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Objective: To identify clinicopathologic factors predictive of early relapse (platinum-free interval (PFI) of ≤6 months) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in first-line treatment, and to develop and internally validate risk prediction models for early relapse., Methods: All consecutive patients diagnosed with advanced stage EOC between 01-01-2008 and 31-12-2015 were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy as initial EOC treatment were selected. Two prediction models, i.e. pretreatment and postoperative, were developed. Candidate predictors of early relapse were fitted into multivariable logistic regression models. Model performance was assessed on calibration and discrimination. Internal validation was performed through bootstrapping to correct for model optimism., Results: A total of 4,557 advanced EOC patients were identified, including 1,302 early relapsers and 3,171 late or non-relapsers. Early relapsers were more likely to have FIGO stage IV, mucinous or clear cell type EOC, ascites, >1 cm residual disease, and to have undergone NACT-ICS. The final pretreatment model demonstrated subpar model performance (AUC = 0.64 [95 %-CI 0.62-0.66]). The final postoperative model based on age, FIGO stage, pretreatment CA-125 level, histologic subtype, presence of ascites, treatment approach, and residual disease after debulking, demonstrated adequate model performance (AUC = 0.72 [95 %-CI 0.71-0.74]). Bootstrap validation revealed minimal optimism of the final postoperative model., Conclusion: A (postoperative) discriminative model has been developed and presented online that predicts the risk of early relapse in advanced EOC patients. Although external validation is still required, this prediction model can support patient counselling in daily clinical practice., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The Groningen International Study on Sentinel nodes in Vulvar cancer (GROINSS-V)-II investigated whether inguinofemoral radiotherapy is a safe alternative to inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL) in vulvar cancer patients with a metastatic sentinel node (SN)., Methods: GROINSS-V-II was a prospective multicenter phase-II single-arm treatment trial, including patients with early-stage vulvar cancer (diameter < 4 cm) without signs of lymph node involvement at imaging, who had primary surgical treatment (local excision with SN biopsy). Where the SN was involved (metastasis of any size), inguinofemoral radiotherapy was given (50 Gy). The primary end point was isolated groin recurrence rate at 24 months. Stopping rules were defined for the occurrence of groin recurrences., Results: From December 2005 until October 2016, 1,535 eligible patients were registered. The SN showed metastasis in 322 (21.0%) patients. In June 2010, with 91 SN-positive patients included, the stopping rule was activated because the isolated groin recurrence rate in this group went above our predefined threshold. Among 10 patients with an isolated groin recurrence, nine had SN metastases > 2 mm and/or extracapsular spread. The protocol was amended so that those with SN macrometastases (> 2 mm) underwent standard of care (IFL), whereas patients with SN micrometastases (≤ 2 mm) continued to receive inguinofemoral radiotherapy. Among 160 patients with SN micrometastases, 126 received inguinofemoral radiotherapy, with an ipsilateral isolated groin recurrence rate at 2 years of 1.6%. Among 162 patients with SN macrometastases, the isolated groin recurrence rate at 2 years was 22% in those who underwent radiotherapy, and 6.9% in those who underwent IFL ( P = .011). Treatment-related morbidity after radiotherapy was less frequent compared with IFL., Conclusion: Inguinofemoral radiotherapy is a safe alternative for IFL in patients with SN micrometastases, with minimal morbidity. For patients with SN macrometastasis, radiotherapy with a total dose of 50 Gy resulted in more isolated groin recurrences compared with IFL., Competing Interests: Brian SlomovitzConsulting or Advisory Role: Clovis Oncology, AstraZeneca, Genentech, Incyte, Agenus, GlaxoSmithKline, GOG Foundation, Myriad Genetics, Merck, Eisai Ignace VergoteConsulting or Advisory Role: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Clovis Oncology, Carrick Therapeutics, Deciphera, Elevar Therapeutics, Genmab, GlaxoSmithKline, Immunogen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Mersana, MSD, Novocure, OCTIMET Oncology NV, Oncoinvent, Sotio, Verastem, Zentalis, Roche, MillenniumResearch Funding: Roche, Genmab, Amgen, OncoinventTravel, Accommodations, Expenses: Roche, AstraZeneca, Tesaro, Amgen, MSD/Merck Mats BrännströmStock and Other Ownership Interests: EUGIN Sweden Martin WidschwendterStock and Other Ownership Interests: Sola Diagnostics, BreOva HealthPatents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Patents relevant for risk prediction or diagnosis of women's cancers Paul A. DiSilvestroConsulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, AgenusResearch Funding: Janssen Oncology, Tesaro, AstraZeneca, Genentech, AbbVie Robert MannelConsulting or Advisory Role: Tesaro Dorry BollResearch Funding: AstraZeneca David CibulaConsulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, Sotio, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline Diane ProvencherConsulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKlineResearch Funding: AstraZeneca, AbbVie Ingo B. RunnebaumConsulting or Advisory Role: AbbVie (I), Amgen, AstraZeneca, Clovis Oncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Oncgnostics, Tesaro Preben KjølhedeResearch Funding: Leo Pharma AB Katharina E. KieserHonoraria: AstraZenecaConsulting or Advisory Role: MerckResearch Funding: AstraZeneca Nicola M. SpirtosResearch Funding: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Genentech/Roche, Clovis Oncology, Seattle GeneticsPatents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Application No. PCT/US 2019/19465 Cannabis Based Therapeutic and Method of Use Application No, US Patent 0024098766 Compounds Cannabidiol and Flavanones 63/047550 (July 1, 2020) 63/055458 (July 23, 2020) David M. O'MalleyConsulting or Advisory Role: Janssen Oncology, AstraZeneca, Clovis Oncology, Tesaro, Novocure, AbbVie, Genentech/Roche, OncoQuest, Immunogen, GOG Foundation, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Agenus, Marker Therapeutics, Eisai, Genelux, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Ambry Genetics, Tarveda Therapeutics, Leap Therapeutics, Myriad Genetics, GlaxoSmithKline, Regeneron, Sorrento Therapeutics, Rubius Therapeutics, Elevar Therapeutics, Novartis, Seagen, BBI Healthcare, Arquer Diagnostics, Toray Medical, Takeda, InxMed, Celsion, Roche Diagnostics MSAResearch Funding: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Genentech/Roche, Regeneron, Immunogen, Janssen Research & Development, Clovis Oncology, EMD Serono, Ergomed, Ajinomoto, Cerulean Pharma, PharmaMar, Array BioPharma, Bristol Myers Squibb, Agenus, Tesaro, TRACON Pharma, Genmab, Seattle Genetics, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Leap Therapeutics, Merck, AbbVie/Stemcentrx, AbbVie, Mersana, Eisai, BBI Healthcare, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Oncology Mario M. LeitaoHonoraria: Intuitive SurgicalConsulting or Advisory Role: Intuitive Surgical, Ethicon/Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, TakedaResearch Funding: KCITravel, Accommodations, Expenses: Intuitive Surgical Melissa A. GellerResearch Funding: Tesaro, Genentech, FATE Therapeutics, Morphotek, Bayer Karl TamussinoOther Relationship: Medtronic Daniel H. TobiasConsulting or Advisory Role: Ethicon Jayanthi S. LeaConsulting or Advisory Role: Roche Brynhildur EyjolfsdottirOther Relationship: Intuitive Surgical Krishnansu S. TewariHonoraria: Tesaro, Clovis OncologyConsulting or Advisory Role: Roche/Genentech, Tesaro, Clovis Oncology, AstraZenecaSpeakers' Bureau: Roche/Genentech, AstraZeneca, Merck, Tesaro, Clovis OncologyResearch Funding: AbbVie, Genentech/Roche, Morphotek, Merck, RegeneronTravel, Accommodations, Expenses: Roche/Genentech Ranjit ManchandaHonoraria: AstraZeneca Linda Van LeConsulting or Advisory Role: EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Advarum, Neurotech, Iveric, Gemini Therapeutics, NaegisResearch Funding: GOG Partners Trial Bradley J. MonkLeadership: US OncologyHonoraria: AbbVie, Advaxis, Agenus, Akeso Biopharma, Amgen, Aravive, AstraZeneca, Asymmetric Therapeutics, Boston Biomedical, ChemoID, Clovis Oncology, Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Geistlich Pharma, Genmab/Seattle Genetics, ImmunoGen, Immunomedics, Incyte, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Laekna Health Care, Merck, Mersana, Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Nucana, Oncomed, Oncoquest, Oncosec, Perthera, Pfizer, Puma Biotechnology, Regeneron, Roche/Genentech, Senti Biosciences, Takeda, Tarveda Therapeutics, Tesaro/GSK, Vavotar Life Sciences, Vascular Biogenics, Vigeo Therapeutics, GOG Foundation, Starton Therapeutics, Elevar Therapeutics, Novocure, Gradalis, Karyopharm TherapeuticsConsulting or Advisory Role: AbbVie, Advaxis, Agenus, Akeso Biopharma, Amgen, Aravive, AstraZeneca, Asymmetric Therapeutics, Boston Biomedical, ChemoCare, ChemoID, Clovis Oncology, Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Geistlich Pharma, Genmab/Seattle Genetics, GOG Foundation, ImmunoGen, Immunomedics, Incyte, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Laekna Health Care, Merck, Mersana, Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Nucana, Oncomed, Oncoquest, Oncosec, Perthera, Pfizer, Puma Biotechnology, Regeneron, Roche/Genentech, Senti Biosciences, Takeda, Tarveda Therapeutics, Tesaro/GSK, Vavotar Life Sciences, Vascular Biogenics, Vigeo Therapeutics, Gradalis, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Sorrento Therapeutics, NovocureSpeakers' Bureau: Roche/Genentech, AstraZeneca, Clovis Oncology, Eisai, Tesaro/GSK, MerckResearch Funding: Novartis, Amgen, Genentech, Lilly, Janssen, Array BioPharma, Tesaro, Morphotek, Pfizer, Advaxis, AstraZeneca, Immunogen, Regeneron, Nucana Carien L. CreutzbergConsulting or Advisory Role: MerckResearch Funding: Elekta, Varian Medical SystemsNo other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) risk in BReast CAncer gene 1/2 (BRCA1/2) mutation carriers is uncertain; therefore, we assessed this in a large Dutch nationwide cohort study., Methods: We selected 5980 BRCA1/2 (3788 BRCA1, 2151 gBRCA2, 41 both BRCA1/BRCA2) and 8451 non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers from the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer study, the Netherlands cohort. Follow-up started at the date of the nationwide Dutch Pathology Registry coverage (January 1, 1989) or at the age of 25 years (whichever came last) and ended at date of EC diagnosis, last follow-up, or death (whichever came first). EC risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers was compared with 1) the general population, estimating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) based on Dutch population-based incidence rates; and 2) non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, using Cox-regression analyses, expressed as hazard ratio (HR). Statistical tests were 2-sided., Results: Fifty-eight BRCA1/2 and 33 non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers developed EC over 119 296 and 160 841 person-years, respectively (SIR = 2.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.18 to 3.65; and HR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.53 to 3.69, respectively). gBRCA1 mutation carriers showed increased risks for EC overall (SIR = 3.51, 95% CI = 2.61 to 4.72; HR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.83 to 4.66), serous-like EC (SIR = 12.64, 95% CI = 7.62 to 20.96; HR = 10.48, 95% CI = 2.95 to 37.20), endometrioid EC (SIR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.80 to 3.83; HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.18 to 3.45), and TP53-mutated EC (HR = 15.71, 95% CI = 4.62 to 53.40). For BRCA2 mutation carriers, overall (SIR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.87) and serous-like EC risks (SIR = 5.11, 95% CI = 1.92 to 13.63) were increased compared with the general population. Absolute risks by 75 years remained low (overall EC = 3.0%; serous-like EC = 1.1%)., Conclusions: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers have a two- to threefold increased risk for EC, with highest risk observed for the rare subgroups of serous-like and p53-abnormal EC in BRCA1 mutation carriers., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Background: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are recommended to undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) at 35 to 45 years of age. RRSO substantially decreases ovarian cancer risk, but at the cost of immediate menopause. Knowledge about the potential adverse effects of premenopausal RRSO, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cognitive dysfunction, and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), is limited., Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the long-term health effects of premenopausal RRSO on cardiovascular disease, bone health, cognitive functioning, urological complaints, sexual functioning, and HRQoL in women with high familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer., Methods: We will conduct a multicenter cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up, nested in a nationwide cohort of women at high familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer. A total of 500 women who have undergone RRSO before 45 years of age, with a follow-up period of at least 10 years, will be compared with 250 women (frequency matched on current age) who have not undergone RRSO or who have undergone RRSO at over 55 years of age. Participants will complete an online questionnaire on lifestyle, medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, osteoporosis, cognitive function, urological complaints, and HRQoL. A full cardiovascular assessment and assessment of bone mineral density will be performed. Blood samples will be obtained for marker analysis. Cognitive functioning will be assessed objectively with an online neuropsychological test battery., Results: This study was approved by the institutional review board in July 2018. In February 2019, we included our first participant. As of November 2020, we had enrolled 364 participants in our study., Conclusions: Knowledge from this study will contribute to counseling women with a high familial risk of breast/ovarian cancer about the long-term health effects of premenopausal RRSO. The results can also be used to offer health recommendations after RRSO., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03835793; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03835793., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/24414., (©Lara Terra, Maartje J Hooning, Bernadette A M Heemskerk-Gerritsen, Marc van Beurden, Jeanine E Roeters van Lennep, Helena C van Doorn, Joanne A de Hullu, Constantijne Mom, Eleonora B L van Dorst, Marian J E Mourits, Brigitte F M Slangen, Katja N Gaarenstroom, M Carola Zillikens, Tim Leiner, Lizet van der Kolk, Margriet Collee, Marijke Wevers, Margreet G E M Ausems, Klaartje van Engelen, Lieke PV Berger, Christi J van Asperen, Encarna B Gomez-Garcia, Irma van de Beek, Matti A Rookus, Michael Hauptmann, Eveline M Bleiker, Sanne B Schagen, Neil K Aaronson, Angela H E M Maas, Flora E van Leeuwen. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 22.01.2021.)

Background: Inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL) is part of the surgical treatment of different malignancies of the genital tract and/or the lower limb including vulvar carcinoma, penile carcinoma and melanoma. IFL is associated with morbidity in up to 85% of the patients. The aims of this MAMBO-IC study (Morbidity And Measurement of the Body) are to study the feasibility of using LigaSure for IFL and to assess the differences in the incidence of short-term complications using LigaSure versus conventional IFL randomized within each individual patient., Methods: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), women diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva with an indication for bilateral IFL were included. It was randomly assigned for which groin the LigaSure was used; the other groin was treated with conventional IFL (sharp/diathermia). We estimated the incidence of ≥1 complication(s) per groin using logistic regression and compared this between the two surgical methods, adjusting for possible confounders., Results: We included 40 groins of 20 patients. The estimated incidence of ≥1 complication(s) was 29% after LigaSure versus 70% after conventional IFL (risk difference 41% (95% CI 19-62), p < 0.001). Patients' reported restriction of daily living activities and maximum pain score were equal for both treatment methods. There were no differences in the surgeon reported workload scores., Conclusions: This RCT shows that LigaSure for IFL is feasible and associated with significantly less short-term surgical complications compared to conventional IFL. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to validate our findings. ISRCTN15057626., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background/aim: Differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN) and lichen sclerosus (LS) can give rise to vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC), but genetic evidence is currently still limited. We aimed to determine genetic abnormalities in VSCC and backtrack these abnormalities in the dVIN and LS lesions., Materials and Methods: DNA from VSCC and patient-matched dVIN and LS samples of twelve patients was collected. High-resolution genome-wide copy number analysis was performed and subsequently, we sequenced TP53., Results: Copy number alterations were identified in all VSCC samples. One dVIN lesion presented with three copy number alterations that were preserved in the paired VSCC sample. Targeted sequencing of TP53 identified mutations in five VSCCs. All five mutations were traced back in the dVIN (n=5) or the LS (n=1) with frequencies ranging from 3-19%., Conclusion: Our data provide genetic evidence for a clonal relationship between VSCC and dVIN or LS., (Copyright© 2020, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Aims: The depth of invasion is an important prognostic factor for patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The threshold of 1 mm distinguishes between FIGO stages IA and ≥IB disease and guides the need for groin surgery. Therefore, high interobserver agreement is crucial. The conventional and the alternative method are described to measure the depth of invasion. The aims of this study were to assess interobserver agreement for classifying the depth of invasion using both methods and to identify pitfalls., Methods and Results: Fifty slides of vulvar SCC with a depth of invasion approximately 1 mm were selected, digitally scanned and independently assessed by 10 pathologists working in a referral or oncology centre and four pathologists in training. The depth of invasion was measured using both the conventional and alternative method in each slide and categorised into ≤1 and >1 mm. The percentage of agreement and Light's kappa for multi-rater agreement were calculated, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by bootstrapping (1000 runs). The agreement using the conventional method was moderate (κ = 0.57, 95% confidence interval = 0.45-0.68). The percentage of agreement among the participating pathologists using the conventional method was 85.0% versus 89.4% using the alternative method. Six pitfalls were identified: disagreement concerning which invasive nest is deepest, recognition of invasive growth and where it starts, curved surface, carcinoma situated on the edge of the tissue block, ulceration and different measurement methods., Conclusions: Pathologists reached only moderate agreement in determining the depth of invasion in vulvar SCC, without a notable difference between the two measurement methods., (© 2019 The Authors. Histopathology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A considerable number of mucinous ovarian tumors are metastatic from other primary tumors, mainly from the gastrointestinal tract, and primary malignant mucinous ovarian tumors are considered rare. Mucinous ovarian tumors occurring within the clinical syndrome of pseudomyxoma peritonei are assumed to almost always originate from the appendix. We describe a patient with a low-grade mucinous tumor involving the ovary in coexistence with pseudomyxoma peritonei, who underwent appendectomy 25 yr earlier. The tumor originated from a rare cystic gastrointestinal duplication found in the mesenteric fat showing adenomatous changes. This illustrates that even in absence of the appendix, mucinous ovarian tumors occurring with pseudomyoma peritonei rarely arise from the ovary.

With the recent introduction of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, a promising novel therapy has become available for ovarian carcinoma (OC) patients with inactivating BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations in their tumor. To select patients who may benefit from these treatments, assessment of the mutation status of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the tumor is required. For reliable evaluation of germline and somatic mutations in these genes in DNA derived from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, we have developed a single-molecule molecular inversion probe (smMIP)-based targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach. Our smMIP-based NGS approach provides analysis of both strands of the open reading frame of BRCA1 and BRCA2, enabling the discrimination between real variants and formalin-induced artefacts. The single molecule tag enables compilation of unique reads leading to a high analytical sensitivity and enabling assessment of the reliability of mutation-negative results. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) were used to detect exon deletions of BRCA1 and methylation of the BRCA1 promoter, respectively. Here, we show that this combined approach allows the rapid and reliable detection of both germline and somatic aberrations affecting BRCA1 and BRCA2 in DNA derived from FFPE OCs, enabling improved hereditary cancer risk assessment and clinical treatment of ovarian cancer patients., (© 2016 The Authors. **Human Mutation published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objectives: Female renal transplant recipients (RTRs) have increased risk for developing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related (pre)malignancies of the lower genital tract. Annual cervical screening is advised for RTRs, but the participation rate is low. The aim of this study is to investigate whether HPV self-sampling is suitable for gynecological screening of RTRs to increase participation rate., Methods: A large cohort of 253 RTRs was investigated for the prevalence of HPV. All participants received a device for a cervicovaginal self-sample. Questionnaires were sent to assess the experience with this device. High-risk (hrHPV) presence was determined with the SPF10-LiPA25 system and GP5+/6+ PCR. HrHPV-positive patients underwent gynecological examination., Results: More than 90% of the patients rated their experience with the self-sample device as good to excellent, and 77% preferred self-sampling over a physician taken sample. Approximately thirty-five of 217 women tested hrHPV positive with SPF10- LiPA25, and 22 tested positive with the GP5+/6+ PCR. Eleven hrHPV-positive patients had clinically relevant gynecological abnormalities, and they all tested positive with GP5+/6+ PCR., Conclusions: Self-sampling is clinically applicable in a gynecological screening and is preferred by female RTRs. Therefore, self-sampling could be implemented with the aim to increase the participation rate of female RTRs in yearly gynecological screening.

Depth of invasion is an important prognostic factor for patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to identify the most optimal method of measuring the depth of invasion in relation to the individual outcome in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Data of 175 consecutive patients with a primary vulvar squamous cell carcinoma with known lymph node status, treated in the Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands (2000-2010), were stored in a database. At pathology review of 148 (85%) cases, depth of invasion was measured using the conventional and alternative methods. Clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with a change in FIGO stage were compared with those without a change in stage. In 148 vulvar squamous cell carcinoma patients, the median depth of invasion was shown to be decreased from 5.5 mm (range 1.1-20) using the conventional method to 3.6 mm (range 0.2-20) using the alternative method (P<0.05). This led to a change in the FIGO stage in 13 of the 148 (9%) patients and a change in depth of invasion from 3.5 to 0.2 mm in one patient (1%) with FIGO stage IIIA. Of all 69 stage 1B patients, 13 (19%) were downstaged to stage IA. The downstaged patients developed less recurrences (15% vs 39%) and had a higher disease-specific survival (100% vs 84%) compared with the patients who remained FIGO stage IB. Using the alternative method for measuring the depth of invasion in tumors of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma patients, 19% of the patients with a FIGO stage IB tumor might be treated without groin surgery resulting in less treatment-related morbidity. The results are promising but more prospective data on a higher number of patients are necessary.

Women who carry a BRCA mutation have a greatly increased risk for serous ovarian carcinoma and tubal carcinoma. Since preventative ovarian screening is not effective, these women are advised to undergo prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (pBSO) around the age of 40 years. Following pBSO, hormone replacement therapy is advisable up to the age of 45-50 years, with the exception of those women with a history of breast cancer. The advice for women with a familial history of ovarian carcinoma but without the BRCA mutation is less clear. Based on data from the literature, we suggest considering pBSO only in women with at least two first or second degree family members with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. pBSO is not indicated in women from families without a BRCA mutation who have no family members, or just one family member, with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. In these families the lifetime risk for ovarian cancer is considered to be well below 10%.

Objective: To compare the treatment and follow-up of patients with lichen sclerosus (LS) at the departments of Gynaecology and Dermatology at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, to evaluate the need for a multidisciplinary vulvar clinic., Materials and Methods: Treatment and follow-up data of all women with histologically proven (between January 1995 and January 2001) anogenital LS visiting the outpatient clinics of the departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dermatology were collected (last date of follow-up: January 2008)., Results: Eighty-four patients with LS were included in this study, 10 patients (12%) of which were treated by both specialties. At the Gynaecology department, LS patients more often received surgical treatment, topical estrogens, and lidocaine ointment, whereas at the Dermatology department, local class 2/3 corticosteroids were more often prescribed. Follow-up frequencies were similar in both specialties and took place at 3 to 4 visits in the first year and at least once a year afterward. One patient developed vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. This patient had withdrawn from follow-up and had her condition diagnosed with carcinoma 74 months after the LS had been diagnosed., Conclusions: Although no hospital guidelines existed, management of patients with LS agreed with current recommendations in the literature, although differences in secondary and supportive therapy existed owing to differences in expertise. The relatively high percentage of patients treated by both specialties with a high frequency of visits emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary clinic for vulvar disease.

The sentinel lymph node procedure, with the combined technique (preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with (99m)Technetium-labeled Nanocolloid and Patente Blue V ), is a promising staging technique for patients with vulvar cancer. The clinical implementation of the sentinel lymph node procedure and the role of additional histopathologic techniques of the sentinel lymph nodes are under investigation.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether modifications in the treatment of patients with vulvar carcinoma influence the rates of recurrence and survival., Methods: Between 1982 and 1997, 253 patients with T1 and T2 invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were treated by essentially the same team of gynecologic oncologists, and 168 patients (Group I) underwent radical vulvectomy with en bloc inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Standard therapy was changed in 1993, and 85 patients (Group II) underwent wide local excision with inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy through separate incisions. The rates of recurrence and survival were compared between both groups., Results: In Group II, the overall recurrence rate (33.3%) within 4 years was increased compared with Group I (19.9%; P = 0.03). In Group II, 5 of 79 patients (6.3%) developed fatal groin or skin bridge recurrences compared with 2 of 159 patients (1.3%) in Group I (P = 0.029); this did not result in a difference in overall survival. In Group II, 40 of 79 patients had tumor free margins measuring 8 mm, resulting in no local recurrences (P = 0.002)., Conclusions: The current study showed that fatal recurrences in either the groin or the skin bridge were more frequent after wide local excision and inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy through separate incisions; however, probably due to lack of power, this did not result in shorter survival. In 40 of 79 patients, the histologic margins measured

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the author's recent, preliminary experience with the sentinel lymph node procedure in patients with vulvar melanoma and to compare this experience with treatment and follow-up of patients with vulvar melanomas who were treated previously at their institution., Methods: From 1997, sentinel lymph node procedure with the combined technique (99mTechnetium-labeled nanocolloid and Patente Blue-V) was performed as a standard staging procedure for patients with vulvar melanoma with a thickness > 1 mm and no clinically suspicious inguinofemoral lymph nodes. For the current study, clinicopathologic data from all 33 patients with vulvar melanoma who were treated between 1978 and 2000 at the University Hospital Groningen were reviewed and analyzed., Results: From January 1997 until December 2000, identification of sentinel lymph nodes was successful in all nine patients who were referred for treatment of vulvar melanoma. Three patients underwent subsequent complete inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy because of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes. In follow-up, groin recurrences (in-transit metastases) occurred in two of nine patients, both 12 months after primary treatment. Both patients had melanomas with a thickness > 4 mm and previously had negative sentinel lymph nodes. There was a trend toward more frequent groin recurrences in patients after undergoing the sentinel lymph node procedure (2 of 9 patients) compared with 24 historic control patients (0 of 24 patients; P = 0.06). Five of 33 patients developed local recurrences: Two patients had groin recurrences, and 11 patients developed distant metastases. Twelve patients died of vulvar melanoma. Seventeen patients with a median follow-up of 66 months (range, 9-123 months) are currently alive (overall survival rate, 52%)., Conclusions: Although the numbers were small, this study showed that the sentinel lymph node procedure is capable of identifying patients who have occult lymph node metastases and who may benefit from lymphadenectomy for locoregional control and prevention of distant metastases. However, the data also suggest that the sentinel lymph node procedure may increase the risk of locoregional recurrences (in-transit metastases), especially in patients with thick melanomas. The potential role of the sentinel lymph node procedure as an alternative method of lymph node staging in patients with vulvar melanoma needs further investigation only within the protection of clinical trials and probably should be restricted to patients with melanomas with intermediate thickness (1-4 mm).