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Adenomyosis is a common benign gynecologic condition characterized by ectopic endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium causing pain (dysmenorrhea) and abnormal uterine bleeding. New interventional techniques have been introduced over recent years. This study evaluates the treatment success and side effects of radiofrequency ablation. An electronic literature search in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases was carried out on the outcomes of pain reduction and, secondarily, on abnormal uterine bleeding, reintervention, reproductive outcome, imaging outcome, and complications. There was a mean decrease in dysmenorrhea pain scores by −63.4 ± 9.0% at 12 months. Data on other outcome parameters were sparse. No major complications were reported. Radiofrequency ablation represents a promising minimally invasive and organ-preserving treatment in patients with symptomatic adenomyosis. It is associated with clinically meaningful improvement of adenomyosis-related pain in the short term.

Introduction and hypothesis The objective was to demonstrate the surgical procedure of laparoscopic mesh removal after sacrocolpopexy to aid clinicians facing mesh complications. Methods Video footage shows the laparoscopic management of mesh failure and mesh erosion after sacrocolpopexy with narrated video sequences of two patients. Results Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy represents the gold standard in advanced prolapse repair. Mesh complications occur infrequently but infections, failure of prolapse repair and mesh erosions necessitate mesh removal and repeat sacrocolpopexy if applicable. The video deals with two women referred to our tertiary referral urogynecology unit in the University Women’s Hospital of Bern, Switzerland, after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies that were carried out in remote hospitals. Both patients were asymptomatic more than 1 year after surgery. Conclusions Complete mesh removal after sacrocolpopexy and repeat prolapse surgery can be challenging but is feasible and is aimed at improving patients’ complaints and symptoms.

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Targeted lipids and inflammation modulators were analyzed in abdominal fluid and serum revealing an association between endocannabinoids (2-AG and AEA) and gynecological pain., Endocannabinoid (eCB) levels fluctuate in inflammatory conditions and as such may take part in endometriosis-associated pain or even in endometriosis pathogenesis. In this case–control (23 cases and 19 controls) study, targeted lipids were measured in the serum and peritoneal fluid collected during laparoscopy. Endometriosis was confirmed histologically. Dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspareunia were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale for pain. Steroids, eCBs, and related lipids were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-8, PAPP-A, PP14, RANTES, OPG, MIDKINE, MCP-1, VEGF, leptin, and defensins were quantified by ELISA. We found that eCB levels were significantly influenced by both noncyclic and cyclic abdominal pain. Specifically, women suffering from noncyclic abdominal pain were characterized by a higher 2-AG level in the peritoneal fluid throughout the menstrual cycle, whereas women suffering from dysmenorrhea had higher 2-AG levels and lower AEA levels during the proliferative phase alone. In addition, 2-AG positively correlated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the ratio AEA/2-AG positively correlated with defensins, suggesting a possible link between endocannabinoids system and inflammatory pain. The results of the current study indicate that the eCB system may play a role in endometriosis-associated pain, but additional studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship.

3D cancer spheroids represent a highly promising model for study of cancer progression and therapeutic development. Wide-scale adoption of cancer spheroids, however, remains a challenge due to the lack of control over hypoxic gradients that may cloud the assessment of cell morphology and drug response. Here, we present a Microwell Flow Device (MFD) that generates in-well laminar flow around 3D tissues via repetitive tissue sedimentation. Using a prostate cancer cell line, we demonstrate the spheroids in the MFD exhibit improved cell growth, reduced necrotic core formation, enhanced structural integrity, and down-regulated expression of cell stress genes. The flow-cultured spheroids also exhibit an improved sensitivity to chemotherapy with greater transcriptional response. These results demonstrate how fluidic stimuli reveal the cellular phenotype previously masked by severe necrosis. Our platform advances 3D cellular models and enables study into hypoxia modulation, cancer metabolism, and drug screening within pathophysiological conditions.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) and identify risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) recurrence. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis including 98 women who underwent laparoscopic surgery for TOA at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Bern University Hospital from January 2011 to May 2021. The primary outcome studied was the recurrence of PID after TOA surgery. Clinical, laboratory, imaging, and surgical outcomes were examined as possible risk factors for PID recurrence. RESULTS Out of the 98 patients included in the study, 21 (21.4%) presented at least one PID recurrence after surgery. In the univariate regression analysis, the presence of endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma, and the isolation of E. coli in the microbiology cultures correlated with PID recurrence. However, only endometriosis was identified as an independent risk factor in the multivariate analysis (OR (95% CI): 9.62 (1.931, 47.924), p 45 days after TOA surgery) required 3 or more additional interventions until cured. CONCLUSION Endometriosis is a significant risk factor for PID recurrence after TOA surgery. Optimized therapeutic strategies such as closer postsurgical follow-up as well as longer antibiotic and hormonal therapy should be assessed in further studies in this specific patient population.

Activating mutations affecting exon 3 of the β-Catenin (CTNNB1) gene result in constitutive activation of WNT signalling and are a diagnostic hallmark of several tumour entities including desmoid-type fibromatosis or define clinically relevant subtypes such as in endometrioid carcinoma. In a diagnostic setting, β-Catenin immunohistochemistry is widely used as a surrogate of CTNNB1 mutations, but is often difficult to assess in practice, given that the characteristic nuclear translocation may be focal or hard to distinguish from spillover of the normal membranous staining.We therefore assessed Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 (LEF1) immunohistochemistry, a nuclear marker of WNT activation as a potential surrogate of CTNNB1 mutations. Across a variety of entities characterised by CTNNB1 mutations as a putative driver we found diffuse and strong expression of LEF1 in 77% of cases. In a cohort of endometrial carcinomas (n=255) LEF1 was accurate to predict CTNNB1 mutations in 85% (pWe conclude that LEF1 immunostaining is a highly useful surrogate marker of CTNNB1 mutations in lesions which are driven by WNT signalling, favourably complementing β-Catenin immunohistochemistry and outperforming the latter as a single marker.

Objectives Genetic testing rates for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) have steadily increased during the past decades resulting in a growing population of young and healthy mutation carriers. Available data on fertility issues in BRCA mutation carriers is rising but the results remain to some extent still conflicting. We have performed a systematic literature review in order to get an overview concerning the current evidence on fertility issues in BRCA mutation carriers. Data were analyzed critically with the aim to deliver physicians a solid basis for (onco) fertility counseling in women with BRCA mutations. Content We present the latest data on cancer risks in women with HBOC and analyze the influence of cancer treatment and preventive surgery on the reproductive potential. Epidemiological studies on fertility issues in BRCA mutation carriers showed heterogeneous results. However, several authors showed a decreased ovarian reserve with lower Anti-Müllerien hormone (AMH) levels and poorer response to ovarian stimulation in BRCA positive women. The diagnosis of BRCA mutations influences reproductive decision-making. Additionally, the shortened reproductive window and the need to complete family planning early has a significant psychological impact. Summary and Outlook This article highlights the importance of fertility counseling in BRCA mutation carriers. Individual fertility counseling is mandatory. Fertility preservation strategies should be discussed.

INTRODUCTION Endometriosis is a common health problem, affecting 10% of women of reproductive age. Laparoscopic surgery is proven to relieve pain and to improve fertility in women with endometriosis. However, identifying peritoneal endometriosis lesions may be difficult due to their polymorphic aspects. Endometriosis lesions harbor a high degree of neovascularization. The visualization of tissue perfusion by the additional use of near infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) may improve the detection of endometriosis lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a single-center, prospective, single-arm pilot study, patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for suspected endometriosis and/or infertility were recruited. All patients first had white light imaging with systematical documentation of all suspicious areas. ICG was then administered intravenously at .3 mg/kg bodyweight and the near infrared imaging was activated and an identical documentation of suspected lesions was performed again. After removal, the specimen were sent to pathology. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov NCT03850158. RESULTS In total, 173 suspected lesions were identified and excised, of which 150 had histologically proven endometriosis. Of the total number, 166 suspected lesions were detected using white-light and 32 with ICG. Among the 32 suspected lesions found with ICG, 22 were confirmed to be endometriosis. Seven additional lesions were identified with ICG alone, of which only one was histologically proven endometriosis. Positive predictive values were 89.8%, 68.8% and 86.7% for white-light laparoscopy alone, near-infrared (NIR)-ICG visualization alone, and the combination of white-light and NIR-ICG, respectively. ICG exposure time, previous abdominal surgery and rARSM stage showed a statistically significant impact on the ICG detection rate. In seven patients, ICG was used for the resection of deep infiltrating nodules from the rectum. In these cases, NIR fluorescence imaging with ICG was useful to define the borders between an endometriotic nodule and healthy tissue. CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic value of NIR-ICG imaging in identifying endometriosis appears to be minimal. ICG exposure time over 20 minutes, no previous abdominal surgery and low rASRM stages have a significant positive effect on the ICG detection rate. NIR fluorescence imaging with ICG was helpful in the resection of deep infiltrating nodules in providing a better visualization of endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of a new imaging sign, the "cloverleaf sign," in diagnosing deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in concordance to intraoperative findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included 103 patients operated during the January 2016 to June 2018 period with preoperative 1.5 T and 3 T MRI, with or without vaginal and rectal gel filling. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were read blinded to intraoperative findings by a specialized gynecologic radiologist and a junior radiologist, and then compared with intraoperative findings by looking at the operation report, postoperative diagnosis, and intraoperative images and videos by an experienced gynecologist surgeon specialized in endometriosis surgery. All endometriosis lesions were confirmed by pathology. The "cloverleaf sign" was defined as a cloverleaf-like figure in imaging morphology; the "leaves" formed by at least 3 different organs come together in the center of the figure formed by constrictive adhesions including T2-weighted (T2W) hypointense DIE. Operation times, intraoperative blood loss, and the frequency of DIE and bowel resections were analyzed in cloverleaf and noncloverleaf groups. The 2-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney U) test and multivariate analysis of variance were used to calculate the significance of an overall impact of cloverleaf sign on operation time, blood loss, and the amount of the bowel resection rate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The prevalence of DIE in the study population was 79.6%. A total of 11.5% of the patients had no endometriosis, 32.6% had rASRM I and II, and 55.9% had rASRM III and IV. Forty-six patients (45%) had received rectal and vaginal gel opacification before scanning, 57 (55%) did not. A cloverleaf sign on MRI was detected in 34 patients (15 in gel filling and 19 in nonfilling group). The interreader agreement was almost perfect 0.91 (κ). The median operation time in the cloverleaf group was 248 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 165-330) compared with 145 minutes in the noncloverleaf group (IQR, 90-210), that is, significantly higher (P < 0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly higher in the conglomerate group (125 vs 50 mL; IQR, 100-300 vs 50-100; P < 0.001). Of the bowel resections in our study population, 41% (14/34) were performed on patients with a cloverleaf sign in the MRI, compared with 13% (9/69) in patients without the cloverleaf sign. CONCLUSIONS The "cloverleaf" MRI sign was associated with significantly longer operation time, increased intraoperative blood loss, and higher rates of bowel resection in DIE patients.

Higher cesarean section rates and better ultrasound diagnostics have led to a more frequent diagnosis of isthmocele, a cesarean scar defect. Sometimes, endometriosis is found in the isthmocele, but simultaneous extrauterine endometriosis and endometriosis in the isthmocele have not yet been reported. Additionally, the surgical technique to repair the isthmocele is the subject of ongoing controversy. The aim of this study is to analyze a possible correlation between uterine scar (isthmocele) endometriosis and extrauterine endometriosis and to investigate the outcome of laparoscopic isthmocele resection in the rendezvous technique. In this single-center retrospective study, we included 83 women of reproductive age with symptomatic isthmocele undergoing laparoscopic isthmocele repair in rendezvous technique from 2004 to 2020 at the University of Bern. We collected data on patient and surgical characteristics as well as on postoperative outcomes (symptoms, further pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes) retrospectively. We analyzed and compared these data for patients with and without endometriosis. Endometriosis was diagnosed during surgery in 22 out of 83 operated patients (26.5%). Diagnosis of isthmocele endometriosis (n = 9, 11%) was significantly higher in patients with extrauterine endometriosis (n = 6, p = 0.004). While the duration of surgery was significantly longer for patients with endometriosis (p = 0.006), the groups did not differ with regard to blood loss or complications. In addition, both groups showed similar indications for isthmocele repair (infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, or dysmenorrhea). Surgery significantly improved abnormal uterine bleeding (χ2 p < 0.001), dysmenorrhea (χ2, p = 0.03), and infertility (χ2, p < 0.001). Regardless of the presence of endometriosis, 25 of 40 (63%) infertile patients became pregnant after surgery. In one out of eight pregnancies, however, we observed scar complications during pregnancy such as uterine scar pregnancy (n = 3), uterine scar dehiscence (n = 3), and placenta previa (n = 1). Endometriosis is a non-negligible intraoperative finding in patients with symptomatic isthmocele. The laparoscopic approach in the rendezvous technique is safe and effective. Therefore, this method should be recommended, especially in women with secondary infertility, and preoperatively simultaneous endometriosis resection should be discussed with the patient. In follow-up, postoperative pregnancies have to be monitored with care.

Minimally invasive surgery is the standard approach in early-stage endometrial cancer according to evidence showing no compromise in oncological outcomes, but lower morbidity compared with open surgery. However, there are limited data available on the oncological safety of the use of intrauterine manipulators in endometrial cancer.This prospective multicenter study included patients with endometrial cancer undergoing laparoscopic staging surgery with the use of an intrauterine manipulator. We obtained three different sets of peritoneal washings: at the beginning of the surgical procedure, after the insertion of the intrauterine manipulator, and after the closure of the vaginal vault. The rate of positive peritoneal cytology conversion and its association with oncological outcomes was assessed.A total of 124 patients were included. Peritoneal cytology was negative in 98 (group 1) and positive in 26 (group 2) patients. In group 2, 16 patients presented with positive cytology at the beginning of the surgery (group 2a) and 10 patients had positive cytology conversion during the procedure (group 2b). Recurrence rate was significantly different among the study groups, amounting to 9.2%, 25.0%, and 60.0% for groups 1, 2a, and 2b, respectively (p0.001). Group 1 showed the best recurrence-free and overall survival, followed by group 2a, while patients in group 2b had the worst oncological outcomes (p = 0.002 and p = 0.053, respectively). Peritoneal cytology was an independent predictor of recurrence and death on multivariable analysis.A total of 8.1% of patients with endometrial cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgery with intrauterine manipulation showed positive peritoneal cytology conversion associated with significantly worse oncological outcome.

Introduction and hypothesis Postpartum urinary retention (PUR) may cause long-term urogenital tract morbidity. The incidence ranges from 0.18 to 14.6%, but the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate management is often underappreciated. The paucity of data on long-term outcome after PUR contributes to these drawbacks. The aim of this study was to assess long-term persistence of elevated PVR (post-void residual urine) volume after PUR. Pathophysiology, risk factors and management of PUR are reviewed. Methods In our tertiary referral urogynecology unit in the University Women’s Hospital of Bern, Switzerland, all patients who were referred for PUR were asked to participate in this study. PVR was measured sonographically every 2 days until day 15, then after 6, 12, 24 and 36 months and, if increased, the patients were instructed to perform clean intermittent self-catheterization. If retention persisted longer than the lactation period, multichannel urodynamics was performed. Results Sixty-two patients were included. The median PVR normalized at day 7. Long-term voiding disorders were found in 8.2%, 6.7%, and 4.9% after 1, 2, and 3 years respectively. Multichannel urodynamics confirmed in all patients with persisting retention an acontractile detrusor and de novo stress urinary incontinence in 4 cases. Quantile regression did not reveal any factor contributing to earlier recovery. Eighty-nine percent of the patients with PUR had operative vaginal deliveries, emphasizing the importance of this risk factor for PUR. Conclusions In most cases PUR resolves early, but voiding difficulties persist more often than previously thought, and for these patients the consequences are devastating. Obstetric awareness, early active management, and developing management strategies in the postpartum period might preclude lower urinary tract morbidity.

Sentinel lymph nodes are widely accepted in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Whereas surgical aspects are well studied, the pathological work-up in terms of grossing, frozen section, and the so-called ultra-staging is still a matter of debate. This results in conflicting national or center-based recommendations. In a series of consecutive 833 sentinel lymph nodes from 206 patients in endometrial carcinomas, we compared three different grossing techniques and the use of frozen section in terms of anatomy, detection rates, and survival. In total, 42 macro-metastases, 6 micro-metastases, and 25 nodes with isolated tumor cells were found. Lymph nodes affected at least with micro-metastasis were about 0.5cm enlarged. Detection rates in lamellation technique increased with a step of 5.9% to 8.3% in comparison to bi-valved or complete embedding. The lamellation technique presented with a slight beneficial prognosis in pN0 subgroup (OS, p=0.05), which besides size effects might be attributed to trimming loss. In frozen section, this effect was less pronounced than expected (OS, p=0.56). Ultra-staging only revealed additional micro-metastases and isolated tumor cells. Exclusively, macro-metastases showed poor survival (p

Introduction/Background* In 2021, a joint ESGO/ESTRO/ESP committee updated their evidence-based guidelines for endometrial cancer, recommending a new risk grouping incorporating both clinicopathologic and molecular parameters. We applied the new risk grouping and compared the results to those of the prior 2016 clinicopathologic system. Methodology We classified molecularly a cohort of 604 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer using immunohistochemistry for TP53 and MMR proteins on a tissue microarray, as well as Sanger sequencing for POLE mutations. These results, combined with clinicopathologic data, allowed the patients to be risk grouped using both the new 2021 molecular/clinicopathologic parameters and the prior 2016 clinicopathologic system. Result(s)* The application of the 2021 molecular markers shows Kaplan-Meier curves with a significant difference between the groups for all survival. Molecular classification under the 2021 guidelines revealed a total of 39 patients (39/594, 7%) with a change in risk group in relation to the 2016 classification system: the shift was alone due to either P53abn or POLEmut molecular marker. In order to ensure correct 2021 molecular risk classification, not all patients with endometrial cancer need a molecular diagnostic: 433 (72.9%) cases would need to be analyzed by TP53 IHC, only 46 (7.7%) by MMR IHC and 286 (48.1%) POLE sequencing reactions. Conclusion* Application of the 2021 molecular risk groups is feasible and shows significant differences in survival. IHC for TP53 and MMR and applying POLE sequencing is only needed in selected cases and leads to shifting risk groups both upward and downward for a sizeable number of patients. It is possible to significantly reduce the number of analyses required to implement the classification if resources are limited.

Women diagnosed with early-stage (FIGO 1) endometrial cancer, grade 1 and 2 can have a good prognosis. Most of these women can be treated successfully with a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and without the additional adjuvant treatment that is accompanied by more risks for complications. However, when recurrence does occur, the consequences can be dire. Accurate decisions must therefore be made by surgeons to avoid either under- or over-treatment. Risk and patient stratification for tailoring treatment still need further improvement. Both histopathology and genetic variants could be integrated into the decision process if relevant factors were identified. Morphological features and the presence of selected genetic mutations in isolated malignant endometrial epithelial cells from these tumors were analyzed in a strictly defined cohort of FIGO 1, grade 1 and 2 low-risk endometrial cancer. Their presence in this cohort, their relation to recurrence, and the association between histopathological features and mutations were determined. This analysis was performed using archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, complete re-evaluation of histopathological features, laser capture microdissection of epithelial cells, and a polymerase chain reaction-based mutational screening assay. Twenty-one women with recurrence, after initial identification as low-risk endometrial cancer, were compared with 20 matched control women. The histological marker of lymphovascular invasion was significantly associated with recurrence. There was also a very high prevalence of mutations in CTNNB1 gene, occurring in 50% of this cohort. PTEN mutations were also observed in 27.8% of cases and PIK3CA mutations in 22.2%; none of these mutations were significantly related to recurrence. This study supports the importance of lymphovascular space invasion to identify women with significant risk for recurrence in initially low-risk, early-stage endometrial cancer. It also identifies CTNNB1 as a significant mutation in early-stage disease, and although it may not represent a marker for recurrence its high prevalence in early stage disease could have relevance for both pathogenesis and early treatment.

Les tumeurs uterines malignes provenant de l’endometre, du myometre ou du col de l’uterus peuvent toutes s’exprimer par des saignements vaginaux pathologiques. Toutefois, elles se distinguent considerablement en termes de pathogenese, evolution et pronostic.

Maligne Gebarmuttertumoren, aus dem Endometrium, Myometrium oder der Zervix stammend, konnen sich alle durch eine pathologische vaginale Blutung aussern. Sie unterscheiden sich aber deutlich in Pathogenese, Verlauf und Prognose.

Introduction: During laparoscopy all viscera should be viewed. This is particularly true for the upper abdomen regarding gynecologic diseases such as ovarian cancer and endometriosis. Freq...

IntroductionIn 2021, a joint ESGO/ESTRO/ESP committee updated their evidence-based guidelines for endometrial cancer, recommending a new risk grouping incorporating both clinicopathologic and molecular parameters. We applied the new risk grouping and compared the results to those of the prior 2016 clinicopathologic system.Materials and methodsWe classified molecularly a cohort of 604 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer using immunohistochemistry for TP53 and MMR proteins on a tissue microarray, as well as Sanger sequencing for POLE mutations. These results, combined with clinicopathologic data, allowed the patients to be risk grouped using both the new 2021 molecular/clinicopathologic parameters and the prior 2016 clinicopathologic system. In addition, clinical treatment and outcome data were collected from medical records.ResultsThe application of the 2021 molecular markers shows Kaplan-Meier curves with a significant difference between the groups for all survival. Molecular classification under the 2021 guidelines revealed a total of 39 patients (39/594, 7%) with a change in risk group in relation to the 2016 classification system: the shift was alone due to either P53abn or POLEmut molecular marker. In order to ensure correct 2021 molecular risk classification, not all patients with endometrial cancer need a molecular diagnostic: 386 (65.0%) cases would need to be analyzed by TP53 IHC, only 44 (7.4%) by MMR IHC and 109 (18.4%) POLE sequencing reactions.ConclusionApplication of the 2021 molecular risk groups is feasible and shows significant differences in survival. IHC for TP53 and MMR and applying POLE sequencing is only needed in selected cases and leads to shifting risk groups both upward and downward for a sizeable number of patients.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer. Numerous subtypes exist, each with distinct risk factors and prognosis. What underlies these subtypes and their progression is not clear, although inflammation through NFκB may play a key role. We performed a study on a series of well-characterized in vitro ovarian cancer models including TOV21G, TOV112D and OV90 originally derived from clear cell, endometrioid and high grade serous carcinoma respectively. Cells were treated with 0–100 ng/ml TNFα over 6–72 h. The NFκB pathway was inhibited by a series of NFκB pathway inhibitors, 100μM PDTC, 1μM PS-1145 and 200nM TPCA and the influence on cellular viability and inflammation was measured via an MTS assay and qPCR respectively. TNFα stimulation of NFκB was confirmed via Western blot. We found TNFα facilitated continued growth of TOV21G and TOV112D cells in an NFκB independent method. In contrast, TNFα inhibited OV90 cell growth in an NFκB dependent manner. TNFα stimulated production of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES on all three cells lines, but only IL-6 and IL-8 were via NFκB mediated mechanisms. These results indicate TNFα may have diverse effects mediated through both NFκB and non-NFκB pathways on ovarian cancer cells. Understanding the role for TNFα in each subtype may have significant implications for charting disease progression and designing personalized treatments., Serous, Clear cell, Endometrioid, Ovarian cancer, Inflammation, TNFα, Epithelial

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of indocyanine green sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with vulvar cancer. The conventional procedure of SLN mapping in vulvar cancer includes peritumoral injection of technetium-99m nanocolloid before surgery and intraoperative injection of a blue dye. However, these techniques harbor some limitations. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green has gained popularity in SLN mapping in different types of cancer.MethodsWe analyzed retrospectively vulvar cancer patients at our institution between 2013 and 2020 undergoing indocyanine green SLN mapping by applying video telescope operating microscope system technology.Results64 groins of 34 patients were analyzed. In 53 groins we used technetium-99m nanocolloid, in four patent blue, and in five both techniques, additionally to indocyanine green for SLN detection. In total, 120 SLNs were identified and removed. The SLN detection rate of indocyanine green was comparable to technetium-99m nanocolloid (p=.143) and higher than patent blue (p=.003). The best results were achieved using a combination of ICG and technetium-99m nanocolloid (detection rate of 96.9%). SLN detection rates of indocyanine green were significantly higher in patients with positive lymph nodes (p=.035) and lymphatic space invasion (p=.004) compared to technetium-99m nanocolloid.ConclusionIndocyanine green SLN mapping in vulvar cancer is feasible and safe, with reasonable detection rates. Due to its easy application and few side effects, it offers a sound alternative to the conventional SLN mapping techniques in vulvar cancer. In patients with lymph node metastasis, indocyanine green even outperformed technetium-99m nanocolloid in terms of detection rate.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on postoperative pain following laparoscopic hysterectomy, (2) Methods: A total of 214 women who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy between January 2013 and October 2017 were divided into four subgroups as follows: (1) endometriosis with chronic pain before the surgery (n = 57), (2) pain-free endometriosis (n = 50), (3) pain before the surgery without endometriosis (n = 40), (4) absence of both preoperative pain and endometriosis (n = 67). Postoperative pain was compared by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and by tracking the use of painkillers during the day of surgery and the first two postoperative days, (3) Results: Women with chronic pain before the surgery reported higher VAS scores during the first postoperative days, while the use of analgesics was similar across the groups. There was no difference in the postoperative pain when comparing endometriosis patients to non-endometriosis patients, (4) Conclusions: Women with chronic pelvic pain demonstrated increased postoperative pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy, which was independent of the presence or severity of endometriosis. The increased VAS scores did not, however, translate into equally greater use of painkillers, possibly due to the standardised protocols of analgesia in the immediate postoperative period. These findings support the need for careful postsurgical pain management in patients with pain identified as an indication for hysterectomy, independent of the extent of the surgery or underlying diagnosis.

Introduction/Background The role of lymphadenectomy in surgical staging for endometrial cancer remains controversial. The standard of care – consisting of a pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (LND) – has failed to show survival advantage while leading to an increased peri- and postoperative morbidity. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has gained popularity, offering a compromise between no nodal staging and complete LND. Multiple studies have demonstrated high detecection rates and negative predictive values of SLN mapping with near-infrared fluorescence imaging and indocyanine green (ICG) in endometrial cancer. However, the literature contains limited data on its safety and oncological outcomes. Aim of this study is to evaluate the oncological outcome of SLN mapping in patients with intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. Methodology In a retrospective, single-center study, we investigated the oncological outcome of patients with stage I intermediate-risk endometrial cancer who underwent surgical staging at our institution between February 2013 and July 2020. Results Out of a total number of 306 patients with endometrial cancer, 57 patients were diagnosed with node-negative intermediate-risk endometroid endometrial cancer (FIGO IA grade 3, FIGO IB grade 1 or 2). All patients were treated with laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with ICG SLN mapping. 31 patients additionally underwent comprehensive surgical staging (four systematic pelvic lymphadenectomies and 27 pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomies, LND group). Mean follow up time was 38.0 months. Adjuvant treatment consisted of vaginal brachytherapy in 49 patients, additional chemotherapy in four patients and no adjuvant treatment in eight patients. Between the two cohorts, there were no differences in age or BMI. The mean number of lymph nodes removed (4.04 vs. 45.5), the duration of the surgical procedure (131.3 vs. 287 minutes) as well as the intraoperative blood loss (101.9 vs. 258.1 ml) were significantly higher in the LND group (p=0.000, 0.000 and 0.026, respectively). Recurrence rates (7.7% SLN, 9.7% LND, p=0.585) and death due to disease (3.8% SLN, 3.2% LND, p=0.709) were similar between the two groups. Further on, there was no statistically significant difference in overall and recurrence free survival for patients with SLN mapping only compared to the LND cohort (p=0.541 and 0.480, respectively). Conclusion In our cohort, the use of ICG SLN mapping alone did not impair oncological outcome compared to a complete lymphadenectomy. It therefore might provide an efficient alternative of nodal staging with less morbidity in intermediate-risk endometrial cancer patients. However, prospective studies on larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm our findings. Disclosures No disclosures.

Objective To evaluate the ability of demographic and sonographic variables and the Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial cancer (ProMisE) classification to predict preoperatively tumor recurrence or progression in women with endometrial cancer. Methods The study included 339 women with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer who underwent expert transvaginal ultrasound in a single center before surgery as part of the prospective International Endometrial Tumor Analysis 4 study or who were evaluated using the same protocol. The tumors were classified according to histotype, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) grade and FIGO stage. In addition, molecular analysis was performed for classification into the four ProMisE subtypes: polymerase‐ϵ exonuclease domain mutations (POLE EDM), mismatch repair proteins deficiency (MMR‐D), protein 53 wild type (p53 wt) and protein 53 abnormal (p53 abn). Demographic and preoperative sonographic characteristics, tumor recurrence or progression and survival were compared between the ProMisE subgroups. Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors associated with recurrence or progression, using univariable models to study crude associations and multivariable models to study adjusted associations. Logistic regression and receiver‐operating‐characteristics (ROC)‐curve analysis were used to assess the predictive ability of the preoperative prognostic factors regarding recurrence or progression of cancer within 3 years after surgery, and to compare their predictive ability to that of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) preoperative (based on depth of myometrial invasion, histotype and grade) and postoperative (based on histotype, grade, surgical stage and lymphovascular space invasion) risk classifications. In a separate subanalysis, cases were stratified according to ProMisE p53 abn status (present vs absent) and sonographic tumor size (anteroposterior (AP) diameter

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prognostic value of pre- and perioperative factors for voiding dysfunction after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). DESIGN Single-center retrospective cohort study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS A total of 198 women with DIE in the posterior compartment who underwent surgery and a postoperative bladder scan. INTERVENTIONS Surgical resection of the DIE nodule from the dorsal compartment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS After surgery, 41% of the patients initially experienced voiding dysfunction (defined as >100 mL postvoid residual urine volume at second bladder scan). The number decreased to 11% by the time of hospital discharge. Among those with a need for self-catheterization after discharge (n���=���17), voiding dysfunction lasted for a median of 41 days before a return to normal bladder function, with a residual urine volume of 3 cm in lateral distension. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that a first residual urine volume >220 mL has a good predictive value for the risk of intermittent self-catheterization (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.893; p 3 cm, a higher risk of postoperative voiding dysfunction is to be expected.

An 81-year-old patient developed an exulcerous tumor in her left breast 21 years after breast cancer treatment with lumpectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. At the time of the initial treatment 21 years ago, whole breast irradiation was performed with a prescribed dose of 48 Gy and a maximal dose of 69 Gy. In addition, the patient received a 14.7 Gy boost with multicatheter brachytherapy as partial breast irradiation. In general, fat necrosis after radiotherapy, surgery or trauma is a minor problem for patients, but can lead to diagnostic difficulties. The incidence varies: the literature indicates that it occurs in up to 34% of cases. The direct pathogenesis is not clear; it can be due to high radiation dose to the breast, dosimetric inhomogeneities or surgical complications (seromas and inflammation). The tumor in the case described here, occurring more than two decades after the primary treatment, is a rarity in this extent and is an unusual clinical, radiological, and histological finding. It provides a good example of the need for an individualized approach to treatment.

BACKGROUND Curative management of deep infiltrating endometriosis requires complete removal of all endometriotic implants. Surgical approach to rectal involvement has become a topic of debate given potential postoperative bowel dysfunction and complications. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess long-term postoperative evacuation and incontinence outcomes after laparoscopic segmental rectal resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the rectal wall. DESIGN This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. SETTINGS This single-center study was conducted at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland. PATIENTS Patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the rectum undergoing rectal resection from June 2002 to May 2011 with at least 24 months follow-up were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Aside from endometriosis-related symptoms, detailed symptoms on evacuation (points: 0 (best) to 21 (worst)) and incontinence (0-24) were evaluated by using a standardized questionnaire before and at least 24 months after surgery. RESULTS Of 66 women who underwent rectal resection, 51 were available for analyses with a median follow-up period of 86 months (range: 26-168). Forty-eight patients (94%) underwent laparoscopic resection (4% converted, 2% primary open), with end-to-end anastomosis in 41 patients (82%). Two patients (4%) had an anastomotic insufficiency; 1 case was complicated by rectovaginal fistula. Dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pain, and dyspareunia substantially improved (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Overall evacuation score increased from a median of 0 (range: 0-11) to 2 points (0-15), p = 0.002. Overall incontinence also increased from 0 (range: 0-9) to 2 points (0-9), p = 0.003. LIMITATIONS This study was limited by its retrospective nature and moderate number of patients. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic segmental rectal resection for the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis including the rectal wall is associated with good results in endometriotic-related symptoms, although patients should be informed about possible postoperative impairments in evacuation and incontinence. However, its clinical impact does not outweigh the benefit that can be achieved through this approach. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A547.