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ObjectivesTwitter is the most frequently used social media platform by healthcare practitioners, at medical conferences. This study aimed to analyze Twitter conversations during the virtual International Gynecological Cancer Society 2020 conference to understand the interactions between Twitter users related to the conference.MethodsTweets using the hashtag ‘#IGCS2020’ were searched using the Twitter Search Application Programming Interface (API) during the period 10–13 September 2020. NodeXL Pro was used to retrieve data. The Clauset-Newman-Moore cluster algorithm clustered users into different groups or ‘clusters’ based on how users interacted.ResultsThere were 2009 registrants for the virtual IGCS 2020 conference. The total number of users within the network was 168, and there were 880 edges connecting users. Five types of edges were identified as follows: ‘replies to’ (n=18), ‘mentions’ (n=221), ‘mentions in retweets’ (n=375), retweets (n=198), and tweets (n=68). The most influential account was that of the IGCS account itself (@IGCSociety). The overall network shape resembled a community where distinct groups formed within the network. Our current analyses demonstrated that less than 10% of the total members interacted on Twitter.ConclusionThis study identified the most influential Twitter users within the ‘#IGCS2020’ community. he results also confirmed the community network shape of the #IGCS2020 hashtag and found that the most frequent co-related words were ‘ovarian’ and ‘cancer’ (n=39).

BackgroundESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology) and partners are continually improving the developmental opportunities for gynaecological oncology fellows. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the progress in the infrastructure of the training systems in Europe over the past decade. We also evaluated training and assessment techniques, the perceived relevance of ENYGO (European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists) initiatives, and unmet needs of trainees.MethodologyNational representatives of ENYGO from 39 countries were contacted with an electronic survey. A graduation in well/moderately/loosely-structured training systems was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis and frequency tables, as well as two-sided Fisher’s exact test, were used.ResultsNational representatives from 33 countries answered our survey questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 85%. A national fellowship is offered in 22 countries (66.7%). A logbook to document progress during training is mandatory in 24 (72.7%) countries. A logbook of experience is only utilized in a minority of nations (18%) for assessment purposes. In 42.4% of countries, objective assessments are recognized. Trainees in most countries (22 (66.7%)) requested additional training in advanced laparoscopic surgery. 13 (39.4%) countries have a loosely-structured training system, 11 (33.3%) a moderately-structured training system, and 9 (27.3%) a well-structured training system.ConclusionSince the last publication in 2011, ENYGO was able to implement new activities, workshops, and online education to support training of gynaecological oncology fellows, which were all rated by the respondents as highly useful. This survey also reveals the limitations in establishing more accredited centers, centralized cancer care, and the lack of laparoscopic training.

Ectomesenchymoma is an exceedingly rare biphasic malignant tumor characterized by the presence of mesenchymal and neuroectodermal elements. The majority of patients are infants or children. We describe the first case of this entity diagnosed as a primary uterine tumor. A 72-year-old female presented with post-menopausal bleeding. Dilatation and curettage showed irregular mesenchymal proliferation of uncertain nature. In the hysterectomy specimen, a myxoid spindle cell tumor with areas of skeletal muscle and neural differentiation was found in the uterus, with direct invasion of the small intestine, and biphasic differentiation into rhabdomyosarcoma and ganglioneuroblastoma was unequivocally seen in a lymph node metastasis. The morphological findings were validated by immunohistochemistry. Massive parallel sequencing identified TP53, PTEN, and DICER1 mutations in the tumor. This report describes the presence of ectomesenchymoma in an unusual primary organ and in an uncharacteristic age and presents novel data regarding the genetic characteristics of this tumor.

Cancer care; Curriculum; Surgical oncology Cuidado del cancer; Plan de estudios; Oncología quirúrgica Cura del càncer; Pla d'estudis; Oncologia quirúrgica Introduction Surgical oncology is a defined specialty within the European Board of Surgery within the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Variation in training and specialization still occurs across Europe. There is a need to align the core knowledge needed to fulfil the criteria across subspecialities in surgical oncology. Material and methods The core curriculum, established in 2013, was developed with contributions from expert advisors from within the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) and related subspeciality experts. Results The current version reiterates and updates the core curriculum structure needed for current and future candidates who plans to train for and eventually sit the European fellowship exam for the European Board of Surgery in Surgical Oncology. The content included is not intended to be exhaustive but, rather to give the candidate an idea of expectations and areas for in depth study, in addition to the practical requirements. The five elements included are: Basic principles of oncology; Disease site specific oncology; Generic clinical skills; Training recommendations, and, lastly; Eligibility for the EBSQ exam in Surgical Oncology. Conclusions As evidence-based care for cancer patients evolves through research into basic science, translational research and clinical trials, the core curriculum will evolve, mature and adapt to deliver continual improvements in cancer outcomes for patients.

Presented by: Kathleen M Schmeler The standard of care for patients with early-stage cervical cancer is radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy or sentinel lymph node mapping in experienced centers. For patients interested in future fertility, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (

BackgroundRadical hysterectomy and complete pelvic lymphadenectomies are the most commonly performed procedures for women with early-stage cervical cancer. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping could be an alternative to routine pelvic lymphadenectomy, aiming to diagnose accurately nodal extension and decrease lymphatic morbidity.Primary ObjectiveTo compare 3-year disease-free survival and health-related quality of life after SLN biopsy or SLN biopsy + pelvic lymphadenectomy in early cervical cancer.Study HypothesisWe hypothesize that disease-free survival is non-inferior and health-related quality of life superior after SLN biopsy compared with SLN biopsy + pelvic lymphadenectomy.Trial DesignInternational, randomized, multicenter, single-blind trial. The study will be run by teams trained to carry out SLN biopsy, belonging to clinical research cooperative groups or recognized as experts in this field. Patients with an optimal mapping (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [MSKCC] criteria) and a negative frozen section will be randomized 1:1 to SLN biopsy only or SLN biopsy + pelvic lymphadenectomy.Inclusion, Exclusion CriteriaPatients with early stages (Ia1 with lymphovascular invasion to IIa1) of disease. Histological types are limited to squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma.Primary EndpointMain endpoint will be co-primary endpoint, associating 3-year disease-free survival and quality of life (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24).Sample Size950 patients need to be randomized.Estimated dates for completing accrual and presenting results: study started on Q2 2018, last accrual is scheduled for Q2 2021, and last follow-up in Q2 2026.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT03386734.

Objectives To compare survival and progression outcomes between 2 nodal assessment approaches in patients with nonbulky stage IIIC endometrial cancer (EC). Methods Patients with stage IIIC EC treated at 2 institutions were retrospectively identified. At 1 institution, a historical series (2004–2008) was treated with systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (LND cohort). At the other institution, more contemporary patients (2006–2013) were treated using a sentinel lymph node algorithm (SLN cohort). Outcomes (hazard ratios [HRs]) within the first 5 years after surgery were compared between cohorts using Cox models adjusted for type of adjuvant therapy. Results The study included 104 patients (48 LND, 56 SLN). The use of chemoradiotherapy was similar in the 2 cohorts (46% LND vs 50% SLN), but the use of chemotherapy alone (19% vs 36%) or radiotherapy alone (15% vs 2%) differed. Although there was evidence of higher risk of cause-specific death (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 0.79–5.58; P = 0.14) and lower risk of para-aortic progression (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.05–1.42; P = 0.12) for the LND group, the associations did not meet statistical significance. The risk of progression was not significantly different between the groups (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.60–2.67; P =0 .53). In parsimonious multivariable models, high-risk tumor characteristics and nonendometrioid type were independently associated with lower cause-specific survival and progression-free survival. Conclusions In EC patients with nonbulky positive lymph nodes, use of the SLN algorithm with limited nodal dissection does not compromise survival compared with LND. Aggressive pathologic features of the primary tumor are the strongest determinants of prognosis.

Different microRNAs are dysregulated in ovarian cancer where some of them have proved to be valid biomarkers. miRNA profiling analyses have shown that the different histotypes of ovarian carcinoma display differential expression of specific miRNAs. In the present study, we used miRNA-sequencing and Real-Time qPCR to detect the expression levels of miRNAs belonging to the miRNA-192/215 family, namely miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215, in different types of ovarian neoplasia, finding that miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215 were upregulated in ovarian carcinomas of the mucinous subtype, but downregulated in other types of carcinoma and in sex cord-stromal tumors. The expression of the said miRNAs was 6-fold higher in mucinous tumors compared to the other histotypes making them candidates for a possible role as diagnostic biomarkers.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess and compare the sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection rate with indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared fluorescence imaging versus blue dye using the robotic platform in patients with uterine cancer.MethodsWe identified all patients with uterine cancer undergoing SLN mapping using ICG or blue dye on the robotic platform from January 2011 to December 2013. Our institutional SLN algorithm and pathologic processing protocol were adhered to uniformly. We compared detection rates of SLNs stratified by dye used. Appropriate statistical tests were used.ResultsA total of 472 patients were identified. ICG was used in 312 patients (66%) and blue dye in 160 patients (34%). Successful mapping was achieved in 425 (90%) of 472 patients. Mapping was bilateral in 352 patients (75%) and unilateral in 73 patients (15%); 47 patients (10%) did not map. Successful mapping was achieved in 295 (95%) of 312 patients using ICG compared with 130 (81%) of 160 patients using blue dye (P < 0.001). Mapping was bilateral in 266 (85%) of 312 patients in the ICG group compared with 86 (54%) of 160 in the blue dye group (P < 0.001). Additional lymph node dissection beyond removal of the SLNs was performed in 122 patients (39%) mapped with ICG compared with 98 patients (61%) mapped with blue dye (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe SLN detection rate was superior when mapping with ICG rather than blue dye. Bilateral mapping was significantly improved, resulting in a lower rate of additional lymphadenectomy.

Our world is facing a devastating crisis in the growing pandemic associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. As many nations take steps to implement strategies to contain the spread of this disease, we continue to see the tremendous impact this is having on the numerous healthcare workers

BackgroundOptimizing and ensuring the quality of surgical care is essential to improve the management and outcome of patients with cervical cancer.To develop a list of quality indicators for surgical treatment of cervical cancer that can be used to audit and improve clinical practice.MethodsQuality indicators were developed using a four-step evaluation process that included a systematic literature search to identify potential quality indicators, in-person meetings of an ad hoc group of international experts, an internal validation process, and external review by a large panel of European clinicians and patient representatives.ResultsFifteen structural, process, and outcome indicators were selected. Using a structured format, each quality indicator has a description specifying what the indicator is measuring. Measurability specifications are also detailed to define how the indicator will be measured in practice. Each indicator has a target which gives practitioners and health administrators a quantitative basis for improving care and organizational processes.DiscussionImplementation of institutional quality assurance programs can improve quality of care, even in high-volume centers. This set of quality indicators from the European Society of Gynaecological Cancer may be a major instrument to improve the quality of surgical treatment of cervical cancer.

Objectives To compare survival after nodal assessment using a sentinel lymph node (SLN) algorithm versus comprehensive pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy (LND) in serous or clear cell endometrial carcinoma, and to compare survival in node-negative cases. Methods Three-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival were compared between one institution that used comprehensive LND to the renal veins and a second institution that used an SLN algorithm with ultra-staging with inverse-probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) derived from propensity scores to adjust for covariate imbalance between cohorts. Results 214 patients were identified (118 SLN cohort, 96 LND cohort). Adjuvant therapy differed between the cohorts; 84% and 40% in the SLN and LND cohorts, respectively, received chemotherapy ± radiation therapy. The IPTW-adjusted 3-year RFS rates were 69% and 80%, respectively. The IPTW-adjusted 3-year OS rates were 88% and 77%, respectively. The IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the association of surgical approach (SLN vs LND) with progression and death was 1.46 (95% CI: 0.70–3.04) and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.19–1.02), respectively. In the 168 node-negative cases, the IPTW-adjusted 3-year RFS rates were 73% and 91%, respectively. The IPTW-adjusted 3-year OS rates were 88% and 86%, respectively. In this subgroup, IPTW-adjusted HR for the association of surgical approach (SLN vs LND) with progression and death was 3.12 (95% CI: 1.02–9.57) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.24–1.95), respectively. Conclusion OS was not compromised with the SLN algorithm. SLN may be associated with a decreased RFS but similar OS in node-negative cases despite the majority receiving chemotherapy. This may be due to differences in surveillance.

A 41-year-old, G woman with primary infertility was referred to our department after diagnosis of an endometrial carcinoma. Three months previously, endometrial polyps were discovered on hysteroscopy, as part of her infertility work-up. The fragmented polyps/endometrial resection revealed

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as an alternative staging approach in women with assumed early-stage endometrial carcinoma. Through image-guided surgery and pathologic ultrastaging, the SLN approach is introducing “precision medicine” to the surgical management of gynecologic cancers, providing a comprehensive evaluation of high-yield lymph nodes. This approach improves the surgeons’ ability to detect small-volume metastatic disease while reducing intraoperative and postoperative morbidity associated with lymphadenectomy. Although the majority of clinicians in Europe and the USA have recognized the value of SLN biopsy in endometrial carcinoma and introduced this as part of clinical practice, there is ongoing debate regarding its role in very low-risk patients as well as in patients at high risk of nodal metastasis. The significance of low-volume metastasis is not fully understood, and there is no consensus in regard to how the presence of isolated tumor cells should guide adjuvant therapy. Standardized protocols for histopathologic evaluation of SLNs are lacking. In this review article we aim to provide a framework for the introduction of SLN biopsy in endometrial cancer, give an updated overview of the existing literature, as well as discuss potential controversies and unanswered questions regarding this approach and future directions.

To assess clinicopathologic outcomes between two nodal assessment approaches in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma and limited myoinvasion.Patients with endometrial cancer at two institutions were reviewed. At one institution, a complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy to the renal veins was performed in select cases deemed at risk for nodal metastasis due to grade 3 cancer and/or primary tumor diameter2cm (LND cohort). This is a historic approach at this institution. At the other institution, a sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm was used per institutional protocol (SLN cohort). Low risk was defined as endometrioid adenocarcinoma with myometrial invasion50%. Macrometastasis, micrometastasis, and isolated tumor cells were all considered node-positive.Of 1135 cases identified, 642 (57%) were managed with an SLN approach and 493 (43%) with an LND approach. Pelvic nodes (PLNs) were removed in 93% and 58% of patients, respectively (P0.001); para-aortic nodes (PANs) were removed in 14.5% and 50% of patients, respectively (P0.001). Median number of PLNs removed was 6 and 34, respectively; median number of PANs removed was 5 and 16, respectively (both P0.001). Metastasis to PLNs was detected in 5.1% and 2.6% of patients, respectively (P=0.03), and to PANs in 0.8% and 1.0%, respectively (P=0.75). The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 94.9% (95% CI, 92.4-97.5) and 96.8% (95% CI, 95.2-98.5), respectively.Our findings support the use of either strategy for endometrial cancer staging, with no apparent detriment in adhering to the SLN algorithm. The clinical significance of disease detected on ultrastaging and the role of adjuvant therapy is yet to be determined.

BackgroundRadical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy represents the standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. Results from a recent randomized controlled trial demonstrate that minimally invasive surgery is inferior to laparotomy with regards to disease-free and overall survival.Primary ObjectiveTo investigate the oncologic safety of robot-assisted surgery for early-stage cervical cancer as compared with standard laparotomy.Study HypothesisRobot-assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy is non-inferior to laparotomy in regards to recurrence-free survival with the advantage of fewer post-operative complications and superior patient-reported outcomes.Trial DesignProspective, multi-institutional, international, open-label randomized clinical trial. Consecutive women with early-stage cervical cancer will be assessed for eligibility and subsequently randomized 1:1 to either robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy. Institutional review board approval will be required from all participating institutions. The trial is coordinated from Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden.Major Inclusion/Exclusion CriteriaWomen over 18 with cervical cancer FIGO (2018) stages IB1, IB2, and IIA1 squamous, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous will be included. Women are not eligible if they have evidence of metastatic disease, serious co-morbidity, or a secondary invasive neoplasm in the past 5 years.Primary EndpointRecurrence-free survival at 5 years between women who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery versus laparotomy for early-stage cervical cancer.Sample SizeThe clinical non-inferiority margin in this study is defined as a 5-year recurrence-free survival not worsened by >7.5%. With an expected recurrence-free survival of 85%, the study needs to observe 127 events with a one-sided level of significance (α) of 5% and a power (1−β) of 80%. With 5 years of recruitment and 3 years of follow-up, the necessary number of events will be reached if the study can recruit a total of 768 patients.Estimated Dates for Completing Accrual and Presenting ResultsTrial launch is estimated to be May 2019 and the trial is estimated to close in May 2027 with presentation of data shortly thereafter.Trial RegistrationThe trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03719547).

OBJECTIVES: To compare oncologic outcomes in the staging of deeply invasive endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) using a sentinel lymph node algorithm (SLN) versus pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy to the renal veins (LND); to compare outcomes in node-negative cases. METHODS: At two institutions, patients with deeply invasive (≥50% myometrial invasion) EEC were identified. One institution used LND (2004-2008), the other SLN (2005-2013). FIGO stage IV cases were excluded. Clinical characteristics and follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: 176 patients were identified (LND, 94; SLN, 82). SLN patients were younger (p=0.003) and had more LVSI (p

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is associated with decreased complication rates, length of hospital stay, and cost compared with laparotomy. Robotic-assisted surgery—a method of laparoscopy—addresses many of the limitations of standard laparoscopic instrumentation, thus leading to increased rates of MIS. We sought to assess the impact of robotics on the rates and costs of surgical approaches in morbidly obese patients with uterine cancer. Patients who underwent primary surgery at our institution for uterine cancer from 1993 to 2012 with a BMI ≥40 mg/m2 were identified. Surgical approaches were categorized as laparotomy (planned or converted), laparoscopic, robotic, or vaginal. We identified two time periods based on the evolving use of MIS at our institution: laparoscopic (1993–2007) and robotic (2008–2012). Direct costs were analyzed for cases performed from 2009 to 2012. We identified 426 eligible cases; 299 performed via laparotomy, 125 via MIS, and 2 via a vaginal approach. The rates of MIS for the laparoscopic and robotic time periods were 6 % and 57 %, respectively. The rate of MIS was 78 % in this morbidly obese cohort in 2012; 69 % were completed robotically. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days (range 2–37) for laparotomy cases and 1 day (range 0–7) for MIS cases (P

To determine if a sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping algorithm will detect metastatic nodal disease in patients with intermediate-/high-risk endometrial carcinoma.Patients were identified and surgically staged at two collaborating institutions. The historical cohort (2004-2008) at one institution included patients undergoing complete pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy to the renal veins (LND cohort). At the second institution an SLN mapping algorithm, including pathologic ultra-staging, was performed (2006-2013) (SLN cohort). Intermediate-risk was defined as endometrioid histology (any grade), ≥50% myometrial invasion; high-risk as serous or clear cell histology (any myometrial invasion). Patients with gross peritoneal disease were excluded. Isolated tumor cells, micro-metastases, and macro-metastases were considered node-positive.We identified 210 patients in the LND cohort, 202 in the SLN cohort. Nodal assessment was performed for most patients. In the intermediate-risk group, stage IIIC disease was diagnosed in 30/107 (28.0%) (LND), 29/82 (35.4%) (SLN) (P=0.28). In the high-risk group, stage IIIC disease was diagnosed in 20/103 (19.4%) (LND), 26 (21.7%) (SLN) (P=0.68). Paraaortic lymph node (LN) assessment was performed significantly more often in intermediate-/high-risk groups in the LND cohort (P0.001). In the intermediate-risk group, paraaortic LN metastases were detected in 20/96 (20.8%) (LND) vs. 3/28 (10.7%) (SLN) (P=0.23). In the high-risk group, paraaortic LN metastases were detected in 13/82 (15.9%) (LND) and 10/56 (17.9%) (SLN) (%, P=0.76).SLN mapping algorithm provides similar detection rates of stage IIIC endometrial cancer. The SLN algorithm does not compromise overall detection compared to standard LND.

Objectives To assess the perioperative outcomes of minimal access surgery (MAS) in secondary surgical cytoreduction (SSCR) for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (ROC); to compare oncologic outcomes with laparotomy (LAP). Methods Using an institutional database, we identified all patients with ROC undergoing SSCR from 1/5/09–6/14/14. Selection for MAS or LAP was based on surgeon preference. To minimize selection bias, preoperative imaging was reviewed for all LAP cases. In this manner, we identified potential MAS candidates, who were used in the comparison. Intent-to-treat analyses were undertaken using statistical testing. Results 170 cases were identified (131 LAP, 8 LSC, 31 RBT). 68/131 (52%) LAP cases were deemed potential candidates for MAS. Feasibility analyses included 68 LAP and 39 MAS cases. Six (15%) MAS cases were converted to LAP. Median age, BMI, operative time did not differ significantly between the groups. Complete gross resection was achieved in 37/39 (95%) MAS, 63/68 (93%) LAP ( P =1.0). Median estimated blood loss was 50cm 3 (range, 5–500) MAS, 150cm 3 (range, 0–1500) LAP ( P =0.001). Median length of stay was 1day (range, 0–23) MAS, 5days (range, 1–21) LAP ( P P =0.06). The 2-year progression-free survival was 56.1% (SE 9%) MAS, 63.5% (SE 6%) LAP ( P =1.0). The 2-year overall survival was 92.2% (SE 5.4%) MAS, 81.4% (SE 5.5%) LAP ( P =0.7). Conclusions MAS for SSCR is feasible in properly selected cases. MAS is associated with favorable perioperative outcomes and similar oncologic outcomes, compared to LAP.

5517 Background: Uterine serous carcinoma is a less common subtype of endometrial cancer that is associated with poorer survival. The optimal post-operative adjuvant treatment strategy for these patients remains uncertain. Methods: This multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with early stage uterine serous carcinoma. Patients with FIGO Stage IA-II disease after surgery, whose tumors had serous or mixed serous/non-serous histology were included. Patients with carcinosarcoma were excluded. Clinical data were abstracted from local medical records. Summary statistics, Fisher’s exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze demographic and clinical characteristics. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 634 patients were included. 77% of patients had Stage IA disease, 42% showed no myometrial invasion. The majority had pure serous histology (72%) and LVSI (76%). Adjuvant treatment varied: 12% received no adjuvant therapy, 7% had chemotherapy alone, 51% had cuff brachytherapy, 12% had cuff brachytherapy with chemotherapy (cuff/chemo), and 19% underwent pelvic radiation (EBRT). Complete RFS and OS data were available for 607 and 609 patients, respectively, and the median follow-up time was 58 months. As compared with patients who received no adjuvant therapy, patients who received cuff or cuff/chemo had improved RFS (cuff: HR 0.70, p = 0.02; cuff/chemo HR 0.53, p = 0.01) and OS (cuff HR 0.56, p = 0.001; cuff/chemo HR 0.48, p = 0.01). In a direct comparison, patients with cuff/chemo had better RFS and OS than those with chemotherapy alone (RFS HR 0.52, p = 0.03; OS HR 0.50, p = 0.05). There were no differences in RFS or OS for women who received chemotherapy alone or EBRT. Improved survival with cuff and cuff/chemo persisted on multivariable analyses (included age, stage, LVSI, adjuvant therapy type); additionally, EBRT was also associated with improved OS. In analyses limited to patients without myometrial invasion, patients with cuff or cuff/chemo had improved RFS and OS compared with observation alone. Conclusions: The use of adjuvant cuff brachytherapy with and without chemotherapy was associated with improved RFS and OS in patients with early stage uterine serous carcinoma.

We sought to examine compliance and outcomes using Memorial Sloan Kettering "(MSK) criteria" to predict complete gross resection (CGR) and compare them with the validated Tian and AGO models.Patients who underwent SCS for recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer from 5/2001-6/2014 were identified. The AGO and Tian models were applied to the study population; appropriate statistical tests were used to determine ability to predict CGR.214 SCS cases were identified. Since the implementation of MSK criteria, the CGR rate has been 86%. The AGO model had a 49% accuracy rate in predicting CGR, and predicted gross residual disease (RD) in 51%; however, CGR was achieved in 86%. The Tian model had an 88% accuracy rate. Of the 4% scored as Tian high risk for gross RD, 33% achieved a CGR. Comparing models, McNemar's p-value was 0.366 between the Tian and MSK models and0.001 between AGO and MSK criteria. Median PFS was 21.3 (95%CI, 18.2-24.5), 22.5 (95%CI, 19.4-25.3), and 14.1months (95%CI, 9.7-22.1) for the entire cohort, for those achieving CGR, and for those left with RD, respectively (p=0.013). OS was 82.2 (95%CI, 60.2-123.3), 95.6 (95%CI, 63.6-NE), and 57.5months (95%CI, 27.5-113.9), respectively (p=0.014).CGR during SCS is associated with extended PFS and OS. We report a high rate of CGR using MSK criteria. There was good concordance between the Tian and MSK models; however, the latter has fewer variables and is more user-friendly. Tian criteria may be applied to intermediate MSK cases for further stratification.

Purpose: The study objective was to investigate and validate plasma growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) as a predictor of lymph node metastasis and a poor prognosis in primary endometrial cancer. Experimental Design: Plasma samples from 510 women treated for endometrial cancer in a primary investigation cohort (n = 44) and a secondary validation cohort (n = 466) were analyzed for GDF-15. Plasma from healthy premenopausal (n = 20) and postmenopausal (n = 20) women, women with borderline (n = 43), benign (n = 144), and malignant ovarian tumors (n = 125) were used for comparison. Results: Median plasma GDF-15 concentration for the endometrial cancer group was elevated (1,077 ng/L) as compared with pre- and postmenopausal controls (590 and 684 ng/L) and women with benign (591 ng/L) or borderline ovarian tumors (718 ng/L; all P < 0.001), but similar to the ovarian cancer group. In the large validation cohort of endometrial carcinomas, high plasma GDF-15 was significantly associated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV disease, nonendometrioid histology, high grade, older age, postmenopausal status, and lymph node metastases (all P ≤ 0.001). High GDF-15 was also an independent predictor of poor disease-specific and recurrence-free survival. Conclusions: Based on findings indicated in a primary investigation set and confirmed in the large secondary validation set, we report for the first time plasma GDF-15 as a biomarker for endometrial cancer phenotype, including presence of lymph node metastasis and reduced survival. Its applicability as a predictor of metastatic nodes and in monitoring treatment of endometrial cancer needs to be further studied. Clin Cancer Res; 17(14); 4825–33. ©2011 AACR.

TPS5602Background: Sentinel node biopsy (SLN) is an alternative to pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLN). The false negative rate is < 1%) when “MSKCC Algorithm” is fulfilled. The technique can detect isola...

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and primary debulking surgery (PDS) before and after results from a randomized trial were published and showed non-inferiority between NACT and PDS in the management of advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma. Methods We evaluated consecutive patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer treated at our institution from 1/1/08–5/1/13, which encompassed 32months before and 32months after the randomized trial results were published. We included all newly diagnosed patients with high-grade histology and stage III/IV disease. Associations between the use of NACT and clinical variables over time were evaluated. Results Our study included 586 patients. Median age was 62years (range, 30–90); 406 patients (69%) had stage III disease, and 570 (97%) had disease of serous histology. Twenty-six percent (154/586) were treated with NACT and 74% (432/586) with PDS. NACT use increased significantly from 22% (56/256) before 2010 (at which point the results of the randomized trial were published) to 30% (98/330) after 2010 (p=0.037). Although patients who underwent PDS were more likely to experience grade 3/4 surgical complications than those who underwent NACT, those selected for PDS had a median OS of 71.7months (CI, 59.8-not reached) compared with 42.9months (CI 37.1-56.3) for those selected for NACT. Conclusions In this single-institution analysis, the best survival outcomes were observed in patients who were deemed eligible for PDS followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Selection criteria for NACT require further definition and should take institutional surgical strategy into account.

The aim of this study was to characterize treatment patterns and oncologic outcomes in patients with low-volume lymph node metastasis (isolated tumor cells [ITCs] and micrometastasis [MM]) discovered during sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for endometrial carcinoma. We identified endometrial cancer cases treated surgically from September 2005 to April 2013 in which SLN mapping was performed. MM was defined as tumor within a lymph node measuring >0.2 mm but

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of obesity on the rate of successful sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with uterine cancer undergoing robotic surgery, and compare SLN detection rates using indocyanine green (ICG) versus blue dye.We reviewed robotic cases undergoing SLN mapping with a cervical injection from January 2011 to December 2013 using either blue dye or ICG with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging. Data were stratified by body mass index (BMI) and the dye used. Appropriate statistical tests were applied.Overall, 472 cases were identified. Bilateral mapping was successful in 352 cases (75 %), and unilateral mapping was successful in 73 cases (15 %). Bilateral mapping was achieved in 266 (85 %) of 312 ICG cases compared with 86 (54 %) of 160 blue-dye cases (p 0.001). Cases with successful bilateral mapping had a median BMI of 29.8 kg/m(2) (range 16.3-65.3 kg/m(2)); cases with no mapping had a median BMI of 34.7 kg/m(2) (range 21.4-60.4 kg/m(2)) (p = 0.001). With increasing BMI, there was a significant decrease in successful bilateral mapping rates for both the ICG (p 0.001) and blue-dye groups (p = 0.041); however, the use of ICG resulted in better bilateral (p = 0.002) and overall (p = 0.011) mapping rates compared with the use of blue dye in all BMI groups.ICG results in a higher overall and bilateral SLN detection than blue dye in women with uterine cancer. Successful mapping decreases with increasing BMI irrespective of the dye used; however, it is significantly improved with the use of ICG and NIR fluorescence imaging compared with blue dye.

Objective To investigate the prenatal appearance of the holoprosencephaly spectrum. Methods A database of 1750 fetuses with congenital anomalies identified by ultrasound was prospectively collected from 1987 to 2000. Among them, 30 cases (1.7%) with holoprosencephaly were prenatally identified and described. Results The prevalence of holoprosencephaly in the Health Region of the National Center for Fetal Medicine in Norway was 1.26: 10 000; the sex distribution (male: female) was 1.4: 1. Holoprosencephaly was found in one dichorionic twin pregnancy and one pair of conjoined twins. Among the 30 cases of holoprosencephaly, 18 were alobar, five were semilobar, two were lobar, two were lobar variants, and three were anencephalic. The facial features varied considerably. Sixty-seven per cent (20/30) had associated structural anomalies that were not related to the cerebral and facial holoprosencephaly condition. Thirty-seven per cent (11/30) had detectable chromosome aberrations and 23% (7/30) had nonchromosomal syndromal origin. The size or shape of the head was abnormal in 83% (25/30) of holoprosencephaly cases. Conclusion This study indicates that holoprosencephaly represents a heterogeneous entity with different etiologies and clinical appearances. The fact that holoprosencephaly features are found associated with particular conditions such as fronto-nasal dysplasia (2/30; 6.7%), agnathia-otocephaly (3/30; 10%), and anencephaly (3/30; 10%), suggests that these may be underreported conditions in other large holoprosencephaly series. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG

patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer or EIN by one of four gynecologic oncologists in a single tertiary care academic hospital between 2011 and 2013. Frequencies of SDD, and postoperative complications were evaluated longitudinally over the study periods. Rapid adoption of routine SDD within the institution was conceptualized as a natural experiment, and a noninferiority analysis, with composite postoperative complications as the outcome of interest, was conducted using a two one-sided test approach with an equivalence margin set at 7%. A multivariate logistic regression model was also constructed to evaluate the association between SDD and postoperative complications. Results: Six hundred ninety-four patients were included in the study. All patients underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, 38.2% had pelvic and 3.0% had para-aortic lymphadenectomy, and 9.4% underwent omentectomy. The rate of SDD increased from 3.9% in the first quarter of 2011 to 70.9% in the final quarter of 2013 (P b 0.001). During this period, the frequency of postoperative readmission, unscheduled surgery, infection, and composite complications within 30 days of hysterectomy did not differ by year (P≥ 0.1 for all). The absolute risk difference in the rate of the composite complication for patients who had surgery in 2013 compared to 2011 was−3.3% (95% CI−7.7 to 1.0), which supports the hypothesis of noninferiority. Patients who had SDD were younger (mean difference = 4.1 years, P b0.001), had shorter duration of surgery (MD 28min, P b 0.001), and had fewer comorbidities (relative risk for Charlson comorbidity index N5= 0.6, P b 0.001) compared with those who were admitted. After controlling for demographic, intraoperative, and comorbid factors, patients who had SDD were not at increased risk for postoperative complications.

e16579 Background: This is a retrospective chart review evaluating the use of NACT and primary debulking surgery (PDS) before and after a landmark trial was published demonstrating non-inferiority ...