Sonographic visualization of the ovaries throughout pregnancy

Rural-urban differences in surgical treatment, regional lymph node examination, and survival in endometrial cancer patients

PURPOSE

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy and one of few cancers with an increasing US mortality rate. Rural patients may have less access to specialty care affecting their receipt of surgery and adequate lymphadenectomy (AL). We sought to assess rural-urban differences in EC surgery, lymphadenectomy, and survival.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database on EC patients (2004-2013). We performed univariate analyses to compare rural and urban patients on demographic and clinical characteristics and receipt of nodal examination and AL. We assessed rural-urban differences in trends of receipt of AL, performed logistic regression to evaluate differences in receipt of surgery, nodal examination, and AL, and performed survival analysis.

RESULTS

Rural patients were less likely to have any lymph nodes removed, had a smaller median number removed, and a smaller proportion had AL. Even after controlling for established risk factors, rural patients had lower odds of lymph node examination and adequate AL than urban patients and also had poorer survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should continue to assess the association between access to care and disparities in surgical care and the effect of these disparities on survival.

Prognostic significance of mucinous differentiation of endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database we identified 43,882 (97.0%) women with endometrioid adenocarcinomas and 1,374 (3.0%) with mucinous adenocarcinomas. Women with mucinous tumors were older (P < .0001), more often white (P = .04), and more often to present at advanced stage (P = .001). Survival was similar for both histologies; the hazard ratio for cancer-specific survival for mucinous compared to endometrioid tumors was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.74-1.09) while the hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.85-1.07). Five-year survival for stage I mucinous tumors was 89.9% (95% CI, 87.6-91.9%) compared to 89.0% (95% CI, 88.6-89.4%) for endometrioid tumors.

Racial disparities in surgical treatment and survival of epithelial ovarian cancer in United States

OBJECTIVE

To compare the racial differences in treatment and survival of epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program between 1988 and 2001 and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Of the 24,038 women, 22,407 (93.2%) were non-Hispanic White, and 1,631 (6.8%) were African-American. Median age of Whites versus African-Americans was 65 versus 63 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Of the patients with early-stage (I-II) disease, 38.8% of Whites underwent lymphadenectomy with their primary surgery compared to only 32.8% of African-Americans (P = 0.005). In the overall study group, the 5-year disease-specific survival of Whites was significantly higher compared to the African-Americans (44.1% vs. 40.7%, P = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, age, race, stage, cell type, and grade of disease were all independent prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that race is an independent prognostic factor for survival in epithelial ovarian cancer. In addition, African-Americans with early-stage cancer were less likely to undergo lymphadenectomy with their staging procedure. Furthermore, patient/physician education is needed to increase the number of patients undergoing surgical staging procedures for epithelial ovarian cancer.

Salvage of isolated vaginal recurrences in women with surgical stage I endometrial cancer: a multiinstitutional experience

The objective of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes and risk factors of women with surgical stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma who were initially treated with surgery alone and subsequently developed isolated vaginal recurrences. Patients with surgical stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 1975 to 2002 were identified from tumor registry databases at seven institutions. All patients were treated with surgery alone including a total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic (+/- para-aortic) lymph node dissection, and peritoneal cytology and did not receive postoperative radiation therapy. Vaginal recurrences were documented histologically. Metastatic disease in the chest and abdomen was excluded by radiologic studies. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Sixty-nine women with surgical stage I endometrial cancer with isolated vaginal recurrences were identified. Of the 69 patients, 10 (15%) were diagnosed with stage IA disease, 43 (62%) were diagnosed with stage IB disease, and 16 (23%) were diagnosed with stage IC disease. Patients diagnosed with grade 1 disease were 22 (32%), grade 2 disease were 26 (38%), and grade 3 disease were 21 (30%). Among women, 81% with isolated vaginal recurrences were salvaged with radiation therapy. The mean time to recurrence was 24 months, and the mean follow-up was 63 months. Among women, 18% died from subsequent recurrent disease. The 5-year overall survival was 75%. The majority of isolated vaginal recurrences in women with surgical stage I endometrial cancer can be successfully salvaged with radiation therapy, further questioning the role of adjuvant therapy for patients with uterine-confined endometrial cancer at the time of initial diagnosis.

The Prevalence of Incidental Simple Ovarian Cysts ≥ 3 cm Detected by Transvaginal Sonography in Early Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of simple ovarian cysts of >or= 3 cm diameter detected by transvaginal sonography (TVS) in a population of asymptomatic women in early pregnancy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 10,830 consecutive women presenting prior to 14 weeks' gestational age (GA) for early dating TVS. The records of all women with simple cysts >or= 3 cm in diameter were included. The study population was divided into five groups by GA: >or= 6 weeks; 6.1-8 weeks; 8.1-10 weeks; 10.1-12 weeks; and 12.1-14 weeks.

RESULTS

A simple cyst >or= 3 cm in diameter was present in 4.9% of women at >or= 6 weeks' gestation, in 5.1% between 6.1 and 8 weeks, in 5.3% between 8.1 and 10 weeks, in 3.2% between 10.1. and 12 weeks, and in 1.5% between 12 and 14 weeks. Overall, a simple cyst >or= 3 cm was present in 516 women (4.8%). Prior to 10 weeks, 5.1% had simple cysts >or= 3 cm, dropping to 2.7% after 10 weeks, a statistically significant decrease (P<0.0001). Between 10.1 weeks and 12 weeks, the prevalence dropped to 3.2%, and then to 1.5% in the 12.1-14 week group.

CONCLUSION

This investigation provides reference data on the prevalence of detecting simple ovarian cysts >or= 3 cm by TVS in an asymptomatic early pregnancy population. A progressive decline in the frequency of detecting simple ovarian cysts >or= 3 cm begins after 10 weeks' gestational age.

Prognostic factors for uterine cancer in reproductive-aged women

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic factors that influence the survival of younger women diagnosed with uterine cancer.

METHODS

Demographic and clinico-pathologic data were collected from the National Cancer Institute database between 1988 and 2001. Data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Of the 51,471 women diagnosed with uterine cancer in the study period, 2,076 (4.0%) patients were aged 40 years or younger, and 49,395 (96.0%) were older than 40. The mean age in the younger group was 35.6 years, compared with 65.2 years of the older group. The overall distribution by stage was stage I 75.4%, II 8.1%, III 6.7%, and IV 9.8%. Younger patients were more likely to be nonwhite (42.4% versus 18.3%, P<.001) and have stage I disease (79.2% versus 75.3%, P<.001), grade 1 lesions (47.6% versus 35.6%, P<.001), and sarcomas (15.9% versus 8.2%, P<.001) compared with their older counterparts. The overall 5-year disease-specific survival for younger patients was significantly better than that of older women (93.2% versus 86.4%, P<.001). On multivariable analysis, younger age, earlier stage, lower grade, nonblack race, endometrioid histology, and surgical treatment remained as significant independent prognostic factors for improved survival.

CONCLUSION

This large population-based study demonstrates that patients 40 years and younger have an overall survival advantage compared with women older than 40 years, independent of other clinico-pathologic prognosticators.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Visualization of the Ovaries in Early Pregnancy by Transvaginal Sonography

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of visualization of the ovaries by transvaginal sonography (TVS) in a group of women in early pregnancy and to determine the onset of a decrease in sonographic visualization of the ovaries during this time.

METHODS

The study population included all patients with an intrauterine pregnancy confirmed by the presence of a yolk sac,embryo, or fetus. The biometric data included crown-rump length and/or gestational sac mean diameter corresponding to < - 14 weeks' gestational age (GA).

RESULTS

The study population included 11,095 women, of whom 1972 (17.8%) had a GA < - 6 weeks, 4665 (42.0%) 6.1 to 8 weeks, 2782 (25.1%) 8.1 to 10 weeks, 1208 (10.1%) 10.1 to 12 weeks, and 468 (4.2%) 12.1 to 14 weeks. At least one ovary was identified in 11,043 women (99.5%), and both ovaries were identified in 10,620 women (95.7%). Only the right ovary was identified in 274 women (2.5%), and only the left ovary was identified in 149 women (1.3%). In 52 women (0.5%), neither ovary was identified. Both ovaries were identified in 1929 pregnancies of < - 6 weeks' GA (97.8%), in 4528 between 6.1 and 8 weeks' GA (97.1%), in 2664 between 8.1 and 10 weeks, GA (95.8%), in 1114 between 10.1 and 12 weeks' GA (92.2%), and in 385 between 12.1 and 14 weeks' GA (82.3%).

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal sonography achieved an overall visualization of one or both ovaries in 99.5% women with pregnancies of < - 14 weeks, GA. Both ovaries were visualized in 95.7% of women. A significant decline in ovarian visualization occurred after 10 weeks' GA. The results provide reference data on the likelihood of ovarian visualization in early pregnancy.

Racial disparity in survival among patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported shorter survival of black women compared with white women who had advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer. It has been suggested that this may reflect racially based differences in treatment.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed data from 169 black women and 982 white women with International Federation of Gynecologic Oncology (FIGO) Stage III, Stage IV, or recurrent endometrial carcinoma who were participants in 1 of 4 Gynecologic Oncology Group randomized treatment trials of doxorubicin alone or combined with paclitaxel and/or cisplatin. Demographic, histologic, treatment, and outcome data were analyzed to estimate survival, and between-group comparisons were performed.

RESULTS

The pooled data revealed that black women were more likely to have papillary serous histology (P < .001), Stage IV disease (P < .001), and higher tumor grade (P < .001) compared with white women, and survival was worse among black women than among white women (median survival, 10.6 months vs. 12.2 months, respectively; P < .001). A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis that was adjusted for performance status, disease stage, tumor histology, tumor grade, and treatment demonstrated worse survival for black women (hazards ratio, 1.26, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.51; P = .010).

CONCLUSIONS

The data from a large group of women with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer suggested that a racial disparity in survival persists, despite the finding that black women and white women received similar treatment. Although the causes of racial disparity in endometrial cancer remain to be elucidated, socioeconomic, biologic, and cultural factors should be investigated to identify the etiologic origins of this multifactorial healthcare problem.

Ovarian cysts during pregnancy: dilemmas in diagnosis and management

With routine obstetric ultrasound examinations, ovarian cysts are now more commonly diagnosed during pregnancy and their management is still a challenging clinical issue among obstetricians. The aim of this paper is to review the different management options of ovarian cysts detected during pregnancy, and it highlights the emergence of laparoscopic technique as a valuable therapeutic tool in these conditions. The review shows that conservative management and ultrasound follow-up is sufficient for the majority of cases of ovarian cysts during pregnancy. It also discusses the limitations of tumour markers during pregnancy, and the controversy around ultrasound-guided aspiration procedures. Emerging evidence suggests that if surgery is necessary, then it is preferable to perform an elective laparoscopic procedure at 16 - 23 weeks' gestation. It is time to consider establishing a UK registry to monitor the treatment offered to those women and to develop national guidelines to help in the management of this controversial issue.

Endometrial cancer: socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic differences in stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the association between socioeconomic status and racial/ ethnic differences in endometrial cancer stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based study among 3656 women.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses showed that either race/ethnicity or income, but not both, was associated with advanced-stage disease. Age, stage at diagnosis, and income were independent predictors of hysterectomy. African American ethnicity, increased age, aggressive histology, poor tumor grade, and advanced-stage disease were associated with increased risk for death; higher income and hysterectomy were associated with decreased risk for death.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower income was associated with advanced-stage disease, lower likelihood of receiving a hysterectomy, and lower rates of survival. Earlier diagnosis and removal of barriers to optimal treatment among lower-socioeconomic status women will diminish racial/ethnic differences in endometrial cancer survival.

Analysis of racial differences in incidence, survival, and mortality for malignant tumors of the uterine corpus

BACKGROUND

In the United States, incidence rates for malignant tumors of the uterine corpus are lower among blacks than among whites, whereas mortality rates are higher among blacks. Reasons for the higher level of mortality among blacks have been debated.

METHODS

Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, the authors compared incidence rates by histopathologic type for malignant tumors of the uterine corpus (including uterus, not otherwise specified) during the period 1992-1998 among white Hispanic, black, and white non-Hispanic patients. The authors also compared cumulative relative survival rates for blacks and whites by histopathologic type and by other factors, and they calculated estimated type-specific mortality rates.

RESULTS

Overall incidence (per 100,000 woman-years) of corpus malignancy was significantly lower among white Hispanics (14.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.39-14.72) and blacks (15.31; 95% CI, 14.61-16.04) compared with white non-Hispanics (23.43; 95% CI, 23.06-23.81). Compared with white non-Hispanics, blacks had significantly higher incidence rates of serous/clear cell carcinoma (rate ratio, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.61-2.12), carcinosarcoma (rate ratio, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.99-2.72), and sarcoma (rate ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.31-1.86). Survival was worse for blacks than for whites in every histopathologic category and in 'usual' types of endometrial adenocarcinoma, stratified by stage, grade, and age. Rare aggressive tumor types accounted for 53% of mortality among blacks, compared with 36% among whites.

CONCLUSIONS

Less favorable outcomes for usual types of endometrial adenocarcinoma and for rare aggressive tumors contribute equally to the relatively high mortality due to corpus cancer among black women.

Health care cost and utilization project analysis of comorbid illness and complications for patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to study the association of race, comorbid illness, and lymph node dissection (LND) with complications in patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

The Health Care Cost Utilization Project analysis studied women undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial carcinoma in 1996. Chi-square and Student t tests were used to determine differences in means or proportions. Linear, stepwise, and three-stage regression analyses were used to build predictive models for charges and lengths of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

The mean age of the 5730 patients was 64.5 (standard deviation, 12.37); 72% of the patients were white, 5% were African American, and 23% were classified as "other." Ninety percent underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, 5% total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH), 4% radical abdominal hysterectomy, and 1% TVH/laparoscopy. Thirty-eight percent also underwent LND. Lymph node dissection was performed more frequently at teaching hospitals (P = 0.0000) and was associated with more complications. Comorbid illness (i.e., diabetes, heart disease) was documented in 51% of admissions, and > or = 1 comorbidity was documented in 21.5%. African Americans were more likely to have one or more comorbid illnesses, underwent more LNDs (P = 0.02), suffered more complications (P = 0.0001), and were more likely to die in the hospital compared with whites or others (P = 0.000). Although LND, complications, and longer LOS were more likely to occur in teaching hospitals (P = 0.0005), total charges and inpatient death were not higher in teaching hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher frequency of comorbid illness, complications, LND, and inpatient death in African Americans reflects severity of medical illness and cancer in these patients. Teaching hospital admission was associated with more complications and longer LOS, but not a higher death rate.

Theories of endometrial carcinogenesis: a multidisciplinary approach

Historical observations have suggested that endometrial carcinomas vary in histopathologic appearance and clinical features. More recent, systematic studies have provided epidemiologic, clinicopathologic, and molecular support for these observations. Specifically, studies suggest that the most common type of endometrial carcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, develops from endometrial hyperplasia in the setting of excess estrogen exposure and usually pursues an indolent clinical course. In contrast, a minority of endometrial carcinomas, best represented by serous carcinoma, do not seem to be related to estrogenic risk factors or elevated serum hormone levels, and these tumors seem to develop from atrophic rather than hyperplastic epithelium. We have proposed that serous carcinomas develop from "endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma," a lesion representing malignant transformation of the endometrial surface epithelium. Whereas endometrioid carcinoma and endometrial hyperplasia are associated with microsatellite instability and ras and PTEN mutations, serous carcinoma and endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma are associated with p53 mutations and abnormal accumulation of p53 protein. Based on these data regarding the pathogenesis of endometrioid and serous carcinoma, we have proposed a dualistic model of endometrial carcinogenesis incorporating a "classic" estrogen-driven pathway and an "alternative" pathway seemingly unrelated to hormones. It is hoped that further studies may permit the extension and modification of this model and that these advances will lead to improved diagnosis, management, and prevention.

Endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States, with 37,400 new cases and 6400 deaths estimated to occur in 1999. The epidemiology of endometrial cancer has been widely characterized; nevertheless, efforts continue to more precisely define risk factors for the disease. Accurate epidemiologic risk factor profiles or focused screening efforts may ultimately facilitate the primary prevention of endometrial cancer. Currently, standard management of women with endometrial cancer includes surgical exploration with total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Uterine histopathologic characteristics and intraoperative findings continue to provide the primary indications for surgical staging in endometrial cancer. The addition of serum CA125 and selected imaging techniques (eg, transvaginal sonography with color Doppler and MR imaging) to the preoperative assessment may ultimately improve the sensitivity and specificity with which patients are selected for pathologic nodal evaluation. Various clinicopathologic factors have been evaluated as predictors of the clinical course of endometrial cancer and as selection criteria for patients most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapy. Histologic measurement of the tumor microvessel density is a promising technique for identifying patients at high risk for recurrence. Although uterine papillary serous carcinoma of the endometrium represents only 3% to 4% of endometrial cancer cases, it is of particular interest because of the aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis associated with this disease.

Cancer of the corpus uteri in white and black women in Michigan, 1985-1994: an analysis of trends in incidence and mortality and their relation to histologic subtype and stage

BACKGROUND

Cancer of the corpus uteri occurs more commonly among white women in the U.S., yet survival is poorer for black women. This study examined whether this trend has changed and also examined the relation of age and histologic subtype to differences in stage.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study assessed incidence trends, mortality trends, and the relation of age and histologic subtype to stage for 12,079 incident cases and 2325 deaths registered between 1985 and 1994 in Michigan. Rate ratios compared incidence and mortality. Odds ratios quantified the contribution of age and histologic subtype to differences in risk for advanced stage, using Mantel-Haenszel univariate techniques and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate was 21.99 per 100,000, and the overall mortality rate was 3.82 per 100,000. Black women had a 40% lower risk (rate ratio [RR] =0.60) of developing cancer of the corpus uteri but had a 54% greater risk (RR=1.54) of dying from cancer of the corpus uteri. Black women were at greater risk of being diagnosed with either sarcoma or more aggressive adenocarcinoma. However, after adjustment for age and histologic subtype, black women still had an increased risk for advanced stage disease (2.63, 95% confidence interval=2.19-3.16).

CONCLUSIONS

The disparity between white and black women persists in incidence and mortality trends for cancer of the corpus uteri. The greater frequency of more aggressive histologic subtypes experienced by black women accounts for only 10% of their excess risk for more advanced stage disease.