Association of reviewer experience with discriminating human-written versus ChatGPT-written abstracts

OBJECTIVE

To determine if reviewer experience impacts the ability to discriminate between human-written and ChatGPT-written abstracts.

METHODS

Thirty reviewers (10 seniors, 10 juniors, and 10 residents) were asked to differentiate between 10 ChatGPT-written and 10 human-written (fabricated) abstracts. For the study, 10 gynecologic oncology abstracts were fabricated by the authors. For each human-written abstract we generated a ChatGPT matching abstract by using the same title and the fabricated results of each of the human generated abstracts. A web-based questionnaire was used to gather demographic data and to record the reviewers' evaluation of the 20 abstracts. Comparative statistics and multivariable regression were used to identify factors associated with a higher correct identification rate.

RESULTS

The 30 reviewers discriminated 20 abstracts, giving a total of 600 abstract evaluations. The reviewers were able to correctly identify 300/600 (50%) of the abstracts: 139/300 (46.3%) of the ChatGPT-generated abstracts and 161/300 (53.7%) of the human-written abstracts (p=0.07). Human-written abstracts had a higher rate of correct identification (median (IQR) 56.7% (49.2-64.1%) vs 45.0% (43.2-48.3%), p=0.023). Senior reviewers had a higher correct identification rate (60%) than junior reviewers and residents (45% each; p=0.043 and p=0.002, respectively). In a linear regression model including the experience level of the reviewers, familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI) and the country in which the majority of medical training was achieved (English speaking vs non-English speaking), the experience of the reviewer (β=10.2 (95% CI 1.8 to 18.7)) and familiarity with AI (β=7.78 (95% CI 0.6 to 15.0)) were independently associated with the correct identification rate (p=0.019 and p=0.035, respectively). In a correlation analysis the number of publications by the reviewer was positively correlated with the correct identification rate (r28)=0.61, p<0.001.

CONCLUSION

A total of 46.3% of abstracts written by ChatGPT were detected by reviewers. The correct identification rate increased with reviewer and publication experience.

Patient Location and Disparities in Access to Fertility Preservation for Women With Gynecologic or Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of geographic factors on fertility-sparing treatment or assisted reproductive technology (ART) utilization among women with gynecologic or breast cancers.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study of reproductive-aged patients (18-45 years) with early-stage cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancer or stage I-III breast cancer diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2015 using linked data from the California Cancer Registry, the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations between distance from fertility and gynecologic oncology clinics, as well as California Healthy Places Index score (a Census-level composite community health score), and ART or fertility-sparing treatment receipt.

RESULTS

We identified 7,612 women with gynecologic cancer and 35,992 women with breast cancer. Among all patients, 257 (0.6%) underwent ART. Among patients with gynecologic cancer, 1,676 (22.0%) underwent fertility-sparing treatment. Stratified by quartiles, residents who lived at increasing distances from gynecologic oncology or fertility clinics had decreased odds of undergoing fertility-sparing treatment (gynecologic oncology clinics: Q2, odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% CI, 0.63-0.93, P=.007; Q4, OR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.56-0.94, P=.016) (fertility clinics: Q3, OR 0.79, 95% CI, 0.65-0.97, P=.025; Q4, OR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.52-0.88, P=.004), whereas this relationship was not observed among women who resided within other quartiles (gynecologic oncology clinics: Q3, OR 0.81 95% CI, 0.65-1.01, P=.07; fertility clinics: Q2, OR 0.87 95% CI, 0.73-1.05, P=.15). Individuals who lived in communities with the highest (51st-100th percentile) California Healthy Places Index scores had greater odds of undergoing fertility-sparing treatment (OR 1.29, 95% CI, 1.06-1.57, P=.01; OR 1.66, 95% CI, 1.35-2.04, P=.001, respectively). The relationship between California Healthy Places Index scores and ART was even more pronounced (Q2 OR 1.9, 95% CI, 0.99-3.64, P=.05; Q3 OR 2.86, 95% CI, 1.54-5.33, P<.001; Q4 OR 3.41, 95% CI, 1.83-6.35, P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Geographic disparities affect fertility-sparing treatment and ART rates among women with gynecologic or breast cancer. By acknowledging geographic factors, health care systems can ensure equitable access to fertility-preservation services.

De-escalation of surgical radicality for non-fertility preserving management in patients with early-stage cervical cancer: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of simple hysterectomy in patients with low-risk early-stage cervical cancer (tumors ≤2 cm with limited stromal invasion).

METHODS

This study was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023433840) following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. MEDLINE (through Ovid), EmMBASEbase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until June 2023. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies with two arms of comparison (simple hysterectomy with lymph node assessment vs radical hysterectomy with lymph node assessment) in patients with low-risk early-stage cervical cancer were considered.

RESULTS

The search identified 1270 articles; eighteen studies were considered potentially eligible after removing duplicates, and four met the selection criteria. Three studies were randomized controlled trials, and the other was a retrospective cohort study. In total, 981 patients were included. There were 485 (49.4%) and 496 (50.6%) patients in the simple hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy groups, respectively. Simple hysterectomy with lymph node assessment was not associated with a higher risk of death at 5 years (RR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.31 to 3.10; I2=0%, two randomized controlled trials, 141 patients, for an absolute risk reduction of zero percentage points [95% CI -9.0 to 9.0]), pelvic recurrence at 3 years (97.5% and 97.8% for simple hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy, respectively, p=0.79), and overall recurrence at 3 years (95 %% and 100% for simple hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy, respectively, p=0.30).

CONCLUSION

Simple hysterectomy with lymph node evaluation for low-risk early-stage cervical cancer is not associated with a detrimental effect on oncologic outcomes and has a better morbidity profile.

Recurrence After Biopsy-Confirmed Cervical High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesion Followed by Negative Conization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study is to assess the recurrence rate (as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ [CIN2+]) in patients who had a confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN2-3) in a cervical biopsy specimen followed by a negative conization specimen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Ovid/MEDLINE, Ovid/Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception until January 2023. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID number CRD42023393951). The search identified 3,089 articles; 1,530 were removed as duplicates, and 1,559 titles and abstracts were assessed for inclusion. The full text of 26 studies was assessed for eligibility, and finally, 12 studies with 1,036 patients were included. All included studies were retrospective cohort studies. A proportion meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

For patients with negative conization specimens, the recurrence rate as CIN2+ during follow-up was 6% (95% CI, 1.8%-12.1%; I2 = 49.2; p < .0001, 215 patients and 4 studies) in the proportion meta-analysis, ranging from 0.3% to 13.0% for the individual studies. For patients with ≤CIN1 conization specimens, the recurrence rate as CIN2+ during follow-up was 3.6% (95% CI, 1.2%-7%; I2 = 75.1; p < .0001, 991 patients and 10 studies) in the proportion meta-analysis and ranged from 0.6% to 13.0% for the individual studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence rate as CIN2+ for patients with a confirmed high-grade intraepithelial lesion on a cervical biopsy followed by a negative conization specimen is 6%. In patients with negative and CIN1 conization specimens, the recurrence rate is 3.6%.

Sentinel lymph node assessment in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the rate of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in patients with a pre-operative diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intra-epithelial neoplasia and endometrial cancer in hysterectomy specimens.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023416769). MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases were searched from inception until April 2023. The inclusion criteria were patients with a pre-operative diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intra-epithelial neoplasia undergoing hysterectomy who did or did not undergo SLN assessment.

RESULTS

Four studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were non-randomized studies with a total of 10 217 patients, 1044 in the SLN group and 9173 in the non-nodal assessment group. The unilateral and bilateral detection rate was 89% (I2=27.6%, 2 studies, 342 participants, 304 events) and 79% (I2=89.2%, 2 studies, 342 participants, 271 events), respectively. The rate of involved SLNs was 1.6% (I2=0%, 3 studies, 424 participants, 7 involved SLN) and 3.5% (I2=0%, 3 studies, 197 participants, 7 involved SLN) in patients with a pre-operative diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intra-epithelial neoplasia as the denominator and in those with endometrial cancer in the hysterectomy specimen, respectively. The cancer rate in the hysterectomy specimen was 45% (I2=72.8%, 3 studies, 503 participants, 224 events) and the most frequent endometrial cancer International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage was IA in 199 (89.2%) patients. The complication rate was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The rate of SLN metastases in patients with pre-operative atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intra-epithelial neoplasia is less than 2%, suggesting that routine SLN evaluation may not be necessary in this population.

Sentinel lymph node detection in early-stage ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy remains the surgical standard management of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. Sentinel lymph node mapping is being investigated as an alternative procedure; however, data reporting sentinel lymph node performance are heterogeneous and limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in Medline (through PubMed), Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. We included patients with clinical stage I-II ovarian cancer undergoing a sentinel lymph node biopsy and a pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy as a reference standard. We conducted a meta-analysis for the detection rates and measures of diagnostic accuracy and assessed the risk of bias using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. The study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with identifying number CRD42022351497.

RESULTS

After duplicate removal, we identified 540 studies, 18 were assessed for eligibility, and nine studies including 113 patients were analyzed. The pooled detection rates were 93.3% per patient (95% CI 77.8% to 100%; I2=74.3%, p<0.0001), and the sentinel lymph node technique correctly identified 11 of 12 patients with lymph node metastases, with a negative predictive value per patient of 100% (95% CI 97.6% to 100%; I2=0%). The combination of indocyanine green and 99mTc-albumin nanocolloid had the best detection rate (100% (95% CI 94% to 100%; I2=0%)) when injected into the utero-ovarian and infundibulo-pelvic ligaments.

CONCLUSION

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage ovarian cancer showed a high detection rate and negative predictive value. The utero-ovarian and infundibulo-pelvic injection using the indocyanine green and technetium-99 combination could increase sentinel lymph node detection rates. However, given the limited quality of evidence and the small number of reports, results from ongoing trials are awaited before its implementation in routine clinical practice.

Diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node frozen section analysis in patients with early-stage cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative SLN frozen section analysis compared with ultrastaging in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA checklist. MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until February 2023. The inclusion criteria were patients with early-stage cervical cancer (2018 FIGO stage I-II), consisting of the histological subtype squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma (≥90% of the patients in each study), who underwent SLN detection (with any tracer) and intraoperative frozen section followed by SLN ultrastaging. Randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies were considered. The detection rates and measures of diagnostic accuracy were pooled using a random effects univariate model. A preplanned subgroup meta-analysis was conducted, with isolated tumor cells excluded as positive lymph nodes. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023397147).

RESULTS

The search identified 190 articles, with 153 studies considered potentially eligible after removing duplicates. Fourteen studies met the selection criteria, including a total of 1720 patients. Seven studies were retrospective, and the other seven were prospective. Frozen section analysis detected 159 of 292 (54.5%) patients with lymph node metastases. In 281 patients the type of volume metastasis was reported: 1 of 41 (2.4%) patients had isolated tumor cells, 21 of 78 (26.9%) patients had micrometastases, and 133 of 162 (82.1%) patients had macrometastases. The pooled sensitivity of intraoperative SLN frozen section analysis was 65% (95% CI, 51-77%) for macrometastases, micrometastases, and isolated tumor cells. When we excluded patients with isolated tumor cells, the pooled sensitivity increased to 72% (95% CI, 60-82%).

CONCLUSION

SLN frozen section detects 65% of lymph node metastases compared with SLN ultrastaging and may prevent unnecessary radical surgery in some patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Uterine collision tumor. Case report and review of the literature

Objectives

To report the case of a patient with a uterine collision tumor and to conduct a review of the literature.

Material and methods

A 76-year-old patient who presented to the national cancer referral center in Bogota (Colombia), where she was diagnosed with a uterine collision tumor consisting of a seroustype endometrial adenocarcinoma and a cervical adenosarcoma. The patient underwent surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy and supplemental radiotherapy, and died 16 months later. A search was conducted in the Medline via PubMed and Embase databases, including reports and case series of women with a diagnosis of uterine collision tumor, with retrieval of information regarding diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. A narrative summary of the findings was made.

Results

The search identified 36 titles, of which 14 studies with 17 patients were included. The most frequent histopathological diagnosis was endometrial adenocarcinoma and high and low grade endometrial sarcoma (47 %). Primary treatment was surgery and adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (15 %) was performed in close to 50 % of cases. One-year survival was 75 %.

Conclusions

No cases of uterine collision tumors with the histopathology or in the location of the reported case were found in the literature. If this reported case is taken into account, 2-year mortality is 28 %. Further studies to describe the immunohistochemistry, treatment and prognosis of this condition are needed.

Complications of HIPEC for ovarian cancer surgery: evaluation over two time periods

OBJECTIVE

Cytoreductive surgery in conjunction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is being explored in the upfront, interval, and recurrent setting in patients with ovarian cancer. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the rate of complications associated with HIPEC in epithelial ovarian cancer surgery over two time periods.

METHODS

This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022328928). A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Ovid/Medline, Ovid/Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 2004 to April 2022. We included studies reporting on patients with advanced primary or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. We evaluated two different time periods: 2004-2013 and 2014-2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to produce an overall summary. Subgroup analyses were planned according to recruited period for each specific complication type. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 4928 patients were included from 69 studies for this systematic review; 19 published from 2004-2013, and 50 published from 2014-2022. No significant differences were found between the two time periods in terms of blood transfusions (33% vs 51%; p=0.46; I2=95%) overall gastrointestinal complications (15% vs 21%; p=0.36; I2=98%), infectious diseases (16% vs 13%; p=0.62; I2=93%), overall respiratory complications (12% vs 12%; p=0.88; I2=91%), overall urinary complications (6% vs 12%; p=0.06; I2=94%), or thromboembolic events (5% vs 3%; p=0.25; I2=63%). Also, no differences were found in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (89% vs 28%; p=0.06; I2=99%), reoperations (8% vs 7%; p=0.50; I2=37%), or deaths (3% vs 3%; p=0.77; I2=57%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our review showed that overall complications have not changed over time for patients undergoing HIPEC in the setting of primary or recurrent ovarian cancer. There was no decrease in the rates of ICU admissions, reoperations, or deaths.

Survival after sentinel node biopsy alone in early-stage cervical cancer: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the oncologic outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy alone as part of surgical management in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was performed following the PRISMA checklist. MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched from June 1991 to May 2023. Studies of women with early-stage cervical cancer International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IA-IIA, of any age or histology, and articles only in English language were included. After the removal of duplicates, only articles including sentinel node mapping alone compared with full pelvic lymphadenectomy were retained.

RESULTS

Four studies with a total of 2226 patients were included. Among these, 354 (15.9%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy alone. A total of 2210 (99.2%) patients had FIGO 2009 stage I disease and 1514 (68%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma. Median body mass index was 25.5 kg/m2 (range 23.5-27). Lymph vascular space invasion was present in 633 patients (34%) who underwent full lymphadenectomy and in 78 patients (22%) who underwent sentinel node biopsy alone. The results of the survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the 3-year progression-free survival rates of patients who underwent either sentinel biopsy alone or lymphadenectomy. Three-year recurrence-free survival was 93.1% (95% CI 28.3% to 64.7%) for patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy alone and 92.5% (95% CI 39.0% to 53.4%) for patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy and lymphadenectomy (p=0.773).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with early-stage cervical cancer, performing sentinel lymph node biopsy alone compared with pelvic lymphadenectomy does not appear to independently confer a higher risk or recurrence.

Definitive pelvic radiotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed stage IVB cervical cancer: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the oncologic outcomes of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage IVB cervical cancer receiving definitive pelvic radiotherapy compared with systemic chemotherapy (with or without palliative pelvic radiotherapy).

METHODS

This study was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42022333433). A systematic literature review was conducted following the MOOSE checklist. MEDLINE (through Ovid), Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until August 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients with metastatic FIGO 2018 stage IVB cervical cancer, a histologic subtype of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma that received definitive pelvic radiotherapy (≥45 Gy) as part of management compared with systemic chemotherapy with or without palliative (30 Gy) pelvic radiotherapy. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies with two arms of comparison were considered.

RESULTS

The search identified 4653 articles; 26 studies were considered potentially eligible after removing duplicates, and 8 met the selection criteria. In total, 2424 patients were included. There were 1357 and 1067 patients in the definitive radiotherapy and chemotherapy groups, respectively. All included studies were retrospective cohort studies, and two were database population studies. The median overall survival reported in seven studies for the definitive radiotherapy arm versus systemic chemotherapy groups were 63.7 months versus 18.4 months (p<0.01), 14 months versus 16 months (p value not reported), 17.6 months versus 10.6 months (p<0.01), 32 months versus 24 months (p<0.01), 17.3 months versus 10 months (p<0.01), and 41.6 months versus 17.6 months (p<0.01), and not reached versus 19 months (p=0.13) respectively, favoring the groups that received definitive pelvic radiotherapy. The high clinical heterogeneity precluded the performance of meta-analysis, and all studies were at serious risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive pelvic radiotherapy as part of treatment in patients with stage IVB cervical cancer may improve oncologic outcomes compared with systemic chemotherapy (with or without palliative radiotherapy); however, this is based on low-quality data. Prospective evaluation would be ideal before the adoption of this intervention in standard clinical practice.

Updates on cervical cancer prevention

In 2020, approximately 604 127 patients were newly diagnosed with cervical cancer and 341 831 died of the disease worldwide. Unfortunately, 85-90% of new cases and deaths occur in less developed countries. It is well known that persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main risk factor for developing the disease. There are more than 200 HPV genotypes identified, but the most important in public health are the high-risk HPV genotypes including HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59 due to their strong association with cervical cancer. Among these, genotypes 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. Implementing systematic cytology-based screening, HPV screening, and HPV vaccination programs have successfully decreased the cervical cancer burden, particularly in developed countries. Although the etiological agent has been identified, we have seen the impact of well-conducted screening programs in developed countries, and we have available vaccines, the fight against this preventable disease has shown poor results globally. In November 2020 the World Health Organization launched its strategy to eliminate cervical cancer from the earth by 2130 (the goal is to achieve a global incidence lower than 4 per 100 000 women/year). The strategy aims to vaccinate 90% of girls before 15 years of age, to screen with a highly sensitive test (HPV-based) 70% of women at 35 and 45 years of age, and to provide proper treatment by trained personnel to 90% of women diagnosed with either cervical dysplasia or invasive cervical cancer. The objective of this review is to update the state of the art on primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer.

Preoperative brachytherapy for early-stage cervical cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the rate of pathological response rate, and the oncological outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy (PBT) in early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases were searched from inception until April 2022. Only English and French articles were included. Studies containing data about pathology response or oncological outcomes among patients who received PBT as compared to those who underwent up-front surgery in early-stage cervical cancer were included. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022319036).

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, 3 randomized controlled trials (RCT), and 10 non-randomized studies (NRS). The 5-year survival was significantly higher in the PBT group compared with the up-front surgery group (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.11-2.84, I² = 0%) in the NRS. Recurrence rate was significantly lower in the PBT group compared with in up-front surgery group in the analysis of the RCT but not in NRS, (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.91, I² not applicable) and (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.26-1.95, I² = 51%) respectively. PBT was associated with a statistically significant lower rate of positive margins (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.89; I² = 42%) in the RCT and with a significantly higher rate of complete pathology response (CPR) in the RCT analysis (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.11-5.85, I² = 0%) and in the NRS (OR 9.64, 95% CI 1.88-49.48, I² = 76%) compared with the up-front surgery group.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative brachytherapy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer could improve pathologic and oncologic outcomes, but it should be assessed in high-quality randomized controlled trials before its implementation in clinical practice.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis after minimally invasive surgery versus open radical hysterectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients undergoing minimally invasive or open radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

METHODS

The MEDLINE (accessed through Ovid), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Clinical Trials, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published from inception up to April 2022. Articles published in English were considered. The included studies reported on patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IA-IIA squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and/or adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix who underwent primary surgery. Studies had to report at least one case of peritoneal carcinomatosis as a recurrence pattern, and only studies comparing recurrence after minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery were considered. Variables of interest were manually extracted into a standardized electronic database. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022325068).

RESULTS

The initial search identified 518 articles. After the removal of the duplicate entries from the initial search, two authors independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of the remaining 453 articles. Finally, 78 articles were selected for full-text evaluation; 22 articles (a total of 7626 patients) were included in the analysis-one randomized controlled trial and 21 observational retrospective studies. The most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma in 60.9%, and the tumor size was <4 cm in 92.8% of patients. Peritoneal carcinomatosis pattern represented 22.2% of recurrences in the minimally invasive surgery approach versus 8.8% in open surgery, accounting for 15.5% of all recurrences. The meta-analysis of observational studies revealed a statistically significant higher risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis after minimally invasive surgery (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.74, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive surgery is associated with a statistically significant higher risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer compared with open surgery.

Adjuvant treatment after radical surgery for cervical cancer with intermediate risk factors: is it time for an update?

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. The preferred treatment for early stage cervical cancer is radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node assessment, and adjuvant therapy is suggested according to histopathological risk factors. A landmark study was published in 1999 that established 'intermediate risk' criteria for relapse, showing a benefit in recurrence free rate in patients that received pelvic radiotherapy. Furthermore, in the presence of parametrial, nodal, or vaginal margin involvement, another key study found that the addition of concurrent cisplatin based chemotherapy to radiation therapy improved progression free and overall survival for 'high risk' early cervical cancer. With the advancement in treatment modalities in surgery and radiotherapy, and the improved identification of prognostic histopathological factors, several authors have reconsidered the role of adjuvant therapy after radical hysterectomy in the presence of intermediate risk criteria. Here we review the literature on the evolution of adjuvant therapy for intermediate risk factors.

Incidence of lymph node metastasis in early-stage low-grade serous ovarian cancer: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the incidence of lymph node metastasis in patients with clinically presumed early-stage low-grade serous ovarian cancer that underwent primary surgical treatment.

METHODS

This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022308923). A systematic literature review was conducted following the Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) checklist. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid, and Scopus databases were searched since inception and up to March 2022. The inclusion criteria were: pathological confirmation of low-grade serous ovarian cancer (clinically presumed FIGO 2014 stages I-IIA at time of surgery) that underwent primary surgical treatment, including pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

The search identified 3763 articles; 59 were considered potentially eligible after removing duplicates, and eight studies finally met the selection criteria. In total, 35 of 277 (12.6%) patients had lymph node metastasis, and only four studies reported upstaging due to lymph node metastasis in 16 of 153 (10.5%) patients. None of the eight studies included reported the rate of complications or complications specifically for the subgroup of patients with early-stage low-grade tumors.

CONCLUSION

In patients with early-stage low-grade serous ovarian cancer, lymph node assessment should be discussed when counseling for primary surgical staging.

Fertility-sparing surgery after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in women with cervical cancer larger than 4 cm: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the oncologic and fertility outcomes of patients with cervix-confined cancer >4 cm who underwent neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-sparing surgery.

METHODS

This study was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021254816). PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and OVID databases were searched from inception to July 2021. The included patients were those with cancer confined to the cervix and tumor diameter >4 cm (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage IB3) with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma who underwent intra-venous neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by successful fertility-sparing surgery.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 2990 articles. A total of 40 patients from 11 studies had attempted fertility preservation surgery (conization, simple or radical trachelectomy) and in 26 patients (65%) it was successful. All patients received platinum-based chemotherapy. A complete pathological response occurred in 56% of patients and two patients (7.7%) had a recurrence. The 4.5-year disease-free survival was 92.3% and the 4.5-year overall survival rate was 100%. Of six patients who tried to conceive, four (67%) achieved at least one pregnancy and three of the five pregnancies (60%) were pre-term deliveries (all after radical trachelectomy). All patients with recurrence received cisplatin and ifosfamide instead of cisplatin and paclitaxel, underwent non-radical surgery, and had residual disease in the final specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence for fertility-sparing surgery after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with cervical cancer and tumors >4 cm is limited, and this approach should be considered as an experimental intervention. As the use of non-radical surgery could be a risk factor, if neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is used, patients should undergo fertility-sparing radical surgery.

Human papillomavirus-independent cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide, representing nearly 8% of all female cancer deaths every year. The majority of cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV); however, up to 5% of tumors are not associated with HPV-persistent infection and, moreover, the new WHO Female Genital Tumors classification subdivided cervical squamous and adenocarcinomas into HPV-associated and HPV-independent tumors. Based on this new information, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of HPV-independent cervical cancer, evaluating diagnostic techniques, molecular profiles, and clinical outcomes. The HPV-independent tumors are characterized by a differentiated molecular profile with lower proliferative activity, a p53 immunostaining, a decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor proteins, such as p16, p14, and p27, and alterations in PTEN, p53, KRAS, CTNNB1, ARID1A, and ARID5B HPV-independent tumors are associated with both adenocarcinomas and squamous histologic subtypes, with lymph node involvement in the early stages, more distant metastasis, and generally worse oncological outcomes. Thus far, no specific therapeutic strategies have been developed based on HPV status; however, with advancing knowledge of differences in the molecular profiles and possible targetable alterations, novel approaches may offer potential options in the near future. Investigators should report on clinical outcomes, evaluating the overall response rates to specific treatments, and consider new biomarkers to establish more accurate prognostics factors.

Incidence of metastasis in circumflex iliac nodes in patients with cervical cancer: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The circumflex iliac nodes distal to the external iliac nodes are frequently removed when bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is performed in patients with cervical cancer. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the incidence of metastasis in the circumflex iliac nodes in patients with cervical cancer.

METHODS

PubMed/Medline, ClinicalTrials, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Ovid databases were searched from inception to May 2021. We included articles published in English language reporting all types of studies, except for case reports and commentaries. Abstracts and unpublished studies were excluded. The inclusion criteria were diagnosis of cervical cancer, FIGO 2009 stages IA-IIB, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma, and primary surgery including pelvic lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

A total of 3037 articles were identified. Overall, 1165 eligible patients from four studies were included in the analysis. A total of 696 (59.7%) patients had early-stage disease (FIGO 2009 stages IA, IB1, IIA1). The median number of extracted circumflex iliac nodes, which was reported in two studies, was one (range not reported) and three (range 1-13). The positive lymph node rate for the entire population and circumflex iliac node involvement were 26.9% and 3.1%, respectively. Isolated metastases were reported for 904 patients (three studies) and in one patient nodal spread was detected (0.11%).

CONCLUSION

The rate of isolated metastases in circumflex iliac nodes is small and excision of these lymph nodes as part of routine lymphadenectomy should be avoided.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to fertility-sparing surgery in cervical tumors larger than 2 cm: a systematic review on fertility and oncologic outcomes

BACKGROUND

Management of cervical cancer tumors >2 cm has been a subject of controversy, with management often considered as either up-front radical trachelectomy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy before fertility-sparing surgery.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). We searched Medline through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and OVID between January 1985 and December 2020. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies were English language, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies including information on fertility and oncologic outcomes. All titles were managed in EndNote X7. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for observational studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies with 205 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included. The majority of patients (92.2%, n=189) had stage IB FIGO 2009 cervical cancer. The preferred regimen used was cisplatin in combination with paclitaxel or ifosfamide (80%, n=164). One hundred and eighty patients (87.8%) underwent fertility-sparing surgery; radical vaginal trachelectomy, abdominal trachelectomy, conization, and simple trachelectomy were performed in 62 (34.4%), 49 (27.2%), 34 (18.9%), and 26 (14.4%) women, respectively. In nine patients (5%) the type of procedure was not specified. The follow-up time reported in all studies ranged between 6 and 69 months. In 112 women who sought a pregnancy after surgery, 84.8% (n=95) achieved a gestation.The global recurrence and death rates were 12.8% and 2.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-sparing surgery is a promising strategy that might allow fertility preservation in highly selected patients with cervical cancer with tumors >2 cm while providing acceptable oncologic outcomes. Results of prospective studies are required to validate its oncological safety.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42020203789.