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Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is increasingly utilized for gynecologic cancers. While incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after MIS is low, some guidelines recommend extended chemoprophylaxis for these patients undergoing MIS. Our objectives were to determine incidence of postoperative VTE in patients undergoing MIS, evaluate differences in the incidence by MIS modality and assess the need for extended chemoprophylaxis.We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients undergoing MIS (robot-assisted, multi-port laparoscopy, single-port laparoscopy) for gynecologic cancers between January 2014 and December 2018 at our institution. Demographic and perioperative variables were collected. Patients18 years, with benign pathology, or on preoperative anticoagulation were excluded. Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and one-way ANOVA were performed to determine risk factors related to VTE occurrence.We identified 806 patients who underwent MIS with median age 61. Most had Stage I disease (81.5%) and uterine cancer (81.5%). Five VTE events occurred within 90 days following surgery (0.6%). Incidence of 90-day VTE did not differ between MIS modalities (p = 0.6). Patients with longer OR times (p = 0.004) were more likely to experience VTE. Age, smoking status, BMI, type of cancer and stage were not significant risk factors for VTE.The incidence of postoperative VTE in patients with gynecologic cancers undergoing MIS is low and does not appear to differ by MIS modality. Given the very low incidence of postoperative VTE, extended chemoprophylaxis is unlikely to benefit patients with gynecologic malignancies undergoing MIS procedures.

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer worldwide. Almost all are related to human papillomavirus exposure. Cervical cancer treatment is associated with significant morbidity that is likely to require support from palliative care teams. In these pearls on cervical cancer, we hope to inform providers about the common treatments and issues for cervical cancer patients. Treatment modalities include surgery for early-stage disease, radiation therapy for locally advanced disease, and pelvic exenteration, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy for recurrent disease. Cervical cancer causes pain and bleeding. Radiation can affect ovarian, urinary, and bowel function. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are associated with fatigue and nausea. Fistulas between the vagina and bowel or bladder can occur due to cancer or to cancer treatments. Physical and emotional supportive care is important for women with cervical cancer.

Cancer treatment-induced bone loss is a known side effect of cancer therapy that increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Women with gynecologic cancer are at increased risk of bone loss secondary to the combined effect of oophorectomy and adjuvant therapies. Data regarding bone loss in women with gynecologic cancers are overall lacking compared to other cancer populations. Consequently, guidelines for osteoporosis screening in women with cancer are largely based on data generated among non-gynecologic cancer survivors. This article reviews current available data of bone health in women with gynecologic cancer, summarizes best-available guidelines for screening for osteoporosis in women with cancer, and provides guidance for osteoporosis screening in women with gynecologic cancers based on best available evidence.

Objective To evaluate the peripartum transfusion rates for rural women compared with urban women in the United States. Methods In this population-based retrospective cohort study, geocoded birth records from 2014 to 2016 from the National Center for Health Statistics were used to examine the rural-urban differences in blood transfusion among nulliparous women delivering singleton, vertex pregnancies at term. We compared transfusion rates across the counties on a continuum from urban to rural. We generated a multivariable logistic regression model controlling for age, race, nativity, education, insurance, prenatal care, maternal health, gestational age, intrapartum care, mode of delivery, peripartum factors, and county of delivery. Results Among 3,346,816 births, the transfusion rates based on maternal county of residence increased as the counties became more rural: large metropolitan-center (1.9/1,000 live births); large metropolitan-fringe (2.4); medium metropolitan (2.6); small metropolitan (2.6); micropolitan (4.5); and noncore rural (5.3). Rural women living and delivering in a rural county had more transfusions (8.5/1,000 live births) than women in more urban counties (2.5/1,000). After adjusting for key covariates, the odds of transfusion were higher among women living in micropolitan (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.25, 95% CI 2.09-2.43) and noncore rural (aOR 2.59, 95% CI 2.38-2.81) counties when compared with women living in large metropolitan counties. County of delivery had a higher association with transfusion than resident county. After adding delivery county to the regression model, the association of transfusion and living in a micropolitan (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.19-1.63) or noncore rural (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.12-1.55) county diminished. Conclusion The odds of blood transfusion were higher for women in rural areas. The results indicate that the rurality of the county where the birth occurred was associated with more transfusion. This may reflect differences in maternity and blood banking services in rural hospitals and warrants further study to identify opportunities for intervention.

© 2016 Elsevier Inc. Objectives We sought to analyze the clinicopathologic features, recurrence patterns and survival outcomes of women with high-grade uterine cancer (UC) enrolled on The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) LAP2 trial. Methods This is a post-hoc analysis of LAP-2 patients with grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma (ENDO), uterine serous (USC), clear cell (CC) and carcinosarcoma (CS). Demographics, clinicopathologic features, and recurrence patterns, were compared by histology and surgical approach. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of the 2600 patients enrolled in LAP-2, 753 patients had high-grade UC: 350 had ENDO, 289 had USC, 42 had CC and 72 had CS. Compared with the ENDO cohort, those with other high-grade subtypes were older (p

Since our publication, which first defined the malignant potential of placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), we have had a keen interest in this rare, unique entity. This histologic entity is noted by its monomorphic population of trophoblast-like cells which are classified as originating in the intermediate trophoblast. These cells contain hymman placental lactogen (HPL). This is in contrast to cytotrophoblastic and syncytiotrophblastic tissues as the histologic, cytologic and immunohistochemical stain characteristics are disparate. Its rarity and the wide spectrum of clinical behavior combined with the lack of sensitivity of serum levels of beta hCG in predicting disease recurrence and spread have lead to anecdotal reports outlining clinical management. Most discerning to the clinician is the high mortality of metastatic placental site trophoblastic tumor. At our institution, we have treated two patients with a metastatic disease with a successful conclusion. The durability of responses is 3 and 8 years. This report will present these patients in detail and define the important characteristics of successful treatment. The use of dose-intensive, multi-agent chemotherapy, early intervention when metastatic disease is discovered, imaging techniques to define disease spread, surgery for localized disease and the use of growth factors, most notably granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), are the fundamentals of clinical care of placental site trophoblastic tumor in patients with metastatic placental site trophoblastic tumor.

Ultrasound elastography is envisioned as an optional modality to augment standard ultrasound B-mode imaging and is a promising technique to aid in detecting uterine masses which cause abnormal uterine bleeding in both pre- and post-menopausal women. In order to determine the effectiveness of strain imaging, mechanical testing to establish the elastic contrast between normal uterine tissue and stiffer masses such as leiomyomas (fibroids) and between softer pathologies such as uterine cancer and adenomyosis has to be performed. In this paper, we evaluate the stiffness of normal uterine tissue, leiomyomas, and endometrial cancers using a EnduraTEC ElectroForce (ELF) system. We quantify the viscoelastic characteristics of uterine tissue and associated pathologies globally by using two mechanical testing approaches, namely a dynamic and a quasi-static (ramp testing) approach. For dynamic testing, 21 samples obtained from 18 patients were tested. The testing frequencies were set to 1, 10, 20, and 30 Hz. We also report on stiffness variations with pre-compression from 1% to 6% for testing at 2%, 3%, and 4% strain amplitude. Our results show that human uterine tissue stiffness is both dependent on percent pre-compression and testing frequencies. For ramp testing, 20 samples obtained from 14 patients were used. A constant strain rate of 0.1% was applied and comparable results to dynamic testing were obtained. The mean modulus contrast at 2% amplitude between normal uterine tissue (the background) and leiomyomas was 2.29 and 2.17, and between the background and cancer was 0.47 and 0.39 for dynamic and ramp testing, respectively.

ObjectivesThe prompt diagnosis of postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) in gynecologic oncology patients is imperative, but the clinical presentation is nonspecific in this high-risk group. We sought to determine risk factors and clinical findings that may assist clinicians in diagnosing PE in the inpatient setting.MethodsRadiology data were queried to identify patients with gynecologic cancer who had a postoperative PE evaluation with computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CT-PA). Patient clinical findings at the time of the PE evaluation were abstracted, and univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of PE.ResultsFor 6 years, there were 2498 major gynecologic oncology surgical procedures performed at our institution. Within 14 days of surgery, 107 CT-PA studies were obtained with a positive study rate of 24.3%. In patients with and without PE, there was no significant difference noted for age, oxygen saturations, body mass index and heart rate. After controlling for stage, history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), heart rate, and oxygen saturation, platelet count (odds ratio, 1.26 per 50 counts increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.48; P = 0.006) and history of VTE (odds ratio, 17.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.77–Inf, P = 0.014) were identified as independent predictors of PE in the multivariate model.ConclusionsAlthough clinicians often use tachycardia and low oxygen saturation as triggers to order PE imaging studies, these signs have a very low specificity. Given the findings of our study, accounting for high platelet count and history of VTE increases the pretest probability of CT-PA study.

We evaluated the impact of pre-therapeutic hematopoiesis on survival, hematotoxicity (HT) and number ofHemoglobin-levels (Hb), the number of platelets (Plts), leukocytes (Leuk), and survival data were collected in 56 patients treated withMedian survival in all patients was 69.9 weeks; 77% of patients had pre-existing impaired Hb (1.7% grade 3, 12.5% grade 2, 62.5% grade 1). 8/56 (14.3%) had impaired Plt (grade 1) Maximum toxicity (Tox) grades of patients during treatment were grade 4 (Hb 1.7%; Plt 1.7%), grade 3 (Hb 14.3%; Plt 7.1%; Leu 7.1%), grade 2 (Hb 33.9%; Plt 7.1%; Leu 23.2%), grade 1 (Hb 46.4%; Plt 17.9%; Leu 23.2%) and grade 0 (Hb 5.4%; Plt 66.1%; Leu 44.6%). Interestingly, patients with thrombocytopenia had a significantly shorter survival compared to those with normal Plt levels (21 weeks vs not reached; P0.003). As expected patients with pre-therapeutic low Hb-level (10g/dL) had a significantly shorter survival compared to those with Hb-level10g/dL (28 weeks vs not reached, P0.004), whereas survival of patients with mildly impaired Hb (10 but13.5g/dL) did not differ from patients with normal levels of Hb (X vs. Y, P=...). Also patients with impaired Hb also developed significantly more grade 3 and 4 HT (Hb10g/dL: 42.9 vs 14.3%, P0.001; Plt150G/mL: 25.0% vs 6.3%; P=0.002) and received significantly fewer treatment cycles (Hb10g/dL: 5.1 vs 5.8, P0.04; Plt150G/mL: 3.4 vs 5.6; P0.001). Neither extent of bone metastases nor previous chemotherapy were associated with survival, number ofPatients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and impaired hematopoiesis, in particular thrombocytopenia and anemia, before

To quantify the impact of preoperative hypoalbuminemia on 30-day mortality and morbidity after gynecologic cancer surgery.Patients included in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) dataset who underwent any non-emergent surgery for gynecologic malignancy between 1/1/2008 and 12/31/2010 were identified. Analysis was conducted with albumin both as a dichotomous variable (3.5 g/dl was defined as low albumin) and as a continuous variable to determine a clinically relevant cut-off value.Of the total 3171 patients identified, 2110 had preoperative albumin levels available for analysis. In addition, 279 (13.3%) of these patients had low albumin levels. According to multivariate analysis, the low albumin group had significantly higher odds of developing one or more post-operative complications (OR-2,CI: 1.47-2.73, p0.0001), three or more complications (OR-4.1,CI: 2.31-7.1, p0.0001), surgical complications (OR-2.39,CI: 1.59-3.58, p0.0001), thromboembolic complications (OR-2.59,CI: 1.33-5.06, p0.0001), pulmonary complications (OR-4.06,CI: 2.05-8.03, p0.0001), or infectious complications (OR-1.84,CI: 1.26-2.69, p0.0001) and a higher 30-day mortality (OR-6.52,CI: 2.51-16.95, p0.0001). Upon subgroup analysis, this difference was not found in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. In patients undergoing open surgery, the probability of experiencing one or more post-operative complications increased linearly with the decrease in albumin level; however, the probability of patients experiencing three or more complications and 30-day mortality increased sharply as soon as the albumin level decreased below 3g/dl.Preoperative albumin levels3g/dL identify a population of patients at a very high-risk of experiencing perioperative morbidity and 30-day mortality after open surgery.

Table of contents A1 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in staging and restaging of Prostate Cancer Patients: comparative study with 18F-Choline PET/CT W Langsteger, A Rezaee, W Loidl, HS Geinitz, F Fitz, M Steinmair, G Broinger, L Pallwien-Prettner, M Beheshti A2 F18 Choline PET – CT: an accurate diagnostic tool for the detection of parathyroid adenoma? L Imamovic, M Beheshti, G Rendl, D Hackl, O Tsybrovsky, M Steinmair, K Emmanuel, F Moinfar, C Pirich, W Langsteger A3 [18F]Fluoro-DOPA-PET/CT in the primary diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma A Bytyqi, G Karanikas, M Mayerhöfer, O Koperek, B Niederle, M Hartenbach A4 Variations of clinical PET/MR operations: An international survey on the clinical utilization of PET/MRI T Beyer, K Herrmann, J Czernin A5 Standard Dixon-based attenuation correction in combined PET/MRI: Reproducibility and the possibility of Lean body mass estimation I Rausch, P Rust, MD DiFranco, M Lassen, A Stadlbauer, ME Mayerhöfer, M Hartenbach, M Hacker, T Beyer A6 High resolution digital FDG PET/MRI imaging for assessment of ACL graft viability K Binzel, R Magnussen, W Wei, MU Knopp, DC Flanigan, C Kaeding, MV Knopp A7 Using pre-existing hematotoxicity as predictor for severe side effects and number of treatment cycles of Xofigo therapy A Leisser, M Nejabat, M Hartenbach, G Kramer, M Krainer, M Hacker, A Haug A8 QDOSE – comprehensive software solution for internal dose assessment Wencke Lehnert, Karl Schmidt, Sharok Kimiaei, Marcus Bronzel, Andreas Kluge A9 Clinical impact of Time-of-Flight on next-generation digital PET imaging of Yttrium-90 radioactivity following liver radioembolization CL Wright, K Binzel, J Zhang, Evan Wuthrick, Piotr Maniawski, MV Knopp A10 Snakes in patients! Lessons learned from programming active contours for automated organ segmentation M Blaickner, E Rados, A Huber, M Dulovits, H Kulkarni, S Wiessalla, C Schuchardt, RP Baum, B Knäusl, D Georg A11 Influence of a genetic polymorphism on brain uptake of the dual ABCB1/ABCG2 substrate [11C]tariquidar M Bauer, B Wulkersdorfer, W Wadsak, C Philippe, H Haslacher, M Zeitlinger, O Langer A12 Outcome prediction of temporal lobe epilepsy surgery from P-glycoprotein activity. Pooled analysis of (R)-[11C]-verapamil PET data from two European centres M Bauer, M Feldmann, R Karch, W Wadsak, M Zeitlinger, MJ Koepp, M-C Asselin, E Pataraia, O Langer A13 In-vitro and in-vivo characterization of [18F]FE@SNAP and derivatives for the visualization of the melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 M Zeilinger, C Philippe, M Dumanic, F Pichler, J Pilz, M Hacker, W Wadsak, M Mitterhauser A14 Reducing time in quality control leads to higher specific radioactivity of short-lived radiotracers L Nics, B Steiner, M Hacker, M Mitterhauser, W Wadsak A15 In vitro 11C-erlotinib binding experiments in cancer cell lines with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations A Traxl, Thomas Wanek, Kushtrim Kryeziu, Severin Mairinger, Johann Stanek, Walter Berger, Claudia Kuntner, Oliver Langer A16 7-[11C]methyl-6-bromopurine, a PET tracer to measure brain Mrp1 function: radiosynthesis and first PET evaluation in mice S Mairinger, T Wanek, A Traxl, M Krohn, J Stanek, T Filip, M Sauberer, C Kuntner, J Pahnke, O Langer A17 18F labeled azidoglucose derivatives as “click” agents for pretargeted PET imaging D Svatunek, C Denk, M Wilkovitsch, T Wanek, T Filip, C Kuntner-Hannes, J Fröhlich, H Mikula A18 Bioorthogonal tools for PET imaging: development of radiolabeled 1,2,4,5-Tetrazines C Denk, D Svatunek, T Wanek, S Mairinger, J Stanek, T Filip, J Fröhlich, H Mikula, C Kuntner-Hannes A19 Preclinical evaluation of [18F]FE@SUPPY- a new PET-tracer for oncology T Balber, J Singer, J Fazekas, C Rami-Mark, N Berroterán-Infante, E Jensen-Jarolim, W Wadsak, M Hacker, H Viernstein, M Mitterhauser A20 Investigation of Small [18F]-Fluoroalkylazides for Rapid Radiolabeling and In Vivo Click Chemistry C Denk, D Svatunek, B Sohr, H Mikula, J Fröhlich, T Wanek, C Kuntner-Hannes, T Filip A21 Microfluidic 68Ga-radiolabeling of PSMA-HBED-CC using a flow-through reactor S Pfaff, C Philippe, M Mitterhauser, M Hartenbach, M Hacker, W Wadsak A22 Influence of 24-nor-ursodeoxycholic acid on hepatic disposition of [18F]ciprofloxacin measured with positron emission tomography T Wanek, E Halilbasic, M Visentin, S Mairinger, B Stieger, C Kuntner, M Trauner, O Langer A23 Automated 18F-flumazenil production using chemically resistant disposable cassettes P Lam, M Aistleitner, R Eichinger, C Artner A24 Similarities and differences in the synthesis and quality control of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE, 177Lu -HA-DOTA-TATE and 177Lu-DOTA-PSMA (PSMA-617) H Eidherr, C Vraka, A Haug, M Mitterhauser, L Nics, M Hartenbach, M Hacker, W Wadsak A25 68Ga- and 177Lu-labelling of PSMA-617 H Kvaternik, R Müller, D Hausberger, C Zink, RM Aigner A26 Radiolabelling of liposomes with 67Ga and biodistribution studies after administration by an aerosol inhalation system U Cossío, M Asensio, A Montes, S Akhtar, Y te Welscher, R van Nostrum, V Gómez-Vallejo, J Llop A27 Fully automated quantification of DaTscan SPECT: Integration of age and gender differences F VandeVyver, T Barclay, N Lippens, M Troch A28 Lesion-to-background ratio in co-registered 18F-FET PET/MR imaging – is it a valuable tool to differentiate between low grade and high grade brain tumor? L Hehenwarter, B Egger, J Holzmannhofer, M Rodrigues-Radischat, C Pirich A29 [11C]-methionine PET in gliomas - a retrospective data analysis of 166 patients N Pötsch, I Rausch, D Wilhelm, M Weber, J Furtner, G Karanikas, A Wöhrer, M Mitterhauser, M Hacker, T Traub-Weidinger A30 18F-Fluorocholine versus 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose for PET/CT imaging in patients with relapsed or progressive multiple myeloma: a pilot study T Cassou-Mounat, S Balogova, V Nataf, M Calzada, V Huchet, K Kerrou, J-Y Devaux, M Mohty, L Garderet, J-N Talbot A31 Prognostic benefit of additional SPECT/CT in sentinel lymph node mapping of breast cancer patients S Stanzel, G Pregartner, T Schwarz, V Bjelic-Radisic, B Liegl-Atzwanger, R Aigner A32 Evaluation of diagnostic value of TOF-18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer S Stanzel, F Quehenberger, RM Aigner A33 New quantification method for diagnosis of primary hyperpatahyroidism lesions and differential diagnosis vs thyropid nodular disease in dynamic scintigraphy A Koljević Marković, Milica Janković, V Miler Jerković, M Paskaš, G Pupić, R Džodić, D Popović A34 A rare case of diffuse pancreatic involvement in patient with merkel cell carcinoma detected by 18F-FDG MC Fornito, D Familiari A35 TSH-stimulated 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent/metastatic radioiodine-negative differentiated thyroid carcinomas in patients with various thyroglobuline levels P Koranda, H Polzerová, I Metelková, L Henzlová, R Formánek, E Buriánková, M Kamínek A36 Breast Dose from lactation following I131 treatment WH Thomson, C Lewis A37 A new concept for performing SeHCAT studies with the gamma camera WH Thomson, J O’Brien, G James, A Notghi A38 Whole body F-18-FDG-PET and tuberculosis: sensitivity compared to x-ray-CT H Huber, I Stelzmüller, R Wunn, M Mandl, F Fellner, B Lamprecht, M Gabriel A39 Emerging role 18F-FDG PET-CT in the diagnosis and follow-up of the infection in heartware ventricular assist system (HVAD) MC Fornito, G Leonardi A40 Validation of Poisson resampling software WH Thomson, J O’Brien, G James A41 Protection of PET nuclear medicine personnel: problems in satisfying dose limit requirements J Hudzietzová, J Sabol, M Fülöp

Women with a gynecologic cancer tend to be older, obese, and postmenopausal, characteristics that are associated with an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. However, there is limited investigation regarding the condition's prevalence in this population or its impact on postoperative outcomes. In other surgical populations, patients with obstructive sleep apnea have been observed to be at increased risk for adverse postoperative events.We sought to estimate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among gynecologic oncology patients undergoing elective surgery and to investigate for a relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and postoperative outcomes.Patients referred to an academic gynecologic oncology practice were approached for enrollment in this prospective, observational study. Patients were considered eligible for study enrollment if they were scheduled for a nonemergent inpatient surgery and could provide informed consent. Enrolled patients were evaluated for a preexisting diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Those without a prior diagnosis were screened using the validated, 4-item STOP questionnaire (ie, Snore loudly, daytime Tiredness, Observed apnea, elevated blood Pressure). All patients who screened positive for obstructive sleep apnea were referred for polysomnography. The primary outcome was the prevalence of women with obstructive sleep apnea or those who screened at high risk for the condition. Secondary outcomes examined the correlation between body mass index (kg/mOver a 22-month accrual period, 383 eligible patients were consecutively approached to participate in the study. A cohort of 260 patients were enrolled. A total of 33/260 patients (13%) were identified as having a previous diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. An additional 66/260 (25%) screened at risk for the condition using the STOP questionnaire. Of the patients who screened positive, 8/66 (12%) completed polysomnography, all of whom (8/8 [100%]) were found to have obstructive sleep apnea. The prevalence of previously diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea or screening at risk for the condition increased as body mass index increased (P.001). Women with untreated obstructive sleep apnea and those who screened at risk for the condition were found to have an increased risk for postoperative hypoxemia (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-4.7; P = .011) and delayed return of bowel function (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.5; P = .009).The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea or screening at risk for the condition is high among women presenting for surgery with a gynecologic oncologist. Providers should consider evaluating a patient's risk for obstructive sleep apnea in the preoperative setting, especially when risk factors for the condition are present.

Purpose To evaluate locoregional control, disease free survival, and overall survival in patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiation for stage II adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. Secondary goals include identification of prognostic factors and the comparison of toxicity profiles after vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VB) alone or combined with pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EXT). Materials and methods All patients receiving adjuvant radiation at the University of Wisconsin following surgery for FIGO stage II adenocarcinoma of the endometrium between January 1991 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Between January 1991 and December 2006, 71 patients with FIGO stage II adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (23 stage IIA, 48 stage IIB) received adjuvant radiation at the University of Wisconsin. Fifty patients were treated with EXT and VB, twenty with VB alone, and one with EXT alone. At a mean follow-up of 5.1 years (range, 0.5–16.8 years), 5-year overall and disease-free survival were both 82%. Factors associated with an increased risk for recurrence include depth of myometrial invasion ( p =0.005) and lymphovascular invasion ( p =0.02). Receiving EXT was significantly associated with increased depth of myometrial invasion ( p =0.007), higher grade ( p =0.003), and less extensive surgery ( p =0.01). Of the nine recurrences, three were initially local and six were distant recurrences alone. Grade 2 or greater acute and late side effects were significantly greater with EXT therapy compared to VB alone ( p p =0.02, respectively), although severe toxicities (grade 3 or greater) were limited with either modality. Discussion Local recurrence rates remain low after surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy for stage II endometrial cancer using a combination of VB and EXT tailored to the surgical and pathologic features. VB alone resulted in fewer toxicities without an increased recurrence risk compared to the combination of EXT and VB, suggesting that VB without EXT is sufficient for patients with low-risk histopathologic features and comprehensive surgical staging with complete lymphadenectomy.

Objectives To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and feasibility of weekly cisplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy administered concurrently with whole abdominal radiation therapy (WART) in women with high-risk endometrial cancer. Methods Following surgery, patients with stage III–IV endometrial cancer (any histology) or with stage I–II serous or clear cell histology, and with largest residual disease ≤2 cm were eligible for this phase I feasibility trial. Six weekly cycles of chemotherapy were administered with WART in dose level (DL) cohorts of 3 patients in a 3+3 design. Once the MTD was defined, a second, feasibility portion of the trial was conducted to assess for chronic toxicity. All patients were to be treated with 25 Gy to the abdomen and 50.2 Gy to the pelvis. Results Thirty-five patients were enrolled in the study, including 21 in the dose finding portion, and 14 in the feasibility portion of the trial. The initial DL tested was paclitaxel 10 mg/m 2 and cisplatin 20 mg/m 2 . The MTD identified was at DL3 using paclitaxel 20 mg/m 2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 . The most common acute dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were gastrointestinal and hematologic. The prescribed radiation therapy was successfully delivered to 32/35 patients. Twenty patients (6 phase I, 14 feasibility) were assessed at the MTD. No acute grade 4 toxicities, and two grade 3–4 chronic toxicities were observed in these patients. Treatment contributed to the deaths of 2 patients. Conclusion A regimen of cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 and paclitaxel 20 mg/m 2 weekly with WART was determined to be feasible, but is associated with moderate acute and chronic gastrointestinal toxicity.

Objective To provide data from a US center on laparoscopic (LSC) approach to sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in cervix cancer with detailed time analysis. Methods This prospective trial enrolled patients with stage IA2-IIA cervix cancer undergoing primary radical surgery. Tc-99 radiocolloid was injected the morning of surgery, followed by hybrid SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy. Blue dye injection occurred just prior to incision. After bilateral LSC SLN detection, all patients received complete LSC pelvic lymphadenectomy. Institutional SLN protocol was followed for frozen section, hematoxylin and eosin, and cytokeratin staining. Results Between December 2003 and February 2006, 20 enrolled patients received 9 LSC-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomies, 7 radical abdominal hysterectomies, 2 LSC-assisted radical vaginal trachelectomies, and 2 LSC lymphadenectomies alone (secondary to positive lymph nodes). Mean tumor size was 2.5 cm. Nineteen percent of the 64 SLNs were found in unusual sites, including common iliac (11%), presacral (5%) and para-aortic (3%). The negative predictive value was 100%. The combined technique detected SLNs bilaterally in all patients. If blue dye alone was used, this rate would have dropped to 67.5% and was negatively correlated with elapsed surgical time (-0.7; p=0.002). The ability to visualize blue SLNs remained steady for 30 min and was completely gone by 50 min. Conclusions Laparoscopic SLN mapping can be newly introduced into gynecologic oncology centers with high detection rates and negative predictive values. The visualization of blue dye in SLNs is transient, and this negative time correlation may explain the previously reported inferior detection rates with this technique. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION.: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT 00205010.

Objective Results of the ICON4/AGO-OVAR-2.2 trial suggest that a platinum/taxane combination provides a survival benefit in relapsed, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer compared to platinum alone. The optimal specific combination has yet to be determined. The current study evaluates weekly docetaxel and carboplatin in this setting. Methods Using a prospective phase II design, patients received weekly docetaxel (35 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC=2) administered days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Initial treatment with a platinum-based regimen was required, with a treatment-free interval of at least 3 months. Patients could have received one prior regimen for recurrence. Biologically evaluable disease (CA-125) could be followed only if measurable disease was not present. Quality of life analysis utilized the FACT-O and FACT/GOG-Ntx scales. Results Thirty-six patients enrolled in the trial over 29 months. The majority had ovarian cancer (89%) and stage III/IV (97%) disease, with a median initial disease-free interval of 12 months. Most subjects were treated for first recurrence (81%) and had measurable disease (58%). The overall response rate was 67% (PR=52%, CR=15%), with 22% stable disease. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was common (48%) while serious anemia and thrombocytopenia were not. Neuropathy was generally mild and manageable. Carboplatin hypersensitivity led to 11 subjects coming off trial (31%). Diphenhydramine premedication produced a nonsignificant decrease in reaction rate. There was no detectable difference in quality of life due to therapy. Conclusion The weekly regimen of carboplatin and docetaxel has a good response rate with an acceptable toxicity profile.

The diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancer can cause short- and long-term negative effects on sexual health and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this article is to present a comprehensive overview of the sexual health concerns of gynecologic cancer survivors and discuss evidence-based treatment options for commonly encountered sexual health issues.A comprehensive literature search of English language studies on sexual health in gynecologic cancer survivors and the treatment of sexual dysfunction was conducted in MEDLINE databases. Relevant data are presented in this review. Additionally, personal and institutional practices are incorporated where relevant.Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among gynecologic cancer survivors as a result of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy-negatively impacting QoL. Many patients expect their healthcare providers to address sexual health concerns, but most have never discussed sex-related issues with their physician. Lubricants, moisturizers, and dilators are effective, simple, non-hormonal interventions that can alleviate the morbidity of vaginal atrophy, stenosis, and pain. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be an additional tool to address dyspareunia. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be beneficial to patients reporting problems with sexual interest, arousal, and orgasm.Oncology providers can make a significant impact on the QoL of gynecologic cancer survivors by addressing sexual health concerns. Simple strategies can be implemented into clinical practice to discuss and treat many sexual issues. Referral to specialized sexual health providers may be needed to address more complex problems.

The frequency-dependent complex moduli of human uterine tissue have been characterized. Quantification of the modulus is required for developing uterine ultrasound elastography as a viable imaging modality for diagnosing and monitoring causes for abnormal uterine bleeding and enlargement, as well assessing the integrity of uterine and cervical tissue. The complex modulus was measured in samples from hysterectomies of 24 patients ranging in age from 31 to 79 years. Measurements were done under small compressions of either 1 or 2%, at low pre-compression values (either 1 or 2%), and over a frequency range of 0.1-100 Hz. Modulus values of cervical tissue monotonically increased from approximately 30-90 kPa over the frequency range. Normal uterine tissue possessed modulus values over the same range, while leiomyomas, or uterine fibroids, exhibited values ranging from approximately 60-220 kPa.

Objectives. Optimal cancer symptom management requires effective patient–health care provider (HCP) communication. The goals of this study were to 1) describe symptom experiences of women with ovarian cancer, 2) evaluate frequency of patient–HCP communication about symptoms, and 3) evaluate whether communication is associated with patients' confidence in managing symptoms. Methods. This was a cross-sectional mailed survey study. The Symptom Experience Survey, containing valid, reliable measures of symptom severity and controllability; symptom communication; and symptom-related coping strategies, was mailed to members of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Descriptive statistics, t tests, correlations, and ANCOVA were used to address study objectives. Results. This analysis focuses on the 279 respondents who had active disease. The majority of women had recurrent disease (96%) and were on chemotherapy (57%). Women reported a mean of 12 concurrent symptoms. Fatigue, bowel disturbances, and peripheral neuropathies were the most severe and most noticed symptoms. Only 61% of women had discussed their most noticed symptom with an HCP in the past month, and only 50% of women reported that they had received symptom management recommendations. Women reported low levels of perceived control over symptoms ( M = 1.97 on a 0–4 scale). There was a significant interaction effect for symptom discussions and management recommendations on perceived control. Women who had never received recommendations had low perceived control whether or not they had discussed their symptom with an HCP in the past month. For women who had received recommendations, those who had discussed their symptom with an HCP in the past month had higher perceived control compared to those who had not discussed their symptom. Conclusions. Women with ovarian cancer experience multiple symptoms, but many do not discuss symptoms with their HCPs and fewer report receiving symptom management recommendations. Women would benefit from more active symptom assessment and discussion of management strategies by HCPs.

Objective. A non-randomized comparison of outcome in women undergoing second-look laparotomy (SLL) or clinical follow-up, after receiving six cycles of combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus either cisplatin or carboplatin, for optimally resected stage III ovarian cancer. Methods. Prior to chemotherapy randomization, patients chose whether or not to undergo SLL; this was a stratification factor to insure balance of treatment assignment. Any subsequent therapy was physician-directed. Explanatory analysis replaced intent-to-treat because of a higher likelihood of detecting SLL effect in the presence of noncompliance. Results. There were 393 patients (median age: 54) who Elected SLL and 399 (median age: 59) who Elected No SLL. The former group was more likely to have gross residual disease at initial surgery than the latter group (69% versus 60%, respectively). In the Elected SLL group, 59 (15%) patients subsequently refused surgery, in nine (2%) surgery was contraindicated, and 31 (8%) relapsed or died prior to the procedure. Cancer was found in 46% of 294 (75%) patients undergoing SLL. Since early failures (prior to SLL) do not address benefit, such patients (SLL: 32; No SLL: 33), defined as progression-free survival (PFS) < 6 months, were excluded from analysis. The adjusted relative risk of progression is 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.75, 1.07); the difference in median PFS is 1.0 month (SLL: 23.9 months; No SLL: 22.9 months). The survival rate curves are superimposable. Conclusion. In the context of a non-randomized comparison, the performance of a SLL was not associated with longer survival.

Purpose: In randomized trials the combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel was superior to cisplatin and cyclophosphamide in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. Although in nonrandomized trials, carboplatin and paclitaxel was a less toxic and highly active combination regimen, there remained concern regarding its efficacy in patients with small-volume, resected, stage III disease. Thus, we conducted a noninferiority trial of cisplatin and paclitaxel versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in this population. Patients and Methods: Patients with advanced ovarian cancer and no residual mass greater than 1.0 cm after surgery were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 75 mg/m2 plus a 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 (arm I), or carboplatin area under the curve 7.5 intravenously plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours (arm II). Results: Seven hundred ninety-two eligible patients were enrolled onto the study. Prognostic factors were similar in the two treatment groups. Gastrointestinal, renal, and metabolic toxicity, as well as grade 4 leukopenia, were significantly more frequent in arm I. Grade 2 or greater thrombocytopenia was more common in arm II. Neurologic toxicity was similar in both regimens. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 19.4 and 48.7 months, respectively, for arm I compared with 20.7 and 57.4 months, respectively, for arm II. The relative risk (RR) of progression for the carboplatin plus paclitaxel group was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.03) and the RR of death was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.70 to 1.02). Conclusion: In patients with advanced ovarian cancer, a chemotherapy regimen consisting of carboplatin plus paclitaxel results in less toxicity, is easier to administer, and is not inferior, when compared with cisplatin plus paclitaxel.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers have an increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Technical advances in genetic testing have increased the need for genetic counseling services; therefore, we have developed a counseling program for these individuals. The purpose of this study is to characterize this population, assess level of interest in genetic testing, and evaluate our program over a 5-year period. Our Familial Cancer Genetic Counseling Program was established in November, 1994. Information was collected prospectively, with comprehensive evaluation including complete pedigree, risk assessment, and counseling by a genetic counselor, geneticist, and oncologist. Data were collected on risk level, and subsequent recommendations for screening and/or genetic testing. There were 824 contacts recorded from November, 1994, through August, 1999. To date, 162 families have undergone comprehensive genetic evaluation and counseling. 90 (56%) were seen for a concerning family history and 72 (44%) were seen due to a personal history of malignancy. The majority of families had a significant level of risk with 126 (78%) families having two and 70 (43%) families having three affected first-degree relatives. Of the 162 families who received full counseling, 125 (77%) met criteria to recommend BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing. At this time, 30 of the 162 (18%) have had genetic testing. A brief phone contact or clinic visit is useful to screen individuals so that counseling can be directed toward truly high-risk families. In our program, the majority of families counseled were eligible for BRCA1/BRCA2 testing, but only 18% have elected to proceed at this time.

SSI rates after gynecologic oncology surgery vary from 5% to 35%, but are up to 45% in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Strict postoperative glucose control by insulin infusion has been shown to lower morbidity, but not specifically SSI rates. Our project studied continuous postoperative insulin infusion for 24h for gynecologic oncology patients with DM and hyperglycemia with a target blood glucose of139 mL/dL and a primary outcome of the protocol's impact on SSI rates.We compared SSI rates retrospectively among three groups. Group 1 was composed of patients with DM whose blood glucose was controlled with intermittent subcutaneous insulin injections. Group 2 was composed of patients with DM and postoperative hyperglycemia whose blood glucose was controlled by insulin infusion. Group 3 was composed of patients with neither DM nor hyperglycemia. We controlled for all relevant factors associated with SSI.We studied a total of 372 patients. Patients in Group 2 had an SSI rate of 26/135 (19%), similar to patients in Group 3 whose rate was 19/89 (21%). Both were significantly lower than the SSI rate (43/148, 29%) of patients in Group 1. This reduction of 35% is significant (p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed an odd ratio = 0.5 (0.28-0.91) in reducing SSI rates after instituting this protocol.Initiating intensive glycemic control for 24h after gynecologic oncology surgery in patients with DM and postoperative hyperglycemia lowers the SSI rate by 35% (OR = 0.5) compared to patients receiving intermittent sliding scale insulin and to a rate equivalent to non-diabetics.

Petereit DG, Tannehill SP, Grosen EA, Hartenbach EM, Schink JC. Outpatient vaginal cuff brachytherapy for endometrial cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and complications of postoperative high-dose-rate (HDR) vaginal-cuff brachytherapy (VCB) in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Between August 1989 to September 1997, 191 patients were treated postoperatively after a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO) with outpatient adjuvant HDR VCB for low-risk endometrial cancer (IB–84%, grade 1 or 2–96%). Patients were treated with 2 HDR fractions, delivered one week apart while under conscious sedation (16.2 Gy X 2 to the vaginal surface). All clinical endpoints were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method. The median time in the brachytherapy suite was 60 min in which no acute complications were observed. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates were both 0%. With a median follow-up of 38 months (12–82 months), the 4-year survival, relapse-free survival, and vaginal-control rates were 95%, 98%, and 100%, respectively. One patient developed a colo-vaginal fistula at 5 years. Adjuvant HDR VCB in 2 outpatient insertions produced 100% vaginal control rates with minimal morbidity. The advantages of high dose-rate compared to low dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy include patient convenience, markedly shorter treatment times (1 h per insertion), and reduction in the cost and potential morbidity of hospitalization. HDR brachytherapy approach is a cost-effective alternative to either low-dose-rate brachytherapy or whole pelvic radiotherapy in carefully selected patients.

Ovarian germ cell cancers are rare malignancies accounting for less than 5% of all ovarian cancers. We present a family in which three closely related women were diagnosed with ovarian germ cell malignancies. This family's cancer history prompted a family history investigation of women treated for ovarian germ cell malignancies in the Gynecologic-Oncology Clinic at the University of Wisconsin. One of the eight patients whose family histories were reviewed had an uncle who had been diagnosed with testicular germ cell cancer. A review found six other previously reported families in which more than one relative had been diagnosed with a malignant ovarian germ cell tumor. Additionally, several cases of families with both males and females diagnosed with germ cell cancers have been documented. The low incidence of ovarian germ cell cancers suggests that multiple occurrences in the same family may not be due to chance. Rather, it is possible that a gene conferring susceptibility to ovarian germ cell cancers, and possibly to germ cell tumors in males as well, is present in at least some of these families.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density were studied in cases of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma to evaluate their usefulness as prognostic variables. Tumor samples from 18 patients with advanced stage serous epithelial ovarian cancer were evaluated for VEGF expression by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Immunohistochemical study of corresponding archival tissues with an antibody to von Willebrand factor (vWF; FVIII-RA) was used for tumor microvessel count determinations. The correlation of VEGF expression and mean microvessel counts was determined by an unpaired t-test. Survival analysis for known prognostic factors and VEGF expression was performed. Survival distributions were calculated by the product limit of Kaplan and Meier and significant differences between distributions were analyzed with a log rank test. From the RT-PCR analysis of tumor VEGF expression, 12 samples were found to be strongly positive, whereas six samples had low/negative VEGF expression. The median survival was 60 months for the VEGF-low/negative group and 28 months for the VEGF-positive group (P = 0.058). Other prognostic variables had minimal impact on survival, i.e. age < 65 years (P = 0.873), FIGO stage (P = 0.06), grade (P = 0.236) and debulking status (P = 0.842). Fourteen of 18 tumor specimens were suitable for microvessel counting. The mean microvessel counts of the VEGF-positive group and the VEGF-negative group were 27/hpf and 35/hpf, respectively (P = 0.16). In this preliminary analysis, high VEGF expression in epithelial ovarian carcinomas was associated with poor overall survival. Further study will be necessary to elucidate the lack of association of VEGF expression and tumor microvessel counts.

Carter J, Johnson P, Saltzman A, Chen D, Carney P, Hartenbach E, Cosin J, Fowler J, Carson L, Twiggs L. Lack of adverse effect on quality of life of up to six cycles of chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients. Int JGynecol Cancer 1997; 7: 439–444. The aim of this study was to determine whether the prescription of up to six cycles of chemotherapy adversely affected the quality of life (QOL) of patients with a variety of gynecologic cancers. Over a 29 month period, patients presenting to a single gynecologic oncology clinic and who were prescribed cytotoxic chemotherapy were asked to complete a modified FACT-G quality of life form. Scoring was performed according to the FACT-G scoring guide. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean transformed scores for each cycle. Sixty patients received a total of 257 cycles of chemotherapy. All patients who were offered the test satisfactorily completed the test. Average age was 56.3 years (range: 16–84). Tumor sites included ovary (N = 29), cervix (N = 15), uterus(N = 12), and vulva (N = 4). The associated histologies included adenocarcinoma (N = 35), squamous (N = 18),sarcoma (N = 6), and germ cell tumor (N = 1). The original stage at diagnosis was stage I (N = 16), stage II (N = 9),stage III (N = 22) and stage IV (N = 13). QOL scores for patients with cervical cancers were significantly inferior to patients with ovarian cancers (P = 0.03), uterine cancers (P = 0.02), and vulvar tumors (P = 0.01). A significant improvement in the physical well-being (PWB) subscale QOL score from cycle 2 to cycle 5 was noted (P = 0.03). Two other subscale QOL scores, emotional well-being(EWB) and functional well-being (FWB), revealed an overall improvement from cycle 1 to cycle 6; however, these results did not reach statistical significance. A general downward trend was noted in the social well-being (SWB) and relationship with doctor (RWD) subscale scores. Moreover, overall quality of life, as represented by the summed individual scores, was not significantly affected over the treatment cycles. Again, while an improvement was noted with progressive cycles, these results did not reach statistical significance. This study confirms that the prescription of up to six cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy to patients with gynecologic cancers results in an overall improvement in subscale and overall QOL; however, the changes noted did not reach statistical significance.

ObjectiveDuring saline-infused sonohysterography (SIS), the distension fluid is typically discarded. If cytology analysis could identify those patients with endometrial cancer, many women would be spared from further procedures.MethodsThirty consecutive patients with clinical stage I or II endometrial adenocarcinoma were prospectively recruited preoperatively. Saline-infused sonohysterography was performed by instilling 5 mL of saline, withdrawing and sending for analysis. Saline was reinfused until complete SIS images were obtained and sent separately for cytology.ResultsOf the 30 women enrolled, SIS was technically successful in 29. Demographics included mean age (60.5 ± 6.99 years), body mass index (35.55 ± 8.18 kg/m2), endometrioid histology (76%), and grade (grade 1, 67%). Prestudy diagnostic method included biopsy (70%), dilatation and curettage (17%), and hysteroscopy (10%). Adequate cytology specimens were obtained in 66% of the 5 mL flushes and 72% of the complete SIS collections. Of adequate specimens, the sensitivities to detect endometrial cancer for the 5-mL, complete, and combined fluid samples were 26% (95% confidence interval, 9%–51%), 36% (17%–59%), and 42% (22%–63%). Sensitivity based on the whole study sample (N = 30) was 33% (17%–53%). Statistical significance was not found in the association between a positive test and age, body mass index, grade, diagnostic method, or volume instilled or aspirated.ConclusionsMost patients with early endometrial cancer can undergo SIS procedures with adequate cytology specimens obtained from distention media. However, the sensitivity is low, and refinements are necessary before utilizing as a diagnostic test. In cases with positive results, the patient may be able to avoid other costly and painful procedures.

The discovery and sequencing of the BRCA1 gene is an exciting breakthrough for women and health care providers. BRCA1 is associated with inherited breast and ovarian cancer and the body of scientific information regarding its role in ovarian cancer is growing rapidly. The impact of this knowledge on counseling women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer is profound. This review provides information about familial ovarian cancer syndromes and the emerging role of genetic testing in women with an inherited susceptibility for cancer.

Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) usually presents with vaginal bleeding or amenorrhea and an enlarged uterus. Metastasis to the skin as the presenting sign, or as a metastatic site, has not been previously reported with PSTT. We report a case of PSTT in which the presenting sign was scalp metastases and the only other disease was a small focus in the uterus. The patient responded to multi-agent chemotherapy and repeated skin resection at the local site. She received 16 alternating cycles of etoposide-methotrexate-actinomycin D and cytoxan-oncovin (EMA/CO) and is currently without evidence of disease. Clinicians caring for reproductive age women should remain aware that gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) may present in an unusual manner.

The potential applications of operative laparoscopy have expanded with improvements in technology and instrumentation. With newly developed techniques to complete both pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection, the use of the laparoscope has increased in patients with pelvic malignancies. Gynecologic oncologists are currently incorporating the techniques of operative laparoscopy in the management of patients with cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Multicenter prospective clinical trials are necessary to further define the role of laparoscopy in gynecologic oncology.

Patients with gynecologic malignancies may develop stenosis of the large pelvic veins as a result of their disease or its treatment. The percutaneous insertion of a stainless steel vascular stent is a novel approach to the management of an extrinsically compressed vein. The objective of this study was to review the results of treating lower extremity edema secondary to a pelvic venous stenosis through the percutaneous insertion of a stainless steel vascular stent. A retrospective review was performed on gynecologic oncology patients who presented with an edematous lower extremity and underwent an evaluation to diagnose proximal venous stenosis. The evaluation included sonography, venography, and balloon angioplasty prior to the percutaneous insertion of a stainless steel vascular stent. If a venous thrombosis was documented, thrombolysis with urokinase was performed prior to evaluation for venous stenosis. Records were reviewed for the etiology of the venous stenosis, the location and type of stent inserted, and the ability of the stent to maintain patency and provide symptomatic relief. Patency was evaluated at 1-week and then at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals. The probability of vascular stent patency was calculated using life table analysis. Ten patients with cervical (n = 4), corpus (n = 3), ovarian (n = 1), vulvar (n = 1), and vaginal (n = 1) cancer had one or more vascular stents inserted for the treatment of a stenosed pelvic vein. The etiologies of venous stenosis were radiation fibrosis and surgery (n = 5), postoperative fibrosis (n = 3), and metastatic tumor (n = 2). The stented vessels were the left common (n = 5) or left external (n = 4) iliac veins, the right common (n = 1) or right external (n = 3) iliac veins, and the right common femoral vein (n = 1). The median follow-up was 21 months. All patients had subjective resolution of their edematous extremity while the stents were patent. The interval probability of patency of stented veins was greater than 85% at each evaluation interval. Patency was 100% for patients beyond 6 months of follow-up. There were no major complications. The percutaneous intravascular insertion of a stainless steel stent was safe and subjectively effective in the management of venous stenosis associated with a gynecologic cancer. A prospective trial with objective endpoints may be warranted.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that asymptomatic women, age 50 and over, undergo sigmoidoscopy every 3 to 5 years, after two negative yearly exams. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that women with gynecologic or breast cancers have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. It is unclear whether the ACS guidelines are applicable for women with a new diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy. This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of preoperative colonoscopy in our gynecologic oncology patient population. Patients undergoing evaluation for a major operative procedure for known or suspected gynecologic malignancies were referred for colonoscopy at the discretion of their attending surgeon. Five hundred patients' charts were reviewed to identify 212 patients in whom preoperative colonoscopy was performed (the study group). In this group, 17 cases of colonic polyps, 5 cases of synchronous colon cancer, and 2 cases of cancer metastatic to the colon were discovered, representing 11% of the study group. Whereas 23% of the patients screened were less than 50 years of age, only two cases of polyps occurred in this age group, and no cases of cancer. Patients aged 70 or greater made up 28% of the study group, but accounted for 41% of the cases of polyps and 40% of the colon cancers. Twenty-nine percent of the study group had adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, representing 7 of 17 cases of polyps, 1 of 5 colon cancers, and 1 of 2 metastatic cancers. Although this retrospective study involved colonoscopy, the locations of the observed lesions were within the theoretic reach of a flexible sigmoidscope in 75% of cases. We conclude that in the preoperative workup of gynecologic oncology patients, no colon screening is needed in the asymptomatic patient less than 50 years of age. ACS guidelines are appropriate for patients aged 50-70, but for those 70 or greater we would consider full colonoscopy.

The aim of this study was to investigate gray scale and color flow characteristics of a group of patients with a suspected uterine pathologic condition. One hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients at the Women's Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, undergoing transvaginal sonography and color flow Doppler imaging for suspected uterine corpus abnormality made up the study group. After gray scale morphologic assessment, color flow Doppler imaging of the tumor and uterus was performed, including the ipsilateral uterine artery. Malignant tumors were confirmed pathologically in all 35 patients who had them. In comparing patients with benign versus malignant tumors, gray scale morphologic assessment confirmed that malignant uterine tumors (31 endometrial cancers and four sarcomas) were more likely to have a thickened echoic endometrium (P = < 0.0001), be enlarged (P = 0.004), to be retroverted (P = 0.02), and to lack a subendometrial halo (P < 0.0001). Patients with four benign and 13 malignant tumors demonstrated increased flow when assessed by CFD. The calculated sensitivity of increased color flow in predicting malignancy was 39%, with a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 77%, and a negative predictive value of 71%. No difference existed between the benign and malignant groups for the systolic, diastolic, and mean velocities and for the calculated pulsatility index and resistive index in both sampled uterine and intramyometrial or tumor vessels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Objective To describe the surgical technique of uterine artery sparing robotic assisted radical trachelectomy (AS-RRT) for early stage cervical cancer. Methods We used our experience with AS-RRT performed at the University of Wisconsin-Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA, to present a detailed description of the surgical technique. Results The report details, step-by-step, our innovative surgical technique, supported by photos and illustrations. We also discuss potential difficulties with the surgical technique and offer solutions. Conclusion Technically, the surgery is feasible and could be performed by any gynecologic oncologist who is skilled in radical pelvic surgery and the robotic system. The long-term obstetric and oncologic outcome of this technique would be expected to match the outcome of the other radical trachelectomy techniques in the published literature, but is yet to be fully elucidated.