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BACKGROUND:Struma ovarii is a rare form of ovarian neoplasm, composed entirely or predominantly of thyroid tissue. This tumor is generally benign, although malignant transformation has been reported.CASE:We report an unusual presentation of a postmenopausal woman with benign struma ovarii associated with a large amount of ascites, a markedly elevated CA 125 serum level, and a large complex pelvic mass thereby mimicking an ovarian cancer.CONCLUSION:This case serves to remind clinicians that clinical features highly suspicious for ovarian cancer do not necessarily confirm a malignancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited disorder of adrenal steroidogenesis often diagnosed in infancy. Gynecologists may encounter adult patients with CAH due to the clinical effects of increased androgens, e.g. hirsutism, clitoromegaly, oligomenorrhea, or, rarely, pelvic masses. This case report reviews the association of para-ovarian adrenal rest tumors with CAH, and the role of gynecologists in their evaluation and treatment. A 23-year-old woman with CAH (21-hydroxyase deficiency) untreated for the past 5 years presented with a pelvic mass and elevated serum testosterone (1433 ng/dL) and plasma ACTH (1117 pg/mL). Intraoperative findings revealed multiple retroperitoneal masses. Final pathology demonstrated adrenal rest tissue. Para-ovarian and ovarian adrenal rest tumors may present as a rare gynecologic manifestation in patients with untreated CAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective. : Primary cytoreductive surgery is well accepted in the initial management of ovarian cancer with a goal of maximal tumor reduction. The role of cytoreductive surgery at disease recurrence is controversial and guidelines are not standardized. We aimed to review cases of women with recurrent ovarian cancer who were collaboratively managed by two teams of oncologic surgeons with different areas of surgical expertise. Methods. : A list of 616 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer from 1995 to 2009 was generated at a single institution. 20 cases of recurrent ovarian cancer were identified that were managed collaboratively. Data collected included date of diagnosis, initial treatment, recurrence date, location and number of sites of recurrence, secondary cytoreductive procedure performed, residual disease after surgery, pre-operative status, post-operative course, and pathologic findings. Results. : Of the 20 cases that fit eligibility criteria, 11 were completely resected, 5 were incompletely resected, and 4 were biopsied only. Median disease-free interval following primary surgery was 18months (6–147). Median interval from diagnosis to collaborative cytoreduction was 63months (13–170). Our patients had metastatic disease to the liver (11), lymph nodes (8), the diaphragm (7), other locations including colon, pancreas, lung, adrenal, kidney (9). Two patients had additional miliary disease. All patients underwent joint surgical management by gynecologic and surgical oncologists. There were no deaths in the immediate post-operative period. The 5year survival rate was 45% following the joint surgical effort, with a median post-collaborative surgery survival duration of 42months. Conclusions. : Previous studies document survival benefit of surgery for women with recurrent ovarian cancer when there has been a long disease-free interval, localized pelvic or intra-abdominal recurrences and an optimal performance status. Most gynecologic oncologists do not perform extensive liver or diaphragm resections or lymph node excision above the renal vessels; thus, collaboration with a surgical oncologist is a viable option. In this small descriptive study, the feasibility of this reasonably well-tolerated approach, with possible survival benefit, is documented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives. : To determine the importance of margin status and other prognostic factors associated with the recurrence and survival of patients with squamous cell vulvar carcinoma. Methods. : Data were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. All slides were re-reviewed by two gynecologic pathologists. Results. : Ninety patients (median age: 69) were treated for vulvar carcinoma from 1984 to 2002, including 28 FIGO stage I, 20 stage II, 26 stage III and 16 with stage IV disease. Sixty-three (70%) patients underwent complete radical vulvectomies and 27 (30%) had modified radical vulvectomies. Nineteen (20%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Five-year disease-specific survival rates were 100%, 100%, 86% and 29% for stages I–IV, respectively. None of the 30 patients with a pathologic margin distance >8 mm had local recurrence. Of the 53 women with tumor-free pathologic margin of <8 mm, 12 (23%) had a local recurrence. Moreover, women with >2 positive groin nodes had significantly higher recurrence risk compared to those with <2 metastatic groin nodes (p <0.001). On multivariate analysis, positive groin nodes and margin distance were important prognostic factors for recurrence. Moreover, stage, tumor size, margin distance, and depth of invasion were significant independent predictors for disease-specific survival. The median follow-up was 58 months (range: 2–188). Conclusions. : Pathologic margin distance is an important predictor of local vulvar recurrence. Our data suggest that a ≥8-mm pathologic margin clearance leads to a high rate of loco-regional control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives. : To compare the outcomes of stage III and IV uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (PC) versus whole abdominopelvic irradiation (WAPI) after optimal cytoreductive surgery. Methods. : Surgically staged patients with advanced stage UPSC diagnosed between 1981 and 2002 were identified from tumor registry databases at four hospitals. Survival analyses and predictors of outcome were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methods. Results. : Of the 40 patients with advanced UPSC (median age: 64.5), 84% were Caucasian, 8% were African American, and 8% were Asian. The majority of patients (85%) presented with vaginal bleeding. Twenty-seven had stage III and 13 had stage IV disease. All patients were optimally debulked; 21 patients received adjuvant PC while 19 underwent WAPI. The median follow-up was 27 months (range: 5–209). The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for the patients with stage III disease were 49% and 37% compared to 37% and 31% in those with stage IV disease (P = 0.23 for OS; P = 0.41 for PFS). Women who received PC had a 3-year OS and PFS of 43% and 31% compared to 45% and 41% in those receiving WAPI, respectively (P = 0.40 for OS; P = 0.84 for PFS). Conclusion. : Platinum-based chemotherapy or whole abdominopelvic irradiation resulted in similar survival in this series of women with optimally cytoreduced UPSC. Given the overall poor prognosis of these patients, new treatment modalities are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of adjuvant therapy in patients with early-stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma. Methods and Materials: Data were collected on all surgically staged Stage I–II uterine papillary serous carcinoma patients. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression methods. Results: Of 68 patients, 50 had Stage I and 18 had Stage II disease; 35 underwent adjuvant treatment, including radiotherapy in 26, chemotherapy in 7, and combined RT and chemotherapy in 2. The remaining 33 were treated expectantly. The median follow-up was 56 months (range 1–173). The 5-year overall survival rate was 69%. Of 19 patients with disease limited to the endometrium, 10 received no additional therapy, 3 of whom developed recurrence. However, all 9 women who underwent adjuvant treatment remained free of disease. Patients receiving adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy had a prolonged 5-year overall and disease-free survival compared with those who were treated expectantly (85% vs. 54%, p = 0.002 for overall survival and 85% vs. 49%, p = 0.01 for disease-free survival). In multivariate analysis, adjuvant therapy (p = 0.035) and the absence of lymphovascular space invasion (p = 0.001) remained as independent prognostic factors for improved survival. Conclusion: Adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy improves the survival of women with early-stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose. : To compare the in vitro drug resistance profiles of advanced stage primary and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer specimens using the tritiated thymidine uptake assay. Methods. : Extreme drug resistance (EDR) to cisplatin, paclitaxel, 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide, and topotecan was determined for an unselected population of primary and metastatic malignant ovarian tissues, synchronous tumors (primary and metastatic tissues obtained from the same patient at diagnosis), and metachronous lesions (specimens from the same patient before and after chemotherapy). Results. : For the large unselected population of malignant tissues (total, N = 6990; primary ovarian, N = 2031; metastatic ovarian, N = 4959), no statistically significant differences were discovered between primary tissues and metastatic lesions when a comparison was made between the percentage of tumors from each group that exhibited extreme drug resistance to the agents assayed. From the library of 6990 specimens, 119 synchronous pairings were identified. These synchronous lesions did not differ significantly in the %EDR between primary and metastatic sites in the same patient; approximately 10% shifted between low drug resistance and EDR. A total of 334 metachronous pairings were identified and the percentage of tissues that exhibited EDR also failed to show a significant difference when primary tumors were compared with matched recurrences in the same patient. Conclusions. : For the agents studied, acquired resistance was not a function of disease site. In vitro drug resistance observed at recurrence was not influenced significantly by intervening therapy. It is possible that assay results at diagnosis could be used to guide subsequent therapy at relapse, especially when recurrent tissue is not available for analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines for referring women with pelvic masses suspicious for ovarian cancers to gynecologic oncologists have been published jointly by Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They are based on patient age, CA 125 level, physical findings, imaging study results, and family history. Although the guidelines are evidence-based, their predictive value in distinguishing cancers from benign masses is unknown. METHODS: Chart review for factors included in the guidelines of surgically evaluated women with pelvic masses at 7 tertiary care centers during a 12-month interval was performed. This information was used to estimate the predictive values of the SGO and ACOG guidelines in identifying patients with malignant pelvic masses. RESULTS: A total of 1,035 patients were identified, including 318 (30.7%) with primary malignancies of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum. Seventy-seven were younger than 50 years old (premenopausal group), and 240 were 50 years old or older (postmenopausal group). Fifty additional patients (4.8%) had cancers metastatic to the ovaries, and the remaining 667 (64.4%) had benign masses. The referral guidelines captured 70% of the ovarian cancers in the premenopausal group and 94% of the ovarian cancers in the postmenopausal group. The positive predictive value was 33.8% for the premenopausal group and 59.5% for the postmenopausal group, whereas the negative predictive values were more than 90% for both groups. Elevated CA 125 level was the single best predictor of malignancy in both groups. CONCLUSION: The SGO and ACOG referral guidelines effectively separate women with pelvic masses into 2 risk categories for malignancy. This distinction permits a rational approach for referring high-risk patients to a gynecologic oncologist for management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary endometrial stromal sarcomas of the ovary are rare gynecologic malignancies. We report a disseminated case of this tumor arising from ovarian endometriosis.A 45-year-old woman presented with an abdominal pelvic mass and an elevated CA 125. Exploration showed extensive tumor spread from the ovaries to the upper abdomen. Surgery included a total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, splenectomy, partial gastrectomy, partial pancreatectomy, transverse colectomy, appendectomy, and omentectomy. Final pathology showed a low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma of the ovary arising from foci of endometriosis. Megestrol acetate was initiated, and she is currently without evidence of disease.This is an advanced case of a primary low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma of the ovary arising from endometriosis managed by total resection and progestational therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: BackgroundMalignant granular cell tumors are among the rarest of soft tissue cancers, currently understood to be of Schwann cell origin. As with their benign counterparts, malignant granular cell tumors (MGCTs) have a wide anatomic distribution and carry a poor prognosis, with recurrence and metastasis typically within 1 year of diagnosis. Only a handful of MGCTs have been described in the pelvis.: CaseWe describe a case of malignant granular cell tumor that presented as a pararectal mass associated with severe rectal pain. The patient underwent pelvic exenteration and postoperative radiation therapy. She recurred with evidence of liver metastases on imaging studies 8 months following her exenteration.: ConclusionWe discuss the diagnosis and prognosis of malignant granular cell tumors arising in the pelvis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: ObjectiveTo evaluate the biological behavior of noninvasive papillary serous carcinoma of the endometrium.: MethodsFrom 1990 to 2001, all women with noninvasive uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) at three Southern California hospitals were identified from tumor registry databases. Data for analysis were collected from hospital charts, office records, and tumor registry files.: ResultsOf the 100 patients diagnosed with UPSC, 16 had noninvasive lesions. Twelve underwent a comprehensive surgical staging procedure with omental resection. Six of these 12 women were found to have disease beyond the uterine corpus, including 4 with adnexal involvement, 3 with omental disease, 2 with cervical extension, 1 with pelvic lymph node involvement, and 3 with positive washings. Three women were found to have positive cytology and metastases in more than one location. Of the 12 patients, 1 of the 6 with stage IA disease had distant recurrence and 4 of the 6 with stage II–IV disease recurred. Of the remaining 4 patients who underwent a staging procedure without pathologic omental assessment, 1 was found to have cervical extension. In these 4 women, 1 with stage IA disease recurred.: ConclusionThe typical patterns of spread and prognostic factors for endometrioid carcinoma of the uterus do not apply to UPSC. In our series, omental assessment was necessary to detect the 25% of patients with stage IVB disease due to omental involvement. Thus, women with noninvasive UPSC should undergo a comprehensive staging procedure including omental sampling to determine the extent of disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Primary clitoral malignancies are rare and most are invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is an indolent, rare dermatologic carcinoma that typically affects the head and neck region. A 23-year-old nulligravid Hispanic female presented with a 9-month history of an enlarging periclitoral mass. After surgical resection, the mass was diagnosed as a MAC. MAC is a cutaneous carcinoma rarely found on the vulva. It is a slow growing but locally aggressive carcinoma that is best treated with surgical resection. Sclerosing ductal carcinomas may have MAC-like features, and the diagnosis and management of one case is provided here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound reconstruction surgeries are at high risk for failure. Outpatient wound reconstruction (OWR) describes these procedures performed in the outpatient setting under local anesthesia. The use of closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) has been shown to protect the incision and help minimize the risk of postoperative complications. To date, this has not been readily adopted in the outpatient setting. The authors report their initial experience with 3 cases of OWR with ciNPT used by the application of disposable negative pressure wound therapy (dNPWT) to the closed, postsurgical incision. The results of these 3 cases were favorable. While more data are needed, the authors believe the use of dNPWT with OWR will help optimize surgical outcomes and serve as an alternative to surgery with acute hospitalization.

Objective: Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer. We studied survival outcomes in patients with stages I/II UPSC., Materials: A retrospective, multi-institutional study of patients with stages I/II UPSC was conducted. Patients underwent surgical staging followed by observation, adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy (CT), or radiation therapy (RT). Continuous variables were compared via Wilcoxon rank sum test; Fisher exact test was used for the unordered categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival., Results: Thirty-nine women were diagnosed with stage I (n = 30) or II (n = 9) UPSC, with a median follow-up of 52 months. Of the 26 patients who did not receive adjuvant CT, 9 developed recurrences and 8 died of their disease. Of the 10 patients with no myometrial invasion who did not receive adjuvant CT, 3 developed recurrences and died. Of the 7 patients who underwent RT, 2 developed distant recurrences and died. Of the 13 patients who underwent CT, 1 developed vaginal recurrence. The 5-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for the adjuvant CT group were 100% and 92%, respectively, compared with 69% and 65% for those who did not receive CT (P = 0.002 OS, P = 0.002 PFS). The 5-year OS and PFS rates for RT group were both 71%., Conclusions: Patients with stages I/II UPSC are at significant risk for distant recurrence and poor survival. Platinum-based adjuvant CT may decrease recurrence rate and improve survival in women with early and well-staged UPSC.

A proportion of reproductive age women are affected by gynecologic malignancies. This patient population is faced with difficult decisions, related to their cancer care and treatment, as well as future childbearing potential. Therefore, it is important for gynecologists to be familiar with fertility sparing management options in patients with cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. In addition to understanding the surgical approaches available, providers should be able to counsel patients regarding their eligibility for and the indications and limitations of fertility sparing therapy for gynecologic cancer, allowing for appropriate referrals. A comprehensive PUBMED literature search was conducted using the key words "fertility preservation," "cervical cancer," "endometrial cancer," "ovarian cancer," "borderline tumor of the ovary," "germ cell tumor," "obstetrical outcomes," "chemotherapy," and "radiation." The following review summarizes fertility sparing options for patients with cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer, with an emphasis on appropriate patient selection, oncologic, and obstetric outcomes., (Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To estimate the accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) vascular ultrasound in the preoperative assessment of pelvic masses for malignancy., Methods: We performed a chart review of 66 patients who underwent 3D ultrasound for pelvic masses. Each mass was preoperatively judged to be benign or malignant based upon a study of vascularity within an ovarian mass using 3D ultrasound. Masses with orderly vascular architecture were categorized as probably benign, and masses with chaotic vascular patterns were categorized as malignant. The predictive value of 3D vascular ultrasound was compared with that of 2-dimensional ultrasound and cancer antigen 125 as a predictor of malignancy., Results: Among the 66 patients examined, 34 underwent a documented surgical intervention. Of those 34 patients, 10 had primary malignant neoplasms including 2 with low-malignant potential tumors. Suspicious 3D vascular ultrasound findings predicted malignant neoplasm in 10 patients. Two patients had recurrent cancer; however, only 1 had a suspicious ultrasound finding. There was 1 case of a low-malignant potential tumor without a suspicious ultrasound finding. Excluding the recurrent cancers and the observed patients, the positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of 3D vascular ultrasound were 100% and 95%, respectively. The PPV and the NPV of 2-dimensional ultrasound in predicting malignancy were 37% and 100%, respectively. An abnormal level of cancer antigen 125 had a PPV and an NPV of 73% and 83%, respectively, in this patient population., Conclusions: In this preliminary and observational study, 3D ultrasound examination of vascular architecture was discriminatory in distinguishing benign ovarian masses from malignancy. Chaotic vascular architecture correlated with malignancy in this group of high-risk patients.

Objective: Primary lymphoma of the uterine cervix is rare, with less than 60 cases reported. We present a series of 6 patients with cervical lymphoma and review the literature., Study Design: Between 1988 and 2003, we identified 6 women with primary lymphoma of the uterine cervix treated at our institutions. Data for analysis were obtained from hospital charts, office records, and tumor registry files. We also reviewed 20 published reports on cervical lymphoma, providing information on 58 additional patients., Results: The median age at diagnosis was 52 years (range 40-76). Three patients had an abnormal Papanicolaou test within 6 months of the diagnosis. Mean tumor size was 8.3 cm (range 3-14 cm). On the basis of the Ann Arbor system of staging where "E" denotes extranodal tumor origin, 2 patients had stage IE, 1 had stage IIIE, and 3 had stage IVE disease. The median follow-up for these 6 women was 33 months (range 12-120). Adding the 6 patients in our series to the 58 patients obtained from published reports, 43 had stage IE, 14 had stage IIE, 2 had stage IIIE, and 5 had stage IVE disease. There was no consistent pattern of treatment identified from our literature review., Conclusion: Primary lymphoma of the uterine cervix is a rare malignancy. Most patients present with stage IE disease. Women with localized disease typically respond to various combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Combination chemotherapy with tailored radiotherapy appears to be the preferred treatment option in women with advanced disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in molecular markers might explain the better prognosis of women < or =45 years of age versus women >45 years of age diagnosed with ovarian cancers., Experimental Design: Tissue sections from women with stage III-IV ovarian cancers were examined for expression of CD34, p53, and HER2. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox Proportional Hazard analyses were used to identify predictors for outcome., Results: Fifty-two women < or =45 years of age were matched with 52 women who were >45 years old. Of the 46 available tissue sections, 24 were from the younger age group (mean age, 41 years), and 22 were from the older age group (mean age, 61 years). Based on CD34 expression, tumors from women >45 years of age had lower microvessel density (MVD) compared with tumors of younger women (10.3 versus 16.1 microvessels per x400 field; P = 0.03). Lower MVD (< or =11 microvessels per x400 field) predicted for a worse prognosis than higher MVD (>11 microvessels per x400 field) in the overall study group (P = 0.001) and within the older subgroup (P = 0.03). The expressions of p53 (P = 0.13) and HER2 (P = 0.49) did not vary between the two age groups. The median survivals of those with tumors that overexpressed p53 and HER2 were 28.6 and 23.9 months compared with 51.7 and 38.6 months in those with cancers that underexpressed these markers, respectively (P = 0.09 for p53, P = 0.15 for HER2)., Conclusions: Ovarian cancers in women >45 years of age had lower MVD compared with those in women < or =45 years of age. Lower MVD was an independent prognostic factor for decreased survival. Lower frequency of neovascularization in these cancers may contribute to the decreased survival observed in women >45 years of age.

Objective: To assess whether circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), or IGFBP-3 were associated with endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women., Study Design: Between 1987 and 1990, we conducted a case-control study of 405 women with endometrial cancer and 297 matched population-based controls. This analysis included 174 postmenopausal cases and 136 controls., Results: In logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders, higher IGF-1 levels were not positively associated with endometrial cancer: odds ratio (OR) for the highest tertile versus the lowest tertile = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30-1.32. Endometrial cancer was inversely associated with IGF-2 (OR for the highest tertile = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.18-0.69) and IGFBP-3 (OR for the highest tertile = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21-0.77), and not associated with IGFBP-1., Conclusion: Serum IGF-1, IGF-2, and IGFBP-3, but not IGFBP-1, were inversely associated with endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. These associations and the potential role of the IGF system in endometrial proliferation and carcinogenesis warrant further research.

When a large bore suprapubic catheter, such as a Foley catheter, is required for postoperative drainage of the bladder, nearly 10% of patients experience urinary leakage. We describe a novel technique involving the tubularization of the bladder during large bore suprapubic catheter placement to prevent urinary leakage while the catheter is in place and after its removal.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma after extreme drug resistance assay-directed therapy., Study Design: Fifty women who were treated with chemotherapy based on extreme drug resistance assay guidance were compared with 50 well-balanced control subjects who were treated empirically., Results: In the platinum-sensitive group, patients with extreme drug resistance-directed therapy had an overall response rate of 65% compared with 35% in the patients who were treated empirically (P=.02). The overall and progression-free median survival were 38 and 15 months in the extreme drug resistance assay group compared with 21 and 7 months in the control group, respectively (P=.005, overall; P=.0002, progression free). In the platinum-resistant group, there was no improved outcome in the patients who underwent assay-guided therapy. In multivariate analysis, platinum-sensitive disease, extreme drug resistance-guided therapy and early stage of disease were independent predictors for improved survival., Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis, our results indicate an improved outcome in patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma who have platinum sensitive disease and who underwent extreme drug resistance-directed chemotherapy. Randomized, prospective, controlled trials are needed.

Objective: To evaluate the fertility and survival outcomes in young women with borderline ovarian tumors treated with fertility-sparing surgery., Study Design: From 1985 to 2002, 25 women with borderline ovarian cancers surgically managed with preservation of the uterus and at least a portion of 1 ovary were identified from tumor registry databases at 2 southern California hospitals. Data for analysis were collected from hospital charts, office records and tumor registry files., Results: Twenty-five patients (median age, 29 years) with borderline ovarian tumors, including 10 with stage IA, 3 with stage IC, 1 with stage IIIA and 11 with unstaged disease, underwent fertility-sparing surgery, consisting of unilateral adnexectomy in 19, unilateral adnexectomy with contralateral cystectomy in 5 and unilateral cystectomy in 1. No disease recurred, providing an overall survival of 100%. Fertility status was available on 15 patients 4-157 months after surgery; 6 of them attempted to become pregnant. Five women had successful pregnancies, with a total of 5 live births. One woman underwent assisted reproductive techniques, became pregnant but aborted. The median follow-up was 80 months (range, 4-157)., Conclusion: Conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors should be considered for women in the reproductive age group who desire preservation of fertility.

Objective: The surgical management of ovarian cancer is surrounded by controversy. This review summarizes our current understanding of these issues with the goal of improving survival, enhancing quality of life, and containing costs., Methods: Six currently unresolved issues are addressed through a review of the existing literature: (1) the extent of surgery indicated in the primary surgical management of advanced-stage disease, (2) the prognostic features of ovarian cancer, (3) the role of interval debulking following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, (4) the role of fertility-sparing surgery, (5) the role of "second-look" surgery, and (6) the role of secondary tumor debulking., Results: The criteria for justifying extraordinary measures to reduce the tumor burden in patients with advanced disease to an "optimal" state have not been established. Likewise, the factors that influence prognosis and treatment are not well defined or understood. Interval debulking following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a promising approach to the management of advanced-stage disease, but no clinical trials have been conducted comparing it to primary surgery followed by chemotherapy. Fertility-sparing surgery may be appropriate even for women with frankly malignant epithelial cancers when disease is confined to one ovary. No convincing data are available showing that second-look surgery improves the chances for cure or prolongs survival. Finally, few data show a benefit from secondary tumor resection in patients who progress while undergoing first-line chemotherapy or have a recurrence soon afterward., Conclusions: Controlled clinical trials are needed to guide clinicians in making appropriate management decisions for their patients.

Despite effective screening methods for detecting pre- malignant diseases of the cervix, cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality in women globally. There has been a dramatic decline in the age adjusted death rate from cervical cancer in the United States, where cervical cancer has declined from the leading cause of cancer mortality in women prior to 1940 to a point where it is a relatively uncommon cause of cancer mortality today. Despite these advances in screening and early detection reported in the United States, intraepithelial disease detection rates in many non-industrialized countries remain low because screening programs are generally lacking. As a result most cancers detected in many underdeveloped areas of the world are advanced at diagnosis. Furthermore, in such countries there may be inadequacies in physicians trained in the most effective means of treating cervical cancer, technical support required for the effective delivery of radiation therapy or the administration of chemotherapy, and modern equipment required for optimal treatment with radiation therapy. Thus cure rates for women with cervical cancers in many areas of the world remain low.

OBJECTIVE.: To determine the influence of micronutrient levels on the regression of untreated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Serum and vaginal washings were analyzed for micronutrient levels at the time of diagnosis and after 6 months of observation. Serum and vaginal levels of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and retinol were correlated with spontaneous regression, persistence, or progression of CIN. Regression was defined as resolution of the lesion by 2 or more grades (CIN 2 to normal and CIN 3 to CIN 1 or normal). Wilcoxon signed rank, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS.: The overall regression rate was 52% (48/93), including 58% (22/38) of CIN 2 and 47% (26/55) of CIN 3 lesions. The median baseline serum levels for beta-carotene, vitamin E, and retinol among those whose lesions regressed were 161 ng/mL, 10,554 ng/mL, and 446 ng/mL, respectively, whereas levels among patients with persistence or progression were 128 ng/mL, 10,286 ng/mL, and 503 ng/mL, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. The median serum level of beta-carotene at 6 months among patients whose lesions regressed was 456 ng/mL compared with 956 ng/mL among the patients with progression or persistence (p = .38). Vaginal levels of beta-carotene correlated with serum levels; however, they were also not predictive of CIN regression. CONCLUSION.: Micronutrient levels are not predictive of CIN regression.