgical staging between 2002 and 2015 at 5 gynecologic oncology centers in Turkey., Results: Original pathology reports of 4867 patients who underwent surgical treatment for EC were analyzed. The study group consisted of 250 FIGO stage II patients. Of these patients, 203 (81.2%) had endometrioid and 47 (18.8%) had nonendometrioid histologic subtype of EC. Whereas 199 patients (79.6%) underwent type I hysterectomy, the remaining 51 patients (20.4%) underwent radical hysterectomy. Of the 250 patients, 208 patients (83.2%) had adjuvant therapy including radiotherapy (pelvic external beam radiotherapy and/or vaginal brachytherapy [VBT]) and/or platinum-based chemotherapy. Disease recurred in 29 patients (11.6%). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort were 82% and 85%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that only adjuvant treatment (P = 0.001; hazard ratio, 4.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-9.36) was significantly associated with DFS. According to multivariate analysis, only age older than 60 years (P = 0.01; hazard ratio, 3.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.04) was identified as an independent risk factor for OS. However, there were no differences in OS when evaluated by grade, histology, tumor size, type of hysterectomy, or adjuvant treatment., Conclusions: In stage II EC, adjuvant external beam radiotherapy ± VBT were associated with increased DFS but not OS. However, the benefit of VBT alone on DFS could not be demonstrated. Only age was an independent risk factor for OS. Type of hysterectomy and histologic subtype of the tumor for patients with uterus-confined disease improved neither DFS nor OS in our study group.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis among patients with primary adult type granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) of the ovary., Study Design: Between January 1982 and February 2017, patients with a pathological diagnosis of AGCT were identified. Clinical and pathological data were obtained from database records., Results: A total of 151 patients with primary AGCT were identified with a mean age of 47.8 years (range, 17-91 years). 98 patients (64.9%) had stage IA, 24 (15.9%) had stage IC, 4 (2.6%) had stage IIB, 2 (1.3%) had stage IIIB, 6 (4.0%) had stage IIIC disease according to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 1988 criteria. In the remaining 17 patients (11.3%), primary stage was not detected. In 134 (88.7%) patients, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed at primary staging surgery depending on the frozen section analysis or at re-staging surgery following initial diagnosis. In these patients, six (4.5%) of them had pelvic or paraaortic lymph node metastasis. The median number of lymph nodes removed was 43 (range, 10-96 lymph nodes)., Conclusion: Lymph node metastasis in initially staged AGCT is rare. Routine pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection may be omitted in these patients., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To investigate clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcome of women with microinvasive BOTs., Methods: A retrospective multicenter case-control study was conducted on 902 patients with BOT, who underwent surgery from January 2002 to December 2015 at six participating gynecologic oncology centers from Turkey. Among 902 patients, 69 had microinvasive BOT. For every patient with microinvasive BOT, two controls were randomly selected from another database based on decade of age and stage of disease at diagnosis. The clinical-pathological characteristics and oncological outcomes were compared between BOT patients with and without stromal microinvasion. Risk factors for poor oncological outcomes were investigated in a multivariate analysis model. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: Patients with microinvasive BOT had a significantly higher rate of recurrence than patients without microinvasive BOT (17.4 vs 7.8%, OR 3.55, %95 CI 1.091-11.59, p = 0.03). Stage at diagnosis (stage I versus II/III) and type of surgery (cystectomy versus others) were found as other significant prognostic factors for recurrence in multivariate analysis (OR 8.63, %95 CI 2.48-29.9, p = 0.001 and OR 19.4, %95 CI 3.59-105.6, p = 0.001, respectively). Stromal microinvasion was found as a prognostic factor for significantly shorter DFS (26.7 vs 11.9 months, p = 0.031, log rank). However, there was no significant difference in OS between two groups (p = 0.99, log rank)., Conclusion: Stromal microinvasion is significantly associated with decreased DFS. In addition, our study confirms that the risk of recurrence is higher in patients with microinvasive BOT.

Context: Atypical glandular cells (AGCs) result in the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear may be associated with significant genital and nongenital neoplastic processes., Aims: To evaluate the underlying histopathology in women who had AGCs on Pap smears., Settings and Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study., Patients and Methods: Clinicopathological data of patients who had AGC on Pap smears and underwent histological workup between January 2004 and December 2014 were retrieved from the computerized database of a tertiary care center. Patients with a prior history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or gynecological cancer were excluded., Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test or Fisher's exact tests were used as appropriate., Results: Cytological examination of the uterine cervix was carried out in 117,560 patients. We identified 107 patients (0.09%) with AGC and 80 of those with histological follow-up were included in the study. The median age at diagnosis was 47 years (range, 18-79), and 32 women (40%) were postmenopausal, while 56 (70%) had gynecological symptoms. Significant preinvasive or invasive lesions on pathological examination were detected in 27 (33.8%) patients, including 12 endometrial adenocarcinomas (15%), 8 cervical carcinomas (10%), 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II/III (3.75%), 2 ovarian adenocarcinomas (2.5%), and 2 metastatic tumors (2.5%). Univariate analysis showed that postmenopausal status ( P < 0.001), age >50 years old ( P < 0.001), having symptoms at the time of admission ( P = 0.041), and AGC "favor neoplasia" smear results ( P = 0.041) were the clinical factors associated with significant pathological outcome., Conclusions: Patients with AGC on Pap smears should be evaluated vigilantly with histological workup, especially if they are postmenopausal or symptomatic., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Objective: The study aims to investigate effect of tumor size on lymphatic spread in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer (EC)., Methods: This study included patients with EC who underwent staging surgery with systematic lymphadenectomy between 2002 and 2015 at the Hacettepe University Hospital. Patients with grade 1 or 2 endometrioid type tumor who had 50% or lower myometrial invasion were included. Patients who had no myometrial invasion or had uterine high-risk features (nonendometrioid histology, grade 3, and deep myometrial invasion) were excluded., Results: The study group consisted of 191 patients, and the mean age of the patients was 57.8 years. Of these patients, 124 (64.9%) had tumor size of more than 2 cm and 67 (35.1%) had tumor size of 2 cm or less. Lymph node metastasis was detected in 12 (9.7%) of the 124 patients with tumor size of more than 2 cm. On the other hand, none of the 67 patients (0%) with tumor size of 2 cm or less was found to have lymphatic involvement. Of the factors analyzed for correlation with lymph node metastasis in patients with low-risk EC, the presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and primary tumor size were found to be significant predictors of lymphatic spread in univariate analysis (P < 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). In multivariate analysis, tumor size (odds ratio, 6.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.007-infinite; P < 0.05) and LVSI (odds ratio, 14.261; 95% confidence interval, 3.4-59.6; P < 0.001) were 2 independent predictors associated with lymphatic involvement., Conclusions: Our trial supports that tumor size of more than 2 cm and LVSI are 2 independent factors for lymph node metastasis in patients with low-risk EC. Both factors can be used together to select patients with traditional low-risk histologic features who would absolutely benefit from lymph node dissection.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to investigate the frequency of extrauterine metastasis and to evaluate the importance of surgical staging and adjuvant treatment among patients with noninvasive uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) of the endometrium., Materials and Methods: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with UPSC of the endometrium who underwent surgical staging between 2000 and 2015 at 4 Gynecologic Oncology Centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological, and survival data were collected., Results: A total of 182 patients with primary UPSC of the endometrium were identified. Of these, 33 (18.1%) had tumors limited to the endometrium with no myometrial invasion. Twenty (60.6%) of these 33 patients had no extrauterine involvement and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage 1A disease was diagnosed after complete staging. The remaining 13 (39.4%) patients had disease beyond the uterine corpus including 5 with omental, 3 with adnexal, 1 with cervical stromal involvement, 1 with disease in the pelvic lymph nodes, and 1 with isolated para-aortic lymph node metastasis. Two patients had metastases in more than one location including omentum/adnexa/pelvic-para-aortic lymph nodes and omentum/pelvic-para-aortic lymph nodes, respectively. Of the 20 patients with disease confined to the endometrium, 6 (30%) patients received adjuvant treatment., Conclusions: Noninvasive UPSC has a high tendency for extrauterine spread and omentum is the most commonly involved location. Therefore, comprehensive surgical staging including omentectomy and pelvic-para-aortic lymph node dissection is mandatory in this group of patients. Risk of extrauterine spread is significantly associated with the presence of lymphovascular space invasion, elevated preoperative CA 125 levels, and positive peritoneal cytology. Adjuvant therapy for women with endometrium-confined disease improves neither progression-free survival nor overall survival.

The aim of this surgical video is to demonstrate en bloc radical removal of uterus and vagina in a patient with clinical early-stage vaginal cancer. Surgical treatment was offered to our patient for clinical early-stage primary vaginal cancer. An en bloc radical hysterectomy, systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy, and total abdominal vaginectomy were performed. Postoperative adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy was not recommended for completely resected pathologic stage I disease with no lymph node involvement and negative surgical margins. Radical surgery can be a treatment option for selected patients with primary vaginal cancer.

Aim: We primarily aimed to compare the levels of serum and cervicovaginal cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) in women with and without endometrial carcinoma in order to reveal whether cervicovaginal CA 125 could be used as a non-invasive method., Methods: A preliminary case-control study was designed. The study group consisted of patients who were operated for endometrial adenocarcinoma or endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia. The control group consisted of patients who underwent surgery for benign gynecological diseases. Serum and cervicovaginal secretions were immediately collected before surgery to compare levels of CA 125., Results: The mean cervicovaginal CA 125 levels in patients with endometrial cancer and controls were 1,598.1 ± 1,691.1 versus 947.0 ± 1,282.7 U/ml, respectively (p = 0.016). Whereas area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.62 for serum CA 125, it was 0.68 for cervicovaginal CA 125. The optimal threshold of CA 125 in cervicovaginal secretion was calculated to be 575 U/ml, which detected endometrial precancer or cancer with sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 57%. The positive and negative predictive values for this threshold were 38.7 and 88.2%, respectively., Conclusion: In conclusion, detection of CA 125 in cervicovaginal secretion has a potential role for the non-invasive screening of endometrial precancers and cancers., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objectives: Since parametrial involvement is believed to be a crucial factor in the management of cervical cancer, our study was designed to investigate the clinical and pathological features which predicted parametrial involvement in patients with clinical early-stage cervical cancer., Material and Methods: The study included patients with clinical early-stage cervical cancer who underwent radical hys-terectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy between December 2001 and August 2014, at the Hacettepe University Hospital. The clinical and pathological characteristics of the affected patients were evaluated, including age, histologic subtype, tumor size, depth of cervical stromal invasion, lympho-vascular space invasion (LVSI), and lymph node metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to reveal factors associated with parametrial involvement., Results: The study group consisted of 126 patients (mean age: 52.7 years; range: 29-83), including 101 (80.2%) with squamous, 19 (15.1%) with adenocarcinoma, and 6 (4.8%) with adenosquamous histological subtype of cervical cancer. Parametrial involvement and lymph node metastasis were detected in 41 (32.5%) and 46 (36.5%) women, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that deep cervical stromal invasion, LVSI, tumor size > 2 cm and lymph node metastasis were associated with parametrial involvement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the independent risk factors associated with parametrial involvement as LVSI (OR 8.93, 95% CI 1.1-73.5, p = 0.042) and lymph node metastasis (OR 8.8, 95% CI 1.5-9.3, p = 0.004)., Conclusions: LVSI, deep cervical stromal invasion, lymph node metastasis and tumor size are significantly associated with parametrial involvement in patients with clinical early-stage cervical cancer.

Objective: This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of a novel intraoperative ex vivo ultrasonography technique in determining deep myometrial invasion (MI) in patients with apparently low-risk endometrial cancer (EC)., Methods: This prospective study included patients with type I EC who underwent staging laparotomy at Hacettepe University Hospital from December 2011 to September 2014. After hysterectomy, a radiologist with special training in gynecology examined the uterus ex vivo using a 12-MHz superficial linear probe. The specimen was sent for intraoperative frozen section (FS) analysis. The results were compared with permanent section reports., Results: In total, 45 female patients were eligible for analysis. Intraoperative ex vivo high-resolution sonography (IEVHS) correctly assessed depth of MI in 39 of 45 cases (86.6%) and overestimated it in 5 cases (11.1%). Only 1 case with deep infiltration was underestimated by IEVHS as invasion of less than one half of the myometrium. Frozen section correctly identified depth of MI in 41 of 46 cases (91.1%), overestimated it in 1 case (2.2%), and underestimated it in 3 cases (6.6%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of IEVHS and FS for assessment of deep MI were 87.5%, 86.4%, 58.3%, and 96.9%, and 62.5%, 97.3%, 83.3%, and 92.3%, respectively., Conclusions: Intraoperative ex vivo high-resolution sonography is a novel technique for assessing MI in EC. Its high sensitivity for deep MI could be useful as an adjunct to FS (enabling pathologists to obtain targeted FS slices) and could improve the accuracy of FS.

Objective: The current study evaluates long-term quality of life (QOL) and sexual function of patients with endometrial cancer who received adjuvant pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and/or vaginal brachytherapy (BRT)., Materials and Methods: One hundred forty-four endometrial cancer survivors who were treated between January 2000 and December 2009 in our department were included in this study. Median follow-up was 79 months (range, 31-138 months). Fifty-two patients were treated with 45 to 50.4 Gy EBRT, 76 were with BRT, and 16 were with both EBRT and BRT. Brachytherapy was in the form of vaginal cuff BRT with 5 × 550 cGy high dose rate BRT, prescribed to the first 4 cm and whole wall thickness of vagina. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and subscales from the supplemental 24-item Cervical Cancer Module., Results: Vaginal BRT patients reported better physical functioning (P = 0.01), role functioning (P = 0.03), and sexual enjoyment (P = 0.01) compared to EBRT group. Symptom score (P = 0.01), lymphedema (P = 0.03), pain (P = 0.02), and diarrhea (P = 0.009) scores were also higher with EBRT. Vaginal BRT did not worsen symptom scores or sexual functions when added to EBRT. Obese patients experienced higher rates of lymphedema (P = 0.008). Cognitive and role functioning scores were significantly higher in patients with normal body mass index., Conclusions: External beam radiotherapy negatively affects long-term QOL and sexual functions in endometrial cancer survivors. Vaginal BRT provides higher QOL. Patients with body mass index within normal limits have improved QOL.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section in the evaluation of patients with adnexal mass and to define the clinicopathological factors associated with misdiagnosis during frozen section evaluation., Methods: The clinicopathological data of patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy for adnexal mass were reviewed. Results of the intraoperative frozen section and permanent histology reports were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to reveal factors associated with misdiagnosis., Results: The study group consisted of 748 patients. Of these patients, 509 (68.0%) had benign, 43 (5.7%) had borderline, 196 (26.2%) had malignant histological diagnosis at permanent section. The overall agreement between intraoperative frozen section and permanent pathology was 96.8%. Twenty four out of 745 cases (3.8%) were misdiagnosed by frozen section. Univariate analysis showed that borderline histology (p < 0.0001) and tumor size larger than 10 cm (p = 0.012) were associated with misdiagnosis. According to multivariate analysis, borderline histology (OR: 22.6, p < 0.0001) was the only independent predictor for misdiagnosis during frozen examination., Conclusion: The frozen section evaluation of the adnexal mass is highly accurate. However, tumor size greater than 10 cm and borderline histology are the factors that adversely influence the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section. Clinicians must be aware of these pitfalls during intraoperative decision making following frozen section report.

Cervical cancer is the third most common female cancer worldwide and the use of routine screening resulted in earlier stage and younger age at diagnosis. Fertility preservation via radical trachelectomy comes up as an option in such patients. Recent literature reviews confirm the safety of this operation with excellent oncologic outcomes in appropriately chosen patients. However, recurrent disease is likely and a strict follow-up is recommended to detect recurrences at an early stage following radical trachelectomy. In this report, a case who underwent radical trachelectomy and developed widespread recurrences 7 years after initial surgery possibly due to the lack of oncologic follow-up is discussed.

Background: To evaluate the incidence, diagnosis and management of GTN among 28 centers in Turkey., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was designed to include GTN patients attending 28 centers in the 10-year period between January 2003 and May 2013. Demographical characteristics of the patients, histopathological diagnosis, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) anatomical and prognostic scores, use of single-agent and multi-agent chemotherapy, surgical interventions and prognosis were evaluated., Results: From 2003-2013, there were 1,173,235 deliveries and 456 GTN cases at the 28 centers. The incidence was calculated to be 0.38 per 1,000 deliveries. According to the evaluated data of 364 patients, the median age at diagnosis was 31 years (range, 15-59 years). A histopathological diagnosis was present for 45.1% of the patients, and invasive mole, choriocarcinoma and PSTTs were diagnosed in 22.3% (n=81), 18.1% (n=66) and 4.7% (n=17) of the patients, respectively. Regarding final prognosis, 352 (96.7%) of the patients had remission, and 7 (1.9%) had persistence, whereas the disease was mortal for 5 (1.4%) of the patients., Conclusions: Because of the differences between countries, it is important to provide national registration systems and special clinics for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of GTN.

Purpose: To determine clinicopathological risk factors associated with lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer (EC)., Methods: Clinicopathological data of patients who underwent comprehensive surgical staging for clinical early stage EC between 2001 and 2010 at Hacettepe University Hospital was retrospectively reviewed., Results: Two hundred and sixty-one patients were included. There were 26 patients (10.0%) with lymph node metastasis. Of these, 14 (5.4%) had pelvic lymph node metastasis, 8 (3.1%) had both pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis, and 4 (1.5%) had isolated paraaortic metastasis. Univariate analysis revealed tumor size >2 cm, type II cancer, grade III histology, cervical stromal invasion, deep myometrial invasion, positive peritoneal cytology, adnexal involvement, serosal involvement, and presence of lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI) as significant clinicopathological factors associated with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis. For paraaortic metastasis either isolated or with pelvic lymph node metastasis, significant factors were grade III disease, cervical stromal invasion, deep myometrial invasion, positive peritoneal cytology, adnexal involvement, serosal involvement, pelvic lymph node metastasis, and presence of LVSI. The only factor associated with isolated paraaortic lymph node metastasis was LVSI. Multivariate analysis revealed LVSI as the only independent factor for both retroperitoneal and paraaortic lymph node metastasis (odds ratio 14.9; 95% confidence interval 3.8-59.0; p < 0.001, and odds ratio 20.9; 95% confidence interval 1.9-69.9; p = 0.013, respectively)., Conclusion: Lymphovascular space involvement is the sole predictor of lymph node metastasis in EC. Therefore, LVSI status should be requested from the pathologist during frozen examination whenever possible to consider when a decision to perform or omit lymphadenectomy is made.

Background: Women with postmenopausal bleeding should be evaluated efficiently to exclude endometrial carcinoma., Aims: To estimate the risk of endometrial cancer using individual case characteristics among women with postmenopausal bleeding in whom the endometrial thickness is >4 mm., Methods: Women with postmenopausal bleeding underwent clinical evaluation followed by transvaginal ultrasonography and endometrial biopsy. Clinical evaluation included age, body mass index, duration of menopause, number of bleeding episodes and amount of bleeding., Results: This study included 142 women, and endometrial carcinoma was found in 18 (12.7%). Older age, higher body mass index, longer duration of menopause, longer lasting bleeding episodes, higher amount of bleeding and recurrent bleeding episodes were the clinical characteristics associated with endometrial cancer. However, multivariate analysis revealed >55 years of age during postmenopausal bleeding, history of recurrent bleeding episodes and bleeding exceeding 5 pads per day in each episode as significant parameters, which predicted the presence of endometrial cancer among women with postmenopausal bleeding., Conclusions: Prompt evaluation is required in women with postmenopausal bleeding to exclude endometrial cancer. Transvaginal ultrasonography is a reasonable first-line approach, and invasive sampling is required when ultrasonographic endometrial thickness is above 4 mm. However, about 90% of women with postmenopausal bleeding will finally be found to have a nonmalignant condition. Therefore, women who are at increased cancer risk should further be distinguished. This may be achieved using individual patient characteristics that result in a more accurate evaluation strategy with lower rates of unnecessary invasive procedures., (© 2013 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

The objective of this study was to compare FIGO 1988 and 2009 endometrial carcinoma staging systems in terms of patient distribution and efficacy in predicting prognosis in patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Medical records of 351 patients treated between 1994 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Adjuvant RT was in the form of vaginal cuff brachytherapy (BRT) in patients with uterine confined disease and risk factors, whereas high-risk patients received risk-adapted external pelvic RT. The median follow-up time was 55 months (range, 2.5-133 months). Five-year overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for the entire group was 83 and 88%, respectively. Stage migration was observed in 188 (54%) patients. Stage migration generally did not cause any significant effect in OS and DFS rates. However, 5-year OS and DFS for stage I patients with positive peritoneal cytology was significantly lower than the other patients with negative cytology in FIGO 2009 system. The survival curves overlapped for stage IA, IB and II in the new staging system. On the other hand, the division of stage IIIC as IIIC1 and IIIC2 significantly affected the prognosis. Patients with stage IIIC2 tumor had 40% OS and 48% DFS rates compared to 69 and 66% in stage IIIC1 patients (p=0.002). The major improvement of FIGO 2009 seems to be the subclassification of stage IIIC disease into IIIC1 and IIIC2. The positivity of peritoneal cytology per se seems to have an influence in prognosis in our cohort. To withdraw the positive cytology from staging may mislead the prognosis estimation in these patients and lead to undertreatment.

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of aberrations of retroperitoneal great vessels in patients with gynecologic cancers who were scheduled for pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy, and to document the vascular complications which occurred during lymphadenectomy as well as the relationship of these vascular complications with vascular aberrations., Methods: Patients with gynecologic cancers underwent a routine preoperative abdominal multi-detector computer tomography, and an intraoperative search for aberrations of the great vessels in the retroperitoneal region was undertaken. Intraoperative vascular complications were recorded and their relations to vascular aberrations were analyzed., Results: The rate of vascular aberrations detected preoperatively by multi-detector computed tomography was 24.3 %. Vascular injuries occurred in six patients (16.2 %) during lymphadenectomy. Rate of intraoperative vascular injuries was significantly higher in patients who had vascular aberrations of retroperitoneal great vessels (44.4 vs. 7.1 %, p = 0.022)., Conclusions: Aberrations of retroperitoneal vessels are not uncommon and may increase the risk of vascular complications during lymphadenectomy. The risk of these complications may be decreased if aberrations are detected preoperatively.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) with genotyping and simultaneous cervical cytology among Turkish women in a university hospital. A review of literature was done as well to summarize the results of similar Turkish studies based on hospital data., Methods: Women who were subjected to cervical HPV-DNA testing with simultaneous cervical Pap test were included. Seeplex HPV 18-plex Genotyping Test was used for HPV detection and typing. Liquid-based cytology was used for Pap test and Bethesda system was used for results., Results: Study group included 890 patients with a mean age of 39.5 years. The prevalence of any HPV was 25.7% while high-risk HPV was positive in 23.0%. There were no significant differences in HPV prevalence between younger and older women. Among HPV-positive women, 89.5% had at least one type of high-risk HPV. Most common HPV was type 16 followed by type 31 and 51. Abnormal cervical cytology rate was 11.6%. Rate of HPV positivity was significantly higher in women with abnormal cervical cytology compared to women with normal cytology (54.4 vs. 22.0%)., Conclusions: Cervical HPV infection is a serious and gradually growing problem for Turkish women according to hospital-based data. This may be associated with low age at marriage and more sensitive HPV detection methods.

Objectives: To assess human papilloma viruses (HPV) DNA test for detection of recurrences in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). Also effect of LEEP on the clearance of HPV infection was evaluated for CIN 1 lesions., Methods: HPV DNA positive 37 patients (25 CIN 2-3 and 12 CIN 1 cases proven by colposcopic biopsies) were treated with LEEP and followed prospectively with HPV DNA and cytology at third and sixth months., Results: There were 11 patients with abnormal cytologic results in third month and 4 in sixth month. HPV DNA positivity rate declined in CIN 1 group between third and sixth month but this did not reach to statistical significance (44 vs. 36%, P = 0.41). There were 3 treatment failures out of 37 patients (8.1%). All these three patients had CIN 3 at the beginning and two of them had positive HPV DNA in two controls. There were no recurrence/treatment failure for CIN 1 patients. Regarding 37 patients, decrease in cytologic abnormality incidence between third and sixth-month control was statistically significant (29.7 vs. 10.9%, P = 0.03). All four patients with cytologic abnormality at the sixth month had HPV persistence. Cytologic abnormality was more prevelant in HPV persistent women (P = 0.01) and also there was no cytologic abnormality in case of HPV DNA negativity., Conclusion: LEEP does not seem to decrease HPV DNA incidence for CIN 1 at least for 6 months. But HPV DNA used in addition to cytology might help to detect recurrences.

Background: Lymphadenectomy is an integral part of the staging system of epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the extent of lymphadenectomy in the early stages of ovarian cancer is controversial. The objective of this study was to identify the lymph node involvement in unilateral epithelial ovarian cancer apparently confined to the one ovary (clinical stage Ia)., Methods: A prospective study of clinical stage I ovarian cancer patients is presented. Patient's characteristics and tumor histopathology were the variables evaluated., Results: Thirty three ovarian cancer patients with intact ovarian capsule were evaluated. Intraoperatively, neither of the patients had surface involvement, adhesions, ascites or palpable lymph nodes (supposed to be clinical stage Ia). The mean age of the study group was 55.3 ± 11.8. All patients were surgically staged and have undergone a systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Final surgicopathologic reports revealed capsular involvement in seven patients (21.2%), contralateral ovarian involvement in two (6%) and omental metastasis in one (3%) patient. There were two patients (6%) with lymph node involvement. One of the two lymph node metastasis was solely in paraaortic node and the other metastasis was in ipsilateral pelvic lymph node. Ovarian capsule was intact in all of the patients with lymph node involvement and the tumor was grade 3., Conclusion: In clinical stage Ia ovarian cancer patients, there may be a risk of paraaortic and pelvic lymph node metastasis. Further studies with larger sample size are needed for an exact conclusion.

Objective: The most commonly used classification system for endometrial hyperplasia is the World Health Organization system which is based on subjective criteria. Another classification system is endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) system which uses diagnostic criteria including cytological demarcation, crowded gland architecture, minimum size of 1 mm, and careful exclusion of mimics, and aims to identify a precancer or cancer. The objective of this study was to compare the two classification systems in terms of predicting the presence of a coexistent cancer in surgically treated patients., Methods: Biopsy and hysterectomy specimens of 49 women who were subjected to surgery with a preoperative diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia (EH) according to the WHO system were re-evaluated retrospectively by using EIN system., Results: Among the 49 patients, 69.4% had complex atypical EH and 75.5% had EIN at biopsy specimens. EIN was detected in 94.1% of complex atypical EH, and 41.7% of non-atypical EH. Nine women (18.4%) had endometrial cancer. Among women with cancer, all had complex atypical EH or EIN. The rate of coexistent endometrial cancer was 26.5% in women with complex atypical EH and 24.3% in women with EIN., Conclusion: Diagnoses of atypical or complex atypical EH and EIN had similar sensitivities and negative predictive values in predicting the coexistent endometrial cancer. Either of these two classification systems may be used safely when an experienced pathologist is available. However, use of the objective EIN system may be preferred whenever possible to prevent diagnostic errors in centers where an experienced pathologist is not available.

Lipoleiomyoma is a very rare tumor which is composed of adipocytes and smooth muscle cells. It is most commonly located in uterine corpus although cervical, ovarian, and retroperitoneal locations were also reported. Lipoleiomyoma located in broad ligament is extremely uncommon and only five cases were reported to date. Here, we report the sixth case of lipoleiomyoma of broad ligament which was diagnosed in a postmenopausal woman who was subjected to exploratory laparotomy with a preoperative diagnosis of a solid adnexal mass suggesting an ovarian malignancy.

Objective: Lymphadenectomy, in general, is a safe and well-tolerated procedure in gynecologic oncology. However, some technical difficulties may be experienced in obese women which may result in inadequate lymphadenectomy and increased complications. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the effect of obesity on lymph node counts retrieved and complication rates observed during lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancers., Methods: Patients with ovarian, endometrial or cervical cancers treated with initial surgery including bilateral pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection were grouped as non-obese and obese. These two groups were compared in terms of the number of retrieved lymph nodes and the rate of intraoperative complications directly related to lymph node dissection., Results: One hundred twenty-three patients were eligible with a mean age of 55.1 years and mean body mass index of 29.2 kg/m(2). Fifty-nine patients were obese while 64 were non-obese. Lymph node counts obtained in different stations and in total were similar among non-obese and obese patients. Rates of lymphadenectomy-related intraoperative complications including vascular, neural, intestinal, and bladder injury were also similar in non-obese and obese patients., Conclusion: The obesity does not affect the lymph node counts and intraoperative complication rates adversely in women with gynecologic cancers. Therefore, adequate lymph node dissection should not be omitted based solely upon obesity in gynecologic oncology patients.

Background: Aggressive angiomyxoma is an uncommon soft tissue tumor which preferentially involves pelvic and vulvoperineal regions of young adult females. The typical characteristics include gelatinous appearance and locally infiltrative nature without evidence of nuclear atypia or mitosis. Treatment involves surgery, but local recurrence is high in spite of apparently complete surgical resection., Case: A 28-year-old woman who had had a history of surgically excised aggressive angiomyxoma of vulva presented with a complaint of vulvar mass. The mass was removed and histopathologic examination revealed an aggressive angiomyxoma without necrosis, atypia, and mitosis., Conclusion: Aggressive angiomyxoma should be kept in mind when an asymptomatic and slow-growing vulvar mass is detected in young females. The surgery should aim wide local excision and long-term follow-up is necessary due to high rate of local recurrence.

Background and Objectives: There is still no any data about the role of re-operation and re-debulking in previously incompletely operated advanced staged patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). In this study, the authors aimed to analyze the effect of an incomplete primary surgery on patient prognosis., Methods: Clinicopathological variables of 317 advanced staged EOC patients were retrospectively collected., Results: Twenty-nine patients had an initial incomplete surgery and referred to our center for debulking while remaining 288 had undergone primary debulking surgery at our institution. Comparison of the two groups with respect to clinicopathological variables could not reveal significant difference. Median survival was 3.24 years for re-operated patients while it was 2.07 years for patients who had undergone primary debulking surgery. Upon multivariate analysis, final optimal debulking, tumor grade and a history of an incomplete surgery before the final debulking were the significant prognosticators. A subgroup analysis of re-staged patients could not reveal a significant role for either the type or the time interval between the operations., Conclusion: A history of an incomplete primary surgery does not seem to adversely affect patient prognosis and the optimal cytoreductive success achieved in final debulking surgery is still the most important prognostic factor.

Objective: Ovarian granulosa cell tumors are rare malignancies with a relatively favorable prognosis. However, patients still suffer from disease-related mortality. Therefore, the prognostic factors should be clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics related with disease recurrence and mortality in adult type ovarian granulosa cell tumors., Methods: Eighty surgically staged patients with granulosa cell ovarian tumor treated at the Hacettepe University Hospital between 1982 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed., Results: Granulosa cell ovarian tumors accounted for 4.3% of malignant ovarian neoplasms. Mean age was 47.6 years. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding (53.7%). Endometrial pathology was detected in 51.2% of patients preoperatively. Seventy percent of patients were diagnosed at stage I, and 53.8% of patients received adjuvant treatment. Mean follow-up was 67.5 months. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival was 91% and 86%, respectively. Mean survival was 147.1 months. Recurrence rate was 11.2%. In univariate analysis, advanced stage, advanced age, residual disease after surgery, and need for adjuvant treatment were associated with disease-related mortality and advanced stage disease and absence of initial staging surgery were associated with disease recurrence. However, in multivariate analysis, only initial stage was found to be a significant prognostic factor., Conclusion: Initial stage seems to be the single most important prognostic factor in ovarian granulosa cell tumors. Therefore, a comprehensive staging surgery should be attempted to document the real extent of disease and to estimate the oncologic outcome more accurately.

Objective: To analyze prognostic factors, the role of lymphadenectomy and postoperative adjuvant treatments in patients with uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS)., Study Design: Sixty-three patients with uterine LMS are retrospectively analyzed with respect to both DFS and OS., Results: Multivariate DFS analysis revealed percentage necrosis to be the unique factor to be significant (median DFS was 3.31 years for <25% necrosis and 0.78 for >25% necrosis). Multivariate analysis revealed the mitotic counts to be the unique significant factor affecting the OS (median OS was 7.20 and 1.73 years, respectively, for patients with mitotic counts of 1-5 and >6; respectively). Median DFS was 2.51 years for patients who had undergone lymphadenectomy and 2.36 years for remaining who did not have a lymphadenectomy procedure (P = 0.4). With respect to OS, median values were 2.44 and 3.16 years, respectively (P = 0.7). Number of the resected lymph nodes was also not significant for both OS and DFS., Conclusions: Mitotic counts and percentage necrosis have significant effects on OS and DFS; respectively. Neither the performance nor the extent of lymphadenectomy has an effect on patient survival.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of tertiary cytoreductive surgery (TCS) on patient survival and to determine predictors of optimal TCS., Methods: Twenty patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma who had TCS at Hacettepe University Hospital during 1992-2004 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Tertiary cytoreductive attempt was successful (optimal defined as <2 cm residual) in 12 patients and suboptimal in the remaining eight patients. Seven patients had no macroscopic residual, five patients had <2 cm gross residual and remaining 8 patients had >or=2 cm gross residual disease. Of these alive patients, 10 patients were alive with metastatic disease and only three patients were alive without any evidence of disease. Three patients had operative morbidity (15%), all of which were mild-moderate degree. Multivariate analysis could not differentiate a unique significant factor to have a possible predictor effect of optimal TCS. Multivariate survival analysis also could not differentiate any factor to have significant effect upon patient survival, neither the outcomes of primary, secondary or tertiary cytoreductive surgeries nor the usage of preoperative or postoperative chemotherapies., Conclusion: TCS may not be helpful for patient survival. Neither of the clinical factors predicted an optimal TCS. Further larger series are needed for a definite conclusion., ((c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Aim: Depth of appendiceal metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) has not been previously analyzed for a possible relationship with clinico-pathological variables., Methods: Sixty-nine patients with EOC treated at Hacettepe University were retrospectively analyzed. All of the patients had appendiceal metastasis. Pathological slides were re-reviewed by the same pathologist. Appendiceal metastases were defined as serosal (if tumoral spread involved only serosa of the appendix) or sero-mucosal (if tumoral spread also involved either muscular or mucosal surfaces of the appendix). Univariate and multivariate analysis did not reveal a significant difference with respect to the prognostic variables between the groups., Results: Thirty-nine patients had serosal appendiceal metastasis (56.5%), while the remaining 30 patients (43.5%) had appendiceal metastasis extending toward the muscular layer (seromucosal metastasis: 16 within muscularis mucosa, 14 within the mucosa of the appendix). The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 54.58 years (range, 26-88 years), with no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.9). Comparison of the survival rates between the two groups did not reveal a significant difference. Three-year survival rates were 23.3% in the serosal metastasis and 27.9% in the seromucosal metastasis group (P = 0.9). This figure was 25% for patients with only muscular metastasis and 41.6% for patients with appendiceal metastasis extending to the mucosal layer (P = 0.2)., Conclusion: This is the first report to analyze the metastatic pattern of EOC on the appendix with respect to depth of invasion which could not reveal a significant difference.

Background and Objectives: To analyze the predictors and outcomes of recurrent disease in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) after a negative second look laparotomy (SLL)., Methods: One hundred nine EOC patients with a negative SLL treated at Hacettepe Hospital were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Of these patients, 70 (64.2%) had no evidence of disease during follow up while remaining 39 (35.8%) had recurrence. Majority of the recurrences (82.1%) were detected within the initial 2 years of the SLL procedure. Multivariate analysis revealed stage and grade of the disease to be the significant predictors for the recurrent disease (P < 0.01 and P = 0.025, respectively). A second analysis with respect to initial metastatic sites revealed omental metastatis was significantly associated with recurrent disease (P < 0.001). Survival of patients with a recurrent disease was significantly poorer and dropped abruptly once a recurrence is developed., Conclusions: Patients with initial omental metastasis, advanced stage and high grade tumors have highest risk for developing recurrences after a (-) SLL. Most of the recurrences develop during the initial 2 years following the (-) SLL and survival drops to less than 2 years once a recurrence is found., (2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc)

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological correlations of metastatic lymph node (LN) numbers in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma., Method: A total of 328 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma diagnosed and treated at Hacettepe University Hospital during 1982-2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' age, number of resected lymph nodes, clinical disease stage, preoperative Ca-125 levels, peritoneal cytology, presence of ascites, tumor histology, tumor grade, maximal tumor diameter, cytoreductive success, overall and disease-free survivals were compared with respect to the number of metastatic lymph nodes (< 4 vs. > or = 4)., Results: The mean number of resected lymph nodes was 24.5 and mean number of metastatic lymph nodes was 6.2. About 47.3% (n=155) of the patients had < 4 metastatic lymph nodes and the remaining 52.7% of patients (n=173) had > or = 4 metastatic lymph nodes. Univariate comparison of the two groups relived preoperative Ca-125 values, peritoneal cytology and clinical disease stage to be significantly different among the two groups. However, multivariate analysis revealed a high Ca-125 level (> or = 500 IU/l) to be unique factor significantly different among the groups. Survival analysis also could not find a significant difference with respect to overall and disease-free survival among the groups., Conclusion: The number of metastatic lymph nodes increases as the preoperative Ca-125 values increase. Other patient characteristics do not have a significant effect on the number of metastatic lymph nodes. Metastatic LN number does not have a prognostic significance in terms of either the overall or the disease-free survival. Prospective series are needed for a definitive conclusion.

Aim: To compare Pfannenstiel and midline incisions with respect to efficacy and early postoperative surgical site complications in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma., Methods: Patients with cervical carcinoma who underwent radical hysterectomy during 1995-2004 are retrospectively reviewed. There were 40 patients in the Pfannenstiel group and 71 patients in the midline group. Patients' age, type of incision, operative time, hospitalization length, postoperative surgical site complications, pre and postoperative Hb levels, number of extracted pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes were the variables collected from the patients' files and oncology follow-up forms., Results: Mean age (53.5+/-6.96 vs 55.9+/-10.5, P=0.2) and preoperative Hb levels of patients (12.52+/-1.48 vs 12.94+/-1.34, P=0.17) were not statistically different in midline and Pfannenstiel groups, respectively. Operative time (141.8+/-36 vs 135.8+/-31 min), number of extracted lymph nodes in pelvic (23.05+/-9.7 vs 23.5+/-8.07) and paraaortic areas (3.17+/-1.68 vs 2.66+/-1.15) were not significantly different among the midline and Pfannenstiel groups, respectively (P>0.05). Although postoperative incisional complications were more common in the midline group, this difference did not reach a significant level (11.3% vs 7.5%, P=0.52). Duration of hospitalization was not significantly different between the midline and Pfannenstiel groups, respectively (6.3+/-2.69 vs 6.2+/-2.72 days, P=0.21). Multivariate analysis revealed postoperative Hb levels to be significantly different among the groups (P=0.017, OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.08-2.35)., Conclusion: Pfannenstiel incision can be used for radical hysterectomy with pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in selected patients with cervical carcinoma, without any negative influence on optimal resectability of tumor and surgical morbidity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to define risk factors associated with the occult metastasis in early stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), and to compare the survivals in respect to occult metastasis., Study Design: A retrospective review of 169 patients with clinically early stage EOC was performed., Results: Overall, 53 patients (53/169, 31.4%) were upstaged. The most common occult metastasis was the lymphatic involvement (22/53; 41.5%). Overall, 64.1% (34/53) of these upstaged patients had unrecognized disease in the upper abdomen or retroperitoneal space. Multivariable analysis revealed 3 factors to be associated with occult metastasis: Ca-125 levels > or = 500 U/mL (P = .04), positive peritoneal cytology (P = .001), and grade III disease (P = .04). Five-year survival rates were 61.83% and 88.25%, respectively, in patients with or without occult metastasis. Among the upstaged patients, omental or peritoneal metastasis revealed the worst prognosis., Conclusion: Proper surgical staging is an important issue in early stage ovarian cancers, particularly in patients with high Ca-125 levels, positive cytology, and high grade tumor.

Objective(s): To evaluate the relationship between preoperative platelet counts and prognostic factors extensively, among endometrial cancer patients, especially with respect to cervical involvement., Methods: One-hundred fifty-five patients with endometrial carcinoma, who underwent surgery as the initial treatment consisting peritoneal cytology, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, systematic pelvic-paraaortic lymphadenectomy, and omentectomy were retrospectively analyzed., Results: There were no differences with respect to age, histological type (endometrioid vs. non-endometrioid), depth of myometrial invasion, peritoneal cytology, LVSI, and lymphatic metastasis. However, advanced stage (stages III and IV), poorly differentiated tumor grade (grade 3), the presence of cervical and adnexal involvements were associated with significantly higher median preoperative platelet counts. Accepting 325.000/microl platelet count as a threshold value, multivariate analysis revealed cervical involvement (P=0.008; OR=1.84, 95% CI:1.17-2.89) and presence of high grade histology (P=0.014; OR=2.23, 95% CI:1.18-4.23, for grade 3 disease) to be significantly associated with higher platelet count. At a cut-off value of 326.000/microl, 42.3% sensitivity and 82.8% specificity for the prediction of cervical involvement was observed under receiver operator characteristic curve method., Conclusion(s): Higher preoperative platelet counts, even in conditions with normal range (150.000-400.000/microl), may reflect poor prognostic factors such as cervical involvement and high grade among patients with endometrial carcinoma. Also, the higher platelet count should be taken into consideration for the necessity of radical hysterectomy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of CYP1A1*3 gene polymorphism in the development of cervical cancer by comparing patients having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or invasive cervical cancer with control subjects., Methods: CYP1A1*3 polymorphism was analyzed using an allele-specific PCR-based method., Results: In the group of patients with CIN, the frequency of the Ile/Val and of any Val alleles was significantly higher than in the healthy control subjects (OR: 4.51; 95%CI = 2.42-8.43, and OR: 3.71; 95%CI = 2.03-6.78). In the CIN1 group, patients with Ile/Val and any Val genotypes were found to be significantly higher (OR: 10.53; 95%CI = 3.78-29.33 and OR: 8.38; 95%CI = 3.04-23.08). In the CIN2 group, patients with Ile/Val and any Val revealed a 4.06- and 3.23-fold higher risk than those with Ile/Ile (95%CI = 1.54-10.74 and 1.24-8.45). However, the variance in the group of patients with CIN3 did not reach statistical significance. Patients with cervical cancer were analyzed with respect to the histological diagnoses. In the adenocancer group, the estimated ORs with respect to the control subjects were 11.29 for Ile/Val (95%CI = 3.35-38.07) and 8.98 for any Val groups (95%CI = 2.69-30.01), with a statistical significance. Among the squamous cell cancer patients, Ile/Val and any Val were significantly higher than in controls (OR: 5.76; 95%CI = 3.13-10.59 and OR: 5.20; 95%CI = 2.91-9.28). Although Val/Val genotype did not reach a significant value, it was near significance with an OR of 3.03 (95%CI = 0.95-9.68)., Conclusion: These results suggest that CYP1A1*3 gene polymorphism is linked to a propensity for cervical carcinogenesis and further series are needed to detect the exact role of this unique variation.

Aneuploidy is the most common chromosomal abnormality and also is the leading cause of early fetal loss and serious mental retardations. Except for the advanced maternal age, there is no clearly established factor for the development of aneuploidy. On the other hand, advanced maternal age is well characterized with elevated gonadotropin levels due to the decreased ovarian reserve. Such high level gonadotropins are also seen physiologically in the adolescent period. Both age groups may have an increased risk for having a baby with chromosomal abnormality. On the other hand, high doses of gonadotropins are widely used in artificial reproductive technologies (ART). Low pregnancy and high abortion rates in ART practices may be explained by higher incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the unfertilized oocytes maturated by high dose gonadotropins. Gonadotropins are also found to induce congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities in some animal studies. From this point of view, we hypothesized that gonadotropins might have a role in the development of aneuploidy. If this hypothesis is true, basal serum FSH levels may be used as a screening test in preconceptional period for assessment of the aneuploidy risk in low risk population. Furthermore, new ART protocols using low dose gonadotropins should be developed in order to improve pregnancy outcomes and possibly to prevent aneuploidy.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of secondary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer., Study Design: Secondarily, cytoreduced patients were retrospectively analyzed with respect to the clinicopathologic variables., Results: A total of 64 patients were evaluated in this report. Multivariable analysis revealed 3 factors to be significant: optimal cytoreduction during primary (P = .003, odds ratio [OR]: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.14-0.66), secondary cytoreduction (P = .04, OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.22-0.99), and the endometrioid histologic type (P = .005, OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02-0.48). Intrinsic factors of the tumors (grade, stage, age), size, and number of recurrent tumors were nonsignificant., Conclusion: Secondary cytoreductive surgery should be offered in selected recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Further prospective randomized series are needed to determine specific recommendations.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment regimens used for patients with endodermal sinus tumors (EST), and also to examine the prognostic value of surgicopathological variables., Study Design: Twenty-two patients treated for pure EST, and seven patients who had mixed germ cell tumors with EST components were included. Initial surgery consisting of surgical staging to achieve optimal debulking was the principal mode of therapy. Data were obtained from patients' files, a special gynecologic oncology database, and pathology records., Results: The median age at the time of diagnosis was 18 (range 8-45). Sixteen patients had stage I (55%), and 13 (45%) had stage II-IV disease. As an adjuvant therapy 18 patients (62%) received platin-based chemotherapy, three patients (10%) had non-platin-based chemotherapy, four patients (14%) had radiotherapy, and four patients (14%) had combined radiotherapy plus non-platin-based chemotherapy. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 47 and 48%, respectively. Survival rates were dismal in patients with stage II-IV disease (P < 0.001). Platin-based chemotherapy achieved significant survival benefit (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively). Fertility-saving surgery had an overall survival no worse than those who underwent more extensive surgery. There was no significant survival difference with respect to age, histology, and tumor size., Conclusion: Fertility-sparing surgery with a postoperative platin-based combination chemotherapy should be the selected mode of treatment.