Search

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the overall survival (OS) of young women with endometrial cancer (EC) in Bulgaria and the impact of histological type on survival., Material and methods: This is a population-wide retrospective study of patients with EC (≤ 40 years at diagnosis) registered at Bulgarian National Cancer Registry (BNCR) between 1993 and 2020. Patients were re-classified according to the 8th edition of the TNM classification., Results: In total, 30 597 patients were registered and histologically confirmed with malignant tumors of the uterine body. From that, 29 065 of them (95%) had ECs, and the rest had sarcomas. Around 1.64% of all malignant tumors of the uterine body are diagnosed in women under the age of 40. Most of them are diagnosed in the early stage. There was no significant difference in median OS for patients diagnosed before or after 2003. In recent years there was a slight improvement in survival and patients from the last cohort of this study had a 5-year survival rate of 92.5%. Patients with favorable pathology (T1, G1/2) had no lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis and their 10-year survival rate was 94%., Conclusions: EC in young women is a rare disease. In most cases, patients are diagnosed in early stageT1, G1/2, N0 and their prognosis is excellent. However, the lack of improvement of OS of young patients with EC in the last three decades shows the need for treatment optimization., peer-reviewed

Establishing a prognostic model for endometrial cancer (EC), that individualizes risk and management plan per patient and disease characteristics.this is multicentre retrospective study conducted in 9 European gynaecologic cancer centres. Women with confirmed EC between January 2008 to December 2015 were included. Demographics, disease characteristics, management, and follow-up information were collected. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 and 5 years comprise the primary outcomes of the study. Machine learning algorithms were applied to patient and disease characteristics. Model I: pre-treatment model. Calculated probability was added to management variables (model II: treatment model), and the second calculated probability was added to perioperative and postoperative variables (model III).Out of 1,150 women, 1,144 were eligible for 3-year survival analysis and 860 for 5-year survival analysis. Model I, II, and III accuracies of prediction of 5-year CSS were 84.88%/85.47% (in train and test sets), 85.47%/84.88% and 87.35%/86.05%, respectively. Model I predicted 3-year CSS at an accuracy of 91.34%/87.02%. Accuracy of model I, II and III in predicting 5-year DFS were 74.63%/76.72%, 77.03%/76.72%, and 80.61%/77.78%, respectively.Endometrial Cancer Individualised Scoring System (ECISS) is a novel machine learning tool assessing patient-specific survival probability with high accuracy.

This article analyzes sixteen censuses of the Bulgarian population in the period from 1879 to 2010. This work provides information on the normative and bylaws regulating the organization and stages through which the population censuses pass during the considered periods. The article traces the migration processes from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century in the Bulgarian state, as well as a number of historical events that had a serious impact on the structure of the population. Attention is paid to the waves of refugees observed in the 20s of the 20th century, as the latter brought enormous financial and economic consequences for Bulgaria. Data on birth rate, death rate and natural population growth are presented. The age composition and educational status of the enumerated population is studied, as well as the degree of urbanization during some of the enumerations of the Bulgarian population.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a complex system of procedures that necessitates multidisciplinary patient care during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. Over the last two decades, the ERAS protocol, which was initially described in colorectal surgery, has gradually expanded to other surgical specialties. Gynecological surgery is no exception, whether for benign or malignant conditions. The ERAS program's primary objective is to overcome the pathophysiological processes associated with surgical stress and to facilitate the patient's rapid recovery, while minimizing complications, hospital stays, and costs. The objectives of minimally invasive surgical procedures largely overlap with the objectives of the ERAS program. We analyzed scientific data from studies examining the ERAS system's application in minimally invasive gynecological surgery (MIGS) and present them in this review. The central question is whether the ERAS protocol can provide additional benefits beyond those inherent in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

The article aims to reveal both the emergence and historical development of vaccination and its regulatory framework. The subject of study is the administrative and legal regime of vaccination in Bulgaria. The author examines cases from the case law concerning the vaccination process.

Hereditary cancer syndromes are defined as syndromes, where the genetics of cancer are the result of low penetrant polymorphisms or of a single gene disorder inherited in a mendelian fashion. During the last decade, compelling evidence has accumulated that approximately 5-10% of all cancers could be attributed to hereditary cancer syndromes. A tremendous progress has been made over the last decade in the evaluation and management of these syndromes. However, hereditary syndromes associated with gynecologic malignancies still present significant challenge for oncogynecologists. Oncogynecologists tend to pay more attention to staging, histological type and treatment options of gynecological cancers than thinking of inherited cancers and taking a detailed family history. Moreover, physicians should also be familiar with screening strategies in patients with inherited gynecological cancers. Lynch syndrome and hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome are the most common and widely discussed syndromes in medical literature. The aim of the present review article is to delineate and emphasize the majority of hereditary gynecological cancer syndromes, even these, which are rarely reported in oncogynecology. The following inherited cancers are briefly discussed: Lynch syndrome; "site-specific" ovarian cancer and hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome; Cowden syndrome; Li-Fraumeni syndrome; Peutz-Jeghers syndrome; ataxia-telangiectasia; DICER1- syndrome; gonadal dysgenesis; tuberous sclerosis; multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, II; hereditary small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type and hereditary undifferentiated uterine sarcoma; hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and MUTYH-associated polyposis. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, pathology and screening of these syndromes are discussed. General treatment recommendations are beyond the scope of this review.

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) system is a collection of preoperative, intraoperative, and early postoperative measures. The primary goal of gynecological surgery is a rapid and uneventful recovery from oncological and standard procedures, particularly in patients over the age of 65. The goal is to achieve comparable results to those obtained with minimally invasive procedures. Certain features of the ERAS system are similar to those of standard surgical procedures. These are the measures taken to prevent thromboembolism and to promote early postoperative mobility. Anesthesia and postoperative analgesia are critical components of achieving the ERAS system's objectives. The ERAS protocol requires multimodal non-opioid postoperative analgesia, infiltration of the surgical wound with a local anesthetic, and avoidance of opioid analgesics. We discuss current data on patient management according to the ERAS protocol for anesthesia and analgesia in order to minimize the body's stress reactions, promote early mobility, and reduce postoperative complications. ERAS protocol has gained popularity in recent years in a number of centers, primarily in the United States and Europe, due to its direct impact on hospital stay length, healthcare costs, and benefits for patients, their relatives, and caregivers. Keywords: ERAS protocol; multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia; local infiltration anesthesia.

Cancer patients are at increased risk of cerebrovascular events. The incidence of those events and the associated mortality are known to follow a seasonal pattern in the general population. However, it is unclear whether cerebrovascular mortality in cancer patients has seasonal variation. To address this question, we performed a retrospective analysis of the seasonality of deaths due to the fact of cerebrovascular diseases among patients with first primary malignancy registered between 1975 and 2016 in the SEER database. The presence of seasonality in death rates was modeled using the cosinor approach assuming a circa-annual pattern. A significant seasonal pattern with a peak in the first half of November was identified in all patient groups. The same peak was observed in almost all subgroups of patients defined based on demographic characteristics. However, not all entity-defined subgroups showed a seasonal pattern, which might be explained by the different pathologic processes affecting the circulatory system in each cancer type. Based on our findings, one can propose that the active monitoring of cancer patients for cerebrovascular events from the late autumn and during the winter can help in the reduction of mortality in this patient population.

The presence of multiple primary tumors is a rare condition. They are classified as synchronous and metachronous tumors. The incidence of synchronous tumors is 0.7-1.8 percent. In gynecological practice they are extremely rare events with the most common combination being simultaneously developing uterine and ovarian carcinomas. The likelihood of metastatic disease should be ruled out in these cases, and for which criteria have been established. Most often, the manifestations of the disease are more characteristic of endometrial cancer. Staging accuracy and proper diagnosis of tumor processes is essential for the treatment and outcome of these patients. Usually, the diseases are at an early stage and have a good prognosis. The mean age of diagnosed patients is 48.4 years, mostly women who have not given birth, and with obesity. We present a case of a 37-year-old patient diagnosed with synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancer, at which both malignant processes failed to fully meet the criteria.

The present review introduces the aetiology and classification o f c ervical p recancers. T he p rinciples o f diagnosis based on colposcopy are reviewed. The indications for colposcopy and targeted biopsy are steps in the diagnostic process of cervical precancers. Prophylaxis of these diseases prevents cervical cancer as high-grade precancerous lesions represent a direct precursor to cervical cancer. The basics of primary and secondary prevention, the types of screening, and the behaviour of the already-alerted patients after different screenings are presented.

Currently, unlike in the past, the endometrial cavity is not considered to be sterile. The endometrium is supposed to be dominated by Lactobacilli, but also their deficiency can be found in the reproductive tract of asymptomatic healthy women. Sometimes the endometrial microbiome is dominated by various pathological microorganisms, and this can lead to various conditions as chronic endometritis, chorioamnionitis and preterm birth. Their presence causes uterine inflammation and infection, release of pro-inflammatory molecules, uterine contractions, disruption of cervical barrier, premature rupture of membranes. Uterine dysbiosis is associated with recurrent implantation failure and recurrent miscarriages. As the microbiome is important for maintaining immunological homeostasis at the level of gastrointestinal tract Lactobacilli may play a similar function at the level of uterus. The lactobacillus-dominated uterine microbiome is of great importance for maintaining a hostile uterine microenvironment, embryo implantation, early pregnancy development and normal pregnancy outcome.

Sarcomas of the uterine corpus are rare malignant neoplasms, which are further classified into mesenchymal tumors, and mixed (epithelial plus mesenchymal) tumors. The main issues concerning these neoplasms are the small number of clinical trials, insufficient data from evidence-based medicine, insignificant interest from the pharmaceutical industry, all of which close a vicious circle. The low frequency of these malignancies implies insufficient experience in the diagnosis, hence incomplete surgical and complex treatment. Additionally, the rarity of these sarcomas makes it very difficult to develop clinical practice guidelines. Preoperative diagnosis, neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemoradiation, target and hormone therapies still raise many controversies. Disagreements about the role and type of surgical treatment are also often observed in medical literature. There are still insufficient data about the role of pelvic lymph node dissection and fertility-sparing surgery. Pathologists’ experience is of paramount importance for an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, genetics examinations become part of diagnosis in some sarcomas of the uterine corpus. Some gene mutations observed in uterine sarcomas are associated with different outcomes. Therefore, a development of molecular classification of uterine sarcomas should be considered in the future. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the following sarcomas of the uterine corpus: leiomyosarcoma, low- and high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas, undifferentiated sarcoma and adenosarcoma. Uterine carcinosarcomas are excluded as they represent an epithelial tumor rather than a true sarcoma.

Psammocarcinoma is a rare subtype of serous epithelian neoplasms arising from the ovaries and the peritoneum. It is characterized by massive psammoma body formation, low-grade cytological features, and invasiveness. We present a case of a 59-year-old female diagnosed with relapse of ovarian psammocarcinoma. She was operated 4 years previously and did not undergo chemotherapy. We performed a systematic search on this topic using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. In the literature 33 cases of ovarian psammocarcinoma are reported. We discuss the clinicopathological features of these patients. Ovarian psammocarcinoma is a rare and not well described disease. Due to the small number of cases found in the literature, no conclusions can be drawn about the tumour characteristics.

Preservation of reproductive function in young patients with uncompleted or unrealized reproductive plans in some malignant tumours of the female reproductive system has been a subject of study for many years, especially with the advances in assisted reproductive technologies. The main neoplasms that affect women in childbearing age are cervical cancer and ovarian tumours. In the current survey the novelties in the literature will be presented regarding the fertility preservation surgery in cervical cancer with size of tumour between 2 and 4 cm, granulosa cell ovarian tumours, and epithelial borderline ovarian tumours

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare and uncommon condition, characterized by the presence of mucinous ascites in the abdominal cavity. The most common cause of PMP is mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix, followed by neoplasms of the ovary, endocervix, fallopian tube, alimentary organs, urachus, urinary bladder, lung, mucinous cyst of the spleen, and breast. Herein, we report a case of a 64-year-old postmenopausal woman (gravida 2, para 2) who presented at the department of gynecology with a short history of nausea and abdominal distention. Abdominal and vaginal ultrasonography showed a large amount of free fluid in the pelvis with hyperechoic echogenicity and right pelvic tumor with mixed echogenicity. Computed tomography demonstrated the presence of a heterogeneous, hypodense mass, without contrast enhancement, located on the right side of the pelvis, near the right ovary. Laparotomy was performed. Revision of the abdominal cavity revealed a large amount of yellow gelatinous mucinous ascites – approximately 1.5 l. A tumor (6 x 7 cm in diameter), arising from the appendix and located in the pouch of Douglas near the right ovary, was observed. Histopathology examination revealed poorly differentiated mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma, comprising up to 50% signet ring cells. Gastrointestinal tumors such as appendiceal neoplasms combined with PMP may mimic ovarian carcinomas. Computed tomography, abdominal/vaginal ultrasonography and tumor marker levels (carcino-embryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19.9, carbohydrate antigen Ca-125) may establish the diagnosis. A differential diagnosis with appendiceal tumors should be considered for patients with right pelvic masses.

Introduction. In 2018, the number of newly diagnosed breast carcinomas in the 28 countries of the European Union was 404 920, with an estimated annual incidence of 144.9/100 000. Figures have increased since the introduction of mammography screening and continue to rise with population aging. Mammograms may convey clinically occult breast cancer, which is associated in some cases with the presence of clustered microcalcifications. Case presentation. We present the case of a 64-year-old patient with multifocal invasive ductal left breast cancer and lobular carcinoma in situ, diagnosed after biopsy of a mammogram-marked area with clustered microcalcifications. The patient underwent subsequent radical surgical treatment. Conclusions. Clustered microcalcifications on mammograms may indicate clinically occult breast cancer. These lesions cause clinical and diagnostic difficulties due to the inability of ultrasound visualisation and the option to perform punch biopsy, as recommended by European Society for Medical Oncology. Excision biopsy by mammography-guided wire marking and pathological-anatomical examination of the entire resectate can detect tumour heterogeneity, which is important for the subsequent therapeutic strategy and prognosis of the disease. En 2018, le nombre de cancers du sein nouvellement diagnostiqués dans les 28 pays de l’Union européenne était de 404 920, avec une incidence annuelle estimée à 144,9/ 100 000. Les chiffres ont augmenté depuis l’introduction du dépistage par mammographie et continuent d’augmenter avec le vieillissement de la population. Les mammographies peuvent signaler un cancer du sein cliniquement occulte, associé dans certains cas à la présence de microcalcifications en grappes. Présentation du cas. Nous présentons le cas d’une patiente de 64 ans atteinte d’un cancer du sein gauche canalaire invasif multifocal et d’un carcinome lobulaire diagnostiqué in situ après biopsie d’une zone marquée par mammographie avec des microcalcifications en grappes. Le patient a subi un traitement chirurgical radical ultérieur. Conclusion. Les microcalcifications groupées sur les mammographies peuvent indiquer un cancer du sein cliniquement occulte. Ces lésions entraînent des difficultés cliniques et diagnostiques en raison de l’impossibilité de visualiser par les ultrasons et de l’option d’effectuer une biopsie par ponction selon la recommandation de la Société Européenne d’Oncologie Médicale. La biopsie d’excision par marquage au fil guidé par mammographie et l’examen anatomo-pathologique de la zone réséquée peuvent détecter une hétérogénéité tumorale qui est importante pour la stratégie thérapeutique et le pronostic de la maladie.

Introduction Uterine smooth muscle tumours of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs) are a rare histologically heterogeneous group of uterine smooth muscle tumours (SMTs). Their malignant potential and clinical differentiation between leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma remain uncertain prior to surgical removal. Aim of the study To investigate the patients and tumour characteristics of patients with STUMPs and to propose algorithms for optimal diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up management. Material and methods This was a single-centre retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent surgery for a preoperative diagnosis of uterine myoma at the University Hospital "Dr. Georgi Stranski", Pleven, Bulgaria during a period of 33 months (from January 2013 until October 2015). Data were obtained from the medical history records. We performed descriptive analysis to characterise the patient population (e.g. demographics, age, contraceptive use, and complaints that led to the diagnosis) and the tumour characteristics. Last data were obtained prior May 2019. Results A total of 320 medical records were retrospectively evaluated. The preoperative diagnosis of myoma was confirmed in 279 of the cases (89.4%). In 27 (8.3%) cases the final histological result was completely different. In 14 (2.3%) a histological postoperative diagnosis of STUMP was identified. All 14 STUMP lesions were intramural with a median size of 7.5 cm (range 3.5 to 15 cm). The median age at diagnosis of STUMP was 45.4 years (range 36 to 52 years), and 92.9% (n = 13) of the patients were premenopausal. Ultrasound data of a rapidly growing myoma were a reason for diagnosis in only three patients (25%), whereas 92.9% of the patients (n = 13) presented with heavy menstrual bleeding with or without anaemia. After surgery, none of the patients with STUMP experienced a relapse of the disease within the median follow-up time of 48 months (R = 40-78). Conclusions STUMP tumours are rare tumours, predominantly diagnosed in premenopausal women. They define a group of patients with very good long-term prognosis. Therefore, longer follow-up is needed to allow for conclusions on recurrence rate and survival.

Chronic vulvar pain or discomfort for which no obvious aetiology can be found, i.e. vulvodynia, can affect up to 16% of women, and it may be found in girls and women across all age groups and ethnicities. Most patients describe it as burning, stinging, irritation, or rawness. The symptoms may spread to the whole vulva (generalised vulvodynia) or only to part of it, such as the clitoris (clitorodynia) or the vestibule of the vagina (vestibulodynia). This condition is often underreported and underrecognised by health care providers. Vulvodynia is a significant burden to society, the health care system, the affected women, and their intimate partners. It has a negative impact on quality of life. Vulvodynia is a diagnosis of exclusion with unknown aetiology. The gynaecologist plays a key role in excluding other causes of vulvar pain, and collaborating with other health care providers to manage the patient's pain. Although many therapeutic options are available, such as vulvar care measures, psychological approaches, local treatment, oral medications, surgical procedures, electrical nerve stimulation, and laser therapy, there is no single treatment effective for all patients. That is why individualised management is needed. An individualised, holistic, and often multidisciplinary approach is needed to effectively manage the patient's pain and pain-related distress.

Introduction Prevotella bacilli are prevalent in the body as members of the normal flora and in some cases they can be involved in infections throughout the body. Prevotella bivia is a member of a nonpigment group found in the resident flora of the female genital tract and it is occasionally seen in the oral cavity. Case report We describe the very rare case of a 39-year-old woman with fulminant generalized peritonitis secondary to purulent salpingitis caused by Prevotella bivia. Discussion In most cases described in the literature, Prevotella bivia was mixed with aerobes and caused bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, whereas in our case study Prevotella bivia was the only microbe that was isolated. The infection was fulminant and caused generalized peritonitis. Rapid and systemic infections typically occur in immunocompromised hosts, however our patient was in good health condition and immunocompetent. Conclusions Prevotella bivia may cause rapid and systemic infections, even in immunocompetent hosts. Multidisciplinary team management is mandatory in order to estimate the optimal treatment regimen.

Introduction. Exaggerated placental site reaction is a rare benign non-neoplastic lesion and presents with infiltration of the endometrium and myometrium by intermediate trophoblastic cells at the implantation site. This reaction may occur following healthy or ectopic pregnancy, aborts, or molar pregnancy. The diagnosis is only histopathological. Case report. We present a 44-year-old woman with prolonged menstrual bleeding, high levels of beta-hCG and ultrasound finding mimicking submucosal fibroid. Hysterectomy was performed because of the formation in the uterine cavity. The diagnosis made was exaggerated placental site reaction. Conclusions. Exaggerated placental site reaction is a benign condition, but this lesion has to be differentiated from placental site nodule, placental site trophoblastic tumor and choriocarcinoma because the latter require aggressive treatment. Introduction. La réaction exagérée du site placentaire est une lésion bénigne non néoplasique rare et présente une infiltration de l’endomètre et du myomètre par des cellules trophoblastiques intermédiaires au site d’implantation. Cette réaction peut survenir après une grossesse en santé ou extra-utérine, un avortement ou une grossesse molaire. Le diagnostic est seul histopathologique. Rapport du cas. Nous présentons le cas d’une femme de 44 ans avec des saignements menstruels prolongés, des taux élevés de bêta-hCG et une échographie simulant un fibrome sous-muqueux. L’hystérectomie a été réalisée en raison de la masse tumorale dans la cavité utérine. Le diagnostic posé était une réaction exagérée du site placentaire Conclusions. La réaction exagérée du site placentaire est une affection bénigne, mais cette lésion doit être différenciée du nodule du site placentaire, de la tumeur trophoblastique du site placentaire et du choriocarcinome, ces derniers nécessitant un traitement agressif.

Vulvar leukoplakia is not a histological diagnosis and involves several diseases. Most commonly, these are vulvar lichen sclerosus and squamous cell hyperplasia of the vulva. These two conditions have similar aetiology, clinical presentation and treatment but different histopathological changes. They both lead to significant impairment of quality of life, risk of malignancy, as well as recurrence after treatment. Treatment of these conditions includes topical corticosteroids as a first-line therapy, but they have their side effects and not all patients are receptive to this therapy. This requires the use of alternative therapeutic options such as topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical and systemic retinoids, other steroid creams, various destructive techniques and, as a last resort, surgical removal of affected tissues. Surgical treatment should be avoided, despite the malignant potential, because of recurrence risk in both diseases New therapeutic approaches are coming into effect in gynaecological practice due to potential risks of the above-mentioned methods. Platelet-rich plasma therapy, ablative and non-ablative laser treatment, and new topical medicines, are some of the new options applied to improve the efficacy of treatment avoiding the side effects of conventional medications. A number of them are still in their initial phase of application and time will tell their effectiveness.

Introduction The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a comparatively rare chronic autoimmune disease in women of reproductive age, the pathogenesis and therapy of which also conditions the increased risk of development of malignant diseases. Case report We present a clinical case of a 38-year-old female patient with lupus and stage 1B1 adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix, in which robotic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection has been successfully performed. The strict primary and secondary prophylaxis for pathological changes of uterine cervix are of essential significance for patients with lupus. Conclusions SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is frequently treated with immunosuppressors, and affects most often women in reproductive age. The combination of these conditions is associated with higher risk of infecting with HPV and occurrence of pre-cancer and cancer of uterine cervix. Based on these reasons women with SLE must undergo strict screening follow-up and vaccination against high-risk strains of HPV. In the cases of cancer of uterine cervix diagnosed in initial stage, the striving towards minimal traumatism and better quality of life of patient - and, at the same time, towards achievement of optimal radicality - directs to the choice of minimally invasive operative method such as the robotic surgery.

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign gynecological neoplasms, with a higher prevalence in women aged between 30 and 50 years old. Fibroids may be asymptomatic, but in some cases, they can affect seriously the quality of life of the patients. In some cases, we can recommend expectant management for asymptomatic patients. Management depends on the size and location of fibroids, the age of the patient, symptoms, desire for future childbearing and the experience of the gynecologist. Medical therapy includes hormonal contraceptives, tranexamic acid, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (reduce heavy menstrual bleeding). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or selective progesterone receptor modulators are used mostly preoperatively. Surgical treatment includes hysterectomy, myomectomy – invasive and minimally invasive. Non-surgical management include uterine artery embolization, and focused ultrasound surgery.This review aims to present the role of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Theresienöl is a 100 % natural product representing a mixture of animal and vegetable raw materials from Tyrol. Its exact recipe has been preserved untouched and in deep secret for more than six centuries yet, and has been passed down from generation to generation. Six patients were included in this case series one patient with malignant melanoma of the skin after re-excision with subsequent non-free skin surgical plastic, two patients with III degree skin burning and three patients with infected wound successfully treated with Theresienöl. All of them - before the application of Theresienöl - were treated with different operative methods. The treatment of scars from operative interventions with Theresienöl is very effective. That is why it must start directly after the operative intervention. The therapeutic effect of Theresienöl for postoperative scars is commensurable with and even better than the one of all applied until now local medicines, which makes it an agent of choice in those cases. Theresienöl represents a good alternative to the free skin surgical plastic for small burns of III degree. The local treatment of infected wounds with Theresienoil is more effective and economically sound than the treatment with all the rest types of dressings. The effects from the treatment of different surgical diseases with Theresienöl occur very rapidly, while there is a very good response to local hematomas, pain, and itchiness by the medicine, and there are no side effects from its administration.

Eastern Europe continues to have the highest rates of cancer of the uterine cervix (CUC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Europe. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate CUC trends in Bulgaria in the context of a lack of a population-based screening program and a demographic crisis. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of 7861 CUC patients who were registered in the Bulgarian National Cancer Registry (BNCR) between 2013 and 2020 and followed up with until March 2022. We used descriptive statistics and modeling to assess temporal trends in new CUC incidence rates and identify factors associated with survival. Results: Bulgaria’s population has decreased by 11.5% between 2011 and 2021. The CUC incidence rate decreased from 29.5/100,000 in 2013 to 23.2/100,000 in 2020 but remains very high. The proportion of patients diagnosed in earlier stages of CUC has decreased over time. Up to 19% of patients with CUC in Bulgaria are diagnosed between the age of 35 and 44 years. The median survival was 101.5 months, with some improvement in later years (adjusted HR = 0.83 for 2017–2020). Conclusions: In countries with well-established population-based screening, CUC is nowadays considered a rare disease. However, it is not considered rare in Bulgaria. Population-based screening starting at an earlier age is the fastest way to improve outcomes.

Endometriosis is common in premenopausal women and affects about 10% of women of reproductive age. It is a benign condition but demonstrates malignant behaviour with recurrences and metastases. Its tendency to increase the risk of specific subtypes of ovarian cancer is being discussed, because they exhibit specific clinical features that distinguish them from classical ovarian cancer. Malignant transformation of endometriosis goes through its transition to atypical endometriosis. Although endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinomas have a good prognosis, adequate follow-up and monitoring after treatment of endometriosis are recommended.

Introduction Radiotherapy (RT) is a widely used treatment modality of malignant tumours of the uterine cervix and body. There are different techniques to deliver RT to the tumour lesions, including external beam radiation and brachytherapy. All international guidelines recommend RT as treatment modality for many stages of uterine cervical and body cancers because it improves a number of oncological outcomes, such as disease-free and overall survival. However, it may also lead to a number of complications, which can be roughly divided into early or late, depending on the time of their manifestation. The most frequent RT-induced early complications involve the skin and the soft subcutaneous tissues. They typically present as inflammatory conditions of all abdominal wall layers: dermatitis, cellulitis, and necroses of subcutaneous fatty tissue, muscles, or fasciae. Case report This paper presents a case report of a 38-year-old woman diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC). She was initially treated with open abdominal surgery, and subsequently the treatment was continued with external beam adjuvant RT. Discussion While RT was ongoing, a necrosis of the anterior abdominal wall in the surgical scar developed. It manifested at the end of the RT treatment and is thus regarded as an early complication of the RT for EC. It was successfully managed with surgery, and there was no compromise in the treatment of the oncological condition. Conclusions RT-induced necrosis of the surgical scar of the anterior abdominal wall is a very rare complication. Surgical treatment is the main method of treatment of this condition.

We review the current research literature on treatment behaviour for neoplasms of the female genital tract during pregnancy. Guidelines for clinical management of cervical cancer, ovarian tumours, and vulvar cancer are presented both regarding gynaecological oncologic treatment and obstetrics. Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumour of the female genitalia during pregnancy due to the high incidence of this neoplasm in developing countries, including Bulgaria, on the one hand, and on the other, it affects women of reproductive age. Treatment algorithms depending on various factors – gestational age, stage of the disease, tumour lesion size, and presence of pelvic lymph node metastases, are presented. Ovarian tumours are classified into benign, borderline malignant, and malignant tumours. The latter, in turn, are divided into early and advanced stages, as well as epithelial and non-epithelial tumours, which can be detected at different stages of pregnancy.

Pregnancy-associated malignant diseases introduce multiple dilemmas to the multidisciplinary boards, related to both the oncological treatment as well as to obstetrical management. The most frequent oncological diseases diagnosed during pregnancy are breast cancer, oncohematological conditions, uterine cervix cancer and skin cancers. There are different clinical scenarios: interruption of the pregnancy and further use of the most appropriate oncological strategy; it is also possible to postpone the oncological treatment for the postpartum period with a watch-and-wait strategy until the foetus is mature and the delivery is planned. The third scenario includes concurrent treatment of both conditions: use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery during an ongoing pregnancy. Choosing among these scenarios is considering many factors, including type and stage of the malignant tumour, pregnancy term, desire and informed decision of the pregnant woman to keep or interrupt the pregnancy. The current review is focused on the basic principles of the oncological modalities (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) during pregnancy as well as their influence over the pregnant woman and the foetus, over the obstetrical management and the timing and mode of delivery, delivery anaesthesia, lactation and breastfeeding from the point of view of the evidence-based medicine.

The retroperitoneum in the pelvis includes all pelvic spaces (Retzius’, vesicocervical/vesicovaginal, rectovaginal, presacral, pararectal and paravesical) and vital structures such as nerves, vessels, lymph nodes and ureters. Eradication of endometriosis, myomectomy of intraligamentary myoma, urogynecological reconstructive and oncological exenterative surgery require wider anatomical knowledge in the retroperitoneum. Generally, the retroperitoneal space is used for plane of dissection when the peritoneal cavity is obliterated. In the medical literature, there are few articles reporting the important relationship between retroperitoneal accesses, anatomical landmarks and anatomical variations in surgery. In the present article, lateral transperitoneal accesses to the pelvic retroperitoneum by open surgery are discussed. Furthermore, anatomical landmarks and anatomical variations encountered during retroperitoneal dissection are analyzed. Providing comprehensive knowledge of lateral transperitoneal accesses to the pelvic retroperitoneum will decrease patient’s morbidity and mortality. The recognition of retroperitoneal anatomical landmarks and anatomical variations will give surgeons more confidence. They should be familiar with anatomical variations, which are likely to occur during retroperitoneal accesses and dissection.

Introduction. Skin burns are one of the most common traumatic injuries in human society. Most of them are small in area and not life-threatening, due to which people hardly look for specialized medical care for their treatment. This is not the case with large burns, which even of a low grade may result in serious complications and even death. According to the injury depth the burns are divided into 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree, while the most frequently used method to define their area relative to the total body surface is that of the nines. The treatment of burns is a difficult and slow process and is directly depending on their depth, area and injuring agent. Surgical and non-surgical method are used, their goal being the following: pain reduction, prevention of infection, removal of avital tissues, preventing the formation of coarse scars, keloids and contractures of the joints or if the patient has them, they to be as minimal as possible and finally overcoming the consequences. Cases presentation. We present here two clinical cases of 3rd degree limited burns, initially treated with necrectomy and antiseptic silver dressings, and subsequently alternatively with Тheresienöl. Conclusions. Тheresienöl is a good alternative to the free skin graft plastics, when it refers to 3rd degree, small size burns.

The primary sarcoma of breast is a rare malignant tumour, which develops from the mesenchymal tissue of the mammary gland. It represents less than 1 per cent of all malignant diseases of the breast. The incidence is about 17 new cases per 1 000 000 women. The aetiology of that disease is unknown. The main method of treatment is the surgical excision with which includes the "safety-margin" of healthy-looking tissues. We present a 57-year-old woman with probably familial, primary, malignant malignant phyllodes sarcoma. Her niece was diagnosed with periductal stromal sarcoma of the left breast five years ago. This evoked in us the idea that there is probably a familial connection between the two diseases. After radical surgery the patient was undergone to radiotherapy and she is without any signs of recurrence till now.

Synchronous colorectal cancer is a rare condition, which presents with the simultaneous development of more than one primary carcinoma and affects different segments of the colon and rectum. The incidence of this disease is about 3.5 per cent of all carcinomas of the colon and rectum and more often affected men. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type for synchronous colorectal cancer. We present a rare clinical case of a 62-year-old woman with synchronous colorectal carcinoma, located in the transverse and sigmoid colon and verified histologically by colonoscopy.

Background Ovarian cancer is the second-most common malignancy and the leading cause of death in women who develop cancers of gynaecologic origin and it spread primarily by direct exfoliation of cells along the peritoneal surface. Interesting fact, although not well studied, is that these tumours invade the mesothelium but very rarely they invade the peritoneum deeper through direct extension. Aims To study the retroperitoneal pelvic invasion in parametrial ligaments and vagina in patients undergoing surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma and the survival impact of it. Methods The study included 59 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer that underwent radical hysterectomy during the 2004–2009 period. For the purpose of this study histopathologic examination was performed for the parametrial ligaments and vagina with inspection of the surgical resection lines. Results Retroperitoneal pelvic invasion was found in 42.4 per cent of the cases, involving different depths of parametrial ligaments and/or vaginal spread, and is associated to worse survival outcomes. Conclusion Retroperitoneal pelvic invasion is not a rare phenomenon and seems to be a feature of the more aggressive tumours. In the cases of distal retroperitoneal pelvic invasion (vaginal) the patients’ 5-year survival rate is similar to that of the stage IV ovarian cancer patients.

Gynecological cancers (GCs) are currently among the major threats to female health. Moreover, there are different histologic subtypes of these cancers, which are defined as ‘rare’ due to an annual incidence of

Choriocarcinoma (CC), a subtype of trophoblastic disease, is a rare and highly aggressive neoplasm. There are two main CC subtypes: gestational and non-gestational, (so called when it develops as a component of a germ cell tumor or is related to a somatic mutation of a poorly differentiated carcinoma), each with very diverse biological activity. A therapeutic approach is highly effective in patients with early-stage CC. The advanced stage of the disease also has a good prognosis with around 95% of patients cured following chemotherapy. However, advancements in diagnosis and treatment are always needed to improve outcomes for patients with CC. Long non-coding (lnc) RNAs are non-coding transcripts that are longer than 200 nucleotides. LncRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Deregulation of their expression has a key role in tumor development, angiogenesis, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and proliferation. Furthermore, detection of cancer-associated lncRNAs in body fluids, such as blood, saliva, and urine of cancer patients, is emerging as a novel method for cancer diagnosis. Although there is evidence for the potential role of lncRNAs in a number of cancers of the female genital tract, their role in CC is poorly understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of lncRNAs in gestational CC and how this may be applied to future therapeutic strategies in the treatment of this rare cancer., peer-reviewed

The chronic pain syndrome is a serious post-operative complication. In our practice we have discovered a certain percent of neuralgia of the pudendal nerve in vaginal surgery – more precisely in Bartholin’s cyst removal. As a highly efficient countermeasure we propose a nerve block of the pudendal nerve. We have performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent a Bartholin’s cyst removal in the span of 1 year from January 1st 2019 to December 31st 2019. All of the patients included are diagnosed with chronic pain in the area innervated from the pudendal nerve. In all of the patients a pudendal nerve block with local anesthetic was performed under the guidance of ultrasound. A total of 11 patients were included in the study. There was a time interval between the Bartholin’s cyst removal surgery and the performance of the nerve block. All patients expressed moderate pain before the procedure. In only 1 case a repeat of the nerve block was imposed. There were no short- or long-term complications of any kind. The patients have been followed-up in the duration of 1 year and 100% has been reported. Accurate and precise pain assessment is vital of the diagnosing and subsequent treatment of the chronic pain syndrome. There are many ways of treating the syndrome both conventional (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, topical analgesics and adjuvant analgesics) and unconventional. Chronic pain syndrome is an important multilayered problem that requires personal approach. The nerve block of the pudendal nerve is a highly efficient method of coping with that disease.

More than 50% of all gynecologic tumors can be classified as rare (defined as an incidence of less than 6 per 100,000 women) and usually have a poor prognosis owing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. In contrast to almost all other common solid tumors, the treatment of rare gynecologic tumors (RGT) is often based on retrospective studies, expert opinion, or extrapolation from other tumor sites with similar histology, leading to difficulty in developing guidelines for clinical practice. Currently, gynecologic cancer research, due to distinct scientific and technological challenges, is lagging behind. Moreover, the overall efforts for addressing these challenges are fragmented across different European countries and indeed, worldwide. The GYNOCARE, COST Action CA18117 (European Network for Gynecological Rare Cancer Research) programme aims to address these challenges by creating a unique network between key stakeholders covering distinct domains from concept to cure: basic research on RGT, biobanking, bridging with industry, and setting up the legal and regulatory requirements for international innovative clinical trials. On this basis, members of this COST Action, (Working Group 1, “Basic and Translational Research on Rare Gynecological Cancer”) have decided to focus their future efforts on the development of new approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of RGT. Here, we provide a brief overview of the current state-of-the-art and describe the goals of this COST Action and its future challenges with the aim to stimulate discussion and promote synergy across scientists engaged in the fight against this rare cancer worldwide., peer-reviewed

Introduction: Historically, the incidence rate of cervical cancer (CC) in Eastern Europe and particularly in Bulgaria has constantly been higher than that in the other European countries. Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare histological subtype of CC with incidence rate of less than 6 per 100,000. We aimed to analyze the epidemiology and prognosis of all Bulgarian patients with ASC, registered at the Bulgarian National Cancer Registry (BNCR), and to compare patients’ characteristics and outcomes with those of patients, treated at a large specialized institution – the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital in Pleven, Bulgaria. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all cases of ASC, registered at the BNCR for a 10-year period of time. The Kaplan–Meier analysis with Log rank test was used to estimate the significant differences. Results: The incidence rate of ASC was calculated as 3.2% of all CC registered in BNCR and 4.97% of all stage I patients, treated in our department. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of all patients with ASC tumors from the registry was 50.5%. A total of 171 (48.4%) of the patients had T1 tumors and a 5-year OS of 67.1%. Lymph node status was a significant prognostic factor for OS (p=0.001). Thirty-one patients with T1 tumors and ASC histology were treated in our department for the same period of time. Lymph node metastases were found in 10 of them (32.2%). The 5-year observed OS in ASC group was 74.19%. Conclusion: The histological subtype of cancer of the uterine cervix has an impact on prognosis and should not be simply considered as a descriptive characteristic but a poor prognostic feature and should be an integral part of the decision-making in clinical management of patients., peer-reviewed

Introduction. Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS), also known as malignant mixed Müllerian tumour (MMMT), is one of the rarest histological subtypes of ovarian cancer. It is an aggressive tumour with a dismal prognosis—the median survival of patients is less than two years. The rarity of the disease generates many controversies about histogenesis, prognostic factors and treatment of OCS. Histologically, OCS is composed of an epithelial and sarcomatous component. Case report. In the present case, a patient with bilateral ovarian cysts and bulky paraaortic lymph nodes is reported. Retroperitoneal paraaortic lymph node metastases were the only extrapelvic dissemination of OCS. The patient underwent comprehensive surgical staging procedures, including total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, supracolic omentectomy and selective para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Histologically the ovarian carcinosarcoma was composed of an epithelial component (high-grade serous adenocarcinoma) and three sarcomatous components (homologous—endometrial stromal cell sarcoma, and heterologous—chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma). Immunohistochemistry staining was performed. A postoperative complication (adhesion between the abdominal aorta and terminal ileum causing obstructive ileus) that has never been reported in the medical literature occurred. Conclusion. Carcinosarcomas are carcinomas with epithelial–mesenchymal transition and heterologous differentiation. Retroperitoneal pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes should be carefully inspected in patients with ovarian tumours. Adhesions between the small bowels and abdominal aorta are possible complications after lymph node dissection in the paraaortic region.